#he’s the head of the squad let’s not kid ourselves here

[patheticgirlsteve]

stranger things rewrite where steve does cheer instead of basketball

[neteyamsilly]

i will soften every edge, hold the world to its best | 3

summary ;; Sullys stick together. You learn the hard way what happens when you don't. PART 2 | PART 4 pairings ;; dad!jake sully x reader, mom!neytiri x reader, sully family x reader genre ;; pure angst and family feels notes / explanations ;; descriptions of blood and violence incoming, beware! shout out to the ppl who predicted the stuff in this chapter LMAO so um... i couldnt tag everybody who asked when i said i would... there's apparently a limit to how many people you can tag. please forgive me 😭 im not taking any tagging requests anymore since i cant do it. so sorry about that,,,, seriously also, thank you so much for 1160 followers! i still cant fucking believe it... daddy issues solidarity 🤙🏻🤙🏻

“Hi there Corporal, you hear me? Yeah, I know you do. As much as I’m charmed by the fatherly love I could give you a big old sloppy wet kiss, we have unfinished business.”

Rain covered the rustling of clothes and the click-clacks of readjusted weapons as concentrated silence hung in the air, thick and heavy like the morning mist swallowing up the forest.

No answer. 

What face could your parents be making right now? Heartbeat in your ears, you tried to hide your shame by looking down, but a jerk on your queue set you straight. the avatar holding you digging his gun sharper in your neck.    

“What, cat got your tongue all of a sudden?” The leader’s stare found yours. “Let me give you a quick remedy.” 

They’d linked your device into another for the sound to be relayed outside and the voice detection range could be wider, in other words, they wanted your father to hear what was happening to you. Your braid was yanked as if the one pulling it wanted to snap it right off your skull, no amount of training could stop the scream torn out of you — all the show just for him. 

The line was deadly still, save for some rustling, crackling static that you could have easily mistaken for hissing.

A ghost of a smile shadowed the man’s face, he extended his rifle to tip your chin up. “Guess we’re gonna have to be louder than that to wake daddy up sweetheart.” 

“Stop!” Father yelled, the unexpected timing of it made you jump. That earned him a group chuckle from the avatars around you. “Stop.”

He talked. He didn’t leave you to fend for yourself in this. Thank Eywa!

“That was fast,” the captor behind you said. 

“Thought you’d have forgotten English by now, playing native.”

“...Quaritch?” 

Quaritch. That awful, awful man from the stories your mother killed? Spider’s father? But… But he was dead. How could sky people know how to cheat death?

“In the flesh.” 

Father’s voice wavered, you’d think he was scared if you didn’t know any better. “That’s impossible.”

“Back from the grave just for you, Jake.”

“Then I’ll just have to put you right back where you belong.”

The squad of avatars openly laughed at that, boisterous, confident, arrogant. 

This was Toruk Makto they were openly mocking. None of them would last for one minute in front of him and yet—

“Quite the teary lovers reunion we’re havin’ here, but you got busy while I was gone, huh?” He looked down at you again, yellow eyes filled with mirth. “I have this tiny bird here we plucked right out of the air. Imagine my surprise to learn she’s yours. Is this the only one, or you got yourself a litter now?”

Silence again. 

“What do you want?”

“Straight to the point as always.” The smug smile momentarily twitched into an unamused, withheld resentment. This man was nearing the end of his capacity to keep taunting. “I don’t think I’ll tell yet. You know I love to be a tease.”

Your ears rotated upwards in treacherous hope at your father's next words. “If you touch one hair on my daughter’s head I swear to god—”

“You exchanged your god for this shithole, Jake. Let’s not kid ourselves now.” Any hint of playing around was gone, now, eyes fixated on something on the ground ahead. “Your daughter will be my guest for a while. Think of it as summer vacation. Don’t worry, unlike the Na’vi, we’re very hospitable.” His thumb brushed over a button. “Until next time.”

“Fucking bastard—”

With one beep, the call was over. Quaritch was touching the band around his neck this time. “Iron Sky, Blue on Actual. We are standing by for extract, over.” 

You began to tussle against the avatar behind your back. “No! No! Let me go!” 

“Be advised. We're bringing in a high value prisoner.”

“Dad’s really gonna flay her alive this time, I can’t wait.” Lo’ak, positioned just behind the flap of the tent to not be seen from the outside as he peeked with one eyeball just in case, was watching his parents vehemently yell at each other in whispers that started out loud, but got hushed probably to not reach him and his siblings. Aggressive limb gestures were flying in the air, and at one point, his mom had tried to run off somewhere and was forcefully stopped. 

Dad was currently pacing around like a wild animal with one hand permanently stuck rubbing his face, and mom turned away from him, holding her forehead. “They’re really going at it, huh?

Kiri was not amused with his insistence to breach their privacy. “What’s so interesting about watching this kind of thing?”

“Catharsis?” He remarked in English, feeling sophisticated. “You remember Spider talking about it? Purification and emotional cleansing through relief that you’re not going through the horrible tragedy, the character on stage is.” 

“You’re normally so dumb.” Lo’ak bore his fangs at her matter-of-fact tone of voice. “Your brain only comes back on when it’s about chaos.”

“I’m petty, and what about it?” A tilt of his head to dare Kiri to ask for her point, then his attention was thwarted by an incomprehensible cry from his mother. She was pushing dad from his arms, furious like Lo’ak had never seen before as the upset man tried to hold her more. “Look at mom and dad breathing fire at each other! You think they’re discussing how to punish her?”

“Stop spying already skxawng, mom will be angry if she sees you. We’re supposed to be in bed.”

“Shut up, I’m trying to listen here!” His ears were tilting at every angle to make out any words that reached to him as nothing but a cluster of broken sounds. “Why did they have to go far?” 

“Because they wanted to be away from peeping toms like you?”

“And you’re still here too, so?” Lo’ak gave his sister a meaningful look. “I know you wanna see too.”

“Ugh!” Kiri shoved out her tongue at him, eyes dead. “And it’s not funny, by the way! They are fighting. Stop being happy about it.”

He knew they were fighting about his older sister, and that she’d get all the heat and fallout from it the moment she was back. Lo’ak’s head was full of what he could get out of it, or what to ask her for in return for helping her out in her detention. So satisfying to be the sibling who wasn’t in trouble. He should do it more, actually. “It is funny when it’s not about me.” 

“You’re sick for taking joy in another’s suffering.”

“Oh, I’m doomed, then.” Kiri took whatever fat was on his thin arm between her thumb and forefinger, and twisted. Lo’ak had to blink away the tears that rushed to his eyes, snatching his limb away from the displeased girl and pushing her away in return — he was annoyed at how much that hurt, why was that so damaging for no reason? “Yeouch! What the hell?”

“Will it kill you to practice mindfulness once in a while?” 

He raised his voice’s pitch to mock the wobbly, ear-scratching whine of yours, and exaggerated his body movements to match, too. “I hate you!”  

“Gross.” She tried to shove him, he caught her hands in the air, pushing her back and getting the spiteful annoyance of his sister as a result. “Dad was actually hurt by that.” Lo’ak’s eyes could roll down the hills by themselves the way that sounded, but Kiri, as always, was bothered so inexplicably. “I don’t like this. I have a bad feeling.”

That bad feeling was the herald of dad’s upcoming cranky ill-temper and what would follow after you inevitably had to come crawling back home with tail between your legs, Neteyam dragging you from the scruff of your neck. Lo’ak was refusing to sleep so he could enjoy the fight. 

“Me personally, am over the moon, ikran duty is so gonna be off my hands. For months.” He halted at the idea that just went off in his head, tail swishing with the hype. “I wanna tell Spider. I’ll go get him.”

“Absolutely not. You sneak off now and they’ll laser-focus all the anger on you!” Kiri was pointing a warning hand at him, but slowly lowered it, one corner of her mouth twitching up. She was holding back amusement. “Hey, you know what? Nevermind, you can go. I want you to go. I have to see this.”

“Ha-ha.�� Lo’ak’s tail stuttered, losing enthusiasm. “Attempted murder, much?”

“Guys, what’s going on…”

Upon the unexpected voice that wobbled its way into their conversation, they both looked down to see Tuk gripping her weaved blanket with one hand and dragging it on the floor as she made her way to them, the other rubbing her eyes one by one so sleep dripping from them would fly away.

“See, you woke her up! What do we do now?”

“You woke her up by yelling, why is it my fault now?”

“I didn’t, you—”

“Did too.”

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

“Did n—”

“Guys…” Tuk pulled on Kiri’s hand, and the foreign object she was clutching the whole time distracted Lo’ak. It must have dug into the older one’s skin that she carefully picked it up to inspect. The ear pieces they took off before they went to sleep. This one was Kiri’s.  “Neteyam’s calling. You didn’t hear…”

Grinning, Lo’ak snatched it up and skipped backwards and put it in his own ear, ignoring Kiri’s hushed yells to give it back now and the groans about ruining it with his stinky, cheesy earwax. He had to keep bouncing around, the girl was chasing him around the tent. “Bro! Tell her she’s sooo dead. Dad’s literally keeping guard in front of the tent—”

“Lo’ak, quit it.” Neteyam’s tremulous answer was harsh. Lo’ak’s smile wavered as he dodged Kiri’s arm and jumped over discarded cups on the floor, knocking over wooden spoons. “I need you to tell me what’s happening over there.”

“Aw, baby’s so scared to come back she needs to make a game plan first?” He laughed, slapping Kiri’s hands away. “I’ll only tell if she gives back my karambit knife.”

His older brother sighed, a bit too exasperated. 

“Yeah, I’m not letting that one go and I’m also making it your problem—”

“Lo’ak, she isn’t here.”

He stopped dead in his tracks. “What?”

“She isn’t here. I couldn’t find her.” Kiri bumped into him, unable to stop herself at the right time to hit the brakes due to how abruptly Lo’ak had stilled. They’d almost tumbled over. “Dad told me to wait until he contacts her and I’ve been waiting for minutes. Now tell me what’s going on over there.”

“Bro, you’re serious?”

“Why wouldn’t I be serious, skxawng!” 

He turned to Kiri in disgusted discomfort, who had damn-near glued her own ear to his to hear better. “Forget months, I’ll be free for years. Dad’s not gonna let her take one step off the camp anymore.”

The girl would stomp her foot if she was a couple years younger. “What’s this about?”

And Neteyam would shake Lo’ak from the neck for ignoring him this long while he was fussing. “Tell me already you—!”

“They’re having a fight bro.” He leaned better to peep outside the tent. “Yeah.”

“She came back? Why didn’t you tell me?”

It was uncommon for Neteyam to completely disregard the previous input he’d been given. Lo’ak didn’t understand this level of anxiety. “Are you having a brain fart? Would we be having this conversation if she was here? It’s mom and dad who are fighting.”

It wasn’t that serious — on the contrary, his sister was quite simple to understand. She didn’t want to be found and had changed her place of hiding. End of story. The golden boy’s worrywart nature was keeping him from reasoning. 

“Don’t be a smartass.” Lo’ak practically felt Neteyam’s want to land a loud smack on his back. “Were they only able to reach her, then? Is that why they’re fighting?”

“You’re asking me?—”

The older boy began to grumble under his breath. “This is why I called Kiri.”

Said girl’s ears perked up over picking her name from the static-surrounded line. Lo’ak snorted. “Ouch, bro.”

Kiri shook him from the elbow. “Me? What about me?”

“Great title for your autobiography.”

Kiri raised her arms to give him a beating and Lo’ak was already bolting away from anywhere near her vicinity. The siblings didn’t even take notice of the line with Neteyam going dark as they focused on their own play-scuffle for a while. 

Until Lo’ak bumped into someone.

It wasn’t Tuk. 

Shoulders pulled into himself, he turned around torturously freaked out to find dad standing there like a ghost, his tactical vest packed to the brim and gun hanging from his back the way they wore their bows. 

The blue of his skin had faded into an ashier tone, amber eyes wide and bloodshot, the veins on the normally put together Olo’eyktan’s forehead were bulging, even a socially clueless person would pick up something was seriously wrong. He commanded cold authority of the battlefield simply by the way he stood, immediately triggering Lo’ak into soldier mode.  

He took a few steps back, chin hanging low at the lightless, unblinking stare his father pushed down on him. “Sir.”

All the sleepiness that had Tuk unresponsive and nodding off through Lo’ak and Kiri’s push-and-pull was knocked out of her at the sight, she was now unnerved and frightened. “Dad?”

The man’s intensity was somehow eased by his youngest’s reaction, but he held back from taking her in his arms like he normally would to comfort her, didn’t even care to remark on how they were supposed to be sleeping — how they’d woken their little sister up, instead focusing on Lo’ak. “I want you all to listen well. Your mother and I are heading out for a minute and your grandmother will be with you soon — Neteyam is Oscar-Mike to come back here. Stay put and don’t go anywhere, understand?” His finger pointed accusingly at him. “Don’t cause trouble. Looking at you boy, what I’m saying here is Marine proof. I’m at the end of my wits here, don’t even think about slipping a tail out of this tent.” 

The potent severity of whatever the hell was making him this agitated to the point of a voice so hoarse it was unrecognizable got the wheels in Lo’ak’s head whirring. “What’s happening, dad?”

“One child!” The thundering shout came down on him with the force of a falling mountain, making Lo’ak jump out of his skin. “I need one child of mine to listen to me without asking any questions today!” Dad’s voice broke when Tuk whined, he shut his eyes as if he was in physical pain, and flexed his jaw, shaking his head and pulling the girl in from her shoulders to soothe her. Still no direct hugging. “Jesus Christ.”

“I’m sorry sir,” Lo’ak said immediately, distraught by the over-the-top reaction, hands unknowingly curling into fists by his sides. Whenever that sky people word ‘Jesus’ slipped from dad not having any control between the border of his two languages, the boy knew it was demanding gravitas. “I heard you CFB.”

“Good.” He thinned his lips. “Kiri, please.”

Lo’ak frowned at dad basically asking for her to play her brother’s keeper in Neteyam’s absence in two simple words.

She nodded. “I know dad.”

He caught a glimpse of his mother running in the distance, her father’s bow in her hand. 

Just what was happening? What had you done? 

Eywa, it had to be sky people. 

Dad saw the realization in his face. “Stay,” he emphasized, one final time before he was also gone with the wind. 

Lo’ak wouldn’t have obeyed if it wasn’t for his grandmother arriving just in time, keeping them busy with a story about the arrival of a wounded ikran with no rider.

You realized the gunshot wound puncturing your upper abdomen was there the whole time when the avatars put first aid and later slapped a rectangular sky people bandage on it that helped clotting or whatever it was called, the pain simply not being there had played a big factor in it with the body running on pure adrenaline. 

(Crouching close to you, Quaritch had bragged, “We aren’t so bad after all, huh, sweetheart? It’s called civilization. Your daddy ever taught you about that?”

Civilization, your ass. They needed you. There was nothing well-meaning about what they were doing.

And the nickname had ticked you off, sullying the good memories of father, your head slammed into his nose in full power after a hiss.

“Now my daddy taught me that!” you spat in English as other avatars had tackled you. The man claiming to be Quaritch was smiling as he wiped away the blood trickling down his nose.

What was the point in trying to patch you up if they were going to do this, then?)

You were now a part of an elaborate trap to lure your father in. Bait. The worst position to be in. This was the kind of trouble Lo’ak would get himself in. It was too late to go back now, the mess you’d gotten yourself into had made itself known. 

Think, think! How could you get out of this?

Within the unsleeping forest’s nightly noises chirping all around you, a specific call in the air halted your train of thought. 

It was mom. 

Your parents were here. But how? How did they know where you were, exactly? Dread and expectation pooled in your heart, coexisting in a nauseating mix. 

Father must be thinking that you already caused so much trouble, they couldn’t know you were also hurt, you’d never hear the end of it.

But there was no time to think, the pain you should have been feeling was ebbing its way into your body, and she was calling in the night to inform you to get ready.

All hell broke loose when the man who held you tight from your queue was shot right from the back of his head with an arrow, collapsing right on top of you. 

You couldn’t get away in time to not be crushed by his dead body and promptly got squished between the mossy soil and him, his gun was hurting you, the wound on your stomach getting in the way of you using your core to push the body off. 

How many minutes had passed with you struggling to get him off as a hurricane of bullets roared, you didn’t know (it hurt, pain was climbing towards the threshold) — mom was able to break free from the weight of a whole AMP suit, as you’d heard as a child, a Na’vi was naturally strong, but you couldn’t even crawl out. Panic was a rope tightening around your ribcage as your breathing picked up

All of a sudden, the weight was gone, and the only remaining thing from it was the big gun left from the avatar you found yourself hugging for dear life, eyes wide as saucers. Before you could see whoever had done that, you got hoisted up right back on your feet and tried to run, only to be held tighter and pulled behind the trunk of a tree.

“Hey, it’s me, it’s me!” Clumsy, overwrought hands were cupping your cheeks and — and oh, it was your father. 

You didn’t know whether to be afraid or cry from happiness.

Once he was sure you registered it was him by staring intently in your eyes with that edge of the softness you’d missed so much, his hold shifted to your neck and around your shoulders, and he gave you a look-over, checking for any wounds. Too bad what he was searching for was behind the gun you were holding. “Are you hurt?” He shook you when you were too stunned to answer. “Are you hurt at all?”

“No,” you shook your head automatically, it was weak against the explosions of bullets raining down all around you, but father had picked it up regardless, only focusing on you for the moment.

In the darkness, nobody could see the blood running down your body, that bandage had come out at one point. 

“On my mark, we’re gonna run, okay?” He nodded to you, tomahawk axe in hand coated in a dark substance, commanding your full attention. “Follow me. Ready? Ready?”

You weren’t ready at all, stomach feeling like it was being stabbed at every heartbeat, but you couldn’t tell him that. 

Instead, you ran like hell, moored by father’s taut clutch on your forearm pulling you forward to match his incredible speed dodging roots, bushes and branches. 

Things stopped moving only when you were enveloped in mom’s embrace, consciousness almost flying off from the relief that washed over you. Kisses were peppered along your hairline and forehead, her mumbling your name in gratitude blending with your panting. Tears burned bitter in your eyes, but you couldn’t cry, not when father was looking at you like that, chest rising and falling. You instantaneously remembered why you were holding that gun at the intensity he was radiating, tail escaping between your legs and letting mom hold you. 

At least this way he wasn’t able to objurgate you.  

Over her shoulder, you saw three ikrans instead of two. Heart soaring, you were skipping towards him in pure astonishment in a heartbeat. “Hey buddy!”  

His head lowered down towards you in bird-like movements. In this angle, it looked like he was giving you a razor sharp-toothed big grin. 

“He brought us here,” your mother said. The hand you were going to pet the ikran with stopped midway at her dejected tone. “You have passed Iknimaya, I take it. On your own.”

You didn’t know what to say, feeling immense guilt at having made her this disappointed over it. If this was any normal situation, any normal fight at all, you would have shot back with, ‘Well father told me to do it.’

But you were tired. 

Your pain threshold was being threatened, and you needed to get to your grandmother before any of your parents saw the situation you were in and this escalated into the worst fight you were going to get into in your entire life. 

Father’s only response was a dead cold, “C’mon, we gotta get outta here.”

He didn’t talk to you after that. Not one word. 

Squatting on an ikran’s back on a flight with an abdominal gunshot wound you were trying to hide was not an option unless you wanted to pass out midair and was looking for a free dive, so you were all but hugging the poor thing’s neck like a monkey, trusting him to follow your parents while you concentrated on mentally fighting to level out the pain. 

Nonsensical as it was to believe the gun stuck between your ikran’s neck and your stomach was acting as a tampon to lessen the bleeding, you were concerned with how dumb it must have looked to father and mom, how incompetent they must think of you that their daughter didn’t even know how to ride right. 

Got an ikran for nothing. 

Would they be less proud of you seeing how funny it appeared, nevermind that it was to contain your pain all the while not trying to faint?

But no words were exchanged about it. 

Father clamping up right after he’d made sure you weren’t hurt (yikes) had resulted in this awkward trip succumbing in total silence. They had sandwiched you between them, only necessary space for the ikrans to beat their wings freely left, so close that you could discern the scariest look on father yet, deepening the lines of age in his face while simultaneously expressing his barely contained desire to kill someone. 

A ticking time bomb. 

Forget speaking at all, but not only did he never address you until now, he didn’t even look in your direction for once. You knew because staring at him for five minutes straight for him to just acknowledge your existence had proven to be unfruitful. 

And the tears involuntarily streamed down your cheeks with how utterly worthless and alone that made you feel, trapped in this agony you couldn’t help but hide because he’d think you didn’t deserve to complain after bringing it upon yourself. You would rather bite your tongue and bear the pain than stay dreading his reaction. 

Yeah, no, he couldn’t know. 

Mom was looking over at you every one minute to make sure you were okay after her ears picked up on your sniffles, arrows of worry shot from her side sinking down your skin every single time, and you hated to make her this way. 

Your ikran kept comforting you through tsaheylu until you landed.

Father had promptly jumped down, agile and making haste away somewhere, passing you by and giving the cold shoulder. You all but slid off your own ikran, managing to make the gun stay where it should be, as you couldn’t help but weakly call out to him for one drop of consolation. “Father…”

He didn’t stop for you, quickening his steps, but his ears twitched, the tail beating the air ferociously halting and lowering before it returned to the previous motions, and those were the only indications that he’d heard it Lima Charlie.

The man just didn’t want to talk to you.    

And you had to make yourself believe it wasn’t the emotional devastation that had you falling down, but the wound sucking out all your energy now that you had gotten to safety. 

“Ma’ite?” Mom rushed to you. “Ma’ite, what’s wrong? What is it?”

“I’m okay, mom, it’s okay.” You were sitting on the floor, cross-legged. Thank goodness you still had the unbreakable willpower (and not the fear of Eywa put into you by father) to hold your shit together. “I’m okay. Just tired. My knees buckled. Weak, you know?” You swallowed, smiling. “I’m just… Just resting.”

Her gaze full of concern studied you, zeroing in on the gun you clung on for dear life against your stomach. Her hands lovingly brushed your hair, gripped your shoulders and elbows even though you were disgustingly clammy all over. It was grounding, anchoring within the ocean of pain washing over you in waves. 

“Oh, why are you sweating so much? You’re freezing.” You clutched the gun harder in a panic when she grasped it, most likely to put it away. It was the wrong reaction to have, but you weren’t exactly in the position to function healthily. 

Mom, as any other person would, got suspicious from it, her eyes flying up to your owlish ones — blanked out like a frightened animal. “You’re fine now,” she whispered, thankfully attributing it to how disturbed you must be, still not out of survival mode. “You are safe, my daughter. Mom is here.” She cupped your cheek, but every touch to your body hurt now, even when it was away from the gaping wound, still gushing blood, trickling down your hips and getting you scared that it’d be discovered once you stood up. “I’m here.” She searched your soul to know just why you were grimacing at her attempts of comforting. “I will take this now, you do not need it anymore.”

You snapped out of the gradually darkening gray haze mom’s lulling was laying you down gingerly into. “No, please don’t,” your breathing hitched. She was going to see. She couldn’t see. You had to avoid this somehow, as long as you could. Grandmother’s tent. You would make it, you had to.  “I’ll… I’ll just sit here for a while, okay? I need to just… take a small break, and then I’ll… Can you go back? I’ll follow later. Father is angry, I don’t—”

“Nonsense.” Incredulous and enraged suddenly about something you couldn’t put a finger on, and before you could stop her, she tried to haul you up with her by gripping your upper arms — colors exploded behind your eyelids, getting you you to lose consciousness for two seconds, your vision flooding back in a starry kaleidoscope. When mom’s voice reached your ears, it was in staccato exclaims your ears were ringing too much to discern. She was shaking you. 

You weren’t able to sit up straight anymore, leaning forward — mom had caught you, utterly confused and panicked at the same time. And then your head was lying on the crook of her elbow resting on her legs she’d tucked under herself. The moment you’d switched from sitting to straight up lying down was missing from your memories. 

A baby being cradled. Yes, this is exactly what it was like. Gentle arms surrounded you amidst the pulsating sea of agony. 

Your body was letting go, but your arms were vices around the gun, still holding that last line. Don’t let go. Don’t let go. They can’t know. Father will be so mad if he learns. “‘m okay… ‘st restin’…”

When your eyes cleared enough for the surroundings to be only a bit blurry, your mom was looking at the hand she’d just tried to take away the gun with, caked with your blood that had stained it, out of it and perplexed like she didn’t want to believe it. 

Her gut-wrenchingly stunned numbness sent the misery clawing its way inside into overdrive, pulling your consciousness down to the earth from the clouds it was ascending to. “Not mine,” you forced out, but it came out as begging. Everything was falling apart. The plan was so simple, why couldn’t you do anything right? “Not mine. Please. Mom, it’s okay.” 

“No…” Mumbling, she started sharply swaying back and forth, and with one brutally vigorous attack, she ripped the gun away from your arms, and hurled it away — then it was over. Your sob wasn’t due to the motion hurting you, it was all entirely for the broken wail of your mother at seeing the bloodied mess, tears spilling from her eyes as she reached down to press down at the pouring liquid. “No! No! Oh Great Mother! Why did you hide this! Oh, my daughter!” 

“No, mom, I’m fine, it’s nothing. Not my blood. Not my blood, okay?” You reached up weakly and wiped at her cheeks with trembling fingers, your heart got crushed worse than the pain could beat you down at her grief — lungs constricting. Where was all the air?  “I’ll get up. I’ll go to grandmother, don’t cry. Just resting.”

Frantically looking around, she yelled, “Jake!—” but her voice didn’t quite come out, breathy as if she’d been punched in the ribcage seconds prior.

A heartbeat’s worth of nothingness, after which you were full-on freaking out. Only one thought: Father will be angry. 

“No!” You shrieked, and blood swelled in one strong pump against mom’s fingers. She looked down at you in anguish, pupils blown wide, arm tightening around you as if you were a flailing bird. “Don’t tell him! Don’t tell father! He’ll really kill me for this—”

“No, no no no,” she shook her head, frenzied, tone cracked from beginning to end. “Do not say that. Don’t you ever say that—”

But you were struggling in her arms, wanting nothing but to crawl away into a hole, no reason registering whatsoever, only instinct. “He’ll be so angry,” you begged, pleading, pink spit bubbling at the corners of your mouth. The sound of gurgling accompanying the words you forced your whole body to form. “You can’t tell him — you can’t! He already hates me!”

The more you thrashed around and kicked your legs, the more you bled.

“Please, Great Mother!” The more mom lost her mind, hissing and howling hysterically, crazed, hugging you tighter and rocking. “Jake! Jake! Ma’Jake!” She put her temple against yours. “Not my daughter, please, Eywa…”

Why was she being like this? It wasn’t that serious! You were okay!

Delirium claimed you hot as she kept calling his name and her unbreakable hold on you kept you in a cage of a mother’s despair. In your feverish mind, a threat to your life was coming. Weakness spread like wildfire around your body and chipped away at the pain, slowly picking it apart to replace it with drowsiness. “Don’t call ‘im,” you continued to repeat, over and over again. “I’m just taking a break. Don’t call him over. He’s gonna be angry. He’ll hate me. He hates me. Please, mom.”

The sentences slurred together, shortened, wilted away pitifully, your voice died down, tongue deteriorating into only echoing, “He hates me.” A withered away, old flute. 

Your ikran was bellowing in the distance and you looked. The torches on cave walls were illuminating him and finally revealing to you his beautiful color scheme.    

And then your father was here, falling to his knees right beside you, his glistening wide eyes flying everywhere around your body — tracing all the blood, hands hovering above you as if he didn’t know where to start piecing a shattered vase back together.   

It was over.

Fully expecting the chastising you were about to receive to shake the floating mountains so bad the enemy would be able to spot you, you began to apologize — pride be damned, this battle be lost, you’d failed anyway. “Please don’t be mad,” you shuddered, meek and unsteady, tunnel vision flickering at the edges only perceiving him. “It’s my fault—I’m sorry—please don’t be angry—”

“Stop talking,” he ordered, rough and harsh, eyebrows knitted tightly, and out of breath — probably because of how hard he was trying to hold the anger back. You knew. That had to be it. “Don’t speak.”

Ah of course. This was only natural when he had refused to utter a single word at you the whole way, denying you the temporary comfort of a simple glance. 

Even the hand he pressed down so ruthlessly firm on your stomach it might as well be a boulder pinning you down was meant to be punishment, the whines your unbreathing lungs couldn’t stop turned into yowls — you hadn’t even noticed your hands were wrapped around father’s wrist in an effort to push him away, scratching him, but he only added his other hand on top of the other in return.

“Hang on, sweetheart, I got you, please hang on a little longer,” he pleaded, but you were already too far gone, Eywa was cruel to have plugged your ears to the endearment you’d been dying to hear from him for so long, making the last things you were aware father said to you the fact that he didn’t even want to hear you talking. 

And you fulfilled his wish. 

taglist: @ihonestlydontknowwhattonamethis@alohastitch0626 @jackiehollanderr @lucciera @qvrcll @iloveavatar @velvtcherie @ssc7514 @goldenmoonbeam @neteyamforlife @itsluludoll @jakesullys-bitch @blubrryy @sully-stick-together @arminsgfloll @alice121804 @noname2246 @justthingzsblog @eywamygoddess @m-1234 @ellabellabus07 @hellok1ttycake @dakotali @bluefire12348 @abbersreads @yellooaaa @aimsro @octavias-next-meat-bite @nikqdn @nao-cchi @spicycloudsalad @yeosxxx @heybiatchz @winxschester @elegantkidfansoul @eichenhouseproperty @kakimakiloh @dueiosy @liyahsocorro @dimplesxx @tigresslily @n8ivatar @strnqer @lillybbyy @jakesullyssluttt @r3dc4ndy @myheartfollower @gcldtom @bunnyrose01 @aceofheartzzz @ghoulbli @slasherfcker505 @ducks118 @megsthings @graykageyama @gwolf92

[stari-hun]

Limbus Maxxing

My live rambles on limbus company as I play (I like Mili so imma play for them).

Prologue rambles under the cut

TRUCK KUN?!

Ok Kaalaa Baunaa ass

Oh great so our name is Dante and we just made a pact with some unknown entities who are vaguely ominous and homosexual

-

Faust: Wassup dawg ur now leader of the squad

MC: what squad??? WHO ARE YOU???

Faust: Not the people killing you

-

OH GOD WHY DOES THE BATTLE MECHANIC LOOK SO SCARY-

Oh god I’m not understanding shit. Can’t wait to overlevel and just be op

-

Panther: 0 stars on Yelp, shit theatre kid performance, will not be going back

-

Ah yes a clock with a time gimmick very unexpected much wow very woah

-

The CG art is so cool, fully how it’s different than the sprites

-

MC is fr deciding trust purely off vibe checking people

-

MC: why is everyone calling me Dante?

Faust: It’s your name

MC: Nuh uh

Faust, ignoring MC: You’ll get used to it

-

Gregor: ay Buddy just to start off with, I’m not judging with anyone’s representation and what they decide to do with their head yk? Your body ur choice

-

Mmm delicious immoral actions and expectations from a higher organization in control the group is forced to rely on. I eat it up every time. Constantine would thrive in this world

-

Ishmael: All of your introductions are disappointing as hell. You do know this is us introducing ourselves to a superior right? We’re working right now.

Also Ishmael: I’m Ishmael

LIKE LMAOO????? All that and she also gives an informal introduction. Also the similarities in the way the intro cards treat Sinners and how Arcanists are treated in hit game Reverse 1999

-

Heathcliff: Yeah I don’t care about trying to please you or fitting in (proceeds to give one of the only proper self introductions)

HELLOOOO???? If he gets angry we contact HR lmaoooo

-

Ok Tsukasa move it on

-

Ah yes, the token autistic member, I see you Hong Lu

Ignoring that lady-

Ah another autistic, this time one with an unfortunate but definitely gendered name. Love me a character who just wants to do their job then clock out

Oh ew Dante is French /silly

-

MC: wow Meursault you’re really one of the polite people here :)

Meursault: This is the normal reaction for this situation

MC: :)

MC’s thoughts: Something’s deeply wrong with him.

-

Outis going on this long chuunibiyou like rant to MC while they have no clue what’s going on still

Outis: I vow to serve you with unrivaled devotion, Executive Manager. My blade is yours to wield.

MC: here I thought you’d be one of the normal ones….

-

MC: I mean I want my head back but eh….. eH

Vergilius: smh, I tell you to go to hell and you hesitate? Smh.

-

Imagine losing ur head and memories and non-binary company takes you, dies, gets revived, and tells you to literally go to hell

-

Faust: Ur strategy game is clearly shit so let me tell you how to improve

-

Vergilius: enough useless chatter

No???? Knowing how to revive people is actually incredibly useful?? I need to know how to be doing that

-

WE HAVE A FUCKING SANITY BAR??? NOOOOOOOOOOO

-

Oh god the designated driver is a speed demon-

-

Yeah Kagamine Rin, speak ur truth

-

Vergilius is such an antiyapper. Get bro some noise cancelling headphones with the way he hates background dialogue

-

Charon: Damn. A missed chance to run someone over.

-

AYYYYYYY MILI SONGGG WRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

-

Oh damn it really is a bus and not a train- though to be fair it is like the outer look of a train just compressed into one car

[slobby-shera]

When the Best Friend Squad departed Bright Moon, none of them were looking forward to their trip to visit Entrapta. Adora, Bow, Glimmer, and Catra were all dreading what would come about of the inventor’s poorly-thought-out experiment to explore other worlds. They had yet to see what results she got but not even Bow was feeling optimistic.

The four landed on the outskirts of Dryl far from the princess’ mountain castle/lab. What they found was worse than they thought. A green portal stood in the clearing roughly the size of a house. Robots were constructed a metallic arch around it with a platform at the base being built. Overseeing it was Entrapta and Hordak, with Emily carrying over some tiny food on a platter.

Hordak turned when he heard their footsteps draw near. “I was wondering when you’d show up.” His tone as disapproving as ever.

Catra scoffed. “Sorry to disappoint, FORMER Lord Hordak.”

He growled but his irritation was snuffed shortly after. “My…apologies. I have much to work on.”

“No kidding,” said Adora. They went through a lot of trouble to keep his true identity a secret. With Horde Prime defeated, peace had arrived to Etheria. However, many wanted Hordak’s head of a stick. Entrapta convinced the princesses to let Hordak stay with her as her prisoner/lab partner and tell everyone he was one of the many liberated clones. Adora was reluctant but willing to give Entrapta a chance. Just one.

“Isn’t it riveting?” Smiled Entrapta. “By my calculations, I should be able to establish a connection to another universe by the end of the year.”

“That’s part of the reason we’re here,” said Glimmer. “Before you try reaching out to anyone, we want you to ensure that nothing can come through until we are ready.”

“Why would I do that?” Entrapta seemed oblivious to the very obvious risk glowing in front of her.

“So that whatever comes through doesn’t try and KILL US!” Catra grunted.

“Highly unlikely. I’ve been monitoring the communications of the other Entrapta’s and they’ve yet to mention anything that dangerous coming through.” She grabbed the tiny cupcakes from Emily’s platter and stuffed them in her mouth while her hair calibrated the console. “I doubt the alternate me’s would overlook something like that.”

“Unless the threat is another you.”

Entrapta paused and thought this over. “Possibly but that’s just one of infinite possibilities.”

Catra was ready to tear her hair out again and leaned against Adora. “Someone else talk her out of this before I have an aneurysm.” It took all of Adora’s strength to keep her oversized girlfriend from toppling her.

Bow stepped forward and asked, “Is there anyway these other universes could find us?”

“Theoretically, yes,” answered Entrapta. “But if they had such a method, I wouldn’t know how to conceal ourselves from it. Hopefully, that won’t be the case.”

This did nothing to assuage the visitors. “We should probably warn the other princesses about this,” suggested Bow.

“I will inform you of any developments,” said Hordak.

“And keep her from destroying reality,” added Catra.

“I will do my best.”

[disturbedbeautywrites]

Home This Christmas - Jake Hangman Seresin

A/N: This Dad!Jake idea has been rotting my brain, so here it is :)

"Our flight is delayed because of the storm." You could hear the heartbreak in Jake's voice as you sat on facetime with him, your eyes looking over your husband. He was on his way back from deployment and it was Christmas Eve. You tried to comfort him, soon hearing little footsteps come running up behind you. "I just wish I had the ford here, then I could definitely make it home to you guys."

You gave him a sympathetic smile, picking your daughter up in one arm and your son in the other. You held them on your hip as you looked at your phone, showing them Jake. "Daddy!" You heard both of them say, giggles leaving their lips at their synchronization. "When will you be home?" Your sons voice now was the sole noise in the room besides the sad sigh that left Jake's lips, his face falling slightly.

"Soon, buddy. Daddy can't wait to hug you both." He tried to muster up a smile as best as he could, biting the inside of his cheek. He had to figure out something. Your kids seemed content with Jake's answer as they started to babble on about Santa and how they were about to make cookies. "Sounds like you have your hands full." You heard Jake's voice tease as you rolled your eyes at him, putting your children down.

"They're mini versions of you, of course I have my hands full." You chastised your husband as you picked up your phone, now face-to-face with him again. "I really really miss you." Your voice was soft and any of the teasing from before was now gone as sincerity filled your words.

"Hey, they're mini versions of you too. I don't recall you complaining when we were making them." He now had a cocky smile on his lips as you watched Jake slowly getting his composure back. It wasn't his first holiday that he missed, but it was his first he's missed since the twins were born. "I miss you too. I'm going to be there tomorrow. I'm going to figure out something." There was determination in his voice that worried you slightly, but you knew better than to question him.

"Just be careful whatever you do." Your voice was a soft warning, his head nodding as a quiet confirmation. "I love you, babe." Him saying those 3 words always seemed to melt your heart, no matter how many times you heard them. "I love you too, Jake."

After hanging up the phone, Jake was on a mission to get himself home to you guys. "Bradshaw, how do you feel about doing something slightly stupid?" The words out of Jake's mouth were enough to pique Bradley's interest, an eyebrow raising in question. "Lets get ourselves home."

The two aviators both grabbed their bags as Jake let him in on his plan, walking over to the rental car center. Luckily for them, the company had a few trucks that they were renting out that came with snow chains. The two of them paid for it together, preparing for the multi-hour long drive back home to San Diego.

However, as they got on the road, the time seemed to fly by. They took turns driving every couple of hours, letting the other get some rest. It was Jake's turn to sleep when they pulled into San Diego, Rooster reaching over to nudge the sleeping man. "Hey, we'll be there in 10." The words were enough to make him feel wide awake, excited to see you and the kids.

As soon as they were in front of your door, Jake jumped out of the truck and looked at the time. It was eight am and that meant that you would be up with the kids any moment. He nodded at Bradley and bid his squad-mate farewell as he walked up to unlock the door.

You were standing at the stove in the kitchen making breakfast and about to call Jake when you heard the front door open. "Merry Christmas!" You heard Jake's voice echo throughout the house, making your eyebrows furrow in confusion as you watched your two kids run into the living room. "Daddy! Daddy!" You dropped the spatula you were using, walking into the living room and tearing up at the site of your husband kneeled down and hugging your kids.

"I told you I would make it home today. Merry Christmas, baby girl."

[gummybear1178]

F-14 (Family of 14) Chapter 9: 3 Pairs of 2

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Also on AO3:  

Hope you guys enjoy! If you want on the taglist let me know! (See guys I am learning Tumblr)

Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!

The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers!

Feel free to leave requests and ideas

Bradley was only a little confused. Out of the blue the previous night he had recieved a text from Jake 'Hangman' Seresin, wanting to meet up.

They agreed on Jake bringing food to Bradley's house.

And so that was what was happening.

Bradley sat on his couch waiting on the sound of a vehicle driving up and a knock on his door. He couldn't fathom what Hangman of all people would want to meet up with him about.

Soon the curious knock finally came at the door.

Bradley made his way to the door, not having a clue what would follow this.

"I brought the food." Jake said with a smile as he held up two bags of food.

"Good, cause I am starving."

Jake set the foor out on the coffee table in front of the couch as Bradley grabbed them each a soda from the kitchen.

"So, Hangman, what's this sudden meet up about?" Bradley asked walking back in.

"Jake." Jake corrected between bites of his burger.

"Alright, Jake," Bradley said, his head now more frazzled than before. "What's up?"

"I figured if we are going to be on a squad together permantly I might as well get to know everyone better." Jake reasoned.

"Forgive me for my confusion here Jake," The word still felt foreign in Bradley's mouth. "But that's not exactly in character for you."

"And what do you know of my character?" Jake asked.

"Pretty much what we all know, you are a show boating loner with an ego larger than the Navy's fleet."

"No, that's Hangman's character." Jake corrected. Figuring that being direct was the best way to go about this.

This made Bradley pause before he could take the next bite of his burger.

"Talking about ourselves in third person now?"

"Not exactly, I..." Jake tried to find the words.

"Does this have anything to do with Maverick pulling you aside the other day?" Bradley finally pieced together.

"MavDad gave me some advice, decided to give it a shot." Jake answered honestly, surprised though that Bradley noticed their disappearance.

"What kind of advice did Dad give you? Usually that's more of Pop's department."

"Told me I should try and connect with the squad more. Let them see a little more Jake and a little less Hangman." Jake admitted, if he was going to be direct, might as well go all the way. Maverick said choose a person to focus on and go from there. Bradley seemed to have an in with everyone, so why not start with him. Or atleast that's the logic he was going with.

"So you started with me Bagman?"

"For starters, I don't like being called Bagman."

"Alright, Jake, so you started with me?"

"Figured why not."

"Alright then, I guess we have to get to know each other then."

"How about we start with the deep stuff?"

"The deep stuff?" Bradley gave him a wild look.

"Yea, like, what's your favorite color?"

"Nope, you've stepped over the line there." Bradley shook his head.

"So you've watched Hunger Games?"

"Who hasn't? Great movies."

"Catching Fire was the best."

"Agreed, but you chose to start our opening up to each other with a Hunger Games reference?"

"We each learned something about one another." Jake justified. "But really, what is your favorite color?"

"Hawain print."

"That's not a color, that's a pattern." Jake dead panned.

"Alright Jake, fine then, what's your favorite color?"

"Blue."

"Like your eyes?" Bradley teased.

"No, like the sky."

Only later did Jake realized Bradley had paid attention to his eye color.

"Alright, if we are doing this might as well dive into the deep stuff now that we have passed through the deep stuff gateway of favorite colors." Bradley stated, before contemplating whether to ask his question.

"Out with it, get off your perch Rooster."

"How did you handle everything after you first air to air kill?" Bradley asked softly, looking away for a moment before looking back at Jake in the eyes.

"I feel like Pop's or MavDad might be the better people to ask that quesiton."

"I'm not asking them. I'm asking you."

"Why are you asking me?"

"This whole opening up stuff only works if you answer the questions."

"I know, but I need to know the why before I answer."

"Mav and Ice are too... Close. They practically raised me. I need someone who hasn't known me my whole life and can relate but not them. I just got them back. They can't know my air to air messed with me. I can't jump back into a relationship with them and immeditally trauma dump on them."

"Why not? I met them a few weeks ago and already did."

Bradley's eyes widened.

"You talked to them about it?"

"Yea, you wanted to know how I handled it? I talked to them. Still not perfect with it, but I can sleep without it poping up in my head every night. I have been able to process it. Well as much as you can process something like that."

"I did it saving Mav, but I still had to take a life."

"My first was saving my wingman, my second was saving you and Mav. You can know you saveed your own, but also have to realize to do that you had to kill another. Though they had the intent to kill too. You didn't go out there to kill, you went out there to save."

"You know Jake, I think I can be friends with this version of you. I like you better without the Hangman persona getting in the way."

"I like me better without him in the way too."

---

"Alright Sherlock, what new info do we have to discuss this week?" Natasha asked as she and Bob sat down at a local diner.

They had made it a weekly tradition to make sure they had a night with just the two of them. At first it was just to get to know each other better as Pilot and WSO eventually it turned into two best friends catching up, and of course gossiping about the Squad.

"Hangman and Rooster are totally going to get together." Bob said as he sipped his milkshake.

"Obviously, but they evidently haven't realized it yet. Maverick probably already started the shovel talk when he pulled Jake away the other night." Phoenix agreed taking a sip of her own milkshake.

"When he came back he did suddenly sit next to Bradley instead of standing across the room."

"But even before that they were not so subtly eyeing each other across the room." Phoenix pointed out.

"Honestly, those two are ridiculously oblivious."

"What other info do we have to discuss this week?"

"The rest of the Class of '86 is obviously going to show up soon."

"Definetly, they aren't just going to have 3 show up and no more. It's just a question of when."

"Exacltly, but what's really a question of when is when the rest realize we are together?"

"Nah, they are too oblivous, we are going to have to be obvious to an insane level if we want them to realize."

"I know, Mav literally showed up pictures of his wedding with Ice and you all missed the huge hint." Bob smirked.

"Mav and Ice will figure it out first." Phoenix admitted.

"Probably, but after that it's a coin toss."

"I'm fine with that. I kind of like us as a secret for now." Phoenix added. She liked their relationship the way it was: without any outside pressures. Normally she would tell Bradley about her realtionships are her best friend, but this one she wanted to keep to herself for a while.

"I like to observe more than be the center of attention."

"I know, stealth pilot." Phoenix teased taking Bob's hand across the table.

"You know, you didn't say anything bad when you found out I was your WSO. You instead immediatelyincluded me. None of my other pilots have done that."

"I've gone through a many of WSOs, and you are the first not to mention I was a girl the first time we met. You had my back and I was going to have yours."

---

FLYBOY groupchat

Slider You guys. There is another IceMav

Merlin There literally cannot be.

Hollywood Shush, you didn't have to withness the chomp of '86

Merlin Yea, but Slider and I had to share a bunk with them for months at a time before they acknowledged it.

Viper Lets get back to the whole another IceMav thing, because the Navy can't handle two of them. It can barely handle one.

Ice It's under control

Jester I trust it even less now

Maverick No really it is

Sundown I really don't trust it now

Wolf Back on topic, it's Baby Goose and Hangman

Merlin HANGMAN?

Ice You know him?

Merlin He served under me for a few months. He could fly, reminded me a bit too much of Maverick

Slider Yea, and Rooster has his moments where he reminds me a bit too much of Ice

Viper So we literally have another IceMav

Slider Yep...

Maverick We weren't that bad you guys, they are worse

Slider I didn't see either of them CHOMP at the other

Maverick You didn't see them on the deck after the mission

Ice Dare I say they tried to replicate the photo

Maverick But they hugged instead of shaking hands

Viper Besides all this, when do I FINALLY get to meet my GrandDaggers?

Ice Soon ---

"Alright COMPACFLT, you better put a rush on that GrandDagger meeting or Viper will find a way to get back at you." Maverick looked over at Ice as he cooked.

"Oh don't I know it. Knowing him someone still owes him a favor and will just get him up in a jet during a hop without me knowing."

"That would not surprise me in the least."

"How much longer on the spaghetti?" Ice asked looking up from the email he had just finished after multiple pauses to answer the Flyboy groupchat.

"It's basically ready, just need to grab the bowls."

Ice smirked and stoof up and grabbed the bowls from the top shelf, just out of Maverick's reach.

Maverick rolled his eyes but took the bowl and fixed his dinner.

"What do you want to watch tonight?" Maverick asked turning on the TV as he took a seat on the couch.

"National Treasure? They just released a series and I want to rewatch the movies first." Ice suggested.

"Sounds like a plan. We can watch the second one tomorrow then the series."

Ice agreed as he walked in with his own food and a drink for each of them.

As Ice sat the drinks down on the side tables Maverick grabbed the large blanket that was draped over the back of the couch. As Ice sat down Maverick spread it across the two of them before grabbing his bowl of food once more and leaning against his husband.

"I'm glad we get to do this more often." Maverick said softly as he pulled up Disney plus.

"Me too." Ice agreed between bites of food.

Just before Maverick pressed play on the movie Ice spoke up again.

"I have to go on another work trip in a few weeks."

"How long?" Maverick asked. He knew he couldn't be too disapointed, normally it was him being shipped off everywhere.

"A week and a half. It's conference in London."

"When do you leave?"

"Two weeks from tomorrow."

Maverick nodded as he leaned futher intoo Ice, if that was even possible.

"I know one of the perks of you leading the Squad here was more time together, but they still want meet at all these conferences and meetings."

"I know. I was always the one being shipped off everywhere before this anyway. It was just less obvious because we were both constantly on the move. We already spend more time together than we did before anyway."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I want to leave you."

"I'm sure the kids will keep me busy."

"I'm sure they will."

"We are used to long distance anyway, and this is not even two weeks. We have mastered video chatting."

"That we have."

"Ready to start the movie?"

Ice nodded as they continued to eat their dinner.

Slowly their bowls were put to the side as they cuddled on the couch.

At peace in a way they never thought they would be.

.

.

.

.

Short but sweet with some plot! Hope you guys enjoyed!! Please let me know your thoughts or if yall have any hopes or suggestions! I love hearing your thoughts!

Also be proud I managed to update again so soon! Because I am proud of myself lol. My schedule is wild and unpredictable.

Figured we need a more lighthearted chapter after the past few.

More fluff coming up but with some plot.

[countrymusiclover]

45 - Us Against Triad

Part 46

Her Life Means Everything

@mrs-fanfiction-2001 @the-big-bad-klaus @queenieala @samsgirl93

Walking through the school I chose to wear a cameo long sleeve shirt and ripped blue jeans. My hair in braids falling down my shoulders. Klaus and I brought the girls back to the school early since they were on a mission to save Landon. "My squad answered the Bat-Signal." Hope declared simply.

"She's coming!" Both Saltzman twins grumbled to each other, clearly upset about the information from yesterday.

Nikola scoffed, flashing her wolf eyes towards them. "I need all the help I can get, so please put your twin war on pause."

"Why is he going? He hates Landon." Ralph noticed Jed standing by me. Klaus was near the front door waiting.

Jed explains. "Look, you're the Alpha. If Landon's your pack, that makes him ours."

"Where's MG at?" Kaleb asked, looking around.

Hope headed towards the front door opening it to see armored guards outside. "He's on his way. Let's load up while we wait for him. Come on."

"Oh, sorry. We were about to knock." The leader guy spoke up.

Halting in my tracks I grasped Nik's hand in mine seeing them holding loaded crossbows with stakes among others. "Klaus?"

"Easy love." He mumbled under his breath towards me.

Lizzie snarled standing beside me on the other side. "Who the hell are you?"

"Name's Burr. Triad Industries." The stranger replied back.

Hope and Nikola attempted a spell together but nothing happened. "Propellere."

"Kids get out of here. We'll handle them." I declared vamping forward with Kaleb following my tail until his hand started burning from the sun. Getting in the sun I groaned feeling my hands bursting into flames until I vamped backwards into Klaus's arms.

He scans me over carefully seeing confusion written on all of our faces. Something was clearly wrong if our witch spells and daylight weren't working. "Bloody hell, Maddie!"

"What you don't got is magic. Which is why your daylight ring won't work. And what we have are stakes, wolfsbane... and other things. So I think you should invite us inside." The Triad guy declared before their entire team entered the school. They were in search of a magical artifact that belonged to Malivoire.

Klaus closed the door behind me quickly locking it so we were in the kitchen by ourselves. Rubbing my thumb over one of my hands I sucked in a breath still not believing that they made a way for my daylight ring to not work. The only way it didn't work is if the witch that cast the spell undid it as far as I know. "This shouldn't be possible...Klaus what are you doing?"

"Since you and the girls can't leave the school. I'll go out to stop them." He opened one of the kitchen windows staring at me with that determined father look on his face. "I'm the hybrid. They can't keep up with me."

He started climbing out the window until his back hit the sun and he started to burn. I gasped, covering my hands over my mouth quickly yanking him back inside. "Klaus. Oh my god!"

"Bloody hell...that shouldn't be possible!" He bared his teeth with me running my fingers through his hair. "I'm the hybrid...and an original...we don't need daylight rings!"

Blinking my eyes his wounds weren't healing as fast as they normally would. "Then it must be something surrounding the school. Meaning we're completely trapped here. We need to find our daughters." Footsteps headed towards Alaric's office when we entered the hallway, causing me to gasp seeing the Triad guy drawing a gun towards our daughters and the Saltzman twins.

"You're not very scared of me, are you? How about now?" The Triad guy said, finally holding the gun in his hands.

Hope chuckled not thinking he was serious. "That's your plan? You're gonna shoot a kid?"

"Plus if you do I'll rip out your vocal cords and put your head on a spike!" Klaus growled when the Triad guy just smiled in our direction as we stood behind the kids.

He explained loading the gun right in front of our eyes making me gulp in fear. "This gun would never harm a human child. You three, however... These bullets were formed from the mud of the Malivoire pit and weapon by Triad scientists. They can break the skin of any supernatural like a hot knife through butter. Fester. Infect them. Disintegrate them from the inside out."

"We don't know where the chalice is." Josie exclaimed, shifting her gaze to her friends.

Burr smirked, slowly moving the gun in between pointing it at each girl. "I believe you. This is just for fun, really. Eeny... ...meeny... ...miney... Moe." He fired the gun shooting Josie who jumped in front of Lizzie who was going to get shot.

"It's okay. It's okay. It's okay." Hope and Lizzie lowered her body to the ground.

Creating my fangs I vamped forward about to snap Burr's neck but he apparently had one bullet left in his gun because he pulled the trigger almost hitting me in the heart. "Mom!" Nikola and Hope screamed in terror.

"Maddie - urgh Maddie!" Klaus vamped forward catching my body as I collapsed onto the floor. Gripping the sides of his black jacket I gasped seeing a dark liquid covering where the bullet went in.

Burr put the gun away as some men entered the room putting us all inside the cell in the basement. "Lock them up."

Pressing my back against the wall I winced trying to remain calm. Josie had Hope and Lizzie at her side while Nikola was on the other side with her father. Klaus gripped my freehand in his with my other made into a fist. "You're gonna get thrown this, Maddie. You hear me. I love you."

"I love you too, Klaus..." I sucked in s breath squeezing his hand in mine watching Nikola struggling to not start sobbing.

Hope was watching us then focused back on the Saltzman's. "You guys, I'm so sorry. I mean, I dragged you both into this, and I have absolutely no idea how to get us out of it."

"Well, that is just not good enough, Hope. My sister is clearly dying, and we did not wait ten years to become friends with you and your twin for you to not come through with your annoyingly perfect Hope Mikaelson heroics when we need you the most." Lizzie shakes her head crying while holding her sister's hand tightly.

Josie agreed with her taking a hold of Hope's hand before Lizzie took a hold of our daughter's other. "She's right, for a change. It's hero time, Hope." Secours later the guard that was watching us dropped to the ground revealing MG who broke us all out.

Klaus draped an arm around my waist helping me walk through the school until we made it upstairs to our daughters room. He lays me down on the bed tucking my hair out of my face as Hope explains. "Dad, we have to go get Landon and put whatever is blocking our powers down."

"Then I'm coming with you." He rose to his feet still grasping my hand in his.

Nikola raised her hands in the air, not agreeing with him coming along. "Dad, I know that you want to rip them apart. But mom is in pain and may not have long unless we stop them. So you have to stay here and protect her."

Shifting my body around so I was sitting up more against the pillows I waved the girls over with my hands. Feeling a sharp pain racing to my heart. "They're right, Nik...girls come here.."

"I love you, mom. Always and forever." Hope mumbled through some tears intertwining one hand with mine. I could hear her heart skipping a beat with worry.

"I love you too, mom." Squeezing my hand in hers I grabbed Nikola's hand too where she was crying heavier than her twin.

Pulling them both in a hug at the same time I sighed in relief. Each of them throws an arm around me leaning into my embrace. "Girls, I want you to listen to me. No matter what happens to me I love you. I love you so much - and I am so thankful that I got to be a mom and have you two. Just remember, that I will love you always and forever. Now go save the school my little heroes."

Nikola's POV

My sister and I quickly entered the Triad building hearing a creature fighting someone. My sister gasped using her magic to prevent the last piece to raise Malivoire. Whipping my head around I gasped seeing the creature trying to kill my boyfriend so I rushed forward gripping the metal bars. "Landon!"

"Nikola...I knew you'd find me." He gasped in relief at seeing the two of us.

My sister sat down the final piece getting in a fighting stance nodding in my direction. "I just followed the clues you left in that voice mail. You're great at riddles. We should probably add fight training to your coursework, though. Feel free to take notes."

I ran forward running forward where the creature focused on us swinging his chain of bones but he throws me on my back harshly where my sister attempted a spell on him but it didn't work. "Incendia!"

"He won't die. You know sci-fi stuff. Help me. How do we kill him?" Groaning I forced myself to my feet snapping off on my boyfriend.

He tried to correct me but I wasn't in the mood. "Uh, Headless Horseman is more fantasy."

"Get to the helpful part. Ignari!" I snapped throwing a spell but it didn't work yet again.

Landon snapped his fingers seeing a head hanging from the creatures cap. "In-in the O.G. cartoon, he had a pumpkin head. That... he might keep it with his horse? Correction! He's got it under his cape. kill the head, the body dies. That's science faction."

My sister grabbed a pole knocking the head away from the chain. Running forward I grabbed the head and another pole stabbing it straight through where the creature fell dead onto the floor. "We did it...we actually did it." I breathe out running my fingers through my hair until I looked down to my soulmate. Bolting down the stairs I jumped into his arms where he stumbled backwards a little catching me stumble a little.

"Woah easy there...so uh what now?" He asked holding me up smiling sitting me to stand on my own feet.

Resting my hands on his shoulders without thinking I leaned up on my toes pressing my lips onto his mumbling in between a long kiss. "I love you..."

"What?" He tried breaking the kiss.

Wrapping my arms around his neck I drew him back in for another long kiss. "Before anything else happens you need to know that I love you..." Breaking the kiss I stared into his eyes feeling the bond just telling me to just keep kissing him. "I was terrified that what I was feeling was just the soulmate bond but I don't care...Like we wouldn't be like my parents...but now I don't care...'Cause I love you, Landon Kirby."

"I mean, it wasn't a huge secret, because I love you, too, Nikola Mikaelson. And I forgive you for anything that needs it. And I know it looked like I was losing when you got here, but that's just how Phoenix combat looks, so..." He replied grinning ear to ear resting a hand to my cheek kissing me deeply.

Twisting my hands into his curls I deepened the kiss. Landon wrapped an arm around my waist moaning into the kiss until we heard Clark's voice making us separate. "Nothing like young love, is there? Shame it has to be so short-lived." He throws the knife into the pit of goo.

"No!" My twin cried before Landon picked up the chain of bones throwing it around Clark's neck killing him.

I gasped feeling turned on by my boyfriend's sudden moves. "Damn. Phoenix combat's no joke."

"Guys we've got a big issue." Hope blurted out trying to think of a way to stop it. "Nothing's ever immortal. I mean, not really. Nature won't allow it. There's always a loophole."

Landon looked for an idea from her or me. "Any brilliant ideas? Because I think we're running out of time."

"Just one. But you're gonna hate it." My sister stepped forward cupping the side of his neck then snapping it quickly knowing he would come back.

I gasped sharply, bending on a knee beside his body. "Hope, what the hell. Why would you do that!"

"Because he would have tried to stop me. Now I need you to put what I say down in your phone for Dr. Saltzman-" She started but I cut her off handing her my phone. "Just call him yourself."

She put Dr. Saltzman on speaker phone so I could hear him too. "Hope, tell me what the hell you're about to do right now before you do it."

"Clarke won. He found the final artifact, and he tossed it into the pit, which is Landon's father, by the way. And now Malivore's gonna rise unless I stop him. Landon got all the answers, but, basically, Malivore was created by the blood of a werewolf, a witch and a vampire. It used to be that only they could destroy what they created, but nature found a loophole. By making me and Nikola." My sister scoffed, dropping her freehand at her sides staring at me. "The Tribrids. I'm the loophole."

Dr. Saltzman raised his voice as I was putting the pieces together. "Hope, you listen to me. Now, this is a theory, okay, and you don't even know if this is gonna work, so you just sit tight, and you wait for me to get there."

"Sis, are you insane? It'll break mom and dad's heart if you do this. And what you're just gonna leave me without giving me a say!" I shouted at her, feeling some tears welling in my eyes.

She spoke out to both me and Dr. Saltzman provided a point that we were important. "After all this time, I mean, my purpose is finally clear. Think about it. I'm the answer to all of this. I can remember things about Malivore that no one else can. That Triad weapon didn't affect me. Did my blood heal Josie and our mom?"

"I am not okay with this." He warned through the phone.

"Neither am I. We're twins, sisters, each other's best friend.." I felt my voice croak alongside some tears.

Hope sighed grasping my hand in hers where I caught sight of our matching bracelets hitting each other. "I know. But you will be, because once I toss myself into that pit, no one at school will remember me. Including you." We thought it was cute how mom and aunt Caroline had rings so we made our own.

Dr. Saltzman begged her, trying to talk her out of this. "Hope. You listen to me."

"I don't want anyone at school to miss me, because they're my friends. Maybe I would have seen that sooner if I hadn't been beating myself up all this time." She started crying to our uncle knowing that one of us had to make the hero move. "This is where you tell me that even though you wish you could change my mind, you know I'm doing the right thing. This is the part where you tell me you're proud of me."

Uncle Ric's voice started breaking as I attempted to wipe away more tears that kept coming. "You know I'm proud of you. You know it. What is it you need me to do?"

"Call maintenance. Have 'em pack up my room. Take my files, all those notes I know that you keep about me, and burn them. Along with Landon's journal." My twin explains sternly to him.

He kept disagreeing as I noticed Clark was starting to wake up but I might just be overly emotional. "Listen, if you want to erase yourself, that is on you, okay, but you can't ask me to do it, too."

"I'm sorry, Dr. Saltzman. But I trust you more than I trust anyone." She admitted before hanging up the phone taking my other hand in hers pulling me in for what would be our last hug.

Burning my face into her shoulder I struggled to get my words out. "How could you do this...how could you not tell me or our parents. I can't...I don't want to forget you, sis. We're supposed to face life together always and forever...I'm gonna jump with you-"

"No, Nikola you can't. You don't have to do this. I have always looked up to you because you look out for me. Being the hero and all...so now I'm taking your place. So you can live a happy life with Landon." She mumbled into the hug.

I barely broke it grasping her shoulders just letting myself cry. "But I want you there with me too, Hope. So let me jump with you."

She moved one hand up to my cheek sniffing through tears before I felt her do a spell making my body collapse onto the ground. She wrapped her bracelet around my wrist mumbling before I passed out. "I love you, Nikola."

"Dr. Saltzman?" Rubbing my eyes I heard Landon's voice talking to uncle Ric.

He replied through the phone. "Landon. I'm on my way."

"Okay. Uh... I don't... I don't really know what happened." My boyfriend runs his fingers through his hair seeing that I was awake.

Dr. Saltzman clearly was confused and I could hear it in his voice. "Yeah, well, that makes two of us. I just found a note that you'd need me."

"I guess I do." My boyfriend hung up the phone pulling me up to my feet seeing that I was wearing matching bracelets on each wrist. "How did you get the same bracelet twice?"

Shrugging my shoulders I hold it in hand seeing one charm that has different initials then mine which doesn't make sense. "I have no idea. Do we know anyone with the initials H. M?"

Officially done with Legacies season 1

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[dragonsdiction]

Det. Collins and Greene

Detective Tom Collins and Chris Greene were in hot pursuit of a stolen vehicle, their squad car racing through the streets with sirens blaring. Tom Collins was behind the wheel of his unmarked squad car, with Detective Chris Greene in the passenger seat, as they chased the stolen vehicle through the crowded streets of the city. "Come on, come on, keep up with them, Collins!" shouted Greene, as they weaved in and out of traffic. "I'm trying, I'm trying!" Collins shouted back, sweat pouring down his face."We've got to stop them before they hurt someone!" shouted Greene, while Collins gripped the steering wheel tightly as they swerved around a corner. "I'm trying!" replied Greene, his hand hovering over the radio as he called for backup. The stolen car careened through the crowded streets, narrowly avoiding pedestrians and other cars. "They're heading for the farmers market!" Collins yelled, his heart racing as they closed in on the vehicle. Suddenly, the stolen car made a sharp turn and barreled towards the market, sending vendors and shoppers scattering in all directions. "They're not gonna make it!" Greene shouted as the car smashed into a dumpster at the edge of the market. The car crunched and bent as it hit the dumpster, smoke and sparks flying as the car came to a stop. Collins and Greene quickly got out of their car and approached the stolen vehicle, guns drawn. "Don't move! Hands where I can see them!" Collins shouted, as the two car thieves stumbled out of the car, bleeding and dazed. "Looks like we caught ourselves some real winners here, Collins," said Greene, as they handcuffed the thieves and read them their rights.

Later that evening, detective Greene and Collins were at the gym, pumping iron in their work clothes. They talked about the car chase they just had.

“Greene, you think those car thieves had a death wish or something?” Collins asked, grunting as he lifted a heavy weight.

“Are you kidding me? They should’ve known better than to take the road to the farmers market. That’s a one way street,” Detective Greene replied, as he did his third set of dumbbell curls while smoking a cigar. A few months ago, Greene and Collins solved the mystery of the vanished safe at the gym, and as a result, they were awarded lifetime memberships and could pretty much do as they pleased at the gym.

“They must’ve been out of their minds to think they could outrun us. Plus, heading towards the farmers market is like taking a shortcut through Times Square during rush hour,” Detective Collins added with a chuckle.

“Yep. Stealing cars in this city is like signing your own death warrant.” Detective Greene said, as he struggled to finish his last rep.

Detective Tom Collins and Chris Greene walked out of the gym, the door slamming shut behind them as they stepped onto the parking lot lit by street lights. As they approached their cars, Greene's face fell as he realized his car was missing. "My car! It's gone!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief. Collins looked around the parking lot, "Are you sure it wasn't towed? Maybe you parked in a handicapped spot or something." Greene shook his head, "No, I know where I parked it. It's been stolen." The two detectives looked at each other, both wondering who would be brazen enough to steal a police detective's car.

Detective Collins looked around the empty parking lot, his eyes scanning for any signs of his partner's stolen car. "Do you know who I think it is?” Detective Greene said. “ This must be payback for the perp we just arrested."

Just then, Detective Collins' phone rang. He answered it and a strange voice on the other end spoke. "If you want your car back, you'll release the farmers market dude," the voice said.

Detective Collins furrowed his brow. "And what happens if we don't?"

"Let's just say, you won't be getting your car back," the voice replied, before hanging up.

Detective Greene and Collins exchanged a worried look. "Looks like we have a problem," Collins said, as they both knew they couldn't let a criminal go free.

It was lights out in the cells at the precinct when the two detectives were dropped off by an Uber. As they walked down the dimly lit hallway, Detective Greene turned to Detective Collins and said, "Alright, let's wake this guy up. I want to know what he knows." They walked into the cell block and approached the cell where the perp was sleeping. Collins banged on the bars, "Wake up, sunshine. Time to have a little chat." The perp groggily sat up, rubbing his eyes. Greene chuckled, "Looks like someone had a rough night." The perp glared at them as they unlocked the cell and led him to the interrogation room. Collins took a seat across from the perp, while Greene leaned against the wall, lighting a cigar. "Alright, let's hear it. Where is Detective Greenes car?" The perp smirked, "I ain't telling you nothing." Danson leaned forward, grabbed the perp's head and banged it against the table, "Oh, you'll tell us. One way or another." The perp fell back on his seat with a small cut on his forehead. “Alright, alright, alright!” He whipped his forehead. “Sammy’s Auto Shop. Ask for Greg.”

“Thanks asshole.” detective Greene said as he put out his cigar. “If you sending us out on a wild goose chase, next time I see you, I’m shoving that whole table up your ass.”

At Sammy's Auto Shop, Detective Collins had Greg pinned against the wall in his garage. "Where's the car? You know the one I'm talking about, the 1970 Dodge Charger RT," Collins growled, his face inches from Greg's. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," stammered Greg, his breath smelling of alcohol. "Come on, Greg. We both know you're not telling the truth. It's two in the morning. You think I'm gonna believe you don't know anything about the car?" Collins pressed, pushing Greg harder against the wall. But despite the shoves and the pressure, Greg insisted he knew nothing about the missing car.

Detective Collins released Greg from his grip, and walked over to Detective Greene. "What are we gonna do? What are you thinking?" Collins asked, looking at his partner with frustration. Detective Greene, who was leaning against a workbench with a cigar in hand and smoke curling around his head, paused for a moment, deep in thought. He then looked up at Collins and shrugged. "I can't think of anything right now. We're just gonna have to wait and see what happens."

They tied him up with duct tape, gagged him and threw him into the trunk of a car they decided to take from Greg's shop. As they drove back to the precinct, they discussed every possibility of where the stolen car might be or who could’ve taken it. They tossed around theories, from a joyride from a group of teenagers, to even a member of the criminal underworld seeking revenge.

As Detective Collins pulled the car into the parking lot of the precinct, Detective Greene instructed him to park in a spot where the chief wouldn't spot it. The two detectives walked up to their office, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. Inside, the room was dimly lit by the early morning sun filtering through the blinds. Detective Greene flopped down on the couch, letting out a sigh as he closed his eyes, while Detective Collins sat at his desk, scribbling away at some paperwork. It was five in the morning and the precinct was eerily quiet. "Alright, let's get this report done," said Detective Collins, as he leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. "Yeah, let's just hope the chief doesn't find out about the car and who’s in the trunk" replied Detective Greene, his voice muffled by the couch cushions.

Later, Detective Greene and Collins were rudely awakened by their coworkers rushing in, laughing and joking around. One of them asked Greene if he had found his car and, still laughing, tossed him his keys. "It's parked out back," he said with a chuckle. "It was just a prank all along." But as the laughter subsided, Greene and Collins suddenly remembered Greg, who was still locked in the trunk of the car they had taken from the garage. They rushed out of the office, sprinting to the parking lot of the precinct where they found the car and quickly released Greg from the trunk. Their coworkers watched from the office window, confused and wondering what was going on.

As Detective Greene and Collins's coworkers looked on from the office window, they noticed Greg throwing a fit as he quivered in the brisk cold weather and angrily grabbing the car keys from Detective Collins before driving off. After realizing that their coworkers were watching, Detective Greene and Collins nonchalantly shrugged it off and returned to their desks.

[biggest-stupidhead]

I was wondering if you’d be interested in doing a nsfw story about Levi + f reader getting walked in on by one of the cadets? Then Levi needing to the the Corps about their relationship then ending with some fluff/Levi holding his ground when others are upset about about a relationship in the workplace? I would really appreciate it 🥰

AN: this is such a cute request! I feel like I could've done a better job with this one so maybe I'll come back to it haha

Summery: Jean, Sasha, and Connie walk in on you and Levi. Chaos ensues.

Word Count: 1.7K

Warnings: oral sex fem receiving, cussing.

kinda steamy in the beginning so a put a cut just in case you aren't into that ;)

______

Moments like this were fleeting and far between. You took what you could get, in empty storage rooms, open fields, in his office. Levi's breath was hot against your lips as he pressed you up against his desk, his knee slotted between your legs. You pulled away briefly to jump onto his desk, sweeping the papers off to the side. He shot you an irritated look but you only smirked wryly back at him. His hands were planned on your knees, prying them apart with fervor and then tugging you closer to the edge so he could press his growing bulge to your own needy cunt.

You groaned and rolled your hips into his as he pressed his hungry mouth to yours. You opened your mouth wider, allowing him to slip his tongue in and properly taste you.

"Levi, we've got to hurry." You felt delirious as he kissed down your throat, his lips burning your skin. His fingers began to tug at the straps of your gear and you began to unbuckle his own belts and buttons. After you had both been stripped of your tops he continued to kiss his way down your chest, gently urging you to lay back on the desk. You did so, propping yourself up on your elbows so you could watch as he tugged your pants down to rest at your ankles. He lifted your legs over his shoulders, bringing his mouth to your dripping pussy.

You spread your legs as wide as you could but he grabbed your thighs and brought them to press tightly against his ears, his stormy grey eyes blown out. You whimpered as he liked a fleeting stripe up the length of your pussy, your hips rolling to meet his tongue. He had just begun to tease your clit when the sound of the doorknob rattling made your heart leap into your throat.

"Levi" your fingers that had been in his hair, pushing him closer to you now tugged his hair, urging him to get his face out from between your legs.

"Mf" His voice was muffled as he still had his lips pressed against your cunt.

"Stop!" You hissed, but it was too late, the door swung open, Jean, Sasha, and Connie stood with wide eyes as they took in the scene before them.

"Captain!" Connie cried, Jean's hands flew to either side and covered his friends’ eyes, while his remained wide as he watched Levi scramble to cover you. You pressed yourself against his back, looking over his shoulder.

"Get the fuck out." Levi's voice shook a bit and Jean nodded, steering his friends away before reaching back for the doorknob and slamming the door shut.

"I told you to stop." You hissed, fingernails digging into his shoulders. His hand was pressed over his eyes, hiding the flush that had developed on his cheeks.

"I know." He groaned, turning to face you, his usual stoic exterior slowly falling back into place.

“Well, what do we do now?” Panic was bubbling up in your throat, thoughts of the cadets going to Erwin or even worse, Hange.

“I’m thinking.” Levi stepped away from you, the mood ruined. You stumbled off of the desk and tugged your pants back on, hurrying to buckle your gear back on.

“We can’t not address it.” You thought aloud as Levi buttoned his shirt.

“I thought I locked the door.” Levi seemed to still be in shock, and you felt for him.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, they saw and now we have to confront them.” You said tugging your jacket on over your shoulders.

“We should call them back in here. Tell them to keep quiet.” You were pacing now, the bare soles of your feet padding against the pristine wood floors.

“They probably already spilled to half of the regiment by now.” Levi scoffed, stooping down to pick up the papers you had tossed onto the ground.

“We’ve got to try.” You felt helpless, so irresponsible, and guilty. You were here for humanity, you weren’t supposed to get caught up in your lust. You were a soldier damn it.

“Fine, you go round them up then.” Levi flicked his wrist towards the door and you scowled at the back of his head as you marched off to find the kids.

____

You found them in the mess hall, all of the 104th cadets gathered at one of the large tables. You figured that at this point it would be easier to just bring Levi here. But you paused, noticing that they had not yet felt your presence.

“I don’t believe a word out of your mouths.” Reiner sat with a skeptical look on his face.

“Yeah, no way they would do that on Levi’s desk. He’s too much of a clean freak.” It was Armin speaking now, his fingers twisted together as he processed the information.

“You’ve got to believe us! They were about to fuck right there in the office!” It was Jean who was speaking now, Connie and Sasha both began yelling over him in a hurry to agree. You decided to cap it now before it got too rowdy and anyone else walked into the conversation.

“Cadets,” You rounded the corner you had been hiding behind and they all stood, chairs scraping against the cobblestone floors. Their firsts were clenched over their hearts as you stood with your chin held high.

“Stay here we have something that needs to be discussed.” Their faces were flushed with embarrassment at being caught gossiping. Then slowly sat back down as you retreated, hurrying to get Levi. You came back a few short minutes later, Levi in tow the cadets were silent now, faces turned down to look at the table.

“...” The silence was thick as Levi remained by the door, clearly, he wanted you to take charge here.

“The rumors are true.” You said simply, their heads whipped up, eyes wide with astonishment.

“Captain Levi and I are in a relationship. We’re sorry that you three saw us earlier.” You apologized and Connie’s ears were so red as he avoided eye contact with you.

“I thought relationships were strictly forbidden,” Jean mumbled, and you inhaled sharply.

“They can be...tricky. But I don’t feel that we have to explain ourselves to you. Our relationship has no impact on you.” You glanced back at Levi who was glaring daggers at the kids.

“But you’re our squad leaders.” Armin looked concerned.

“Yes, and we don’t intend to let it affect our work here.” Levi finally spoke up, taking a few more steps into the room to stand next to you.

“But captain-” Eren didn’t get to finish his thought, Levi held up a hand for silence and he deflated in his seat.

“You’re 16 years old you know better than to stick your noses in other people’s business,” Levi grumbled, and the kids all shared some uneasy looks.

“Or at least I hope.” He turned on his heel to leave and you shot the kids a tight-lipped grin.

“See you guys in the morning.” You waved at them and they all looked at you, clearly, they had more questions. But frankly, you didn’t feel like explaining anything to them.

___

You never got to finish what you started with Levi earlier that evening. Instead, the two of you ended up in his office going through the stacks of paperwork and letters that needed signing. You had been working in silence, sipping on lukewarm cups of tea when there was a soft knock at the door. It was timid and it made you flinch, you looked to Levi since it was his office after all.

“Enter.” He said plainly, not even glancing up from his work. Hange came in with Connie in tow, Connie’s shirt balled up in Hange’s fist.

“I got the best news today.” Hange thrust Connie in front of them, their brown eyes alight with mischief.

“Oh? And what would that be?” Levi refused to give them the satisfaction of acting surprised or nervous.

“A little birdie told me that you two were fornicating here in this very room.” They sat down heavily in the sofa and propped their feet up on the small coffee table.

“Really.” Levi huffed, setting his pen aside and looking up, glaring daggers at Connie.

“I-I swear they just heard me and Sasha talking about it! I didn’t mean to tell them!” Connie fell to his knees, hands clasped together in a pleading motion.

“Hange, this is so unprofessional.” You groaned, running a hand through your hair.

“Oh yeah? And getting down and dirty in the office is professional?” They cackled as you rolled your eyes and stood from your seat. Now it was your turn to manhandle Connie. You grabbed his shoulder and hauled him to his feet, pushing him towards the door. He turned and grabbed your forearm, and you paused.

“You gotta believe me (Y/n) I’m really sorry and I’m happy for you two I really am!” He was rambling and you gave him a soft smile before shoving him out of the door.

“Yeah, Connie I believe you, go to bed.” You ruffled his nonexistent hair before sending him on his way. He smiled up at you before turning and running off down the hall. Hange was still comfortable on the couch, and Levi was still scribbling away at his desk.

“Hange you have two seconds before I lay your ass on that floor.” Levi threatened and Hange groaned before standing up slowly and walking backwards towards the door.

“Bye Hange.” You waved to them and they saluted you, fingers pressed to their forehead as they slipped out of the room and shut the door behind them.

“We’ll talk later.” They promised and you nodded in agreement. Once they were gone you rounded the desk and stooped to press a kiss to Levi’s temple. He grunted but leaned into your touch as you rubbed his shoulder.

“It’s been a long day, you should go to bed soon.” You knew that he wouldn’t but you would never stop trying to get him to sleep.

“Mhm.” He mumbled as your fingers wandered into his hair, massaging his scalp.

“I mean it.” You said, this time pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips. He loosened up, his head turning to finally face you.

“I’ll try...stay a while longer.” His soft plead made your heart flutter and you hummed in response, placing a kiss on his lips.

“Sure, but I’m going to bed.” You laughed and Levi sighed, shoving his work aside and standing to follow you to his adjoining bedroom.

[sochilll]

October 29 - Candy

Day 28 Day 30 All Days (Prompt list)

“Evan, no one’s gonna come.” Jared rolled his eyes.

“Yes they will!” Evan finished taping the caution tape to the front door and let it close. “There’s kids in this building.”

“Yeah but they’re gonna go trick-or-treat somewhere with actual houses.” Jared leaned against the wall, watching Evan dump a bag of candy into an orange bowl with a jack-o-lantern face.

This was the first apartment they’d had that they were considering staying in. It was nice, clean, and maintenance requests were taken care of quickly and efficiently. They’d actually met some of their neighbors too. And now Evan was determined to decorate their front door and hand out candy on Halloween.

“It’s very cute that you’re so dedicated to this cause.” Jared assured him. “But you’re not going to get any trick-or-treaters.”

Evan shot him a look. “Yes I will.” He turned around. “I’m going to get dressed.”

Evan’s costume was lazy. It was one of those black body suits with a skeleton on it. He didn’t want to spend a ton of time or money on a costume if they weren’t going out. And neither of them wanted to go out.

“Put your costume on or I’m banishing you to the bedroom.” Evan warned.

Jared wiggled his eyebrows. “Sexy.”

Evan threw a KitKat at him.

Jared’s costume was possibly lazier than Evan’s. He was a zombie. Meaning, he put on an old shirt he’d worn holes in and smeared it and his face with fake dirt and blood.

“Hey, come here.” Jared came out of the bathroom, freshly zombified.

Evan crossed the room. “What? Need help with the blood?”

Jared shook his head. He grabbed Evan’s hand and pushed his sleeve up. Then he bit his arm, leaving a fake blood teeth mark.

Evan looked at him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Many things.” Jared grinned.

Someone knocked on the door. Evan perked up. He wiped his bite mark on Jared’s shirt and ran to the door.

There were two little girls at the door, their parents a few feet back. One of the girls was a firefighter and the other was Spider-man.

“Wow!” Evan picked up his candy bowl. “You guys look great!” He held out the bowl.

The firefighter looked at him. “Can we get two?”

“Sure.” Evan watched them each carefully select their two pieces of candy.

“Thank you!” Spider-man yelled, and they ran back to their parents.

Evan waved at the parents, closed the door, and turned around to Jared.

“Alright.” Jared rolled his eyes. “Get that smug look off your face. That was one knock.”

Evan proceeded to get enough knocks throughout the night to deplete his candy supply. He saw witches and zombies and animals. There were two babies in pumpkin costumes. There was a mummy and a few princesses and even a traffic cone.

“I’m all out.” He announced after the last little Batman and his squad of criminals ran off. “I’m gonna put a sign on the door.” He grabbed a sharpie and a piece of paper and made a “No more candy :(“ sign. He taped it to the door. “I didn’t think I’d run out so fast.”

“Well you let each kid take like seven pieces.” Jared snorted.

“I did not! I let them take two.”

“You let the bumblebee take four.”

“She was adorable!” Evan cried. “She had tiny little fingers and chubby cheeks.”

Jared squinted at him. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not giving you a baby.”

Evan rolled his eyes. “I don’t want a baby. I want to look at other people’s babies and have none of the responsibility of caring for them.”

“It’s so hot when you talk about not wanting responsibilities.” Jared tugged him back to the couch.

Evan snorted. “You’re annoying.”

“Hey I have a surprise.” Jared shoved Evan onto the couch and disappeared into their bedroom. He returned holding a brand new bag of candy.

“Oh cool! I can take the sign down.” Evan stared to get up but Jared intercepted him.

“Nuh-uh. This is for us to eat. I spent my own hard earned money on it and we will be eating it ourselves.”

“Jared that’s so much candy.” Evan looked at the huge bag.

“Yeah.” Jared tore it open and dumped the contents onto the coffee table. “You can have all the Laffy Taffy. I’m taking all the Skittles.”

“Wait I like Skittles.”

“Sucks. You’ll have to barter with me when we’ve finished dividing them.”

Evan snorted, sliding to sit on the floor beside Jared and help him sort.

“Next year we’ll go to a party.” Jared said, tossing a Crunch bar at Evan.

“Yeah. For sure.”

They’d been saying that every Halloween for the past three years. Evan didn’t mind that it never came true. He liked spending Halloween here, eating candy and watching Halloween movies and arguing with Jared. He liked making out on the couch while a bad slasher played in the background. He liked that Jared silently handed him a pack of Skittles.

[firelord-suki]

Hange and Levi go on a date with the ODM gear ala Rewrite the Stars of Zendaya and Zac Efron in The Greatest Showman :>

Anon! I'm so sorry it took me months to reply to this!!! I've been so busy lately, but in the past two days I decided to take some time to write your prompt, and let me tell you, had a lot of fun doing it!!!

I must admit I never watched The Greatest Showman, but I watched the clip of "Rewrite the Stars" and it gave me some ideas... This doesn't follow your prompt correctly, I took some liberties lol but I hope you like it still.

You can read it here under the cut, or on AO3! Thank you!

Levi narrowed his eyes until he could barely see through the lashes and controlled the urge to place one hand over his forehead to block the sun. Sweat dripped from his neck and collarbone, staining his clothes and making the fabric cling to his body uncomfortably. He disliked the summer, the scalding sun reminded him of previous missions outside the walls on days when the heat and humidity mingled with the burning flesh of titans skin evaporating or the crimson blood of his comrades that clung to his Survey Corps cloak and jacket and refused to be washed away.

The memory drew a sigh out of his mouth. He looked over at his old squad again; all grown up, taller and stronger. Ugh, he was getting old. They were working on the new Paradis railway for days under the unforgiving sun. Their cheeks, noses, and arms were red from the exposure, sweating like pigs. 

“The world can’t see our faces. Why would they ever trust us?” Hange’s voice caught his attention again. He snapped in her direction and found a rare smile on her face. “So… Let’s meet them ourselves. If they don’t understand who we are, we have to just teach them.”

The kids gasped in shock, even Mikasa dropped her mouth open as a confused look washed over her face. Levi liked to believe he kept his semblance calm, but it’s been a while since Hange dropped one of their unusual ideas so casually, so he reacted accordingly, his fingers curled into a fist almost instinctively, more out of worry for their safety than anything else. To walk straight into Marlean territory? If anyone found out about their secret visit… He didn’t want to think about the consequences.

Levi was used to Hange’s peculiar suggestions. He was used to her running straight into battle and leaving her squad behind, used to her putting her head almost inside a titan’s mouth just to observe the creature’s anatomy (or so they explained to Levi after he saved her from the titan’s teeth that would have definitely severed her head from the rest of her body). 

He was used to it all, so he forced his hands to relax. 

All of those incidents were years ago before Hange had the responsibility of being a commander weighing down on her shoulders. But the smile she offered the kids and the twinkle in her eyes… Hange wouldn’t put any of them in danger unnecessarily. 

Her smile… It reminded him of the calmer expeditions outside the walls, the few where there weren’t many casualties and the scouts were able to abide by their original purpose, to explore more of the unknown territory than fight gigantic monsters. Back then, Hange would crouch over a variety of different plants and flowers, she’d analyze the color, the number of petals, and the smell before carving a few out, roots and everything, and place them inside a jar for safekeeping until she returned to the lab to try to keep the flowers alive for new studies.

Now that he thought about it, he was surprised it took this long for Hange to suggest such a thing, she would be the first to hop on the idea of exploring what lay beyond the ocean, but after discovering the secret in Grisha Yeager’s basement, Paradis had been too worried about building up better defenses, finding new allies, adapting their technology… 

There was never enough time… There never would be.

So why not take the opportunity now? They were the Survey Corps, after all. 

***

“You’re grasping at straws.” He finally spoke. They left his old squad to finish their work on the railway less than half an hour ago and had been trotting on horseback as the sun started to set on the horizon. The lack of dense vegetation on this part of the island turned the view into a painting in flames, blazing yet beautiful.

“If it all goes to shit, at least I tried everything I could.” He wouldn’t argue with that, but after so much loss on their side, he wondered how Hange managed to stay hopeful that Marley would even give them a chance to prove they weren’t the island devils everyone else believed. Maybe Hange's optimism was the most attractive part of the whole adventure for him.

“Just don’t beat yourself up if it comes to that. Somethings are out of our control.” He said, his own way of trying to comfort Hange - sometimes doubting those same soothing words. Shiganshina taught him that. The moment he held a bloody Zeke at the end of his blade yet still lost the chance to kill him taught him that. She could try everything and feel guilty for not predicting the future anyway.

Hange ignored him by pretending not to hear. Instead, the commander strained her grip on the horse’s reins and urged the animal to start galloping faster ahead. Only when she was at least fifteen feet further away, with her hair a mess in the wind, did she turn around to face Levi, an old wide grin on her lips.

“Race you back to the barracks!” She screamed before turning her back on him again. 

Levi watched them disappear in that infinity of washed-up red sand and orange sky before deciding to indulge Hange a bit. He began running after them but no matter how fast his own horse was, Hange had the advantage of starting the run first. Just like the war, this race was rigged from the start.

***

A few days before their group departed from Paradis to finally explore Marley, Levi was unable to sleep. He worried about the preparations, about the prospect of someone, anyone betraying them, and handling Hange, Armin, and Eren, their most powerful assets, right into the enemies' hands. It was his anxiety talking more than anything but kept him awake that night anyway. Understandable fear, but unnecessary. Hange, Armin, Onyankopon, and Kiyomi prepared strategies and safety measures in case anything deviated from their original plan. They would be as safe as one can be right in the lion’s den.

Understandable fear, but unnecessary.

Levi gave up on trying to sleep. He needed to do something to keep his mind occupied, to make him feel like everything was under control – even if he was the smallest piece in the puzzle and everything was, in fact, not under his control. He put on the white shirt and the black pair of pants that rested folded by the end of his bed, then, he started to put on the harness of his ODM gear, thighing it a bit more than necessary and only relaxing at the familiar straining of the leather on his body.

He wasn’t the only one who occupied his sleepless nights with training, he had caught Mikasa doing push-ups and fighting stances during odd hours of the morning. They never said a word to one another, always silently understanding the other’s need to release some tension and exercise a little control over the things they could, with the skills they had.

The new Survey Corps coat covered the gear completely once he stepped outside. The blades rattled against gas canisters as he moved, causing more noise than he meant to. Instead of going straight to the training grounds, Levi walked the customary path to Hange’s room. There, he knocked on their door three times and waited. When she didn’t answer, he knocked again, this time, hearing a loud thud and then not-so-light steps coming in his direction.

Hange yanked the door open carelessly. She was still dressed in the uniform, but her messy hair, the lights turned on, and the pile of files waiting on the desk inside the room revealed the truth: Hange fell asleep while working overtime again. Although… her hair was not chaotic as it used to be; unwashed and never once brushed. No, tonight it was pulled into the half ponytail she used to style it in since she became a commander, with only a few strands sticking up. 

Years ago, Hange came to him and asked for a haircut. White bandages still covered her scarred eye and she wore a weak smile that did nothing to hide the grief. She claimed it would be easier to keep it under control if it was shorter, and that now that she was appointed as the commander, she would need to keep up a good appearance while not wasting too much time on grooming in the mornings. 

To Hange’s credit, she was right. After the haircut, she kept her hair as clean and tidy as she could. But back then, as he was cutting locks of it away and ignoring as they fell to the ground close to his feet, he couldn’t help but mourn over the wild and unruly hair Hange had ever since he met her. Mourn over a side of Hange he wouldn’t see again in a long time.

“It’s called effortlessly chic, Levi.” She said, throwing the brown hair into the new style adopted, only days after the haircut.

He couldn’t hold in a snort “Oh, it’s effortless, alright…” Always trying to be sarcastic to hide how truly stunning Hange looked no matter how negligent she used to be with personal hygiene.

“What are you doing here?” Hange stole his attention. God, he was staring. He was staring all this time, reminiscing old memories… But he couldn’t stop staring at her sleepy eyes, the small pout on her lips, or the flyaway hairs framing her face. It looked… cute. “Levi… We’re too old for secret dates in the middle of the night.”

“Tsk. You wish.” 

She frowned “What is it? Did something happen?”

“Nothing happened.” It seemed like an understatement considering the thunder in his heart. “Get your ODM gear. Let’s go for a walk.” He watched as Hange’s eyes went from confusion to excitement in less than two seconds.

Without questioning him further, she moved back into the room to get ready. Levi pretended not to gawk as she put on the equipment, binding the belt buckles together over her chest, waist, thighs… “Oh, what a weird date.”

“Not a date.” He hissed under his breath before starting to walk away. “Let's go.”

The door closed with a click, then footsteps echoed on the corridor as Hange approached him “Mind telling me where we’re going, hm? Or why do we need the gear?”

He took his time to answer it, just until they were outside and the summer breeze refreshed his thoughts. “We’re going to train your abilities. You're rusty, and I don't wanna have to worry about saving your ass while enemies surround us.”

“Excuse you, I’m not rusty!” She raised her voice, clearly offended.

“When was the last time you had to use the equipment? Actually use it… And not just put it on for display.” Hange opened her mouth to answer but it never came. “Can’t remember, huh? Neither can I.” 

He resumed walking. A small groove lay just beyond the tall gates of the headquarters, perfect for a nighttime training session. 

After the Survey Corps cleared the titans that lingered outside of the walls, Hange prioritized the bureaucratic side of the commander position. There was barely any time left to sleep, let alone train. It was a stupid compromise, especially considering their high position and the dangers that came with it. Hange wasn’t helpless but the lack of practice, especially after losing one eye, can leave even the most experienced soldiers vulnerable. Levi should’ve kept her more active, for their own good.

The probability that they would have to use the ODM gear during the short recon trip to Marley was minimal. Minimal but not nonexistent. If the only way to help him feel more secure was to drag Hange out of her room in the middle of the night and force her to train until he was satisfied with the performance, then so be it. Better to be tired than dead, he thought.

Hange must have noticed the worry under his answer, as she didn’t start an argument. They passed the guards placed on night duty by the gates but gave them no explanation as to where they were both going alone. If it weren’t for the uniforms, some might assume the wrong thing… Or maybe the uniforms hid nothing, maybe the rumors about Levi and Hange, the ones that arose just as the recruits arrived and noticed how the two higher-ranking officers always lingered side by side, were too far gone for him to try and restore any integrity they might have left.

At least the recruits were too scared of Levi to tease him as his old companions did. No... He didn’t really mean that. Levi would gladly take their teasing instead of the empty space they left. 

Hange was the only person who remained by his side, he noticed. The only one who met Farlan and Isabel, the only one he could recall memories of the past with over a cup of tea, memories from before their conception of a world was shattered by titan shifters and wars outside the island… the only one he could call a friend. Hange was the only person he had left, so he couldn’t let anything happen to her, especially something that could be easily prevented with a few training sessions.

Their steps transformed from echoes on a concrete sidewalk to the rustling of leaves and the breaking of twigs under their boots. When the forest grew denser and the trees stretched to the starry sky, Levi came to a halt. Hange walked a few more feet ahead, then stopped and turned to stare at him. 

“What now, professor?” She teased. Levi rolled his eyes. In the dark, he could barely see the smirk Hange had on, but he felt it in her voice. 

The only source of light was the moon and stars above, but soon his eyes adjusted and he distinguished the silhouette of Hange’s body in front of him, with one hand over her hip and her head crooked to the side.

He walked closer to her, closer until he could slide the green coat off her body and feel her breath on his neck. “Now we make sure everything is secure. I don’t trust your sleepy self to buckle everything correctly.”

“I don’t even trust my sleepy self.” Hange joked and Levi held in a chuckle. 

Levi started to check the harness, pulling and tightening everything to his liking. He started at the belt over Hange’s chest, not quite touching her body but still feeling the heat that emanated from her skin. He walked around to see the belts on her back; one was a bit loose so he pulled it until the leather was carved into her skin and his fingers brushed over the thin fabric of her dress shirt.

Hange could do this alone, but Levi was glad she allowed him to verify it himself. The task, maybe boring and routinary for a soldier, helped him calm down and concentrate. He walked back to check the belts on her waist and the one looped around her pants. Hange’s breath staggered as his hands skimmed over her belly, close enough to feel her shivering.

After inspecting the compressed gas cylinders, the controller grip, and the hooks, Levi kneeled to finally take a look at the belts wrapped around their thighs. He placed one hand on the back of her left knee to steady himself, then tugged and tightened the harness until he was satisfied with the result. Hange’s hands gripped his shoulders almost immediately to try and keep her balance.

“So… Everything alright?” She asked in a whisper.

Turns out, Hange did everything correctly. Of course, after so many years in the military, she knew the process by heart. He was just too paranoid not to check it himself and make sure the equipment worked smoothly. He couldn't allow her to get hurt due to a lack of attention.

Levi looked up, Hange seemed a little out of breath, the silver buckles of the harness glistened under the moonlight as her chest moved up and down. 

Levi noticed then that his hand moved up from her knee to the middle of her thigh, squeezing the flesh underneath as if he was afraid she might run if he let go. With a ruff, Levi got up and ignored the heat traveling from his chest right into his cheeks. At least it was dark and with enough distance Hange wouldn’t see him blushing.

Levi took a step back and removed his own coat. He shivered as it hit the ground, it was colder than he expected for a summer night. No matter, soon the chill air wouldn't be enough to keep them cool after they started moving. Levi checked his own gear one more time, testing his gas and calculating there was at least half a tank for him to use. Hange did the same, from the sound, Levi gathered that it was fuller than his. Good, her rusty self would use more gas than necessary to get a grip of things again.

“What do you have in mind for this class, professor?” Hange smirked again, now apparently calmer than when he was touching her. 

“Can you stop calling me that? You’re not in the training corps anymore.”

“Oh, would you like me to call you Sir? Or maybe Captain?” He sighed, somehow understanding a bit better why those rumors started.

He ignored her question and shot his hooks at one of the trees surrounding them. One quick tug was enough to know that the cables were strongly secure before firing the compressed gas and being lifted off the ground as the wires were reeled back in.

“Now, you try to catch me.”

Hange started to laugh but stopped as soon as she noticed he wasn’t kidding “Are you serious? I couldn’t do that even when I was at my prime.”

It was his turn to smile “C’mon, I’ll go easy on you.” 

Hange screamed ‘bastard’ as he cut through the wind and trees, angling his hips in the direction he wanted to go. Levi fell into the familiar steps of retracting the grapple cables and shooting them again and again, barely stepping on the branches to keep his balance, always controlling the gas usage not to end up stuck on top of a three, or worse, falling directly into the ground. 

Hange chased behind, not as quiet and definitely not as fast as he could push her to go. As he predicted, she was using a lot of gas to try and get an advantage on him, but that alone wouldn’t be enough. 

“Time the retrieving and firing of the hooks better!” He gave them a small tip, something she was probably able to figure out alone by now, something that would leave her more frustrated and eager to push faster.

“I’m trying!”

Levi propelled his hips forward, the iron wires screeched as they reeled back into the winch, the gas gave him enough momentum to flip mid-air. Okay, maybe he was showing off a little, but Hange could use the rage against him as an incentive. Not that she ever needed a little push to run wild. 

With one glance behind, Levi noticed that Hange was still far away from him. He fired the hooks again to take a break and leaned against a particular sturdy tree nearby. 

There was a weird grace to her movements, she wasn't as controlled and restrained as Levi while using the ODM gear, but feral and fearless, untamed in the middle of the forest. She always took a blind leap ahead and only later decided to look at where it would lead her. Somehow, it worked safely every time.

She flew higher than him that night, almost touching the treetops. Levi couldn't really see her body, only a shadow moving closer, occasionally outlined by the silver light filtered through the gaps of foliage above. She stopped abruptly, reaching the highest point and turning off the gas supply to descend. A web of tree branches extended ahead, but Hange fit perfectly in between. Falling fast, she managed to avoid the sharp points without a scratch on her clothes. Halfway down, she leaned into a diagonal fall, using the thicker portions of the tree limbs to run straight in his direction. 

Resourceful and a quick thinker, a deadly combination at her disposal.

Levi resumed running, Hange was getting dangerously close to his liking. She might actually catch me, he thought, and an excited smile formed on his lips. So the commander hadn't completely forgotten how to maneuver like a maniac. Old habits with the ODM gear fell in place, her muscles remembered the movements that she relied on years ago. 

The anxiety from earlier faded, leaving only the adrenaline behind. He wasn't putting too much strength on his body, but sweat started to collect at his nape and forehead. He was surprisingly having a good time now, different from other training sessions where he pushed his body to the limit and ignored the exhaustion creeping into his bones.

Maybe he should tease Hange a little. Keep things fun for her.

He slowed down, allowing her a chance to get closer. 

“I know what you’re doing, Levi!” She cracked into laughter, the sound mixed with the annoying noise of their equipment functioning “You’re gonna regret it later.”

She pushed her feet against an oddly twisted tree trunk and, along with the impulse, she shot the hooks and fired more gas. A sufficient spurt for Hange to conquer more of the distance between them. He could hear her clearly now; the hooks of her ODM gear piercing against the trees, the cables shrieking when retracting, the few steps she took to balance herself on top of a resistant tree trunk… A shiver ran up his spine, it all sounded like an approaching threat. Later arrived sooner than he anticipated.

The cables pulled her higher in the air before withdrawing, she curled into a ball and spun, the trajectory formed an arc in the sky before she stretched into full length again and fell straight into Levi’s direction, feet first. He managed to escape by a thread, warned by her shadow looming over. The air around him cut like blades as Hange fell further down, missing him by centimeters. 

Hange almost cornered him in two other stances. In one of them, her fingers brushed the fabric of his shirt and her warm breath met his nape, causing a chill. Levi didn’t like to admit it, but he wasn’t going that easy on her anymore, the effort he put into his movements caused his muscles to burn and more sweat to trickle down his torso. Apart from the slow start, the commander caught up to him and kept a steady rhythm. His biggest mistake was allowing her the chance to get closer. It was a chase, after all.

It was a chase, but somehow it felt like a dance. They moved together as if coordinated, the steps in which Hange grew nearer and barely gave Levi a chance to escape seemed rehearsed. Their bodies swirled together for brief moments before getting separated again; not too far, as if they would eventually be pulled to the other again.

After another failed attempt at trapping Levi, Hange fell further behind. The forest turned silent without her laughter, with only the quick echo of his equipment coming to a halt and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Levi turned around and found her resting at a distant tree. 

“Can we take a break? It feels like we’ve been running forever.”

“You’re really out of shape if you’re already that tired.” He snorted, ignoring how his heartbeat was out of control. He stopped too, but taking a break now made him aware of the exertion he put into the exercise, something that the thrill of the hunt blinded him to. He took a big gulp of air, his breathing as loud and ragged as Hange’s.

Maybe he should stop this madness altogether and resume practice tomorrow. They must have been flying through the forest for what? An hour already? Levi needed to ease Hange into training again, not push her to the limit all at once.  

Their enemies wouldn’t allow a break. Levi shook his head to get rid of those thoughts. Suddenly, his earlier fear about Hange being in danger was a notch too paranoid, not something that required a race in the middle of the night. With a clearer head, he realized… he was just too scared to lose her.

“We should have brought a water bottle.” She said, still out of breath. Begrudgingly, Levi accepted that he felt just as tired as Hange. They should stop for tonight and return home.

Levi moved to the tree where Hange hung limply on the steel wires, hunched over and with her legs dangling free. He landed on the branch just above her head, kneeling and narrowing his eyes to take a better look at her state. She was just as sweaty as him, the white shirt hugged her body tight, and the starlight sculpted the shape of her breasts and waist in a silver halo. He moved his gaze up and noticed that she wasn’t wearing the eyepatch anymore, the thing was probably lost somewhere in the forest below. Her brown hair fell into the familiar mess of years ago, strands of it curled into her face and framed her cheekbones.

Her breathing evened out, and so Levi extended his hand to touch her shoulders “Let’s head bac–”

She gripped his hand and twisted his arm, Levi held in a curse as she pulled him closer. Hange fired the gas again and unhook the grapple cables from the tree as they flew up. Their legs got tangled together as Hange held him in an intimate position. 

“Got you.” She whispered close to his ear, the loose strands of her hair tickled his nose. He wanted to scream about how she cheated and this wasn’t technically a win, but the words got caught up in his throat, surprised at how much he was enjoying it.

Her cylinders howled in a distinctive pitch, a common indicator that they ran out of gas and needed to be refilled immediately. Both reached the highest point seconds later before the equipment failed and they started to fall. Hange had the gall to giggle as they descended to their deaths. 

Levi’s heart skipped a bit. What the hell was Hange thinking when she pushed them both off the tree and to the sky so rashly? He skimmed his eyes through the forest in hopes to find the nearest tree branch that could hold their combined weight. When he failed at that, he shot his hooks blindly, hoping it would grasp something strong enough to give them a moment to find another tree, or at least slow down their fall so the impact wouldn’t hurt as much.

Without letting go of Levi’s body, Hange shot her cables at a crossed motion behind his back. Both of their hooks got caught in something hidden in the background, the wires strained and they stopped abruptly, suspended only ten feet off the ground. 

Hange’s chest pressed against his own, and he felt the exact moment when a laugh started to bubble in her lungs, then escaped free and reverberated in his body.

“You almost killed us both!” He hissed, not quite sharing the fun of it. To Hange’s credit, she tried to swallow down the giggles, but it was too much for her to control it. This close, he caught a hint of the redness spreading across her face, maybe from the exercise, maybe from the laughs, he couldn’t tell, but it provided her a radiance that left him mesmerized. 

“Oh, Levi,” she started, calming down from the fit of laughter “I’d never let you fall.” The words were just a ruse to make him forget the incident, he knew that, but it worked nonetheless. 

“Humm…” He murmured, not willing to surrender to her antics. At least not while they continued to swing in the air.

Hange’s cold fingers made contact with his cheek, startling him for one second before he forced his body to stay still. They locked eyes, her right pupil sparkled while the left one vanished behind a bluish-white veil. Levi hadn’t examined her injury this close ever since the colossal explosion that caused it, Hange always hid behind that damn eyepatch. He let go of the controller grips, lifted his hand to carefully push her bangs away, and took a better look at the scar, not out of curiosity, but worry. Did it still hurt sometimes? 

The scar looked clean to his untrained eyes, only one big gash that cut through her eyebrow diagonally and ended by the edge of the eye socket, just above her cheek. He held her hair in place with his palm against her temple as his thumb brushed over the lighter patched-up skin. Hange leaned into the touch, although it seemed more out of reflex than a calculated gesture.

“I’d never let you fall. And I know you’d never let me fall either… I know you wouldn’t.” So Hange saw right through his bullshit excuse for a practice session. He smiled ironically. That’s exactly why they were here training in the middle of the night, right? He was scared for her life. Scared that she would fall and he wouldn’t be there to catch her in his arms. “Someone told me not to worry too much, some things are out of our control.”

He huffed with indignation after Hange used his own words against him. “You could get hurt.”

“And how would that be your fault?” Logically, he knew it wouldn’t. 

They have been soldiers for more than a decade now, dangerous situations came with the job. It was never his intention to question Hange’s abilities… or her choices. She was the commander of the Survey Corps, she knew what she was doing when she proposed the undercover trip to Marley. She calculated the consequences and made her choice willingly. She wasn’t a civilian caught up in a war and needed protection, she was his superior officer and was free to choose her own sacrifices. He couldn’t be that selfish.

Levi knew all of that… so why was his heart still aching with concern? 

In a rush of adrenaline, Levi grabbed the other side of Hange's head, squeezing her cheeks in the process. Her lips formed the most lovely pout he had ever seen and his pulse quickened at the prospect of what was to come. 

Then, he froze. The sensible side of his brain battled with his most secretive desires. It wasn’t just a friendly concern, it couldn’t be. Otherwise, he would’ve dragged every single one of his old squad to nighttime training too, but he hadn’t. Just Hange. His feet took him straight into her door that night and he lied to himself, pretending it was just because of her position in the army.

He had been denying his feelings for so long that he didn’t even know what to call them.

Hange was the one who closed the distance between them. Her lips brushed over his before pushing deeper. Levi held his breath, his eyes wide, his muscles paralyzed. But before Hange could interpret his stillness as denial, Levi closed his eyes, leaned in, and opened his mouth to accept the kiss. Warmth spread from the place where their mouths met to the rest of his body, to his chest, to his neck, to his face. He wanted to gasp for air but refused to let Hange go. He needed to keep touching her, he needed to feel her skin heating up under his fingertips, just to make sure the proximity wasn’t part of a dream that he failed to wake up from.

He had found the person he cared for the most, yet, under the heavy fog of love, he knew there was nothing he could do to protect them forever. His insides blazed on fire, the smoke would suffocate him slowly. But if it would kill him anyway, why not take this chance? Now, not later. Now, before the war pulled them apart again.

Hange broke the kiss the same way that she started it, too fast. But she lingered close, rested her forehead against his, panting as her lungs begged for more air. 

“Everything will be alright…” It wouldn’t. They both knew it, but Levi allowed that little white lie to slip from her lips and find a home in his chest. She combed his hair back, the cold fingers brought him to reality again. Maybe those rumors held some truth, one that Levi couldn’t see until now. “Our biggest problem at the moment is how the hell we will get down from here.”

He sighed “You always manage to put us in difficult situations.” He curled his mouth into a small smile and Hange traced his lips with her index finger.

She chuckled, “I’m sorry about that.”

It’s alright, he wanted to say, I never really blamed you.

***

So… I know Hange it's pretty skilled with the ODM gear, but I just wanted to test some silly "what-if's" scenarios, where they would not have been using the OGM gear daily because of other demands of the commander position, so Levi grew a bit worried about their abilities.

I hope you liked it, thank you for reading! Sorry for any mistakes concerning canon material (I avoid writing in canon universe because of that)… It's also been a while since I wrote something, so please be nice to me, or else I'll cry lol (not sure if I'm joking). Feel free to send me a prompt, I'll try not to take too long to answer!

[itsclydebitches]

The Bad Batch: A Crosshair Analysis

Hello, Star Wars fandom! I have just completed watching—and loving—The Bad Batch, which you know means I now need to dump all my thoughts about the first season into the tumblr void. Specifically, thoughts on the complicated drama that is Crosshair. I have no doubt that the majority of what I’m about to say will be old news to anyone who watched the show when it came out (I’m slow...), but I’m writing it all out anyway. Largely for my own sanity enjoyment :D

I want to preface all of this by saying that the above is not an exaggeration. I love the show and I love the entire cast. My enjoyment in each of the characters is directly connected to my enjoyment of the season as a whole, which I say because I’m about to get pretty critical towards some of the characters’ choices and, to a lesser extent, the writing choices that surround those. Does this mean I secretly hate The Bad Batch? Quite the opposite. I’m invested, which is presumably just what Filoni wants. I’m just hoping that investment pays off. 

But enough of the disclaimers. Let’s start with the matter of the inhibitor chip. I’ve seen fans take some pretty hard stances on both sides: Crosshair is completely innocent because he’s definitely been under the chip’s control this whole time, no matter what he might say. Crosshair is completely guilty because he said the chip was removed a long time ago and he chose to do all this, no moral wiggle room allowed. However, the reality is that we don’t know enough to make a clear call either way. The audience, simply put, does not have all the necessary information. What we have instead is a couple of facts combined with claims that may or may not be reliable. Let’s lay them out:

Crosshair was definitely under the chip’s control at the start of the series.

He was able to resist it to a certain extent, resulting in a pressure to obey orders coupled with a primary loyalty to his squad. See: telling Hunter to follow the Empire’s commands—which includes killing kid Padawans—but not turning his team in as traitors when they did not. It’s an in-between space.

Crosshair’s chip was then amplified to an unknown extent. I’m never going to claim I’m a Star Wars aficionado—I’m a casual fan, friends. Please don’t yell at me over obscure lore lol—but within TBB’s canon, no one else is undergoing that experimentation. The effects of this are entirely unknown, which includes Crosshair’s free will, or lack thereof.

Crosshair then becomes a clear tool of the Empire, hunting down innocents, killing on a whim, the whole, evil shebang.

In “Reunion” he’s caught by the engine and suffers severe burns to his face. One leaves a scar that covers precisely the place where the chip would have been extracted.

Removing the chip leaves its own scar behind. If Crosshair’s was removed, we can’t see that scar due to the burn.

After these events Crosshair seems to mellow a bit. He does horrible things under the Empire’s orders—like shooting the senator—but is still loyal to his squad—killing his non-clone teammates to give TBB a chance, saving AZ and Omega, etc.

Crosshair claims that his chip has already been removed. However, Crosshair is arguably an unreliable source if he’s been lied to or if the chip is still there, encouraging him to manipulate the team.

Crosshair claims it was removed a long time ago, which is incredibly imprecise. As we can see from just some of the events listed above, precisely when the chip came out—if it came out—makes a huge difference.

Hunter realizes this and presses for clarification, but Crosshair dodges giving it. Again, a legitimate belief that it doesn’t matter, or evidence that he can’t say because something else is going on? We don’t know.

Hunter checks Crosshair’s head and finds the burn scar which proves… nothing. As stated above, they wouldn’t be able to see the surgery scar one way or another: its existence or its absence. It’s useless data, as Tech might say. I’ve seen a few fans claim that Hunter was also feeling for the chip with his enhanced senses, but 1. I didn’t catch any evidence of that in the scene and 2. Even if we assume Hunter did that anyway, the chips are notoriously hard to spot. Fives and AZ couldn’t find the chip at first when examining Tup. Ahsoka had to use the force to find it in Rex. TBB themselves couldn’t find it at first in Wrecker. If machinery consistently fails to find the chip on the first couple of tries—it’s meant to be a hidden implant, after all—why would we believe Hunter’s senses could pick it up instantly? Maybe he missed it, or maybe it wasn’t there at all. 

Crosshair appears to be struggling with a headache in the finale, just as he was at the beginning of the season and just like Wrecker was for the first half.

The point of listing all this out is to emphasize how ambiguous this whole situation is. I don’t want to use this post to argue one way or another about whether Crosshair’s chip is really out. I have my preferred theory (the chip’s still in, but only partially functional), but at the end of the day none of this is conclusive. The writing takes us in what I hope is deliberate circles. Crosshair says the chip is out? Crosshair is not a reliable source of information until we know if the chip is out. What other evidence is there that the chip is gone? A scar? We can’t see if there’s a scar. Hunter’s abilities? He only checked once for a canonically hard to find implant—if he actually checked at all. And why would the Empire want the chip out? Well, maybe it has to do with that push towards willing soldiers, but if that were the case, why leave Crosshair behind and have the “clones die together”? By that point he was one of the most willing, chip or not. Did they have to take it out because of the engine accident? Pure speculation. We just don’t know and THAT is the point I want to make.

Because it means the rest of the Bad Batch didn’t know either.

The core issue I have here is not whether the chip is in or out, or even how long it may have been in if it is out now. The issue is that TBB spent 99% of the first season believing that Crosshair was under the chip’s influence… and they didn’t try to do anything about that. They abandoned him. They left a man behind. Does this make them all horrible monsters? Of course not! This shit is complicated as hell, but I do think they made a very large mistake and that Crosshair has every right to be furious about it.

“But, Clyde, they couldn’t have gone back. It was too dangerous! Hunter had a duty to his whole team, not just Crosshair.” True enough and I’d buy this argument 100% if Hunter hadn’t spent the entire season throwing his team into dangerous, seemingly impossible situations to save other people. Crosshair became the exception, not a hard rule of something they had to avoid. They went back to Kamino for Omega, a kid they’d only had one lunch with, despite knowing how dangerous the Empire was. They went into the heart of an occupied planet to rescue not just a stranger, but one belonging to the Separatist government. They helped Sid when she asked and there was plenty of compassion for the criminal trying to take her place. Most significantly, there wasn’t the slightest hesitation to go rescue Hunter when he was under the Empire’s control, in precisely the same place. Every explanation I’ve seen fans come up with—Kamino is too fortified, they don’t know where Crosshair is, they can’t risk Omega being captured, etc.—also holds true for Hunter, yet there wasn’t a second of doubt about needing to at least try to help him. And his rescue was arguably far more dangerous given that TBB knew they were walking into a trap. Going after Crosshair would have at least had some element of surprise.

I think the problem with these justifications is most easily seen in “Rescue on Ryloth” and, later, “War-Mantle.” In the former, we do watch Hunter decide that going on a rescue mission is too much of a risk, only for Omega to talk him into considering it.

Hunter: “It’s a big galaxy. We can’t put ourselves on the line every time someone’s in trouble.”

Omega: “Why not? Isn’t that what soldiers do?”

Hunter: “It’s not worth the risk.”

Omega: “She’s trying to save her family, Hunter. I’d do the same for you.”

The arguments that sway him are ‘Soldiers should help people’ and ‘Soldiers should specifically help their family.’ So… what does that say about their feelings for Crosshair? They’re willing to put themselves on the line for the parents of a girl they met once at a drop site, but not their own brother? That’s the message the writing sends. “But, Clyde, the difference is that they had an advantage here. Hera’s knowledge of her home planet tipped the odds in their favor.” Yeah… and Crosshair is stationed on TBB’s home planet. Even more than them collectively having the same knowledge that Hera does, “Return to Kamino” reveals that Omega always had additional, insider knowledge of the base: she has access to a secret landing pad and the tunnels leading up into the city. That knowledge was given and used the second Hunter’s freedom was on the line, but it never once came up to use for Crosshair’s benefit. 

“War-Mantle’s” mission puts this problem in even sharper relief. Another claim I’ve seen a lot is that TBB only took risky rescue missions because they needed to be paid. The guys have got to eat after all. Yet Tech makes it clear that going after Gregor will lose them money. They’re meant to be on a mission for Sid and deviating for that won’t result in a payment. He explicitly says that if they decide to do this, they won’t eat. They do it anyway. No money, no intel, a huge risk “on a clone we don’t even know.” But that’s not what’s important, the show says. All that matters is that a brother is in trouble. This time it’s Echo pushing that message instead of Omega. When Hunter realizes that they’re about to try and infiltrate an entire facility and they don’t even know if this clone is still alive, Echo points out that they took that risk once before: for him. “If there’s a chance that trooper is being held against his will, we have to try and get him out.”

Yes! Exactly right! So why doesn’t that apply to Crosshair?

“Because he tried to kill them, Clyde!” No, that’s the easy, dismissive answer. A chipped Crosshair tried to kill them. AKA, a Crosshair entirely under the Empire’s control. The only difference between his enslavement and Gregor’s is that Gregor’s chains were physical while Crosshair’s were mental. And again, the point of everything at the start of this post is to show that no one knows when or even if that chip was removed. TBB definitely didn’t have any reason to suspect that Crosshair was working under his own power until Crosshair himself said as much. We might have been able to make that case at the start of the season, but “Battle Scars” removes any possible confusion. The entire team watched Rex reach for his blaster when he learned their chips were still in. The entire team watched Wrecker become a totally different person and attack them, just like Crosshair did. The entire team forgave him instantly and had their own chips removed. So why in the world didn’t anyone go, “Wow, Crosshair has a chip too. He was no more responsible for attacking us than Wrecker was. We need to try to get him out, no matter how hard that might be, just like we had to try for all these other people we’ve helped.”

But they didn’t. No one even considered rescuing Crosshair. They only went back for Hunter and, when they realized Crosshair was there too, they didn’t change their plans to try and rescue him as well. He’s treated as a particularly threatening inconvenience, not another team member in need of their help.

The problem I have with how this all went down is that the team treated Crosshair like an enemy despite all evidence to the contrary. Despite Omega outright saying that this isn’t his fault, it’s the chip, the group seems to decide that he’s gone crazy or something and that there’s nothing they can do. “It’s fine,” I thought. “They don’t really get what the chip is like yet. They don’t understand how thoroughly it controls someone.” But then “Battle Scars” arrives and Wrecker is treated with such compassion (which he deserves!) only for the group to continue acting like Crosshair is somehow different. It’s easy to say, “But Crosshair shot Wrecker” and ignore the easy pushback of, “and Wrecker nearly shot Omega.” Up until Crosshair’s own accusations and Omega’s ignored comments, TBB’s understanding of the chip’s influence and the lack of responsibility that accompanies mysteriously disappears when the show’s antagonist becomes the subject of conversation. This is seen most clearly in how Hunter tries to frame things during his talk with Crosshair:

“You tried to kill us. We didn’t have a choice.”

“Can’t you see that they’re using you? It’s that inhibitor chip in your head.”

“You really don’t get who we are, do you?”

Hunter mentions the chip, but he acts as if it’s Crosshair’s responsibility to overcome it: “Can’t you see…” Of course he can’t see, that’s the entire point of the chip, the thing he currently believes Crosshair still has stuck in his head. But Hunter and the others—with Omega as a wonderful exception—never seem to have accepted this like they did for Wrecker. When Crosshair “tried to kill us” it’s seen as a deliberate act that he chose, not something forced on him like with Wrecker. When Hunter talks about their ethics, he subconsciously separates the team from Crosshair: “You really don’t get who we are, do you?”, revealing a pretty ingrained divide between them. Even Wrecker gets in on the action, the one brother who truly understands how much the chip controls someone: “All that time, you didn’t even try to come back.” What part of he couldn’t try is not hitting home here? Again, for the purposes of this conversation it doesn’t matter whether Crosshair was chipped this whole time or not. The point is that TBB believed he was chipped… and yet still expected him to somehow, magically overcome that programming, writing him off when he failed to do that. He’s consistently held responsible for actions that they were told (and, through Wrecker, saw) were completely outside of his control. Even when we factor in his claim that the chip was removed, TBB has ignored all the evidence I listed at the start. No one, not even Omega, challenges this super vague and strange claim, or seeks out proof because they don’t want to believe that their brother could willingly do this. There’s just this... acceptance that of course Crosshair went bad. Why? Because he was an asshole sometimes? Taking it all as written, it doesn’t feel like the batch considered him a true part of the team. Certainly not like Wrecker or Hunter. As shown, the batch will go out of their way, risk anything, forgive anything, for them. They have a level of faith that was never shown to Crosshair. 

“Severe and unyielding,” Tech says and he’s absolutely right, but I’d seriously challenge this idea that any of the others would have automatically done better if the situations were reversed. It stood out to me that each batch member has a moment of doubt throughout the series, a brief glimpse into how they think the Empire isn’t that bad, at least when it comes to this particular thing. Basically, a moment that could lead to a very dangerous line of thinking without others to stomp it down. Wrecker announces that he’s happy working for whoever, provided they give him food and let him blow things up. Tech finds the chain codes to be an ingenious strategy and is clearly fascinated with their development. Hunter initially wants Omega to stay on Kamino, despite knowing that this Empire has already, systematically killed an entire group of people: the Jedi. Doesn’t matter. She’s still (supposedly) safer there than she would be running with the likes of them.

There’s absolutely no doubt that those three made the correct choice in defying the Empire, but I believe that their ability to make that choice is largely dependent on them having each other. They survive together, not apart, and it’s their unity that allows them to make the really hard calls, like setting out on their own and opposing such a formidable force. But if Tech’s chip had activated and he’d been left behind, would he have muscled through to escape somehow...or would he have gotten caught up in all the new technology the Empire offered him, succumbing to both his chip and the inevitability that if his squad no longer wanted him, why not stay? Would Wrecker have escaped, or been easily manipulated into a new life of exploding things? Would Hunter have been able to push through without his brothers, or would he have become devoted to a new team to lead? Obviously there’s no way to ever know, but it’s always easier to make the right decisions when you have support in doing so. Crosshair had no support. His team left him and yes, they had to in that specific moment, but the point is that they never came back. As far as we saw throughout the season, they never planned to come back. They all talk about loving the Crosshair who existed when life was easier, but they weren’t willing to fight for the Crosshair that most needed their help. When he says “You weren’t loyal to me,” he’s absolutely right. The same episode, “Return to Kamino,” gives Omega two powerful lines that the group rallies behind:

Omega: “[The danger] doesn’t matter. Saving Hunter is what matters.”

AZ: “You must leave.”

Omega: “Not without Hunter.”

The key word there is “Hunter.” Danger, stakes, risk, probability… none of that matters when Hunter needs help. Crosshair did not receive that same level of devotion.

Which creates a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. The group is upset that Crosshair isn’t rejoining them, but they fail to realize that he has no reason to trust them anymore. He’s not joining the Empire because he’s inherently evil and that’s that, end of discussion. He’s joining it because above all Crosshair wants a place to belong… and TBB has made it clear—unintentionally—that he does not belong with them. The horrible actions that Crosshair took under his own free will (theoretically) came after he realized that doing bad things while under the Empire’s control was, apparently, unforgivable. If it wasn’t, his team would have come back to rescue him. They could have at least tried. But they didn’t, so Crosshair is left with the conclusion that either what he did under the Empire’s control is something the group can’t forgive him for, or they can forgive that (like with Wrecker) and he’s the problem here. He’s the one not worth that effort.

“The Empire will be fazing out clones next,” Hunter says. To which Crosshair responds, “Not the ones that matter.”

He wants to matter to someone and events show he no longer matters to his brothers. So why not stay with the Empire? I mean, we as the audience ABSOLUTELY know why not. Self-doubt and feelings of isolation aren’t excuses for joining the Super Evil Organization. Crosshair, if he is under his own control, is still 100% in the wrong for supporting them, no matter his reasons. So it’s not an excuse, but rather an explanation of that very human, flawed, fallible thinking. He needs to be useful. He needs to be wanted. Crosshair is an absolute dick to the regs and I have no doubt that a lot of that stems from the harassment TBB has experienced from them (with a side of his inflated ego), but I’d bet it’s also due to Crosshair’s intense desire to be valuable to someone. He keeps pointing out the regs’ supposed deficiencies because it highlights his own usefulness. When Crosshair fails to find Hera, the Admiral says that soon he’ll get someone who can, looking straight at Howzer at the door. It makes Crosshair seethe because his entire identity is based on being useful, yet no one seems to need him anymore. TBB seems to no longer want him. The Empire no longer wants clones. Now even regs are considered a better option than him, the “superior” soldier. Everywhere Crosshair turns he’s getting the message that he’s not wanted, but he’ll keep fighting to at least be needed in some capacity, no matter how small. Even if that means overlooking all the horrors the Empire commits.

“All you’ll ever be to [the Empire] is a number,” Hunter says and he’s absolutely right. But to TBB recently, Crosshair hasn’t even been that. He’s been nothing. Nobody worth coming back for. To his mind, at least being a number is something.

I hope that all of this resolves itself into a conclusion that is kind to each side (preferably without a Vader-style death redemption), especially given the still ambiguous state of the chip, but from a writing standpoint I’m admittedly a bit wary. We’re obviously meant to believe that the batch all love each other, but as established throughout this entirely too long post, this season did a terrible job imo of proving that they love Crosshair. Or, at least, proving that they love him as much as the others. If this was really meant to be just a matter of miscommunication, with Crosshair making terrible life choices because he only thinks he was abandoned, then we as the audience would have seen the batch trying and failing to get him out. Or at least establishing a very good reason why they couldn’t take that risk, hopefully with entirely different side-missions so the audience isn’t constantly going, “So you can risk everything for Gregor... but not Crosshair?” I’m VERY glad that Crosshair was allowed to air his grievances to the extent he did, but the end result of that—Hunter continually denying this, Omega walking away from him in their rooms, neither Tech nor Wrecker actually sticking up for him and acknowledging the chip’s influence during at least some of all this—is making things feel rather one-sided. It’s like we’re meant to take Crosshair at his word and accept that he’s this garden-variety antagonist who joins the Empire because yay being on the winning side… despite all these complications that clearly have a huge impact on how we read the situation. It doesn’t help that the show has already embraced an inconsistent manner of portraying chipped-clones. We know every clone has one, we know only a couple clones are aware of the chip’s existence (and can thus try to get it out), we know they enter a “Good soldiers follow orders” mindlessness once activated… yet towards the end we see a lot of side character clones thinking for themselves. Howzer decides that he’s no longer loyal to the Empire, giving a speech where a couple other clones throw down their weapons too. Gregor was arrested because he likewise realized how wrong this all was. But how is that possible? Do the chips completely control the clones, or not? Are these clones somehow exceptions? Are the chips beginning to fail? All of that has a bearing on how we read Crosshair—what were his own decisions, how much he was capable of overcoming the chip, whether that changed at all during certain points—but right now that remains really unclear.

It’s details like that which make me wonder if all these other questions will be answered. Will the story resolve all those ambiguous moments surrounding the chip, or brush them off with the belief that we should have just taken Crosshair at his equally ambiguous word? Will the story acknowledge Crosshair’s points through someone other than Crosshair, allowing it to exist as a legitimate criticism, rather than the presumed excuses of an antagonist? I’m… not sure. On the whole I’m very happy with TBB’s writing—despite what all this might imply lol. Until my brain picks over the season and discovers something else, my only other gripe is not allowing Omega to form a solid bond with Tech and Echo, instead putting all the focus on big brother!Wrecker and dad!Hunter. I think it’s a solid show that does a lot right, but I’m worried that, unless there’s a brilliant answer to all these questions and an intent to unpack both sides of the Hunter vs. Crosshair debate with respect—not just falling back on, “Well, Crosshair is with the Empire so everything he says is automatically bad and wrong” take—we’ve just gotten the setup for a somewhat messy, ethical story. For anyone here who also reads my RWBY metas, I’m pretty sure you’re not at all surprised that I’m invested in going, “Hey, you had one of the heroes suddenly become/join a dictatorship and do a lot of horrific things, but within a pretty complicated context. Can we please work through that carefully and with an acknowledgement of the nuance here, rather than throwing the ‘evil’ character to the proverbial wolves?”  

God knows TBB is leagues ahead of RWBY, but I hope things continue on in not just a good direction, but one that tackles the aspects of this situation that many fans—and Crosshair—have already pointed out. As much as I adore the cast—and I really, really do—it was discomforting to watch a found family show where 4/5th of that family so completely wrote off one of the members and crucially have, at least so far, refused to acknowledge that. I want complicated, flawed characters, but that’s only compelling when the storytelling admits to and grapples with those flaws. We have quite firmly established Crosshair’s flaws in Season One. I hope Season Two delves into the rest of the team’s too.

Aaaand with that meta-dump out of my system, I’m off to write TBB fic. Thanks for reading! :D

[bokettochild]

Talking is Overrated

Whumptober Day 2: Choking

No apologies. Someone posted about this the other day and I figured we deserved to see it for ourselves!

Legend POV, but don't worry guys, this is Warriors Whump!

(Do not call the Protection Squad on me, I have a permit)

Wind was tugging the captain’s scarf again.

It wasn’t an unusual sight to see really, many of the younger heroes did such things while they traveled, or when they made camp. It was an effective way of getting the captain’s attention, Legend would give it that. Even Time did it, and not even with the hesitant caution that most of the others did, their Old Man just reached over and tugged (Legend could swear there was a glint in the man's eye whenever he did it too). Of course, Time was the only one of the older ones who did it, and while Legend just barely counted with the other ‘adult’ heroes, he wasn’t among those who’d tug the blue fabric gently.

Step on it on occasion, yes, but tugging to get the man’s attention? Heck no! He wasn’t a child!

Wind tugged again. Wind was a kid. It was fine for him to do it, and Legend pointedly ignored the warmth in his chest at the sight of the sailor’s bright grin as it was directed at the captain. Ringed fingers rubbed over the affected area as he trailed along near the back of their group with Hyrule, earning a curious glance but otherwise remaining un-noticed as the captain turned his attentions to the young sailor.

“What’s up, Tu- Wind?” ‘Tune’, they called him, Ravio and the captain both. He’d asked once, but neither had explained much more than it being from ‘the war’.

“I think Sky is tiring out, could we-” The sailor’s face twisted up into a frown and he shook himself, rephrasing his question from whatever it had been. “Could you ask Time if we could stop? He’s more likely to listen to you.” Because Time always listened to Warriors. Okay, well, he paid attention. The old Man ignored what was said altogether sometimes, but he never dismissed it right off. He did the same with Twilight, but somehow it felt more mature when the mentor and protégé were the one’s involved.

The captain nodded, lengthening his already freakishly long stride to match that of Time, Wind trailing behind and still attached to the scarf. “Time, mind if we break a minute? Sky’s having trouble breathing again.”

The Skyloftain in question offered a weak smile when the others turned to him, and Legend ignored the clenching in his chest at the heavy cough that erupted from the older hero. “Dust.” Sky explained apologetically.

“It does seem to be mid-summer in this world.” Twilight agreed with an encouraging look at he offered the Chosen Hero his canteen. “What do you say, Time? Day’s still young, think a break will hurt our travel time?”

Well, that was just dumb. They didn’t even know where they were, much less where they were going. There was no deadline and no goal here, stopping to let Sky rest would be perfectly manageable. He sent their leader a look saying as much, and Time met his gaze with a nod, turning to his protégé and Sky both with an easy smile. “I don’t see how that would hurt. Sky, can you make the next hill or should we stop now?”

“Now.” Came the apologetic wheeze. “I don’t think I could handle any kind of-” Another cough cut him off as Twilight gently thumped the other's back (well, gently for Twilight; Sky was strong and could take it, but had that been him he’d be face down in the dirt). “Climbing is bad.” Sky finally pushed out, rubbing at his throat and grimacing.

“Right then.” The boundry was set, Sky was done, so they needed to rest. “Let’s settle here for an hour or so.” Time slung his own pack to the ground and stretched his shoulders with a grimace. “It’s getting into the hotter part of the day anyway, so we might as well save ourselves some sweat for the time being. Keep alert though, boys, we still don’t know where we are.”

The others nodded, but Twilight made as if to respond, only to be cut off by a firm look from his mentor. “No, Twilight, no scouting. Your ankles are still a mess from that accident last week and I’m not having you wander off alone again.”

“Pops, I’m fine-”

“Watch Hyrule.” Time commanded, soft but stern as he nodded to the traveler.

Well excuse him! Legend was doing a fine job of watching his own protégé, thank you very much! He didn’t need the overgrown wolf-puppy helping him out. Of course, he huffed to himself as Twilight wandered over, looking a bit lost and very restless, it wasn’t as though Twilight had another way to channel his nervous energy, and maybe letting someone else hold the kid while he changed the bandages on Hyrule’s hands would make things easier.

He’d only just removed the bandages and washed the burns before he caught wind of it, long ears flickering tentatively at the new sound that cut through the air.

Horses.

The shriek of a wild pony caught the attention of all present, whether they even knew what it was they were hearing or not, and Twilight was already bundling Hyrule into his arms and ducking into the brush at the sound, leaving him frozen in place, muscles coiled and bandages still in hand as his ears flicked to and fro to find the source of the sound.

A herd of wild ponies, bobolinks mounted on their backs with spears in hand, crested the nearby hill, spilling down and around it in a wild and aimless charge until their riders caught sight of the heroes. The sound of a horn was the warning for them to gather their weapons, and seven out of their nine were ready for battle in an instant as Twilight hunkered down with the still injured Hyrule. The kid’s eyes were wide as he curled tight in Twilight’s arms, the both of them trying to hide behind one of the groups spare shields that Twilight had grabbed.

Legend really hoped that wasn’t one of Wild’s.

The horses were on them in an instant, hooves and teeth and jabbing spears making them all dash and dart out of rang, weapons drawn and ready to be used. It made his chest clench and something inside feel like it was tearing when he had to swing his blade against the terror-filled ponies, their eyes rolling wildly as they bucked and sprang, trying both to dismount their monstrous riders and to escape the noise of the battle. The poor things didn’t deserve this, but it wasn’t as if many of them had a choice when it came to downing the horses or letting them continue to trample over the top of them.

Silver and gold flashed as black and red blood both had spilled over the hill side that had been so peacefully serene only minutes before. In the corner of his vision, blue fluttered and waves in the battle, likely Warriors’ Din darned scarf as the captain danced over the field.

The pony before him reared on its hind legs, hooves pawing at the air and froth gathering at its jaws as the bokoblin on its back continued to kick and shriek, only further adding the beast's terror.

Malanya forgive him, he’d clenched his jaw tight and pushed back his feelings as he thrust his sword into the beast's chest, rolling away as the four-hundred pounds of horse fell to the ground, crushing it’s rider beneath it and giving him ample time to slice of the ‘blin’s head off before turn to face the rest of the field. Many of the other horses had either dislodged their riders or otherwise had them shot down by Wild’s swift arrows, and the poor beasts were running free down the path, kicking up more dust than the nine of them had earlier in their flight from the battle field. A few more lay dead on the earth, ‘blins and weapons lying around about them and making the battle all the more difficult with the increased tripping hazard that they caused.

There were still four ponies in their midst though, and more bokoblins besides, and Legend pushed himself forwards to where Four was fighting alone against a few of them, determined to finish this bloody fight already so he could get back to tending his protégé's crispy fingers.

He didn’t know what it was that made him look up, not when he was supposed to be helping Four, not when the enemy was still fighting strongly against them, but he did, and when he did all of the breath stuttered from his lungs with a strangled gasp.

Across the field, a bokoblin had managed to snag the captain’s fluttering blue scarf, holding it tight as the monster’s pony bucked and shrieked, tugging the fabric tight around the hero’s neck as Warriors clawed at the straining fabric.

The captain’s sword had since fallen, to where he couldn’t tell, but with every pull and tug of the scarf, every prance and shift of the pony’s feet, the fabric drew tighter and tighter, and Warriors’ face grew redder and redder.

“Warriors!” Wind shout from across the field startled all of them, but it was the final straw for the poor pony, who bolted, her rider still clutching both the poorly cobbled reins and Warriors’ scarf both tightly in hand, effectively knocking the captain down to the dirt and dragging him behind stampeding hooves as Warriors’ fingers fluttered against the fabric, face as blue as the favored garment and eyes glazing over as rocks and weapons clanged against the man’s pauldron.

Legend was kicking his pegasus boots into action before his mind even rightly knew what he was doing, and despite Four’s angry shouts and frankly astounding insults (really, and they called his mouth dirty!) he’d sped off after the horse, rider, and quickly fading captain.

Each step felt like lead was weighing him down as he pushed all of his strength into his legs, pushing forwards and angling himself towards his goal, eyes fixed on the slowly fading light in the captain’s eyes. Just a bit further, a yard, two feet, a foot. He could touch Warriors’ boot now if he wanted, his tunic, the belt at his waist. At long last, he was level with the pony’s thundering hooves, and without a second thought, the Tempered Sword was slashing through blood-stained blue fabric, the captain’s body rolling in the dirt beside him as the veteran hero stuttered to a halt.

The sword clattered to the ground as he’d fallen to his knees at the older man’s side, fingers fumbling at the tangled fabric and tugging ruthlessly to free his friend.

Angry black and purple bruises banded Warriors’ neck, harsh and angry as the tiniest wheeze of breath had escaped the man.

“Wars, hey, stay with me.” His voice quivered when he spoke, no matter how he tried to fight it, but there was no reply.

“Warriors! You darned idiot! Open those stupid baby-blues!” He’d huffed it with more force this time, himself wheezing for breath at the unexpected run as he worked to loosen the captain’s shirt collar more.

What did one do for a strangulation victim? What did one do for the head wounds that leaked blood onto the dirt beath the captain’s golden hair?

The contents of Legend’s stomach churned in revulsion at the sight of the crimson liquid, and he fought back a gag as his hands had fluttered over the unmoving form of the other, unsure, worried, bordering very nearly on panic as he tried to figure out what to do.

Warriors lay unmoving.

The captain couldn’t die though! Not his brother! Not the snarky ass he liked to pick on and- oh heavens... The last thing he’d said to Wars this morning had been an insult, hadn’t it? He’d insulted the scarf, calling the man a ‘bloody idiot’ for wearing it all the time knowing full well how much it meant to his brother. Oh, stars above, he couldn’t let that be the last thing he’d said to the man’s face! He couldn’t-

Blackened fingers settled over his own, resting easily on Warriors’ chest as he’d stared up, vision blurry as it took in brown curls and glimmering golden green eyes. He didn’t know when his vision had blurred so much, didn’t know when Hyrule had even gotten there, but the kid was already pressing golden sparking hands to the bruises around the captain’s neck, humming softly and brokenly as he worked.

Someone shifted behind him, rough hands catching his shoulders and pulling him back and away to let Hyrule work. Legend let himself fall, staring blankly up at the sky and fighting his rolling stomach as midnight blue eyes, full of concern and fear, had stared down at him. A deep voice had said something, warm hands closing around is shoulders as he blinked up.

Oh shit, he’d ruined the captain’s scarf, hadn’t he?

[stilemawillow]

Hi can I request a dadlevi x momreader where they have a teenage daughter and the 104th cadet boys gave a crush on her and Levi gets really protective and the reader has to reassure him that she's not a baby anymore pleaseeee thank you😁

welp, i’m usually slow as a sloth with requests but if you don’t mind it being a short drabble i can sure as hell crack up sth soo sorry if it’s a bit too short but here goes, hope you like it anonie (also i kind of said trabble and it turned out 1500 words, sorry) ________________________________________________

“This is getting out of hand, Levi.” Your words were low around the table at the mess hall as your raven-haired husband fixed the cadets across from you with a murderous glare. You put a hand to his tense shoulder and could distinctly hear Mike and Hanji snort from next to you at Levi’s click of the tongue - still, his abuse didn’t stop.

Your daughter glanced at her father once, smiling happily from her place in between the cheerful males of the 104th squad and proceeding to be rather oblivious when it came to his foul mood. Admittedly, he hadn’t spoken about it to anybody but, as the mother of his rather grown-up child and the woman who’d spent well over two decades with him already, you didn’t need a verbal explanation to gather why he was being so pissy.

Since your daughter had been enlisted in the Corps (something her and Levi and you and her had had two separate rather long arguments about), she was in the spotlight, or, well, something of the sort. She was kind enough to communicate with her peers and funny enough to make them laugh, and the looks she’d mostly inherited from you did its part when it came to charming the rookies you’d later checked were named Jean Kirstein, Reiner Braun, Connie Springer, Armin Arlert and partly, the very special Eren Jaeger.

They were her comrades and she regarded them as such - close people she would protect and work with in the future, and they regarded her the same with just a little bit of an ulterior motive. Naturally, parents were good at noticing those stuff and the usually emotion-incompetent Levi Ackerman was no exception when it came to Jean’s heart eyes mirroring his own aimed at you in the past.

As a good father who couldn’t, however, reveal his identity straight-up, he made sure to mentor the kids as harshly as he could, strict in his teachings and rather sadistic out of them. The poor boys had handled stable and kitchen duty more than any previous rookies enlisted and two or three of them had gotten lucky enough to clean up a whole storage of 3DM gear and run laps till they fainted. You were nurturing when it came to those undeserved mishaps and ended up playing the good cop who gave the poor boys water and let them sleep for the rest of the day.

Levi didn’t know it but the harder his punishments got, the more reason his daughter had to pity the boys and question her father’s behaviour. We arrive at a moment where he could no longer think of a suitable punishment to pull through with enough reason and, of course, your endless nagging on the topic. Your daughter didn’t need to know about this secret little bickering, as the cadets didn’t know she was your child and nobody but the superiors were aware of your relationship with Humanity’s Strongest Soldier.

“I’m just monitoring.” The raven’s excuse was laughable as you were leaving the mess hall and he literally stalked his daughter and her tall charmers to the training fields, where you decided to pull him along into the building and have a little talk.

“This is ridiculous, do you realise what you’re doing?” Your question struck nothing in him as he made his way to the second floor of the building only so he could observe from above the training the 104th cadets would undertake with Hanji. His hawk eyes pierced the window and the boys surrounding his precious little baby, and in that moment you felt a little soft when it came to reprimanding him.

“I’m watching my fucking child.” He argued with a grumble and crossed arms, making you sigh as you leaned against the window and observed his features. You could guess only by the pissed off twitch of his brow your daughter had been paired to combat with some of the boys he so disliked.

“But she’s not in danger.” You objected with a snort to which he rolled his eyes. “Also our child.” The addition made his frown more sarcastic, then you pushed at his shoulder and glanced outside. The sun was shining and your husband was silent - and you had to be a good wife and mother at the same time. “Now, I need you to hear me out. Our daughter is fifteen years old and she’s part of the worst group possible. Maybe we can concern ourselves more with her safety and happiness, not so much with the boys she has as friends.”

“It’s unacceptable for them to slack off this much, not to mention you’re defending her. You pointed it out, she’s just fifteen.” The emphasis was a cold slap in your face, then you were eyeing him pointedly.

“Levi,” his grey hues left the window for a second to lock with your gaze, “I was fifteen when I met you.” Your words made him suck in a breath but his obstinance had no limits when it came to his overprotective nature.

“All the more fucking reason for me to protect her.”

“No, all the more reason for us to watch from afar and let her live her life. She’s a teenager once and the fact she’s bonding with her comrades isn’t going to kill her.” The brow he quirked at you made you glare, then you beat him to speaking. “She’s not a baby anymore, we take care of her, yes, but we have to give her some freedom too. Otherwise, we’ll get a rebellious period and I can’t handle managing both your explosive asses once that happens.” His spiteful snort was provocative but his figure turned away from the window to glare at you - good, so he was buckling.

“My ass is explosive only when I drink too much coffee.” His childish retort made you chuckle - you took it as him admitting defeat by not addressing the issue any further.

“And when Hanji cooks.” Your joke called forth an eye-roll from him, then his lips pursed and you smiled at his pale countenance. “It’s fine being worried, she’s been sheltered her whole life and suddenly you’re forced to watch her form connections with people who’re not us. I would say, however,” your smile slowly curled into a smirk as you glanced at the training fields through the window, “she can beat up the boys if they annoy her without your help.”

His brows furrowed and his attention followed your gaze, and you watched your fifteen-year-old daughter flip the blond Reiner Braun over her shoulder with a move Levi had taught her when she was ten. He fell to the ground and, from experience, you knew how much it hurt when all the air was pushed out of your lungs in that moment. Next thing he knew, a foot had stepped on his dominant hand’s wrist and a small hand held a wooden knife to his throat.

In your peripheral vision, you saw the satisfied flicker in Levi’s orbs and decided he wouldn’t be arguing with you on the topic of this anymore. Also, he might as well spare the boys their duties. If his daughter could handle the biggest one this easily, she could land a kick to the testicles effortlessly if any of them proved problematic. You shook your head at the sight and how proud Levi seemed due to it, then you realised he was back to watching you.

“On the topic of us meeting when you were still a brat, are you insinuating anything?” You began waving your hands around in a “no” when he glared at the field, then at you. You’d just denied when he tactfully cut in with: “Far as I remember, you jumped me and you had eighteen.” You let out an awkward laugh and his glare got all the more deadly.

“Haha, about that. I actually lied so you’d let me.” The slow admittance slipped past your dry lips and you watched your husband doubt everything you’d told him in your shared life. You could see him recall everything and make sure he was in the right - except you’d been stupid as a teenager and twice as scheming.

“But your birthday had passed.” He argued coldly, unsuspecting of the truth and ever so sweet because he put so much trust in you.

“And about that, my birthday’s kind of a month after the date I told you.” You watched his eyes widen and began ranting, as per tradition when he came close to blowing a fuse and you wanted to avoid being collateral damage. “I know what you’re thinking, I’m so lucky that my wife is even younger than I thought she was, she’s so attractive and youthful---”

“I’m thinking how I’m about to beat your ass in our next combat session for lying to me for twenty fucking years, that’s what I’m thinking.”

[creambunnie]

Hello Baby ❤💜💚💛💙💓

ONEWE fluff - Yonghoon, Kanghyun (Hyungu), Harin, Dongmyeong, CyA (Giuk)

"hello Hyungu, are you free right now? it's urgent!"

"eh Yonghoon hyung? yeah i'm free, what's wrong?"

"UWAAAAAAA"

.....

"hyung was that a cat??"

"what? noooo, it's a baby!"

"oh i thought so, it was weird if you had a ca-- WHAT? A BABY?"

Hyungu stared at Yonghoon who was wearing a baby carrier as he entered Yonghoon's apartment. Yonghoon had his index finger on his lips, asking Hyungu to keep quiet as to not wake up the baby in his arms.

"why do you have a baby?? oh my god, did you pick it up from somewhere?" Hyungu whispered as he panicked.

Yonghoon sighed and knocked Hyungu's head softly.

"don't be ridiculous, Kang Hyungu. this is my cousin's son. her mother in-law just passed on so she asked me to look after her son for a while as she helps her husband settle the funeral and all."

Hyungu took a seat on the sofa, still processing the whole situation.

"so why the heck did you agree if you have never in your whole life babysit a... a baby?"

Yonghoon gulped and scratched his neck awkwardly.

"i misread her text. i thought her son was 10 years old, but it's actually 10 months... i couldn't reject her when she already brought her baby and all his things here."

Hyungu massaged his temples.

"how long?"

"a week."

"A WEEK?"

"shush Hyungu you are going to wake Minsoo up!" Yonghoon scolded Hyungu in whisper.

Yonghoon decided to contact Hyungu first because he lived the nearest. the baby was sleeping when he was brought here but the moment his mother left him into Yonghoon's care, he woke up and started crying.

Yonghoon panicked and called Hyungu right away, and while waiting for Hyungu to come, he tried to soothe Minsoo down with a lullaby.

Hyungu finally calmed down and approached Minsoo who was still in the carrier. he stared at the doll-like sleeping baby and let out a chuckle.

"naww Minsoo is so cute"

"i know, it's cause i'm his uncle"

Hyungu rolled his eyes and fished out his phone.

"i'm telling the others. you and me taking care of a baby is not enough, we need the whole squad."

Yonghoon hesitated for a bit because he didn't want to bother the others, but Hyungu was right. the two of them were not enough.

Hyungu and Yonghoon were busy lying Minsoo down carefully on the sofa that they didn't notice the beeping sound from the front door.

"baby Minsoo~ your Giuk hyung is here!!"

the two older boys' eyes widened at the sudden loud voice. a high pitch crying started filling their ears.

"i am so sorry, i didn't know Minsoo was sleeping!" Giuk apologised as Yonghoon was frantically making milk in the kitchen while Hyungu was trying to calm Minsoo down in the living room.

"can you help me check if the milk is okay instead? i mean your age is the nearest to the baby, so"

Giuk was confused at his hyung's nonsense but he was guilty so he poured some milk on his hand to taste it.

"uhm i think it's fine? it's a bit hot tho??"

"oh my god, why is it so chaotic in here?? no one even noticed we entered, Harin hyung."

Harin scanned the scenes happening and quietly but efficiently tried to handle the situations.

"Dongmyeong, go help Hyungu calm the baby. i will check on Yonghoon hyung"

Dongmyeong gently took the baby from Hyungu. he craddled Minsoo in his arms and swayed back and forth until he calmed down.

"well aren't you a cutie?" Dongmyeong cooed and poked the baby's nose softly. Minsoo stared at Dongmyeong confusedly and giggled.

"low low!!" Minsoo babbled and reached his hands out to Dongmyeong's neck. Hyungu noticed Dongmyeong's necklace and chuckled.

"he is so smart! he said yellow~" Hyungu was amazed at the 10-month old kid.

Yonghoon, Harin and Giuk finally went to living room with a warm bottle of milk.

"here, feed Minsoo the milk first" Harin passed the bottle to Dongmyeong.

Yonghoon, Hyungu and Giuk sighed in relief and plopped on the sofa side by side.

"how are you and Dongmyeong good at this, Harin??"

Harin chuckled and carressed Minsoo's head gently.

"we are not good at it, hyung. it's just that you guys were panicking so more panic won't do good. i just had to be the calm one just now. also, we had more time to prepare mentally, so no worries hyung, you will do just fine!" Harin humbly comforted.

Yonghoon thanked Harin and took Minsoo from Dongmyeong.

"Yonghoon hyung, what's this?" Giuk asked as he found a small booklet in Minsoo's bag.

"oh my cousin said that's a list of food that Minsoo can and cannot eat."

"great!! pass me that Giuk. i was just about to ask about this. Dongmyeong and I bought some ingredients for dinner, Hyungu, you wanna help us cook?" Hyungu gave Harin a thumbs up and followed the two into the kitchen.

Yonghoon and Giuk contiued playing with Minsoo in the living room.

"baby~~ Giuk hyung bought a looot of plushies for you! which one do you like ?" Giuk neatly placed the plushies in line in front of Minsoo and waited for him to choose.

Minsoo looked up at Giuk with his big round eyes as if he understood what Giuk said clearly.

"wook! wook!" Minsoo exclaimed and reached for the hamster plushie.

Yonghoon poked Minsoo's chubby cheek in admiration.

"you two are really friends, huh," Yonghoon chuckled as Giuk continued making short 'conversations' with Minsoo.

Minsoo warmed up to the boys quite easily and giggled alot while playing. Yonghoon was relieved he had awesome brothers who could help him out.

"let's eat~~" Dongmyeong called as he set the dining table. as Minsoo was in Giuk's good hands, Yonghoon helped Dongmyeong while Harin and Hyungu brought out the dishes for dinner.

"i even made Minsoo some baby chicken porridge~" Harin excitedly said as he showed Minsoo his own bowl of food.

"nyam nyam!!" Minsoo was already salivating at the delicious smell.

"hyung,, your cousin didn't bring Minsoo's high chair, right?" Hyungu asked after scanning the whole apartment.

"mm, it's fine, Minsoo will just sit on my lap and one of you can feed him."

the 5 boys took turns eating and feeding Minsoo.

"zoooom! good boy, Minsoo~" Giuk praised the baby as he happily took a big bite of the porridge.

Dongmyeong also took a big bite of the dakgalbi that they cooked and hummed in delight.

"it's been so long since we've had a family dinner like this~"

Giuk looked at Dongmyeong weirdly. "but we just did last week.."

Dongmyeong shushed Giuk and shook his head.

"last week was sooo long ago!! we need to eat dinner together more frequently."

Yonghoon only chuckled at the younger boy's wish.

"sure, we can have family dinner everyday for this whole week~"

Dongmyeong and Giuk were on their semester break, while Yonghoon and Hyungu worked from home. Harin was the only one who had to go to the office.

"so Harin, can you teach us some things like how to make the perfect temperature milk, and how to cook the food for Minsoo?" Hyungu requested as he wiped Minsoo's messy lips.

Harin of course agreed, he wanted Minsoo to experience the best care from his brothers.

after the yummy dinner, Yonghoon and Giuk did the dishes while the other 3 boys played with Minsoo.

"what colour is this, Minsoo?" Hyungu showed the baby a penguin plushie.

"woooo~~" Hyungu hugged Minsoo softly, refraining himself from squishing the baby for being too cute. "you are correct! that is blue!"

Dongmyeong hummed as he thought of something.

"Yonghoon hyung, Giuk, come here quickly after you finished. we gotta introduce ourselves properly to Minsoo!".

the boys sat in a line as Yonghoon carried Minsoo. he made eye contact with Minsoo and started introducing himself.

"Minsoo, i am Uncle Yonghoon!" "hoon~~"

"i am Uncle Hyungu!" "gugu~"

"i am Uncle Harin!" "rinnie~"

"i am Uncle Dongmyeong!" "meong~~"

"i am Giuk hyung!" "wook wook!!"

for every response, Minsoo either got a peck on his cheek or a carress on his small round head.

"now that's done, let's lay out the futons in the living room. we are having a sleepover~" Yonghoon happily announced.

since Minsoo started yawning, the boys decided to quickly turn the lights off and go to sleep with the baby. it was quite a tiring day afterall.

the night was calm, Minsoo didn't make a single fuss while sleeping. he must have felt really comfortable with the boys, or he was just too tired after a lot of playing earlier.

"wow... i thought they were the same age." Harin whispered. the other 3 boys giggled at his words as they looked at Giuk and Minsoo all cuddled up. it was a cute scene to wake up to.

Harin woke up early to prepare food for Minsoo's meals and at the same time he taught Dongmyeong and Hyungu too. the other boys only need to heat them up when it's time to eat.

Giuk and Dongmyeong played and took care of Minsoo most of the time as the two older boys were working. Giuk even took a bath with Minsoo and made bubbles for him.

Minsoo was really a good baby. after warming up to the boys, he rarely cried. only when he was hungry, he would whine a little but goes back to being the giggly baby when he was fed.

Giuk and Dongmyeong were resting while Minsoo was playing with some plushies by himself. Dongmyeong almost dozed off when Giuk nudged him softly. "hey, Minsoo is saying something."

Minsoo was cutely sitting in front of the entrance with his hamster plushie. he looked up and stared at the doorknob as he mumbled.

"rinnie... rinnie... unc rinnie."

Dongmyeong and Giuk chuckled at the cuteness. it was 5pm, about an hour left before Harin comes back.

Yonghoon suddenly went out of his room and scooped Minsoo up.

"i finished my work for today. should i bring Minsoo out for a walk and welcome Harin?"

Hyungu closed his laptop and volunteered to follow Yonghoon.

"Dongmyeong and Giuk should rest."

"mm Hyungu hyung. Dongmyeong and I will prepare the ingredients for dinner after we rest for abit."

the two older boys nodded and prepared to go out with Minsoo.

they walked and reached a playground near the apartment. since Minsoo was too small to go down the slide by himself, Hyungu carried him and played together. everytime Hyungu and Minsoo reached the bottom, Yonghoon would make funny noises, making the baby giggle loudly.

after playing on the slide for a few times, Hyungu and Yonghoon sat on the empty swings side by side. Minsoo was securely seated on Hyungu's lap as he swung back and forth slowly.

"foooshh~" Minsoo cutely babbled as he felt the wind hit his face.

Yonghoon and Hyungu looked at each other and chuckled at the adorable baby.

"oh Minsoo, look who's here !" Yonghoon prompted as he pointed to the busstop. Hyungu stood up to let Minsoo see.

"rinnie!!!! unc rinnie!!" Minsoo exclaimed excitedly.

Harin heard the baby's voice from afar and jogged to the three boys.

"aww did Minsoo wait for Uncle Harin?"

Minsoo looked at Harin with sparkles in his eyes and grinned. Harin chuckled and took Minsoo from Hyungu.

"you are so cute!! look at you drooling from being too excited~" Harin cooed and wiped Minsoo's chin with Yonghoon's help.

"let's go home and prepare for dinner!"

"mm mm Hoon nyam nyam!" Minsoo mumbled and pointed to the apartment.

"yes Uncle Yonghoon's nephew is so smart, like uncle like nephew~~" Yonghoon praised.

Harin and Hyungu just went on with him, as long as their oldest brother was happy.

during dinner, Dongmyeong excitedly suggested the idea he and Giuk thought of together earlier.

"how about we go on a picnic at the park this weekend ? Minsoo is going to love spending time with all 5 of us outside!"

the baby happily clapped his hands when he heard his name being said.

"meong meong!!"

"hehe yess Uncle Dongmyeong loves you too~" Dongmyeong scrunched his nose as he poked Minsoo's round cheek.

"that's a good idea! the weather these days seem nice too" Yonghoon acknowledged.

"then it is set! we can go buy some ingredients for the picnic too when we go grocery shopping tomorrow." Hyungu suggested.

as planned, Hyungu and Dongmyeong went to the supermarket the next day and brought Minsoo with them. they made sure Minsoo was full first before going out. Hyungu tightened the baby carrier and pecked Minsoo's head.

"let's go~"

Dongmyeong was relieved the supermarket was not that crowded. he quickly took the things they wrote on the shopping list to not waste any time.

"gugu! gugu!" Minsoo called as he tried to reach for something behind Hyungu.

"hmm?" Hyungu turned around and saw a brightly packed biscuits. the bright orange colour must have attracted Minsoo.

"i don't think you can eat those yet, baby.."

"gugu?" Minsoo pouted.

Hyungu sighed and poked Minsoo's small nose.

"alright, we'll buy it for the packaging"

"gugu!!!" Minsoo happily exclaimed when he saw Hyungu putting the packet into the cart.

after buying the groceries and things for the weekend picnic, Hyungu and Dongmyeong decided to walk around the shopping mall for a bit.

"oh my god hyung!! that is super cute~ can we buy it for Minsoo? pleaaase!" Dongmyeong pleaded as he pulled Hyungu into a baby store.

the outfit Dongmyeong saw was a cute brown overalls. it was too cute to be ignored.

"yayy! we can dress him up in the new outfit this weekend!"

Minsoo was a simple baby, when people around him were happy, he's also happy. Minsoo bounced excitedly to Dongmyeong's voice in the baby carrier.

"okay baby,, uncles are also excited to hang out with you~"

the long awaited weekend was finally here. the 5 boys were busy with their own tasks. Yonghoon was fixing the baby car seat, Harin and Hyungu were packing the food they made for the picnic, while Dongmyeong and Giuk were dressing Minsoo up.

Dongmyeong can't help but squish Minsoo's cheeks because he was extra cute after Giuk tied his thin hair into two small ponytails.

"omo, who is this handsome baby? of course no other than handsome Uncle Yonghoon's nephew~" Yonghoon sang as soon as he entered the house.

"but we are all handsome uncles and hyung, right Minsoo?" Dongmyeong held Minsoo's small hand and shook it gently.

Minsoo grinned. "meooong~".

after Hyungu and Harin were finished packing, the 6 boys finally started on their journey to the flower park.

"Minsoo~ look here!" Dongmyeong called out as Harin quickly snapped a few pictures of the cute baby.

"hey, let's take a family selfie!" Yonghoon suggested as he held Minsoo close to his chest. the other 4 boys gathered closer to Yonghoon as Harin took their picture.

the boys managed to find a spot under a big tree so they were shaded from the hot sun. they ate the food and snacks that Harin and Hyungu made deliciously. even Minsoo asked for seconds.

they then played around with Minsoo, Yonghoon sang some nursery rhymes for his cute nephew as the other boys did some simple moves that Minsoo could follow. they made sure Minsoo was having a fun time with them.

"oh Minsoo, it's your mom!" Yonghoon quickly answered the videocall from his cousin. his cousin would call everyday to check on Minsoo and the boys.

"hi noona!"

"hi Yonghoon! i heard you guys are on a picnic now? is Minsoo doing okay? did he make a fuss ?"

"Minsoo is fine, he is a good boy! here look at him!"

Yonghoon turned the phone so the camera was facing Minsoo.

"Minsoo~ it's mommy!"

"mama!!"

"aww look at your outfit today ! it's so cute, your uncles really have a good taste in clothings. Minsoo, mommy miss you so much. i will fetch you tomorrow, okay?"

Yonghoon turned back the phone and continued talking with his cousin.

"and boys, Minsoo looks so happy today! he must really love you boys so much! i know i say this everyday but thank you so much for taking good care of my son! you boys continue having fun together okay,, see you tomorrow!".

after bidding goodbye, the 5 boys continued playing with Minsoo. they stayed at the park for a few more hours. Minsoo even took a nap on Yonghoon's lap while his uncles enjoyed the fresh breeze.

it had been a while since they were able to relax with nature. not that they were too busy to do that, it just didn't cross their mind to spend time like this together. they were grateful to Minsoo because he gave them the opportunity to experience such a fun time.

the next morning was awkwardly gloomy. Minsoo's things were already organised at one side of the house. the 5 boys were playing with Minsoo in the living room as if playing together yesterday at the park wasn't enough.

"i'm so attached to Minsoo already. i don't think i can sleep without him tonight." Giuk sadly said as he carressed Minsoo's arm who was holding onto the hamster plushie that he gave on the first day that they met.

"i had fun making his baby food. it's amazing how this little thing could eat other than milk. thanks for enjoying my cooking, Minsoo! Uncle Rinnie will cook again for you when you are bigger!".

Yonghoon sighed and pouted. "you guys staying over for a whole week was so much fun. i'm gonna feel so lonely when you guys go back home."

"aww hyung,, you know we will always visit you. me especially! i will crash into your apartment often!" Dongmyeong comforted.

"yeah hyung, Minsoo or no Minsoo, we are always a call away!" Hyungu supported.

the gloomy atmosphere turned gloomier when the front door bell was rung. it was time to send Minsoo off back to his parents.

Yonghoon greeted his cousin and invited her in as the other boys took turns giving Minsoo a goodbye hug.

"take good care of mr hamster okie? wook hyung loves Minsoo so much!"

"Uncle Gugu also loves Minsoo! stay healthy, baby."

"my cute cute Minsoo, Uncle Meong loves you so much."

"you have to eat well and grow up healthily, okay? Uncle Rinnie also loves Minsoo!"

Yonghoon was the last one to hug. he was sad but he knew he had a higher chance of meeting Minsoo more in the future as they were close relatives.

"the next time we meet, you must be healthy, alright Minsoo? Uncle Hoon loves Minsoo soooo much!".

Yonghoon's cousin took Minsoo from his arms and bowed to the 5 boys.

"thank you so much for taking a really good care of Minsoo. i'm sure he had a good time with you boys. tell me when you all are available, i would like to treat you all to a meal. a meal is not even enough, honestly. maybe two or three meals would be great too!"

after Minsoo's father took all of his things, it was really time to part ways now. Minsoo was not smiling nor crying. he just stared at his five uncles blankly as he waved goodbye with his tiny hand. it was hard to close the front door but they eventually had to leave.

the once lively living room was now so quiet. it was amazing how 1 baby could make the mood so happy. now that he went back home, the 5 boys felt empty.

Harin sighed as he sat up. "guys, i miss Minsoo already.."

it had only been about 2 hours since Minsoo left.

"me too.." Hyungu mumbled.

"Yonghoon hyung, can we videocall Minsoo? pleaaase!" Dongmyeong requested.

of course Yonghoon would agree. he wanted to see his cute nephew's face. Yonghoon texted his cousin in advance before giving her a call.

"hi Minsoo!" the 5 boys greeted in sync as soon as Minsoo's face popped up on the phone screen.

Minsoo whose expression was blank like earlier turned into a happy smile. his eyes sparkled when he saw the 5 boys that he was already missing too.

"UNCS!!" ('uncles' but baby talk)

no matter how many kilometres apart they were from each other, the 6 boys' hearts were still as closely packed together as ever.

.

.

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a/n : i've always wanted to see ONEWE taking care of a kid, so i wrote a whole imagine for it 😂 hope yall enjoyed it!

[razieltwelve]

Squad Life (Final Rose x Danmachi)

Note: A follow up to this. Not really proofread or anything, just a sort of... continuation of an idea.

X     X     X

It had been hard for Bell to get any sleep after being accepted into the Hestia Familia, but he somehow managed to get some rest. At the crack of dawn, he gathered all of his things and headed for the Familia Compound. Some guards met him at the gates, and the old warrior in charge greeted him with a smile.

“You’re early,” the warrior said.

“Am I?” Bell winced. “The captain said it would be okay if I arrived at dawn.”

“Easy there, kid.” The warrior grinned. “I was just joking around. We were told to expect you.” He waved Bell in and pointed. “You want to head that way. You're the last of the newbies for the time being, so now that you’re here, they can get started on the introductions.”

“I’m the last?” Bell tilted his head to one side. “Really?”

“Yeah. The captain doesn’t believe in taking in just anybody. Being strong is nice, sure, but she’s got other things she looks for. We took in a total of four people this time - enough for a squad. We’ll probably grab a few more in a month or two.”

Bell felt even more humbled. So many people had applied to join the Familia, and they’d only taken four? And he’d been one of them? No matter, he would do his best! Finally, after all this time, he’d been accepted. He wouldn’t let this opportunity go to waste.

“You’ve got good eyes, kid.” The warrior gestured again. “Now, run along. You want the training yard down the street. You’ll know it when you see it. The captain will be doing the introductions. She could let someone else do it, but she likes handling them herself, as often as she can, anyway.”

Bell hurried down the street. He didn’t have a lot in terms of possessions, and he was eager to meet the people he’d be working with. Around him, other members of the Familia were doing all sorts of things. Some were doing exercises. Some were working on their equipment. And still others seemed to be taking classes of one kind or another.

Soon, he reached the training yard. The captain was there, and the pink-haired woman nodded crisply in his direction.

“I see you came here as soon as you could.” Her lips twitched. “I had a feeling you’d do that, so I gathered the rest of your squad.” She nodded at the three other people who were sitting on a bench. “Have a seat.”

Bell put his things to the side and sat down. Two of the other people were teenage girls whilst the third was a teenage boy.

“I’ll let you introduce yourselves to each other in a moment,” Averia said. “But I want to begin by welcoming you all to Hestia Familia.” She paused. “Every Familia is different, but here we pride ourselves on one thing above all others.” Her eyes burned into them. “Loyalty. Be loyal to the Familia, our goddess, and your comrades. Do that, and every single person here will fight to the death to defend you. If another Familia tries to hurt you, then we will burn that Familia to the ground. Betray us, and I’ll put you in the ground myself.”

Bell swallowed thickly. The air was somehow heavy and thick with intent. He knew that Averia meant every word she said. The story of her rampage after members of another Familia had dared to threaten Hestia was legendary. It had taken the goddess herself personally begging her to show mercy to finally bring a halt to the carnage. She was extending that same level of protection to them, and all she wanted was their absolute loyalty.

He found himself nodding. He could do that. He would do that. After all, the Hestia Familia was the one Familia in the whole city that had been willing to give him a chance. If they would take him in, if they were willing to make him one of them, then he would gladly give everything he had in their defence.

Averia’s gaze lingered on them for a moment longer before she continued. Whatever she’d seen in their eyes, it must have satisfied her.

“You four will be operating as a squad. That means you’ll be living together, training together, and growing together.” Averia flicked her wrist to one side, and a sword appeared in her hand. It was something she was known to do: summon weapons at a whim. “No one is perfect. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The point of putting you in a squad is to accentuate your strengths and minimise your weaknesses. You will be able to grow faster if you work together because you will be able to face a far more diverse array of challenges in the dungeon.”

One of the teenage girls, an Amazon, raised her hand. Averia nodded in her direction. “Excuse me, captain, but could you explain that a bit more?”

“Yes, Gina.” Averia’s voice shifted to a more lecturing tone. “Essentially how quickly you grow is dependent on both your own abilities and the challenges you overcome in the dungeon. Since we cannot control what form your abilities will take, we will instead focus on the challenges you overcome in the dungeon. A lone adventurer is easy prey, especially early on. As such, your squad will allow you to grow in a relatively safe environment while still pushing yourselves. Our intent is to carefully monitor your progress to maximise the difficulty of the challenges you face without exposing you to challenges you aren’t yet ready for.”

Bell nodded to himself. That made a lot of sense. It might also explain how members of the Familia could level so quickly. If they were always right on the edge of what they were capable of, then they could really push themselves.

“The reason we’re here today is so that all of you can get acquainted with each other.” Averia’s lips twitched. “There are many ways to do that. However, if you’re going to be fighting alongside each other, the best way is probably to do a bit of sparring. But first...” She glanced at Bell. “Bell, you need to receive Hestia’ blessing.” She pointed. “Go to that building there. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”

X     X     X

Averia watched the new squad as they sparred amongst themselves. The four of them were an interesting bunch. Bell had the highest potential of any of them - amongst the highest she’d ever seen - but he was extremely raw. He lacked anything approaching proper form, and his fighting style was in need of serious work.

That said, he was not at all discouraged when Leo or Gina beat him in a fight, and he was careful not to be too rough on the occasions he managed to get close enough to attack Primo directly. It was a good start, all things considered, and the four seemed to get along well.

Averia had several people in mind to teach Primo. The girl was clearly gifted, but she needed a more diverse repertoire of spells to choose from. Given her abilities, she would ideal as a ranged/support person whereas the other three were all melee fighters in some way or another although she would encourage each of them to learn at least one spell or ranged ability when possible.

Gina and Leo were both relatively advanced in their training, so she already knew who she could apprentice them to in order to further their abilities. What they needed more than anything, at this point, was experienced.

Bell... hmm... it would be easier to have someone else teach him the basics, but if his potential was as high as both her instincts and Saviour believed, then it would be better to teach him herself. It would eliminate the possibility of bad habits, and it would further ensure his loyalty to her and the Familia.

“Good,” Averia said, calling a halt to the sparring. “Now, apart from sending you into the dungeon on a regular basis, the Familia will also be seeing to your training and education. By training, I mean that each of you will be assigned a mentor to maximise your skills. As for education, simply stabbing things isn’t enough. The Familia will ensure that you can handle yourself in a variety of situations.” She smiled. “Now, why don’t the three of you show Bell where he’ll be living? As members of the same squad, you’ll be sharing a house.”

X     X     X

Hestia clung onto Averia’s back like a barnacle, not that she’d ever describe herself that way.

“How did the new squad go?” she asked.

“Quite well, actually,” Averia said. The two of them, along with Tomoe, her second in command, were going to be eating dinner with some of Hestia’s friends and their associates. “They’re all getting along nicely.”

“That’s good.” Hestia huffed. “But I can’t believe you’re already working them so hard!”

Tomoe chuckled. “Goddess, when someone arrives at our Familia with little to their name, they wish nothing more than to prove themselves. Going too easy on them would be both insulting and unsettling.”

“We work them hard because it helps and because it makes them feel better. They’d be suspicious if we asked for nothing in return.” Averia waved briefly at one of their fellow members who was walking past, and Hestia waved as well. “Besides, if they’re too exhausted to worry about anything except training, they’re too exhausted to get into trouble.”

“I guess...”

“And they’ll be going on their first dive into the dungeon in a fortnight,” Averia continued. “I want to make sure they’re ready, especially Bell.”

“Oh?” Tomoe asked.

“That does make sense.” Hestia hadn’t seen what the big fuss about Bell was until she’d given him her blessing and seen what he might one day be capable of. “Is that why you’re training him yourself?”

Tomoe blinked. “Captain?”

“Indeed.” Averia nodded. “Given the right sort of education and experience, I have no doubt that Bell will become a most formidable individual.” She paused. “Goddess, if you could be so kind as to get off my back for a moment?”

“Huh?” Hestia shrugged and hopped off. Averia never asked her to get off unless she had a good reason. “Why?’

“Because of this.” Averia reached out with one hand and caught the blade aimed at her eye between two fingers. She turned her head. “Good evening, Ais.”

“You caught my sword again.” Ais tugged her weapon free and hopped back.

“I did.” Averia chuckled. “You’re getting better with your stealth.”

“But you still noticed me.” Ais took up a stance. “Can we spar before dinner?”

Averia glanced at her, and Hestia sighed. Ais had taken to ambushing Averia on a regular basis since Averia had promised her special training if she could successfully land a hit. She had yet to succeed, but she still sparred with Averia as often as she could to the point that Loki had begun to grumble about it being a plot to steal her away.

Hah! Hestia scoffed. As if they needed to steal anyone away! Loki was just mad because her captain could beat the crap out of anyone in her Familia!

“Just don’t take too long,” Hestia said. “And try not to break anything. It’ll be annoying if we have to pay for it.”

“As my goddess commands,” Averia said.

X     X     X

Bell dragged himself into bed with a groan. Even after a nice, relaxing bath, his body still ached, but it was a good sort of ache. It wasn’t the ache of an empty belly or the ache of a broken heart after being rejected again. He had bruises, but they were all from training, and his stomach was full from a hearty dinner.

He stared up at the ceiling, almost afraid to close his eyes in case he woke up and everything was just a dream. He had a squad. He had a Familia. He was even being trained by the captain. It was like a dream come true.