#he's just like yeah obviously we're going to help the stupid little girl and her stupid cat. i hate you so much

[agabus]

astarion is so fucking stupid he's like bleh i'm so mean i don't care about other people i'm obnoxious. and also i definitely hate kids because they're gross and get dirty and anyway we don't have TIME to save the little tiefling girl. oh fine whatever i'll help you. well yes of course i'm happy she's safe. that's different though she's a thief and extremely impulsive so we're kindred spirits i still don't like kids. well of course i like MOL. she's adorable. come on, she's like eleven years old running a little gang, that's cute as all hells. and mattis of course i like little mattis, sure his techniques could use some polish but he's got the makings of the greats, oh arabella? arabella's here? out here alone in the dark? no, it's okay, sweet girl, we'll find your parents. would you like to stay with us? oh fuck you, what are you smiling at?

[radvelvetcakez]

Hazbin Swap AU (PT2 ig???)

ok i need to share my ideas right now. Chaggie is real. Chaggie will always be real. - During an extermination, Charlie got injured attempting to protect a sinner, only being spared when the exorcist clocked her as the princess - Vaggie, an exorcist, found her hiding and caring for her wounds, she didn't recognise her as the literal princess, but she couldnt help but feel guilty and chose to help her. She was never caught by the other angels, meaning she was blessed enough to keep her eye and wings!!!! She stayed in hell tho cause love at first sight and lalallala yeah. Sapphics guys !!!! Husk, Niffty, & Angel take the place of the Vee's - they're that overlord trio. They're probably a bit more.. Merciful (except for Niffty she's deranged) but yk. Still inherently bad people n stuff Vox is the first hotel resident - except he & Alastor still have beef. He only showed up so he could do the exact opposite of proving the hotel to work as a big fuck you. Alastor does NOT want him there but he's their only guest so he kind of has to just accept it - he acts all friendly because he knows it pisses Vox off OVERLORD VAGGIE !!!! Charlie & Vaggie basically co-own souls - when Charlie says they share EVERYTHING she means EVERYTHING. Charlie already owned a lot of souls before meeting Vaggie, because, you know, she actually better embodies the whole "princess of hell" in this, and when they got together she was IMMEDIATELY LIKE "Vaggie I have a GENIUS idea. Since we're like girlfriends and stuff we should totes share like EVERYTHING so do you want to like - co-own all the souls I have?" And so Vaggie rose to power fairly quickly. Dating the princess of hell does wonders man Obviously. Alastor is the one starting the hotel, and Rosie is like. His Vaggie basically, she's there for moral support. - Also, unlike canon.. Rosie would be the one who doesn't know who Charlie is (where Angel didn't know about Alastor) Alastor: "Rosie! The... Princess of Hell is at the dooor..." Rosie: "Who?" Vox: "WHAT?" Charlie shows up cause her dad sends her a call about having to go see heaven in a weeks time and she REALLLYYY doesn't wanna go because ouhhh last time she talked to Adam he was an ASSHOLE and she would rather kill herself than talk to him again - so when she finds out about the hotel her immediate reaction is to head there and see if they'd rather take on the burden of seeing heaven. Cause you know, surely they'd love to get heaven behind their whole redemption shit, right???? They arent. Alastor is not at all interested in talking to heaven but Charlie really isn't having it and girl is BEGGING him to just take the offer because she PROMISES they'll be on it - the few silent threats she added are nobodies business chat.. Adam lowkey fucks w the idea of sinners being redeemed but he's also just too stubborn and prideful to agree and hes also mad he didn't come up w it first so he tells Al to FUCK OFF bc his idea is so stupid :// (Its genius and he refuses to admit it.) I need to include all the Vee's for the sake of my mental health so. - Valentino works for Angel Dust (wow. shocker so original /s) & when the little group finds out that THE princess of hell is helping some nobody overlord like Alastor they are just ??? and sent Val in to see what the FUCK is wrong with the girl. And what theyre getting up to - Charlie drags Velvette & Pentious in by the hair to work at the hotel - She met Pentious when he was in a bad situation and offered to help him in exchange for his soul - despite this, she didn't really use her ownership of his soul to her advantage and they became friends :3 He's happy to help - Velvette sold her soul to Vaggie for protection from the princess's very own guardian angel because she kept getting into shit with overlords and needed to save her ass. & again, Chaggie co-own souls

[fatedbutblinking]

meeting the parents. jason grace x eros daughter

jason and eros' only half-blood daughter are in love

everyone knew that about them but they refused to admit that it was true to everyone, each other and themselves

then they 'accidentally' sleep with each other one night

despite trying to be the perfect and detached leader, jason can't help but confess first

not only is she the most beautiful girl that he has ever seen, but she pushes him to be the best version of himself. she's caring but biting. she's excited him since the day he met her. and she is really good in bed so

and she thinks his arms are sexy

then comes parent day, one day a year where all the gods are forced to spend the full day on earth with their children

as the only daughter of eros and with jason being one of zeus' only children, zeus and eros decide to take them out for a nice meal

zeus and eros aren't keen on each other, because eros keeps trying to shoot arrows at him and human ladies to piss off zeus' wife hera

soo it's a bit awkward

'i can't believe you're in love with a boy who looks like he should be on a cereal box.'

jason almost spits out his water.

'dad,' she hisses.

'it's like dating peter pan on steroids.'

'nice,' jason jokes.

'don't push it, eros,' she hisses again.

'they're barely dating. of course my son is going to be drawn to a barbie doll.'

'don't talk about her like that,' jason says sternly.

'it's not bad to admit that. she's shiny. it's a good break for you, son.'

jason shakes his head. 'you're such a --'

eros ignores what zeus says and continues to her. 'i know you're in love with him. i can feel how much you do, trust me, and i know he loves you more -- obviously -- but you should still keep your options open.'

zeus puffs his chest. 'of course you're encouraging disloyalty, eros.'

'you're not exactly a saint, zeusy.'

'and whose fault is that?'

'the arrows don't force you to fall in love. they only make you do what you otherwise would if logic wasn't in the picture.'

'i'm already tired of being here.'

'then you shouldn't have made the plan.'

'i had to. you would have taken them to a brothel otherwise.'

'fuck off.'

and so zeus and eros argue

jason and her look at each other. she grasps his hand.

'i'm sorry.'

'no, i'm sorry. your hair is very shiny, but i love you for a lot more than that.'

'really now?' she teases.

'yeah. i like your face, your body, your lips...'

'very funny, grace.'

'i'm more than my looks as well, you know.'

'i don't know. i think he's right about you looking like peter pan. the buffer, sexier, more stupid version.'

'ha-ha-ha.'

'i am sorry, jase. you'd think my dad being the god of love and affection would mean he'd be nice.'

'don't be sorry. they're gods. they're always going to think they're right.'

'but they're our fathers.'

'even more reason for them to think they're right.'

'i love you.'

'i love you more. your dad's not wrong about that part.'

suddenly they notice it is really quiet around them. both zeus and eros are staring at them, having listened to part of their conversation. they seem to be a little bit shocked, but regain their composure quickly. eros ends up smirking, folding his arms on his chest and leaning back as he stares at them. zeus watches them with curiosity, eating an olive.

'what?' he asks. 'what is it?'

'have you two picked what you want to eat?' zeus asks, motioning to the menu.

'i thought you guys wanted to leave,' she says.

'it just happens that you're obsessed with each other,' cupid explains. 'i should at least try to find out why.'

zeus nods. that's the first time that they agree with each other. both of their heads dart towards the menu as they bicker over what food they're going to get.

jason smiles softly and holds her hand. she is a bit in shock now.

'guess we're hard to deny,' he says.

'we? i'm the shiny one,' she jokes, squeezing his hand back.

[alexihollis]

What Was I Made For? (Ajax/Rembrandt)

Trigger Warning: child abuse, mental health issues

"Where's Rembrandt?" Ajax asked, slightly out of breath as she appeared suddenly in Cleon's living room and startled the Warriors there. Fox, Cochise, Cleon, and Cowgirl were playing cards, Swan lounging on the couch with a book.

"No clue," Cleon placed a card down, not even bothering to look up. "Why?"

"Anyone seen her since, like, lunch? Yesterday?"

"Dude, she's your girl, if any of us-" Cowgirl cut herself off from her joke, then looked to Ajax. "Wait. Have you not seen her since lunch yesterday?!"

"Obviously fucking not." Ajax actually felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest.

Swan sat up straighter, book forgotten. "Did you get in a fight or something?"

"...something like that." Because lying was not going to help the situation.

"What did you do?" Cochise asked.

"None of your business, but she didn't-" Ajax cut herself off. Took a deep breath and said, "We need to go to Queens."

The look Cleon gave her could kill. "Queens?"

"What's in Queens?" Fox asked, but the rest of the girls had caught on.

"You let her go alone?" Swan asked and Ajax bristled at the judgement heavy in her voice.

"I didn't let her do shit," Ajax hissed, eyes narrowed. "I told her I wouldn't go with her, I didn't think she'd go by herself!"

"And her not coming home last night wasn't a bit of a hint?" Swan retorted, getting on her feet.

"I thought she spent the night here! I started getting freaked out after lunch!"

Cochise had already slammed her cards down on the table. "You're an idiot and we need to go."

Cowgirl was also getting up, grabbing her colors.

"Okay, seriously, what's in Queens?" Fox asked.

"Everyone, stop," Cleon's authoritative order stilled the room. "We can't all go to Queens. Besides, that block's deep in Gambit territory. Give me a minute to contact their leader - Silas is a friend. I can fill him in, he'll either swing by the apartment himself or let his soldiers know we're coming through. We aren't starting a war over this."

"You can't be- Its Rembrandt!" Cowgirl exclaimed.

"Who went in of her own free will," Cleon said. "Ajax. Kitchen, please."

God fucking damn it.

In the kitchen, Cleon gestured to the small table as she closed the door. Ajax took a seat, Cleon taking another.

"Why'd Rembrandt go back?" Cleon asked.

Ajax gritted her teeth. Then, "Her gran died. Memorial or wake or some shit was at her old apartment, last night." A moment passed. Ajax picked at loose skin on her thumb, not looking at Cleon. "She wanted me to go with her."

"How'd she even find out about it?" Cleon asked.

"Her brother. Stephen." The slimy fucker. Ajax hated him, from his stupid greasy hair to the obnoxious smirk to the condescending way he always spoke to his little sister.

"Hm." Cleon rubbed at the bridge of her nose. "You told her you wouldn't go?"

What didn't Ajax tell her?

"I told her I wouldn't go. I told her she shouldn't go. She said it was her gran. I said something stupid. It was stupid, the whole thing." Ajax bounced her leg. "I should've just gone with her. I didn't think she'd go alone."

"She shouldn't have."

"I know," the words were bitter on Ajax's tongue. "I should have-"

"Nope," Cleon cut her off. "You're allowed to say no to shit like that. Rembrandt doesn't have a monopoly on not liking your old hood. She should have come to me in the first place."

Ajax shrugged, fidgeted a bit in her seat. "I mean, it's my job to keep her safe. I shouldn't-"

"Let me call Silas," Cleon interrupted again. "See how he wants us to handle it."

Fortunately, Cleon was able to get Silas on the phone easily enough. Ajax could just barely make out the man's voice through the phone.

"Yeah, yeah, I know what building you're talking about, some of our younger boys used to live there," Silas said.

"Well, you cool with us swinging by to check on our girl?" Cleon asked.

"Look, it's not that I have a problem with it, but it's kind of last minute. My guys are already out and about and I've been low on scouts. I can't guarantee that I'll get to everyone in time and some of my guys are dumbasses," Silas said. "How 'bout I swing by there? Let her know her crew's worried?"

"That's fine. Don't take it personal if she runs off on you, she's a bit flighty."

"Course she is, she's a tagger."

Cleon hung the phone back on the wall, turning to Ajax. "Silas is gonna check in on her."

Ajax crossed her arms, shifting her weight on her feet. "I don't like it."

"I know you don't," Cleon said. "I don't like it, either, but it's the best we're gonna get right now. Got it?"

Ajax nodded. The other women were similarly displeased when Cleon told them, but understanding.

Well. Except Fox.

"Can someone please tell me what is in Queens?" She said as everyone had settled back down in the living room, Ajax choosing to sit in the armchair over by the window (not brooding).

"Ajax and Rembrandt's old neighborhood," Cowgirl finally took pity on Fox.

Fox's eyes widened slightly, darting towards Ajax, who just scowled. She didn't ask anymore questions. Ajax hadn't expected her to ask more after that - even three months after her initiation, Fox remained cagy about conversation that veered towards talk of family or old homes. Most of them did, but Fox wouldn't even tell them her original name. They called her probie for a solid week, Ajax was almost worried it would end up being her new name. She appreciated Fox's hesitance, now, though.

The fight the day before came out of nowhere for Ajax. She stopped by at the apartment to grab some lunch to find Rembrandt home, when she was supposed to be out, then, before she could even say hello, Rembrandt started talking about her gran. That she had been sick for a long time and finally passed away the week before and that there would be some sort of memorial that night at Rembrandt's old apartment.

Which really meant Rembrandt's dad's apartment, but neither of them liked calling that man that.

"Woah, woah, back up, how'd you even hear about all this?" Ajax asked, shaking her head to try to clear her racing thoughts.

"Stephen." Her oldest brother. The asshole could track down anyone in the five boroughs.

"Okay. Okay," Ajax tried to get herself on the same page as Rembrandt. "But I don't- Why do you want to go?"

"Its my gran, I have to go." No, Rembrandt decidedly did not have to go.

"Since when did you give a shit about her?" Ajax asked, not nearly as delicately as she perhaps could have been considering the circumstances. And then continued to be less than delicate: "That woman used to lock you out on the fire escape when you pissed her off."

Rembrandt's eyes narrowed. "She was my gran."

"You have scars from frost bite on the bottom of your feet from the time she locked you out there without shoes. In January." Because apparently Rembrandt forgot this. Ajax didn't. Ajax couldn't. "You were ten."

"That's not fair."

"And they're all gonna be there," because Ajax never knew when to shut the fuck up. "Your brothers. Your dad." Rembrandt's face twisted at the word dad. "You really want to see those people?"

"That's why I'm asking you to go with me," but Ajax was already shaking her head.

"No. Absolutely not."

"Ajax, please-"

"No!" Ajax exclaimed, heart jackrabbiting in her chest. "This- this is such bullshit, what the hell?! How could you even ask me to do this?"

"Because you're my girlfriend?" Rembrandt said, as if Ajax needed reminding. "And I'm asking you to have my back on this?"

"I can't. I can't do this, come on, Rem. I can't."

"Fine. Fine, whatever, if you want to blow this way out of proportion," Rembrandt muttered, grabbing her jacket.

"Wait- Wait, where are you going?"

"Out. Don't follow me." And Rembrandt was gone.

Ajax thought she would come back that night. She waited up on the couch, not even crossing the four feet of their studio to the bed. She just waited.

But Rembrandt didn't come back that night. Or the next morning. And now here Ajax was, sitting on the armchair next to the window in Cleon's apartment, hating everything. She should have realized where Rembrandt was going. She should have followed her. She should have just gone with her in the first place, sucked it up, bitten her tongue, and played the guard dog.

The phone rang about two hours after Cleon hung it up.

Ajax waited with her heart in her throat.

"Rem's fine," Cleon said as soon as she walked back into the living room. "Headed home now, Silas sent one of his soldiers with her, 'cause things got a little heated with one of her brothers - running with the Rogues now, apparently. She's fine, though."

"Oh, thank God," Cochise sighed.

Cowgirl shook her head. "Girl'll be the damn death of us. How you holding up over there, Ajax?"

"I'm going home," was all Ajax muttered before she tore out of the apartment.

Of course Rembrandt was fine. What did Ajax think was going to happen? That her dad would backhand her into the kitchen cupboard? Or one of her brothers would lock her in the building utility closet? Rembrandt didn't live there anymore, she wasn't a kid, she could take care of herself. Didn't even need Ajax after all.

Ajax shoved open the apartment door and made quick work of stripping out of her clothes and into flannel pajama pants and a white tank top. Who cared if it wasn't even eight o'clock? Ajax just wanted to sleep.

And if Ajax found herself on the side pressed up against the red brick wall on a pillow that smelled distinctly like Rembrandt's shampoo, hair product, and just a tiny bit of spray paint? That was no one's business.

Time passed and Ajax laid there, eyes closed, ignoring the tornado of thoughts, trying to force herself to sleep. Sleep, sleep, sleep. But it evaded her. Annoyingly.

Then, the apartment door opened. Ajax kept her eyes closed, but she couldn't help tensing up. She heard boots hitting the floor. Keys being set on the table next to the door. Drawers opened and clothes rustled against each other, plopped into the laundry basket they kept in a corner. Cold air hit Ajax, made her shiver slightly, as Rembrandt lifted a corner of the blanket before sliding into bed, curling herself against Ajax, her forehead resting just above where Ajax's shoulder blades met and an arm around Ajax's waist.

"Cleon's mad at me," Rembrandt said, casually. She slipped her hand under Ajax's tank top, her thumb running gently back and forth over Ajax's stomach. "Said it was dumb to go into another gang's territory alone, especially without letting her know."

Ajax didn't say anything.

But Rembrandt continued. "And she said that it wasn't right that I didn't respect the fact that you didn't want to go."

"Cleon needs to mind her own fucking business," Ajax muttered.

"She's right," Rembrandt said, causing Ajax to tense more. Rembrandt pressed a gently kiss to the back of Ajax's neck. "I'm sorry. I was being selfish and I didn't-" Rembrandt cut herself off with a heavy sigh.

"I was so focused on the fact that I've gotten older and stronger and I wanted them to see that," Rembrandt continued after a minute. "I wanted them to realize that I'm not the little girl they used to whale on all the time and I wanted them to see the women we've both become. I've been scared of them for so long, it felt like the opportunity to change that, y'know? I haven't been back since we left and...it never occurred to me that me not wanting to go back might not be the reason you haven't gone back, either."

"They almost killed you." Ajax's voice sounded hollow. Like it didn't even belong to her when she spoke.

Rembrandt was quiet for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"At the end. When you were seventeen." Ajax felt like she was watching herself speak. "When I was eighteen. I found you on the roof, sitting on the ledge, and I screamed at you to get down. You wouldn't even look at me."

"I don't-"

"You didn't even seem to know I was there. I managed to pull you down myself, but you just- you weren't there. I hid you in my bedroom while I went to get your shit and that was when we ran." Dully, Ajax noted that the pillow was getting damp and she was finding it more difficult to speak.

"I'd only been talking with Cleon about a week at that point, but she- You know. It's Cleon, it worked out. But you didn't talk to anyone for two weeks. You just sat in our room like a fucking statue, barely eating or drinking anything. Then, one day, I came back from a job and your chatting up a storm with Cochise and- I hadn't lost you. Somehow I hadn't lost you, but I almost did, and the thought of going back there- I'm not strong enough to protect you from that. I couldn't protect you from that. The best I could do was help you run."

When she finished speaking, the arm around her waist tightened and Ajax allowed Rembrandt to turn her over onto her back. Rembrandt positioned herself over Ajax, balanced on her forearms, curls brushing the sides of Ajax's face.

"You did protect me," Rembrandt said, firm and heartbroken at the same time. "You saved me, you- you did so well, Ajax. You're perfect, you're more than perfect. Fuck, fuck, I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry-"

"You have nothing to apolo-" Rembrandt's hand covered Ajax's mouth.

"Stop talking, I fucked up," Rembrandt said. "I fucked up so bad. You are the most perfect, most beautiful, most amazing girlfriend in the world and you always, always put me above everything and the one time you tried to tell me you couldn't do something, I didn't listen. You're allowed to have limits. Got it?"

Ajax stared at her from above her hand.

"Oh, whoops, sorry." Rembrandt moved her hand to the side. She laid down, chin resting on Ajax's chest while her hand went to cradle the side of Ajax's face, thumb running along Ajax's cheekbone. It was second nature for Ajax to lean in to the motion. "I'm sorry for not listening to you."

"Thanks," Ajax felt wrecked. Then, something caught her eye and Ajax lifted a hand and pushed hair off from Rembrandt's forehead, revealing a small scrape. She narrowed her eyes. "What's this?"

"Mm. Yeah. Dear old Cropsy." Ajax recognized that name, Rembrandt's brother that was three years older. "Running with a new gang out of Hell's Kitchen. They call themselves the Rogues."

"Silas mentioned."

"They're nothing if they're recruiting Cropsy," Rembrandt snorted. Then, she grabbed Ajax's hand, letting the hair fall back in front of her face. "I'm fine. I'm the idiot who decided to go back to Queens."

"You aren't an idiot."

Rembrandt kissed the hand she held. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

[jacks347]

Would the listeners survive a zombie apocalypse? (In my slightly sarcastic, completely subjective opinion)

Idk man, I'm bored and got time to kill in church so here we are

(Tagging this is going to be a nightmare-)

(Edit from the future: It was. It really was.)

Redacted:

For sake of my sanity this isn't all the listeners, just the ones I'm still actively keeping up with (I'll get to the others...eventually)

Angel - Solid maybe. Out of all the unempowereds, definitely has one of the highest chances. But it would take an extreme streak of luck.

Babe - No...I'm sorry but no. Would be like one of those extras that you see eaten in the first minute of a horror movie.

Sweetheart - Probably. Can a zombie detect someone invisible? Sweetheart is smart enough to survive, they'll be fine.

Darlin - Yes if they have Sam to hold them back from sacrificing themself for the "greater good". No if they're left completely to their own devices.

Lovely - Depends on the version. Pre Adam, no. Pre Inversion, maybe? Post Inversion, definitely. Hard to die to a zombie apocalypse when you're a) already dead and b) literally immortal.

Treasure - Okay, I know Treasure is the newest addition to the roster and we haven't had a lot of time to see their personality develop but as of now? Yeah...no.

Freelancer - They'll do it on -3 hours of sleep simply out of spite. Freelancer has been through enough, they're just tired. They'd survive but begrudgingly.

Honey - Honey would survive out of spite and spite alone. Would definitely have that baseball bat from The Walking Dead.

GBA:

Guardian - ...you're kidding, right?

Darling - Yeah...no. Soft bby would never.

Faithful - Possibly? That stubborn attitude and medical abilities would help but has absolutely no combat training so ehhhhh, it depends.

Paradise - If she can break a pirate crew out of space Fort Knox and wrangle Yargwynn, a zombie apocalypse is pocket change. Paradise would own an apocalypse.

Partner - I swear I'll stop bullying the new additions. Once they're worth not bullying. The man made the zombie apocalypse, I guess we're gonna find out if he survives won't we? I'm not hopeful though.

Escaped:

Asset - No one in ATW even knows how to do basic math, the only way any of them survive is through sheer force of which they might actually be successful. So maybe.

Raven - Yes but she would have a mental breakdown about it so she would not be the same on the other side.

Slash - ...seriously?

Guest - Hm, a trained vampire slayer in a zombie apocalypse, I wonder what would happen! Obviously she'd be fine.

Intern - Entirely dependent on who they're trying to keep alive. If it's just them, probably. If it's them and the rest of their merry band of misfits, no.

Future Wife - You're funny. RIP my girl, no one will know her husband broke the fuckin timeline for some pancakes.

Agent Schäfer - Once the shock and panic wore off, yeah she'd be fine. Hope she doesn't get eaten during that freeze.

("Where's Lass?" When Desmond returns for more than five minutes, come talk to me about listening to Blue Infinity)

Nomad:

Pack Mom - Definitely. We already know she's a deadly shot and wasn't afraid to shoot a living person, a dead one would be fine. She will be perfectly fine.

Lass - Yes. Not with as much overwhelming power as Pack Mom but she'd get through it. I mean...she has formal sword training, I think she'd do okay.

Little One - Probably not. Out of the original Frosthaven romances, they are the least likely to survive. They'd put up a good fight though.

Lamb - Yes and no. Physically, she'd be just fine. Mentally, I don't know if she could do it. Slipping back into that killer mindset might just drag her under.

Chester's mate - Probably not. Out of all the new Frosthaven romances, they're the most average. They'd try though.

Harlow's roommate - No. I love them but no. Not our slightly stupid boat captain.

Caltraxus' TA - Yes and they'd hate it every step of the way. Would survive completely hungover if that was an option.

The Doctor - Probably? If not by her own merit then definitely through someone else cause everyone needs a doctor in the apocalypse.

Beau's mate - Yes. Literally fought a bear once. She will be just fine.

(The lack of fandom names for Nomad's listeners saddens me greatly. And also makes my work so much harder)

This was so dumb but I had fun so :P

[blushweddinggowns]

Part two to this

"How would you feel about meeting up with Trisha?" Steve asked one night, completely casual. Like he didn't just send Eddie in to a tailspin, "We were talking this morning and-"

"You talked to her this morning?" Eddie interrupted, nerves coloring his voice, "I thought you already talked to her on Monday?"

Steve leaned back onto Eddie chest with a sigh, tilting his head to stare up at him from their spot in bed, "Sweetheart, we've talked about this. You don't really get to be jealous considering I left her for you. On our wedding day. I think it's safe to say you won babe."

"I'm not jealous," Eddie mumbled into his hair, a complete fucking lie, "Just...concerned."

"Concerned that I'm going to leave you for the girl I left for you? You don't think that's a little counter-intuitive?"

Eddie knew he was right, of course he was right. He was being stupid, but that didn't stop the fact that he was scared. And okay yeah, technically he had no reason to doubt their relationship. It had over a year since he crashed Steve's wedding and stole him away. And it had been a great fucking year.

The first few months had been a little rough, jumping from not speaking for years to suddenly living together was bound to have some complications. But they got over them quickly enough, mostly because Eddie hadn't been fucking around when he said he'd do anything to keep Steve around.

If anything, it was all too easy. Suspiciously easy. It made him feel a little paranoid, that he was just allowed to be this happy with a guy he didn't deserve, after getting him back in one of the most dramatic, inconsiderate way possible.

He just...got away with everything a little too cleanly. And Eddie would be lying if he said he wasn't scared shitless at the chance that he could lose him. Even if that chance may just be in his head.

Eddie sighed, breaking eye contact as Steve stared him down, "I'm sorry."

"You should be," Steve said, leaning up to press a comforting kiss to his mouth before continuing, "But I love you anyway. And for the hundredth time, we're just friends. She's not even mad anymore. Sending that check over to her dad definitely smoothed things over. She even has a new boyfriend already."

Eddie may not have liked his ex-finance, on the selfish basis that she had gotten way to close to marrying the love of his life, but paying for their wedding was the least he could do after stealing the best part of it. Being rich and famous had to come in handy sometime right?

But that didn't mean he wanted to meet the girl.

"Come on," Steve tried, turning his body to make them face each other. He wrapped his arms around Eddie's neck, shamelessly ready to pull out the puppy dog eyes, "There's nothing to be worried about. I love you, obviously. And no one else. Besides, she deserves the chance to chew us out a little, considering what we did. Don't you think?"

He had a point, Eddie knew that he had a point. But just because it was the right thing to do didn't mean that Eddie wanted to deal with it. But it's not like he had a choice, not when Steve decided to pull that disgustingly adorable face.

And that's how Eddie found himself sitting across from the girl whose husband he stole, just two days later. It was awkward, or maybe Eddie was just awkward, because she and Steve were talking like they were old friends, instead of the bitter exes that they should be.

Trisha Rogers was a pretty girl, unfortunately. Tall, blonde, and put together. Like she could have just hopped right off the set of Baywatch. Her attractiveness was definitely not helping with Eddie's growing paranoia, but it wasn't exactly a shocker that Steve almost married a Farrah Fawcett clone.

But the pleasant smile on her face when she turned the conversation to him kind of was, "So you're the guy who ruined my wedding, huh?"

She turned back to Steve, a perfect brow raised, "He's cuter than you said he was."

Eddie blinked, glancing over at Steve, "You talked to her about me?"

"Since the start of our relationship," Trisha answered for him with a nostalgic sigh, "Actually, I think his exact words were, 'He's like if sexy fucked adorable and gave birth to a man who would ruin your life.' Something like that. He was surprisingly upfront about the whole 'I'm in love with someone who doesn't want me' since the get go."

"I wasn't that bad!" Steve whined, "And you're the one who kept asking questions about him!"

"And you're the one who failed to mention that he might pop up a year later to steal you away," Trisha said with a warm smile, "And if you had I would have gotten someone else to have a sham marriage with."

"Sham is kind of a strong word there Trish," Steve laughed, "I always thought of it as a marriage of convenience. Besides, it was your idea in the first place."

Sham? Convenience? What the hell were they talking about? Eddie looked between the two of them, brow furrowed at the words and the weird way they were smiling at each other, "Am I missing something here?"

"Well long story short, I met this really hot guy right?" Trisha started, winking at Steve, "And he was a great boyfriend for like, a solid two months. Then I find out he's still in love with an ex I'm still not 100 percent deserves him. And the romantic side of the relationship kind of died there. The sex kept being great though."

Trisha laughed at the way that made Eddie grimace, the shit head. He was starting to understand why these two got along in the first place.

"Anyway," She continued, "He made it pretty clear that he wasn't going to be an ideal life partner. But a friend with benefits was still on the table. And as a friend, he was set to do me the biggest solid imaginable, before you came along."

"She wasn't going to get her trust fund until she got married, her Dad's a massive traditionalist," Steve finished for her, "That's where I came in."

Eddie could feel his eye twitch as he looked over at Steve, "And you didn't think to mention that?"

Steve shrugged, "You're the one who looked constipated every time I said her name. Do you blame me for not bringing that up before?"

"Yes!"

"Oh he is cute when he's mad," Trisha giggled, "You hadn't been kidding about that."

Steve grinned, snaking a hand under the table to lace their fingers together, "Isn't he? And I am sorry about not following through. We both are. I just...got a little bit caught up in the moment."

Trisha shrugged, "It's okay. I mean, I'm still kind of pissed because of the humiliation factor, but everyone felt so bad for me I got to keep all the gifts. And my Dad gave me the trust fund anyway. He has some pretty choice words for you by the way."

She turned to Eddie, a tiny smile on her face, "But he's a big fan of you for sending the money over. He wanted me to mention that if you ever want to leave Steve at the altar you already have his permission for my hand in marriage-Hey!"

Eddie held back a laugh, watching as Steve lazily lied, "Oh whoops? Did I kick you on accident? Sorry about that."

She laughed, "Okay, okay! No flirting with the soulmate! Got it. So what's been new with you? Besides the whole life partnership thing?"

They talked for a little while longer, with more than a few more jokes being made at both of their expenses. But they definitely deserved it, even if the circumstances of their relationship weren't as serious as Eddie originally thought. It helped, especially since it was becoming crystal clear that this girl had every intention of staying Steve's friend. Though...he was still a little pissy that they slept together, as irrational as it was.

He kept that insane thought rightfully to himself.

But either way, by the time they made it home, Eddie's paranoia about the girl who almost married his soulmate was functionally dead.

"I still wish you had told me about the sham part," Eddie groaned as they stepped through the front door, "Could have saved me some serious heartache there Stevie."

Steve grinned. He wrapped his arms around Eddie's neck, stopping them in the hallway to give him a quick kiss, "Consider it payback for ignoring me for three years."

He knew he was joking, but that didn't stop Eddie from flinching. He was 100 percent right, if anything Eddie deserved a much worse punishment for putting Steve through all of his bullshit.

"Oh, don't pout," Steve said at the look on Eddie's face. He leaned in, pressing kisses all over his face, comforting him despite the fact that he didn't deserve it, "I already forgave you, remember? Now you can consider us even."

Eddie shook his head. He refused to let himself off the hook for this, not when he came so close to losing Steve forever because he had to go and be an idiot. He wrapped his arms around Steve's waist, pulling him in until they were flush against each other, "Don't let me off the hook yet. I got a lot more groveling to do. Preferably for the rest of our lives."

Steve grinned, hiding the smile in the crook of Eddie's neck, "I can live with that."

[hoseokslefteyebrow]

The Anomaly || JJK

Bonus Chapter: Nobara Kugisaki

summary : In which you're isekai'd from your (own) parallel Jujutsu Kaisen universe to the canon universe.

wordcount : 1.9k

Pairing: Jujutsu Kaisen X Reader, mostly platonic, you're really just part of the story

Masterlist | Next

You smile, grinning as you pull Sukuna along by hand, your fingers interlaced with his.

" Can you believe it, Sukuna?! We're accepted! We're going to be strong and protect people!"

Sukuna grumbles behind you, rolling his eyes.

" Ehh, who cares. Who are the other first years anyway?"

" Well, there's me-"

" Obviously there's you, Yuu'. If I'm there then why wouldn't you be?"

Sukuna is pretending to be tough, like he dislikes that fact, but both you and Yuuji know better.

Yuuji grins, sharing glances with you.

" Y'know, you can act all tough as you want, but we both know you'd miss me if I wasn't around!" 

Yuuji's grinning, and so are you.

" Yeah! Remember back when we were looking for crabs on the beach and you couldn't find Yuuji and panicked?-"

" Y/N, I was 7, give it a rest. He's stupid, I genuinely thought he'd drowned."

" There's no way the three of you are the other first years."

All three of you blink at the new voice which has joined the conversation.

" Megumi! You look great!"

" You I can accept. But really, sensei? Kamo and Sukuna?"

You scoff at Megumi, crossing your arms over one another as you playfully glare at him.

" You should consider yourself lucky actually-"

" Why aren't you in Jujutsu Tech Kyoto? Isn't Kamo Noritoshi there as well?"

" Yeah, well, for that exact reason. The clan doesn't want us to be close, so they figured that I shouldn't go to Jujutsu Tech at all.- Gojo sensei helped me out actually-"

" You condone her being here? She's reckless!-"

You scoff at Megumi's words, also turning to your teacher.

" Hey! I'm fine. I'm fun even, unlike you-"

You glare shortly at Megumi. 

" Glad to see you all like each other. We'll have to get going though, there's another first year we're about to meet."

Yuuji, Sukuna and you blink at him. It seems like Megumi already knows.

About an hour later, you find yourselves in Harajuku, waiting on yet another student.

Yuuji, Sukuna and you are from the country side. You've only been to Tokyo a handful of times, so everything looks cool to you. So far, you've only spent your money on a crepe that looked delicious. ( It was too.) Yuuji has gone all out, looking much like a tourist. Sukuna had gotten a crepe too, but he's also been sneaking bites from your own, and Megumi hasn't been engaging in anything. Because, (in your opinion), he's boring.

It takes a few.moments before you notice a familiar uniform,and your eyes twinkle as you notice something.

It's another girl!

Finally, you're not the only one between these idiots anymore. (Sukuna included.)

It takes a few moments, but finally, she notices your group too.

You bow formally as her eyes flit over you, before approaching her in excitement, taking her hands in your own like she's some kind of miracle.

" Hi! I'm Kamo Y/N, but call me Y/N! It's so nice to finally have another girl on the team!- Oooeh, your skin is beautiful, what's your skin care routine? That man had no taste, honestly, you look great! Maybe it was your age he was uncomfortable with, perhaps he-"

" Hey little shit, you're rambling again."

You blink turning around to face your best friend, letting go of Nobara's hands.

" And Who're you?"

" Hello! I'm Itadori Yuuji, and this is my twin. We're all from Sendai! Y/N included."

" Sukuna."

" Fushiguro Megumi."

You can pretty much feel Nobara's chain of thoughts as she judges the three boys. Eventually, she glances at you.

" Soo, you've been around these three how long exactly?"

You blink, deeply thinking about it.

" Uhm, not sure, actually.- Our dads hit it off at a grocery store one day and we've just been hanging out ever since?"

You're not even sure how long you know all know each other, Megumi included.

Nobara hums apologetically.

" And you've been stuck with these dudes ever since? You must have lost so many braincells.- Don't worry though, I'm here now!" 

You smile, and both your and Nobara's hands clap together as the two of you jump around.

Gojo grins, happy the two of you are getting along. Yuuji is quick to engage in conversation too. Megumi and Sukuna only exchange glances with one another. They pretty much don't care.

It doesn't take long for Megumi to speak up, eager to either go home or do something useful instead of watching his two classmates gossiping.

" Are we going somewhere from here?"

" We do have all the first year students together. And two* of you only recently arrived from the country side. So of course, we're going on a tour of Tokyo!" 

You and Sukuna exchange glances while Megumi looks about done for the day. 

Last time Gojo said something like that, he abandoned you and Sukuna at Nanami's feet.

Truefully, that was years ago, but still. Your trust issues come from this man and this man alone.

" TDL! Let's go to TDL!"

" Idiot, TDL is in Chiba! Let's go to Chinatown!"

" Chinatown is in Yokohama! "

" Yokohama is in Tokyo! You know what? Why don't you go look at a map-"

Megumi is just looking at Yuuji and Nobara while they argue over options like it hasn't already been chosen.

You and Sukuna both blink, lowkey expecting what could be coming.

" I will now announce our destination-"

Both Yuuji and Nobara make it a show to get down on their knees.

" Roppongi."

Oh. You think to yourself.

That's not so bad.

-

You blink at the building in front of you. Yeah, you should've seen this coming.

beside you, Yuuji and Nobara are complaining.

" There's a curse here."

You send Megumi an annoyed glance. Thanks Megs, we hadn't noticed that yet.

Sukuna blinks.

" There is?"

Ah right. Can he see curses? Yes. Can he see cursed energy? No.

After Nobara had a moment to realize Yuuji only very recently joined and didn't know a thing yet, Gojo started speaking. 

" I wanna see what you guys are capable of. Just see this as a field test. Nobara, Yuuji, the two of you will go in and excorsize the curse in that building."

Megumi, Sukuna and you turn to him in mild disappointance nd surprise.

" What about us?"

" I've already got a general of idea what the three of you are capable of."

You pout. Megumi seems mildly annoyed by it too.

" Hey Yuu', don't die." 

Sukuna's sweet call causes his twin to turn around with a grin.

" Awe, you'll miss me?"

" No. But you have a lock on your suitcase, which is where the Wii is." 

Yuuji pouts.

You snort.

Soon enough the two of them enter the building, and you, Megumi and Sukuna are left with Gojo outside.

After sitting down on a curb, Gojo turns to you.

" So, you and Megumi? Since when have you had this rivalry going on?" 

You and Megumi blink on one another.

" He stole my bowl of noodles 3 winters ago."

Your words are solemn, dark, like you're talking about a grave crime scene.

Gojo blinks.

He remembers that day. Was that where the arguing started?

Wasn't it Sukuna who had slurped all your noodles?

" I've told you, it wasn't me!"

Megumi sends you an annoyed look, a vein popping the side of his head.

" I know it was you! Who else would it be?!"

The two of you start bickering again, oblivious to Sukuna's amused expression and Gojo's knowing smile.

There are only a few people who can get Megumi worked up like that after all.

-

" Huh, why are you all empty handed?" 

Both you and Nobara blink at your schoolmates as you approach with Nobara's suitcase and your sportsbag filled with clothes sling over your shoulder.

Sukuna raises a brow.

" You two going somewhere?"

" What are you two even doing with all that luggage?"

Panda's pointing a finger at the both of you.

" What do you mean? Aren't we heading to Kyoto?"

" For the exchange school event in Kyoto?" 

" The exchange school event with our sister school from Kyoto, which will be held here in Tokyo."

You and Nobara exchange glances.

You face palm.

 Maki gives the two of you a pointed look.

" No wonder our conversation have been a little off all this time."

" I know right?"

" Salmon." 

" Y/N should've known, considering her cousin will be here in a few minutes."

" Right? She mentioned she was excited to see him."

" Are you kidding me?! Then what did I make all these preparations for? "

You blink while Nobara bursts out, causing you to blink again.

" The event is held at the school which won last year, which was Tokyo." 

Poor Panda is getting all shaked up by Nobara, who is currently rambling.

You're about to put your hand on her shoulder and calm her down, when Sukuna wraps an arm around you shoulder.

" Don't stop her, this is amusing."

Rolling your eyes, you nudge him off you, stopping one of your newfound best friends instead.

" Hey, you two, cut it out. They're here."

You blink at Maki, pointing to yourself.

" What did I even do?"

" Ah, well, look at that. Everyone from Tokyo together. Is this the welcoming party? How disappointing."

Mai. You've never spoken to her before, but you heard about her from Nobara, who seemed to have a violent run in with her a few weeks ago, when she unnecessarily showed up.

" I don't see Okkotsu anywhere."

Todo Aoi. 

Several of your schoolmates banter in comments for a moment, while Noritoshi sends you a close eyed smile.

" Good to see you, Y/N. I hope you've gotten stronger. You might've been able to beat me before, but you won't be able to do so now."

You grin at him.

" Bet. Try me."

Before anyone can get too heated, Utahime joins the scene.

-

Currently, Nobara is scrolling through her phone on her bed, her face mushed in her pillow. 

She misses you, undeniably so.

She was missing you when you had been missing, and was fearing you were dead, she was glad to hear that you are lost instead. That doesn't mean that things got easier on her side. She feels like she misses you more now, scrolling through random photos in memory of you. Many were taken at the mall or in shopping districts, others with your classmates. 

She just hopes that wherever you are, that you would be okay.

-

Meanwhile, you stare in horror at her body which is now lying lifeless on the floor.

You hope your best friend is alive and well in your own universe.

* I mentioned 2 earlier bc Sukuna and mc have already been to tokyo (dumped at Jujutsu tech lol)

The Anomaly Taglist:

@luxylucylou @kalulakunundrum @strxbxrrylover @aethersslave @jenniferrvsesi @hanatsuki-hime @betizda @sh0uk1

[destinygoldenstar]

☀️Reality TV’s Stupidest Alliance☀️ - Total Drama Viewer Reacts to Disventure Camp Season 1 Episode 2 “Logged & Loaded”

What am I predicting for eliminations?

Uh… how many people are here? 14?

So I’d say… 7 mergers?

Pre-Merge boots I’m guessing… I said Alec last post cause of Fiore. And I said Lilly cause she’s good at the game so they’d want to get rid of her. So… others…?

Will, Drew (forgot him in the last post), Dan, and Grett. I can see Grett being a Pre-Merge villain and getting booted right before the merge.

And… one more… I guess Miriam. Idk why, but if I had to choose out of the ones left.

I think the alliance of 4 is gonna lose half its members. I see Nick getting character development. I see Fiore being an antagonist. And Ashley… she’s nice. I just like her and hope she goes far. Jake & Tom have a thing going on that the opening spoiled so they’re both merging. Then Gabby is being set up for character development as well.

I forgot Ellie. I forgot she was on the purple team… she’s gonna be the teams swing vote, isn’t she? That sucks.

This is what the dynamic between her and Gabby are alluding to? They’re both on opposite teams but they both have major setbacks and disadvantages to their game. Gabby cause no one likes her and she’s allied with Grett, and Ellie cause she’s stuck in the middle of her team and will be screwed if she doesn’t play… less than pure, I guess. But they become besties and it trumps those issues.

That’s what I’m predicting anyway.

So… let’s start this episode.

I got the SAME AD AGAIN. WTF?!

"Is that recycled paper?"

How does he write that fast? That's impressive. Gimme that skill.

"I want to talk to her but she scares me a little."

What did she do to you?

"She reminds me a little of my grandmother. How she walks, how she talks... I miss her."

"She's been sick for months and she can't have visitors."

Oh my god...

Is that why he's competing? Medical bills to help her?

Well geez, keep that up and I might actually root for you to win.

"Yeah, she was often cranky, but she was the only one that really understood me."

You on the spectrum?

"Jake... I don't know what to say, but if you need to talk to someone, I'm always here."

D'aaaaawwww 💗

That face.

He was eyeing Tom all of last episode too and I just didn't bring it up.

YOU ARE NOT SUBTLE, SIR

So we have how many characters with motives and reasons to be here now? Fiore got dumped by her parents, Nick wants to prove himself, Jake wants to help his grandma.

I'm really liking that they're giving these characters REASONS to be on the show and why they want to win.

Cause in Total Drama we don't get a lot of their backgrounds outside of the game, and only a handful explained their motives for winning. I think of Gen 1 the only one that really had a motive aside from 'I want to be rich' is Alejandro.

I like what they're doing here.

"If our team fails, you'd be the one to blame."

Pretty sure that's not how that works.

Mostly it's a social challenge. If they think you're the one at fault for the loss, just say "Whoa whoa whoa! You don't want to vote me! You want to vote that guy!"

I obviously would suck at Survival.

So... actually I like Grett's game move here. Be on good terms with the leader, and... do what I said basically.

"WHOA WHOA GUYS! You don't want to vote Tom! Let's vote that glasses guy instead! That's a much better game move! TRUST ME."

Oh these two...

They're like "Oh shit. We're the outliers here, aren't we?"

"What makes you think you'll get far? Have you seen how fast the others are getting close to each other?"

"I've noticed. That's a problem."

Oh they're actually addressing it. Cool. They're not stupid.

"You're not going to walk thirty minutes over there."

"Sure I can. I love to walk."

She just like me fr

"That fat girl made you look stupid."

Huh?

...what???

"I love your coat my the way! I own a similar one!"

Do you have a split personality?! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

She was talking to herself...

And it was such a massive fourth wall break that it gave me an ad on body spray. XD

"Today's reward will be a complete fishing kit. That will make it easier to find food."

I guess... but you can also make cages or nets to catch fish. I know that's something that's possible.

There's not any wildlife they're killing, is there?

"An immunity totem has been hidden somewhere in the forest."

OH. ALREADY?!?!

We got an idol in play!

I wish Total Drama used Immunity Idols more. It's such a cool game mechanic in Survivor. (At least, in the clips I've seen of people playing them)

Yeah I know the Reboot did in Season 2. We don't talk about that.

"That totem could save me from the unfavorable position I find myself in."

Yes. Yes it would.

Actually, no, let me predict for a sec. Either him or Ellie find that idol, and they save themselves with it, causing a member from the 4 alliance to get the boot. And that's how that alliance breaks.

I mean, you're not gonna get them any other way I feel.

Awwww, look at Ashley carrying the demon child. 💗

"I heard how Grett spoke to you. You shouldn't let her talk to you like that."

Boy, I agree with you and I get you're nice. Grett is in hearing range and WILL gun for you.

My case and my point. Grett gunned you.

Cause it looks to me like otherwise, you tripped on NOTHING.

"I'm really curious what you look like without it."

...

EXCUSE ME?!?! O_O

BOY. YOU JUST MET.

"I'm a little scared to have to slide down from up here."

Oh for the love of drama-

Pull a Leshawna. THROW HIM OFF.

"Ellie, Alec, you go on that one. Nick, Ashley, and I can take the next one."

*does the math*

Hey wait so you're gonna leave him with the child after he JUST confessed to being scared?!

Listen to your alliance teammates! You're in hearing range, right?!

Why can't Lilly go with Fiore? Wouldn't that make more sense cause she's the one cutting?

OOOOOOOOOHHHHHH.

Grett's gonna steal that from Gabby, isn't she?

But either way, Gabby's immune, LET'S GO!

"By the way, have you started streaming the episodes yet?"

YOU THINK YOU'RE SOOOOOOO SMUG, HUH?!?! I SEE YOU.

"Remember to cut any scenes I'm in."

*Stares intensely at him*

...okay.

"What if we fall?!"

That's kinda the point.

IT'S A HILL.

*chokes on breath*

YOU GO KID. BITCH SLAP HIM.

A six year old is bitch slapping a grown man, this is not a drill.

"What was that?"

I mean, let's be honest... she just said facts.

Yeah the slap was wrong, but it's not as bad as it could've been. She just told the truth.

"You're costing us this challenge and everyone will know it."

Yes but he has something you don't. NUMBERS.

Well your point just went down the drain, cause that's YOUR fault.

WHY DIDN'T YOU GRAB TWO?!?!

The 'yay' card, aww that's so cute... 😄

"She does have a point, yeah? She's got the flags and Will's got no."

Okay, that's stupid.

1) You guys can SEE the top of the hill, right?! If you couldn't, that wasn't established.

2) You saw the position of the two on the log. Fiore was standing on top of him! OF COURSE HE COULDN'T GET A FLAG

3) Would you guys seriously DITCH your alliance?! It WILL cause you the entire long game and you know it! DON'T BLOW THAT

Oh and 4 as a bonus) You never even listened to your ally! You KNEW he was scared, and yet you left him with a KID

"Maybe this was all a misunderstanding."

Ashley. I get it's hard to not side with a child. Use your brain.

"I wish I could believe you, but I know a little girl would never do those things."

Oh my god, you've never seen a child for more than two seconds your entire life. Not every kid is a saint! Toddlers are bratty as shit! They do that to get it out of their system!

(From this point on, I will put a 'Keep Reading' mark on the Tribal Council segments so I don't spoil the eliminations for my followers)

Oh we actually SEE who votes who!

YES!! THANK YOU! I WANTED THIS!!!

This is like Survivor much more, cause they flip these cards over to share the names, and you can see what the numbers were.

I always imagine what the eliminations in Total Drama would look like if they did that as well.

Okay Lilly's being smart.

WAIT CAUSE ASHLEY THREW HER VOTE WILL'S GONNA LEAVE, OH GOD...

YOU DIDN'T TALK TO YOUR ALLIANCE ABOUT THIS?!?! YOU COULD'VE VOTED OUT ALEC TOGETHER, AND YOU'D BE FINE.

That's Ashley's vote

That's not Lilly's handwriting. Is that Will or Nick?

That's Lilly's.

Not Alec's writing... Fiore's?

Alec, Fiore... Ellie?

And that's it.

RIP

NICK IS THE TRAITOR. OMG

YOU ARE REALITY TV'S STUPIDIEST ALLIANCE

(Unless Will voted himself)

I mean I don't really care about his character, but that could've so easily been avoided.

Tom, what ninja stuff are you getting into??

If you guys want me to continue these reactions, be sure to let me know.

[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Fun fact! Leo x Echo is my favorite noncanon ship, they would've been much better than Caleo tbh -Danny Words: 2,148 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Cloud 9' -by Paravi

VI: I Can't Beat the Simping Allegations

"Who did you see in Nemesis, Ara?"

The question is so straightforward it catches her off guard. Leo is allowed to ask that kind of stuff, but at the same time, he should shut up and mind his business.

"Aunt Rosa was the one who kicked you out, right?" Ara asks back.

Leo makes a face. "Yeah..." he moves on to Hazel so Ara can't keep asking about Aunt Rosa. "What Nemesis said about your brother..."

"Nico," Hazel's voice cracks. "He found me in the Underworld. He brought me back to the mortal world and convinced the Romans at Camp Jupiter to accept me. I owe him for my second chance at life. If Nemesis is right, and Nico's in danger... I have to help him."

Ara wants to help Nico, even if they have a complicated history. She doesn't hate the boy like that. "He probably never mentioned me..."

"I think he did," Hazel replies. "Sometimes he'd talk about people he met throughout the years, he'd mention this girl a lot... Lily Saggio. He said she's Italian too."

"That's our best friend," Ara responds. "She understands your brother better than anyone else."

"You're Birdy, right? That's how he calls you," Hazel gives her a sympathetic smile. "He respects you."

"What? Really?" She frowns.

Is Ara the only one holding onto the past? Or was Nico keeping things hidden because he couldn't give the context to Hazel? The truth is, she avoided him for a whole year thinking it was the only way to keep a civil relationship, and now she doesn't really know him.

If they rescue him, maybe they should talk without getting defensive, maybe he'll surprise her in a good way.

"Ara, stop threatening to hit Nico with your book!"

"Then tell him to stay on his side!" I whine. "His stupid jacket is too big..."

I glare at Nico. We found him in this weird farm that's placed above a labyrinth's entrance, and for some reason, everyone thought it was a good idea to sit me next to this jerk.

We're trying to ignore each other, but at some point, he starts to squirm and insists he has important business to attend to with the owner of this dumpster, Geryon.

"He's good at making clothes? Is he going to cut your jacket in half so you stop looking like a dwarf?" I taunt him. "Can't even see your hands in that..."

"I'm not talking to you," he clenches his jaw.

"Lily's worried about you. You left without saying a word, and she's your friend."

"She thinks my father will kill her if I get hurt," he corrects me.

I frown. "So she deserves to fear for her life because of your tantrum?"

"My sister dying is not reason enough to be mad?" He turns to me with angry dark eyes.

"I didn't say that. I'm just telling you how Lily feels. It'd be nice if you went back to camp, but you can stay here and die for all I care."

"Ara!" Percy looks at me in shock from his cart. "Don't say that!"

I look away and sink into my seat, sulking. 

Nico's voice is a little quieter this time. "You're still training?"

"Obviously," I glance at him with disdain. "You're still a shitty swordsman?"

His face turns red. "The labyrinth is above your skills, but if you die, you and Percy will get what you both deserve."

"Nico!" Annabeth gasps.

"You're a crybaby and an idiot who follows the ill advice of dead men!" I bark.

Everyone's looking at us from their carts unable to stop our argument. Nico and I continue to fight each other all the way to Geryon's place.

Ara sees some boulders ahead. "There, let's take a look..."

She reaches the top easily, Hazel climbs after her and Leo is the last one to go up, but he slips and both girls reach out simultaneously, leaving them in an awkward position with Leo's face only a few inches apart from theirs.

"Um, thanks." 

He lets go of Hazel's hand first and uses Ara's to steady himself. That should give her some reassurance, but it only increases her torment, because she can feel the anxiety coming from him. They cannot stay there huddled together without risking one of them slipping again, so she slips forward.

"I'll check the other side."

"Wait, you don't know—"

"It's my job," she says, eyes darting away so she doesn't have to look at him.

Ara's so distracted by her feelings that she doesn't see the young girl beside her, even though the girl makes a huge effort to be noticed. It's only until Hazel and Leo start talking again that Ara realizes she's there.

"...Cursed boy she mentioned." Utters a voice beside her.

Ara draws Almighty out of instinct. When she points it in the direction of the voice, she finds a young girl, wide-eyed and petrified. "Who are you?" She points the sword at the girl's chest. "Step back!"

"Step back," the girl raises her hands in surrender and stumbles backward.

"Ara? What is it?" Hazel tries to focus her gaze. "Wait, is that a person?"

"A person," the girl shakes her head miserably.

"Are you the cursed kid Nemesis mentioned?" Leo's brow furrows. "But you're a girl."

"You're a girl."

"Excuse me?"

"Excuse me."

"You're Echo," Ara studies the girl. "You came back! So you can't be a nymph, right? Nymphs don't have souls—Was I wrong to believe you were—?"

"Ara, she can't answer you," Leo slips down the boulder to join them, and Hazel follows suit. "You can't, can you?"

"Can you," the girl shakes her head again.

"What are you doing here?" Ara continues with the interrogatory anyway. "Nemesis's cursed boy... Is it him?"

"Him," Echo's eyes glisten with longing.

"Oh." Ara turns to the others with newfound energy. "I know who's guarding the celestial bronze."

Nymphs are always fighting over a random dude.

"Alright, ladies, make room!" Ara uses charmspeak. "The faster we do our job, the faster you can go back to staring..." her voice quivers when she spots him. "At your man."

Leo sneaks his way through and whistles lowly. "Dang."

"He's gorgeous," Hazel breathes out.

"I am," the young man in front of them sighs dreamily. "I am so gorgeous."

"To die for," Ara hums in agreement, but she's looking at him like he's a mythical creature, which he kind of is. "Is he glowing?"

She realizes too late that's his soul light, therefore the others can't see what she's seeing, but they don't get confused with her ask anyway, because they're too distracted by the man's looks.

"It's the reflection of that thing," Leo scowls at the celestial bronze in the water.

Ara crouches next to the young man like she's dealing with an endangered species: Mister Universe, the last of his kind.

"How is your hair shiny yet not greasy?" She asks quietly, mostly to herself. "I'm sure you haven't bathed in centuries but you don't smell so bad—And don't get me started on your skin! That jawline—"

"Ara, you know who this guy is?" Hazel interrupts her.

"Narcissus," Ara's eyes are fixed on him. "He's what some of my siblings wish they were." She grins, and her expression only means trouble. "Watch this..."

The girl dips her finger in the water distorting the surface. Narcissus tries to push her away, but he misses and only grazes her shoulder, too desperate to find his reflection again. Ara laughs and reaches out again, but Hazel stops her.

"Wait—What's going on here? Why did Echo bring us here?"

"Echo was a nymph like us," one of the fangirls replies with contempt. "A long time ago, but she was a total chatterbox! Gossiping, blah, blah, blah, all the time."

"A nymph?" Ara frowns. "So was I wrong to assume—"

"Ara, focus," Hazel prevents her from derailing.

Ara dusts off her hands, gets up, and looks around trying to find a solution. She can tell this crowd won't make it easy, they want the cute guy to stay. Leo takes her place next to Narcissus while the nymphs keep arguing with each other.

"So, Narcissus. What's up?"

"Could you move?" The young man says without looking up. "You're ruining the view."

Leo turns to Ara as if asking Can you believe this guy? then leans forward to inspect the celestial bronze lying at the bottom of the pond. Ara can't help but compare the young men: Next to Narcissus, her boyfriend is a run-of-the-mill dude, Narcissus's features are masculine and chiseled, while Leo's are ordinary and childish.

However, to her, Leo's are familiar and more human. The sunshine bounces off the water's surface and hits his face in a way that reminds her of their soul light, his curls are a mix of copper red and golden that resemble the colors of a campfire. Even while standing beside Narcissus, Leo still holds all of Ara's attention.

It doesn't take away from the fact that he's not placing boundaries on Hazel, so realizing how deeply in love she is, is only frightening her even more.

"Right, great view," Leo looks back at Narcissus. "Happy to move, but if you're not using it, could I just take that sheet of bronze?"

"No. I love him. He's so gorgeous."

Leo looks back at Ara and her only reply is a shrug. This is the bronze they ought to take, and the sun is already setting.

"Man," the boy tries again, this time annoyed. "You do realize that you're looking at yourself in the water, right?"

"I am so great," he reaches down to touch his reflection, then decides against it. "No, I can't make ripples. That ruins the image. Wow... I am so great."

"Yeah," Leo says through gritted teeth. "But if I took the bronze, you could still see yourself in the water. Or here..." he pulls out a little mirror from his tool belt. "I'll trade you."

"Hernán Cortés would be so proud of you," Ara murmurs. 

The boy looks up in outrage. "Ara, don't ever say that to me."

"Even you carry a picture of me?" Narcissus glances at the mirror before going back to the pond. "I don't blame you. I am gorgeous. Thank you." He grabs the small item and puts it aside. "But I already have a much better image. The color flatters me, don't you think?"

"I'm starting to suspect Narcissus isn't the brightest flower in the pond," Ara says sarcastically.

Echo sits beside the young man, hopelessly trying to make him look away for just a moment. Hazel pulls Leo and Ara for a private talk, and they gather away from the nymphs. Echo joins them sadly.

"Can't you just charmspeak him into giving us the piece?"

"Narcissus is too in love with himself to fall for my words. And the nymphs want him to stay, they won't listen to reason. But I got a sword and I know how to knock people unconscious?" Ara offers.

"Maybe that's our best bet. Nemesis was right," Hazel replies, almost as upset as Leo was a few minutes ago. "Some demigods can't change their nature. Narcissus is going to stay there until he dies again."

"No," Leo says with surprising determination.

"No," Echo repeats earnestly.

"We need that bronze," he presses. "If we take it away, it might give Narcissus a reason to snap out of it. Echo could have a chance to save him."

"A chance to save him," the nymph nods keenly.

"It could also make several dozen nymphs very angry with us," Hazel points out. "And Narcissus might still know how to shoot his bow."

"I wouldn't worry about that," Ara responds. "His arrows are brittle, and the string of his bow won't work properly, it's too old."

"How do you know that?" Hazel asks with surprise.

"Because I have eyes," she raises a brow. "And my friend Lily is an archer, I know how bows and arrows are supposed to look like when they're in good condition."

"Hazel," Leo continues, his eyes brightening. "Your power with precious metal—Can you just detect it, or can you actually summon it to you?"

"Sometimes I can summon it. I've never tried with a piece of Celestial bronze that big before," Hazel ponders. "I might be able to draw it to me through the earth, but I'd have to be fairly close. It would take a lot of concentration, and it wouldn't be fast."

"Be fast," Echo says excitedly.

Leo curses under his breath. He's got the broadest repertoire of bad words Ara has ever heard, and Michael tended to use pretty strong language on the daily.

"All right. We'll have to try something risky. Hazel, how about you try to summon the bronze from right here? Make it sink through the sand and tunnel over to you, then grab it and run for the ship."

"But Narcissus is looking at it all the time!"

"All the time," Echo pouts.

"That'll be my job," Leo makes a face. "Echo, Ara, and I will cause a distraction."

"Distraction?" Echo repeats.

"I'll explain," he assures her. "Are you willing?"

"Willing," the nymph nods.

"Doll?" He asks Ara making use of his cute puppy eyes.

It's not fair that he's got her wrapped around his finger like this. Usually, she's the one who makes others do stuff for her by pouting and being cute.

"Just tell us your plan," she sighs in defeat.

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @asnyox-the-hoarder @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled

[kyogre-blue]

Wuwa act 1-V ongoing.

The game warned me that the next section is gonna be long, so I was decided to leave it for tomorrow (probably).

Anyway, this section introduces the Black Shores group and some Rover answers (small answers). We also get to see mystery opening cutscene girl again for a moment. Still pretty! So pretty!

Black Shores: To make sure you don't think this shady organization is like the other shady organization you just dealt with (Fractsidus, the actual apocalyptic cult), they make it really clear that, Camellya aside, these are the Silly People. Unfortunately, I think Encore's voice acting is probably the worst of the EN dub so far? The EN dub in general suffers from fairly poor voice direction (flat delivery on some characters, one sentence and the next having completely different emotions and intonations, etc), but Encore is just... she's meant to be a cutesy little girl, but man. They did not manage it at all. I'm sure she sounds adorable in JP tho. Regardless, she and Aalto are just max silliness. Oh, Aalto had this to say about his boss:

Rover stuff: One of the reasons everyone Knows about Rover and how cool we are is apparently because we have appeared previously (to presumably help fight disasters). The previous time Rover "descended," they were a member of Black Shores. So it's possible the ancient hero who helped found Huanglong was also Rover, though it's not entirely confirmed.

Mystery Girl: The mad scientist referred to her like this:

A "future being hailing from our past" who must reach the real Gate that can change the world... Well, it'll be explained later.

I stopped after beating the mechanical monstrosity, when Aalto reactivates the Lament detection system and runs out in a panic. You can tell I'm getting kind of invested here because I spun around in a circle for a while going "oh no, this is gonna be bad, what's happening up there" (before chickening out for the night). I'm not actually scared, of course, but there's some real sense of anticipation about what might happen next.

I think it's because they have done way more about answering questions than I had genshin-expected. Yeah, we obviously still don't know the majority of things, but I have a fairly clear understanding of the world state just from what the actual story tells you and we're even slowly being told about Rover's deal(tm). So whatever happens next might actually be A Thing With Relevance.

That aside, we've been seeing some playable characters in small roles, which is nice. We saw Jianxin before she peaced out, Verina for a bit, and now Encore. Since Lingyang introduces himself in his character quest, he probably isn't in the main story (government subsidy conspiracy intensifies). So that just leaves Sephiroth clone Calcharo of the standard 5 star characters. Curious to see what his deal is! He's pretty edgy, it'll be fun. (There's obviously also a ton of 4 stars, but there's so many that I don't see how they could fit them in anyway, so it's not a big deal.)

I think Act VI is the last part of the currently available story (Chapter 1: Huanglong 1?)... It'll probably be about Jiyan, since Jue had a vision of us meeting him. I actually thought that would be our next destination, but I guess we decided to do the Black Shores stuff first, since the front line is supposed to be so dangerous. Twitter and a storyteller insert narration have promised me that Jiyan might have something something with another guy steeped in tragedy (Geshu Lin).

Oh, one more thing. While the "side quest"s" parts of the main story aren't exactly all gripping, they do seem to generally have their purpose. Even the stupid mangosteen token was setting up the Jiyan stuff, since we otherwise don't see him for so long and the front line ties into the Threnobian and Lament danger. But what was the point of the sugar candy vaccine?? That has to tie into something, right? But what??

Goddammit, I can't believe I'm developing expectations here...

[nomoreusername]

Who Are You? (Pt 3)

Paring: Aris x female reader

Summary: You finally escaped the Glade. Everything seems to be going your way. However, that is quickly disrupted when a random boy takes Teresa's place.

It had been days without food, and we were all absolutely drained. We spent a lot of time lying on the floor, a bed, the couch, or anywhere else we could. We had been surviving off of the tapwater Aris despised. That quickly became everyone's best friend.

"I don't even want to play my harmonica,"I mumbled, turning it over. Obviously, nobody knows where it came from. To be honest I don't even know. It just so happened to be in my pocket. The letters AJ were engraved into it. I have no clue why or what it meant. I just know this seemingly useless piece of metal means a lot to me.

Have you thought of anything?

I winced at how loud his voice was. In fact, it almost seemed like he was yelling in my ear.

"Aris, we're already suffering. Please don't give anyone a headache on top of it,"I begged, gaining enough energy to glare at him. To my surprise he seemed absolutely horrified.

"Nobody's yelling,"Minho mumbled.

"Oh. I guess I'm hallucinating then,"I shrugged, confused but too tired to question it.

Y/N?

"What do you want Greenie?"I sighed, now rubbing my head. "Y/N, I think you're about to snap. Do girl's just lose their minds quicker or something?"Frypan asked. "No. Maybe you guys are just going deaf,"I said, putting a pillow over my face. If I tried hard enough I might be able to make myself pass out because I'm sick of this.

"I thought of something. Can you two come help me?"Thomas asked, clear pain and exhaustion in his voice. "Nobody wants to do anything,"I pointed out, my voice muffled through the pillow.

Just come with us.

"Fine,"I groaned, following him and Aris out of the room. To my surprise they walked completely past everyone in the living room until we were all in a tiny corner.

"I don't think this is a good time to jump me,"I joked. Really, I didn't care what actually happened. I just wanted to go to sleep.

"We're going to do something, and you can't panic,"Thomas whispered. "That's reassuring."

"Just trust us,"Aris urged. I slid down the wall and waited for whatever they were about to do.

Can you hear us?

"Of course I can hear you,"I said, looking at the ground. "Look at our faces."

"This is getting weir-"

"Just do it,"Aris pushed. I begrudgingly looked at them.

Do you know which one of us is speaking right now?

"Thomas. How are you doing that?"I asked. He was clearly talking, but his mouth wasn't moving. In fact, his entire face remained the same.

Can you hear my voice too?

"Aris? What is happening?"I questioned, my mind looking for any rational reason for what was going on. So far I was coming up blank.

"This is going to sound a little bit insane,"Thomas warned. I gave him a look that said 'everything going on is insane'.

"No. I mean insane. So you remember how Teresa came up in a coma?"

"Yeah. I pulled her out of the box,"I reminded him. "Okay. Well, she spoke to me while in her coma. Telepathically. The thing is it disappeared when she did. Now he's the one I can talk to telepathically,"He explained.

"So you two are speaking, or thinking, or I don't know what to call it. Just, you two are having conversations with each other inside your heads?"I clarified, trying to wrap my mind around this. So far I wasn't doing a good job. In my defense you wouldn't either.

"Yeah, and for some reason you can hear us,"Aris shrugged. "How great. I was dying to know what interesting conversations you guys would have when you're alone,"I deadpanned. "Do you think you could be able to talk to us?"Thomas asked.

I looked at him like he was an idiot. "Why would I care about that? I'm focused on getting out alive and rescuing Teresa on the way. I don't have time for this stupid sidequest,"I snapped. Partly because I was irritable from going so long without food and partly because it was actually a stupid question.

"If you can hear us it has to be for a reason,"He pushed. "Yeah, and it's one I don't care about. You two can just be all cuddled up now because I don't want any part in whatever this is. For all we know it could be something meant to hurt us. With that being said don't get me caught up in something I don't need to be in. Especially, something that hurts my head."

I finished my rant and went to leave.

Subject A9, Y/N, The Partners Accomplice

"Can you stop that?"I asked, glaring at Aris. "Your name has to mean something. The fact that we randomly matched and now you being involved in the telepathy can't be a coincidence,"He pointed out.

I hate the fact that he had a good point. At the same time I don't know what to believe anymore. I don't know what's real and what isn't. If I'm being honest the thing that scared me most wasn't the tags, or the not having food, or even being stuck here. It was the thought that this place wasn't a physical place. The thought that I may be going insane was worse than anything else.

"Fine. Give me an idea of what's happening,"I responded, accepting defeat. Nobody said anything for a minute. Then, Aris seemed to gain a brilliant idea. At least, it was probably brilliant to him.

"We should see if it works for all of us. Like a three way,"Aris suggested. "Please don't ever say that again,"I encouraged, cringing at the sound. He seemed to realize how weird that sentence was as well because he looked extremely embarrassed to even be alive.

"But fine. We may as well see how much I can truly do with all this.

---

Can you still hear us?

"Yes, and I'm already telling you I don't know how to respond,"I groaned, seconds away from slamming my head against the wall. I just pulled out my harmonica and started tossing it up in the air before catching it.

"Where'd you get that?"Aris asked. "My pocket,"I said defensively. "No. Where did you get it in the first place?"

"None of your business."

"Why?"

"Because it's none of your business."

"I know, but"

It's none of your business!

We all froze. I had actually just done that. It wasn't even on purpose.

"I guess I'm caught up in this mess,"I sighed. So much for not getting involved.

[snow-143]

The Truth Untold- Kim Taehyung |

ten- dreams are cruel (1.6k words)

'Taehyung... you're a fucking idiot.'

'Don't you think I already know that.' without even looking at him, I know there's a pained look on his face. He missed his opportunity.

'It's okay don't worry, you'll have more chances, if she's willing to kiss you once she'll be willing to kiss you again.' I can't help but see the deeper meaning in my words. Even though the last time we shared a kiss was years ago I think there's still a part of me willing to go there again. The part of me that sees sense out ways that though.

'You really think so.' Looking at him now, I see glimpses of longing in his eyes, not a new one either, rather a deep-rooted one that been investing his brain for years. Has he really liked her for that long?

The thought stings, not in a sense that he likes her now, I know how he feels and there's nothing left for us anyway. But rather in a way that there is a very high chance that he liked her all those years ago.

'Yes I do think so, in fact I know so. You want to know why?' Instead of verbally responding he prompts me with his eyes instead. It's funny that after all these years I can still understand his little micro aggressions.

Instead of lingering on this thought, I continue my point, 'that girl knows what she wants, okay? She's not the type to do something without thinking it through. All her actions are calculated and benefit her in some way. So I know that in her doing that proves that she's more than willing to go for it again.'

He sighs at this, 'you speak of her as if she's a manipulative mastermind.' To this I just raise my eyebrow.

'Right. Anyway, you and Jimin seemed... cozy.'

'Oh that, well I had to give you your in one way, and he was just being a gentleman.' to my surprise I'm met with a laugh.

'Jimin? A gentleman? Are we talking about the same Jimin?'

'I'd hope we are. You obviously know him better than me but from what I can see he's really sweet.'

'Yeah he can be, but not just to anyone y/n.' Tilting my head I look for the meaning behind his words. What the fuck does not just to anyone mean.

'Whatever. You're just mad because he likes me more than you.'

'...'

'Tough crowd I guess.' oh, he does not look amused at all.

'Anyway, we're getting completely off of track. Now spill, did she give you butterflies? She so did didn't she! I bet the only reason you didn't kiss her was because you were too nervous. I mean I don't blame you she has that affect on men. God, she even gives me butterflies sometimes-'

My rant is rudely interrupted by a call of my name. 'Yes I got butterflies.' There’s this look in his eyes, I can't quite place it but all I know is that his gaze is set in stone right onto me. Why is he looking at me like that while talking about my best friend?

'She had this look in her eyes, like I held everything she needed, that I was everything she needed. It was like she was telling me she'd do anything I asked of her, and if I'm being honest I'd do the same.'

'Wait, you're talking about Eun here right? Eun who looks at men like they're some prize to win?'

'Um yeah, of course I'm talking about her, who else would I be talking about?' And just like that the whole atmosphere has shifted. Why is it suddenly so awkward...

'It's getting late, I should go.' As much as breaking the silence felt excruciating, the thought of sitting there any longer was worse.

'Wait.' I can feel like hand encasing my wrist as I get up to leave. I silently wait for him to continue, but he doesn't. Instead, we just stand there, looking at each other.

There's a strange look in his eyes, one that soothes me yet puts me on edge all at once. Hesitant of what's to come.

Eventually he mumbles something, 'Don't go.'

'What?'

'Um I mean, won't Eun hear you leaving my room? She probably won't be asleep yet.'

'Oh, right. I suppose that's true.' My heart does the silly little thing it likes to do when it's let down. But that's stupid. Why would I be disappointed that he didn't actually want me to stay? I was the one who wanted to leave in the first place.

'You can stay here for a little if you like, just until we can be sure she's asleep.'

'Okay.' I give him an unsure smile, before making my way back to my spot in his bed. This time getting a little more comfortable.

—————

Rolling over I cuddle deeper into my pillow. Letting out a content sigh I breathe in the intoxicating smell that seems to be attached to it, my brain feels all hazy, but I'm not complaining, I've always loved the feeling when you wake up from one of the best sleeps you've ever had and have no idea how or when you got there.

It's not for a while until I realise that something's not right. My pillow is a bit too hard, and smells a little too familiar. However, I ignore this, too wrapped up in how content I feel in my sleepy disorientation.

That is until I realise my pillow has arms... that are wrapped around my waist. And the fact that my pillow seems to be at least the length of my whole body.

Hesitantly I open up my eyes, 'What. The. Fuck.' it's quite enough but the boy who's got me locked into a vice grip still stirs.

Deciding it'll be far less embarrassing to pretend I'm still asleep I lock my eyes shut.

But the embarrassment doesn't come... instead a wave of warmth fills me instead. Because the sweet boy under me doesn't startle, he doesn't shout at me asking what the fuck I'm doing in his bed.

Instead, he starts to stroke my hair, and I am the one shouting what the fuck again, except in my head this time.

Maybe he's just confused. He probably doesn't even realise it's me, I reason. But all of my reason is thrown out of the window when he begins to speak, 'is this another dream y/n? It must be... well if that's the case I might as well indulge myself.'

He never stops playing with my hair throughout all of this, and I must admit I'm very close to falling back to sleep. Because for all I know this is not his dream but mine, and I'll be damned if I don't enjoy it while it lasts.

So here I am lying on Tae's chest, letting him whisper to me things that only half make sense.

I can't tell if i what this to be a dream or not. Part of me wishes that what he is saying is real and not some fantasy my brain has conjured up, but the other half of me is praying it's not real because where the hell do I go from here.

'These dreams are so cruel. I get to hold you, to talk to you, to see you looking so angelic only for my eyes. And god do they feel real, but then I'm brought back to reality. A reality where I haven't held you in years. I hate that reality.'

His hands move, instead taking their place on my back and waist, soothing circles across my skin. Then his lips are meeting my head, and I can't help but think, if this is a dream it's one I hope to never wake up from.

But soon I am waking up, except, I'm still in Tae's room, surrounded by his smell, his aura and most importantly him.

Wait... so did that really happen or is it just some fever dream my brain conjured up.

'Tae?' I get the confidence to speak up this time. Probably because I'm no longer facing him. Instead, I'm lying on my side, my back to his chest.

The only response I get is a groan. I can't help but giggle at that. That is until I notice something poking my butt and suddenly nothing's funny anymore.

'Tae...' I try again.

'Mhhh.' He pulls me impossibly closer to him. And I can't take it anymore. Out of what I can only describe as shock I slap his hand, I need out if this situation right now.

'Y/nieee.' Why is this only getting worse.

'Tae, please wake up before I die of embarrassment.' He loosens his grip slightly, but it's still not enough for me to make an escape.

Okay calm down y/n its basic biology, there's nothing to be embarrassed over. But boy am I embarrassed. How did I even get into this situation? I curse myself, trying to recall the previous night.

The last thing I remember is sitting down on his bed and deciding I should at least get comfortable if I have to wait out Eun going to sleep.

Me and my fucking comfort.

'Y/n.' Relief overtakes me as I hear his sleepy voice. Oh, boy... his sleepy voice.

'Thank fuck, you're awake.'

'What are you doing here?' His arms are still secure around my waist.

'I was hoping you could tell me that.'

prev | m.list | next

///////////

a/n: idk how to feel about my writing lately

[carolmunson]

doing this fun little tag game that @hard-candy-writing and @hellfiremunsonn tagged me in while i take a break from deep cleaning my house.

if you were in Stranger Things: what would your style be?

if we're basing this on my actual high school personality i was that theater girl but also listened to a lot of sad girl emo music so if we're rewinding the clock we'll just say i was into rock and was an art girly who liked to wear vintage inspired fits. girly with an edge. likely not a metal head because i wasn't a huge screamo scene girl (though i was partial to blessthefall at the time). so, here's some insight into what i might have been wearing (assuming i was skinny like the girls in these pictures.)

how did you get involved in the upside down? Since when I was in high school I was a theater girly dating a boy in band I'm gonna definitely hand it to Eddie or to Robin. My high school ex-boyfriend is very Eddie coded and I can only assume he worked on sets for the drama club and we'd kiss backstage (but also hate each other). Robin absolutely was involved in theater and maybe I ask her to run lines with me one day and she can't and let's it slip that she has to help Eddie and and I'd be like -- 'He's on the run for murder bestie, what do you mean?' and then it would go from there. I'd have to avenge him because those sets NEED to be done before the spring Musical in which I am the lead or I'll kill someone. (Anyway we obviously save him and I confess my dumb stupid fat crush on him and we makeout behind his painted backdrops. and what's your weapon of choice?

Definitely guns. I wanna say something cool like a switch blade but I feel like I'd shoot the gun once and be like 'Oh, hell fucking yeah,' and wanna keep doing it.

NO PRESSURE TAGS: @newlips @courtingchaos @loveshotzz @sweetsweetjellybean @jo-harrington @abibliophobiaa @superblysubpar

[the-firebird69]

Watch "The Cars - Moving In Stereo LIVE In Houston 1984 (BEST QUALITY ON YOUTUBE)" on YouTube

Will and Bill have scans and we hear they have results of some kind of Saturn and it's imperative that people check we don't want them to have a mega laser they want to destroy Earth and replace it with the death Star that they're building using their computers while they're entombed on the other side of Saturn

Thor Freya

That's a little funky yeah this little funky Chris it really is thanks for an enjoyable ride

Stan

I like to say the same but you're one screwed up kid

Zues Hera

True too

Stan

Need help hold you there so many people are a little bit stupid trying to threaten for things we need to fix the situation and they're not getting it but he says he should get it because I would be a hostage and then they tick will be almost a deception and it's really hard down and it's starting to get it

Mac he's going to wait till Monday to pay rent because your people are probably not here and it's true and he gets it

But today I'm ruined and I sort of don't care I see that could be a huge problem up there I'm starting to think about it everybody's abusing him and they're getting their asses handed to them cuz they used to get abused it's a computer program

Stan

We have a lot of computers no his mom and I are just sitting here with nothing and we do see why and how we got called off and they got called off too there in tubes tombs but they are doing tons of work and have a huge amount of things this is going to be hell

Ken

I can't believe this is happening I just hear what you're saying it's what it's all about they're having a lot of problems and they have a huge problem up there and we do too the stupid assholes

Dee

I don't want any part of this I have no choice of course not and I have to do it and so does she

Camilla

This is going to be terrible there's so many people in hell but obviously they're starting to figure out why these people used to run the military mostly and took over the world thousands of years ago and her friend is not part of it and Ken but got pushed out he doesn't have anything all he has a big fat ass and her friend here on it it's amazing stuff it's silly it's goofy and he started doing it himself now they're working on it then hell this is awful there could be a huge laser near completion we wouldn't even know it I looked at the scans and it says there's stuff there we're going to move now

Mac

We need to get there and we need to check and Tommy f is in the way we need to grab him and see if he knows anything then I'm ordering it now

We're on the move we have things to hide this is going to be terrible but we must get it done

Thor Freya

Were going to start pulling teeth all over the place

Olympus

And her son just realized they're they're threatening his teeth he is laughing they said oh yeah it's me

Nuada Ariana

Jesus that's terrible the name is misspelled again and we don't get it and we do it's not us. But we don't want to losing teeth we do understand what they're saying and we're going to go after them

Lobo and proxima midnight

You've only so much time and we're going to get some stuff done today big time I'm putting in basis out west and really big ones and yeah right before they lunch it won't be right away it might be a week but they're getting ready and that ship is almost ready the other ships are almost ready we estimate two days they'll be ready and the keys are pivotal they're going to go to Korea and sit there so it is pretty much time right when he goes to Utah it will be almost time for korea. And Tommy f is in dumb and dumber and they accidentally kill him now they did on purpose with the medicine and he vows to get them back and he does and you don't see him taking the keys but he manages to on the bus with all the girls and that's what's happening

Olympus

[90sdisneys]

me: *sends 12 air kisses*

me: to my bbs in la huerta

-

Jake: did it hurt?

Mc: Let me guess? When I fell from heaven? *rolls eyes*

Jake: *smirks* no, when you fell for me

-

Jake, introducing Mc to his family: This is my ex-girlfriend, Mc

Mc: I told you to stop calling me that

Mc: Hello I'm his wife

-

Mc: look, Craig is great, but he doesn't have a life plan. He doesn't even have a day plan. I once found a note he wrote to himself that said 'put on pants' followed by a question mark.

-

Mc: I'm a little chilly

Jake: *sets the entire world on fire*

-

Jake: What's that on your hand?

Mc: Wha-

Jake: *holds it* It's me

-

Craig: Mc we're out of candy.

Mc: What? Already? There's only been like three kids.

Craig: Yeah I know but one little girl told me she loved me so I just gave her everything.

-

Craig: Z is just a sideways N

Mc: it's 3 am please stop

Craig: zo

-

Mc: I made this couple bracelet for you.

Jake: You know, I'm not really a jewelry person.

Mc: You don't have to wear it.

Jake: No, I'm going to wear it forever. Back off

-

Zahra: (mumbling) you looked pretty today

Craig: ?... what was that?

Zahra: I SAID U LOOKED SHITTY TODAY. GOODNIGHT

-

Zahra: I wanna spice things up

Craig: You know I can't eat spicy foods

Zahra: I mean in the bedroom

Craig: I can't eat spicy things anywhere Zahra

-

[in the supermarket]

Zahra: Hello, I lost my boyfriend, Craig, can I make an announcement?

Staff: Absolutely

Zahra: *leans into the mic*

Zahra: I will find you, you little shit

-

Zahra: I could kill you if I wanted to.

Craig: Yeah? So could another human being

Craig: So could a dog

Craig: SO COULD A REALLY DEDICATED DUCK

Craig: You're not special

-

Mc: Alright, listen up you little shits.

Mc: Not you, Craig. You're an angel and we're thrilled you're here.

-

Craig: hey, wanna help me commit a felony?

Mc: what the hell dude?!

Craig: sorry, my bad

Craig: *whispering* wanna help me commit a felony?

Mc: *also whispering* of course man what do you need?

-

Jake: Zahra, tell Mc that she's an idiot, but I still love her

Zahra: gross. tell her yorself

Jake: we're in a fight

Zahra: you're sitting on her lap???

-

Mc: you're gonna hate yourself in the morning if you stay up late

Jake: joke's on you, I'm gonna hate myself in the morning no matter what

-

Craig: I'm the kind of person who likes to think things through

Mc: since when? I once saw you eat a marshmallow that was still on fire

-

Mc: *crying*

Jake: I will destroy every aspect of the known universe and burn whatever remains to ash in order to be sure I eradicated whatever hurt you.

Mc: I'd rather have a hug.

Jake: Okay, princess.

-

Michelle: who's more clingy?

Jake, sitting on Mc's lap with his arms wrapped around her neck and his face buried into her chest: Mc, obviously

-

Craig: Mc, Zahra's right there! What should I say?

Mc: Just tell her "You have beautiful eyes."

[a few minutes later]

Craig, to Zahra: I have beautiful eyes.

Zahra: Okay...

Mc, in the distance: NO!!!!

-

Mc: Jake is actually very sweet for such an aggressive guy.

Jake: *laughs menacingly while shooting a soldier's kneecap*

Mc: He's like a muffin to me.

Diego: He just SHOT someone!

Mc: My murderer muffin!

-

Grace: I'm cold.

Aleister: Here, have my jacket

Mc: Hey, I'm cold too.

Jake: What?? [taking off jacket] I fucking told you to bring more fucking layers! But of course you didn’t listen and now [piling scarves on her] now look, I’ve got to make sure you don’t FREEZE to death and [taking somebody else’s hat] how fucking long have you been cold you little shit?you should have said something-

-

Mc: *sees someone doing something stupid*

Mc: What an idiot.

Mc: *realises it's Jake*

Mc: Wait, that's my idiot-

-

Mc: I've only befriended Craig for a day and a half, but if anything happened to him, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.

-

Craig: I guess I'm just too tough to cry

Mc: just yesterday you were crying about snakes

Craig: *choking up* they have no arms okay?!

-

Jake: I swear whoever took my favorite green sweatshirt is gonna-

Mc: *walks in wearing Jake's green sweatshirt*

Jake: Go on a date with me and be loved unconditionally

-

Mc: *accidentally bumps against a door*

Jake: Are you okay??!?!!

Mc: It's okay, I'm fine

Jake: *to the door* You stand in Mc's way one more time and I'll make sure to take you down.

-

Quinn: What's wrong Mc? Why are you crying? What happened?

Sean: Are you okay? Did someone make you cry? Who is it? I'll go talk to them if you want me to.

Jake and Estela: WHERE ARE THEY? I'LL FUCKING KILL THEM.

-

Craig: I'm quick at math.

Mc: Okay, what's 38 times 76?

Craig: 24.

Mc: That's not even close.

Craig: But it was quick.

-

Us: the embers of hope thins is so cool, 'cause we can see our friends happy in the future

Pixelberry: ....

Us: :) !!

Pixelberry: ...

Pixelberry: now die to see it happen

-

zahra: can play 12 different instruments, got accepted into Harvard, is organized craig: once ate 15 cold hot pockets in a row, tripped over their shoelaces, claims they can fight 2000 bees

-

Jake losing their temper and about to essentially annihilate anything/anyone in their path. A kiss and gentle hand squeeze from Mc calms Jake down instantly

-

Zahra: we’re engaged

Craig: IN COMBAT

-

Jake: going to plan B? Aleister: technically, that would be plan G. Craig: how many plans do we have? is there like, a plan M? Mc: yeah, but Aleister dies in plan M. Jake: I like plan M.

-

“And when you finally make it to the other side, you’ll be the queen you always carried inside you…”    

-

Craig: do you know how many bones the human body has? it’s 206. we start with 369 when we’re babies but they fused. wouldn’t you want to go back? have as many bones as a baby? what if i could help you

Mc: hi yeah what the actual, literal, genuine fuck does this mean

-

Jake: I don’t fall in love easily

Mc: *smiles at him*

Jake: *in awe*

-

Raj: Hello Mc, Michelle

Mc:

Michelle:

Raj: You may be wondering why Craig is taped to the ceiling-

-

Craig: *kicks the door down looking panicked*

Mc: What did you do?

Craig: NOBODY DIED.

Mc: WHAT KIND OF AN ANSWER IS THAT?!

-

Mc:  *staring silently out the window as it rains* Jake:  She looks so deep in thought, I wonder what’s going on in that big, beautiful brain of hers Mc, thinking:  Warm water tastes round and cold water tastes pointy.

-

Zahra: Jake won’t get out of his room. Mc: Just tell him I said something. Zahra: Like what? Mc: Anything factually incorrect. Jake, arriving moments later: Did you just say the sun is a fucking planet-

-

Mc: when we walk together please take into consideration my tiny legs. I can’t keep up with you. please think of my little legs when we walk because I don’t want to jog to keep up with your leisure pace, you TITAN. Craig: just get some roller skates and hold onto my sleeve, we don’t have all day

-

Mc: Jake, what’s for dinner?

Jake: *staring at a plate of burnt food* regret

-

Police Officer: Miss, you’re receiving a ticket for trying to fit 11 people on a car

Mc: Dang

Craig: Wait, 11?

Police Officer: Yes

Craig: OH MY GOD

Police Officer: Sir are you alri-

Craig: ALEISTER FELL OFF

-

Craig: trust me I know what I’m doing 

Mc: not even God knows what you’re doing

-

Craig: *sets the kitchen on fire*

Quinn: where’s the responsible adult?

Jake: he’s asleep on the couch

Mc: don’t worry guys, I got this. hand me a bucket of water

Mc: *dumping water on Sean* WAKE UP, THE KITCHEN IS ON FIRE

-

Mc: You spent our entire life savings on dogs?!

Craig: They’re golden retrievers. They retrieve GOLD. I did this for us

-

Mc: ASDFGHJKL 

Aleister: what is that 

 Mc: it’s a keyboard smash 

 Aleister: how do I do it 

 Mc: just press anything 

 Aleister: 8

[river-bottom-nightmare]

the thing was, damian had a plan.

it may have been a little less thought-out-birthday-schedule and a little more meticulously-wrapped-birthday-gift-with-a-handmade-bow-on-top, but it was a plan nonetheless. one he'd poured weeks into: torn-lipped love in everything from the wrapping paper and ribbon to every one of damian's delicately painted stroke upon canvas, like licking stripes of prussian green off his forearm and tasting a mouthful of pine and formaldehyde like being home.

richard deserved every second of it. he was the very definition of artful defiance and scripture and exultance, he had rubbed damian's tears away with his thumbs and told him he was worth something even if he was damaged, his name was hung up in lights in damian's mind. so yes, he deserved it, he deserved a perfect birthday.

the universe, as it seemed, did not agree. the alien invasion that called for all hands on deck turned out to be a vengeful engineer attempting to convince everyone his machines were aliens. and then, drake's team discovered the engineer was an alien himself, which played a significant role in his useless tragic backstory. by the time the man had been apprehended and locked up in a prison in the fortress of solitude, mostly everyone had dispersed. everyone else was just tired.

the titans were slumped over each other in the watchtower, uncannily resembling the puppies born recently at kent farm, while the core justice league members swept through the remaining members, checking in with everyone and tying up loose ends.

"hey. robin."

"what?" damian snapped instinctually, lowering his raised hackles at the sound of drake's voice. they were in public and he was robin—better act like a professional.

drake didn't seem the least bit offput, though. "you brought nightwing's present with you, right?"

"did i—? yes. obviously," damian said. "it's in my weapons bag. why, you forget yours?"

"ha, ha," drake rolled his eyes. "flash ran to ivrea and got a cake."

damian frowned. "red hair flash?" he doubled checked, and snorted when drake nodded. "useful. what about batman?"

"he may have brought something with him. he may be relying on penny-one to get him the present. hopefully he didn't forget."

damian knew his father hadn't forgotten. who the hell would forget? what sort of skinned-kneed, broken-wishbone of a person would forget richard's birthday?

he tilted his head at drake. "your team is still here, right?"

"yeah, why?"

"take them and use their superspeed to get a meeting room ready. i'll let father know."

"oof. we'll take the blue diamond meeting room. you've got the rough job. thanks robin," drake grinned at him.

damian scowled back. "just go get ready, red robin. i have a batman to wrangle."

it was stupid. he should have thought of the idea first, instead of loitering around and waiting to hand his present over. nightwing was social when it came to people he trusted; of course he would like a small surprise birthday, even if all it meant was cake and a couple gifts and more than a couple hugs. whatever. he had his gift and he was helping red robin plan the thing.

that was enough. (that was enough.)

slipping over to his father unnoticed was simple. waiting for him to finish talking to superman about contacting the criminal-alien's home planet was not. damian forgot, sometimes, just how much his father could talk when he was with somebody he trusted.

wonder girl—donna troy, not cassandra sandsmark—caught his eye while he was rocking back on his heels, offering him a wink. when damian raised an eyebrow back, she nodded towards nightwing lazing on her and red arrow's laps, then quickly flashed him the okay symbol where nightwing couldn't see. he sent her a thumbs up back, then twirled around to tug on batman's cape.

"we're planning a small surprise birthday party for nightwing in the blue diamond room in roughly fifteen minutes. we being us and the titans. and the justice league. hopefully. do you have your gift?"

batman stilled for a moment in surprise. "you're planning a surprise birthday party? for nightwing?" he asked softly.

"yes, father, i just said that. do you have your gift?"

batman's lips quirked up into a soft smile. "yes. i do. i'll gather the rest of the league. thank you for thinking about this."

damian clicked his tongue. "it was red robin's idea."

truth be told, he almost backed out of grabbing the gift from his bag, then almost threw out into the nearest disposal bin on his way to the blue diamond room. (a cake straight from italy and a spontaneously planned birthday by drake and whatever father, who'd known richard longer than anybody alive, had gotten. but richard had always said he loved damian's paintings, and putting his entire faith in richard's rhythm-tattoo words was something damian was far too familiar with.)

nearly everyone remaining in the watchtower was in the room when damian arrived, and he could hear the titans pulling richard along outside the door.

"seriously," nightwing was complaining, "i was comfortable. i was resting, isn't that what you all tell me to do all the goddamn time? whose brilliant idea was it to actually make us do stuff after a battle, i swear to god—"

he cut himself off as he entered the room, taking in the hastily set-up birthday decorations and the smattering of gifts on the holographic war table and the blue-frosted cake. he didn't quite gape in shock, and his eyes were covered by his mask, but damian could tell they were sparkling with surprise.

"guys—"

"happy birthday!" everyone chorused together, cheerful like a headrush, star-scrawled. damian startled, and repeated the cheer half a second too late.

"guys," richard repeated, laughing a tad incredulously. "we just fought against fake-alien-robots. you seriously want to celebrate my birthday now?"

"uh. yeah? what kind of dumb question is that?" red arrow asked, and flash tugged richard over to the cake table.

the party, if it could be called that, didn't last more than a couple hours, the graceful fatigue of a hard-won battle settling over everyone like a morning-soft fog. richard collapsed into the titans while laughing, tugged drake into a hug, gave father a rueful grin that spoke of a lighthouse sort of love. damian piped up whenever he could and savoured richard's head ruffles.

this was richard's birthday. a day to celebrate him, a day to show appreciation for—as much as failed to admit it—the most important person in his life. without richard, damian would be little more than a wiped-off blackboard leaving littered chalkdust as the only evidence he'd once been wordy and willful. richard deserved nothing less than perfect from everyone, so maybe damian would just—

"is that for me?" richard asked, sliding into the seat next to him. his curls were bouncing looser than usual and there was a smear of frosting on his nose, superman's fault. there was a wrapped bandage over his left arm covering a nasty gash and a butterfly bandage over a cut on his forehead and the flick of his lashes seemed weighed down with exhaustion and yet he seemed—content.

"yes," damian said. "i made it myself."

richard's grin brightens and he holds his arm out. not even a spontaneous, synchronized outbreak of flying squirrels dancing outside the watchtower window could stop damian from leaning into it.

"then i already know i'm going to love it," richard said. "thank you, robin."

"thank you," damian said, and watched as dick opened his present.

--

i am,,,,,,,,exhausted and running on absolute empty but i had to write something for my absolute favourite character, i had to. so have this self-indulgent mess

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