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mistyorchid · 5 months ago

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Meet-Cute

Old Man!Logan x fem! reader

summary: Failed talking stages inspire you to meet someone irl. Riding an older man in the backseat of his limo makes you forget about the immature boys who ghosted you on Hinge. Ch. 2 Ch. 3 warnings: MDNI, no use of y/n, smut, age gap, reader is 21+, fingering, riding, size difference, praise kink, pet names (doll, baby, sweet/good girl, sweetheart), unprotected p in v, light slapping, oral (male!receiving), creampie, car sex (nobody's around tho), logan's slutty glasses. wc: 3k

Hinge. The app designed to be deleted. You smiled as you pushed the cart, daydreaming about chucking your phone into the nearest lake. The few matches that you received often ghosted you after a week, afraid of committing to a real date.

So here you were, aimlessly strolling through a grocery store. Desperately begging the universe for a real man.

You spent an embarrassingly long time curating the perfect outfit to attract a guy worth your time. Casual enough for a quick errand, but still chic. I want to be with someone who admires my confidence. They shouldn't reprimand me for expressing myself.

That's how the feminist part of your brain explained your attire. The other touch-starved half, however, wanted to wear the shortest skirt you owned just to feel men stare holes through it.

You turned into the bakery aisle and pretended to evaluate the nutritional contents of a massive chocolate cake. Maybe this could be plan B, if tonight's endeavor was hopeless.

The comforting hum of fluorescent lights softened the sterile environment around you. Memories of simpler times floated in your mind. Handmade school lunches. Gentle kisses placed on your knee after a bad fall. You closed your eyes, lulled by the promises of love you were granted as a child. Now an adult, you yearned for a partner that could nurture you in a romantic way.

Logan overheard a bag of produce spill onto the floor as he picked up a shopping basket. The cashier dropped it when he saw Logan's blood-stained dress shirt.

Mumbling a string of profanity, he decided to release some steam. "Show's over!" he snapped, flippantly tossing his right arm behind him.

Ignoring the shocked gasps of the other shoppers, Logan sulked further into the store in search of something to soothe his palate.

His doctor tentatively ordered him to "lay off the booze," a suggestion that left three deep puncture wounds in the drywall of his office. Alcohol numbed the emotional and physical pain that plagued him, but it also further delayed his healing powers.

Logan's skeleton was withering away, and all he wanted was a fucking sweet treat.

Your body braced for impact as your chest made contact with a shopper haphazardly turning into the aisle. After dropping the cake onto the pristine white tile, you closed your eyes again, salvaging the moment of peace that was stolen from you.

"Hey, watch where you're going, asshole." You reluctantly opened your eyes and were met with the solid torso of a man.

Slowly raking your gaze up his body, you raised your eyebrows at the sight of his bloody shirt before meeting his narrowed eyes.

Crows feet radiating from the corners. Prescription glasses. He appeared much older than you expected from your brief contact with his chest.

You silently cursed your luck. This meet-cute plan was steadily evolving into a meet-angry situation.

"Not smart to close your eyes in public," he huffed, staring pointedly at the fallen cake. It was hard not to notice your mini skirt. He hasn't seen a skirt that short since the 60s.

Although you had pulled away from him, the man's eyes lingered on your chest. The playful baby-doll top hugged your cleavage in all the right places. Your glossy lips donned a similar shade of pink. He quickly resumed eye contact, feeling like a dirty old man for imagining them wrapped around his cock.

She's too young, you sick fuck. Logan's internal monologue worked overtime to maintain a shred of decency.

Your face turned away from him at the impending embarrassment you were about to put yourself through. Smirking, you shyly retorted, "Not smart to stare at a girl's tits in public." You gently pushed up his glasses further onto the bridge of his nose.

Closing the gap between your chests, you tip-toed to reach his ear before whispering, "It's okay . . . I want you to."

The answer to Logan's suffering was sweeter than any slice of cake he could have indulged in. A pretty little thing was actually flirting with him, a cynical ex-soldier worn by the unforgiving rings of time.

Logan's hands found the back of your elbows and slowly pulled you closer to him. You gasped as you felt his belt buckle catch on the flimsy fabric of your top.

"Careful, doll," he grunted, leaning down to meet the side of your face. "I'm old enough to be your father."

You defiantly peered up at him through your lashes. "Yeah, and . . .?"

The man slowly distanced himself from you, gently tugging the hem of your top down to its original state.

Okay, definitely not the best response to seduce an older man. You chewed the inside of your cheek, stunned by your juvenile comeback.

"I'm sorry, kid. Forget I said anything," he muttered before turning into another aisle. He mentally kicked himself for letting the interaction go that far. Although his aching body and mind yearned for some relief, he wouldn't take advantage of some young girl.

He hurriedly stomped past the cashiers, swiping a few cigars from a distracted employee's station.

After the initial shock wore off, you quickly followed the older man to the parking lot. Totally not stalker-ish at all, right?

You wanted to take care of him. His reluctance to return your lust-sick gaze should have deterred you, but it only made you more desperate.

You watched as his hands dug into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys. The chipper click of the limo doors unlocking motivated you to get his attention.

"Hey! Can we talk?" You yelled, raising an outstretched palm to stop him from getting inside the car.

Logan froze at the sound of your voice. He contemplated being responsible, slamming his door and driving off without a second glance.

The gentle pressure of your hand wrapping around his wrist made him think extremely irresponsible thoughts.

Turning around to meet your gaze, the older man swiftly opened the passenger door. "Get in. Now," he growled.

Words betrayed you. All you responded with was a surprised squeak as he used your grip on his wrist to push you further into the vehicle.

His eyes widened as you briefly parted your thighs to get settled in the lush leather seat. The sinfully short hem of your skirt bunched up, revealing your underwear.

Logan whipped his head to the front of the limo, avoiding the sight of your body. Unfortunately, he couldn't avoid how you felt against his. You sat at an angle towards him, knees pressing against his thigh. His body tensed as you placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Why were you following me, huh?" he asked, finally meeting your eyes. "I've had a long fuckin' day and I need answers." He couldn't believe that a young woman like you would be interested in him.

"Yeah, you're old enough to be my father, maybe older-" you paused to move your left hand onto his thigh. "-but I'm done playing with boys." You shyly turned your head before continuing, "Need a real man."

Logan was done holding back. Now, it all made sense. Your lack of direction in the store, the low cut of your outfit that was way too sexy for a late night grocery run. We're both adults, he reasoned. She wants this.

He gingerly cradled your jaw with his large hand, turning your head towards his. "You sure about this, sweetheart?

You covered his hand with your own, bringing your lips to his in a spontaneous kiss. "I-I need to hear you," he stuttered.

"Shut up and fuck me, . . . " you sighed, pausing to ask for his name.

"Logan . . . call me Logan, doll." His left hand snaked around your waist, bunching the delicate material and exposing your breasts.

As you leaned into his palm, he fished the limo keys out of his pocket and clicked twice, locking the doors. He fondled the underside of your tits before rolling the sensitive nipples between his thumb and forefinger.

You were grateful for the tinted windows that shielded your embarrassing moans from the public.

"Already whining for me, hm? So fuckin' needy," he hummed, pushing up your top even further. You crossed your arms to undress, but Logan swatted them away, explaining, "It's cute. Wanna see your tits bounce for me, baby."

He gripped your ass with both hands and effortlessly swung you onto the broad expanse of his lap.

Your back arched as his rough palm cupped your pussy, thumb languidly tracing your sensitive bud through the cotton.

"But this . . . has to go," he drawled, tugging the elastic of your panties before letting it go with a faint snap.

It was too much. You were splayed over the lap of a stranger, hips wantonly rocking yourself over his prominent bulge and mewling as your sensitive clit caught on the rough fabric of his slacks.

He stilled your movements with his hands, lovingly kneading the flesh of your hips. "You okay with this?" he asked, searching your eyes for any sign of doubt. "Yeah, Logan . . . more than okay. Need you."

You loved that he was confident enough to take what he wanted but also gracious enough to check in, unlike the boys you were used to fucking around with.

His fingers hooked around the waistband of your skirt and panties, skillfully pushing your legs against your chest as he pulled them off. He decided against slicing them off with his claws, not wanting to hurt you. "Fuck. You're so pretty. My sweet, sweet girl . . ." he cooed. You whined as your aching cunt was finally exposed to Logan's hungry gaze and the chill night air. He groaned as you resumed desecrating his lap with your juices.

Your breath hitched as Logan traced two fingers along your bottom lip. You granted him access, playfully darting your tongue around his digits.

After his fingers were thoroughly soaked, he used your saliva to gently trace your hole, noticing the faint flutter of your walls.

"Need me to fill you up, hm? Poor baby's clenching around nothing. Let me fix that . . ." Logan's palm brushed against your clit as his fingers plunged into you, setting a steady pace.

You were incredibly wet, but he needed to prep you for his thick cock. He drooled, collecting a heavy wad of spit onto his tongue before letting it fall onto your pussy.

"Ah-ah!" You exclaimed, surprised by the contact. You bit your lip, cheeks flushing at the lewd feeling of his spit mixing with your wetness.

He used his other hand to slap repeatedly against your puffy folds, mesmerized by how vulnerable you were being for him.

"Yeah, you like that?" He whispered, curling his fingers as they met your cervix. You covered your mouth, desperately trying to maintain some modesty. Logan withdrew his left hand to pry away your arm and swallow your moans, sloppily slotting his lips into yours.

You gasped into his mouth as you felt your cunt spasm around his fingers, gushing all over his tight slacks.

"Oh, fuck! Logan . . . " you mewled, biting his lower lip while he continued to finger you through your orgasm.

Your head fell into the inviting crook of his neck, nuzzling his graying beard. "Atta girl, come for me," he cooed.

Logan peered down at you, noticing wet droplets dampening his beard. You were silently crying, tears cascading down your puffy cheeks before landing on his face.

At first, he was alarmed. "Hey, hey, shhhh," he purred. "What's the matter, doll?"

His cock twitched when he realized you were smiling against his neck.

"Nothing's wrong, Logan . . . you make me feel so good, that's all."

He planted a sweet kiss on your forehead. "Yeah? Want me to make you feel even better? Fill you up for real this time?"

You nodded dumbly, still basking in the haze of your release.

"Nuh-uh. Words." The simple command made you rut into his lap.

You shuddered while responding. "Wanna feel you inside me. Need your-" Logan bucked up into you. "-cock."

He slid his hands under your thighs, briefly pushing you forward so he could unbuckle his belt. Your small hands slinked toward his waist. "Let me do it," you pleaded, hastily sliding his belt through its loops and tossing it to the floor.

You pulled his cock out of his slacks, leaning down to press sweet little kisses to the head. Your thighs burned with the effort, but it was worth it to feel him momentarily lose control. Logan hissed sharply, "Good girl, fuck-" before guiding his thick cock into your heavenly mouth.

You licked a prominent vein that teased its way above his waistband. The taste of him was utterly intoxicating. You moaned onto his length, choking back tears as he suddenly thrust up into your eager throat.

The delicious weight of his cock on your tongue was short-lived. He cupped your face, forcing your mouth to slide past the tip with an obscene pop.

"Won't last long if you keep doing that, doll. Takes a lot less to get me riled up these days," he explained.

You nodded as you straightened yourself, using your knees to hover above his lap. He teasingly ran the flushed tip of his cock through your folds before sinking into your weeping pussy.

"Oh my god! fuck-" you cried, lowering your hips to embrace his full length. Your hands found stability on Logan's shoulders as you bounced on his cock.

Logan stared in awe at your tits. They were practically spilling out the sides of your cute top, jiggling with each movement of your hips.

As he admired your form, you drunk in the sight of his coarse salt and pepper beard. His wiry glasses barely held onto the slope of his strong nose due to your eager movements. You paid special attention to his crimson-stained shirt, wondering how he was enduring the wounds.

"You're hurt." You stated, pausing to slowly unbutton his dress shirt.

Logan's hands grabbed a handful of your ass and slammed you down onto his lap, forcing you to continue taking his cock.

"Never said you could stop," he huffed. "It'll take time, but I'm healing."

You gasped as your clit hitched on the bunched fabric of his slacks, frantically shrugging off his shirt in the process. A devastating moan ripped from Logan's throat as you peppered kisses on his wounds. The coppery taste of his blood was oddly soothing, reminding you that the man buried in your cunt was real and not just a figment of your lust-fueled imagination.

Logan loved how dazed you looked, your chest rising and falling with each shaky breath, your pupils dilated and glossy. His cock twitched every time your soft tits brushed against his face. You whined as the steady rhythm of your hips faltered, hinting at your imminent release.

"Lean forward, baby. Let your old man take care of you," he sighed, wrapping his broad arms around your waist. You allowed yourself to slump forward, arching your back and playfully wiggling your ass in the air.

You yelped as he slapped your ass with enough force to feel the sting radiate from his outstretched palm. "Such a fuckin' tease," he growled, filling you up in one thrust. He set a punishing pace that made you sob into his chest. The loud squelches of your release echoed throughout the limo, mirroring your high-pitched wines.

"Oh, my god! . . ." you mewled, savoring the feeling of his cock stretching your walls. Your breath hitched every time his hips met yours, balls slapping against the sensitive skin of your ass.

He fucked up into your cunt, relishing the fact that you'd probably never had a cock as big as his. Logan stared at where you were connected, hypnotized by the subtle drag of your folds along his rugged length.

"Don't know what I did to deserve a pretty girl like you." His teeth tugged on the delicate strap of your top, exposing your breasts. His mouth enveloped the bud, gently sucking and pulling as they hardened.

"Logan . . . can't take it anymore. I'm close." You clenched around him, earning another hard slap on your ass.

"You gonna come for me sweetheart, hm?" He somehow increased his pace, hips drilling into your sensitive cunt. "C'mon, come all over my cock. Such a sweet young thing, so eager to please . . . " he hummed into your ear.

"And just so we're clear, I am definitely older than your father." His filthy words made you arch even higher, stilling your hips mid-air and allowing Logan to fuck you through your release.

The sound of you faintly chanting his name as you came sent him over the edge. "You can take it," he encouraged as your pathetic whines intermingled with his unabashed groans. His hips drove home, bouncing you harshly against his tense thighs and spilling into you with a low growl.

You almost blacked out at the feeling of his cum spurting into your walls, reaching even further when Logan buried his cock to the hilt. You clenched around him, overstimulated and thoroughly fucked.

"That's it, just relax . . . You look so pretty milking my cock," he praised, brushing stray hair away from your face.

You managed to sit upright and shakily moved to lift yourself off his cock, but Logan quickly steadied your hips. He's still hard, you realized, fascinated by his renewed vigor.

He panted, obviously just as spent as you were.

"So, uh, tomorrow, the Italian place on fifth street, 8 PM?"

You narrowed your eyes, incredibly confused at his choice of words after experiencing the best sex you've ever had.

"Our first date," he clarified. He kissed your cheek and you blushed at the contrast between the innocent action and the fact that his hard cock was still buried in your cunt. "After all, I'm a real man, right? And real men plan dates." He plastered on a cocky grin, repeating your earlier statements.

"Okay, old man. It's a date." You smiled, kissing his mouth with passion.

an: Ah!!! I had so much fun writing this. Old Man Logan, when will it be my turn >:[

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firstkanaphans · 27 days ago

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Khun Dome's Peaceful Property fic, CH. 2

The director of Peaceful Property wrote a fic as a Christmas present for the fandom. You can read my translation of the first chapter here. And you can find the original Thai version of this chapter here.

2 days ago The night Peach called Home but he didn’t pick up Sat, 21/12 peach93 & Dome Online Psychic

peach93: [phone call to Dome lasting 01:13:06] peach93: Thank you na krap, Uncle Dome Online Psychic: Not a problem ja Dome Online Psychic: I’m always here if you need advice Dome Online Psychic: 💯💯💯 peach93: But Uncle krap peach93: I still have doubts peach93: Why does it have to be on the night of the 24th? Dome Online Psychic: It’s in accordance with Western astrology Dome Online Psychic: It’s just a coincidence that it also happens to be Christmas Eve peach93: But aren’t you a Thai psychic krap? Dome Online Psychic: Do you believe me or not? peach93: Fine fine. I believe you krap. Dome Online Psychic: Just do exactly as your uncle tells you Dome Online Psychic: And it’ll fix your bad luck Dome Online Psychic: Your life will be free from aging, illness, and disease Dome Online Psychic: So you can love each other for a very long time peach93: We’re just friends krap Dome Online Psychic: [picture of a very surprised Peach] [Translator’s note: It’s Tay Tawan] peach93: Wait a minute na krap. How did you get my picture? Dome Online Psychic: I am a psychic Dome Online Psychic: Seeing the future ❌ Seeing two male friends act suspiciously ✅ Dome Online Psychic: May it be so. Like TayNew 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 peach93: Uncle!

Today Tue, 21/12 14:14 Vimarnsukman Ghost-Hunting Co.

pangx2🍞: [Screenshot of the thumbnail for an episode of “Ghost Talk Radio: The Haunting Wave of the New Generation.” The episode is titled “The Demon of Wat Pho Kla has been defeated” and the host’s name is Khun Polka.] [Translator's note: Wat Pho Kla is the temple Peach was visiting in the previous chapter. And also Khun Polka appears to be GMMTV manager P’Jack.] pangx2🍞: Isn’t this the ghost the villagers asked for your help with, Hia? peach93: Yes pangx2🍞: Oh! You did the job by yourself without saying anything? pangx2🍞: I missed out on filming the ghost-busting content peach93: Ha ha go HOME!: [gif of Michael Scott from “The Office” saying “OH, WOW!”] Lawyer Kan: May I say something na ka Lawyer Kan: I have told the customers at the restaurant that we will be closing early tonight ka Lawyer Kan: For your Secret Santa activity, Khun Home peach93: Thank you so much, Kan! go HOME!: [gif of an animated penguin coming out of its shell saying “I LOVE YOU! ❤️”] Lawyer Kan: I will pretend not to see your message, Khun Home na ka go HOME!: 💔💔💔

pangx2🍞, Lawyer Kan, & Suradech Ketmuangrong

pangx2🍞: Did you see, Mae!!! Lawyer Kan: See what ka? pangx2🍞: [screenshot of the above text conversation where Peach admits to ghost-busting solo] Lawyer Kan: I can read it in the group just fine by myself na ka pangx2🍞: In my whole life, I’ve never caught Hia in a lie. Not even once pangx2🍞: This is the very first time! Lawyer Kan: What are you talking about na ka? pangx2🍞: I’ve already looked into everything pangx2🍞: Hia was the one who went to exorcise the ghost for the villagers that night pangx2🍞: But it seems Hia pangx2🍞: Oops. Sent it too soon ha ha pangx2🍞: It seems P’Home was there too pangx2🍞: They’re such good actors pangx2🍞: Secretly going to exorcise ghosts together just the two of them! pangx2🍞: It’s very suspisious ka pangx2🍞: Isn’t that right, P’Suradech? Suradech Ketmuangrong: Krap Lawyer Kan: You spelled “suspicious” wrong ka Lawyer Kan: Why don’t you just ask them directly ka? Lawyer Kan: Since you’ve already figured everything out Lawyer Kan: As it is now, you’re hiding the truth just like them ka pangx2🍞: Whose side are you on, Maeeeee!!!! Lawyer Kan: I’m just saying that everything you’ve accused them of Lawyer Kan: Cannot be used as evidence in court ka Lawyer Kan: Legally… pangx2🍞: 😪😪😪 pangx2🍞: Wake me up when you’re done typing Lawyer Kan: You have to find more concrete evidence ka pangx2🍞: [picture of Peach and Home asleep in bed together] pangx2🍞: This isn’t evidence enough ka?! Lawyer Kan: Stop using the same old evidence ka pangx2🍞: Then what do you want me to do, Mae? pangx2🍞: In just a few hours, it will be time for Secret Santa pangx2🍞: I will expose them during the game! pangx2🍞: I will expose them during the gameee!!! pangx2🍞: I will expose them during the gameeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! Lawyer Kan: Then you will need a witness ka

Lawyer Kan invites Dome Online Psychic to chat

Dome Online Psychic: Hello, Khun Lawyer Kan. This is the new Line account of Uncle Dome Online Psychic since the old Line account I used for a very long time has disappeared. You can contact the team here na krap. Thank you krap 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Lawyer Kan: @ Dome Online Psychic I would like to speak directly with Uncle Dome ka. I do not want to speak with the automated message response system ka.

Dome Online Psychic joined to chat

Dome Online Psychic: What’s up ja, Nong Noo Kan? Lawyer Kan: Allow me to get right to the point na ka, Khun Uncle Dome Dome Online Psychic: Do you want a group reading? Dome Online Psychic: That will be more expensive na

Suradech Ketmuangrong left chat

pangx2🍞: Oh! P’Suradech!!! pangx2🍞: Wait! I will pay for you!!! Dome Online Psychic: What do you want to know, Nong Noo Kan? Dome Online Psychic: I see your soulmate is in this group too na Lawyer Kan: I don’t want to talk about that ka! pangx2🍞: [gif of a cartoon rabbit saying “EH, I’M CONFUZZLED…”]

pangx2🍞invites Suradech Ketmuangrong to chat

Dome Online Psychic: Oh! Then what do you want to talk about ja? Lawyer Kan: [picture of Peach and Home asleep in bed together] Dome Online Psychic: Didn’t you say not to use the same old evidence ja? Lawyer Kan: My friend is curious ka Lawyer Kan: Whether these two are dating ka Pangx2🍞: Not just me ka Suradech Ketmuangrong: Krap Dome Online Psychic: Hmm Dome Online Psychic: Where should I start? Lawyer Kan: You can just jump straight to the answer ka Dome Online Psychic: Well it’s like this…

15:13 peach93 & go HOME!

go HOME!: [picture of Home posing for the camera wearing a designer backpack] peach93: What do you want? go HOME!: I just thought you might like to see it peach93: You did not peach93: Are you going to ask if you should post it? go HOME!: Should I post it? peach93: Learn to think for yourself sometimes go HOME!: [gif of Adam Sandler giving the camera a thumbs down, captioned “LAME”] go HOME!: [screenshot of the above picture now posted to Instagram with the caption “Once upon a time.” The picture has 1.3K likes and was posted 1 minute ago.] peach93: I bet if you post it, you will get a thousand likes immediately na go HOME!: I already posted it peach93: I was being sarcastic go HOME!: oh go HOME!: what’s your problem? go HOME!: if you didn’t want me to post it you could have just said so peach93: Would it have stopped you? go HOME!: fine go HOME!: i’ll delete it peach93: Why? peach93: It’s already out there peach93: People are reposting it on Twitter go HOME!: dude go HOME!: it’s called X now you know? peach93: Not funny go HOME!: so what do you want me to do? peach93: Forget it go HOME!: [gif of blinking man] go HOME!: i’m sorry na go HOME!: but when you post a picture go HOME!: you tag everyone go HOME!: except me peach93: I tag you go HOME!: hidden tags are not tags peach93: You’re talking nonsense peach93: You need to learn to think peach93: Why might I hide the tag? go HOME!: i don’t like to think! go HOME!: if there’s something you want to say just say it peach93: 😩 go HOME!: fine go HOME!: i’m dumb go HOME!: i have no idea what you’re talking about go HOME!: i never do go HOME!: that’s why i always have to ask you directly peach93: For me, you are more special than anyone else peach93: Do you understand now? go HOME!: more special than anyone else go HOME!: are you making fun of me? peach93: Ughhhhhhhhhhhh go HOME!: then what do you want? peach93: 😩😩😩 go HOME!: tell me!!!! peach93: Go tag me in that picture go HOME!: tag you? go HOME!: what for??? peach93: Are you going to tag me or not? go HOME!: fine fine fine go HOME!: [Screenshot of the same Instagram post with “peach93” now tagged right in the middle. The picture was posted 4 minutes ago and now has 2.7K likes.] go HOME!: happy now? peach93: I’m going to call you. Answer the phone peach93: [phone call with Home lasting 00:04:13] peach93: 🙂 go HOME!: [gif of a confused man captioned “THAT’S IT?”] go HOME!: next time you have something to say, just say it directly peach93: You still don’t understand go HOME!: 😿😿😿 go HOME!: be patient with me go HOME!: okay? peach93: Fine go HOME!: [Screenshot from Home’s Instagram of a picture of him shirtless sitting on the side of the pool. It has 13K likes and was posted 3 months ago.] peach93: Don’t post that one! go HOME!: It was posted a long time ago!!!

16:17 pangx2🍞, Lawyer Kan, Suradech Ketmuangrong, & Dome Online Psychic

Dome Online Psychic: [phone call lasting 01:04:13] pangx2🍞: Oh my godddddddddd Lawyer Kan: Thank you for the information na ka, Uncle Dome Dome Online Psychic: Keep an open mind, kids! pangx2🍞: So do we have to pretend like we don’t know ka? Dome Online Psychic: I can’t give you much advice Dome Online Psychic: action = reaction Dome Online Psychic: Bad luck can only be stopped by not dwelling on it Lawyer Kan: But you’re sure your predictions are correct ka? Dome Online Psychic: My predictions are only estimates Lawyer Kan: I’m starting to doubt everything you’ve told us ka Dome Online Psychic: If there’s nothing else, I will be leaving now na ja

Dome Online Psychic left chat

pangx2🍞: Mae pangx2🍞: i think he overcharged you Lawyer Kan: Yes ka Lawyer Kan: This is clearly a scam. He is a fraud. Lawyer Kan: Where did he go? pangx2🍞: We should take everything he said with a grain of salt, Mae pangx2🍞: But at least we have more evidence now pangx2🍞: [gif of mischievous racoon rubbing his hands together captioned “Hehehehe….”] Suradech Ketmuangrong: Krup

7 hours later 23:57 Vimarnsukman Ghost-Hunting Co.

pangx2🍞: [A collection of 4 pictures from the Secret Santa event.] [Translator’s note: They’re BTS pictures from the filming of Peaceful Property. Dome’s in one of them.] go HOME!: [gif of a tired baby raising his arms captioned “YAY”] pangx2🍞: So funnnnnnn pangx2🍞: except no one had time to dress according to the theme pangx2🍞: let’s do it again next year p’homeeeee 💖💖💖 go HOME!: sure thing girl! Lawyer Kan: I just got home na ka Lawyer Kan: Today was fun ka. Thank you na ka peach93: Are you sure it was fun? peach93: Ai’Home ate the cake all by himself and didn’t share with anyone pangx2🍞: 555555555555 go HOME!: [gif of man looking around as if to say “Me?”] go HOME!: who ate the cake and didn’t share it with anyone? pangx2🍞: 👀👀👀 Lawyer Kan: You’re a growing boy ka. I understand ka. Lawyer Kan: Merry Christmas, everyone ka pangx2🍞: merry christmas jaaaaaa peach93: 🥳 🥳 🥳 go HOME!: [gif of dancing Santa Claus captioned “MERRY CHRISTMAS”]

pangx2🍞, Lawyer Kan, & Suradech Ketmuangrong pangx2🍞: Mae!!! Lawyer Kan: What is it now ka? pangx2🍞: Did you see the way they were looking at each other? pangx2🍞: I only have one word: loveeeeeeeeeee Lawyer Kan: Khun Pang ka Lawyer Kan: Stop rambling ka Lawyer Kan: I think they were acting normal Lawyer Kan: It’s normal for boys to flirt with each other Lawyer Kan: And argue like a married couple Lawyer Kan: And stare into each other’s eyes Lawyer Kan: It’s normal ka pangx2🍞: Normal pangx2🍞: When is that normal? pangx2🍞: since p’home came into my brother’s life pangx2🍞: he smiles more often pangx2🍞: #crying 😭😭😭 Lawyer Kan: Just let them be themselves ka pangx2🍞: but i think they really like each other pangx2🍞: it’s just that neither of them will make the first move pangx2🍞: right, p’suradech? Suradech Ketmuangrong: Krup pangx2🍞: you’re no fun pangx2🍞: i’m going to chat with my other friends Lawyer Kan: Congratulations on having more than four friends na ka

3 hours later Wed, 25/12 03:13 Vimarnsukman Ghost-Hunting Co.

Suradech Ketmuangrong: Everyone krap Suradech Ketmuangrong: Khun Noo has something he would like to tell everyone krap Suradech Ketmuangrong: Only he doesn’t want to disturb everyone’s sleep Suradech Ketmuangrong: So I am typing this message for you to read later per his orders krap Suradech Ketmuangrong: [picture of Home in a hospital bed] Suradech Ketmuangrong: Khun Noo is very sick Suradech Ketmuangrong: He had been admitted to the hospital krap

To be continued

Chapter 3

#it's getting gayer 👀#peaceful property #peaceful property fic #written by the director #translated by me #peachhome

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amethystblooms · 3 months ago

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Elain, the wretch, had taken the seat between Feyre and Varian, about as far from Lucᴉen as she could get. Azriel remained in the doorway. >a court of silver flames, ch. 58

they’re both uncomfortable.

elain, because of lucᴉen.

and azriel, because he can’t handle the bond between elain and lucᴉen.

“It allowed me to plant things for her [Nesta] journey and even Elain’s journey..” >sarah j maas interview with eva chen: feb. 21, 2021

this scene is one of many that has made it clear where the next book is going. love interest wise

the confirmation from azriel’s bonus chapter..

azriel couldn’t handle the sight of lucᴉen with elain

He left the rest unspoken. Because her mate was here, sleeping a level up. Because her mate had been in the family room and Azriel had needed to stay by the door the whole time because he couldn't stand the sight of it, the scent of their mating bond, and needed to have the option of leaving if it became too much. >azriel’s bonus chapter

parallels with nessian!

cassian couldn’t handle the sight of eris with nesta

“Because I was fucking jealous!” he roared, wings splaying. “You looked like a queen, and it was painfully obvious that you should be with a princeling like Eris and not a low-born nothing like me! Because I couldn’t stand the sight of it, right down to my gods-damned bones! But go ahead, Nesta. Go ahead and fucking marry him and good fucking luck to you!” >a court of silver flames, ch. 58

#elriel #pro elriel

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acescorazon · 11 days ago

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Chapter: 21

Title: Glue.

Rating: M

Warnings: Minor violence/blood. Language.

Word Count: 4424

Chapter excerpt:

Instead of being able to pull Crocodile up like he wants to, Buggy loses his balance completely and finds himself tumbling over the railing as well. Of course something like this happened, why would luck or even gravity ever be on his side? Buggy’s eyes widen as he and Crocodile exchange panicked gazes, and they begin to fall together. In hindsight, maybe Buggy should have made sure he could actually keep both of them safe before rushing to Crocodile’s aid… But It’s too late now.

He falls. No, they fall off the side of the ship a moment later. The poor fools never stood a chance now that Buggy thinks about it. The shocking thing isn’t that they’ve fallen overboard, though. No, the shocking thing is that when Buggy falls, Crocodile opens his arms and catches him - not that it does either of them any good. He still wraps a strong pair of arms around Buggy, though, and together they find themselves sinking towards the bottom of the freezing ocean.

||Ch1||Ch2||Ch3|Ch4|Ch5|Ch6|Ch7|Ch8|Ch9|Ch10|Ch11|Ch12||Ch13||Ch14||Ch15||Ch16||Ch17||Ch18||Ch19||Ch 20||

Buggy hurries out of his room, dressed in nothing but his pajamas, and tries to make it out to the main deck without being thrown violently across the boat. It’s no easy task, though. The sea king that is attacking causes the ship to jerk back and forth erratically and occasionally throws it up in the air, making Buggy feel a little sea sick as he struggles to make his way outside. Jeez, why does this have to happen right now?

Things calm down significantly by the time Buggy makes it outside, and he notices three things: One, that Mihawk has his sword already drawn. Two, that there’s a giant tentacle now lying across the main deck. Three, that things are strangely quiet. Is… Is it over already? He wonders as he tries to gather his bearings.

No, it can’t be over. His men still seem on edge and they’re searching the water for something as Crocodile and Mihawk stand off to the side, conversing with one another. The wind blows, carrying the scent of rain and the stench of blood through the air as Buggy cautiously approaches his fellow members of Cross Guild. He’s still feeling a little woozy from his journey from his room to the front deck, but he tries to hide that fact and appear cool, calm, and collected instead.

“How long will it take for you to kill that thing?” Crocodile asks Mihawk. His voice is tense, and he’s definitely irritated by this whole ordeal but there’s a hint of exhaustion hidden behind his frustration as well. It’s clear that the last thing he wants to deal with right now is a sea king of all things, but who would want to face a sea king in general let alone at this time of night?

“Longer than I'd like.”

“Son of a bitch.”

Uh-Oh, that doesn’t sound too good. Buggy can roughly piece together what’s going on already, but he decides to ask Crocodile and Mihawk to fill him in just in case he’s wrong. “What the hell happened?” He asks as he tries to assess the situation further and does a quick scan of the ship, looking for any noticeable damage. The ship doesn’t look like it’s taken on any damage at all, or maybe it has and Buggy just hasn’t noticed it yet, he’s not really sure.

Crocodile is quick to reply in his usual cold tone, “We ran into a damn sea king.” He grumbles, running a hand through his damp hair, “ A squid or something, I don’t know. The fucker went back underwater and now we can’t find it.” He tells Buggy. Man, Buggy was afraid Crocodile would say something like that. “Call your men back.” Crocodile suddenly orders, “Tell them to get inside and hold onto anything they can in case that thing resurfaces and attacks again while I try and steer us away from it. If Hawkeye can’t kill it for whatever reason or I can’t get us away and we take on too much damage, be prepared to abandon ship.”

Buggy raises an eyebrow, “Seriously?” he asks. To say that he’s surprised that Crocodile is willing to just abandon ship, as well as all plans to go to Prickly Pear island, is an understatement. Isn’t it more like him to want to stay and fight, and maybe even go down with the ship and his plans instead?

“They’re more of a liability out in the open like this than any help. Let Hawkeye handle the sea king by himself, unless you want to risk having one of your men grabbed and pulled into the water with that thing.”

That’s yet another statement from Crocodile that has Buggy momentarily scratching his head. If he didn’t know better, he would say that Crocodile was actually showing genuine concern for Buggy’s crew right now, but that doesn’t sound right. Maybe he doesn’t care, and he’s just instructing Buggy to get the men out of the way for selfish reasons, like… Like… Well, to be honest, Buggy doesn’t have a theory on why Crocodile is suddenly showing concern for the rest of the crew, but something doesn’t feel right about his actions.

In any case, Crocodile does have a point, and it’s kind of annoying. Buggy should have already ordered his men to fall back by now. It’s dark and stormy, and even with all their lights on, it’s still hard to see. Crocodile is right, it is a dangerous for the rest of the crew to be out in the open like this, where they can just be grabbed and pulled underwater by a lurking sea king. They’re also just wasting supplies by trying to shoot at a sea beast that can disappear and resurface whenever it chooses to. The fact that Crocodile is right about something still annoys Buggy to no end for some reason, though.

Buggy should be doing anything in his power to protect his crew and his ship, he is the captain after all, but he didn’t have an instant game plan. Hell, he didn’t even think something like this would happen to them. So, to say he’s unprepared would be an understatement. Stupid Crocodile, always making me look bad… he thinks as he begins to give orders to his men, instructing them to begin tying things down and to hold on to something sturdy in case the Sea King pops up again and attacks their ship. He also gives them clear instructions to keep a look out and wait for any signals that indicate they should start getting the lifeboats ready and evacuate the ship as fast as possible.

Once the crew hesitantly retreat as instructed, Crocodile speaks up, “You should go back inside too.” Huh?! What the hell does he mean Buggy should go back inside too? Buggy’s the captain of the damn ship, why would he wait inside with the rest of his men?

Buggy’s brow furrows in confusion, “Why would I go back inside?” He asks. Now, honestly, the last thing he wants to do is fight a giant squid of all things, but something doesn’t seem right about this scene. Mihawk, Buggy, and Crocodile are the three most capable fighters on their team, aren’t they? Shouldn’t they be putting their differences aside for once so that they can take down that sea king? Or does Crocodile still see Buggy as some weakling who can’t do anything right?

“Look, it’s not safe for any of us to be out in the open with this thing around.” Crocodile replies, “If it doesn’t grab us and pull us into the ocean with it, then it might capsize the ship. I’m sure you can figure out why that situation isn’t ideal for any of us, but especially not you and me.”

“Yeah, but…”

“I’ll stay out and man the helm and try to steer us away from that damn squid while Hawkeye stands on guard. You keep the crew calm and get ready to abandon the ship if we need to. I’m not sure what we’ll do after that, but we’ll figure something out.”

“You’re actually considering retreating?” Buggy asks, “Like, for real?”

“If the situation were any different, I probably wouldn’t even consider it, but I’ll be damned if I lose my life to a giant piece of calamari.”

Buggy agrees, but for some strange reason he’s hesitant to listen to Crocodile’s orders. While he’d usually choose the coward’s way out and be happy that he wouldn’t have to fight a sea king of all things, his pride picks perhaps the most inopportune chance to resurface. He’s the captain, he should be the one giving out orders, not Crocodile. “Why don’t I man the helm instead?” He suggests. The mere suggestion causes Crocodile to give him a strange look.

“You talked about liabilities…” Buggy adds, “Aren’t you pretty much a liability yourself once you’ve come in contact with water?” He asks before he gestures up to dark skies where the rain continues to fall, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I heard that you can’t change your form when you’re wet. Is that true? Can you even use your powers right now?” He asks, and his question only serves to further annoy Crocodile, who begins to clench his jaw and laugh coldly in response to Buggy’s question.

Crocodile clicks his tongue, “It doesn’t matter what I can or can’t do,” He replies. That sounds like a rather weak excuse in Buggy’s book. In fact, it sounds like Buggy was more or less right about Crocodile being a liability, which isn’t a word one would generally use to describe Sir Crocodile of all people. “I can handle myself just fine despite the rain. Get back inside and wait for further instructions.”

What? No, why?!

Buggy bites the inside of his cheek, “Maybe you should be the one to go inside and provide the men with some much-needed moral support. I’ll man the helm. At the very least, if the sea king tries to attack me, I’ll still be able to use my devil fruit powers to defend myself. Well, unless I’m thrown into the water.”

“Look, I already told you that I can defend myself just fine even though it’s raining.” Can he, though? Buggy is starting to have his own doubts, and he doesn’t want to find out whether Crocodile’s statement is true at this very moment. He’d rather be safe than sorry, especially when everyone’s lives are at risk here.

As the two begin to bicker, Mihawk gives them both a rather disinterested look before he heads to the front of the ship. He looks down, staring into the water with an intent gaze, watching and waiting for the Sea King to resurface, should it still be on the prowl. He doesn’t seem very interested in playing peacemaker at the moment, and who could blame him? There are bigger things to worry about right now. However, that doesn’t stop Crocodile and Buggy from being childish and continuing their argument anyways.

“I don’t see what the big deal is.” Buggy tells Crocodile, who’s becoming more and more irritated by the moment now that his authority and capabilities are being questioned. Funnily enough, the same thing is happening to Buggy. “You can sit this one out. I’ll man the helm and if I’m unable to get us to safety, then you can gather up the men and abandon ship. I’ll follow suit, of course, and so will Hawkeye. Why are you arguing with me when we’re in the middle of being attacked?” Buggy asks.

Jeez, what a stubborn guy. Can’t he put his pride aside for two seconds and just listen to Buggy?!

“Look. I told y–” Crocodile begins to argue back, but he doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. The Sea king finally resurfaces, causing a giant wave to send the ship up in the air and for Crocodile to lose his footing.

Buggy’s eyes widen as he sees Crocodile begin to fall, and without thinking, he tries to grab him. “Shit,” He cusses as his fingertips just barely graze the surface of Crocodile’s plush coat but fail to latch on. He feels an odd sense of panic as he can do nothing but watch as Crocodile falls awkwardly on his left shoulder with a loud thud and begins to skid towards the side of the ship.

Shit, that looked like it hurt, Buggy thinks as his feet move on their own accord, carrying him over towards Crocodile, who groans as he slowly tries to get back up to his feet. “Hey, are you o–”

Buggy never gets to finish his question.

Everything happens so fast: one minute Buggy’s trying to check on Crocodile, who’s clinging onto the ship’s metal railing for dear life, and the next minute, another large tentacle plunges towards the sea as Mihawk begins to cut the sea king down. The act causes the ship to become unsteady and tilt sideways for a moment, and Buggy begins to worry about the possibility of the ship capsizing for real as he begins to lose his own balance. Shit. Fuck, fuck, is all Buggy can think as he manages to steady himself just in time to see Crocodile begin to fall over the ship’s railing.

God, why did all this have to happen now? Why couldn’t it have happened on a sunny afternoon and not in the middle of a rainy night? Buggy surges into action and almost goes sliding again as he rushes over to the side of the ship and reaches down to grab onto any part of Crocodile that he can before he can fall into the water. In this case, he manages to grab onto his bicep but just barely. Crocodile’s heavy and Buggy struggles to maintain his grip on him as the ship continues to jerk around, but Buggy refuses to let go.

Crocodile stares up at him with wide eyes. It’s as if he doesn’t expect Buggy to be the one rushing to his aid. They had just been fighting a moment ago, hadn’t they? That’s the thing, though, Buggy doesn’t care about their fight five seconds ago or five weeks ago in that very moment. He uses all his strength to pull back and tries his damnest to get Crocodile back over the ship railing, but before he can, another wave crashes into the side of the ship as yet another one of the squid’s tentacles comes flying down to earth courtesy of the World’s strongest swordsman.

Buggy inadvertently gasps and breathes in the surrounding water the moment he plunges into the ocean with Crocodile. It’s a very unfortunate and painful move on his part, and his chest begins to burn as cold salt water floods in from his nose and mouth and begins filling his lungs. Again, if he had better foresight, maybe he would have tried to hold his breath before falling into the ocean, but everything happened so fast.

This is it, huh?

To say Buggy is a little bitter at this moment would be an understatement. There are so many things that he’s failed to do in his life because this thing or that thing prevented him from doing so, and it’s beyond frustrating. Buggy shouldn’t be spending his dying moments with Crocodile of all people. He shouldn’t even be dying in the first place! He should… He should still be with best friend, laughing and smiling and conquering the world with him… God damn it, this isn’t how things are supposed to be.

In his dying moments, he somehow misses and hates Shanks with all his heart. How come he never once tried to get Buggy back? Why is he going after the one piece now and without Buggy? How did Buggy even end up out at sea with Cross Guild and not Shanks in the first place? It just doesn’t make sense. It’s never made any sense to Buggy. This isn’t the life he imagined himself living by any means. All he’s ever wanted was to… Was to…

Fuck it all.

Buggy comes to the realization that perhaps he was miserable for entirely too long. In the face of death, everything Crocodile and Mihawk have done to him, and everything little slip up that they’ve faced as the organization known as Cross Guild feels so trivial and insignificant. He’s still hurt by their words and actions, but he wishes he had tougher skin and that his days weren’t spent in a seemingly endless depressive cycle. He wishes he could have just pulled himself together and lived life happily. He wishes that everything about these last twenty years or so of his life were different.

Why does it have to end this way? What did he ever do to deserve such a fate? What did he ever do to deserve such a life, actually? This is the worst, he’s never felt so bitter, so disappointed, so…so, scared, in his life.

Buggy’s going to die and there’s no one here to save him. He hates this miserable, bitter feeling, this hopeless feeling in the pit of his chest. He yet again finds himself bitter at the fact that he can no longer swim. He used to love swimming, he used to love the water, and now the same water he used to love will be his grave. He hates this all so much, what did he ever do to deserve such a shitty life?!

Crocodile’s arms stay around Buggy for another moment, a good moment longer than they probably should have, actually, before exhaustion probably hits him and he releases Buggy. Buggy’s feeling the same effects as he continues to sink deeper into the dark abyss. He’s cold, tired, and he feels like he has rocks tied down to his ankles as he sinks further and further. The light coming from the ship above becomes harder to see the further he sinks, and in that cold, dark, scary moment he wishes someone would just come and save him. No … them. Despite everything that’s happened between him and Crocodile, he doesn’t think Crocodile deserves this fate. Neither of them do, if you ask him. Drowning is such an awful way to die, especially when you know there’s nothing you can do as a devil fruit user but hope someone will help you or reside to your fate. These are the consequences of seeking out this type of power, isn’t it?

(Buggy never wanted these powers of his, though.)

Buggy gives up on the hope of being rescued as his flagship, Mihawk, and even the sea king disappear from his line of sight, and he closes his eyes. A sense of self-preservation would be nice right now, but it wouldn’t help matters. He still can’t swim. So, he simply closes his eyes and waits for the eventual end. He’s unsure where Crocodile is, but he can’t be that far, can he? He tries to open his eyes and look, but the seawater stings them, so in the end he gives up on that too.

This is just my luck… He thinks for the umpteenth time. This really isn’t the way he wanted to go, but then again, how many people can say they had the privilege of choosing the way they met their makers? Still, he just wishes that…

Oh, never mind. He’s done for, and his hopes and dreams don’t mean a thing anymore.

It’s funny, though, no less than two seconds after he has that thought, he feels arms around his waist again; they’re strong and firm as they pull him upwards and towards the surface. He tries to open his eyes again, thinking Crocodile has him, despite knowing that something like that just isn’t possible given the situation. His eyes burn and his vision is hindered by the dark environment, but he can just barely make out sharp facial features above him as well as a pair of golden eyes. It’s then that he finally realizes who has him. Oh, thank god, he thinks, actually relieved to see that Mihawk has come to his aid.

Buggy’s never been this happy to see Mihawk in his life. He almost can’t believe it. He rescued him, he really rescued him. Mihawk’s done so much for the ship just tonight alone, and Buggy just feels so… Grateful? He feels grateful and maybe even a weird sense of admiration after seeing just how capable Mihawk really is. This man, despite his cold personality and general aloofness, has been the glue that’s holding everything together. He’s the one who’s been trying to get everyone to get along, he’s the one who’s been trying to make sure everything runs smoothly from the sidelines, and he’s the one who’s been trying to protect Buggy for a while now. The horrible thing is that Buggy’s just now realizing all this - he’s come to realize a lot of things today, and thinks it’s rather unfortunate that he’s been blind for so long.

A moment or so later, they reach the surface, and Mihawk scolds Buggy as soon as they do. “Good Lord, I can’t take my eyes off of you for two seconds,” He complains as some of Buggy’s men toss two life preservers into the water and help them back onto the ship - they must have come back out after noticing Crocodile and Buggy went overboard or after receiving orders from Hawkeye. Either way, Buggy is so grateful at that moment.

Buggy coughs violently as he spits up the water that he’s inhaled. He wants to reply, or better yet, tell Mihawk that Crocodile is still in the water, but he doesn’t have to. As soon as Buggy is on the ship with his men gathered around him, Mihawk jumps back into the water, presumably to go get Crocodile.

Buggy continues to cough but waits on the deck and right in front of the railing despite the fact that his men are urging him to come inside right now and get warm before he gets sick or dies from a very preventable death from hypothermia. He can’t move for some reason. His men are tugging on him and trying to pull him backwards and somewhere warmer, but Buggy stays frozen, with his eyes locked on the exact spot where Mihawk jumped over the ship railing less than a few moments ago.

“Captain Buggy, come on, we need to get you warm and checked out,” One of Buggy’s men tells him as he begins tugging on his forearm. No, Buggy doesn’t care how cold he is or how much his chest is still hurting at that moment, he refuses to move until… until he’s sure they’re okay…

Come on, hurry up… He finds himself thinking as a weird sense of dread washes over him. Mihawk seems like a strong swimmer, sure, but even he has to have his limits, right? Maybe he was a little foolish to jump back into the water to rescue Crocodile. Yet, as Buggy looks around at his men, he realizes that Mihawk was the only one who might be able to save Crocodile. His men can swim, but there’s a difference between being an okay swimmer and a strong swimmer, Buggy would know.

Fuck, hurry up and come up already…

Several tense moments go by, and those are some of the worst few moments of Buggy’s life. He can’t recall how long it’s been since he was worried sick like that. He starts to feel like the worst has happened and that Mihawk drowned while trying to save Crocodile, and strangely enough, that thought makes his heart hurt more. Stupid, idiot, dumbass, Buggy thinks as he is about to give up all hope. He doesn’t know how to process all of his emotions at that moment. Should he be sad? Should he feel relieved? Should he be jumping up and down and saying ‘good riddance!’ at the top of his lungs?! He doesn’t know, but before he gets a chance to straighten out his emotions, at long last, he sees two heads surface from the dark sea.

Mihawk gasps as he makes it to the surface with Crocodile and almost instantly, Buggy’s men all gather around to help get him and Crocodile out of the water. The two are coughing up water violently but other than that, they seem relatively fine, incredibly. The fact that Crocodile is still even conscious is remarkable in it’s own right, if you ask Buggy. It felt like he was waiting for the other two to surface for hours, but he isn’t sure just how long it actually was.

Buggy doesn’t know what to even do at this moment as he stares at his fellow members of Cross Guild. One thing is for certain, though, he doesn’t think he’s ever been more relieved to see Crocodile and Mihawk before in his entire life. He sinks to his knees and exhales a sigh of relief, feeling strangely…grateful yet again. That was so awful, he doesn’t think he ever wants to go through something like that ever again.

The stench of blood is still prominent in the air, and so is a strong sense of unease. Buggy finally takes in his surroundings and finds a second tentacle hanging halfway off the ship, as well as what remains of the sea king floating in the water. It lies cut in half, surrounded by a pool of blood, no longer a threat to anyone. God, Mihawk really is incredible. He killed a sea king on his own, and then still somehow managed to save Buggy and Crocodile before they drowned. Buggy glances over at Mihawk, who is now up and trying to drag a coughing Crocodile into the ship to get checked out, and has a strange moment where he feels inexplicably fond of Mihawk.

Dear God, Buggy has so many emotions going through him, and he doesn’t know what to make of any of them, but maybe that’s only natural given all he’s been through with Crocodile and Mihawk. He slowly gets to his feet, still coughing slightly as his men begin to gather around him once again to check on him. He pays them no mind, though, he’s much too focused on other things right now. Buggy doesn’t say it out loud, but all he can think is one sentence as he begins following behind Mihawk and Crocodile: Thank you for everything, Hawkeye…

A/N: Happy late new years! And remember not to logic ruin a good story or else i'll come for your knees. (all jokes) Also if someone notices anything off with this chapter please let me know, i tried to get like three people to proof read this chapter bc i wasn't sure about my action scene but that didn't happen so.... fuck it we ball ig. Just want to know before i post it on AO3. LOVE YALL LOTS!

#changes #cross guild #my writing #dont @ me when it comes to my scenes relating near death experiences hahsdkjaskdjas #It's all coming together boys (gender neutral)

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codename-adler · 6 months ago

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WIP Game

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! and then tag as many people as you have WIPs

Thank you for tagging me @vykio , @merceyca & @you-know-i-get-itt💕💕💕

Get ready for an absolutely monstrous shitload of wips. So sorry. This is inexcusable.

Steady Now

jerejean potato for SN

aftg x tlou

Baby Girl, Good Luck + BGGL Scraps

Start of Time

dtyfstdf Ch. 21 - KA Swimming/Shower

295

So This Is Christmas

Andrew's Farewell

The Language of Boys

On the Nature of Day(light)

Speak AU

Never Goodbye

Kathea 🌺

drive-by shooting kevaaron

x mafia husbands x

aftg television soundtrack project

no pressure tag:

@constelationprize @joanofexys @minyard-05

@detectivebambam @cielalune

@jeanmoreaue @jeanmoroses

@sapphoherselz @ninyard

@kevindavidday @kevinsdsy

& all who wish to share their passion!! if you don't have fic wips, it can be future posts you plan or want to write, a playlist you want to make, drawings, anything!

#tag game #wip game #my wips #adler's wips #aftg wips #aftg ask #aftg fic #aftg #all for the game #the foxhole court #the sunshine court

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rosanna-writer · 8 months ago

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we said hello and your eyes look like coming home (22/?)

Summary: A canon-divergent AU where the bond snaps for Rhys on Calanmai, Feyre unwittingly accepts it, and Fire Night magic proves to be more transformative than anyone bargained for. Feyre drags a mate she hardly knows out from Under the Mountain, then puts him back together as war with Hybern approaches. Warnings: dubious consent, canon-typical sexual violence, canon-typical violence Rating: Explicit Chapter Word Count: ~3.6k

ch. 1 - 10 | ch. 11-20 | ch. 21 - i wouldn't marry me either | ch. 22 - burn all the files, desert all your past lives

This fic turns one year old today!!! Thank you to everyone who's been reading, commenting, and kudos-ing; it's been wonderful to have you along for the ride <3

Some text in this chapter is lifted directly from both A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury.

Read on AO3 or you can find the twenty-second chapter below the readmore.

Rhys wasn't back by the time I woke up the next morning. I'd expected it; we'd spoken through the bond throughout the long night handling the aftermath of the attack on Sangravah, and by the time I'd been unable to keep my eyes open, he'd still been working. I knew Rhys—if he'd slept at all, it had been in his office in the House of Wind, when he'd been too drained of energy to fly home.

The townhouse felt too empty.

It wasn't cold, but like a sentimental fool, I slipped on the dressing gown he'd left on the chair in my room the other day. The fabric was midnight-blue and the size far too big for me—the silver-embroidered cuffs extended several inches past my fingertips.

I padded downstairs, only to be hit by the smell of something baking. Bread, perhaps. And…cheese? Definitely not Rhys.

I crept towards the kitchen. Perhaps I should have been more worried about an intruder, but I trusted that Rhys's wards still kept out anyone who wasn't allowed inside. It was probably Cassian here with food.

Around the corner, I spotted a dark-haired female with her back to me—the first time I'd ever seen her fully corporeal. Nuala.

Cauldron boil me, the last time we'd seen each other, she'd been painting Illyrian markings for luck and glory all over my naked body. I had no idea what to say to her.

But before I could run back upstairs, she turned at the sound of my footsteps. I froze.

She smiled and said warmly, "You look well."

I caught the flicker of recognition in her eyes at the sight of me in a dressing gown that obviously belonged to the High Lord. If it had been someone else, the words might have sounded sarcastic or suggestive. But she really did sound pleased to see me.

My cheeks heated anyway, which was utterly ridiculous. The bond might have been a secret, but it wasn't as if Rhys and I made much of an effort to keep our hands off each other in public—his tongue had been down my throat on the banks of the Sidra more than once already. And yet I still felt…caught out.

"It's good to see you," I said after several moments of painful silence.

Nuala nodded towards a plate of chive-and-cheese scones that I hadn't noticed were sitting out on the table. "Those are still warm, if you're hungry."

Awkwardness aside, I still didn't have it in me to pass up food, so I sat and nibbled on a scone. It was warm, soft, and buttery—I was tempted to scarf it down like an animal but managed not to.

And it was a relief to have something to with my hands and a reason not to say anything. The oven was still on, and Nuala went back to stirring something in a bowl on the counter.

"My sister is gathering intelligence on the soldiers that attacked last night," she said, answering a question I hadn't known how to ask.

Azriel had said the twins were spending time with family after their return from Under the Mountain, and I'd assumed that meant they weren't working. I couldn't imagine what they'd endured during the last fifty years—I barely felt functional after only a few weeks in Amarantha's court. My appetite vanished.

"You don't have to be here. I can manage on my own." I'd run the household of our family of four with far fewer resources than I had now—it would be no trouble to take care of that for just Rhys and me, especially if it meant Nuala and Cerridwen could recover for the rest of their days if they wished.

Besides, Rhys would do his fair share of the work with far less complaining than Nesta ever had.

Nuala smiled. "Rhysand said the same thing. But after last night, Cerridwen and I both chose not to take his offer to retire from service."

"Why?"

"A court needs well-trained spies and trusted servants to remain secure. We're difficult to find on short notice."

The twins saw the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, too. And even after all they'd survived…they were here. Had chosen to be here.

I'd never forget the blanket they'd left for me in that cold cell, not if I lived a thousand years.

"Thank you. For everything."

She shrugged. "We were caught unawares and trapped there. You're the one who walked in eyes open."

We didn't speak of it again after that. I ate another scone while she baked some sort of egg dish with vegetables and a crust. When she put away the flour, I was relieved she didn't mention the raven I'd painted on the inside of the cabinet door. She must have known it was new and that Rhys certainly hadn't painted it.

When I insisted on washing the dishes before heading upstairs to get dressed, Nuala let me.

I dug the plainest gown out from the back of my closet. Not because I particularly wanted to wear it—I was most comfortable in Illyrian leathers or the silky, billowing pants and sheer sleeves of Night Court attire—but because I didn't want to cause a stir if I could avoid it or appear too faerie.

It was stifling to feel this covered up. I'd grown used to the caress of a breeze against my skin when I wasn't in leathers, and if I needed to run, I hated the thought of having to lift up my skirts to do it. Faeries—at least the ones in the Night Court—never made a fuss about bare legs or an exposed strip of skin around a navel.

I could endure this for a few hours, though. I'd been braiding my hair when Rhys winnowed in, directly onto my bed. He lay on his stomach, his head propped up on a fist and his feet in the air to keep his shoes off the duvet.

As usual, he looked aggravatingly put-together, no sign at all of the long night he'd had. Not a hair out of place, and he'd changed into a fresh tunic and pants.

Something like distaste flickered in his eyes even as he said, "You look beautiful." It was the first time he'd seen me wear a dress, I realized—or at least, the first time he'd seen me wear one of my own volition, if the scraps of fabric I'd worn Under the Mountain even counted.

"I don't," I said, voice flat, "and no one likes a liar, Rhys."

He stood and came closer, flicking my nose instead of kissing me hello. "You'd look beautiful in a potato sack."

"No one likes a cad, either."

He huffed a laugh as I tied off the end of the braid and rose from the chair. In a single absurdly graceful movement, he leaned down to kiss me properly while lifting me into his arms to fly. I let myself melt into the warmth of his solid body against mine, and for a moment, I considered getting the damn dress off and Rhys into bed for the rest of the day.

But I couldn't keep putting this off.

I held on tight as we vanished into dark wind and appeared again hundreds of feet over a vast, blue sea. Even though I'd expected it—we'd planned to slip through one of the holes that had formed in the Wall—I let out a shriek and clung tighter to Rhys. The wind roared; water rushed towards us—

Was that a scream from the fearless Cursebreaker? We're not even in free fall. The words seemed to glitter with wicked amusement as they crossed the bond.

Rhys was right, though. His wings strained against the wind but kept our descent controlled, snapping open at just the right angles so we stayed on course. I tipped my head back to take in the particular contented smile he only wore while flying.

It disappeared as we approached the Wall. I couldn't see it, but I felt the crackle of its power setting my teeth on edge all the same. Rhys gripped me tighter.

The feeling got worse as we approached. And as we swept through, there was a horrible moment where I felt ripped in half, as if it wanted to scatter incomplete pieces of me among the mortals and the fae.

But it passed in an instant.

I was back in the human lands. The home I thought I'd never see again.

There was barely time to process that before we were slipping into the space between worlds as Rhys winnowed us to the woods just outside my family's estate.

He'd offered to glamour himself to appear human and accompany me, but I'd said no. Perhaps another time, but…this felt like something I had to do on my own. So I kissed him goodbye and walked towards the manor alone.

The white marble walls and emerald roof were grand, but totally unfamiliar. I passed neat hedges as I walked up the flagstone path, and my heart squeezed at the sight of flowers and shrubs that had been planted there—Elain's doing, no doubt.

At the double doors, I rang the bell and waited, my stomach churning. Azriel's reports had assured me that all was well, but…perhaps it wasn't. Perhaps something had gotten overlooked.

A ruddy-faced housekeeper I didn't recognize opened the door. "May I help you?" she said, blandly polite.

"I'm Feyre Archeron. I'm here to see my family," I said.

Her eyes lit up with recognition at the sound of my name. That was a relief, at least; I wasn't forgotten. "Your father is away on business, but your sisters—"

"Feyre? Is that you?" Elain—Elain. Cheerful and lovely as always, untouched by the monsters and horrors I'd encountered in Prythian. Safe. Just as I'd remembered her.

I nearly sobbed with relief. But as far as she knew, I was merely back from taking care of an elderly relative, so I kept my voice light as I said, "It's me. I'm here while our cousin stays with Aunt Ripleigh to give me a short break."

The housekeeper stepped aside as Elain launched herself at me. I embraced my sister, relieved at how she'd filled out since I'd last seen her. Taken care of and eating right, then. "What a wonderful surprise!" she said.

There were footsteps on the stairs, and I looked over Elain's shoulder to see Nesta standing with a hand braced on the rail.

Staring as if I were a ghost.

I'd forgotten how cunning her eyes were, how cold. There was no reason to believe Nesta knew anything about what I'd been up to for the past few months, yet….she'd always been made of something different. Something harder and stronger.

"What are you doing here?" she said, face carefully blank.

"Visiting. It's…good to see how your fortunes have improved," I said.

Elain's brow furrowed. "I know Nesta's visit didn't work out, but didn't you get our letters?"

She didn’t remember—or maybe she’d never actually known, then, that I wouldn’t have been able to read them, anyway. But it still made my heart sink to imagine my sisters sending letters that were doomed to never reach me. If Nesta had tried to visit, though I doubted she'd actually wanted to see me, some magic must have turned her away.

I shook my head, and Elain ushered me inside, complaining about the uselessness of the post. Nesta continued to stare wordlessly, and I half-listened as Elain recounted the story of the mysterious stranger who'd appeared at their doorstep with a wildly lucrative investment opportunity and given them a trunk of gold just for agreeing.

Tamlin's doing, and it matched the reports that Azriel had given me. I'd expected this. And yet, it still didn't quite prepare me for how strange it would feel for Elain to hook her elbow through mine, apologize for not having a room ready for me, and offer to show me the rest of the house.

The manor was beautiful, if a bit…sterile. Beautiful and richly appointed, but everything was new and untouched, with none of the sense of the age that permeated the townhouse in Velaris. I couldn't help but marvel at it—Nesta and Elain were cared for, with enough money to ensure they'd never be hungry again.

Nesta fell into step beside us, a quiet, stalking presence. Her face was still impassive, and she seemed content to let Elain do all of the talking. But it was better than her flinging insults, so perhaps it was a blessing.

We had tea and sandwiches in the lush garden, which was in full bloom for the summer. After months in Prythian, human food tasted like ash in my mouth, but I didn't care. It had been so long since I'd eaten a meal with my family and had enough for all of us.

Never again would I brace myself for a fight if I dared take more than my carefully allotted quarter after hauling a carcass for miles.

It was simple enough to spin stories about reading to Aunt Ripleigh as she instructed me on deportment from her bedside. None of it was particularly interesting, and instead, I asked about the garden and the social season that I'd missed.

The purple-and-white tulips at our feet had once been bulbs brought all the way from the continent, Elain told me, beaming. She'd tended to them herself, planting and weeding in between the balls and parties and gossip of the social season.

"It sounds like you've been busy without me, then," I said, setting down my teacup carefully.

"It was a welcome respite," Elain said, a shadow darkening her lovely face for a moment. "I'm grateful our situation has changed for the better, but I'll admit this season was a bit…strange."

My blood went cold. Of course this had all been too good to be true. Something was wrong. "In what way?"

"People acted as if we’d all just been ill for eight years, or had gone away to some distant country—not that we’d been a few villages over in that cottage. You’d think we dreamed it all up, what happened to us over those years. No one said a word about it."

I relaxed again. In truth, it was a warmer reception than I thought my family would have gotten after so many years of poverty. It was better than being treated as if we were diseased.

Perhaps something had happened, though. It might explain why Nesta was so quiet. She'd barely touched her food and just stared with those piercing blue-grey eyes that were an unsettling mirror of my own.

"That does sound strange," I said. We went quiet again, and I set my tea down and turned back to my plate. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Elain staring, too. "What?"

Elain shook her head. "You just look so…different. Not in a bad way of course. It's just as if there's a…a glow about you."

I froze. The only sort of people who were ever described as glowing were ones who were happily pregnant. Gods, I hadn't inadvertently given them the impression I was with child, had I?

"Did something happen at Aunt Ripleigh's house?" Elain asked. "Did you…meet someone?"

The tilt of Nesta's head was pure predator as she added, "Did you, Feyre?"

I wanted to say yes. Perhaps I was too much of a coward to admit to my human family that I'd fallen in love with a faerie, but I could have told a few half-truths. I didn't want to subject myself to an interrogation, though.

"Just good food and rest," I said.

Nesta got to her feet, straight-backed and regal as she stared down her nose at me. "We're out of tea. Why don't you come with me to get another pot from the kitchen?" It wasn't a question.

I followed her before Elain had a chance to object or insist on coming with. As soon as we were inside, Nesta's hand clamped down on my arm, and she steered me towards an empty sitting room and shut the door behind us.

"There is no Aunt Ripleigh," Nesta said.

Cauldron boil and fry me. I could kill whoever told her. "Of course there—" I started to say.

"Don't. I saw that look on your face when Elain asked if you'd met someone. She and Father don't remember that beast taking you away, but I do. Tell me what the hell is going on, Feyre."

All these months…Nesta had known. And kept it to herself.

She'd seen through Tamlin's glamour somehow, probably just because her mind was so thoroughly her own that he couldn't have violated it. And if a High Lord hadn't been able to fool her, I shuddered to think what she made of the sentries Rhys had sent, who were supposed to have been unseen by human eyes.

There was no point in hiding the bond from her, too. I pulled the chain with my mating band out from where I'd tucked it under the bodice of my dress. "I did meet someone in Prythian."

"You're married," she breathed. The disbelief in her voice shouldn't have stung as much as it did. Nesta had never made a secret of how thoroughly she doubted any man would ever find me an acceptable bride.

"In a manner of speaking. The fae either marry or mate if the Cauldron blessed them with a soul-bound partner. I have a mate. Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court."

Nesta barked a harsh, bitter laugh. I didn't know what to make of it until she said, shaking her head in disbelief, "Mother expected me to marry a prince, but you're the one who's ensnared a faerie king and become his consort."

"I didn't ensnare—"

"Then what? He forced you?"

"No!" I had no idea how to look my sister in the eye and tell her a magical stag had done it. Nesta just crossed her arms and stared me down, waiting for an explanation. She said nothing because she didn't have to—there was pure command in just the way she held herself. I took a breath and continued, "Rhys loves me, and I love him. He isn't the one who took me. That was Tamlin, the High Lord of Spring. Rhys got me out and took me somewhere safe. It's a long story, but yes, I am Lady of the Night Court now."

"And this Lord Rhysand is the reason we're now…taken care of?"

I didn't want to give Tamlin the credit. His kindness rang hollow—uncomfortably transactional, in a way—when it was clearly recompense for kidnapping me. And in truth, Rhys was the reason I hadn't worried about Tamlin impoverishing my family a second time in retaliation for swearing fealty to Night. "Yes."

"Then give him my thanks and don't come back here again."

The words might as well have been a slap to the face. I hadn't expected a warm welcome from Nesta, but…I'd hoped, at least, that she'd be something closer to civil.

"What about Father?" I said. "I haven't seen him since I was taken away."

"What about the rest of us? If anyone learns our sister is a fae sympathizer, any standing, any influence we have—gone."

Nesta's hand was resting on the back of an armchair, and she gripped it so tightly that her knuckles had gone white. The set of her shoulders was stiff.

It was the closest to afraid she ever seemed to get.

She had reason to be, as much as it hurt. Our family had tumbled into ruin once, and we'd all nearly starved to death because of it. I could not blame my sister for wanting to cling to the good fortune as fiercely as possible. I knew, deep down, she only did it because she wanted to see Elain safe and happy.

"There's more I need to tell you before I go."

"Stay the night, then. We can speak privately for longer after the servants have left for the day, but you'll need to leave before breakfast."

We wouldn't be overheard in the garden either, but Nesta clearly didn't want Elain to know any of this. I had half a mind to blurt it out before Nesta could stop me as soon as we sat back down with Elain. But this was for the best.

I trusted the walls surrounding Nesta's mind; she'd keep my secrets. But anyone with daemati abilities could pluck information right out of Elain's, and the chances were too high that someone intent on hunting me down might do just that. Elain couldn't know.

"Thank you."

A single nod—downright affectionate from Nesta. "Elain bought paints for you. She'd appreciate it if you left something for her; I know she misses the decorations you left in the cabin."

"I'd like that," I said, meaning it.

There was nothing else to discuss; we returned to the garden after that and made our excuses to Elain for taking so long with the rest of the tea. The three of us spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the sun, chatting and catching up. Nesta was still quiet, but…we didn't fight. No one insulted each other.

Even as a knot formed in my stomach at the thought of unburdening myself to Nesta later, I savored the peace as I painted foxgloves around the doorframe to Elain's bedroom.

This day had been a gift, and I was intent on appreciating it.

#feysand #feyre archeron #we said hello and your eyes look like coming home

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blueesnow · 7 months ago

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(6/6) Aijima Cecil's Private Story [Utapri Live Emotion]

Ch 1: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 6 with Cecil)

-Downtown- Cecil: Thank you for granting my wish for today, Haruka. Cecil: Getting you to teach me about the japanese language while we're walking around the city together…somehow it feels like a dream come true. Haruka: Oh no, that was such an exaggeration. But feel free to ask me anything. Cecil: Yes, I'm going to learn as many japanese as I can for today. …Ha! I quickly found something that caught my eyes. Cecil: I wonder what are those square things that are being lined up in that store. Is it probably…sweets? Haruka: That one is kintsuba. It's a sweet snack that was filled by red bean paste. Cecil: Oh, kintsuba…! The one next to it is a dango, right. Cecil: The one with a brown color and looks shiny over there…was it mitarashi dango? Haruka: Yes, exactly! Cecil: Looks like the reward for getting it right is your smile huh. …Oh, there's also one with a purple color too. Haruka: (It looks like Cecil-san is having fun) Cecil: Oh… look, Haruka. That little guy that was sitting on the display case is called Maneki Neko, right? Cecil: It was told that as it raised its hand it means that it will beckons happiness. Talk about a smart and hardworking guy. Haruka: Fufu, you're correct once again. Cecil: I know a lot about this cat after all. …That's right, now it's my turn to ask you a question!

Kintsuba: A confection of sweetened beans wrapped in wheat-flour dough (in the shape of a sword guard).

Mitarashi Dango: A traditional Japanese rice dumplings smothered in an irresistible sweet soy glaze.

Maneki Neko: A common Japanese figurine which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner, sometimes can also be called beckoning cat.

Ch 2: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 11 with Cecil)

-Downtown- Haruka: A question about Maneki Neko? Cecil: Yes. Just like the real cat, there are also different types of Maneki Neko too. Cecil: There's the one who only raised his right paw, and there's also the one who only raised his left paw just like this little guy over here. And each of them have different meanings. Cecil: If they raised their right paw it means to get more money. Now then the question, what is the meaning if they only raised their left paw? (choices) <To get more people!> Haruka: The answer is…to get more people! Cecil: Yes! As expected of you, Haruka. Look, the Maneki Neko also looks happy with your answer. Haruka: Fufu. So this little one is bringing us over here huh. Thank you little kitty. <To get more love?> Haruka: Is it…to get more love? Cecil: What a wonderful answer. I decided, let's change the answer to love from now on. Haruka: Y-You can't just suddenly decide to change that on your own. But, if Cecil-san likes the answer then…I'm happy to hear that. (back to story) Cecil: Haruka…You're so adorable. I really want to hug you right now. …May I touch you? Haruka: N-No, you can't! There's people around here… Um, you know what, let's go there! Cecil: You're quite shy aren't you. Wait for me, I'm coming with you…! -Cafe- Cecil: Phew… I came to know a lot of cute and interesting things today. It was all thanks to you. Haruka: It's not just all me, but I also have a lot of fun too today. Did you find it helpful even if it's just a little? Cecil: It's not just a little, but a lot. I came to like japanese language even more today. Cecil: Every time I learn a new word, and my memories keep increasing. It also add a new page on my vocabulary book. Cecil: But the new words that you teach me for today, not only does it written on my vocabulary book, it also add new page on my memories along with my heart.

Ch 3: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 21 with Cecil)

-Cafe- Haruka: Written in your heart…that was such a beautiful phrase. It really conveys Cecil-san's kindness. Cecil: To think that's how it looks like in your eyes. Meist*, Haruka. Haruka: Meist is…from Agnapolis's language and it means thank you right. Cecil: Yes! Hearing your words really warmed my heart, so I'd like to give my thanks. Cecil: Also, to think that you remember about "meist" too made me happy. Haruka: Oh no, there's still so much that I don't know… That's right, if you don't mind, could you tell me more about Agnapolis? Cecil: Why of course! I also brought an Agnapolis book here with me too. Let's read them together. Haruka: There are a lot of words lined up here. And a beautiful picture as well… Cecil: This one happens on the morning sunrise. As soon as the sun's rising, it fully painted the desert into an orange color. Cecil: It was such a breathtakingly beautiful sight. There are still a lot of beautiful places in Agnapolis too. For example… - Haruka: Fufu. Hearing Ceil-san's words just made me want to go there even more. Cecil: Hearing that you're interested with my hometown made me happy, I ended up told you many things. Cecil: Seeing you smiling while hearing my talk is also an adorable sight. Would you be willing to go out again together with me, just like this? Haruka: It'd be my pleasure. Cecil: It's a promise, Haruka. I'll be looking forward to the day where we can have a conversation again!

*: Idk how to exactly translate that so I just went along with meist. It was originally written as メイスト or meisuto as romaji.

You can check on twitter with #愛島セシルのアグナパレス語講座 for more Agnapolis language from Cecil tweets. There you can find some tweets, either from Cecil himself, or from someone in jp who compiled all words that Cecil taught to his followers before.

Ch 4: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 31 with Cecil)

-Waterfront Park- Haruka: (Phew. I was able to finish my job successfully for today. The sea breeze feels so nice…) Cecil: …Gūne mīrisu*! Hello, Haruka. Haruka: Cecil-san! Hello there. Did you…have TV filming for today? Cecil: Yes! I'll be appearing in a program called Agnapolis Language Class. Cecil: I'll be cooking food from my hometown under this clear blue sky. I'm really looking forward to it. Except for the location that is… Haruka: Cecil-san? Cecil: Ha! Hey Haruka, do you have any plans after this? Haruka: No, I was planning to go home after this. What's wrong? Cecil: I have a favor to ask. Will you please stay here and watch over me? I really need your help for today's filming. Cecil: I'm not that good with water, but this is work after all. Even if the location is at the seaside, I just have to put up with it. Cecil: Having you nearby will surely bring me comfort. And I'll be able to fully concentrate on the filming too. Haruka: Cecil-san… I understand! It'd be my pleasure to watch you on set! Cecil: Really…? Thank you so much, Haruka! Cecil: Now I have nothing to be afraid of anymore. With this, I'll be able to share the flavors of my homeland as much as I want to. Cecil: Please take a look closely as I do my best!

*: Again Idk how to translate this one so i just went with how its pronounced in romaji. It was written グーネ　ミーリス on jp and it means こんにちは/hello based on Cecil's tweets.

Ch 5: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 41 with Cecil)

-Waterfront Park- Cecil: Gūne mīrisu! My name's Aijima Cecil. This time we are here at this beautiful park. The wind here feels so nice! Haruka: (A smile that shows no sign of anxiety… As expected of Cecil-san!) Cecil: Today we will study Agnapolis Language while making "kitimeh*". Cecil: Kitimeh is one of the dishes from Agnapolis, it's quite similar to a Japanese crepe. Cecil: And this time we'll also be making "mehme*", which is a grilled lamb skewers. Let's start cooking right away! Cecil: I used to make mehme and kitimeh myself, and all members of ST☆RISH enjoyed eating them too! Cecil: I also came up with some ideas for arranging kitimeh, and to me it was such a pleasant discovery! Haruka: (Fufu, Cecil-san always look really happy when he's talking about ST☆RISH.) Cecil: Now the kitimeh's dough has formed into a beautiful circle. I'm going to flip it over in one go… Here I go! Haruka: (Amazing… The dough rolled and flipped back perfectly) Cecil: Fufu, it's just like a magic, isn't it? I'm sure that you can do it as long as you practice. Chiāte*! - Cecil: Mehme has been grilled perfectly into a golden brown. For kitimeh, time to wrap it up with minced meat and vegetables… Cecil: Yep, they turned out great. It'd also look cute if you wrap it up like a natto roll. Cecil: You can use that thing made of bamboo to roll it up… What's the name of it again…Hmm? Haruka: (Don't tell me…he forgot the name of "makisu*"…?)

*Idk how to spell it again, but thankfully I found that both of these dishes got mentioned on SL event story (it's cecil version of shining star live) and since the en version spelled it this way--I just copied it as it is www -(jp: キティーメ, romaji: kitiime) -(jp: メェム, romaji:meemu)

*Idk how to spell it again so i'm just using the romaji one as it is… ;;w;; Based on his tweet, チアーテ in agna means 頑張って/Good luck/Do your best

*Makisu (巻きす）or usually refered as a sushi mat, is a cooking utensil from Japan to prepare rolled sushi or any other Japanese foods. It's usually made by bamboo.

Ch 6: (unlocked if you reached intimacy lvl 51 with Cecil)

-Waterfront Park- Cecil: Its name is…maki, maki…makimono! …or maybe not. Haruka: (I knew it, it looks like he totally forgotten about "makisu". That's right, if I can tell him with that…!) (choices) <(Let's lip-sync "makisu"…to him!)> Haruka: (Let's lip-sync it to him. Cecil-san, it's ma-ki-su!) Cecil: …That's right, it was "makisu"! I had a hard time trying to remember it, and it made me nervous. Cecil: But I can hear your voice in front of the TV trying to tell me the answer, and it certainly reached my heart. Meist. <(Let's write "makisu"…in the cue card)> Haruka: (Let's write it in the cue card so that he can see it. "Makisu"… Cecil-san, please see this) Cecil: …That's right, it was "makisu". Fufu, I feel a bit embarrassed. Cecil: I completely forgot about it by accident, but the Muse that dwells in my heart guided me to the correct answer. (back to story) Cecil: It all ended successfully… I don't know what would have happened if I had been there all alone. Cecil: I'm also not even slightly bothered seeing any sign of the sea. Your power is indeed amazing! Haruka: Oh no, I didn't do much. By the way, I had a lot of fun learning many words of Agnapolis's language again. Haruka: Mehme and kitimeh looked really delicious. Oh, and there's also something that I remember, "Chiāte" means good luck, isn't it? Cecil: Yes! Chiāte is a wonderful word, which means to give encouragement to people who take on challenges. Cecil: If you say this to people before live or work, they'll get a burst of energy from deep within their heart and it'll cheer them up. Haruka: Then…Cecil-san. Good luck on all of your work from now on. Chiāte! Cecil: Haruka… You're just like a magician. Now, I'm sure that I can overcome any difficulties that might arise after hearing that. Cecil: Thank you so much, My princess. I'll definitely repay you for your help today. Cecil: I also wish you all the best in your work until we can go out again together. Chiāte!

#utapri #live emotion #Aijima Cecil #it'll be one chapter for now #i'll be updating this as soon as i unlock another chapter #please correct me if my wording somehow not understandable as im not that fluent on both jp/en #aww cecil being a cutie as usual

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gnashingwailing · 9 months ago

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@fireflywritesgt LOVINGLY WRITING MY UNHINGED CH23 THOUGHTS AND THEN BURYING THEM UNDER A READMORE. I felt such overwhelming hype when I saw we got 2 chapters in 1 day I truly was ready to throw my phone out the fucking window. TOO MUCH JOY FOR ONE LITTLE GNASH... I hadn't even finished processing ch21......

first off pov Joe when he goes to Calloway's to pick up his cute new tailored fit in 3 days

soooo right from the jump. hey.

"“…’cause he’s way better off than I am, it’ll make it harder for me to leave him or something. That he’s luring me in. I mean—” Joe laughed nervously as he steeled himself in preparation for how the captain would react to his next statement “—if it were a giant treating me the way he treats me, everyone would call me a pet.”

“Well of course they would, Joe. That’s because giants are evil.” The captain said matter-of-factly.

He may as well have poked Joe squarely in the eye. Nonetheless, the bartender continued."

hey. UM. Joe you beautiful idiot who canonically has bad luck and, presumably from reading this very chapter, a terrible poker face. Maybe you should have said. Any Other Thing? GODDD in my heart he's definitely sooo overconfident and drunk like wow I am so smooth :) nobody suspects a thing :) while Calloway is having a conversation with him like uh... just saying, but you know, none of us could stop you from. for example. idk. becoming a giant's pet. we wouldn't like that but it's just a random thing that came to mind just now, unrelated to the really tall really wealthy really powerful guy who is afraid of taking advantage of you by luring you in and giving you things like a giant would and maybe isn't treating you like a person. And you're afraid you shouldn't want it. Like BRO IT IS SO OVER FOR YOU even without Harry literally calling Joe's name 3+ times in the dead silence 😭😭😭😭 And presumably Harry having been waiting around there for a while to see Joe! Loitering in a way we know tinies are on guard about since they all noticed that snatcher back in Ch13!

They're idiots ur honor, so true, but it's all worth it to see Joe get rescued and swoon like a damsel ... I definitely wonder if Calloway observed any of that, and what he might think about it if so. >:) May or may not have been daydreaming and writing bits about how horrifying it would be to give your surrogate kid all this well-meaning advice, see him nearly slip to his death, and while you're hurrying down to try and help him, watching him call out to a walking nightmare for help and then get whisked away by it

I have a pet theory that everything we've seen from Calloway so far has been pretty heavily colored by it being from Joe's perspective when he's having a bad day, and maybe he will be more understanding than we think? Objectively, I didn't think he was being very rude or anything back in Ch 13, when he was speculating on Joe's love life. It rankled Joe, which is understandable, but he 1) he's happy that Joe looks good, 2) he doesn't let Gutters or O'Grady rag on Joe too hard and 3) he just generally seems like an interested father figure would about his kid's love life:

"“Oh, lay off him, Tim. It’s a good borrowing year!” Captain Calloway cut in. “We all have ‘em, we all enjoy ‘em, we all cry ourselves to sleep when they’re over.”

Relief washed over Joe like the warm water in Harry’s sink.

“Though I gotta say…” The captain gave a wry smile as he continued. “…it could just as easily be someone else’s good borrowing year if ya’ catch my drift. Could be he’s got a little sweetheart looking after him. A brick of pure chocolate? That’s practically a dowry."”

Although I may be wrong here, since Ch 21's incident at Tiny Town with the Italian mob that saved him gives us the insight that "[for] the first time in Joe’s entire existence at that, Joe understood what it was like to have a real father." So maybe Calloway is not that nurturing to Joe and not much of a caring dad -- as @remordsposthume's tags so wisely point out:

WTF WAS HE DOING LETTING HIM LEAVE THE BAR LMAO. Calloway's Den of Drunkards confirmed for an "everybody drive home drunk. it's not my problem" bar??? Everyone is processing TAoLaW thru their own cultural lens and. in that spirit. lmfao. I must say. Calloway reminds me of the libertarian redneck dads I've known who just let their kids do whatever. If he was a giant I think he'd let his kids ride ATVs thru the woods drunk. Most probably he would also be ridin around drunk with them. "If you die it's your own damn fault" being his motto is too on the nose LOL. Huge farm dad "I LOVE MY SONS. ONLY HALF OF THEM WILL SURVIVE TO ADULTHOOD BUT I DO LOVE THEM" energy. To Me.

(Btw Harry & Joe processing their parental issues together WHEN <3)

BUT ANYWAY YEAH EVEN IF CALLOWAY WAS THE MOST UNOBSERVANT GUY IN THE WORLD RE: THAT SUSPICIOUS CONVERSATION? YOU WERE LITERALLY BOTH SCREAMING EACH OTHERS' NAMES LIKE LOVESICK ROMANCE PROTAGONISTS RIGHT UNDER THE DREDGE THAT'S STILL PROBABLY GOT AT LEAST SOME NIGHT MARKET CUSTOMERS? HELLO?? @94444 we are on the same wavelength rn

AND MORE ABOUT CALLOWAY... I am very heartened by how you mentioned once, Warren, that you planned to give each character real depth and treat them with sincerity. I feel very interested about when that time will be for Calloway! We know that he takes in kids (or at least O'Grady and Joe scratch that. tag lore be upon me) and teaches them how to sell trinkets. We know that he hates giants. We know he's been horribly injured in a way that led to him losing a hand, an eye, and possibly teeth. Knowing what we do about the risks of being a borrower, and how casually cruel giants are to them, it's not unlikely those last 2 things are related. I'M TAKING YOUR TAGS AND RUNNING AWAY WITH THEM LIKE A DOG W SOMETHING IN ITS MOUTH.

So Calloway knew them for several years as vulnerable kids... then lost them for a year or so... then got them back after they escaped the watchmaker's? I will be interested to see if that trauma means he's more protective of them, or uh, still more drunk libertarian dad about them. Lmao. He seemed like he cared about Joe getting into Tiny Town way back in Ch3 tho at least! (as an aside... interested in who Gutters is, too. He SEEMS to be older than Joe/Tim, but he could also still be a Calloway Kid himself... he seems to defer to Calloway... and/or he could just be some guy embittered about giant/tiny relations. which. fair, brother.)

If the broader Tiny Town culture (such as it is... would word get around about this incident with Joe and Harry, or does news just not travel that well amongst lots of secluded borrower communities? much to consider. it makes sense in a dark way why you would physically mark somebody who's transgressed against society's cardinal rule, in a culture where you cannot generally spread information effectively) would reject Joe for his proclivities... will Calloway, too? Or is it Joe's anxiety making him think that? I'm afraid we already know how Tim would feel. Other than him, Calloway is the person who Joe seems most connected to in miniature society... Although Harry's worry about Joe not spending enough time around his fellow miniatures in Ch22 is at least partially motivated by his own guilt-trip, I think he has a bit of a point! I hope Joe doesn't lose touch with everyone -- or if he does, I hope there will be new friends out there for him, too, who are more understanding.

(LORRAINE WHEN)

Now Calloway aside, OBVIOUSLY THE ENDING OF THIS CHAPTER HAD ME HOOTIN AND HOLLERIN.

“Joe… can we go back to the big, sexy giant part for a second?” <- LIT'RALLY me rereading this chapter 800 times

A snapping turtle is a fantastic little horror for poor Joe to face, woof. Those fuckers are scary enough when ur height is measured in feet. The quick way they snap is no joke. Just want to 👏👏👏👏 about how good this passage is: The turtle’s maw emerged from the waters of the lake like the gaping mouth of some ancient monster that fed on the souls of sailors. The grimy lakewater rushed over its beady little eyes as its beak, sharp as a dagger, flew towards Joe faster than a gunshot. YEAH.

It just!! makes my little heart sooooo happy to see that Joe does have someone who will unconditionally look out for him...!!! Harry has his issues, and they're still learning how to open up about themselves, but he consistently shows up!! :') the thought of him waiting for his man all night ... hoping the dredge would be the place Joe meant ... and then acting sooo fast when he saw a tiny guy fall off of it... what a faithful hound of a [future] boyfriend. Calloway is so right. Joe deserves somebody to look after him. And Joe has done the (forgive me for the loaded meme) girl math on this. One big man is the best possible outcome for him. ONLY THE BIGGEST MAN WILL DO to keep him off of his bullshit as much as possible 👍👍

And OF COURSE god their conversation is just so so so fucking funny. "Thank you" "fuck no I'm not" -> "FUCK YOU" is INCREDIBLE i CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT IT lmaooooo and Harry still being so gentle about receiving this insult and trying to parse what Joe means ... he does listen to Joe, they're definitely not back to square one as drunk!Joe feared, his own issues are just getting in the way! (And Joe's are getting in the way of him seeing thru Harry's facade into what the real issue is! We love to see it!)

"“I meant that. You don’t get to call me handsome until you start listening to me.” He slurred. “You gotta—you gotta want it.”

Joe crossed his arms and scowled up at the beautiful man and his beautiful face as Harry tried to parse what Joe was saying.

“Want it…?” Harry echoed.

“Yeah. You gotta want to be my friend. And screw what anyone else thinks!”"

And did anyone else cackle at how Joe telephone-gamed Calloway's advice to still be in plausible-deniability-land. "You gotta want to be my friend" ok. not what he fuckin said. run that back real quick -> "Not if you’re being open about what you want and everything. That’s how love works, Joe. You gotta want it."

I just adored the moments of insight between them, too. "... Joe knew his real answer was yes – he was just too afraid to say it overtly. He argued and fought and begrudgingly accepted it instead. / What was that saying to Harry?" vs. Ch22 Harry's revelation: "How much of his relationship with Joe was genuine, he wondered, and how much of it was Joe going along with Harry’s suggestions in the name of diplomacy?"

Joe IS acting like somebody who's being coerced! Harry IS being a trustworthy guy by noticing it and checking in once their relationship is definitely turning intimate! It's so fascinating to think in hindsight that every time Joe turned red and embarrassed, Harry was having a thought at the back of his mind like "he doesn't want this. I'm scaring him. He doesn't want me, and he doesn't even know the real me yet. And worse, he can't tell me, because he's afraid of what I might do to him." But he can't SAY all that because it would hurt too much if he said it and Joe confirmed he was actually correct, so Ch22 comes out as a trainwreck where he's accidentally insulting Joe's ability to survive without him. (Side note I KNEW Harry wasn't REALLY considering Joe his landlord. Sad!!! That fucked up scrawny starving guy has squatter's rights and he was doing pretty good all things considered maybe !!!)

The respective issues ~Society~ has given both of them just make it impossible to talk about the root of their problems without baring your guts in a really terrifying way. OOF.

HOWEVER this chapter confirming that homophobia isn't such a problem in tiny society is going to make this eventual conversation betwen them real interesting... Harry like "You don't understand Joe :( there's something really wrong with me... ... I like ... men..." and Joe being like "omg :) :) :) :) :) wait what's wrong with you tho" and then Joe "No you don't understand Harry :( I know this is sick but... I like.. giants... I'm sure you could never see someone smaller than you as anything other than a pet ..." and Harry just ":) :) :) :) oh what no :) Georgie was shorter than me" I hope they can have a good, baffled laugh at how long they could've been snuggling guilt-free. At the end of the angst. <3

#taolaw

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badbatchposts · 5 months ago

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Quiet Corners of the Galaxy, Ch. 24

Relevant tags/content warnings: Crosshair/Original Female Character, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers, Periodic Smut, Canon-Typical Violence, Alcohol Use, 18+/Explicit

Read the full fic so far on AO3

Read previous chapters on Tumblr: Ch. 1 l Ch. 2 l Ch. 3 l Ch. 4 l Ch. 5 l Ch. 6 l Ch. 7 l Ch. 8 l Ch. 9 l Ch. 10 l Ch. 11 l Ch. 12 l Ch. 13 l Ch. 14 l Ch. 15 l Ch. 16 l Ch. 17 l Ch. 18 l Ch. 19 l Ch. 20 l Ch. 21 l Ch. 22 l Ch. 23

Chapter 24 summary: The squad searches an abandoned facility for clues to the whereabouts of the missing clones.

“So…how was it?” Wrecker demanded exuberantly, clapping Crosshair on the back hard enough to shove him forward a few feet. The sniper glared at his brother, huffing.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted. He did, of course—Wrecker could only be referring to one thing. Crosshair was actually surprised that Wrecker had managed to hold back on the subject for this long, chatting away about nothing in particular the whole morning while they searched for any clue as to what the Empire had been doing here.

Now, as they waited for the others to join them outside the abandoned facility, Wrecker had apparently finally deemed it the right time to gossip. It was just Crosshair’s luck that he was stuck with the two nosiest members of the squad—barring, perhaps, Omega. Hunter had already scolded him, and he suspected he wouldn’t hear another word about it from him unless the Sergeant felt like it had become disruptive for the team. Tech would surely make a snarky comment or two, but he wouldn’t expect to receive any information directly from Crosshair, preferring to observe and come to his own conclusions. No, it was Wrecker and Echo who were the problem, and already Crosshair could tell by the look on Echo’s face that he was relishing the opportunity to pry. Sure, he would act all innocent and embarrassed as long as Omega or Dara herself were around, and maybe he wouldn’t want every sordid detail, but the ARC was a busybody, and everyone knew it.

In fact, Echo and Wrecker were exchanging gleeful looks right now, their grins positively wolfish.

“Oh, I think you know, Crosshair,” Echo teased. “It took you two long enough. Thought the Marauder might blow up from the amount of sexual tension. Felt like we were losing oxygen in there the last few weeks.”

The sniper crossed his arms and looked away sullenly.

“Aww, come on, Crosshair! You should be happy! We all know ya like her.” Crosshair just barely managed to sidestep Wrecker, who was reaching out for what was likely to be a bone-crushing hug.

“No, I don’t,” he muttered petulantly. “It was just sex.”

Echo rolled his eyes. “Sure it was.”

“Piss off,” Crosshair growled. “I mean it. In case you forgot, the person you all thought she was is a lie. In reality, she’s stubborn and hotheaded and she spied on us. Not to mention, Wrecker, that she shot you.”

Wrecker rolled his eyes and gestured accusatively. “Yeah, well, you shot me before too! And that time wasn’t a stun!”

“That’s not the point,” Crosshair snapped. “The point is that we hate each other and last night was nothing but a chance to finally let all that out. It was a quick, rough fuck in the woods and that’s all.”

Echo grinned slyly and cleared his throat. “Oh? How quick?” He managed to dodge the shove that Crosshair aimed at him, but not the toothpick that the sniper flicked at his face.

Wrecker, on the other hand, knit his brows together in concern.

“So…it wasn’t good?” he asked.

Crosshair scoffed, then let a smirk just barely lift the corners of his mouth. “I didn’t say that.”

Echo guffawed, and Wrecker brightened considerably, the grin returning. “Knew it.”

The sniper inserted a new toothpick and rolled it from one corner of his mouth to the other, his scowl returning. “Doesn’t matter anyway. Won’t happen again.”

Wrecker frowned. “Well, if it was good, then why not?”

Crosshair stared off in the direction of the facility, avoiding his gaze. “She’ll never be able to look past what I did with the Empire.”

“You’ve changed since then, Cross,” his brother insisted gently, resting an oversized hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’ll see it.”

The sniper rolled his eyes, unable to come up with a retort and uncomfortable at his brother’s all-too-typical display of vulnerability and emotional support. He was relieved when they were interrupted by the arrival of the rest of the squad, though he took care to avoid looking anywhere in Dara’s direction.

If he had hoped that finally fucking would get her out of his system, he was sorely mistaken. If anything, he was worse, feeling drawn to her like a magnet so that he had to make the conscious effort to face toward the facility. The memory of her breathily moaning his name last night kept intruding into his thoughts.

With any luck, Hunter would continue to keep them separated as they searched the building, like he had split them into separate groups to scout this morning. Crosshair, still feeling the overwhelming urge to turn back towards her like a compass finding north, was certain that if they were alone together again he wouldn’t be able to resist touching her. He wasn’t prepared yet to find out if, after last night, she would even let him.

Hunter came to stand beside Crosshair and considered the building thoughtfully, no doubt tuning into his enhanced senses to assess the situation they were about to enter. “I’m not getting anything. Tech?”

“I am not scanning any heat signatures,” Tech affirmed from somewhere behind them. “This facility does, indeed, appear to be abandoned.”

“I hope it’s not ’cause of a giant monster or something. It always seems like it’s ’cause of a giant monster,” Wrecker groaned.

Tech blinked. “I have found no information to indicate that to be a concern on this planet, but much of its flora and fauna remains uncatalogued, so I am unfortunately unable to rule it out.”

“That’s real comforting, Tech,” Echo muttered.

The group approached the door cautiously. “Power’s out,” Hunter noted. “Wrecker?”

Grinning, the demo expert gave the panel a few well-placed hits from his large fist, denting it until it shifted out of place so that he could pry it open easily. The men activated their helmet lights while Dara and Omega pulled glowrods from their packs before proceeding into the darkened hallway.

“We shall have to restore power to see if we can access any information about this facility’s purpose,” Tech informed them.

Hunter nodded. “You and Echo go on ahead. We’ll do a sweep and see if we can find anything else useful.”

After the pair departed, the rest of the group took their time checking each room carefully, gleaning what information they could. The facility was not old, but the Empire had already been gone long enough for dust and debris to settle eerily in its corners. Some areas had been cleaned out entirely, leaving only faded outlines where equipment once stood, like ghosts imprinted along the walls. In others, state-of-the-art technology lay broken and derelict, unworthy of salvage. Their first clue as to the building’s purpose was revealed in a room still crowded with metal gurneys, the shattered remnants of broken vials, and chemicals gleaming in stoppered beakers.

“Woah,” Omega breathed. “I think this was a lab. Or some sort of medical center, maybe.”

Crosshair was staring hard into a corner of the room. “Is anyone else seeing that?” he asked.

“What is it? The rest of us can’t see everything you do, Cross,” Wrecker reminded him.

“Something’s…glowing,” the sniper explained.

“Hang on.” Dara fiddled with the settings on her glowrod until it emitted UV light, and the rest of the group was suddenly able to see the faint blue glow coming from the direction that Crosshair was facing. Amid a pile of shattered glass, one vial was cracked but remained intact, preserving the bright blue liquid inside. Dara stooped and carefully retrieved the vial, holding it up for the others with a knowing glance.

“This remind the rest of you of anything?”

Hunter furrowed his brow. “The chemical from the vault,” he pointed out, just as Crosshair murmured, “The river.”

Wrecker frowned. “What river?”

Crosshair hadn’t entirely meant to say it out loud. When Tech had launched into an explanation of bioluminescence as they were passing over the river yesterday, the daylight meant that its glow still wasn’t visible. Only he and Dara had seen it last night. The image of a nude Dara, haloed in blue, came into his mind unbidden. He shook away the thought as he explained, his voice clipped.

“Near the camp. There’s a bioluminescent river. It glows blue at night. Tech told us.”

Around them, the facility suddenly shuddered to life as the overhead lights came on.

“Indeed, I did tell you,” Tech informed them over comms. “That is most interesting. Echo and I are now proceeding to the facility’s records storage to determine if any data escaped being erased. It is too bad that the sample from Prium’s laboratory was lost—if we still had it, we would be able to determine if the chemicals are the same. As it is, we will have to rely on the rudimentary scan I took in the vault.”

“Ah… hmm. Well…” Dara stuttered. “I may have another confession.”

The clones in the room with her all turned to stare.

“What kind of a confession?” Echo growled over the comms.

Dara shrugged. “The vial didn’t actually get smashed. I thought it might be the project that Prium was working on for the Empire, and I was worried it might be dangerous. So I hid it. I was planning on taking it with me for us to study when I left. It’s still on the Marauder.”

“Well, that is most fortunate,” Tech replied cheerfully.

Dara looked relieved that he was taking it in stride, rather than holding it against her. “We’ll save the vial for you to match the sample from Prium’s lab, Tech,” she replied, holding her datapad up to the container. “For now, I’m sending you a scan of its chemical composition.”

Hunter just sighed and held a hand to his visor in exasperation. “Alright. Let’s keep moving,” he ordered.

The group returned to their search, but were stopped short a few doors later, when the panel slid open to flood the corridor with bright, midday sunlight. They stepped into the enormous room, whose roof and three sides were made of transparisteel. The area was divided by a series of raised beds in neat, even rows, though the soil that filled them was entirely devoid of plant life.

“A greenhouse?” Wrecker questioned.

Omega trailed her fingers through the nearest bed, swirling designs into the dirt. She grabbed a handful and gave it a curious sniff. “What were they growing?”

With a faint smile on his face at her futile mimicry, Hunter pinched his own sample and did the same, nostrils flaring slightly. “I think…they were growing that.” He gestured to Dara, who retrieved the herb they had found outside from her bag and handed it to him. He took a whiff of the plant and nodded firmly. “Yep, that’s definitely it.”

“Hey, guys,” Echo piped up over the comms. “We were able to restore some data that wasn’t erased properly. You might want to come meet us.”

Hunter held a hand up to his helmet. “There in a few,” he replied.

When the group had reunited with Tech and Echo, they all circled up, ready to report their findings. Echo’s brows were drawn together sharply with worry.

“Well, we were able to confirm that the missing clones were here,” he commented darkly. “We found a list of CT numbers. Dozens of them were being detained. But they’re not listed as prisoners—they’re listed as test subjects.” Hunter and Crosshair, who stood on either side of the cyborg, each laid a comforting hand on one of his shoulders. For obvious reasons after his imprisonment by the Techno Union, Echo was rather sensitive to the idea of experiments being conducted on sentients against their will.

Tech frowned sympathetically. “Yes. Unfortunately, the identical genetic makeup of clones makes us rather ideal for the purpose of controlling variables during the initial stages of scientific research.”

“Did you find any connection to Kumalon—Prium’s pharmaceutical company?” Dara inquired.

Echo shook his head. “We couldn’t retrieve much else—nothing on what they were testing or where the clones ended up.”

Omega frowned. “So we have some dug-up plants that the Empire was trying to grow indoors, a strange chemical that glows under UV light, and the clones are still missing.”

Hunter sighed. “We only have a few hours of daylight left. Wrecker, Tech, and Echo, search the rest of the facility in case anything else turns up. Dara, Omega and I will head back outside and look over the grounds—we might find more evidence of digging or a clue to where the clones are. Crosshair, head to the roof and check if you can see anything from a higher vantage point.”

The group separated, Crosshair searching for a roof access. By the time he emerged into the fresh air, Hunter, Omega, and Dara were exiting from the front of the facility where they had first entered. He watched through his scope as Dara and Hunter had a brief discussion before splitting up, Hunter and Omega heading right, while Dara headed left, each circling around the building’s perimeter. He did his own scan, searching the tree line that surrounded the facility for anything obviously out of place, but came up empty.

Finally, he found his scope drawn to Dara almost of its own accord. He tried to tell himself that he was just watching her back—Omega had Hunter to protect her, but Dara was alone, after all. He had pointedly kept his helmet turned away from her during their search of the facility, only allowing himself to check in on her out of the corners of his eyes. She, on the other hand, hadn’t looked at or spoken to him at all. He wondered if she could sense that he was watching her now. At the thought, he shifted his scope, checked in on Hunter and Omega’s progress—Omega was happily laughing at something as Hunter looked down on her with a fond smile—and scanned the area again.

When he turned back in the direction Dara had been walking, she had disappeared.

Crosshair forced down the uncharacteristic throb of panic clawing its way up his throat and searched again. She couldn’t have just vanished, there was no time, he must have just missed her somewhere, maybe she’d gone to check out something just inside the forest, she was—

There. Dara was scrambling her way back up over a small rise in the terrain between the facility and the tree line, looking the worse for wear, clothing coated in some sort of filth and debris. As he watched, she stood, turning and staring down at something he couldn’t quite make out, just beyond the rise. She bent over, brushing her hand against the soil, then suddenly dropped to her knees. He was just about to go against his better judgment and check if she was alright when her voice came through his comm.

“Crosshair.” It was a hoarse whisper, drained of strength.

“What happened?” He tried to keep his own tone even, although that inexplicable feeling of panic had not quit.

“Do you have eyes on Hunter and Omega?” Dara choked out. “Are they far from my position?”

With difficulty, Crosshair tore his scope away from the scene before him for long enough to locate the others.

“They’re still on the other side of the facility. What happened? Do you need help?”

Dara was facing away from him; her shoulders trembled, and he could hear a few shuddering breaths. After a tense moment, she stilled, and her breathing returned to normal. He heard a beep as she switched over to the open comm line.

“Hunter,” Dara began, voice now far steadier, although she stumbled over a few of her words. “I found—I found the missing clones. They’re dead.”

Next chapter

Tag list: @stardusthuntress @skellymom @megmegalodondon @somewhere-on-kamino @morerandombullshit @zahmaddog

Thanks again to @cloneflo99 for the amazing banner!!!

Author's note: I think it's a fun idea to imagine that Crosshair's enhanced eyesight includes being able to see part of the non-visible spectrum.

#the bad batch #star wars #bad batch #clone force 99 #tbb crosshair #the bad batch fanfiction #clone wars fanfiction #the bad batch crosshair #crosshair bad batch #crosshair x oc #tbb wrecker #tbb echo #tbb tech #tbb hunter #tbb omega

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kaikaidenkai · 2 days ago

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Stupid decisions get you in stupid situations. CH.1|| Truck-kun makes an appearance!

Stupid decisions get you in stupid situations… or in which [Name] gets themself in a stupid situation, getting hit by Truck-kun which was their own fault. They transported themself into the world of their favorite anime they’ve just finished watching the last episode on, Bungo Stray Dogs.

italics= thoughts

italics with “ around it =spoken in japanese

BSD X G/N READER

—————————————————————————

[Name] listened to music on FULL BLAST through their wireless earbuds as they walked down the bustling sidewalks of LA at night. A stupid decision indeed as they wouldn’t be able to predict the tragedy that would happen next partly because she was blasting music in her ears at full volume.

“Hey, watch out!!”

Someone yelled at [Name] through the crowds.

Though, [Name] wasn’t able to hear their warning until it was too late.

The stranger yelled again, and [Name] went to take out their earbuds.

As they took them out, everyone had a shocked and distressed expression before a truck slammed into them at full force. Apparently.. a truck got out of control and began driving around without a driver.

To make it worse, no one got hit except [Name] who died on impact against a wall, their body splitting in half.

RINGGGGGGGGG….

{Name’s POV}

I heard an annoying, high pitched, long lasting ringing in my ears before it all turned black.

Seriously..? I’ll never be able to finish the BSD manga now, I mean.. I mean I never said goodbye to my friends!

…

What friends again..? Okay, well… anyway, this was kind of peaceful. The beautiful darkness surrounded me, and the idea of death was beautiful too!.. Ha.. Ha……I .. think i’m going insane.

…

”Are..Are they dead?”

……

Huh..? Who… where…

Everything was blurry and even the person who was looming over me words were blurry.. blurry words..? What am I—

COOOURGGHHHH CAOUGGGH!

I let out two vile, crunchy coughs.

“Jesus.”

“Oh, they’re awake!”

“What the fuck did you just say?”

What.. Wait..

I rubbed my eyes to find a white headed boy in front of me with a haircut that splits horribly like how the truck split my body.

Atsushi?.. ATSUSHI FROM BUNGO STRAY DOGS?!

“Hello? What’s your— What’s your name?”

He spoke in Japanese which I in-fact, did not understand. And.. And… Uhh… Ah.. I’m screwed, aren’t I?

“I.. uh.. English?”

”What..? Oh! English, English..”

Atsushi spoke in Japanese, then a semi-transparent blue screen popped up in front of me.

·················•·················

Hi hi~!! Ready to begin YOUR ADVENTURE in the world of Bungo Stray Dogs? If not.. too bad! You made a stupid decision and you’re starting it anyway regardless of your answer :3!!!! Ah.. Now let’s get you started. You have 10 Skill points to spend on from your starter pack! Which is..

• ¥1,000,000 Which is enough to last you at least 6 months!

•Basic apartment •Japanese Passport/Citizenship

• 10 Skill points

Let me explain the skill points!

You have many different skills you can improve on with skill points which are given to you by progressing in the main story or purchased with Yen. You also can improve on them by completing a side quest given to you to improve on that specific skill. Now.. choose on what you want to improve on. •Japanese Speaking Skills 0/30

•Japanese Writing Skills 0/30

•Stamina 17/30

•Endurance 23/30

•Strength 11/30

•Speed 18/30

•Intelligence ERROR/30

•Looks 21/30 (NOT ABLE TO IMPROVE)

•Ability Cooldown {LOCKED}

•Ability Damage {LOCKED}

•Ability Duration {LOCKED}

Oh.. don’t mind the error and locked… Also.. Your ability is— I’m not allowed to say until you find out yourself, good luck, [Name]!

ABILITY: N/A

·················•·················

Erm… Well alright.. I guess half will go into speaking Japanese and half into writing.

·················•·················

↑Japanese Speaking skills has been improved↑

↑5/30↑

↑Japanese Writing Skills has been improved↑

↑5/30↑

·················•·················

”Uh.. Your.. Your name?”

He said in English unsurely after the long silence there was.

”[Name], my name is [Name]”

I somehow responded back in Japanese.

Then.. a black haired man spoke up who was sitting on a desk. We were in.. The ADA?! Holy shit, I just realized that… Atsushi was kneeling in front of me as I was seated on the floor and the black haired man— or Ranpo was sitting on a desk. The other ADA members were also staring as they cleaned the office. Off topic but anyways..

“Who are you, and how did you get here?”

Masterlist

#bsd #ranpo edogawa #bsd x you #bsd x reader #bsd ranpo #bsd atsushi #isekai #truck kun #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs

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yoga-onion · 2 years ago

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Legends and myths about trees

Legendary tree deities (21)

Skogsrå – the fatal nymph of the Scandinavian forests

The Skogsrå (Swedish: lit. 'the Forest Rå'), Skogsfrun ('the Mistress of the Forest'), Skogssnuvan, Skogsnymfen ('the Forest Nymph'), Råndan ('the Rå') or Huldran, is a mythical female creature of the forest in Swedish folklore.

It appears in the form of a small, beautiful woman with a seemingly friendly temperament. She appears like a woman from the front but seen from behind she often has a tail and a hollow back or skin like tree bark.

Those who are enticed into following her into the forest are never seen again. It was said that any human man who had intercourse with the Skogsrå became an introvert, as his soul had remained with her. If the seduced man is a hunter, he may be rewarded with good luck in the hunt, but should he be unfaithful to the Skogsrå, he will be punished with numerous accidents. He may put an end to a stormy night caused by her vengeance by firing a shot against her. Late folklore in Nyland, Finland describes silver bullets as effective means of killing a skogsrå.

Tolkien describes the Old Forest, a space filled with deep-rooted mysteries and danger in Middle-earth, as follows:

“The ground was rising steadily, and as they went forward it seemed that the trees became taller, darker, and thicker. There was no sound, except an occasional drip of moisture falling through the still leaves. For the moment there was no whispering or movement among the branches; but they all got an uncomfortable feeling that they were being watched with disapproval, deepening to dislike and even enmity. The feeling steadily grew, until they found themselves looking up quickly, or glancing back over their shoulders, as if they expected a sudden blow.”

– J.R.R. Tolkien FOTR. Ch. 6

木にまつわる伝説・神話

伝説の樹木の神々 (21)

スクーグスロー〜スカンジナビアの森に住む致命的な妖精

スコーグスロー（ｽｴｰﾃﾞﾝ語: 森の‘ロー’）、ｽｺｸﾞｽﾌﾙﾝ（「森の愛人」）、ｽｺｸﾞｽﾇﾊﾞﾝ、ｽｺｸﾞｽﾆﾝﾌｪﾝ（「森の妖精」）、ローンダン ‘ロー’またはフルドラは、スウェーデンの民間伝承に登場する神話上の森の女性の生き物である。

小柄で親しみやすそうな雰囲気をした美しい女性の姿で現れる。スクーグスローは前から見ると普通の人間だが、後ろから見ると尻尾があったり、背中が窪んでいたり、樹のような肌をしていたりする。

彼女に誘われ、森へ行った者は二度と帰ることはない。スコーグスローと交わった男性は皆、魂が彼女の中に置き去りにされているため、内向的になると言われている。狩人がスクーグスローと関係を持つと、獲物に恵まれる幸運を得ることもあるが、スクーグスローを裏切った場合、様々な事故が狩人に襲い掛かる。そんな時は狩人はスコーグスローに向けて銃を撃つことによって、事故の連続を止められるかもしれない。フィンランドのナイランドに伝わる晩年の伝承では、スコーグスローを殺す効果的な手段として銀の弾丸が描かれている。

トールキンは、中つ国において根深い謎と危険に満ちた空間である「古き森」を以下のように描いている:

「地面がどんどん高くなり、進むにつれ、木々はより高く、より暗く、より太くなったように見えた。静まり返った葉の間から時折水滴が落ちる以外は、何の音もしなかった。しばらくの間、枝の間からささやき声や物音は聞こえなかったが、彼らは皆、自分たちが不愉快な目で見られているような不快な感覚に襲われた。その感覚は次第に大きくなり、気がつくと、突然の一撃を予期しているかのように、素早く顔を上げたり、肩越しにちらりと後ろを振り返ったりしていた。」

- J.R.R.トールキン FOTR. 第6章

#trees #tree legend #tree myth #forest #forest nymphs #forest spirit #legend #folklore #mythology #skogsrå #scandinavian forests #swedish folklore #rå #huldran #nature #art

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crusty-chronicles · 2 years ago

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The Moon and Sun (Big Sib reader x Gon/Killua)

Synopsis: (Platonic) Older reader goes soft after unexpectedly looking out for two boys. Whether it be troubled past or mutant ants, their promise to protect will never waiver.

CH 1: The Trouble with Flying Solo

"If you're going to run, then run...But no matter how fast you are or how far you go, we'll always find you"

You glared up at the stars after failing to fall asleep yet again. The sensation of pins and needles pricked your spine, urging you to get up. Instead, you opted to turn to your side. It was far too early to be awake, and there was no way in hell you were staying up three days in a row. Maybe you were thinking too much. An active mind usually meant an active (albeit completely drained) body.

"Just close your eyes and clear your thoughts," you mumbled.

It was gonna be a long night and an even longer day.

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

"Have you heard about the bomber?" "They say someone's going around killing people for cards!" "The bomber struck again, we just found another victim!"

Goddamnit. This shit again. You'd thought the attacks would've stopped by now. It'd been around two months since you'd been in any town, plenty of time to find out who it was. Who would've thought some psycho would go on a killing spree in an already difficult game to beat? They were just cards, after all.

"I hope that fool blows himself up," you muttered.

'What was that?" The shopkeeper asked you.

"Don't worry about it." There was no use in getting an NPC worked up over something they didn't understand. Besides, your thoughts about the current circumstance didn't matter. As long as nobody suspicious crossed your path, you didn't care. You focused your thoughts on the shopkeeper in front of you.

"Got any sleep spells?"

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

Was it 10?

13?

15?

21.

There had been 21 new players you sensed near the main area. 21 new potential causalities in this already dangerous world. With any luck, they'd be cautious around new people. Still, it was strange to see so many new players at once. Maybe they were sent to help the larger group already here. The more hands they had, the easier it would be to beat Greed Island.

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

BOOM!!!

"OH MY GOODNESS!!!" "THE BOMBER STRIKES AGIAN!" “HE KILLED HIM!"

A man dropped dead not 10 feet from you. You couldn't help but look away. However, it seemed everyone around you couldn't take their gaze away from him. Maybe if you were quick enough, you'd be able to leave before a bigger crowd formed. Unfortunately by the time you realized this, it was too late. You were boxed in.

You kept your head down, not wanting to see the carnage. The blood pooling beneath him. The stench of scorched skin. You let out a small sigh.

Today was supposed to be a good day.

You'd felt the presence behind you before they reached out. With a swift move to the side, you missed the hand reaching for your shoulder. Your eyes were daggers as you glared at the man behind you.

"Don't touch me."

His eyes widened at your words.

"Sorry, I wanted to know if you were okay. With the body in front of you, I thought you went into shock. It's not every day you see someone die." His smile looked sincere, but his eyes... You could tell something wasn't right with him. Perhaps he was the bomber?

"I thought I told you to keep away from me when you asked me to join your group." Your glare hadn't wavered.

"Is it so wrong for me to be concerned about another player?" He asked. "You've been here for two years after all. Long enough to know you can’t beat this game all by yourself.”

You hated Genthru for the single reason that he wouldn’t leave you alone.

"I will not repeat myself. Don't touch me and don't talk to me." The crowd had thinned out, making it easier for you to slip away. You could have sworn you felt bloodlust from behind you.

Whatever, if that fool wanted to fight you, he'd have to catch you first.

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

You continued on your way back towards your temporary home: the desert behind Masadora. It wasn’t ideal, but it was isolated enough to not be bothered.

You sat on the ground for a while lost in thought.

Twenty-one new players. Another bombing incident right after. And the feeling of Genthru's bloodlust.

He was plotting something.

A bloodlust that strong wasn't normal. Try as he might to suppress it, you could see it clear as day. It wasn't anger fueling his aura, it was anticipation. But for what?

Maybe he just got off on seeing dead bodies.

Maybe he was just a plain creep.

Or maybe, just maybe he was behind all those attacks.

God you hoped those new players knew better than to trust the first person who seemed nice.

But what did it matter anyways. It wasn't your problem. It wasn't your job to find out. You shouldn't even be wasting your time thinking about this.

"Promise me you'll stop. You have to promise that you won’t listen to them!"

You punched the rock next to you as hard as you could. You didn't need this right now. It was as if needles were pricking your chest and something was wrapping around your throat.

Why was there a pit in your stomach all of a sudden? Why was it getting harder to breathe?

Why were you feeling guilty?

Goddamnit

Goddamnit all.

"I....." Your words stopped in your throat.

"I," you tried again.

You let out one final sigh before you spoke again, head too full to think.

"Sleep... I need sleep..."

The feeling stopped at once.

You were overthinking again. Too caught up with current events. If Genthru was the bomber, he had a shitty way of hiding it. And those new players, if they were strong enough to get their hands on a copy of Greed Island, they were strong enough to last here.

Your mind finally cleared with your justifications.

It was about time you tried out that sleeping spell you bought. Three days and counting was proving to not be such a good idea.

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

What was that power?

That immense show of strength.

The sheer amount of nen being used woke you up.

Bummer, it hadn't even been a couple of hours. The sun had just set by the looks of it. It didn't matter anyways, not with your current dilemma. Who was treading in on your territory?

Who was foolish enough to travel through here? Weren't they warned about the monsters?

Damn, there went that spike of nen again.

Whoever it was, they were strong, and not too far away from you.

You focused your eyes towards the direction of their nen.

There were two auras close together, both strong. It seems they were the ones causing all the commotion. You could sense two more a little further back. One was even stronger than the first two. And the other was weak, yet unstable.

And all of them were getting too close.

Should you run?

Would they sense you if you didn't?

Should you just approach them?

No, it was better if they didn't know you were here. Still, with auras like those, it was intriguing. The three closest didn't show signs of bloodlust. The furthest one, however, had malice. Which meant they were tracking the others

Choices choices choices

Leave them be, it's none of your concern.

You'll have another sleepless night if you don't help them.

You went back and forth between yourself for a few minutes.

Goddamnit.

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

You'd expected a lot to be honest.

Tough, ragged warriors duking it out with the desert monsters.

But not this.

Not three little kids arguing with each other.

"Now, give me 200 push-ups!"

"HUH!??"

"It's your punishment. Now get to it."

"Hey what the hell!?! Why should I?!"

You kicked a rock in their direction, disrupting the argument between the blonde little girl and white haired boy. All three of the kids stared at you.

Welp, you were already here. It's not like you could back out now. You'd have an even worse conscience if you left.

"Hi."

The two boys jumped back.

"Book!" They shouted in unison. It was likely they'd already run into card raiders from their reaction.

You put your hands up and stood where you were.

"If I was going to hurt you I wouldn't have made my presence known, you know? Besides who gets their sick kicks from attacking children?"

The one in green seemed to lower his guard.

"Yeah and why should we believe you?" The white haired one questioned.

"Good point. I wouldn't trust me either. It's not wise to trust strangers." The only one who seemed unfazed by your presence was the girl. The one with the strongest nen.

"With that said, you can either listen to my warning or disregard it. I don't care either way." You pointed behind them, towards a nearby cliff.

"Someone's been following you. In fact, they’re watching us right now. I don't know how you kids managed to get into Greed Island, but you should know this area's dangerous." You turned to leave but stopped as the unknown aura spiked. It had been a blink and you'd miss it feeling.

So they were tracking the kids.

How disgusting.

"You sensed them before I did," the girl spoke at last.

"Not even pro hunters with decades of experience can do that. His presence was perfectly concealed until now, so explain yourself."

You frowned. It felt like you were being lectured by an adult. But you couldn't worry about that right now. The murky presence was drawing nearer.

"Let's get through this first before I tell you anything."

If you really tried, you might be able to carry all three of them away. One in each arm and one on your back.

"So they were telling the truth?" The boy in green asked.

"I'm afraid so. But it's not a problem. I've got the perfect plan. If I head on north by myself, he's almost guaranteed to follow me. You two, er, three will head towards that pillar without concealing your presence, then head back. Got it?"

Was this kid crazy??? Sure her aura was strong, but when you fight against someone who's crazy, it's a whole other level.

"Absolutely not. I'll provide a distraction and you kids get out of here as fast as you can."

"Kids? Just who do you think you're talking to. I may not look it, but I've lived at least three times your lifetime. Now stop wasting time!"

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

Turns out that little girl was Biscuit Krueger: an infamous Gemstone Hunter. She'd managed to take out the stalker with just 2 blows. Seems you had nothing to worry about at all.

The boy with white hair was Killua Zoldyck: part of an assassin family.

And the boy in green was Gon Freecs: a beginner hunter.

"So, what's your name?" He asked. It was very apparent that Gon was the outgoing type. He seemed like a sweet kid.

"Y/n." You should've been up and on your way. You really should have. The kids, the real kids, were with Bisky. They'd be fine, but a part of you was curious.

"How did you get a copy of Greed Island?"

"Well my dad and his friends made the game, and he left me with a copy to use once I became a hunter. Me and Killua think it'll have a clue on his whereabouts."

That explained it. Wait what??? He was looking for his dad????? Here in a game where people were constantly dying?????? Was that dude crazy???? And he made this for his kid?????

"He must really love you or really hate you. For your sake I hope it's the first one." Gon laughed at your words.

"You think he's got it rough, my mom had me chained down in my room for leaving," Killua interjected. And it was so sudden it gave you whiplash.

"I'm sorry?????!!!! What!???? Are you like okay!???"

"What? I thought we were sharing."

"Speaking of sharing," it was Bisky who spoke now. "You never did say how you were able to sense Binolt."

You gave a tired sigh before answering.

"Let's just say I didn't have an easy childhood either. That and it's part of my nen ability. I could sense all of you from a distance. I thought it couldn't hurt to help and warn you about the other guy. It didn't look like you were traveling with him and his aura was filled with malice."

Both boys were looking at you with keen interest.

"You mean you could sense all four of us!???"

"And you weren't even using gyo!???"

You gave a weak grin, exhaustion once again taking over.

"I'm just that special."

Gon was grabbing your arm shaking with excitement.

"You've got to tell us what your nen ability is!!!"

Killua was on your other side, gripping your other arm with just as much enthusiasm.

"Yeah! Or at least teach us how to do it! You'd probably be a better teacher than that old hag!"

Despite the shouting and shaking of the boys, your eyes were drooping closed. Three days was indeed a lot.

"Tell you what," you stifled a yawn. "Let me sleep on it okay." Then everything went black.

Too much excitement for one day combined with fading adrenaline knocked you out. It was an interesting situation you'd gotten yourself into.

But as you slept soundly, the absence of nightmares let you know that deciding to get involved was a good decision after all.

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

Fun Fact #1: Y/n’s nen ability allows them to see and sense any aura within a 100 meter radius without using gyo. The stronger the person, the easier it is to see.

MASTERLIST

#hxh #hunter x hunter #hunter x hunter x reader #hxh x reader #hxh x y/n #hunter x hunter x y/n #gon x reader #killua x reader #mayhaps a kite x reader???#x reader #platonic #older reader #big sib reader #found family

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kayssweetdreams · 2 years ago

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A "Perfect" Vacation Ch 21

Meanwhile, Back on the Island...

The kids looked on in horror at Kaylo's change. "OK. This has Crazy Madame Prim WRITTEN ALL OVER IT." Leo yelled, making wild gestures at the girl. "Now Leo, it's improper to shout after all. Especially for a young gentleman." Kaylo said in a scarily calm voice. "But-I-HOW?!" Emma asked, horror in her voice. "I don't know. But we have to get help." Lora said. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by Ka Lā's security.

"You ain't going nowhere missy." One of them said, just as the kids all felt jabs at their necks. The last thing that Lora saw was Ka Lā holding one finger underneath Kaylo's chin. When the kids woke up again, they found themselves inside of what appeared to be a cold, metal, cell. Scrambling to their feet, Leo immediately ran to the door "HEY!! LET US OUT!!" He yelled, his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Not a chance boy. You ruined everything last time, I won't let you do it again." Ka Lā said from the other side, glaring daggers into the kids. "Prim! But how?! And where's the real Ka Lā!" Mei yelled, shocked at how the same woman that was arrested on live TV was in front of them. "That stupid tropical harlot is currently taking my place in my little padded cell." Prim sneered, her eyes cutting at Mei.

"What did you do to Kaylo?! I know that we destroyed your purifier!" Rebecca asked, remembering how the Yuri, Kaylo, Dolly and her friends destroyed the Purifier back at the old school. "Oh yes. I haven't forgotten how you completely corrupted my daughter, and destroyed everything at my school. But luckily a...acquaintance of mine has decided to help me get back what I lost. Starting with returning my daughter to her former glory. And reversing the corruption in my former "students"". Prim explained.

It didn't take Trisha Jane long to figure out what Prim was going to do. "Don't you dare hurt Dolly! Or our friends!" She shouts. However, Prim just smiles "Oh don't worry Tracey Jones. You'll be joining them in the ranks of perfection too. Once Thea performs to the world and my acquaintance drops a special "gift" on your little town, Sweet little Timeville will finally become PERFECT! PERFECTVILLE!! Hmm...Has a nice ring to it." She said, an unhinged smile upon her face, making the group shrink back in horror.

However, her 'happy' mood was spoiled by another employee, who looked like he had been beat by a shoe scurried into the room "It's Thea! She won't go on! Unless you undo what happened with her daughter-" Prim glared at him "Thea WILL go on stage. One way or another. Her daughter is not getting in my way this time. I don't care if you have to drag her kicking and screaming. She. Will. Perform." Prim growled, scaring the employee. "HA! Good luck with that! Thea loves Kaylo, she won't sing a single note without you undoing what you did!" Mei shouted.

Prim glared back at the kids "I'll deal with you little delinquents later. Right now I have a imperfect diva of a singer to control." She seethed, stomping out of the room. The kids paled. Prim wasn't holding back this time. She. Wanted. PAYBACK. They knew that Prim's Purifier had a way to reverse the effects...but they didn't know how to reverse what Prim had done to Kaylo now. Especially since they had no idea WHAT it was she did this time. However. Before they could deal with anything, they had to escape first.

"There has to be someway out of here." Emma said, leaning against a wall. "Well...unless you have like a backup key or a way to pry the door open, I have a feeling that we're not going anywhere for a while." Lora said, looking out the window of their cell, hoping to see anything they were missing. "I wouldn't bother. I tried everything already." An Australian voice said. "Who said that?" Mei asked out, looking as much as she could in the cell. "Over here." The voice said again.

Mei looked to her right, and saw another cell, this one holding a teen with blue hair and a pair of goggles on his head, his blue eyes almost having a faint electricity to them "Who are you?" Leo asked, surprised to see another person in there with them "G'day. The name's Jett." He said from inside of his cell. Looking a little closer, Rebecca could see that he had a strange looking cuff around his neck. "Um...Not to be rude, but why do you have a cuff on your neck?" She asked.

Jett looked down at the cuff with distain. "Oh. That. You can thank the stupid muscle men that work with that woman. They put this demon-proof collar on me to keep me in here." He said. That got the kids attention. "Wait...did you just say Demon-Proof?" Rebecca asked. "Yep." Jett said simply, popping his P. "W-Why would you need a demon-proof collar?" Leo asked, his voice shaky. Jett looked them dead in the eyes.

"Because I'm a demon."

Mei belongs to @sundove88

Rebecca belongs to @thehypercutstudios/@thehyperrequiem

Trisha Jane belongs to @lovelyteng

Lora Jade belongs to @alex-frostwalker

Jett belongs to @jettthespeeddemon

#Balan Wonderworld #Leo Craig #Emma Cole

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sergeantsporks · 1 year ago

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Gilded Family

Rating: Teen and Up, Gen

Ch 32/?: Deep Down

Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6 , Ch 7, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10, Ch 11, Ch 12, Ch 13, Ch 14, Ch 15, Ch 16, Ch 17, Ch 18, Ch 19, Ch 20, Ch 21, Ch 22, Ch 23, Ch 24, Ch 25, Ch 26, Ch 27, Ch 28, Ch 29, Ch 30, Ch 31

In which none of the previous golden guards or wittebro died, actually, they're all fine and living happily together as one big dysfunctional family

Ao3

“Okay.” Caleb paced back and forth in front of the assembled grimwalkers, most holding light glyphs to combat the creeping night. “We’re using a buddy system. No one goes out there alone. Watch each other’s backs—he’s dangerous.”

“I’ve got a grid,” Sam announced, “I’ve divided the feasible travelable area around the house into search sectors. Kill on sight.”

“No,” Caleb corrected, shooting Sam a look, “We are not killing on sight. Auric?”

“I made some sleeping smoke bombs,” Auric piped up, holding a basket, “Try to knock him out with those if you can.”

“Don’t talk to him,” Cherry warned, “Don’t let him talk you into a corner, and don’t let him get the chance to fight you if you can. Knock him out, bring him back. Do it quick. Everyone needs to return home before the Collector’s spies start their patrol in our area, because this much movement will attract their attention.”

Alex raised their hand. “Why are we bothering dragging him back? He was a lot of trouble to keep around. If he’s run off, shouldn’t we let him stay gone? It’s not like he can get past the barrier without a concealment stone.”

“Threat level,” Meleager told them shortly, “He’s a dangerous predator in the area—not having eyes on him is worse than being inconvenienced. We already know he’s got it out for Phoenix—even if we don’t find him, he’ll come back. And he’ll kill one of our own. We need to find him before he returns on his own with a plan and possibly allies.”

“So, smoke bombs,” Caleb affirmed, “Groups of two, at least, three if you think you won’t get in each other’s way. Most of you are going to search with Sam’s grid pattern, but Horus, Venari, Meleager, and Hamlet—you four are free to form either groups of two or one group of four and try to track him or set traps. Dagger, pick your partner, and then you’re also free to track as you can whichever way you think he’s gone.”

“I call Phoenix,” Dagger said immediately.

Phoenix blinked in surprise. He’d never gotten the impression Dagger was particularly attached to him or impressed with his fighting ability—why the sudden interest?

“Don’t take any risks you don’t have to,” Caleb warned, “Everyone, most important, stay safe. If you have to choose between catching Petro or the safety of yourself and your partner, choose safety. Auric and Evelyn will be on standby. I’ll try to keep tabs on all of you with the crystal ball, so if you do get hurt, stay in once place so that I can send them to get you. Remember, back before the Collector’s spies return on their patrol route. Good luck.”

Caleb held a hand up when Phoenix approached. “Phoenix,” he said quietly, “You’ve already had a long day, and we both know Petro wants you dead most of all. If you want to sit this one out…”

“No. Meleager is right. I have to know where he is. I’ll be more stressed knowing he’s somewhere out there.” Phoenix grabbed a few sleeping smoke bombs from Auric’s basket and followed Dagger into the woods.

“I’m surprised you picked me to be your partner. Petro will be targeting me; it’s a liability to have me around.”

Dagger shrugged. “Sure. But if I pair up with someone else, it’s anyone’s guess who he’ll attack first. If I’m with you, I know he’ll go after you first in an ambush or sneak attack, so standing next to you is actually the safest option.”

That sounded more like Dagger. “Ah.”

Dagger’s eyes darted over the forest in quick, analytic movements. “Locke said he ran to the left, which means…” He wandered around the outside of the fence, wafting a light glyph over to examine the posts. “Yep. His armor scraped the fence on his way out. He seems like a ‘runs in a straight line directly to where he wants to go’ kind of fellow. Question is… where… would he…” Dagger moved through the trees, nudging brush aside and checking all of the trees. “Mm. Okay. This way.”

Phoenix squinted. “I can’t see anything—and wouldn’t he cover his tracks?” Even in a hurry, Petro wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave an obvious trail.

“Yeah. He did. But that leaves its own mark and trail—you just have to know how to look. Which you obviously don’t. Come on. And stay quiet. I’d rather sneak up on him than the reverse.”

Phoenix kept on Dagger’s heels, his feet finding the spaces without leaves or sticks as naturally as if he’d never left the coven. The forest was too silent, too still. Phoenix wondered if the Collector’s spies had turned even the bugs that were usually around into puppets.

Dagger muttered something to himself, then pointed. “There.”

Phoenix squinted. Just barely, he could make out a patch of darkness built into the forest—a cave. No, a burrow? Some kind of passage that dug down and out, well camouflaged by brush and a fallen tree. “Are you sure?”

“That’s where the trail goes.”

Phoenix shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense—he’d be cornered in there. Unless there’s a back door-?”

“He might have just been looking for a temporary hiding space,” Dagger suggested, “He’d be trapped, but he’d also only have one entrance to watch out for. If he’s confident that he can handle anything as long as it doesn’t surprise him—which he seems like the type of guy to believe—then he might have picked it because there’s only one entrance. Or, yeah. Maybe there’s a back door.” Dagger wafted the light in. “After you.”

“Should we just toss in the smoke bombs and go in after they’re done putting him to sleep?”

“Don’t know how deep it is. Or if any turns or dips would complicate it. We don’t even know if he’s still in there. Just go. Or are you squeamish about tight spaces as well as heights?”

“Worst kept secret in the house,” Phoenix grumbled, but he pushed ahead. Even in the low light, he could see fairly well ahead, and when he glanced back at Dagger, the other grimwaker’s eyes gleamed, reflecting the light of the glyph. The walls started to become less dirt and more stone as they went along—whatever puppeted creature had dug this tunnel had gone deep. Ahead, Phoenix saw another gleam—this one the shimmer of gold.

The mask—or his armor.

Phoenix closed his hand over the light glyph, dousing it to a dull pink glow from his fist. He blinked, waiting for his eyes to adjust, then continued forward, slowing his breathing until he could barely hear it himself.

A fire flared up, and Petro swung a fist at Phoenix. He was difficult to look at in the sudden light, his armor and the mask Phoenix had left with him catching the rays and reflecting them like a beacon in the darkness.

Phoenix skipped backwards, reaching for the smoke bomb, but Petro was reaching for something, too, a glass bottle sloshing with golden liquid. Phoenix’s eyes widened.

“DAGGER, GET DOWN,” he yowled. He lunged forward, trying to tackle Petro and grab the bottle before he could use it, but Petro threw it to the ground as hard as he could just seconds before he could make it.

The bottle exploded, and the burrow above them rumbled. Phoenix flew backwards, propelled by the blast, and instinctively, he reached out, looking for any handhold. His hand cracked into stone, and he pulled forward as the walls caved in around him. His free hand came up, and claws of cursed mud broke stone into pebbles before it could crush him.

Still, the world heaved and twisted, and when it finally stopped moving, a thin layer of dirt and rocks covered him. Phoenix pushed himself up, coughing and spitting out dirt. The way behind him had collapsed, leaving a heap of stone rubble titan only knew how deep.

“Dagger?” he croaked, then cleared his throat, swallowing. “Dagger!” he called, brushing himself off, “Can you hear me?”

A faint whine of distress came from somewhere in the rubble. “I’m stuck,” Dagger’s voice came, muffled from the rock, and wobbly with worry. “I’m stuck, I’m stuck, I’m—”

“Dagger—listen, Dagger, take a deep breath—”

“Phoenix, I can’t move!”

Phoenix put his hands on the rubble—his fingers were still stuck as claws, and they rippled uneasily, but they weren’t burning yet, surprisingly. Maybe eating a proper breakfast really had helped. “Listen—deep breaths, if you can. What’s trapped? Where are you pinned?”

“Um.” A loud, shaky, hysterical laugh. “Um. My leg is—I can’t see it—I can’t see anything—” The rubble started to glow slightly. “Got a glyph. Uh. My—head and shoulders aren’t pinned, they’re out in the tunnel and—and I think I’ll be able to clear away what’s on my chest, but waist down—Phoenix, I’m trapped. I can’t feel my—my legs, I can’t—”

“Okay. Okay, deep breaths, Dagger, deep breaths. Let me see if I can…” Phoenix pulled some of the stones away, and the cavern shifted again, rumbling. “…not do that.”

Phoenix heard a groan, and he whirled around. Petro extracted himself from a pile of rubble, cradling one arm to his chest. Part of the mask had shattered, embedding shards of gold above his right eye, sending blood trickling down. He dragged himself to the wall, breathing heavily.

“Petro’s awake,” Phoenix said quietly.

“Smoke bomb.”

Phoenix shook his head. “Too close. It’ll get us, too, and I don’t know who will wake up first. Dagger—I’m going to keep on through the tunnel. See if there is a back door.”

“What?!”

“I’ll come back with help if there’s another way out,” Phoenix promised, “Or I’ll come back this way and we’ll figure something else out.”

“Don’t leave,” Dagger begged, “I’m sorry I used you as a shield, I’m sorry, don’t leave me alone, don’t—”

“Dagger—Dagger.” Phoenix felt sick at the panic in the other grimwalker’s voice (and the apology that must mean he was truly frantic), but he kept talking anyway. “If I stay, we’re going to be stuck here until we starve—or run out of oxygen. I don’t know a way to move those rocks yet, and—”

The glint of glass caught Phoenix’s eye, and he lunged forward, hooking another explosion potion out of Petro’s hand with his foot and gently popping it into the air. He caught the bottle neatly and tucked it in his pocket. “Stop that. How many of those did you take from Sam’s lab, anyway?”

Petro didn’t answer, just glared at him. Phoenix shook his head, returning to the pile of rocks. “I’ll come back, or I’ll send someone who can handle this better—hey, Dagger, you’re not going to stay trapped. I’m leaving, but I’m not abandoning you. Okay?”

He heard a sharp inhale. “Okay. Is Petro still out there?”

Phoenix glanced over. His predecessor still stared daggers at him, but in a somewhat woozy way. “Yeah.”

“Keep your eye on him.”

“Will do.”

Phoenix marched over to Petro. His arm was definitely broken—his forearm bore a bump that hinted at a clean, full break. And whatever had hit him hard enough to break his mask must have given him a head wound nastier than just the cuts from the shards of gold.

As he approached, Petro swung at Phoenix with his good arm. “Stay back!”

Phoenix leaned back to avoid the blow, ducking in closer. He reached for Petro’s mask, dodging another blow. “Sto—quit trying to hit me, I’m trying to help you.”

“Liar.”

Phoenix caught Petro’s good wrist in one hand and removed the mask with the other. The entire right side of his face was mottled green and purple from bruises, but the shards in his skin seemed to be stopping most of the bleeding, with only a little blood oozing out around them.

The fist of Petro’s broken arm started to clench, as if Petro was going to take a swing with it, but when he tried to lift it, he hissed in pain.

“Just…” Phoenix tossed the mask to the side. Some good reminder gift it had been. “Okay. If you give me your belt, I think we can make a decent sling for your arm.”

Petro eyed him. “What’s your game?”

“I just want to get out of here, and I don’t trust you not to stab me in the back or kill Dagger if I leave you alone. Belt.”

“Then just kill me,” Petro said roughly, “Say it happened in the collapse.”

Phoenix sighed. “I’m not killing you.”

“Why not? I’m a liability. Not just to your safety, but your whole family’s well-being. The smartest thing to do would be to eliminate the threat.” Petro snorted. “But then, I guess you’re too soft and pathetic to do it, huh?”

Phoenix had to admit, strangling him was starting to look pretty tempting.

“I don’t kill people,” he said tersely, “Not since I stopped listening to Belos.”

“You won’t even kill to protect the people you care about? I guess you don’t actually like them all that much. Or maybe you just hate yourself. You know that I will try to kill you again, right?”

This conversation wasn’t going anywhere productive any time soon. “Yeah, I know.” Phoenix opened and closed his hand. “Belt. Last chance or you walk out of this cave with nothing stabilizing that arm.”

Petro scrambled to his feet, wincing. “I don’t want your help.”

Phoenix eyed him up and down. “And you think I’m the pathetic one.”

“Because you are. You don’t have the stomach to do what you need to do.

Phoenix started down the burrow, keeping an eye on Petro as he followed. “You know, at first I was scared of you. Scared that you’d hurt me, or tear apart my family. Then I was angry about what you’d done. And now…”

“Oh, do tell.”

Phoenix shook his head. “Now, I think I just pity you.”

“There’s nothing to pity,” Petro snarled, “I’m better than you. I’m not a turncoat and a traitor.”

“For what?! What? Look at you! You’re injured, you’re alone, you’re obsessed with killing me to the point where it’s just sad, and for what? The approval of a dead man who never cared about you anyway?”

“You don’t get it. You don’t know what it was like between the two of us. You don’t know what he did for me!”

Phoenix threw his hands up in the air. “Then explain!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the burrow, “You’re right, I don’t get it! Explain what he possibly could have done for you to be so blindly devoted, even after everything he did!”

Petro stayed silent for long enough that Phoenix was almost certain he was sulking again, but then, “It was my caretaker.”

“What?”

“The lullaby. When you invaded my memories. The person you heard was my caretaker.”

“Your caretaker?”

“You got put in an orphanage. I got dumped with one of Belos’ civilian followers. A supporter, but not part of his army. She was just supposed to make sure I survived. Keep me fed, clothed, housed, everything I needed to live. She wasn’t supposed to care about me, or be kind, just… keep me alive until Belos came for me.” Petro shrugged. “She cared anyway. If there was ever a time where she did what she was ordered and kept herself distant, I don’t remember it.”

“What happened to her?” Phoenix was horribly certain he already knew the answer, but the question came anyway.

“She was murdered,” Petro said roughly, “A group of wild witches found out she supported Belos and came after her. She hid me, so I escaped their notice, but she wasn’t so lucky. And I was out on the streets.”

Phoenix hissed in. “Hey… are you sure it wasn’t—”

“It wasn’t Belos,” Petro snapped, “I read the diary, little bird, and it wasn’t planned. He was furious that he lost track of me after that; I was three years too early. Whatever you think now, whatever you believe about Belos and his enemies, the wild witches weren’t perfect little saintly martyrs. They hit back. I’m sure most of the other kids at your little orphanage could attest.”

“Okay, so you have some kind of reason to hate wild witches,” Phoenix admitted, “But Belos-!”

“I was a powerless kid trying to survive on my own. You think you had it bad in your little orphanage? Try fighting with rats to survive. Belos’ supporters, wild witches—it didn’t matter. None of them helped, or even gave me a second glance. Until he showed up.”

“And offered you power,” Phoenix finished, “A life where people didn’t look down on you. Magic, the ability to fight, everything you never had.”

Petro snorted. “He offered me magic, yeah. But he gave me something far more important; the chance for revenge. My first mission? To find the witches that killed her and eliminate them. And I did. I never would have been able to do it without him. I would have died on the streets, and her murderers would have gone free.”

Petro brushed past Phoenix, forging on ahead on his own. “I’ve tried the soft little family life you people keep telling me I should want, and it was destroyed in the blink of an eye. I owe him for giving me the tools to avenge it, and to keep living without it. So don’t tell me to just turn on him. He gave me everything.”

“Don’t you think you’ve more than repaid that debt?” Phoenix asked softly, “He’s dead. It’s over. You don’t have to define your life by what he wants, and you don’t have to keep trying to kill me out of some—some misguided attempt to win his favor back. Your caretaker—I think she’d want you to be happy.”

“Don’t tell me what she would have wanted. It’s not over. It can’t be over.” Petro’s good hand curled into a fist. “He was the only one who understood me, and he’s the only one who ever gave a second thought about me after she died. You and your family just want me to change—he was the only one who liked me the way I am. Even if he’s gone, I’m not going to abandon his memory. He cared about me; maybe he chose you then, but given the chance again, I know he’d choose me.”

That was probably true. Still, it struck a hollow chord in Phoenix. Belos had started him out on a path of revenge from the very beginning—no wonder he felt like he had no other options.

Petro stepped into moonlight, and Phoenix’s eyes widened. A way out?

But when he joined Petro, he wanted to slam his head into the wall in frustration. The burrow ended at a pit, too deep for Phoenix to reach the edge.

“Where now, o fearless leader?” Petro snarked, “Are you going to become a full bird and fly out?”

“I—this is your fault!” Phoenix sputtered, “You’re the one who collapsed the cavern in on us and blocked the exit!”

“Well, I was planning on it killing you!”

“And how were you going to get out? Huh?”

Petro didn’t respond to that, but something about the silence felt melancholy, rather than angry or skulking.

“…Petro? Did you have a plan to get out?”

“Like I said,” Petro said roughly, “The one person who cared about me is dead. Killing you is pretty much the only thing I’ve got left.”

Despite the threat of it, Phoenix felt a spark of pity and a twinge of horror. “Oh.” He twisted his hair around between his fingers. “You have got to find a better hobby. I’m sure we can think of something.”

Petro snorted. “You wish. Doesn’t matter. We’ll both die in this pit. And your little friend back there will die thinking you abandoned him.”

No.

I won’t abandon anyone else.

Phoenix examined the walls of the pit. “…If you gave me a boost, I think I could get out. If I stood on your shoulders, maybe?”

“And give you the chance to run off and leave me here? No. You can give me a boost.”

“Absolutely not,” Phoenix said immediately, “You will definitely leave me to die. I promise I’ll get you out, or send someone after you.”

“Yeah? And why should I believe you?”

“Because between the two of us, you’re the only one who has a history of trying to murder the other.”

“Exactly why you would want to leave me to die.”

“We already established that I’m not going to kill you!”

“Letting me die and killing me aren’t the same thing. I’m pretty sure even your delicate sensibilities would be able to ‘forget’ me here.” Petro pointed to his arm. “I don’t know how you’re expecting me to give you a boost, anyway. I’m not exactly working at my full potential, here. If I were…”

“I’d be dead, yes, yes, I get it. I’m still not letting you run off without me.”

“Well I’m not letting you run off without me.” Petro gave him a smug look. “And I know you’re going to boost me up, because of the two of us, you’re more willing to trust, and we both know that I’m not. So if you want to get out of here, you’re going to have to trust me.”

“I don’t.” Phoenix eyed the top of the pit again. He wasn’t entirely wrong—Phoenix knew Petro would never bend. “…Okay, I’ll boost you up. But I’m holding onto your ankle, so you better be strong enough to haul both of us out.”

“What?!”

“I’m compromising. If you don’t like it, you can let me stand on your shoulders and just trust that I’m not as murderous as you.” Phoenix crossed his arms. “And if you try to kick me, I will dig claws into your ankle so you can’t run off.”

Not that he actually thought he could make the curse work for him enough to do that, but Petro didn’t have to know that.

“Fine. Fine! I’ll take your compromise, little bird. But if we both fall back down because you’re clinging to my ankle, I might forget my arm’s broken and strangle you.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s on the agenda anyway.” Phoenix made a cradle with his hands. “Let’s go.”

Petro stepped into his hands, then up on his shoulders. Phoenix wobbled to his feet, clutching Petro’s ankles tightly. His predecessor reached for the top of the pit, but before he could touch it, Phoenix heard a sound that made his blood run cold.

Drip

Deep inside Phoenix, a fear sparked, shuddering up from his fingertips. Something more than a normal panic, something different, like every cell in his body wanted to flee. A deep, primal terror that started in his arms and worked its way through him. Something slithered—no, dragged itself around in the darkness outside, something heavy and dripping wet. And even though Phoenix had only ever heard the sound across stone hallways rather than leaves and dirt, he recognized it immediately. He stumbled back away from the edge of the pit, Petro tumbling from his shoulders and down to the ground with a yelp and a hiss of pain.

“No,” Phoenix whispered, backing towards the tunnel, “No, that’s impossible, that’s—”

Petro’s eyes lit up with an eerie, feverish glow. “Yes,” he breathed, “It is! HEY!” he shouted, “Hey, over here!”

“No!” Phoenix hissed. He retreated fully into the tunnel and out of sight as a horribly familiar face peered over the edge of the pit. His arms shifted and roiled, as if terrified of their original self—or maybe trying to return to it and leave Phoenix.

Belos was falling apart. Phoenix could see bone through shifting mud, and the emperor dragged himself along the ground on his belly, rather than walking.

But he was alive.

How was he alive?! The Collector had turned him into a grease spot! He’d fallen completely apart—how was he here? And, Phoenix realized with mounting horror, how had he not seen him when they’d gone to rescue Ghost? Where had he been hiding all this time?

Petro tilted his face up. “Wow. I told you that you needed me—didn’t think you’d fall apart quite so literally, though. You look awful, old man.”

“Yes, because you seem to be in wonderful shape yourself, golden guard,” Belos snapped back.

“Better than you left me.”

Belos’ expression shifted, his eyes darting to the side, then back to Petro. Phoenix shuddered. He recognized that look—he’d never been able to see it before, but now, looking from the outside, he could tell. That was the face Belos made right before he said something that would twist your insides around, something that would make you want to help him no matter what he’d done.

“But yes, I suppose you were right,” Belos said in that horrible, kind, oozing voice he could turn on at a moment’s notice, “I need you, Hunter. Now more than ever. You were the exact guard I needed—the exact guard I wanted. Had I known that sooner, we could have avoided all of this… unpleasantness.” Belos extended a hand down into the pit. “What do you say we rebuild our empire… together. As it should be. Just… you and I.”

No, Phoenix wanted to scream, No, it’s a trap. Don’t trust him, don’t go back. But all he could do was watch in silent horror as Petro’s face split into a wide grin.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Petro grasped Belos’ hand, and Belos seemed to… flow down his arm, sinking into cuts and scrapes. Phoenix put a hand to his mouth, holding his breath as he watched. Petro’s broken arm snapped back into place, and his cuts scabbed over with green mud. Petro twitched, his hands turning to claws that ripped through his gloves, then back to his regular hands. He shuddered one more time, then went still, his back straightening into a regal, commanding posture. Petro did a slow turn, and Phoenix pressed his back against the tunnel wall to avoid his gaze, now glowing an eerie blue.

“Ah,” he said in a voice that was somehow Petro’s and Belos’, like two instruments playing over each other, “That’s better. Now… let’s see if we can’t get up to that floating monstrosity. I think it’s about time we paid our old friend the Collector a visit.”

Petro’s—Petro? Belos? Betro? Pelos?–arms lengthened, roping to the top of the pit and hauling him—them?–out. Phoenix ran back out into the pit, barely able to see the two disappear into the dark trees. “No!”

He couldn’t let Belos get to the Collector—and he couldn’t let him… Phoenix shuddered. What had happened to Petro? Was he even still in there? Or had Belos killed him? Was he going to do that to the Collector? Or King? Phoenix felt sick at the thought, his stomach writhing like a bag of snakes.

“Deep breaths,” he murmured out loud, “Deep—wait… no.”

If he did nothing, the Collector would get hurt. King would get hurt, Darius would get hurt. And what if Belos could see Petro’s memories, the way that Phoenix could see Belos’? That would lead him straight to the family.

Phoenix’s arms shifted uneasily, the tips of his fingers turning to claws. Instead of banishing his spiraling thoughts, Phoenix let them continue, running the same track over and over in his mind.

They’re going to get hurt

All of them are going to die.

His arms bubbled, making the complete turn and staying mud instead of flickering back and forth while his chest heaved in short pants of air.

Phoenix ran at the wall, jumping and sinking his claws into the side of the pit. His hands cracked into stone, and he hauled himself up, digging his claws in a foot higher.

Again.

Phoenix slowly hauled himself out of the pit, panting. Early morning light started to filter through the trees, staining everything a dark red.

Phoenix didn’t need to track Petro/Belos. He knew which way they’d gone—right to the head. He leapt over logs and ducked through silent trees as if he’d lived in the woods his whole life, his heart pounding in his throat.

Find them

Stop them

He heard the sound of one of Collector’s stars buzzing through the air, and without thinking, he reached out, his arm elongating and his claws wrapping around the star’s point. He whipped his arm around, and the star went flying, slamming into the trees with a splintering crunch.

The attack barely slowed him down at all, and he raced out of the forest, skidding down a steep hill. More stars whirred towards him, their red eyes blinking menacingly. They surrounded Phoenix, and he twisted to dodge their beams.

I can’t get caught. Not here.

Phoenix lashed out, slamming one into the ground with a single strike. Another, he seized, swinging it through the air like an oversized shuriken and slamming it point first into the other stars. One by one, they dropped beneath his onslaught, until he was left standing in a circle of weakly sputtering stars. The cursed mud he’d left inched back towards him, crawling off the stars. Phoenix’s head spun for a second, and his legs wobbled, but he shook himself. He had to keep going. He had to…

“Hey, Phoenix!” A girl’s voice called from the top of the hill, “Do you remember me? Probably not, but I’ve got someone here who you will recognize!”

Oddly enough, Phoenix almost did recognize her voice. He slowly turned around, trying to remember where he’d heard it before, squinting at the top of the hill. At the crest stood a brown-haired girl that he vaguely recognized as a Hexside student Hunter had pointed out to him. And next to her…

Phoenix squinted. That wasn’t possible. It had to be some other blonde, medium sized…

But no, even from down here, Phoenix could recognize that nose, and the haircut. Somehow, some way, he’d found a way back. Tears sprang into Phoenix’s eyes, and his throat closed up, only letting out a strangled whisper.

“Jason?”

#toh #the owl house #gilded family au #toh fanfiction #my writing #golden guard oc #broken bone

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sl-newsie · 9 months ago

Text

Query: Q x 00 Agent- Ch. 21: Courage Trumps Fear

“Hop in!”

The speeding car comes to a halt and I literally jump into the backseat. Up front Nomi pushes the accelerator and I’m pushed into the seat.

“Catch me up. What have you got?”

“Been chasing a lead Bond sent me. Now I- Hold on.” Nomi holds the buzzing phone up to her ear.

Right now my head is spinning in a hundred directions. The only thing providing any amount of comfort is the chain around my neck. I keep fingering Q’s ring while I wait for Nomi to finish the call.

“Bond, where is she?”

I can’t hear the full conversation but Bond definitely sounds worried.

“What’d he say?” I ask when she hangs up.

“Dr. Swann’s gone. We need to pick Bond up and get back immediately. Q’s waiting on the plane.”

Plane? Obviously Bond��s request has gone fulfilled but how on Earth is Q on a plane right now? He’s actually outside the lab! Normally I would encourage this but in these circumstances I wish he hadn’t gotten this up close with the mission. Last time Q left the lab I was there to guard him. What’s to stop an enemy plane from shooting him out of the sky? I can’t live with myself if something happens today and he gets hurt… or worse.

“Here he is.” Nomi drives to the side of a field, where Bond is waiting impatiently. “Need a ride?”

He climbs into the passenger seat, looking roughed up and covered with dirt. “Where have you been?”

“Chasing after your lead.”

“They took Dr. Swann,” Bond tells her. “And her daughter.”

The reminder of the involved child clenches my heart. “I didn’t know she had a daughter.”

Bond whips his head around and sees me pressed into the cushion. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s personal to me when kids are involved. Plus you need all the help you can get. You can’t talk me out of this, Bond.” I speak quickly before he can argue.

He still disapproves but keeps quiet as we speed through the evening traffic. Good driving, Nomi. In only a few minutes we arrive at a discrete airfield where a giant aircraft is waiting.

“No time to waste. Let’s hurry.” I jump out and follow the other 00s to the plane ramp. When I look up, the sight of Q wearing a pilot’s helmet is both adorable and frightening.

“Bond,” he addresses the older agent.

Bond nods. “Q.”

At least this is better than the last time they met up on a whim. Bond seems to have forgotten his disagreement with our relationship.

“Told you I’d be back soon,” I smile softly and offer a gentle hug. Q however takes this time to examine me for injuries.

“Are you hurt? Did anything happen?”

I grab his hands and make him face me. “Relax. It was just a quick drive to pick up Bond. I’m here, all in one piece.” A smirk makes its way onto my face. “What surprises me is that you’re here. I thought you still hated flying?”

Q calms down a tad and shrugs. “Desperate times call for facing my fears and nearly fainting. I’m surprised I have enough guts to even be on a plane this big.”

“Excuse me?” Bond interrupts in an annoyed tone. “If you could please ignore your gushing feelings for five minutes we’d like to come up with a game plan, if you don’t mind.”

Q and I, both sharing flushed faces, pull apart and step deeper inside the plane. Right. I need to keep professional. Time to be a 00 agent.

“M, we’re ready,” Nomi says to the computer speaker.

“Good. The agenda is short: Confirm the presence of Hercules, kill Obrechev and Saffron, and get Dr. Swann and her daughter off the island.”

It sounds so simple yet hidden behind it is countless options for failure. Beneath M’s calm voice I detect signs of concern.

“Sir, permission for Commander Bond to be redesignated as 007?” Nomi asks. We all give her a look of surprise, to which she just shrugs. “It’s just a number.”

“Very well,” M answers. “Good luck.”

I look around the plane for parachutes. “How do we get down there?”

“This.”

Q points to a vessel hidden under a tarp. I peek under and see- A submarine? You’ve got to be joking. I’ve been fortunate enough to never have had a mission that involves going underwater. Just the thought of a dark, quiet abyss is eerie enough to make me shiver.

Strangling my fear, I turn back to finish checking on my equipment. Bond is also getting a new toy from Q.

“Bond. Your watch.” The Quartermaster reveals a watch similar to what I saw in the lab. “Contains an unlimited radius, electromagnetic pulse.”

Bond studies the new gadget as Q straps it on. “How strong is it?”

“It’s… fairly strong.”

“‘Fairly strong?’” Bond grunts. “What’s that supposed-?”

“I haven’t had the chance to test it. Just be careful. Oh, one more thing.” Q pulls out a set of syringes. “One shot, for your vitals. Bond, would you be up for a shot after work?”

This is genius! If there’s one way to distract Bond it’s to either talk about women or alcohol.

“Well I haven’t had a drink for 3 or 4- ouch! Hours.”

Nomi chuckles and is given her own shot. “Wow. Doesn’t sound like you. Ow!”

When Q turns to give a shot he already knows my answer. “You know I don’t approve of that.”

He nods and sets it down. “You brought the necklace tracker?”

I fish the chain out of my pocket, the blue pendant gleaming in the dim light. “For old times’ sake. Help me put it on?”

Q doesn’t hesitate and gently clasps it around my neck. “It’s dated tech. Still looks lovely on you, though. Is that too tight?”

“Perfect. I always admire how you use your hands, Quartermaster.”

Behind me I hear him sigh and even though I can’t see him I know he’s smirking. “It’s what makes me good at my job. But if you make it back alive I might put them to much better use.”

My own breath catches and I have to keep from spinning around to kiss him. “Careful, Quartermaster. I’m on the clock. We have a planet to save from a global pandemic.”

He pats my shoulder as a platonic gesture to show understanding. “You’ll do brilliant, 0011. Good luck.”

“I’m not looking forward to it. I’m terrified of going underwater.” It’s the first time I’ve admitted the silly fear but Q doesn’t tease me.

“Guess we’re both facing our fears today.” He reaches out and gives my hand a quick squeeze. I look up and see he’s got the same fear in his eyes as I do. “Please come back safely.”

“I always try to, Quartermaster.”

He looks back at where Bond and Nomi are reviewing the blueprints of the island, then quickly pulls me in and whispers: “I love you.”

I blink in surprise. We hardly use the ‘l’ word, considering that each of us are not ones for mushy romantic talk. But we’re both thinking the same thing: this could be goodbye.

“I… love you too.”

Q tilts his head. “Sounds odd, doesn’t it?”

“Not as odd as I thought.”

“Ready, 0011?” Nomi calls from the sub.

I thought I’d be ready. This is going too fast. Out of all the missions I’ve gone through this one’s tripping my senses up the most. Something feels off, like something’s going to go wrong.

“Don’t think too hard.” Q must notice my concern. “You have your earpiece, I’ll be in your ear the whole time. After all this is over it’ll be you and me taking some well-deserved time off. I love you so much. Please be careful.”

I bite my tongue to help silence the aching intuition and sit down in the seat behind Nomi.

“Have you ever flown one of these things before?” Bond asks.

Nomi shakes her head. “Nope.”

I stifle a nervous laugh. “Lovely.”

The hatch closes and the only thing I can see through the glass is Q waving goodbye. I feel a shift forward and all of a sudden we’re pulled backwards out of the plane and plummet through the air. Unlike Q I enjoy this. The feeling of flying is good to let me relax. It lets my mind float away.

“Don’t forget to release the chute,” Q’s voice comes from the earpiece. “Gravity isn’t always your friend.”

Out the window I spot the island. “There it is.”

“Look for a concrete structure on the west side of the island. That’s your best bet for getting in.”

We touch down on the water’s surface and I squeeze my eyes shut as the plane begins to float towards the surface. Deep breath. Thankfully Nomi’s competent driving is quick to drive us over to one of the island’s docking chambers.

“Coming up for air, Q.”

“Good. You should be entering a World War II sub pen. Not much activity but still remain alert.” The pen itself is abandoned and nearly falling apart. Nomi drives the sub to a corner dock and we climb out. After a few more seconds I hear confirmation that Q’s gained access to the database.

“You’re on the edge of a toxic merry-go-round. The main activity should be towards the hub just above you.”

We ready our weapons and carefully sulk down a dark, half-flooded tunnel. There’s too much echoing to focus on one target. We’d better get through this quickly.

Q’s voice starts to go static. “Bond, there’s something big up ahead. I think- it- ah-” His voice drowns out completely.

Bond checks his earpiece and sighs. “We’ve lost him.”

“These walls must be thick.” Nomi pats the concrete.

We get to the end of the tunnel and get a look into a giant room with water flowing beneath a single catwalk. On the side of the room there’s another structure that appears to be a lab.

“Quickly. Across the catwalk.”

I bring up the rear and we sneak further into the room. Now we see the original design.

“This was a missile silo.”

Down below there are people in hazmat suits. They seem to be prepping something in the water.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bond shoots the ceiling and the workers scatter like mice. One man in a lab coat rushes out of the lab with a perplexed look. This must be Obruchev.

“On the ground! Now!” Bond barks.

I guess we’re abandoning the idea of a stealth mission. Nomi gives a quick kick to a very confused Obruchev, who starts whimpering on the floor.

“Down boy,” she taunts.

We watch Obruchev while Bond starts placing explosives around the lab.

“No. No! You can’t blow up my laboratory!” Obruchev whines. “This is suicide mission! You will never leave this island alive.”

That’s what this job is all about.

“Look.” Nomi points to the multiple vials set up at the tables. “He’s mass producing it. It’s a simulation. He’s-”

“He’s going to kill millions,” Bond finishes.

Obruchev gets a crazed look in his eye. “You cannot stop it.”

Nomi rolls her eyes. “He’s really getting on my nerves.”

Bond doesn’t miss a beat. “Shut him up.”

Nomi takes the privilege to butt the gun to Obruchev’s nose. That does the trick.

“We have to destroy this whole facility,” Bond decides and tosses more explosives at me. “Get to work.”

“Mr. Bond, you have something of mine.” Saffron’s voice drones from overhead. “And I have something of yours. Maybe we can talk about it?”

Dr. Swann. Of course he’ll use her as bait. His plan works out because Bond now has the look of murder in his eyes. He reloads his gun and pulls Nomi over.

“If I don’t come back, blow it all to shit.”

“You don’t have enough explosives for that.”

He grins and starts walking across the catwalk. “Yeah but they don’t know that.” He turns back and waves for me to follow. “Cover me.”

I don’t hesitate. “On it, boss.”

“I’m not your-”

“Save me the lecture, Bond. Just go!”

We head through another tunnel and up a dark flight of stairs leading to- Oh my God.

In front of us sits a dark-haired man with a scarred face and sinister eyes. Saffron. He’s clutching a small child who I assume is Dr. Swann’s daughter. Her innocent face tries to be strong but I can tell she’s scared.

“Welcome. On the floor. Please, sit.”

At Saffron’s request Bond lowers his gun and strips off his vest, which I copy. The whole time I keep eye contact with the girl and try to comfort her.

“It’ll be alright. I promise it’s going to be alright.”

Saffron chuckles. “You must be 0011. Bind her, and plug her ears. She may not listen, but I want her to see when I kill her mentor.”

Immediately an armed guard comes up and ropes my hands behind my back, as well as stuffing cotton in my ears. He must be joking, right? Bond wouldn’t fall for something like this. And yet… I still see a hint of fear in his eyes as Saffron begins to rant about whatever scheme he’s cooked up. Whatever it is it can’t be good if Heracles is the star of it. As the conversation continues Saffron grips the child closer and Bond holds up a hand to surrender, then kneels down in defeat. Classic bluff. Suddenly Bond pulls out a hidden pistol from his chest pocket and shoots the guards just as Safin and the girl disappear underneath the floor.

“Damn it!” Bond hisses and tries to examine the floor. “Levie, go find Dr. Swann. I’m going to look for them.”

“Yes, sir.”

I grab my weapons belt and strap my vest back on as I make my way down another set of stairs. Surely they’d be keeping Dr. Swann close by as leverage in case things went south. The question is which room is it? Oh!

A quick glance of blonde hair catches my attention towards a door up ahead. I sprint to it and knock gently, hoping not to alarm her. Slowly the door cracks open to reveal Dr. Swann holding a lead pipe, ready to strike. She must have gotten free.

“Dr. Swann! Remember me? I’m a friend of Bond’s.”

Her eyes scan my face for any threat and soften in recognition. “Yes, I remember. What’s going on? Did you find my daughter?”

“Bond’s looking for her. He was just-”

“Her and Saffron dropped down to a lower level,” Bond pants as he jogs up.

“I swear we’ll find her,” I try to assure the worried doctor.

Bond keeps running down the hall and we hurry to catch up. ��There has to be a another stairwell-”

“Momma? Momma?”

Is it really…? Sure enough, the little girl pops out from under a table. Clever girl. Dr. Swann rushes over and holds her close.

“We need to get you two out of here,” Bond says with little emotion, though there’s no denying his look of relief to see the girl safe.

“Ah. Just in time.”

Nomi struts in from another hallway holding her gun in triumph. Dr. Swann seems confused by the large rescue party but relaxes when Nomi puts her gun down.

Bond gestures to the girl. “Nomi, Matilda. Matilda, Nomi.”

Nomi nods in greeting. “Hello.”

Now he points to me. “Matilda, this is Levie.”

I kneel down and offer a hand to the timid child, which she shakes softly. “Hello, Matilda. You’ve been very brave today.”

Sadly the moment does not last long.

“We need to get out of here now,” Bond says to Dr. Swann. “We’ve rigged the lab to explode to destroy Heracles for good. We’ll get you two to the boat and hopefully get a signal to contact Q.”

Q. I almost forgot. For all he knows we’re all shot dead. Bond’s right- we need to get out of here.

#quartermaster x reader #quartermaster #q x reader #james bond #daniel craig #ben whishaw #skyfall #spectre #no time to die #007 #james bond 007

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