#he says hooah too

[rmtzcoconut]

my brother wont stop whistling and saying "sweeeet riiimsss😼 24 gauge? your reaaalll heavy duty" at random

[survivalxofxthexfittest]

oscar 💬 + ashton

@ashton-ryder

"You mean Rydin' Strong? I can honestly say I've never trained with anyone so ambitious. The man is smart as hell too. Just don't ask him about space or he'll never stop talking. But seriously, Ash is a good guy. He's reliable. Loyal. Capable. Observant. He's a warrior through and through. I trusted him with my life in Australia and I trust my life with him now. Same as he can with me. Once a brother always a brother. Hooah."

[artcalledtattoo]

TanGent

Write sign, I’m pissed off on a corner street but used as unwise

Well no pimp nor prostitute dependent on an opinion I could be a slut

Christmas Eve I want to clock out at scheduled time & leave

5:30am from night before 7pm

10.5 hours

My supervisor told me I have permission to leave at 6am

@48 I feel compelled after my clock out time you in the wind, need MY permission

Shall I play for month @ clock out and just fucking leave at scheduled new face

Lets do this

It’s my tangent

Ran into a tan gent a he named me Bubba

“What’s up Bubba” from a soured mouth look towards eating self, shall I embarrass you now with my known of a conversation in a parking lot, I don’t answer his call out!

A minute later he was rubbing his hands in black grease and complaining while he was the toucher my laughter came afterwards, chuckling like a rooster

My words “Shouldn’t have called me Bubba” as a walked off

No comments

And I didn’t leave until what I wanted done

You duster to own me after 5:30am

Ohhhhhb

You think you do

Shall we implement my plan

Or tangent and go on

Crush some more of new management I can, I need some nicotine for a continuation bare with me and I peed too

(Nah really imagining all those faces in the bottom of bowl or is it bowels, even i can be ignorant, I’m human, while pissing out)

A urination

A urination

Opps irrigation my sterile piss entering the realms of drainage and defamation within the human species add defecation, am I really just hosing urine on shit?

Tangent

Primitive pretty male walkers

?working?

Oh yeaaaaaaa!

Hound dog with dust in

I’m 48

Yea breath heavy my skin was just snorted

I have one name, showtime highlights named I’ve stepped into the house took a picture of the gravestones in the back yard

Wtf

Headstones maybe Dead bodies in a tourist attraction I never asked the money takers to prove it!!!

What you think, you’re wise!

Hooah!

I’ve said it all different way eft ight eft ight

I’m no poser poster

Whoooah

Woah

.|.

Symbol for Prunt

Not adding a hi def clarity meaning

It’s all to UP above

Or rather down in posts of mine below

Shut my mouth yea for real read re-read below you have not read doubled

Did you just pronounce third as first

Comment below I can give guidance

Even on Christmas Eve

Privately too

You can learn a lot of things!

I’ll straighten you strengthen you for a better understanding, look below

I’ve only been doing not trying

! i, see the first lesson?

Privately or comment below

Make a fake profile don’t tell your wife, don’t tell your husband

You’ve never heard of Tumblr!

Exclamation

Fuck ups, greatness, mediocre, ahead of & in between’s, hi lo, of this LIFE or rather from my experience when has the sparkle of Mark disappeared

Back in my teen days a *#}{ explicit from hear- a butchy mom(.gay woman heteroman w/ two ugly kids) ; taught a new word, could speak about the man, who does it concern)

MarkleSparkle

And I heard it upon an arrival into the center, we were all made fun of, it’s not a dry earth we have our mixtures of humors it’s a very muddy place and spits

I just went out like that

I just went out like that

I just went out like that

Like a flight or is it power all in a wintery

Whatwoodyoucallit?

Standing Sitting Still

Just asking ausking a King or Queen or The Who rather e-there I-their a-other in their weak husbandwife folks playing games for thee another in the name of rich and profits gathering of bonus and such on backs of low caste humans

Read as you can!

Btw it’s Christmas Eve

Just now punching that in

What you think on things?

I only ask?

I conclude my Tangent

It’s Eve and sipping beer also!

;)

Merry Christmas think safety first and whatever in your travels, travel thread tread the read of past others

Your postpone in life

Think of it as saving your life

Interrupter in traffic, let it be fine

That other asshole ahead forgot the light

Read

Something

Stop just looking and watching!

A Difference

All in my continued, what

Say two, no not two but together

I knew you would need help

I wasn’t Coney hitting below a belt

I remember

Loaf of BREAD A Container of MLK

& a stick of BUTTER

Inference

Make. A Difference

In a Tangent

Merry Christmas

I really flabbergasted

Caauunt wait ;) til New Years Eve

A year is not really over till then

Right my friends

Let me end with us lyrical wind as I sit maintain a movie in my head or news and thinking about above too and I roll along sometimes even through science tripping evening

Moms Safe & Sound

Not attitude, people all around I parked far away from entrance had to walk, listen as I breathe,

You made it back safe and sound

You weren’t gone long

Last tangent, I can sleep or stay awake

I won’t last to Christmas

It don’t really matter I’ll stay into evening awake

•

Oops week later same Tangent I wasn’t going to post

Née Years Eve can’t clock out at clock out

It’s business not personal your time means nothing fucted by managerial masters

Your upper lives designed around us by us

But nothing for us

Not even last two year holidays



[ordinaryschmuck]

What I thought about every episode of The Owl House Season 1 (Part 1/2)

Salutations random people on the internet who probably won't read this. I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

Hey, do you miss Gravity Falls?

...

Yeah, I know, dumb question. Which is why I have good news! Not only is there a new series that is just as good as Gravity Falls, but in some ways, it's even better. That new series would be none other than Disney Channel's latest hit: The Owl House.

The Owl House, slowly but surely, became my new obsession since Eda reacted to decapitation with an unconcerned, "I hate when that happens." I wrote fan-fiction, made fan-art, and even began to separately review new episodes. Unfortunately, I got in a little late in the reviewing game and only managed to analyze the last four episodes of season one. And like an idiot, I promised that I'll review the rest when they came out on Disney+. Seeing that all of the first season has finally come on a legal streaming service (which means WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!), it's time I finally saw through to that promise. However, I'm not going to over-analyze each episode because that would be insane. So instead, we're going to lightning round these suckers. Because it's my Tumblr, and I get to decide what I review and how the hell I review it...hooah.

Which means this is your last chance to avoid spoilers if you haven't seen The Owl House yet. Seriously, it's a great show, and you can catch up right now on Disney+. A week-long trial is more than enough time to watch the series, so DO IT! With that out of the way, let's get started with:

“A Lying Witch and a Warden”: This episode gets a lot of flack for having poor pacing and being too preachy with its message. And to that, I say...you're not wrong. Yeah, I wish I could be that person who can defend this episode against criticism like that, but these are understandable problems that just left this icky feeling in my tum-tum when watching. But that's only when looking at it as a regular old episode when in reality, people need to see it as a first episode. The first episode in any show needs to get viewers interested enough to continue watching by answering these five essential questions: What's the plot of the show? What's the tone? Who are the main characters? What's the world they live in? And what are the rules of the same world? "A Lying Witch and a Warden" does a great job of answering all of these questions. And if you stuck around until the season finale, then that means it did a great job of keeping you interested in sticking around as well. So seeing how it got its job done, albeit, with mixed results, I give this episode a B-.

“Witches Before Wizards”: Don't mind me. Just reveling in the fact that Luz escaped to a fantasy world to avoid Reality Check Camp, only to get a reality check anyway. Because that's what this episode is in a nutshell. Through the "quest" that Luz goes on, she learns two important lessons: One, don't trust strangers who offer you something nice and shiny (bonus points for Eda warning Luz to avoid men with sandals and then have Ategast wear sandals). And two, there is no such thing as having a predetermined destiny. I love the idea that Luz coming to the Isles was just a twist of fate, and everything that happens afterward is pure dumb luck. And that moment when Eda gave a speech about making your own path instead of waiting to become something special? That was the moment when I went from thinking this was going to be a fun show to thinking it's going to be a great show. So consider this episode a solid A in my book.

“I Was a Teenage Abomination”: How is it possible for an episode to get better and worse with time? Because here's the thing: This episode does a great job of showing how perfect Amity's development is. After one single season, it already feels jarring, seeing the way she acts in certain scenes. However, in that same respect, it's the same reason why this episode got worse. I didn't mind that Willow practically got away with cheating and vandalizing the school with her magic because she and Luz were basically trying to show up a two-dimensional bully. But knowing what we know in the future, it does seem unfair that Amity gets punished for their bad behavior and Willow got little consequences for it. Sure, Luz got banned and had to work at gaining Amity's trust, but what about Willow? Although, despite this complaint, I don't really hate this episode. It builds a believable connection between Luz and her friends, and the B-plot King and Eda show off their budding friendship. So while this episode is a C-, it's a somewhat enjoyable C-.

“The Intruder”: Is it weird for anyone else that King gets most of the blame in this episode? Yes, he took the potion, but Luz was the one who kept pushing him. This is why it never sat right with me seeing how everyone, including himself, blames King for this episode's incident. That being said, "The Intruder" is fantastic. Eda, as the Owl Beast, is legitimately threatening, and the way the episode treats Eda's curse like a chronic illness is actually kind of sweet. It teaches kids how this is something that just happens to people, and they're not any weaker because of it, as long as they take the right steps. Which is cool, and it's why this is another solid A episode for me. Sure King getting the blame bothers me, but it pales in comparison to everything else “The Intruder” does right.

“Covention”: If you want my personal opinion (obviously, seeing how you're reading this), "Covention" is the perfect episode to show a friend to get them into watching the The Owl House. Everything there is to love about the show is seen in just these twenty-two minutes. Eda being a chaotic good, Luz being a sweet and understanding character, some incredible/natural world-building, an actually decent B-plot, an epic fight scene, great comedy, and, my personal favorite, the building of Luz and Amity's relationship. In fact, this episode has the most quintessential moment between these two, that Dana Terrace herself took charge of making the animatic for it. A scene that is so perfect that you can do an analysis of these few minutes alone...which is what I did. Click here to read it! "Covention" gets an A+ in my book and might possibly be the best episode of the season. Maybe even the series!

“Hooty’s Moving Hassle”: There's not really a lot I can say about this episode. I don't hate it, but I'm not exactly in love with it. The interactions between Luz and her friends are adorable, and there are a few good jokes that kept me laughing. But the story is kind of bland, and I just find Eda's sudden obsession with Hexes Hold'em kind of odd. Especially since a card game is what nearly defeated the "undefeatable" Owl Lady. If it wasn't for the nice reveal of Willow's and Amity's friendship (which comes into play in a far better episode), I'd say that you could skip this one on future rewatches. Because this is a C grade episode that just doesn't grab me as well as others.

“Lost in Language”: Ah, yes. The episode that made dozens of fans jump aboard the Lumity ship...unless you're like me, and you've been shipping these two since the show's theme song (And I don't know why, either. It's just the second I saw Amity my first thought was, "Oh, honey. You're gonna fall in love with the main character, aren't you?" AND I WAS F**KING RIGHT!). But jokes about shipping aside, "Lost in Language" is a fantastic episode. It has a great lesson about how people are more complex than their first impressions (Or to not judge a book by its cover, if you wanna stay on theme). Edric and Emira seem like a chaotic duo who cause mischief all for good fun. But Luz, as well as the audience, learns that Ed and Em are kinda the worst (they get better in future episodes, but still). Then there's Amity, who hasn't had the best first impressions in the last few episodes. We got glimpses of a good person here and there, but for the most part, that's all they were. Glimpses. Then there's this episode, which gives us more than a small look, but some actual insight into who Amity really is. Better yet, who she wants to be. It's something that I appreciate about The Owl House in that it wastes no time in developing Amity's character. So much so that I can forgive this episode for shoehorning a "Two idiots and a baby" plotline that does nothing but add maybe two minutes of padding. So yeah, it's an A+ for sure.

“Once Upon a Swap”: "Ugh! It's the body swap episode! How cliche and-" SHUT UP! Shut your mouth, and listen: Something being cliche does not always make it bad. Only when the cliche fails to tell an entertaining story does it have the right to work as a complaint. "Once Upon a Swap" may have a cliche premise, but it's still an enjoyable story (or stories) with great laughs and even some ok lessons. I can understand if you hate the episode because its premise is something you've seen a dozen times to the point where your sick of it. My most hated story idea is the "Character A saves Character B, and Character B becomes a life slave." If you have seen this story once, you've seen it a thousand times, and it's the same case with a "body swap" episode. But guess what: The Owl House is a kids' show. Kids'. Show. You can complain all you want about predictability, but kids are the type of viewers who will be new to this experience, despite if it's one that is done to death. Which is why this is solid B of an episode if you ask me.

“Something Ventured, Someone Framed”: Can people please stop shipping Gus with Mattholomule? Because that slimy, greasy, weaselly little son of A BASTARD BITCH WEASEL DOES NOT DESERVE LOVE IN WAY POSSIBLE!

...

But enough about how Mattholomule is the worst character ever, because "Something Ventured, Someone Framed" is a B+ in my opinion. Sure it shows the worst side of Gus and lets Satan's little herpe win in the end, but there is still quality to be had. We get insight into who Gus is as a character, on top of Eda swallowing her pride and cleaning the school so Luz can get into Hexide. Also, Eda's permanent record was the first time this show brought me to tears due to laughing so hard. So while I have to take points off for the inclusion of Mattholomule (I don't make the rules. I just live by them), this is still an episode I wouldn't mind revisiting.

“Escape of the Palisman”: I subscribe to this theory that Luz will one day have Eda's staff as her own. And episodes like this that strengthen the bond between Luz and Owlbert help confirm that theory. Luz's dedication to trying to make things right could just be part of her kind nature, but I like to believe that this is Dana and the crew trying to set up this possible outcome. As for what I think about the episode itself...it's ok. Again, Luz's dedication is nice to see, and King's adventure with Owl Beast Eda is somehow insanely adorable, but there's not really much to say other than that. So it's another B episode for me.

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

And that’s the end of part one! Part two has probably already been posted by the time you finish this, so you can go ahead and find that if you’re interested.

[spark-gem]

Tag Game

I started a new thread

Pick 5 shows, then answer the following questions. don’t cheat. tag 3 or more or as many people as you want afterwards.

Transformers Animated

Transformers RID2015

Beast Wars

Transformers Prime

Transformers Cyberverse

This is a TF blog what did you expect?

1. who is your favorite character in 2?

LISTEN. I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again. They could’ve done so much with Fracture and the writers didn’t! You don’t hype me up for introducing a handsome, interesting, purple motorcycle with two gremlin minicons, a rivalry with Drift FOR THE MOST BASIC REASONS AT THAT!, have him speak and appear for probably 15 minutes in length, and then have him in stasis for what? Trespassing? When he was following orders to the pack and even before that when the Autobot’s mission was just recapturing prisoners from the Alcammore?Didn’t even offer him some sort of deal since he was just doing his job because he’s a freelancer.

2. who is your least favorite character in 1?

Its like a hard tie between Ultra Magnus and Sentinel Prime. I don’t need an explanation for Sentinel but Magnus is because he basically doesn’t really regard the safety or care for his Autobots.....Jettwins origin being a good example to me at least.

3. what is your favorite episode of 4?

Harder,Faster,Stronger. 

Its a heavy Ratchet oriented episode and while it makes me want to cry because of what Ratchet does because of the synthetic energon (because I’m concerned for his well being)....I did really enjoy the noises he was making. Anytime I imagine that ‘hooah!’ or ‘yip-yip-yip!’ it makes me giggle.

4. what is your favorite season of 5?

Cyberverse is still on going but I’ll go with season 3 because its the newest season and I don’t want to say anything that might be a spoiler....

But I truly enjoyed blind Perceptor and animated Whirl.....also SoundRod if thats the pairing name

5. who is your favorite couple in 3?

While Beast Wars had a few pairing, none were my favorite but I guess Blackarachnia and Silverbolt (shrug).

6. who is your favorite couple in 2?

Gonna be honest ever since I got that Grimlock x Strongarm request, I kinda like it.

7. what is your favorite episode of 1?

WHAT ISN’T MY FAVORITE EPISODE....maybe Headmasters Return or Sari No One’s Home. I love hearing Optimus laugh and a Sari focused episode.

8. what is your favorite episode of 5?

I don’t know the exact episode but the one where we get that Optimus dancing.

9. what is your favorite season of 2?

Season 1 because everyone is getting introduced!

10. how long have you watched 1?

IDK....10 years?

11. how did you become interested in 3?

When I was in middle school I stumbled upon TFwiki and it had a list of all TF related shows. I liked animals, I liked robots I decided to give it a shot. I still like it to this day.

12. who is your favorite actor in 4?

I know my answer will sound clique and there are too many amazing VAs but.....Peter Cullen, Steve Blum, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeffrey Combs, Tony Todd, Nolan North, Daran Norris, and so many others.  

13. which do you prefer, 1, 2, or 5?

Transformers Animated

14. which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3 ?

Beast Wars technically has more episodes so...that one.

15. if you could be anyone from 4, who would you be?

Ngl my first thought was Megatron. I would have all his strength but not be crazy with Dark Energon. Treat Starscream with respect, rescue Breakdown( ensure his safety and Dreadwing’s for the assassination of Airachnaid), MECH would be viewed as a threat, and since I wouldn’t be in a coma because I would be watching my spacebridge from my ship THEREFORE PREVENT STARCREAM FROM RAISING SKYQUAKE FROM THE DEAD (BETTER YET MAYBE NOT EVEN BE DEAD) THAT WAY DREADWING COULD LIVE.

16. would a crossover between 3 and 4 work?

Hmmm maybe. They introduced Predacons in TFP but I think it would be equally interesting if the show introduced Maximals and Predacons in statsis like they did with Skyquake. That way each side would get some more allies and the audience would get some more Earth-Cybertronian history.

17. pair two characters in 1 who would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple.

I’m really about to invent a crackship aren’t I? IDK maybe Blitzwing and Wreckgar......Wreckwing?

I have no reasons at the moment except they both seem like they would be interested in learning Earth culture together but Wreckgar sort of twists up the names and concepts of everything introduced to him....then teaches it to Blitzwing, who just accepts it at face value. A ‘we’re boyfriends enjoying our days and being idiots together’ vibe.

18. overall, which show has the better storyline, 3 or 5?

Cyberverse is still on-going and I got a couple of theories on how on how this could be a cool story line its not set in stone yet. 

I’ll go with Beast Wars for this

19. which has the better theme music, 2 or 4?

Transformers Prime

Alright! Time to tag some people:

@eliaswrites @bootyshakerkegrimm @land-of-forgotten-one

[ferallydisastrousghosts]

Kinktober 2019

Day6/7

Fandom: GR:W GR:BP

Pairing: Cole D. Walker/F!Nomad (written with my OC in mind but her name isn't used)

Warnings: NSFW, thigh riding, praise kink(ish)

Words: 520

"Nomad, you got a sec?" Walker says so quietly he almost thinks she can't hear him. Or maybe she did and she's ignoring him. 

She stops just past his room when she finally turns and meets his gaze. His eyes catch her thumb tapping against the side of her leg just before she reigns it in. A tell sign that she had second guessed her decision. "I've got a few minutes to spare. Something on your mind?"

That's all he needs as he opens the door to his bunk, motioning for her to enter. She does so, turning to face him as he shuts the wooden door. His hands are on her waist a moment later, pulling her in and crashing his lips to hers. She pulls away from him with hesitation, "Walker, we shouldn't, not after what hap- mmm-" She let the sentence die off as he kissed down her neck and back up to her full lips. 

"After we head back stateside, I'll probably never see you again..." He pauses, nipping her ear. "...One last hooah for old times' sake?" He forces her legs apart with his, a smug smile across his face as he watched her suck on her bottom lip. 

They'd found an unspoken comfort in each other's beds from time to time since Bolivia, but he'd never been able to capture her heart. That belonged to Holt, the bastard. 

Walker takes her ass in his hands possessively. Grinding her down against his thigh and pulling a breathless gasp from her lips. "That feels good don't it babydoll?" He felt her breath hitch before she cursed, "Fucking hell." He watched as her eyes fluttered shut, head tilting back exposing her throat to him. He bent down, nipping, then laving the delicate flesh and continued rocking her back and forth on his thigh until she was setting her own pace. Her green eyes were lucent as she looked up at him. "You're beautiful, you know that? Seein you get all hot n needy ridin my thigh like that.." He picks her up, carrying her to a chair in the corner and sits. She immediately straddles his thigh again, sliding down and rolling her hips as she nears his knee. He lifts his knee each time she drags herself back down, giving a little more friction that he knows she's searching for. Each airy moan sounding more delicious than the one before. He feels her body tremble and stops her. "That's enough babydoll. Stand." He says unbuttoning her pants and sliding his hand between her legs. "Fuck, Cole please." He plunges two fingers in her pussy eliciting a moan from her. Her pants fell, pooling around her ankles as she writhed. When he felt her begin to tighten around his fingers, he pulled out and began rubbing her clit. "Come babydoll. Do it for me." She whined as she came. A borderline pitiful, desperate cry that didn't quite suit her. He ran his other hand through her hair, kissing her forehead. "Shhh. I know. I'll miss you too. And whatever you decide, I won't hold it against you."

[huggableduck]

ghetsis, cyrus, or colress for #20.........

20. What-ifs/Alternate Timelines

I went completely insane crazy over this prompt & talked abt all three but I’m on mobile so I can’t do a readmore. I’ll probably edit this post when I get home later😞

I went off more in depth abt this one on the twitter but I hc that ghetsis had a really lonely childhood... so I think a lot abt what would have happened if ghetsis just. had a true friend growing up. not even necessarily a person, maybe in the form of his partner pokemon, like him learning to get along with deino or receiving something else entirely ..... I think it would have given him a lot more warmth & compassion that could have grown into adulthood. not to say I don’t see him wanting to take over unova in the same way if he DID have someone, bc that desire stems from lots of different things in his life .. but I could see him at least having doubts and the capacity for regret, along w the unavoidable instinct of seeing others as people which he totally lacks. (I’ve also seen hcs about ghetsis having a latent ability to understand pokemon like n can, but he never awakened it bc he’s a lonely meany who never formed a real bond w anybody and I LOVE that........ if his life had gone a little differently he might have developed that ability, and that would have potentially saved n from a lot of horrible shit😔)

(This is relevant, I feel like, to cyrus also......... he (canonically) had a lonely childhood too, but unlike ghetsis he DID have one friend in the form of rotom, even if it was brief. I think this is the reason why he changed his mind in usum- not just bc rotomdex was there, but also because that exposure to real friendship changed him in a subtle but crucial way, and that he’s not as beyond saving as he thinks.)

as for colress .... hooah yes yes yes are u ready for me to pop off about my hc for HIS childhood growing up. Of course you are

As u know I like the colress/lusamine are siblings hc for the funny factor, but I think about the serious side of it a lot too.. I hc that colress is lusamine’s younger brother. they loved each other a lot and grew up together with very wealthy parents, & they where both typical talented, gifted children ahead of their grade level.. but colress was also the type of kid who would like, decapitate lusamine’s dolls & burn durant under a magnifying glass. he got labeled the “problem child” because of this type of behavior, and lusamine was generally favored for being calmer and more obedient. eventually, when colress was in his teens, he had enough of being controlled and left home, cutting contact w all members of his family to pursue his freedom & research .. this affected lusamine immensely, bc despite her more obedient behavior and her getting it less badly she disliked the treatment too, and saw colress leaving as him abandoning her .. not 2 mention the fucked up idea that was planted in her brain that love requires obedience and vice versa, because since colress wasn’t obedient, their parents didn’t love him.

I think a lot about what would happen if colress didn’t end up leaving that environment as early as he did. I think he would have become a significantly angrier & more morbid person than he is now, because he spent way too much time suppressing his urge to learn and explore, way too much time doing what was expected of him, so he didn’t get the chance to tap into the PERFECT outlet for his creativity that is traveling on his own and conducting his own research. I think watching his own behavior under a microscope like that would have made him really obsessed with the opinions of others & the idea that his work has to MEAN something, when deep down he just wants to unlock the world’s secrets, explore and have fun...... like his urge to commit acts of silly can easily be twisted into something much crueler, and it HAS been before, like just look at opelucid city. his natural lack of empathy plus this mindset is the textbook recipe for a very scary guy 😬

[jaywrites101]

Excerpt: A Treasure Made of Death

A Light In The Darkness (full novel here)

He trudged along the dirt road in determination. The cold night bit at his nose under the hood of his cape. His eyes were focused on the dim circle of light in front of him. The darkness pressed in around him. It was heavy. The lantern held out in front of him against the wind was his only lifeline. If it went out he could easily wander off the path and be lost in the night.

A dragon's roar echoed on the wind. The damned nuisances ran rampant up here in the mountains, he knew. But not even the threat of a dragon attack could keep him from his task tonight.

He couldn’t feel his legs. In some ways, it was a blessing. His whole body was sore from riding earlier in the day. Just a little bit further and he could finally put his poor body to rest. At last! A light appeared in the darkness in front of him. It’s dim yellow glow brought tears to his eyes, tears that the wind would freeze to his face. The path at his feet widened out. What few trees dotted on either side of him dispersed altogether as he approached the promised drinking hall. The light solidified into a square pane of glass set into a rough oak wall. Little things flirted in and out of the lantern-light. Steps! A door! Oh, he was so close. One step away. One turn of the handle. His hands felt disembodied. He needed to get in fast before frostbite set in for good. His hand on the handle, the traveler paused. Music! Hearty laughter and well-natured guffaws warmed his heavy heart. He knew before entering he’d found the right place. With a renewed vigor the traveler opened the door and stepped into the hall. “What in blazes!” Exclaimed a burly man of middling ages. Seated as he was against the fire his shadow covered most of him except his long fine mustache which was at least one foot on either side. The other patrons of the hall looked up from their ale mugs expectantly. Some assessed him; seasoned veterans, no doubt. Others simply bored of him and returned to their bantering. Except for the youth in front of him and the man by the fire, no one seemed to think he was of importance. The youth in question approached the stranger. He was dressed in a simple leather tunic and rough woolen breeches. But the sword at his hip marked him as a fighter. “State your business, stranger,” he said in a voice meant to be threatening, but a slight squeak betrayed his age. “Is this the guild hall of the Ancient Magics Delvers?” The newcomer asked, pulling a flyer from his coat. “It is,” replied the youth. “What does that matter to you?” “My name is Drake Mundus. I’m a client.” The man by the fire took interest at this. “Goodness gracious man!" He exclaimed. Do you have any idea what time it is?" The youth, after a nod from the older man, guided the stranger to a roughly hewn stool by the fire. Drake accepted the seat with a gracious sigh. Warmth couldn’t seep back into his limbs fast enough. “I judge from your clothing you’re not from around here.” The mustachioed man chuckled. “From the city?” “I’m an archaeologist,” Drake answered. His own inquisitive glance didn’t tell him much about the man in front of him. Clearly, he was in charge here, the fabled guild leader Erik Musen. But from his garb, nothing could be discerned about his temperament. He was a tall man, easily seven feet and more. He wore no shirt except some kind of leather brace which showed fine workmanship. On his legs was a workman’s hardy leather pants. His arms and chest were well developed and bulged majestically from his muscles. His skin was dark and tanned. There wasn’t a hair to be found anywhere on him save his elegant mustache which was bound on either end and painstakingly maintained. “Ha! So you need a bodyguard little man.” The big man japed. Drake was no stranger to being belittled by men like him. It was standard procedure for experienced mercenaries to puff out their chests like they’re in charge. It got them better wages from more foolish clients. Drake was no fool. “Ordinarily? No,” he said sternly. “But if you know of the temple I’ve been contracted to investigate, I dare say you’d want a bit of steel behind you as well.” “We’re the Ancient Magic Delvers!” The man boasted. “We’ve been in and out of every temple in these lands. HOOAH!” He called across the hall. “HOOAH!” Everyone called back. Some of the more festive drinkers downed a mug of ale in a toast. “Haha,” the guild leader grinned as he settled back in his chair. “So tell me, what dungeon cave does your king want you to crawl through now? The Green Pyramid? The Meadow Reserve? Are you lads finally gutsy enough to take a peek inside the Haunted Hollow?” “The Temple of the Dragon Knights.” The guild master’s face paled. “That’s not funny.” “It wasn’t a joke.” “Good Lord!” he exclaimed. “No wonder you came to us. Anyone else would've refused out of principle.” Drake fetched a bundle of papers from a hidden pocket in his coat. Of them, he selected three and placed them on the bar next to his stool for the guild master to examine. “These are the official declarations. The King himself has issued one hundred thousand gold pieces to any man who can go to the center of this labyrinth and return with whatever treasure lies there. I also have the authorization to loot any rooms we come across for valuables and offer that as a bonus reward for your services.” Erik Musen looked over the papers with a hesitant eye. “Do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into?” “Of the fifty-seven unmolested temples in this country, it is considered the most dangerous. Thirty and four times expeditions were sent into the ruins and only once did even a single person return.” Drake pulled out one last paper, a clipping from the news archives praising the adventurer who returned alive. “Erik Musen, 19. The sole survivor of the 29th investigation refused high honors from the king. He has returned with an unconfirmed artifact, now his by right of law. Wherever his future lies, Godspeed,” he read aloud. Laying the article on top of the others Drake witnessed the transformation of the guild leader into a sad old man. “Is that really you?” The youth asked, pointing at the article. His face equal amounts of shock and awe. “Aye! That’s me,” came the gruff reply. “You’re mad to have even accepted this task in the first place!” “I have my reasons.” “Are they worth your death?” “They are.” “I fail to see any reason strong enough to willingly enter that nightmare.” Erik huffed. “I’m afraid there are things I cannot afford to divulge,” Drake replied. “I’m sorry, but if you mean to test my resolve, you’ll find it is as hard as steel on this.” “To enter the Temple of the Dragon Knights you’ll need a will much harder than steel,” Erik said while the bewildered youth stood agape watching the two of them. “My will is strong enough to break reality.” “A mage, eh? That sword peeking out from under your cloak says otherwise.” “Forgive me,” Drake said with a small bow to punctuate the other man’s win. “But you’ll understand why soon enough.” “I want to go,” chimed in the youth. “Absolutely not !” Erik roared. People from around the hall were taking an interest in their proceedings. No doubt, unused to seeing their guild leader in a troubled spot, his outburst at the youth’s eagerness turned heads and brought an audible gasp out of those nearby. “Father! You were a year younger than I when you set foot in there.” “And I lost my friends! All twelve of them. It was a nightmare from the very moment we crossed the threshold. I found the Knight’s Tear. Aye. It was a treasure unlike anything anyone had ever seen. It was one rock found tossed in the floor like rubbish, and yet it’s discovery opened the doors to Machination and Automatons. "Sure, I single-handedly developed those schools of magic and craftsmanship, but look at the cost! It’s not worth risking you too boy. Or any of you!” He roared to the onlookers who were sitting at the edge of their seats. “I volunteer!” A girl called out from the back of the room, much to the chagrin of the guild master. She was dressed in dark blue flowing robes. She wore a pointed hat that was embroidered with gold runes. In one hand she carried a staff, in the other a thick bound book. Her piercing blue eyes glowed with power. “Danger and mystery is my cup of tea,” She said excitedly. Drake shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but this is highly dangerous, and it’s certainly no place for a lady. Or,” he added, turning his head to the youth, “for amateurs. My intention was to hire Erik and Erik alone. There are no two people on this continent more capable than the two of us-” “Except for the two of us ,” the youth insisted. “Dela, there is no lady.” “And Junior has been adventuring since he was in diapers!” Dela added, giving the youth a playful poke. “Stop this nonsense immediately,” Erik cried. “We’re not going to chase down that deathtrap after some vague sense of treasure and glory.” “Don’t think of the treasure, father! Think of your pride!” The youth implored. “Think of your honor and the honor of your friends. You see, don’t you? This is your chance to blot out that stain! To give their deaths meaning. And to give meaning to all the people who’s died since then. This is a chance to bring closure to their legacy. Surely you wouldn’t want to be remembered as the man who refused to do the right and noble thing?” “Hell, No!” Erik spat. Drake knew the look of a man steeling himself for something hard. Erik was not happy. His bluster and confidence had run out. He was scared of that temple. But he’d been a boy himself when he went in there last. The guild watched their leader anxiously. Since it’s foundation no one had ever seen Erik backed into such a tight corner. His face was drawn, and his arms shook slightly. Even his own son looked uncertain about his father’s intentions. Erik looked at all the expectant faces in the hall and sighed. “Alright lad,” he said. “You got me on that one. It goes against me gut, but you’re right. We can’t let that ruin be the better of us. The Ancient Magic Delvers have a reputation to uphold. HOOAH!” He roared at the guild. “HOOAH!” The guild grunted back. Even Drake was caught in the moment and grunted alongside the others. It was happening. It was finally happening! All those years of research and crawling through ruins looking for clues was about to pay off. “But,” Erik said so quietly only Drake could hear. “If a single one of them gets hurt on this quest. I’ll kill you personally.”

[professortennant]

Can I request a small ficlet of Sam/Jack sparring not on base. Things get heated and go a bit too far because they aren't under the watchful eye of the Air Force. They allow themselves to be Sam Carter and Jack O'Neill for a couple minutes not Major or Colonel 🙃

2446 words; i’d say rated T. 

Jack smothered a grin at the easy, natural way Carter fell into a fighting stance, hands up and feet light, dancing around the ring and easily dodging her opponent’s swings. 

The smell of gym rubber and antiseptic filled the air alongside the steady grunts and smacks of fists against bags and people. Dempsey’s Gym in downtown Colorado Springs was the kind of place gritty boxers were formed and built. 

Jack had been looking for places off-base to take Teal’c around to and, given Teal’c’s new-found affinity for boxing and sparring, he figured a boxing gym would be just the place. And this particular gym didn’t seem to care who you were as long as you could strap on your gloves and hold your own in the ring.

It was the last place he expected to find his second-in-command. 

He leaned against the ring and watched as she jabbed once, twice, three times at her opponent’s midsection and hip before ducking under a wild swing and landing the KO blow to the side of his head. The man went down with a hard oomph and Carter--sweat-soaked and flushed--stood above him, triumphant. 

He grinned and lifted his fingers to his mouth and gave a loud whistle and whoop. “Hooah!”

She spun to face him in surprise, spitting out her mouthguard into her hand and slicking the hair from her forehead back. “Sir? What are you doing here?”

Pushing himself off the post and watching as her former opponent finally came-to and dragged himself off the ring floor towards the medic, Jack strode towards her, stopping at the edge of the ring. “Lookin’ for a place where Teal’c and I can really get the full Rocky experience. What are you doing here, Carter? Air Force gym not good enough for you?”

She frowned at him, weight shifting from foot to foot. “Of course not, sir! I just--I like to let loose sometimes. The Air Force has strict sparring policies and I--”

“And you wanted to fight like Apollo Creed, I get it.”

She grinned at him. “More like I didn’t want to get court-martialed for giving a superior officer a black eye, sir.”

He whistled low, eyebrows raised. Warmth flooded his chest when she didn’t duck away from his gaze, just lifted her chin and stared at him, waiting to see what he'd say. Jack licked his lips, shed his jacket and stepped into the ring. “You think an awful lot of yourself, Captain. Why don’t we see who’s giving who a black eye?”

Jack ignored the sound of her protesting as he grabbed a spare set of gloves, waiving off the gym tech’s offer of a mouthguard and helmet. “Lose the mouthguard and helmet, Carter,” he called over his shoulder, watching as the gym tech finished tying up his gloves. 

He heard her sigh and mutter something low under her breath that sounded suspiciously like Cocky flyboy. He grinned to himself, already anxious for the day she would say that a little louder to his face. After a nod to the gym assistant, he turned on his heel to face his 2IC. 

She stood before him, focused and determined, her body simultaneously tensed and relaxed, and he had a sudden flashback to Samantha Carter facing down a Mongol warlord with nothing but a knife and her fury to sustain her. 

Rolling his shoulders, he fell back into an easy fighting stance, feet shoulder-width apart and hands raised eye-level. “Okay, Carter,” he taunted. “Show me those Level 4 hand-to-hand combat skills.”

“Sir,” she said, already circling him, hands lifting up and ready. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

Jack made a playful jab at her--something easily avoidable and she rolled her eyes at him, knocking his hand away. He huffed, “C’mon, Carter. This is a consequence-free ring. Nothing that happens in here counts out there.” He gestured in the vague direction of the SGC base.

He had meant that if she managed to break his nose or land him that black eye, she wouldn’t have to worry about a court-martial or reprimand.

But then she stopped in the middle of the ring, hands falling loosely to her side. 

He watched as she licked her lips and tilted her head, eyes dragging along the muscles of his exposed arms and the thick cords of muscle protruding from his legs. “No consequences,” she agreed softly, darkened eyes meeting his. 

He swallowed harshly against the look in her eyes and wondered what, exactly, he was getting himself into. 

A shrill bell rang from the corner of the gym and Carter grinned at him, wolfish and feral--all teeth and intent--and her hands flew up to protect her face, body resuming her fighting stance. 

Samantha Carter, he decided, was magnificent like this. He knew she could be brainy; could do the impossible ten times before breakfast and still have time to save his team’s ass before bed. But seeing her like this: unrestrained, unreserved, unleashed. It was mesmerizing.

She came at him like lightning and thunder, a blaze of jabs and swings and punches. While he had the size and strength advantage, she had speed and dexterity and a ferocity to her that made him tingle all over. 

He wondered if she would bring this fire with her to bed, if he swept out his leg and brought her down to the mat, would she feel like molten lava beneath his hands? 

They continued dancing around each other, exchanging hits and knocks, dodging and rolling around the ring. The grin on both of their faces never left and he realized how exhilarating it felt to be with her--see her--like this. 

“Carter, you holding out on me? I thought you said you were good at this?” he taunted before grunting with the force of a left hook he didn’t have time to dodge. He absorbed the blow and spun, looking for a point of weakness; looking for a way to get her down. 

“I am good at this. Maybe you’d be better if you did less talking and more hitting, sir.”

The backtalk from his normally obedient 2IC surprised him and he tripped over his foot, sending him sprawling down onto the floor, his body hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

Embarrassed, he blinked up at the ceiling slowly, groaning when a laughing Samantha Carter’s face appeared over his, a gloved hand covering her mouth in an attempt to hold in her giggles.

“Not a word, Captain,” he said from the floor, tearing off his gloves and throwing them to the side of the ring. “And what did I say about giggling?”

She laughed again and he felt the corners of his mouth turning upwards as he watched her shoulders shake with laughter, her happiness making him feel lighter than he had in years. Even if it was at his expense.

He grumbled good-naturedly at her and held his hand up. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, Carter. Now you going to help this old man up or what?”

She stripped her gloves from her hands. “You’re not old, sir.” Her gloves went sailing through the air to join his on the other side of the ring. “Just operating on antique hand-to-hand tactics,” she added cheekily, eyes sparkling. 

Jack O’Neill immediately decided he liked her like this: free, teasing, and happy. 

When she took his offered hand to help him up, there was only one option: He yanked down, hard, pulling her to the floor beside him. She went down with a little eep and fell on top of him, eyes wide. 

She glared at him. “Oh, very mature, sir.”

He shrugged and grinned at her. “I’m a very honorable loser, Sam, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The use of her first name seemed to draw attention to the fact that she was sprawled out on top of him. His hand spread across her lower back, his pinky finger dipping beneath the fabric of her tank top to brush against warm skin slick with sweat. 

He became hyper aware of the fact that she fit nicely against him, her legs tangling with his, her groin level with his, her lips the perfect distance from his mouth. Her hand tightened in the fabric of his shirt and her eyes darted down to his mouth. 

Jack was reminded quickly of a similar situation--of locker room benches and fierce, hurried kisses and nails scraping at his hairline and a soft, warm body beneath his own.

The memory combined with the feel of her in his arms made him shift his hips, pressing up and searching for more heat, more friction. 

“Sam,” he warned as she answered in kind, curling her hands against his chest and leaning forward. 

“No consequences, right?” Her voice was husky and low and he groaned when her tongue--pink and glistening--flicked out to lick over her lips, swaying forward. Her legs shifted against him and brought more of their body in contact so he could feel all of her: hot and sweaty and soft and absolutely perfect.

He gave in and brushed his lips against hers, a gentle touch of lips and the barest flicker of tongue against her parted mouth. She shivered and pressed forward, almost terrified of touching him too much in case she broke whatever spell they were under. He carded his hands through her hair and guided her head to the side, drawing her bottom lip between his lips and sucking and nipping at the flesh. 

She groaned and rolled onto her back, dragging him with her so he pinned her to the mat, his thigh slotting between her legs and pressing up into the damp heat of her sex. 

He was losing control quickly. The heady combination of her--her brilliance, her smile, her loyalty, her bravery, her compassion, her beauty, her fierceness, her strength--all of it wrapped up in a blonde bombshell of a package was too much for him. 

They’d been hurtling towards this point from the day they met; from the day he told her he liked women and the day she threatened to arm wrestle him. Maybe this moment was an inescapable as breathing. 

The feel of her leg hitching over his hip brought his wandering mind back to the moment and he smoothed a hand down her side, brushing against the side of her breast. She broke their kiss and gasped into his ear, “Jack!”

The sound of his name on her lips made him groan and he ducked his head to kiss her again and then--

“Hey! You two! Either fight it out or go get a room; no sex in the ring!”

A cascade of water hit them both and they looked up, drenched and embarrassed as the gym owner--Dempsey--held up a now-empty bucket of water. He glared at them and gestured to the front door.

Sheepishly, they got to their feet and collected the offered towels and stowed their gear into gym bags. The wolf-whistles followed them out of the gym and the cool Colorado air made them shiver, their cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. 

“Well, I guess I won’t be bringing Teal’c here.”

She grimaced and raised a hand subconsciously to her lips, rubbing and pressing gently where his mouth and teeth had just been. He swallowed a groan at the idea that she would feel his kiss for the next few hours. 

“Sir, I--”

He held up a hand and shuffled forward, brushing the stray strands of hair from her face. “No consequences in the ring, remember?”

She turned her face into his palm and nodded, eyes closing. “Yes, sir.” When her eyes opened, gone was the woman from the ring, gone was the woman who mewled in his arms and wrapped herself so tightly around his body. 

Before him, stood Captain Doctor Samantha Carter, reporting for duty. He smiled softly at her and stood back, hand dropping to his side and burying itself inside the pockets of his shorts. 

“See you tomorrow, Captain.”

He turned on his heel, intending to go home and pour himself a stiff drink and maybe, maybe touch himself while thinking about her tonight. And then tomorrow it would be back to business as usual. He sighed.

“Sir!”

He stopped and turned back to face her, eyebrow raised in question. She ducked her head, her lip caught between her teeth as she worked up the nerve to say whatever was on her mind.

“I, uh, come here every Saturday morning when we’re home.”

He nodded, frowning slightly. “Okay...”

She huffed and met his eyes. “Maybe on some of those mornings, we could spar? I could help you with your hand-to-hand and--and maybe it could be in that no consequence ring you seem to like?”

His heart stopped and stuttered in his chest before roaring back to life, blood thrumming through his veins, and he fought every nerve inside of him screaming at him to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless for how absolutely brilliant she was. 

“Then I’ll see you next Saturday, Captain.” 

He wondered if Dempsey’s had a locker room they could use. A fifteen minute sparring match and then he’d drag her to the nearest shower stall and press her against the cold tile and warm her up with his body and the hot spray of water and his mouth and tongue working the bundle of nerves between her legs while she scratched at his shoulder blades. Or he could lean back against the wooden bench and pull her astride his hips, encouraging her to reenact the kiss that couldn’t happen before. If he was feeling brave, maybe he’d tug her dog tags loose from her shirt and exchange them for his--a way to claim her as is in the only way he knew how.

He could--and would--do all of those things. They’d need to talk about what it was they were doing in that no consequence ring of theirs; would need to really hash it out if it became a problem.

 But for now. he’d take this: a standing date with Samantha Carter with an (almost) guarantee of no black eye and maybe a couple of kisses instead. 

Sweet.

[rxbcurn-a-blog]

The first half of leave was a success! My sister got married to her best friend and I got to surprise her. Raphie says oorah and I say hooah, but he's family (someday I'll convert him... someday), and I love him. Peep the friends who stayed with me through late nights and peep the love of my life who can never take a serious picture and say "I love you too" like normal people.

[bigthoughtstinykeyboard]

Hello, all! Welcome to my blog. I have never done one of these before, I guess I never really found time to do so. I wanted a way to vent my thoughts and find people who relate to my life without feeling uncomfortable. So, a few clicks later and I ended up on Tumblr! I guess I can start by explaining myself a little since this is my first post. 

I have a twin brother named Andrew who is currently in Missouri for Basic Training for the United States Army. Hooah! I am SO proud already and it has only been about 3 weeks. He and I are very close so this has been and is beginning to get really difficult and odd to handle. He and I always talked. Every day. Not kidding! And now I am going to absolutely nothing accept memories and a few short letters I get in the mail sometimes. 

I work a part time job and have a wonderful boyfriend whom I will have happily been with for a year on Wednesday the 27th of June! I live in a somewhat smaller community in Southern Colorado and while many people I know despise this place, I don't personally mind it. For me, it is in the perfect spot. Not too close to the big cities of Colo. Springs and Denver, but also not longer than about a 2 hour drive. I love being able to see the mountains all around me and being able to get to them in a matter of minutes. If I could, I would spend all of my days venturing out into the wilderness and learning more about plants and the weather. I have always secretly been in love with the way Mother Nature works and how one second it could be 45 degrees and the next you’re wanting nothing more than a swimming suit and a pool. Yet again, that might just be the climate of my town as many say. Good old Pueblo! 

Lately, I’ve been trying to find new ways to keep myself occupied at nights when my boyfriend Jacob works graveyards. We always say we are a “buy-one-get-one-free” package. We are always together and honestly, I am not complaining about it. He is so wonderful to me! He treats me the way every girl wishes and deserves to be treated. He cares for me like you wouldn’t believe. He is definitely a rare breed. From the way he rubs my back when I am cramping and feeling sad or sick, to the way he holds me and dances with me and just purely loves me. I could go on and on..... but I know most people don’t want to hear it. Oh wait- isn’t the whole point I wanted to make a blog was to talk about what I am thinking about and vent? Find a new post if you don't like it, people! LOL

Anyways, I am about to start college in August at CSU-P and I will be majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. School is my number one priority at this point, as it always has been as a child. I graduated high school with a 4.3 GPA on a 5-point scale and I have been awarded many scholarships. (not nearly  enough, though! College ain’t cheap, y’all!) I am pretty nervous honestly. There will be so many new people from tons of different age groups and there will be SO many really pretty girls that I could never even compare myself to, but that's any college I guess. I just want to find my path and make the big bucks one day. I am thinking about going for my Masters but I will have to see how I like the major first. I also kind of want to take an automotive class and cosmetology courses, but sadly, I don't have the time or funds to do everything at this point. Hopefully down the road. I want to expand my education badly! Someday....

I doubt anyone has even gotten this far on my post because really- who is up at 10:06pm thinking to themselves, “hey I want to read Emily’s post SO bad right now!” I can think of maybe 2 people LOL. Kudos (is that how you spell that?) to you if you did! Thank you! I hope you are learning more about me. I hope to utilize this blog to post about my life and my thoughts and anything and everything I find interesting or useful. (I consider food useful. It is! Don’t argue. You need it to survive.) 

As you can tell, my mind wanders and I sometimes get lost in my own little world, but that’s okay. Lately I feel as if I am not doing it enough. I am always going and doing something. It is good for me to write this all out. Welcome to my little world! I hope you find it worthy of returning to. 

[winterhawkkisses]

310.

Clint counted out the stack of bills, laughed a little through a throat that was kinda sore, this time of the night. He’d broke about even, after gas money and the couple drinks he’d had, the new strings he’d had to shell out for after Jess found out about the accidental redhead. Bartender always told him he’d probably do better for tips if he didn’t insist on covering so much Dolly Parton, but the woman was a goddess, and Clint wasn’t gonna apologise for that. 

He tipped his hat at Katie and she rolled her eyes at him, wiping a cloth across the bar like it’d ever be clean, like there was anything holding it together aside from spilled beer and sadness. 

This late, the bar was almost empty, and if you squinted your eyes almost closed it could be welcoming, kinda place everyone knew your name. Course, if you squinted your eyes almost closed some asshole’d steal your drink for starters, so Clint settled for buzzing neon and stained pool tables, the tape-patched seat of the chair that was practically his. 

He zipped his guitar case closed and swung it onto his back, hitched himself far enough over the bar’s hatch to fetch the duffel that held his bow. After a day working the farm, afternoon of archery, evening right here, tiredness was pulling at the edges of the day, stretching everything out like taffy. He yawned as he headed out the door at the back, by the men’s room, turning to the right and then heading in a straight line that cut across the scrubby grass they billed as a garden, vaulted the low fence and fetched up right by his truck. 

He heaved his guitar and his bow into the carpet-lined alcove set aside for them, started threading the blue nylon rope across the top. It was a little tough to see what he was doing with the lights blown out, and he managed to get his fingers caught somehow. 

“Aaw, rope,” he said sadly, which was when his day really went to shit. 

“Gimme your wallet,” a voice said behind him, rough and tired in the darkness. “Guitar, too. And whatever’s in the bag.” 

Clint carefully wiggled his fingers free from whatever screw-up he’d made of the rope and turned around slow, hands held a little away from his sides. 

There wasn’t much to be seen. Ragged-cut dark hair spilling out from under a ball cap, over-sized army coat with one sleeve tied in a knot, boots that honestly looked a little more hole than leather right now. His face looked hollowed out in the shadow, his eyes glinting in the darkness, his teeth where he was chewing on his lip, the knife he held. 

“Okay,” Clint said, in his low soothing voice, the one he had legitimately used to talk down lions. “Counter-offer. I give you the cash I made tonight, you leave the guitar and bow, and I take you somewhere I can get you a meal and a change of clothes.” 

“This ain’t a negotiation, pal,” the man said, and Clint shrugged apologetically. 

“Look, bro, if it comes to it, I’m gonna win. You gotta work from the assumption that I’m gonna win, okay, ‘cos I’m ex-army and I was fuckin’ good at my job. And I figure you’ve served yourself -” the hand holding the knife lowered slightly, hooah! - “but you’re down at least a few square meals. So let me help you out.” 

“And why’m I gonna trust you?” 

Maybe Clint was misreading his tone completely - his aids always fucked up a little after a night of singing - but there was something that he thought was willing to be persuaded, there. 

“No clue,” Clint said, “but you can ask the bartender inside if I’ve ever been any more of an asshole than your average fuck-up.” 

He just looked tired, most of all. Like the world had always weighed on his shoulders, but lately it’d been hanging a little heavier. He pushed up his ball cap a little, looked Clint up and down, and the bone structure under the exhaustion and the malnutrition and the distrust was like somethin’ out of a painting. Clint found his mouth was suddenly, inexplicably dry, and he cast around desperately for something to say - the crates resting in the back of his truck saved him. 

“I’m not offering fine dining,” he said, like that was the decider here. “I’ve got... well, beets, mostly. Mostly beets.” 

“I, er.” The guy took a step forward, hesitant. “I lived in Russia a while. I can make a pretty good borscht.” 

“Then I am glad to meet you, ‘cos if there’s something Iowa doesn’t offer it’s a decent borscht.” Clint held out his hand. This was the tipping point, he figured, the more so for a guy with one arm. The guy who regarded him for a second and then tucked his knife in the back of his pants so he could shake his hand. 

“I’m Clint,” he said. “Clint Barton. I own the Barton farm, clue’s in the name, if you’ve got someone you wanna tell.” 

“Bucky,” the guy said. There was grime ground into the lines of his palm, and he looked a little self-conscious when he pulled his hand back. 

“Got a last name to go with that?” Clint asked, rounding the back of the truck, and when he glanced across the truck-bed Bucky was frowning. 

“Yeah,” he said, the tone of his voice hard to describe. “I got no clue.” 

[pyrewriter]

Cheshire Community

Chat was expecting to patrol alone again, especially after what he had just pulled that morning, but to his surprise Ladybug had actually met him at the Eiffel tower. Unsurprisingly however she was once again furious with him but not for her usual reason.

"Why did you break into the building and throw a computer through a window?" she asked having watched the rest of the story as Marinette before going on patrol. "You're practically a criminal, why go so far?".

Chat shrugged "Couldn't tell you, maybe it was my sense of duty to those in need, maybe it was because we shared drinks, maybe because being hunted isn't fun". Chat's voice became progressively more angry as he spoke, Belial nudging his face calmed him down.

Ladybug let out a defeated sigh taking a seat next to Chat on his right "Guess there's no point in scolding you so I won't waste my time". She looked to Chat "But I do want to apologize for leaving you to patrol alone for so long even though I was perfectly able to do my half" he shrugged again. Ladybug continued "You were right I'm sorry for making you play Roulette with my mood, that wasn't fair". Belial jumped from Chat's shoulder to her lap, she stroked his back causing him to purr loudly.

After a few moments Chat finally responded to her "You weren't completely in the wrong, I knew how much Adrien meant to you, I should have known him running away would hit you hard". He actually hadn't thought about what disappearing would do to his partner and he was disappointed in himself for not thinking of her but what's done, was done. *BEEP* BEEP* his ears flicked to the sound of a miraculous beeping "You've been out longer than you should have" Chat said closing his eyes and laying on his back.

Ladybug looked out over the city "I was out looking for him again" she told him timidly.

"Even after he told the city to stop?" Chat raised an eyebrow, then after a moment laughed to himself "Hehe guess the Square will be a safer place than I thought".

"What 'Square', Chat" Ladybug asked with a demanding tone.

Chat shook his head "All will be explained in do time LB, and aren't you about to transform back?" he reminded her as her Miraculous beeped again.

"Aren't we supposed to be trying to learn each other's identities?" she replied sarcastically.

Chat sat up suddenly and whistled, Belial jumped to his shoulder "Well, looks like it's time for you to be the cat and I, the mouse" he stood. "I wish mew the best of luck in your search for this alley cat's name" he said before launching himself to a nearest roof. He stopped looking back ,watching Ladybug, he was just far enough that he couldn't make out her face.  

"Hey!" Ladybug yelled as she scrambled to her feet throwing her yo-yo toward Chat but she de-transformed before it could reach him and it disappeared. All she could do was stare at the figure standing on the adjacent roof. A bright green grin taunting her and an eye that glowed an emerald green glimmered faintly in the night peered over the shoulder of his silhouette before fading into the shadows of the roof tops. 

"Plagg always did get along best with the stoic type" Tikki said sitting at Marinette's feet out of breath. 

Marinette slumped to a sitting position "He's so stubborn, no matter what I do now it seems like he just doesn't open up, he's become more like how I was". 

Tikki floated up to her shoulder "One step at a time Mari, I'm sure you'll like who's underneath though you might not recognize him". Marinette shrugged and leaned back on her hands, she sat and enjoyed the breeze of the night while Tikki recharged. Once she was home Marinette used projects and homework as distractions to keep her mind off trying to figure out who Chat was. 

Across the city in the Cheshire Square Adrien was meeting shop owners and representatives of residents who lived or operated within the Square, the meeting was held in the tavern. "Hello everyone, I want to say thank you before I start" he was de-transformed but Milo had informed him that they all had believed the look-alike trick from the video. "Adrien thanks you all as well, he wishes he could be here but he's a little...". 

"Is he camera shy?" someone in the crowd called out ,the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed, most laughed while others stifled their chuckles.

Adrien laughed as well "Something like that, but he did tell me that we should have a signal for when people do need him or me, whether it's because we requested them or otherwise". The crowd murmured for a moment "Nothing too complex, just a simple signal system" he elaborated. He took a moment to think of what would work in case anyone needed either of him "If someone has a solid black beanie they're looking for Chat, if it's solid yellow they're looking Adrien". They discussed a few minor details regarding how he would tell people outside the Square, eventually getting them to trust that Chat would get the word to those who would need to know.

One of them ,a flower shop owner, asked perhaps one the most important questions of the night "What if you or Ladybug need us, how will we know?" he asked.

Adrien pondered the question, then he remembered an old trick from his time in New York "Powder kegs" he stated with a hint of eagerness in his voice. "When you hear 'Bare Your Teeth' everyone in earshot is on call, if you see smoke I'm calling every Cheshire in the Square" his tone filled the room with an aura of unity as he spoke. "I want you to dawn your masks and meet me on the streets and if smoke of black and green fills the streets and you hear the call we go to war". Everyone in the crowd smiled wide holding up their masks like a badge of loyalty, each was unique but they all followed the same medium, a green or white smile painted on a black mask. Adrien smiled underneath his mask before removing his and holding it in the air like the others chanting "BARE YOUR TEETH!".

The tavern erupted as everyone yelled a collective "Hooah", everyone in the Square had taken the night off so drinks were passed around by the pint.

Nino and Fe' had arrived part way through the explanation of what the smoke filled streets meant. Milo had noticed them first, approached them and in each hand offered them a mask with a Cheshire's grin painted on it, they accepted them graciously and asked where Adrien was. Milo pointed over his shoulder, Adrien was unmasked and red in the face shotgunning a keg while others watched in awe at the sight before them. By morning the only people still in the tavern were those that had passed out or stayed with their drunk friends and family, everyone in there that night was hung over. Fe' and Nino had dragged Adrien to one of the rooms and laid him down, Fe' didn't leave his side through the night, Nino had left for home after helping her. Plagg had floated his way in after taking a few too many sips from a keg himself and joined Adrien for a cat nap. 

At the moment Adrien was puking into the bedside bucket while Fe' was there for moral as she patted his back. Plagg laughed before joining in puking into the bucket, Adrien laughed at how the pitch black cat Kwami of destruction had rainbow vomit. They laughed at each-other's suffering between puking fits for a while until an alarm on Adrien's phone went off. He tried to get up to turn it off but Fe' stopped him.

"I'll get it, you stay there" she told him grabbing his phone and reading the alarm title before turning it off. "Oh no, don't tell me you forgot you had patrol this morning?".

Adrien had become intoxicated again from all the ale making its way through his system in reverse "F-Fe', you need to be Chat for me". 

"That's not a bad idea I, she'd make a great Noir" Plagg agreed with a surprisingly sober voice.

Fe' shot him a look "Is that even allowed?" she asked with genuine concern in her voice.

"Of course" Plagg assured her, elaborating "-anyone can be wielder and wielders can use multiple Miraculous but they will always be 'the wielder of' the first miraculous they used. Adrien here has used the Miraculous of the Snake though no one knows it-".

"I thought we agreed never to talk about that" Adrien interjected, his voice was hoarse and his throat burned but he didn't want to remember the years he had rewound to no avail. 

Plagg covered his mouth before continuing "Right sorry...anyway point is he is still the 'wielder of the Black Cat's Ring' and he always will be".

"So then I'll just be a substitute?" Fe' asked.

Adrien raised his head to speak again but was forced back down by another puking fit, Plagg answered instead "No, you will be a temporary wielder" he paused looking for the words. "Think of it like a free trial, you only become a designated wielder when you've transformed multiple times". 

"Ok I think I get the gist of it but are you sure this is the best idea?" she asked.

Plagg shrugged "Well it's this or we leave the city to Ladybug and hope nothing happens while Adrien pukes his guts out here".

Fe' sighed and held out her hands "Ok"

Sliding the ring off of Adrien's finger Plagg floated up to Fe' hovering over her hands with the ring in his hands telling her "There's some formalities I need to do so bare with me". He cleared his throat "Fe', you have been chosen by Adrien, the current wielder of the Black Cat's Ring to be his stand-in until he is fit to wield once again. You will be granted the power of unstoppable destruction, are you prepared for that responsibility?".

Fe' gave a single determined nod "I accept and am prepared for the responsibility". 

Plagg dropped the ring in her hands "Then I Plagg ,incarnate of destruction, hereby name you, Fe' as 'Chat Noire' for the duration of one transformation". Fe' slid the ring on, as she did it changed and morphed to fit her finger and better blend with her style. "I presume you already know the activation words" Plagg said crossing his arms with a smile.

Fe' thought back to the few times she had seen him transform "Plagg, Claws Out".

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[the-official-account]

Oh they're dead :(

Like I should be happy that humans aren't secretly holding egoran hostages to experiment on because that is 100% what I expect of these rancid space governments but I'm allowed to be sad there isn't a cool lifespan disparity....like sponges.

"Sure! If you wanna be creepy about it!" Lmao. Also I hate gross squishy sounds as much as I love them because I hate them this is fun.

Oh shit?? So moreau's alien-related backstory dump wasn't gonna be from their run in with the other it's from JANE???? how the turna have tables wickawrrr.

"A baby's got nothing on Evelyn" WHEW.

"You think I've been doing the same thing" no, doofus, SOPHIE'S the spy Jane's too angry for that shit.

"How did he know Janie is what Evelyn called us" THAT SHIT GOT ACKNOWLEDGED IN CANNON HOOAH!

Oh shit the fucktrio was more than a trio...I mean ofc it was cause anders li. Is Amira the one Sophie thought she say on tells? I have to check the notes. Ferris is definitely new.

It's so much easier to just not think about the emotional implications of that absolute bull when you're too busy starting at lore, I do not see it.

Okay I'm doing pasithea 18 sure hope this doesn't whither anything deep in my soul.

Liveblogging in the reblogs this is your spoiler warning.

[army-chronicles-indochina-sl]

AWOL - Part 2

Corporal Thatcher

It was a quiet Monday...well quiet for Vietnam which doesn't say a lot.  Allexis was put to leading the MP detail and we were having it pretty easy when she heard the Colonel bellow.  "Oh shit, he isn't just yelling he is bellowing.  Lawrence you take over the group" said as she ran to the Colonel.  She  did not even have to wait to find out the problem.  Allexis could not believe what she was hearing...McArtie, AWOL - abandoning post...and she had to arrest him.  Mumbling to herself 'What the fuck McArtie.  What the hell were you thinking.  Sure your a clown and a joker but AWOL and abandoning your post.  Come on get it together'  She walked the base watching for his return.  I finally took the MP detail and we posted at the front gate, there he came trying to sneak back on base. She stopped him and in a calm firm voice stated "Private McArtie, by order of the commanding officer you are hereby under arrest for AWOL and abandoning your post.  You are confined to quarters until further notice".....Then she stepped back one step, turned  right and headed to the CP.  Stopping by the Colonel came to the position of attention and waited for the Colonel to address her, he did and she stated "The Private has been arrested and confined to quarters, Sir" , the Colonel just gave me a stern look and dismissed me. I  headed out as quickly as I could.  Not able to keep from thinking about the trouble the Private had gotten himself into this time.  He had the ability to make it far in the army if he would just use his head for something other then to set his cover on.  Damn she was angry with him.  If she only could open his head and reconnect the wires that must be disconnected.  But combat medic classes did not cover brain surgery. That made her laugh a bit.  His hormones ruled him.  Perhaps she could ask the cook to sneak salt peter into McArtie's food.  She had heard that it worked on those raging hormones..  The guy needed to get it together.  He had the smarts.  He had the ability.  He just damn well needed to apply them....Continuing her trek around the base, speaking to all she saw she tried to keep her mind off the kid.  She did wonder how bad the punishment would be.  He is a good guy.  Allexis really believed that he just got into High School thinking way too often for his own good....on she went on her trek....she wondered what would happen was thankful it was not up to her to decide... Ah Vietnam where it separated the men from the boys and the women from the girls......hooah.

Private McArtie

He silently cursed and rolled his eyes under closed lids. Shit! He was so sure that no one would notice and Jones had promised to replace him for an hour at the gate, but yes, they were right, it had been HIS job and not Jones. Agreed, it had been irresponsible and usually it wasn’t his kind to simply disappear from duty, but this little "health issue" was driving him mad by now and as the military doc couldn’t help and hadn’t been available to send him over to the local doc, he off handedly made his decision. Now, as Corporal Thatcher had informed him about the charges, he instantly regretted, but there was no use in crying over spilled milk anymore, obviously the shit hit the fan.... He took a seat on his bunk and thought about what it was going to be like, being "under arrest", but he was sure, that he’d soon find out. The Col. was always really "creative", when it came to punishments and especially when it was about to punish him, McArtie, the philanderer. He chewed on his toothpick, absent minded, the sounds from outside, a strange, yet familiar melody in his ears. He took off his helmet and laid down, staring at the wire of the upper bunk and tried to recall, for how long he had been here already. He had lost track by now, each day similar to the next. Same duties, same food, same faces, same fears...wasn’t any wonder that some of the guys freaked out now and then. If there was at least something promising he could focus on, he thought. Something he could use for the rest of his life and he didn’t mean surviving, as that was just an inner instinct, which is the button that was pressed daily here. His eyelids became heavy and while he was still thinking about a future option, he fell asleep.

Colonel M. Sky

A night of training and it all went to hell. Equipment malfunctions, wrong grid coordinates and getting lost in the vast jungles of  Vietnam.  Leading this special task force that he was ordered not to reveal. But it was a means to a greater purpose. Now back on base it seemed like the nights turned to day at the snap of a finger.  Then he had these elite company of Rangers at his command who did not seem to be able to get it together. You see Vietnam had a way of  breaking the strongest minds and the bravest of souls but he knew that Rangers would always lead the way.  Then he thought of this young Ranger, PFC McArtie. Was this PFC fit to wear the Ranger Tab, Fit to wear an Airborne Tab....was he even fit to wear the tropic lightning. Seemed this PFC did not take the Creed seriously. I think back to the days of Airborne school as well as Ranger school.  It was a different time. And now, this PFC at the beginning of his career and already arrested for going AWOL. That’s an offense that comes with a court martial. I step outside "Sgt of the guards get Private First Class McArtie to the CP now"....The Sgt sounds off with a yes sir and two MP's accompany the Sgt as they enter the Hooch to get PFC McArtie. As this happens I look over to the motor pool and notice Corporal Thatcher standing atop an M48 Patton watching as the MP detail dragged the PFC to the CP.  Silence is in the air and the officers that will be part of the hearing board begin to enter and take their places in the CP.  Sgt Major Silverfall comes in as well as he is the Brigade NCOIC.  He looks at me and he already knows. The detail finally arrives to the CP......"Detail...Attention" the Sgt  calls out the command. I look at this Private McArtie wondering what the hell he was thinking about. Did he even take being a Ranger serious. I taking it personal since I myself was an Airborne Ranger and took pride in telling the other Units "My Rangers always lead the way".....but today was a day for this Private to have a gutt check. I thought to myself again , was this soldier fit to wear an Airborne Tab, was he fit to wear a Ranger Tab....was he even fit to wear the Tropic Lightning.  The other officers on the board just stared at him and then silence hit the room as I spoke....." Private First Ass David McArtie you are standing before this board due to the charges of Absent Without Leave (AWOL), and abandoning your duty post....both violations of the UCMJ".....the private stood and was about to speak, "Shut your pie hole maggot " came from the corner as Sgt. Major Silverfall yelled out.  I looked over and nodded to the NCOIC signaling to him an at ease. "Private, these charges are enough to have you come before a court martial board and end your career in the United States Army, I don't really think you know the seriousness of your actions". I looked at the Private as he stood there.  "Now is the time for you to speak Private and give me and this board a reason not to have you sent to Leavenworth and have you become some inmates bitch".......the Colonel stares at the private waiting.  "Open your damn mouth Private or I will open it for you" bellowed the Sgt Major....I glanced over and shouted "At ease in my CP"...."Private Im waiting for your reply".  It became quiet, and all became slow motion.  I glanced at the private seeing the sweat drops fall from his brow. I can see smoke from the corner of my eyes as the Sgt Major puffed from his cigar, behind me the ruffling of papers from the other officers.  I continue to glance and start to see the privates mouth begin to open slowly and his eyes opening wider.  

Corporal Thatcher

Allexis had spent the morning working on her baby - her M-48 Patton Tank.  The tank was a beauty to her and she kept it in top shape just like her other weapons.  She took it very serious with them as those were what kept her alive. She was on top the baby checking her our for any problems when she saw the two MP's stop at the male hooch. She wasn't the one in trouble but she felt for a brief moment the dread as if it was her.  She watched as he was walked to the CP.  Part of her thought poor sucker he needs to grow up.  Another part of her thought See Rangers you are  just human like the rest of us.  Well not her problem not her concern..  She went back to checking out her baby.  She heard others of Bravo making snide remarks about the private as he walked.  Yea there wasn't a lot of love for rangers even though each and every one of her fellow tank drivers would put their life on the line to defend them or aid them.  Damn smart asses the whole bunch of them she laughed.  She turned to checking out the last of her tank thinking only of assuring it was in the best shape possible.  Thoughts of her family pop into her head.  Maybe she should have listened to her Dad that forbade he to join the army which was the very reason she joined as soon as his permission wasn't needed.  And here she was getting to live in the lap of luxury in beautiful Vietnam.  She shook her head chuckling...nope she wouldn't change it for anything.  She was proud to serve - scared as hell of a lot but still proud to do it.  Her mind drifted to the Private once more.  He was a good reminder to watch her own actions....What would be his consequences she thought ????

[solrika]

So I know I’ve got like five prompts waiting for me, but I woke up this morning with an idea for Torbjorn and his wife in the daemon AU. Promise I’ll get back to the prompts after I write this out!

~

Prisha is one of Torbjorn’s favorite apprentices, and young, and family-less in the wake of the Crisis, and that’s why he finds himself accompanying her to Overwatch’s oncology ward for her first chemotherapy appointment. Someone has to be there to hold her hand, take down the doctor’s instructions, rub her back when she vomits from the drugs. His Freja curls around her own little Aayush, trying to lend comfort where they can. 

“You’re strong,” he tells her, wishing that human bodies could be fixed as easily as turrets. “You can do this, lass.” 

The doctor they send in is secondary to the girl sitting besides him on the bed, clutching his fingers so tightly they turn white. 

~

“Is she yours?” the doctor asks on the fifth visit, when Prisha is dozing fitfully on his shoulder.

Torbjorn stares up at her in confusion, and then Freja barks a little laugh when they get what the doctor’s angling at. “Oh! No, she’s one of my apprentices.” He pats at Prisha’s hand when she stirs, willing her to go back to sleep, and adds in a softer tone, “Poor lass doesn’t have anyone around to bring her here, though. Couldn’t let her go on her own.” 

The doctor’s wolf wags his tail a little, tells Freja quietly, “Your human is a good man.” 

“We try,” she replies, and the doctor smiles warmly at them both. 

~

When they learn the cancer is in remission, he’s not sure if it’s him or Prisha that starts crying first. He’s not tall enough to swing her around, but Freja is big enough to toss Aayush into the air in delight, and the mynah flutters around the room squawking his joy. 

“I told you!” he shouts happily, and she laughs and swipes at her tears. “You beat it, Prisha, you beat it to the ground!” 

“Hooah!” she yells, mimicking Morrison’s fist-pump, and he grins and gives her another hug.

~

The day of Prisha’s last appointment, Dr. Eklund stops him with a gentle hand as he’s about to walk out the door. “Mr. Lindholm?”

“Yes?”

She and her wolf smile at him, the big animal’s tail wagging slow and sure. “Prisha’s no longer my patient, so I won’t be breaking any codes now if I ask you for a coffee sometime this week. When are you free?”

He’s too busy gaping up at her to answer, and luckily Freja saves him by blurting out a date and time. 

“Perfect,” Dr. Eklund says. She steps around him to give Prisha congratulations and then is down the hall to her next appointment. He stares after her as she goes, still trying to process what just happened. When he turns around, Prisha and Aayush are giving him identical impish grins. 

~

It turns out that Dr. Eklund’s first name is Astrid, that her wolf is Isak, that she’s been working in Overwatch’s oncology ward for five years, that her favorite color is red, and that she refuses to listen when Torbjorn tries to protest that she’s too young for him. 

“I like you and I want to see how this will go,” she says on their first coffee date, after she’s rendered him helpless with splutters when he learns her age. “I don’t think anything else matters.”

“You should be chasing after young men with long lives!” He fiddles with his cup, fingers feeling clumsy and unsure. “Young men who couldn’t fire you! Aren’t you worried I’d take advantage?”

“Mr. Lindholm,” she says, and Isak grins up at him, mouth full of fangs, “do you really think you could?” 

~

They go on more coffee dates, and then she asks him out for dinner. He ends up monopolizing the conversation out of nerves, until Isak rolls his eyes and pushes Freja over to get him to stop babbling long enough for Astrid to jump in. She tells him how the human body fits together, nature’s most amazing invention, and he falls a little in love. 

When there’s a pause, he says, “Keep going. Please.”

She smiles at him. “I’m not boring you?”

“You’re an intelligent woman explaining a beautiful system,” he says, trying to sound as honest as he feels. “How could I be bored?”

“In that case,” she says, and goes on to tell him about how to drive out cancer with radiation. 

~

“I want to see your labs,” she tells him on their eighth dinner. “You get to hear about my work all the time, you should repay me.”

Being head of engineering R&D has its perks, and he manages to get her a security pass by the next week. There’s a moment, when he opens the doors for her, that he’s struck by the worry that she won’t understand, that she won’t realize that this is his art, his life--

“Oh,” she breathes, eyes wide and delighted, Isak’s ears perking, and he realizes that he didn’t have to worry after all. 

He’d planned to give her a quick tour, but they end up spending the day at his workbench, where he shows her clever fingers how to wire up lights and resistors and motors. She burns her thumb soldering, and just waves the pain off and keeps going. 

“Are you trying to impress me?” Torbjorn asks, doing his best to hide that he is, in fact, impressed. Freja hops down from the bench to find a bandage. He’s glad that the setback didn’t deter her, but in a lab full of apprentices, safety standards should be upheld.

Astrid laughs at him. “If I wanted to impress you, I’d be soldering these more neatly!”

“For your first time, they’re good,” and he picks up the piece, turning it this way and that. “Nice solid connections.”

“I’m glad they hold up,” she replies, eyes crinkling in a smile, and lets him bandage her thumb with his work-rough hands. 

~

Four months later, she calls him in the middle of the day. “I’m sorry,” she says, sounding distracted, “I can’t come out tonight, something came up--”

“Are you alright?”

She pauses, and he almost thinks he can hear Isak’s whine in the background. “Oh. You don’t have to worry. I just don’t want to ruin the evening.”

Freja perks her ears up when he frowns, leaning forwards so she can hear the phone conversation. “Astrid,” he says, trying to sound as gentle as he can, “what’s wrong?”

Another long pause. “We’re going to lose a patient.”

“Oh.” He swallows, tries to find the way forwards. He’s not clever with words, not like Morrison or Reyes, but he makes an attempt. “I don’t date you just for your sunny days, lass. What do you need?” 

She lets out a shaky sigh. “Takeout, comedies, and maybe to cry all over your beard.”

“I’ll make sure it’s nice and soft for you,” he promises, and she hiccups a laugh. 

“Thank you, Torbjorn.”

“Of course, dear one. Of course.”

~

She’s the one he rails to when he finds the mockery of a body they’ve made for the newest Blackwatch recruit. “They gave him omnic limbs!” he yells, stomping around her apartment, while Astrid and Isak watch from the couch. “He’s supposed to be a fast fighter and they gave him clanker legs!” Freja bristles on his shoulder, punctuating his words with snaps of her jaws.

Astrid is unfazed, and catches him by the hand the next time he comes within grabbing distance. “So fix it. That’s what your best at, isn’t it?”

It’s good, solid advice, and it stops him in his tracks. She gazes up at him, eyes clear and steady, and it’s what makes him admit, “I don’t know how.”

“Why?”

“That level of destruction? We’ve never made a prosthetic that extensive, it’s like we’re rebuilding the poor boy from the ground up!” He throws up his free hand. “It’s never been done before!”

“So be the first,” she says, and Isak trots off, comes back with an anatomy textbook. He holds it out, offering, and Astrid says, “Take your inspiration from the original inventor. Maybe you can even improve on it.”

Genji Shimada is the first to have a body built of air muscles, and the day he runs across the training room, free and flexible as the day he was born, Torbjorn goes home and thanks Astrid in every way he can think of.

~

For their third anniversary, he begs jewelry lessons off of Prisha, enduring her jibes and Aayush’s jokes to learn how to make Isak a jeweled collar and Astrid a necklace to match. Gold to bring out her freckles, and rubies for their favorite color, and good sturdy leather with suede lining so the collar sits comfortably on Isak’s neck. 

He’s always done better talking with his hands than with his voice. By the look in their eyes when he and Freja show them the present, he’s done a good job of saying, “I love you.”