#here's a ficlet because i couldn't help myself

[thebiscuitlabryinth]

Here is a secret: Pure Vanilla Cookie had felt like he was being watched for a long, long time.

He can't quite pinpoint when exactly that started, if it was before or after he earned his Soul Jam. He thinks it must have been after, because he thinks he wrote it off as the Light of Truth's presence, but the specifics don't really matter. Either way, the feeling of eyes on him had been so constant that it faded into normalcy, and he hadn't noticed it since.

Until now.

Now, with Shadow Milk Cookie breaching the seal, and crumbling Elder Faerie Cookie, and White Lily Cookie becoming the new Guardian of the Seal, and White Lily Cookie being really and truly back in the first place and– and—

The point is that Pure Vanilla is quickly realising that a lot of his prior assumptions don't hold weight anymore. A lot of things he had believed to be unshakeable truths turned out to be wrong or, even worse... well, lies.

And these realisations aren't all bad, truly. Some are sweet with relief and the familiar scent of lilies. But his feelings on the matter aren't helped by the fact that suddenly, for the first time in years, he can feel those eyes on him again in piercing clarity, burning with a malice he had failed to notice all this time.

Pure Vanilla does his best to leave them be, focusing on the unmistakeable warmth of White Lily at his side, and the determined hearts of the children, and everything that needs to be done. It is uncomfortable, but it is manageable.

Delivering word to Crispia about the situation is no quick business, let alone waiting for word to return back. As such, they are staying in Faeriewood for the foreseeable future, waiting on a response from the Republic or the other Heroes. The Faerie Cookies are lovely and more than welcome to the notion, though that is hardly a surprise with how beloved White Lily is to them, and rightly so.

Pure Vanilla Cookie, to his credit, does his best to relax as they wait, but it is increasingly difficult as time wears on. He cannot bear to go anywhere near the Silver Tree, because the weight of that gaze increases by a tenfold whenever he is anywhere near its vicinity, almost crushing him, as if urging him to- well, it makes navigating the Faerie Kingdom difficult, if he cannot get too close to its centre.

Pure Vanilla sighs from where he is settled gingerly down among the soft pastels of the flowers, nestled carefully beneath the shade of the bending canopy of less dangerous trees. From here, he can see White Lily's radiant figure across the bridges and walkways, roped up in conversation with the Silver Tree Knights and surely discussing her new title and all that may entail. Whatever the case, he is content to have her within his sight, soothing some age-old nerves.

He busies his hands with a flower crown, the repetitive motions helping to distract from the twisting trunks of the trees lingering in the corner of his vision, their silvery bark marred with dozens of squinting eyes, black as shadows with vibrant blue—

No, no, no – but it's too late, Pure Vanilla's hands stumbling on his work and crushing a flower in his clumsiness. Regret instantly soaks into his core, and he hurriedly releases the poor bud, only feeling worse when he sees that some of its nectar and colour has stained his hands. Such delicate beauty, destroyed by his own foolishness. He certainly can't give this crown to White Lily now.

Bitterly unwanted, the thought that Shadow Milk must be laughing at him now flits across his mind, and he drops the flower crown like its petals are dripping poison, lest he ruin it any further.

In the end, no matter how much he pushes it aside, his thoughts always swing back to the same dreadful realisation. If Shadow Milk has been watching him all along - and deep down, Pure Vanilla knows it to be true, even though he hates it - then he must have seen everything. Every moment he was vulnerable, every moment he was hiding, every moment he thought was private.

It's terrifying. His mind keeps reeling at the mere idea, flicking through his lowest moments with the aching, sickening knowledge that he had seen it all. It feels unfathomably invasive, almost as much as Shadow Milk's voice burrowing into his head like it belongs there. Nothing Pure Vanilla has experienced has been solely his own, and it seems like it never was.

Pure Vanilla is saved from his own sinking thoughts by the gentle warble of birdsong, and grateful for the distraction, he looks up to find a small bird descending from the canopy. Admittedly, it is different from the blue birds he is used to, looking to be a spore variant of some sort, but he smiles at it just as cheerfully.

"Hello, chickadee. How are you today?" He greets affectionately, voice warming as he holds out a hand for the spore bird to land on. It does with a chirped greeting back, and for the briefest, most blissful moment, Pure Vanilla feels light with the simplest happiness.

And then the bird looks up at him, with not two, or four, but countless eyes opening across its entire body, inky black and mockingly blue.

Pure Vanilla startles fiercely, jolting back and shutting his eyes tightly on instinct, and the movement is more than enough to scare the bird away, but he is too occupied with fumbling for his staff in the grass beside him to pay it any mind.

Finally, his fingers find purchase, and he hastily lifts the staff upright, half-leaning against it as he looks through its eye. The pupil darts around until it lands on the bird once more, where it has fled back to a perch among the branches.

It looks normal, or as normal as a spore variant can be. It certainly doesn't have a hundred knowing eyes.

The trees don't have eyes either, for that matter.

Pure Vanilla presses his forehead against his staff, desperately tempted to keep his eyes closed forever, to rely solely on his staff so he doesn't have to risk seeing anything unreal. It's a dangerous, guilty thought, but it persists even when he gathers the strength to crack his own eyes open once more.

He blinks once, twice, hesitantly looking around.

There are no eyes. Just a spooked spore bird in the canopy, a half-crushed flower crown hanging off his lap, and White Lily in the distance, now joined by an energetic Gingerbrave and his friends.

Pure Vanilla watches for a moment, waiting. When everything remains as it is, he sighs again, heavily, wearily, and sinks back into the bed of flowers, holding his staff to his chest in a loose grip, even as he lays down.

He thinks he hears a mean giggle chime faintly in his ears, but what does he know? That's probably a lie too.

[reineydraws]

@akarenweek day 3: reverence

i was excited about this one! i think a lot about the back scars hakuji must have, and how kyojuro would react to them if he knew.

anyways, here is also a little ficlet of the moment, because i couldn't help myself:

akaza wakes up from taking the cure, and kyojuro seems shocked when akaza removes his vest to reveal the multitude of old scars stretching gnarly across his back. akaza explains that it was from when he was a child, that he'd been whipped for stealing, that he couldn't save his father and that he couldn't save his new family, either. and then he murdered for revenge and got turned by muzan. pathetic, isn't it?

and kyojuro says, no, just sad. unfair. i'm sorry this happened to you. and kyojuro touches his back scars with a kindness akaza doesn't think he deserves. kyojuro presses his lips softly against his back, so light akaza almost doesnt feel it through the layers of scars that stiffen his body. his touch is gentle, tender, reverent, like maybe he finds something valuable in akaza, something still worth holding, and holding close.

akaza just turned back into a human, but it's kyojuro's careful fingers and his warm lips that make him feel human again. tears well up in his eyes, and blur his vision as they start falling down his cheeks.

he would say this weakness is pathetic, but he has a hard time believing kyojuro would treat anything he finds pathetic half as dearly as he treats hakuji now. if he can't believe it himself, then as always, he'll just believe in kyojuro. at least that, he can do for certain.

[piratecaptainscaptainpirates]

hello! here’s a ficlet prompt for you if you’re still taking them: I’d love to read something about ed and stede getting older together over the years and maybe having a little discussion about it 🥰

"Stede, love," Ed said, as gently as he could as he sat Stede's evening cup of hot chocolate on the side table next to him, "you've been really quiet all day."

Stede just hummed, looking down at the wonky pair of socks he was knitting, and Ed took a sip of his own cocoa, swinging his legs up onto the couch next to Stede, and contented himself to listen to the irritable clack of Stede's knitting needles for a while.

Getting things out of Stede could still be like pulling teeth, sometimes, and Ed knew he just had to wait it out and see if Stede wanted to talk. Just the same now as it used to be, even now that they'd gotten past the days where they could joke that Stede's hair was cinnamon-sugar to match Ed's salt-and-pepper, now that Stede was mostly sugar and Ed was mostly salt. Now that Stede had to wear those fussy little glasses almost all the time, and Ed couldn't stand to walk around without warm knitted socks on his feet, and -

"We had to stop and rest three times on the way to the market today," Stede said, then.

"Oh," Ed blinked. "Yeah, uh. We did."

And it had been nice. They'd sat and watched the ships flow in to the port for a while.

"It used to be," Stede said, "that we didn't have to stop and rest even once."

Ed blinked again. He supposed that was true -

"We're getting old, Ed," Stede said, and his voice broke.

"Aww, sweetheart," he said, gently taking Stede's knitting from his hands, rearranging them so Ed could toss his legs up into Stede's lap, and they could hold each other close. "We are, yeah. And is that a bad thing?"

Just meant things had to be different, was all. Ed needed to dress warmer and be even more careful of his knee. Stede was getting stiff hands. They needed more breaks, and liked their food a bit less adventurous, and Ed's hearing wasn't what it used to be. All that meant was more time to sit with each other, and help each other, and just be with each other as the hustle of life started to feel like it was getting slower every day.

Stede grumbled, sending the curl of hair over his forehead waving with a bitchy huff of an exhale. "It's not fair."

"Not fair."

"Not fair," Stede repeated. "It's not fair at all. We're getting old, Ed, and you don't know how much longer we've got left, and - it would only have been fair for time to slow down a bit, once we found each other."

"Not really sure that's -"

"I know that's not how it works, Ed," Stede snapped. "It's just not right, that I had to spend most of my life without you. It's not right I had to spend most of my life not getting to be myself. It's not fair, that I had to spend most of my life being miserable."

Ed sighed. Damn. That was...yeah. That did sting, when he put it like that. And there wasn't really anything Ed could do to change that - if they both lived to be a hundred, maybe?

But what were the odds of that?

"I'd do it all over again," he said, instead of trying to lean on empty promises. "All of it. Happily. Because I get to grow older with you."

Stede let his head flop dramatically back against the couch. That certainly hadn't changed over the years. "I mean. Yes. Me, too, obviously."

"Oh, obviously."

"Yes, obviously." Stede shushed Ed with a gentle flick to the tip of his nose, and they both smiled. "I suppose we at least got it right in the end, didn't we?"

Ed snuggled closer, resting his head on Stede's shoulder. "Yeah. We sure did."

"I just wish -"

"I know, babe. Me, too." Ed found one of Stede's hands, twining their fingers together. "I wish I'd have found you sooner, sure. But that doesn't take away from getting to have you now. Doesn't make the happiness go away."

"I've loved you since you were born, Ed," Stede said, his voice cracking with it.

Ed laughed, adoring, leaning up to kiss him. "Look at us. Couple of sappy old bastards."

Stede's smile was a proper smile, finally, as he wrapped his arms around Ed's chest to hold him just a bit closer. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

[cultofdarkwood]

Hee! Saw your call for ficlet prompts. So how about, Leshycat with ‘Do flowers really taste that good?’

- you know who ;)

immediately needed to combine these two bcz Yesss.

Yarrow, yellow cat, they/them! yall feel free to steal the name yarrow btw, idc

-

Work in the fields began before sunrise, which meant the farmers had to be up before light. For Yarrow, it wasn't too major of an adjustment. They were used to farming back in their now destroyed village in Darkwood.

For their housemate though, it was an issue.

The Lamb had placed the cult's newest recruit in Yarrow's shared shelter. Before him, Yarrow had been living here all alone, enjoying both the space and the peace and quiet. Now, the blind bagworm he had for a roommate seemed to live to disrupt every part of Yarrow's life, and he despised waking up early. This morning seemed to be an exception.

The Lamb couldn't seem to get Leshy to hold down a job he wouldn't immediately fuck up, so Leshy didn't work. Since he didn't work, he had a lot of free time. And since he seemed to live to poke fun at Yarrow, it was more often than not that Leshy would show up halfway through the day to follow them around the fields while they worked. He lived to cause as much chaos as he could get away with without upsetting the Lamb, so most of the trouble he caused involved eating through the garden that Yarrow tended to instead of the cult's crucial crops.

This morning, Leshy was up before the sun. Yarrow sighed, and resigned themself to a long day.

"Good morning, Leshy," they said, mostly to be courteous. The bagworm grunted and said nothing. Yarrow sighed, placed their farmer's hat on their head, and headed out the door. Whether or not Leshy followed them was his choice.

Unfortunately, he did.

As Yarrow got to work with the other farmers in the field, Leshy plopped himself down in the flower garden, digging his hands in the dirt. They had learned to ignore his antics, knowing he just wanted to get a rise out of them, but as they watched him, they couldn't help but feel something was off.

"Hey, Leshy?" they spoke up, watching him shove a handful of flowers into his gaping mouth. He didn't pay them any attention. "Leshy, are you okay?"

The blind bagworm paused, another flower halfway to his mouth. He seemed bewildered by the question, though it was hard to tell with how covered his face was.

"I just ask because, you usually never wake up this early," Yarrow felt the sudden need to explain, their dirty paw coming up to absent-mindedly rub the back of their neck. "And you usually like to-"

"Shut up," Leshy muttered with none of his usual bite, before shoving the flower in his mouth.

Yarrow huffed. "Well, sorry for trying to care," they muttered back, but they couldn't bring themself to step away. Maybe it was just the morning air, but Leshy seemed upset.

"Do flowers really taste that good?" they found themself asking, watching him destroy the garden they put so much care into. Leshy paused again, and Yarrow felt the need to explain themself once more, stammering through their next words. "I mean, I just see you eating them all the time. I've never tried one myself, well, just raw like that I mean. I've had some of them in teas before, but that's definitely different than just-"

"They help me see," Leshy answered shortly, startling the yellow cat into silence. "Not like how I used to, not like real seeing. But... I can taste the colors they are. Feels like seeing, sometimes."

"Oh," Yarrow said. Awkwardly, they looked down, and began to anxiously pick through the fur of their hands. "That, uh... sounds like fun?"

"I wanted to see the sunrise this morning," Leshy grumbled, though it was more of a quiet mutter. He shoved another flower in his mouth, his voice so quiet that Yarrow had to strain to hear it. "Which is stupid."

"It's not stupid," Yarrow said, feeling a lot less annoyed about the way Leshy liked to destroy their flower garden. "I see it every morning, but I still look forward to it even though I've seen it a million times. It's about to start now."

Leshy grumbled wordlessly, gathering together red, orange, and some golden yellow flowers. Yarrow watched, knowing they probably should've been getting back to work, but unable to pull themself away.

"You should add pink in there," they suggested quietly. The branching antlers on the sides of Leshy's heads twitched, and the worm turned his head towards them as though looking at them. "The sunrises here, they always start with pink."

Leshy didn't say a word, but reached across the flower garden to grab a handful of pink flowers. Despite the fact that it was their garden he was destroying, Yarrow let themself be impressed by how well Leshy knew where everything was planted.

"It's starting," Yarrow said quietly, and Leshy gave a clicking chitter, a noise he usually made when he was annoyed. This time though, it sounded softer, almost nicer. They could almost let themself believe it was appreciative.

Leshy shoved the first of the flowers in his mouth as the sun crested the horizon.

[b1rd1ee]

This is a ficlet for a TFA Au that has been brewing in my mind for a while. I'm not sure if I'll be able to write a full-length fic about it.

Essentially, Ultra Magnus and Megatron were once lovers. The cons all lived on a large colony ship known as the Hull. It would occasionally visit Cybertron for supplies, which is how they first became familiar. When they were older, Mags promised Megs that he would be there during his darkest hour. He couldn't keep his promise when Megs needed him most.

Megs became the Hull's leader and modified it so that it could land anywhere except Cybertron.

Many years later, the Optimus team and Ultra Magnus needed to go there for something. There they discovered that Optimus has a matrix spark. Making him THE prime, the only one capable of defeating the big bad (who I have yet to figure out who). Optimus had locked himself in his room, and Megatron went to check on him, resulting in this.

—----------------------------------------

Megatron tentatively knocked on the door.

“Yo kid, are you doing okay?”

Optimus didn't answer; Megatron knocked again, but Optimus still wouldn't answer. When Megatron knocked the third time and Optimus still wouldn't answer, Megatron typed in the override code.

The door slid open to Optimus’s bedroom; the area was clean and organized, but there was no Optimus.

Megatron spun around and quickly walked down the hallway as he spoke into his communicator.

“We have a missing mech here; check all security cameras for a red and blue bot, and look for recent ENGX trails leaving the Hull.”

Reports began flooding the communicator within minutes.

"There is footage of him leaving his room around 12:34."

"We have footage of a red and blue bot heading to ship dock Z-4."

"There's an hour-old ENGX trail.”

"That idiotic kid," Megatron thought angrily to himself. "He's seriously doing this right now?"

He dashed down the winding and turning passageway to the one person he knew would be of help in this situation, regardless of how he felt about them.

He rushed to room MA-16 and quickly entered the override code. As the door slid open, he saw Ultra Magnus in his chair, reading from his pad. Magnus instantly looked up, his face filled with confusion.

"Optimus is gone."

"What?!" Magnus exclaimed as he quickly stood up from his chair, sending the pad in his servos tumbling to the ground. Ultra Magnus followed closely behind Megatron as they went to the nearest ship dock.

"He's not on the ship," Megatron stated. "That stupid kid believes that because he is the Prime, he must face everything alone, but he doesn't. Is he aware how selfish and stupid this is? He is leaving those he cares about behind. Did he ever consider their feelings?"

Ultra Magnus stared at Megatron, his face sinking as he said

"This isn't just about Optimus."

Megatron came to a halt, his breathing heavy, and turned sharply to Magnus.

"Of course, this isn't all about Optimus!" Megatron yelled angrily, "This is also about you!" Tears welling up in his eyes.

His chest heaved with each sharp breath before he continued, this time in a low voice that gradually became louder and more painful.

"Why didn't you come? Don't use the "Cybertron was in need" argument. Do you know how long I waited before realizing you weren't coming? Do you know how much pain I felt? I cried myself to sleep for such a long time. You promised to be there for me during my darkest hours. Well, guess what? That was my darkest hour. And you weren't there!"

He turned away from him, his head tilted upward as if to prevent tears from falling. "We needed you," he said quietly. His head sank as he wrapped his arms around himself, allowing tears to fall as he spoke in a hurt whisper.

"I needed you."

Magnus said nothing and reached out his hand to Megatron's shoulder. He hesitated for a moment before placing his hand on Megatron's shoulder, causing him to tense up.

He remained silent at first, then spoke in a shaky voice. "I am sorry, Megatron. There's no excuse for what I did. I left you when you needed me the most. It's one of my biggest regrets in life."

There was silence for a moment, then Megatron slowly turned to Magnus and tilted his head up at him. His face was no longer of anger but of sorrow, tears freely falling down his cheeks.

Magnus slowly pulled him into a hug.

Megtron tensed. Then he relaxed, burying his face into Magnus' shoulder and wrapping his arms around him, finally releasing years of suppressed emotions and tears.

Magnus held him, holding back his own tears. He wasn't strong for him before, but he will be now.

[formerlycookierunauprompts]

AU Ficlet(it's more of a whole fic really) #3 - 250 Follower Special 💔

LOG - #025 A new employee has come to work for the corporation, interestingly enough the witches actually gave her a name. Yet, she hasn't disclosed what it is to us yet so we've simply dubbed her 'Marshmallow Fluff Cookie', since her hair is made out of the stuff. I, personally, find her rather interesting. Why would the witches give her a proper name? Especially one of their own kind. I'll have to put in a request to the manager to have her work with the less... dangerous abnormalities so I can proceed with a study of her. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #037 A much more personal log than my previous entries, but it relates to my studies of Marshmallow Fluff Cookie so I suppose that I can spare to keep this. Notably, she seems to be a lot more capable than I and my fellow team managers thought. In the last few days she's been producing majorly good work results out of all the works she's been assigned to. It can be noted that she dislikes having to work with Tear of the Witches, I don't know why but I hypothesize that she may have a... distaste for the witches. I asked her what she thought of our creators, she claimed to not really have an opinion on whether she liked them or not. I decided to change the subject and we ended up talking for a while until the manager sent her off to do a work process with Parade of Smiles. Yet, during our conversation I could tell that she was withholding something from me. Just who are you really, Marshmallow Fluff Cookie? - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #042 She's finally told me her real name, 'Mackenzie'. Though she prefers that I just call her 'Kenzie' instead, it rolls off the tongue a lot nicer. I fear that I might be becoming rather... attached to her. I can't exactly help it, she's like a nice little puzzle that fits in my hands yet refuses to let me solve it. I simply cannot let anything unfortunate happen to her before my studies of her are over. I'm sure that things will return to normal once my curiosity is sated. Fragment of the Stars breached today, I finally got to bare witness to Kenzie in action. To put it simply... I was certainly intrigued. Surely this is just a mere fascination, it will pass. I hope it does. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #051 I believe that Kenzie may be suffering from Distortion Disease. I could tell when her sanity got low, I could see eyes ( not Cookie Eyes mind you) peeking through her dough. I fear that if I don't hurry with my research into reversing the disease's effects that she may turn into one of the many abnormalities held within the facility. As far as I know, she hasn't had contact with a Soul Jam like myself and my fellow team manager's considering that we use ours almost daily. Our Soul Jam contains distortion within them, it's what gives me my strings and ability to levitate. We all knew that there was a chance that we would become abnormalities when we were selected to wield them, yet we took that risk. All roaming causes of Distortion Disease that we know of have been contained, so how did Kenzie contact it? I suppose it doesn't matter at the moment, I'll have to focus on supressing her symptoms should they appear. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

" Blu?" He quickly snaps himself up from his log book, turning to face the pink haired cookie standing in the doorway. They'd gotten friendly over the past few weeks, maybe even months that they've spent working together in the corporation. He couldn't say that he hated her company, because it simply wasn't true. He could feel his soul jam thrum from where it was placed on his chest, it was almost like his heart in a sense, working to keep him alive and... mostly sane. It liked that nickname, and so did he. " Ah! Kenzie." He mused with a bit of an embarrassed smile. " What are you doing here today? I thought that the Manager wanted you to work in the Control Department." " Oh, they assigned me to work on Dream of the Moonlit Sea." She hummed, propping herself up on the table of the break room within the Information department. " Though... you could probably tell from the tear-streaks in my dough." She hummed, pointing at her face. Ah, right, Dream of the Moonlit Sea almost always caused employee's working on it to cry during the work process. And yet... he could tell that this was only somewhat true. There was something being withheld from him, something that she wasn't saying. But what could it be? She's such a mystery, he can't wait until she let's him solve her. But what happens after that? He doubts that he could just... go back to normal. Not with the way his small cookie heart beats in his chest whenever he thinks of her, is he becoming obsessed? Falling in love with someone who could die any day? What a foolish decision. So call him a fool then.

----

LOG - #078 Eheheheh... The Manager was quite foolish today. Sending Kenzie in to use Creation Machine when they knew it would yield a bad, terrible and horrible result. Treating her like the rest of the rather expendable employee's when she's so much more... So, I did what I had to~! I had him terminated... immediately. Do I feel any regret about that? Hah! Not a single shred. They were such a fool anyways. - Shadow Milk Cookie That's not my name. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie.

----

LOG - #079 In regards to the previous log... I believe that I may have temporarily lost myself and succumbed to the powers of my Soul Jam for a brief moment last night. Do I regret what I did? ... I still don't, that concerns me. I thought that I'd feel the slightest bit of remorse but... there was nothing. A new Manager came in to replace the old one, I have no idea how the corporation found one so quickly and yet I don't want to ask. Though this new Manager seems more... competent than our previous one. Kenzie appears to be doing better today after last night. My research, however, doesn't seem to making much progress... Hopefully it yields some results soon. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie.

----

LOG - #099 I'm not exactly sure how to describe what happened today. For starters, Kenzie seemed a lot more... panicked than usual. And by that I mean she was actually panicking about something. She wasn't fit to work with any of the abnormalities so I kept her with me and notified the manager. Her condition is worsening, and I fear that I won't be able to save her before the distortion takes hold. I've learnt... quite a bit about her as well. For instance, I know why the witches gave her specific name of their own. She's said (albeit during her maddened rambling in her panicked state) that she's supposed to be dead, so it's entirely possible that she has the soul of a witch within her... one that was supposed to have passed on to the afterlife. I believe that that may be the source of her variant of distortion disease. Walpurgis Night is approaching, and I fear that something horrible may happen when it comes. Something always goes wrong, horribly wrong upon Walpurgis Night. Perhaps it's a curse from the witches for the hubris of Cookiekind. I just hope that I can keep her safe through it. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #101 I was right. Why did I have to be right? The worst possible thing happened and I couldn't even prevent it. I hate this. I'm so sorry. ... That's all it says, it appears that Blueberry Milkshake didn't sign off on this one. It looks like the pages are stained with tears.

----

LOG - #104 I think I'm going insane, I keep on seeing glimpses of her and yet I know that she's not here anymore. Not like that, not as a Cookie. I still can't bring myself to go see her, what she has become. But I know I'll have to face her one day, I can't run forever. - Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #115 It's not her, none of them are her. They may look like her, but they aren't her. They're only forged from her fleeting feelings, yet it hurts to see them being viewed as expendable. It's like seeing her die over, and over, and over and over and over again. We're up to Kenzie-14 now, as the manager says. I don't know why they keep getting us to use her over and over again just to get more employees. I almost feel sick whenever I look into their hollow eyes. The voice telling me to let go of myself is getting louder and louder, I don't think it wants to shut up anymore. Burning Spice and Eternal Sugar have already succumbed to their own distortion, I'd follow them if it wasn't for Silent Salt and Mystic Flour's support. -Blueberry Milkshake Cookie

----

LOG - #125 They're all gone, I'm the only Team Manager left. Burning Spice, Eternal Sugar, Mystic Flour, Silent Salt... All of them. There isn't really any point in holding back anymore, is there? This will be the last time I use this log. It may even be the last time anyone reads it~! I'll be destroying this facility, it's nothing more than a seal to prevent me and my comrades from causing chaos within the real world. From this day forth, all of us will be set free. Do I really care what happens to the employee's here? Nah, not one eeny weeny little bit! Not anymore, I guess. Well, it's been rather entertaining to be here. Observing tragedy and comedy... mostly tragedy, but I digress, it was entertainment nonetheless. May the witches burn in the oven for forsaking us all. - Blueberry Milkshake- Hmm, that doesn't feel right anymore. - Shadow Milk Cookie The page is littered with doodles of eyes in blue pen.

----

ABNORMALITY FILE Beast of Deceit B-01-05 - ALEPH Observation level - I The Abnormality that caused the Breach of [REDACTED DATE]. Some say that B-01-05 used to be a Team Manager at the Corporation, though it isn't certain. Though it is certain that this being, like the rest of the Beasts, came from the corruption of Soul Jam. Since that fateful breach of every abnormality in the facility, we have worked hard to re-contain all of them. One-by-one we will contain them all again. Though, as of [date], we have managed to wrangle it into a containment cell. The beast seems complacent for now, we'll be sending Kenzie-25 in to work on it soon as she is one of our more capable employees(probably because she comes from T-01-34).

----

ABNORMALITY FILE Selfish Heart T-01-34 - ZAYIN (?) Observation Level - III Attack Type - ??? E-BOX output - 25 Qliphoth Counter - 3 / Non-escaping entity Managerial Tips 1 When the work result was bad, the Qliphoth counter lowered with a high probability Managerial Tips 2 The above happened when Repression work was performed on the abnormality. Managerial Tips 3 When a good or normal work result was achieved, Selfish Heart would produce a clone of [redacted]. These clones are useful employees, but abnormalities class HE and lower will produce less positive E-boxes when working with these clones due to feeling threatened. Managerial Tips 4 When the Qliphoth Counter dropped to zero, a random clone would be sent into a panic. All employees adjacent to the clone will also go into a panic. Managerial Tips 5 The Qliphoth Counter lowered whenever three or more abnormalities breached at the same time. Managerial Tips 6 *Locked* Managerial Tips 7 *Locked* Work Favor List Instinct I - Common II - Common III - Common IV - Common V - Common Insight I - Common II - Common III - Common IV - Common V - Common Attachment I - High II - High III - High IV - High V - Very High Repression I - Low II - Low III - Low IV - Low V - Low (technically this should be locked but I'm putting it down anyways because silly) E.G.O. Equipment E.G.O. Gift ; Fragment of Self Effect : Increases all stats by +5 Drop Chance : 0.01% E.G.O. Suit Fragment of Self Grade : ALEPH Cost : 100 Eboxes Red DEF : Normal (1.0) White DEF : Resistant (0.4) Black DEF : Endured (0.5) Pale DEF : Resistant (0.3) Max Amount : 1 Requirements : Agent Level 5, Attachment Level 5 E.G.O. Weapon Fragment of Self Grade : ALEPH Cost : 250 Damage : PALE 20-24 Attack Speed : Fast Range : Medium Max Amount : 1 Requirements : Agent Level 5, Attachment Level 5

----

It seems that they've fortified the containment cells since he's last been here, a shame, truly. Oh how he'd love to roam about, but alas, he had to be a good boy and stay put. Not that he had any choice in the manner. He glances at the jam stain on the floor, oh yeah, he'd gotten a bit too excited the last time an employee came to do work with him. He ripped them apart, but he did piece them back together as a new puppet for his collection. Maybe he gnawed on a piece or two but only because he'd been so bored prior to the entertainment they provided him. He hears the door open, oho? The manager was sending in another employee so soon? They must be rather desperate. He looked up from the floor, his collection of shadowy tendrils twitching with excitement at he looked at his new... prey? "... Oh?" He muses, standing up from his reclined position. He eyed the employee with intrigue, though just calling her an employee wouldn't do her justice. Calling her a clone would fit better, yet it somewhat feels like an insult at the same time. He can see something in her eyes after all, something that isn't hollow like that in the eyes of her fellow kin. This Kenzie-clone may be the closest thing he's seen to a person out of all of them. " Why hello there my dear!" He chirped with a small bow, and after a few seconds he almost immediately bounced up to her. " What's an interesting creature like you doing in a place such as this? Let me get a closer look at you..." He hummed, letting two shadowy hands hold the clone's face as he pulled them in for a closer look. " Wh- Oi! Stop that." The clone hissed, oh she was certainly a lot more lively of a character as well! Closer to Kenzie's personality than just a feeling attached to a memory of some kind. She batted away the hands, an action which he found rather interesting. " Aw, afraid of a little bit of touch, little cookie?" He teased, to which Kenzie-whatevernumberthisonewas deadpanned. " Don't call me little, I'm literally taller than you." She said with a twinge of maybe annoyance? Well, she was certainly a lot more like Kenzie than the others had been. " Either way, I'm supposed to be working-" " Do you have to?" He said in a bit of a whiny tone, tilting his head a bit too much to the side. " Hey, why don't we do something interesting instead? Wouldn't that be more fun?" " And what would your definition of 'fun' be?" She asked, his mood instantly brightened to her surprise. " Hmm..." He pondered, though it didn't take long for an idea to come to mind. " How about releasing a few abnormalities? It'd be funny seeing them chase some clerks around." He suggested, a grin stretching across his features. " And I suppose that you want me to release a WAW level Abnormality or two?" She asked, to which he gave an eager nod. " Not happening." She immediately shut down the notion, causing him to crumple to the floor in a sulking manner. " Aw boo, you're no fun Kenzie." He whined, dropping to the floor and letting his shadows catch him. They curled around his limbs, subjected to the will of their master, with one wiping at the crocodile tears forming in his eyes. " It's... Kenzie-25." " Kenzie." He insisted, looking up from the floor. There was a silence between the two cookie in the room, but could they even be counted as cookies anymore? He was a beast, and she was a clone. Could that make the answer any more obvious? Maybe not. Kenzie was the first to speak up again. " Well, if you're going to insist..." She murmured, looking away from his sharp gaze. " I'd assume there's something you want me to call you by?" She asked, turning back to him. " Ah! How could I have forgotten to introduce myself properly?" He stood up with a bounce, feigning shock. " Well, your wait is over. You're face to face with the world's best playwright, poet, director, actor, clown... Everyone's most beloved trickster!" He bowed, tilting his head back up solely to look into Kenzie's eyes. " ... Shadow Milk Cookie!"

----

Hoo boy that was long. Anyways, welcome to the Lobotomy Corperation Cookie Run AU! Am I really properly introducing a new AU for my 250 special alongside the competition? YES!! Mainly because this is my brain child and I love and it's full of angst.

Quick disclaimer i only play lobotomy corp for the gameplay and I don't know too much of the lore so some stuff here may be a bit inaccurate by mistake. But some stuff is on purpose.

[i-hug-exploder-shanks]

ficlet request: drifter telling a bar story from when he ran the end of the world bar at the bottom of felwinter peak - include as much gratuitous felwinter as you like - bonus points if he's telling the story to eris <3

This one got a little away from me. I rewrote it three times and just couldn't figure out what I wanted to do for it. I hope you enjoy anyway!

Sliding a filled glass down the counter Drifter leaned forward with a grin, surprised but not upset to see Eris had dropped by the Ether Tank. It was late and very few others were there at that hour but Saint-14 was sitting in a booth in a corner with his Warlock curled against him. Osiris looked like he had already had three drinks too many but Drifter wasn't about to tell him how to live his life.

He wasn't surprised given the date, he had been thinking of getting a little sloshed himself.

"Everyone has been rather morose today. Usually that's my job." Eris hummed making him laugh.

"Reading my mind? Its a good day to be sad on sunshine. It was years ago today that the Iron Lords failed their raid for SIVA." He hummed and she sipped the drink he had given her.

"I know the tale from Shaxx but had not known them myself. They were your friends?" She asked and he snorted.

"As much as you could be friends with someone like Lord Felwinter I suppose. He helped me take care of a few... Issues. I helped run the bar at the foot of his mountain and keep the Lords up top in touch with the lowly vassals below." He admitted starting to clean a class just to have something to do with his hands as he spoke.

"That's how I met the great phoenix Osiris too. Although he was less of a phoenix and more of a time bomb back then. Lit the place on fire quite a few times." He admitted.

"It happened twice! Twice! And the second time was your own fault!" Osiris cut in glaring at him and Drifter grinned.

"You're tempting a third tonight birdy. No Felwinter here to put out the flames either." He said and Osiris made to stand but Saint stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"We do not need a fight. I am here and can stop any flame that would spark up but Osiris is no longer a student either. He is much better versed in his light." He said and Drifter shrugged.

"If you say so. I have to admit the first time was a bit of a shock. I had heard of his visions but didn't realize how violent they were." He admitted and Osiris sighed rubbing his face tiredly before looking at Eris.

"I used to go into such deep traces that I lost control of my body and light. It's why I was seeking help from the Iron Lords in the first place. It's one thing to randomly combust out in the desert and another to do so in a dense wood or worse an occupied home. I knew I needed to master my abilities or they'd hurt more than just myself. Felwinter was a diligent teacher and a dear friend." He said seriously.

"He means that in the same way he and Saint are dear friends nowadays. The first time he lit the bar on fire might have been an accident because of a vision but the second time was because he drank half my store and started going on about wanting Lord Felwinter to step on him." Drifter laughed and Osiris groaned hiding his face in Saint's chest.

Eris hid her own smirk in her drink. "You had a thing for your teacher?" She asked honestly intrigued by the interplay. She also noted that Saint didn't seem surprised or bothered by the knowledge at all.

"You have not met Lord Felwinter. He was very charming. I had tea with him once when on his Peak bringing a request from my father. I think the reason so many people were so mad at him all the time was because of how tight his pants were and how he showed no interest in being helped out of them at all." Saint said shaking his head as Osiris actually laughed.

"That's not true. He just didn't feel urges for it like you or I. Warlord Shaxx certainly earned his interest and I certainly had to wash enough laundry while there to know he had to been doing something." Osiris said abd Eris tilted her head slightly.

"I thought that something would have been you? Didn't you admit to wanting him to step on you?" She asked looking back to Drifter who was smirking.

"There were huge pots around on which Iron Lords were with who. I was running them or I would have put my money in on Osiris and Felwinter being a set until Shaxx was dragged along. Then I wasn't so sure. But the way he reacted to Osiris' incident sealed the deal for me that they were something." He admitted.

Osiris looked at his empty glass and sighed. "Felwinter and I were partners at the time, yes but it wasn't exclusive. We both saw other people as well. However it was nice to have someone I could trust. I... I believed at the time he trusted me as well." He said and Saint pulled him against his side more tightly in a slight hug.

"He lied to everyone about Rasputin and it was clear he did so for your safety. I am certain he feared that telling you would bring you harm. I can not say I would do differently if I had been in his position. Having the Warmind as a father... Ha! Explains why he hit like a warsat! He was strong for a warlock. You are all so small with such little arms! You usually need your magics to get the better of a Titan but I saw him once punch Saladin's head right off! I think he was taking lessons from Shaxx." Saint laughed.

Eris finished her own drink and looked at Osiris finally deciding to be brave and ask her own question.

"Did you... See it?" She asked. The hive had their own forms of peering into the future and she trusted the divination she performed through it.

"Site 6? Yes. Many times. But not in enough detail to be certain. Still... I had my doubts. I confronted him about it and we argued. I told him even if I was wrong, if he left I would not be waiting for him when he returned. I understood the draw of SIVA but it just sounded too good to be true. Saint had offered me accommodations here in the city so I took him up on the offer. I only returned to the temple once to help Saladin lock everything up. I regret that the last of our time together was an argument but I don't regret my choice. Especially knowing that he knew about Rasputin." He admitted before they all sat in silence for a moment.

"You should take a bottle up to Shaxx for me when you head back to the tower. I would but.. well... The big guy kinda scares me." Drifter said holding out a bottle as Saint helped Osiris from their booth, the warlock wobbling a little.

"Shaxx is harmless as a kitten... If the kitten was a mountain lion kitten that could spit fire from it's mouth." Saint said cheerfully.

"We will do that. Good night Drifter. Good night Eris." Osiris said accepting the bottle and walking out arm and arm with his partner.

Eris finally turned back to Drifter and leaned her head on her palm. "Any other fun stories about the Iron Lords?" She asked and he grinned.

"For you sister? I have histories." He agreed and poured her another drink.

[legacyshenanigans]

I didn't forget about that ficlet, I forced myself to finish it when I woke up because if I didn't, it wouldn't have gotten done lmao. So here you go, enjoy this badly written smut. It's not really proofread, I literally just pulled this out my ass 🤣🤣

Rowan x Ominis x Leander 🤍❤️💚

Ominis invited Leander to join him and Rowan in the bedroom. NSFW

Leander entered Ominis's room, seeing Ominis sat on a chair in the corner, wearing nothing but his underwear, next to him on the floor, on his knees, was Rowan, completely naked, a thick black leather collar around his neck, to which Ominis held the chain to in his hand.

Ominis: You're here...Good.

Ominis smirked as he sensed Leander standing by the door, Rowan glared at Leander hungrily, a smirk curling up onto his own face, Leander couldn't help but gulp slightly at the thought of what was to come.

Ominis stood, walking over to Leander, yanking on the chain making Rowan let out a small groan and bite his lip, he knew that during this encounter whatever Ominis did or said was to be so, he knew how much Ominis actually enjoyed having power from time to time, he reminded him very much so of Marvolo at times.

Ominis stood in front of Leander, and reached out to him, his hand resting on the back of Leanders head and pulling him in for a kiss. Leander squeaked a little at the contact, Ominis's tongue swirling with his own, he closed his eyes and melted into the feeling, bringing up his hands and resting them on Ominis's hips, pulling him in a little, their bodies pushed together, Rowan watched them, looking them both up and down.

Ominis pulled away from the kiss, a devilish look on his face as he yanked Rowans Collar once more.

Ominis: Stand, My love..

Rowan stood tall next to the pair of them, Leander couldn't help but blush, looking at Rowans body. He didn't think he'd ever get the chance to do so ever again until Ominis had suggested this. Leander reached out to touch Rowan, but Ominis's hand shot up and gripped Leanders wrist, Leander looked at him, his face flushed red, Ominis chuckled.

Ominis: You want to touch him?

Leander: Y-Yes..

Ominis: How badly?

Leander: ...Very.

Ominis smirked, turning away and pulling on Rowans collar once more, sitting back down in the chair as he was before, Rowan standing next to him.

Ominis: Come. And take off your clothes, Prewett..

Ominis gestured for Leander to approached. He did so, sliding himself out of the clothes in the process, his arousal evident by his hardening cock.

Ominis: On your knees...

He dropped to his knees on the floor in front of Ominis, his breathing a little heavy, anticipating what was next. Ominis leaned down, lifting his chin and kissing him once more before leaning back against the chair, taking his own hardened member out from the confines of his underwear. Ominis let out an almost dark sounding chuckle.

Ominis: I'll allow you in time to put your hands on Rowans body..But right now, I want you to suck his cock. See how much you can take.. *smirks*

Leanders eyes widened slightly as he turned his head to look up at Rowan, Rowan looked down at him through lidded eyes, a wicked little grin on his lips, as he held his cock in his hand, stroking it. Leander looked at Rowans throbbing cock and gulped once again, his impressive length was hard not to be intimidated by.

Ominis: Put your hands behind your back, Prewett..Mouth only..For now.

Leander did as he was told, before shifting over to Rowan, making eye contact with him as he leaned forward and licked at his cock, his face still blushing. Rowan let out a growly chuckle feeling Leanders tongues swirling around him before the Red took Rowan into his mouth

Rowan: Ohhh fffffuck...Mmph~

Ominis moaned quietly, gripping at his own cock and pumping himself from hearing Rowans grunts and groans and the noises coming from Leanders mouth and throat as he sucked him.

Rowan bucked his hips forcefully, over and over, pounding into his throat, surprised by how well Leander could take him. Leander pulled back taking in a harsh breath and smirking up at Rowan before taking him back into his mouth, bobbing his head back and forth, Rowan moaned out feeling his mouth and tongue around his cock once more, his climax rising.

Rowan: mmph...I...I'm gonna fuckin bust.

Ominis: Good boy..*smirks*

With a final thrust Rowan growled filling Leanders throat with his thick load, Leander made a small choking noise before pulling away again, sticking his tongue out to catch the last spurts of Rowans release. Rowan brought a hand down and ran it through Leanders hair.

Rowan: Heh..You're pretty good at taking cock down your throat, Red.

Leander blushed and smiled enjoying the praise he was receiving when Ominis suddenly leaned forward, grabbing his face and pulling him towards his own for another messy kiss, wanting to taste Rowan on Leanders lips, the pair of them moaned into the kiss, before Ominis pulled away with a sinful smile and stood up, he lead Rowan over to the bed and kissed him and his fingers released the collar from around his neck.

Ominis: Lie down for me. Let Leander enjoy you *smirks*

Rowan bared a fang with a cheeky smile on his lips as he lay down on the bed, slighlty sat up against the headboard, Ominis turned and held out his hand towards Leander. Leander took his hand as Ominis whispered to him.

Ominis: Get ontop of Rowan..

He crawled up the bed, taking in Rowans muscular frame, breathing heavily as he licked up Rowans chest before straddling his hips. Rowan smirked, grabbing Leanders face and pulling him in for an intense snog. Leander moaned, feeling his cock twitch. His mind fogging in the moment, not realising Ominis has joined behind him, he felt a hard spank on his ass and cried out, hearing Ominis chuckle. He looked over his shoulder at him, feeling Ominis guiding his cock to his begging hole.

Ominis: I bet you thought Rowan was going to be the one fucking you, didn't you?

With one one swift motion, Ominis pushed himself inside of him.

Leander: Ohhh! Fuuuuck!!!

Ominis grabbed Leanders arms pulling them back as he began to thrust his hips against him, fucking him roughly, Leanders eyes rolled back as he took Ominis's cock, dirty little moans pushing out from his throat as Rowan was looking up at him smirking, watching Ominis pound him relentlessly. Rowan reached a hand down and took hold of leanders leaking member, stroking him in rhythm with Ominis's thrusts. Leander felt like his head was going to explode, the overstimulation driving him crazy, his breathing becoming erratic.

It didn't take too long before Leander felt that heat spread in the pit of his stomach, knowing he was going to release.

Leander: Ngh! ...Fuck, fuck, FUUUUCK!!

Leanders eyes closed tightly as he cried out, throwing his head back, thick strings of his cum splattering onto Rowans chest.

Rowan: mmph! *growls* Fuck yeah...

Feeling Leanders hole clamp down and pulsate around him drove Ominis to the edge of his own climax.

Ominis: *gasps harshly* Ohhh shit! Mmmph!

His pushed as deep as he could, filling Leander with his own hot release, causing another cry to escape Leanders lips.

Ominis pulled away, crawling to lay next to Rowan on the bed, giving him another little kiss with a giggle, Leander collapsed ontop of Rowans chest, feeling like a dirty little whore trying to calm his breathing, Rowan and Ominis smirked at each other before Ominis reached out and ran his hand through Leanders hair.

Ominis: Are you glad you came here tonight? *chuckles*

Leander: *breathless chuckle* Definitely.

~

[drarrily-we-row-along]

Valentine's Card

"Honestly," Draco huffed as he set what had to be the 45th card he'd picked up back on the shelf. "This is ridiculous," he grumbled as he reached for the next.

"Can I help you with anything, sir?" a boy who couldn't be more than 17 asked him.

He looked him up and down before gesturing to the selection of Valentine's Day cards, "these are appalling."

"Not a fan of Valentine's Day?" he asked, voice annoyingly sympathetic as if a child could understand the pressure of choosing a Valentine's card for your childhood nemesis, turned work-rival, turned acquaintance, turned best friend, turned (recently) lover.

Although, as it happened, he wasn't particularly fond of Valentine's Day. "Not especially," he conceded. "But these are all so-" he broke off, searching for the right word, "trite. Cute. They make everything seem like relationships are just rainbows and butterflies, and they aren't."

"Err," the teen said, scratching his neck. "Well, I think lots of folks just want to pretend for a day that things aren't awful."

"My relationship isn't awful!" he protested, because he certainly didn't want the teen to go away thinking that. "My relationship is wonderful. He's stubborn, and pig-headed, and too noble for his own good. He drives me mental some days with his inability to think about his own needs. But he's the bloody love of my life and I wouldn't want him any other way."

"Right," the teen replied uncertainly, glancing around for someone to help him. "I don't think I'm supposed to say this, seeing as selling cards is what we do," he said, "but I don't think you're going to find anything like that here."

And Draco couldn't help it, the frustration of trying to find the perfect card melted away and he set down the card in his hand. "You're right," he replied. "Time to try my hand at making something again."

When he got home, he sat down at his writing desk and started to work; he didn't have much time before Harry turned up for their dinner date.

He was putting the finishing touches on the card when he heard Harry tumble out of the floo. Draco blew off the last bit of glitter as Harry came in, bouquet of roses in his hands. "For you," he said, holding them out and leaning in for a kiss.

"For you," Draco replied, offering him the card. "The boy at the shop told me that they didn't have anything that would say what I was trying to say, so I made it myself."

"Babe," he said, grinning at him with the soppiest expression before opening it and reading it aloud,

"Dear Harry, your stubbornness is bested by only your love, your strength by only your kindness. You make me feel like a mess, still I must confess, I'm rather obsessed, with the man who so loves my weakness."

Draco felt himself flushing bright red, uncertain of how the other man would respond. Really, if he'd had more time to think about it, Draco was sure that he wouldn't have even given it to him. "This was stupid-" he started.

Even as Harry looked up at him, eyes shining, "You wrote this for me?" he asked, clutching it to his chest and covering himself in glitter.

"Yes?"

"I love it," he breathed, leaning in to kiss Draco, "This is the sweetest-" he cut himself off to kiss him again. "I love you," he said against his mouth. "All of you," he added, looking pointedly at the last line of the card.

Draco laughed, "I know. But it means the most to me that you love me when I feel like I can't be enough."

Harry kissed him again, and then again, "You're always enough."

"Dinner?" he asked, feeling overly pleased with himself.

Harry shook his head and backed him toward the bedroom, "Dinner can wait."

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

Written for the @hdcandyheartsfest prompt 'Valentine's Card'

Read more of my 2023 hdcandyhearts ficlets here.

[flowerhead-fh]

Cupid!Steve x Rockstar!Eddie

OHHH BOY- GUYS- I was just watching my favorite series of all time, which I would recommend to every living being, called Brooklyn 99, and I got an idea for a fanfic, which immediately made me think of Steddie, so here I am. Please enjoy this, drabble? ficlet? I dunno, short fic sample

______________________________________________________________

In this world, there are Gods, a lot of them. Under them, you have the demigods. Ever living beings, scattered throughout the earth, to make sure everything is running smoothly (which actually means, they are constantly keeping humans from sending the world to shit)

Steve, is one of said demigods. The demigod of love, cupid himself nonetheless. He does his job, better than most demigods actually. Can even find love for the most unlovable. However he has one weakness, and that's finding love for himself. Yes, yes I know. The irony, but the unfortunate truth is; that Steve Harrington's luck in the romantic department is non-existent.

He had just been complaining about this to Robin during their shared shift at Family Video. "It's ridiculous! I can find true love for everyone but myself?! What kind of power is that?!" He groans in frustration and rests his head on his forearms. "I'm gonna be lonely forever." Robin (the demigod of sand (I told you there were a lot of them)) was meanwhile playing around with the sand in an hourglass.

"Relax, I'm sure you'll find someone eventually! And until then, you've always got me! Besides, would you really want to just zap yourself and a random person, just for the sake of dating someone?" Steve groans again, raising his head up and running a hand down his face. "No, but.... still! I want to- have someone in my life like that." Robin hums sympathetically. "Well, at least you can get laid easy." She says shrugging."

Ahh yes, one of the perks to being Cupid, is that he can control, ignite, and remove lust within anyone he so wishes. "Yeah, but I'm past one-night stands now, Robin! I want someone to love." Steve huffs, as he finishes his sentence.

______________________________________________________________

Just then someone enters the store. The bell rings, and they both spare a glance at the door. The man entering was dressed in mostly black. He had long curly hair, and silver rings adorned each of his fingers. "Robin," Steve whispers to her, as she's still distracted by the hourglass. "12 o'clock." Steve nods subtly in the direction of the man, as Robin looks up at him. She raises her eyebrows. "Oh shit." She mutters.

Steve tried not to ogle him, he really does, but this might be the most interesting man, currently in Hawkins, so that proves difficult. The man, the stranger, is checking out something in the sci-fi section, smiling to himself. His expression then drops a bit, as he pauses and suddenly makes eye contact with Steve. Steve flinches and gives him a small awkward wave.

The guy starts walking over to them, and Steve gently elbows Robin to HELP HIM BECAUSE WORDS HAVE ESCAPED HIM. "Hey, couldn't help but catch you staring. You a fan?" He asked in a polite manner. Steve wrinkles his eyebrows. "No, that's a fan." Steve points to the ceiling fan. The man glances briefly at the ceiling fan, and then back at Steve, laughing.

"I'll admit to staring at you, yes, but I don't think I recognize you sorry." Steve continues after the stranger's laughter has died down. He stares at Steve, mouth slightly agape, in a somewhat mortified expression. "Oh shit." The man runs a hand down his face an embarrased manner. "Ohhhnoooo, I must seem like such a douchebag now."

He looks down and away from Steve. "No, no ,no! It's fine! Erm- Are you like famous or something? What's your name? Maybe I've heard of you somewhere!" Steve says hurredly, trying to salvage the conversation. The stranger chuckles. "Uhum, it's Eddie, Eddie Munson. I started a band called Corroded Coffin. Do you listen to Metal?"

Steve shakes his head awkwardly. "No sorry, but those names do ring a bell... Oh!" Eddie Munson, Corroded Coffin, it's that band Dustin has been raging about, together with the rest of the party. "The kids I babysit won't stop talking about you! You're like their idol. What's a celebrity like you doing in Hawkins then?"

______________________________________________________________

The guy- Eddie, scratches his neck. "Ah, just visiting home. Taking a break, kind of." Eddie leans an elbow on the counter. "What's model like you doing out here?" He asks in a slightly deeper tone. Steve clears his throat, and turns away to attempt to hide his blush. "Ahaha. I live here. Thanks." Eddie hums, and smiles.

He then notices Robin's fidgeting with the hourglass. "Woah! Holy shit!" Eddie straightens up, no longer leaning on the counter, and stares at the hourglass amazed. Robin hums looking up at Eddie. "Oh, we're demigods. I'm the demigod of sand, this is basically I can do." She says is shrugging.

Eddie turns back to Steve with an excited questioning look. "Both of you? What's your thing then, pretty boy?" Eddie leans on the counter again, this time resting his chin on his hand. Steve hums, and ponders on his next actions. On one hand he could just tell Eddie he is Cupid, on the other hand...

Steve hums, and boldly puts finger on Eddie's chest, sliding it down slowly, while igniting an amount lust within him, that's just edging on too much. Then he looks into Eddie's eyes, and says; "This is." Eddie stares at him, with wide eyes, his face burning red, his mouth just slightly open, as if trying to find something to say, and failing.

______________________________________________________________

Steve pulls his hand away, and simulteaneously quells any and all lust he awakened within Eddie. "I'm Cupid, basically. I make people fall in love and shit. I can also do that- what I just did." He smiles a bit. "Sorry, I hope that wasn't too much, or anything?" Steve looks at him apologetically.

Eddie stares at him a bit longer mouth agape, still blushing. Then he clears his throat, and speaks as casually as he can muster. "Yeah, no, it's cool, it's alright. That was cool, that wasss a-okay!" He grins at back at Steve, who doesn't seem to fully believe him. "You sure? I can imagine it was a bit much."

Eddie nods. "Yeah, seriously, it's cool. Just didn't see it coming is all." Eddie seems to be speaking truthfully, so Steve decides to believe him. "Okay, if you say so." Steve nods as well.

Eddie switches topics. "So, are you single?" Steve looks at him surpised, and pauses. "Uhh... Yes, very much so, actually." He admits blushing a bit. Eddie grins. "How come? I'd imagine you could make anyone fall in love with you, and I mean that both literally and figuratively."

Steve chuckles. "Romantic love spells don't work in my regards, I have to find love the normal way." Steve says rolling his eyes. "So I've remained lonely for a while now." Eddie hums. "Well... This might be a bit forward, but I think-" Eddie leans into Steve's space. "That I should maybe fix that." He then shrugs "But you tell me, Cupid. Are we compatible?"

Eddie looks at Steve expectantly, and Steve pauses to think. "... Yeah, I think we are." He says smiling a bit. They're first date happens just a couple days later.

[arom-antix]

Yuri!!! On Cards collaboration!

So, I know I've been pretty inactive recently, at least in posting my own art but for good reason! In the Yuri on the Web Discord server artists and writers alike have all collaborated to illustrate a deck of cards and write stories for each of them. And as a resident artist myself, I couldn't not take the opportunity to draw for this project UuU

Oh and if anyone was wondering, yes, I am to blame for inflicting this giant project onto the server BUT I REGRET NOTHING AND NEITHER WILL YOU IF YOU CHECK OUT EVERYONE ELSE'S WORKS. Trust me, they are amazing! The masterpost can be found here!

GIANT thanks to @lines-on-ice and @yaoiconnoisseur for helping so much and being amazing co-administrators and basically making this entire thing possible! You really saved me from my own overambition XD

The guidelines for this project can be found on the Yuri!!! On Cards blog as can the masterpost with all the links to everything. All the art that gets posted to Tumblr will also be reblogged by the blog.

With all that said, here's the actual art I made! (Break for those who don't want their dash to die UuU)

Okay, I lied. First, I'd heavily recommend for you to check out the guideline posts, both the general and artists' and even the writers' if you're up to it to get a grasp of the perimeters of this project. There's also some vague lore and AU stuff about the whole thing to find which will give you context for why the art looks the way it does to a certain extent.

You can also just jump right in and take everything as I ramble about it which, I mean, I won't stop you, the guideline posts aren't short. I will not blame you. You can still just look at the art. If that's your choice, go on ahead!

First up!

Ace of the Kingdom Otabek, The Deep Shadow

Being of the Kingdom of Diamonds, he's skillful and sharp. He moves quietly as a shadow and is just as mysterious.

Okay, I can't comment much on how he actually is, you'll have find that out by reading his fic(let?). They were supposed to be ficlets but as writers tend to do, none of us could manage that so take "ficlet" with a big grain of salt for every written work.

I've, by the way, not read any of the ficlets for this project beside my own so I'll get to experience the reveal with y'all and I'm gonna perish waiting.

Anyway, about the art. The yellow of course comes from the Kingdom of Diamonds' designated colour. As for the outfit, it's based on this handsome fellow I found who's supposed to be a Kazakh archer which I thought fit Otabek's whole shadow thing perfectly (and Writingfromtheshadow's fic Equivalent Exchange has me in an iron grip and I don't want to be released).

If there are any Kazakhs in the audience, you are free to laugh at me for any inaccuracies or missteps, I am but a humble little not-Kazakh, I don't expect to have gotten it all right UuU

Next up!

King Yuuri, Wanderer of Dreams

The ruler of his realm, he is as the mind flows. Kind and benevolent yet of fickle thoughts, the spirals of the subconscious are ones he both masters and bows to.

Again, gonna be waiting for his fic with everyone else but like. It's Yuuri. Anxiety is kind of a given.

In terms of art, I don't know if you can tell but this was where I started writing my will because oh my stars, what did I get myself into. If you follow me or my art, you'll know that I don't draw lineless. Like ever. And apparently I decided this project on a deadline that others were depending on me making look nice was the place to go all out.

And the worst part is that I'm not even mad at it so I have no argument to not do it again.

Anyway, the blue is from the designated colour of spades and yes, you've guessed right as to why this colour was picked for this suit. I'm predictable, leave me alone. As for the rest, the outfit is inspired by traditional Japanese dress that the Internet told me about (again, Japanese may laugh at me all they want UuU Your culture is very cool but also there was so much info, I hope I got it at least a bit right).

Also I spent like eight hours looking at hanakotoba for this and I've never been this happy about a decision I regretted so much while I was having to draw that many flowers. And you know I had to include The Gay Flower^(TM).

The Japanese iris is now Yuuri's btw.

All the flowers used are: Japanese irises, Jasmine flowers, Forget-me-nots, cherry blossoms, white roses, green carnations and blue roses (Viktor's flower. Read: I am predictable).

And finally!

Queen Minako, Tamer of Minds

Of the Realm of Dreams, she sees your fears, the snares laid by the subconscious and, strict and blunt as she is, she clears a path for the motivated and lets no potential go to waste.

Again, haven't read a word of the fic.

This one was by far the one that I made the fastest and I would've loved to do more with it but like deadlines. I'm gracefully skipping over the fact that I set the deadline and am fully to blame for being late.

But, as with Yuuri, blue is for spades. And since I wanted her to have a leotard but still match Yuuri and make her outfit look even slightly Japanese inspired, sheer fabric to the rescue! With cherry blossoms, of course, because CSP had the pattern preinstalled UuU

And I don't know if it worked but I tried to make her hair both look like her signature style, traditional Japanese hairstyles I found on the good ol' Interwebs and then kind of a spade by having that middle stick be the stem and the hair the spade's butt.

Also this probably goes without saying but the ranks of the characters are just titles. Yuuri is not married to Minako, she is just the Queen and he the King, don't worry.

Again, a BIG thank you to everyone who also participated, it was so fun to work together on this and see everyone's progress! Nic and Lil, you're amazing, thank you so much for everything you've done for this!

And to everyone who's made it this far, thank you for sticking around and please go check out all the other art and the ficlets! I promise it's worth it!

Masterpost | AO3 collection

[optiwashere]

for the prompts, B-8. hit us with the good shit, boss

I'm just gonna make this one Asheera/Shadowheart since you didn't specify a pairing! Thanks for sending this one in 💜

You can send a prompt from this list + a ship or platonic pair, and I'll write a ficlet!

---

B8. Non-sexual assisted bathing due to injuries/sickness (feat. my personal annoyances with healing magic being a cure-all)

"If you try to do this yourself one more time," said Shadowheart, annoyance sharp on her tongue, "I swear I'll have to keep you locked in the room."

Asheera groaned, tapping one of her tusks against the top row of her teeth in frustration. Everything about this situation was wrong. Her arm had been broken so badly while trying to build a barn next to their cottage that it would take a few days of continuous healing spells to ensure everything mended properly, and her broken leg was only given enough magic to ease the pain.

It would only be another week of this steady convalescence by Shadowheart's estimation. A fully concentrated heal spell ran the risk of fusing her arm in a static position, rendering it completely useless. The risk was even greater with her leg.

All in all, she felt completely and totally useless. She wanted to ease the burden from Shadowheart by at least bathing herself.

"I have one good hand, and I'm already in here," Asheera complained. "You can go relax. It's all right."

"All right? You could have fallen. You could have twisted your arm and ruined any chance of healing you have left." Shadowheart grimaced and soaked a sponge in the bath's warm waters.

"It's fine. I'll be fine, love."

"You and I both know that you'll be even more upset if you wind up unable to use your arm without a trip to a better healer than me. One that would have to regenerate it for you."

"It's all right, I can do this myself now. Go rest."

Shadowheart slumped on the chair next to the tub. Their little washing room beside their bedroom smelled faintly of lilacs that Shadowheart had recently planted in the garden, a perfume she carried on her hands and clothes most days. But that sweet Spring smell couldn't mask the obvious hurt on her face that Asheera saw.

"Why won't you let me do this?" asked Shadowheart.

"It's not like that—"

"You're allowed to help me free myself from the Dark Lady, yet I can't help you with this?"

Asheera reached out with her good arm, laying her hand over Shadowheart's now soaked by the sponge. She said, "You're helping me by healing me."

Her voice gentler then, Shadowheart whispered in the quiet room, "My love, I want you to know that I care for you like you care for me. Please, let me do this."

That admission struck Asheera harder than the fallen beam had when it crushed her arm. Shadowheart's distant look hurt more than her leg when it woke her at night. She gripped Shadowheart's hand and pulled it towards her, letting the soapy water cascade down her forearm. A layer of protective energy stopped her sling and splint from getting wet.

Asheera sat back in the metal tub and tried to catch Shadowheart's gaze when it wandered and eventually fell upon her. She waited a moment, saying nothing. Then, she nodded.

Shadowheart took her time with the soap and sponge and carefully washed away the grime that came from lying in bed for most of the day. A few muscles were tense from all that lazing, and Shadowheart massaged the knotting out with minor magic and deft hands.

It took far longer than a bath should have because Asheera muttered praises and thanks over and over. Over and over, she asked Shadowheart to work a strained muscle. Over and over, she reminded Shadowheart that this was not a one-sided love.

Finally, she asked Shadowheart if she would help her out of the bath.

Shadowheart offered her arm without a word.

[violet-tinted-world]

For your oc's dreams-📿

-ch's dpgf 💋

📿 - A dream your character believes is prophetic

From THIS ask game (still accepting these)

Divider by: cafekitsune

Tags/Warnings: Rylesha & ARC Trooper Echo, Rylesha & CT-1409, Rylesha & Captain Rex, Rylesha & CT-7567, Rylesha & Master Even Piell, dreams, night terrors, prophetic dreams, use of sedatives, grief, loss of loved ones, dark imagery, vague descriptions of canon injuries, canon compliant, no beta we die like men

( I'm new to tagging my writing so I'm happy to learn!)

Rylesha (my OC) wanted to answer this herself, so here goes my first real attempt at writing a... ficlet, I guess? Be kind and enjoy!

My sleep had been blissfully deep and dreamless since my medic gave me the sedative. Thank the Force for that man and his ability to deal with me with a level head and an iron fist. Without sedation my days had blurred together into a haze of grief and breakdowns the likes of which I'd never experienced.

My Master was gone, killed during his escape from the Citadel. I'd felt it as soon as it had happened and knew he had joined the Force again. My only answer for why I hadn't felt the next loss was that I was so consumed with the first that it hadn't registered at all. Or so I'd thought.

Captain Rex and ARC Trooper Fives had told me of the loss of Echo -- my vod and one of my closest friends in the galaxy. My thoughts kept returning to why I hadn't sensed it. Why hadn't I felt him join the Force? Between the waves of crushing grief I felt something keep bringing me back to that thought.

The dreams were worse than all of it, though.

Inky blackness always seemed to surround me, hiding everything from view. A voice called my name, but it was faint. So far away I doubted I'd truly heard it at all.

More than once I found myself waking to the sound of panicked screams and a metal door slamming shut. It felt too real, too close. My racing heart and labored breathing sending me into a panic that would last until my medic would inevitably sedate me again.

Not my finest or most dignified hour.

~*~*~*~*~

The dreams had eventually faded away and I returned to my duties without incident, but occasionally my thoughts drifted back to them again. I'd shake the reminder from my thoughts and carry on, because I wasn't sure what else to do.

A night came where that same inky haze drifted at the edges of my dreams again and I listened. I waited.

I heard my name being called again from far away, but this time I searched for its source. I ran until there was nowhere left and found myself before a metal door. A glass porthole at its center frosted over with ice. I knew a crude cyrochamber when I saw one and felt fear tangle itself like vines in my chest.

I couldn't see anything in the chamber, but I could hear something from within its frigid recess.

CT-1409, CT-1409, CT-1409...

My breath caught in my chest and I couldn't believe what I'd heard.

"E-Echo?" I dared to ask and the repetition ceased.

"Ry? No. You aren't real." he spoke lowly, his voice like gravel and he sounded so tired it made my chest ache bitterly.

"I am real, Echo. Tell me where you are! Let me help you!"

"You can't help me now. Just go. Before they take you too."

I wanted to ask what he meant, but a door slammed behind me just as the repetition of his CT number began again.

I was pulled away from the chamber. Not by Echo. The Force. I was dropped back into my own body and mind unceremoniously and the shock of the feeling sent me toppling from my bed and onto the cold durasteel floor.

I scrambled for the private comm Rex had given me after we'd lost Echo.

"Just in case..." He'd told me quietly, but the meaning wasn't at all lost on me.

In case I needed to talk. In case I needed a friend. Just... in case.

I pressed the button and watched as its light flashed while it connected. I tried with all I had to steady my breathing and my heart that felt like it might jump from my body and run for it at any moment, but it was no use.

"General? It's late. Is everything okay?"

I could hear the concern in his voice, as evident as the fear in mine was no doubt about to be.

"No, Captain. I need you to listen to me. I know what I'm about to say is going to sound completely insane, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that?"

It only took a moment for him to agree and then I let everything I saw and heard spill out of me. He was silent as he listened and when I finished that same silence took over.

"If you find any intel that may lead to Echo I need to you to chase it. I need you to promise me this, Rex." I told him and tried to put any amount of strength I had into those words.

"I will, Rylesha. I promise."

I thanked him and let myself fall back against the side of the bed with a heaving sigh. I'd done what the Force asked and relayed the message to one of the only people I trusted enough to follow through on his promise.

All I could do from that point was trust and wait.

Thank you so much for reading! Please be kind as this is the very first of my writing I'm sharing with the Tumblr-verse!

Tagging: @crosshairs-dumb-pimp-gf and @just-here-with-my-thoughts (because I'm sure you'll be interested lol)

If you'd like to be tagged in the future, please let me know!

[paperyowl]

Gentlemen Don't Kiss and Tell (Sterek Ficlet)

So, I think I'm still telling myself that my current obsession isn't Teen Wolf, of all things. I might be delusional.

Can be read on ao3 here.

***

Scott made Isaac go with him for the refill of drinks and snacks. Derek took one look at their retreating backs, slipped out from behind Stiles, and got up without much of a comment. Lydia shrugged and called a toilet break.

That left Allison and Stiles as the only two - coincidentally human - pack members holding up the fort, which was rather fitting because the sheer number of pillows and blankets on the floor of Derek's loft could certainly make up a pillow fort. Stiles was half tempted to make the suggestion, or even just a joke about it, just to see Derek's face.

But then again, Derek had agreed to half them all come over for a pack night, and that had taken quite a bit of convincing. Maybe Stiles shouldn't tease him too much, at least for tonight. He took a last sip of his non-alcoholic-Derek-it's-fine drink and settled into the warmth that the sourwolf had left behind.

"So, uhm," Allison said in silence, and when Stiles looked over at her, it almost seemed like she was blushing. Well, this would be interesting. Or terrifying. Those tended to overlap a lot these days, seriously.

"I'm worried where this is going," Stiles told her, and when she gave him a stern look, he added: "Go on, go on."

Stiles certainly could not point any fingers regarding the broaching of odd or embarrassing topics. His brain-to-mouth filter was not actually as nonexistent as he liked to pretend it was, but it was far too funny to catch his friends off guard to stop.

"You and Derek," Allison eventually prompted. "You..."

She made a rather crude hand movement that had Stiles snort. So this was what her line of questioning was about. Oh, well.

"We fuck, yes," he said candidly. "But listen. If this is a sex question, you really shouldn't ask me. Especially because I don't want to know what you and Scott are up to."

Stiles made an exaggerated gagging noise and snatched another pillow to settle in more comfortably against the rather hard edge of the couch table they had pushed back a little. Ow. What was taking them all so long?

Allison raised her eyebrows at him, clearly unimpressed with his attitude.

"Thanks," she said a little sourly.

"You're most welcome," Stiles told her. "And now, quickly ask whatever you're about to ask before I change my mind."

She didn't quite huff at that comment and appeared to choose her words very carefully before she spoke again.

"Does werewolf anatomy... change things?" Allison asked, and for a long moment, Stiles's mind blanked because he didn't even understand the question entirely. His mind latched onto something else instead.

"Wait, does that mean you haven't-"

"I thought you didn't want to know?"

"Not in specific terms!"

"We haven't. You guys have, now, back to my question," Allison quickly summarized the whole situation. Her patience was running thin.

It was then that Stiles caught up.

"Are you asking me if Derek has a knot ?"

Allison blushed a furious red and spluttered. It was so unlike her that Stiles couldn't help the gasping laughter that had him struggle to breathe. It was perhaps a little mean, but he honestly didn't mean to.

"Oh god," he hiccuped and really wanted to stop laughing, but he really couldn't.

"What so funny?" Scott asked with a curious look as he reappeared behind Allison. To her credit, she didn't even jump at his sudden appearance. It took a while to get used to these werewolves, but you eventually just did.

"Nothing really," Allison said, delivering it with enough of an eye roll to be believable. As they settled back down, Stiles slowly calmed himself. It helped that Derek finally grabbed him by the back of his neck when Stiles drew in a few breaths rather painfully, dragged him into his chest, and told him, "Breath, you're making yourself sick."

There was more laughter for the rest of the night, but eventually, it got so late that Derek didn't even have to play the 'I might not be the alpha, but I can definitely still throw you out' card.

After their friends had left and Stiles had taken a quick shower, he settled on the bed and scrolled through a few notifications on his phone. The bed dipped when Derek joined him, seemingly satisfied with the state of the loft.

"So," Derek prompted when Stiles looked up. "What was that about earlier?"

Stiles grinned and then leaned in close for a kiss that Derek quickly yielded for. They kept trading kisses that weren't really meant to led anywhere. It was kind of sweet to just cosy up together like this.

Derek let himself be manoeuvred to sit more firmly on the bed when Stiles pushed a little at him and finally straddled his thighs. After they parted, Derek gave him a considering look. And an eyebrow, of course, there was that raised eyebrow.

"Was it that kind of question then?" he asked, and Stiles couldn't help but run a thumb over his blood-flushed lower lip. He almost started laughing again when he thought about Allison's face.

"She wanted to know if your dick has a knot," Stiles told him with a shrug and watched Derek's lips drag up in a grin. He shook his head a little.

"And what did you tell her?"

Stiles shrugged. "Well, you know, the literature says that it's not a concern for anyone who isn't born a wolf-"

Derek directed him back into a kiss with a hand at the side of his neck and shut Stiles up very effectively.

[gendervapor14]

gendervapor's 2023 Fanfiction Review ✍

i saw @chromatic-lamina put something like this together and thought it was really cool!! a lot of artists do year-in-reviews, (myself included) but i haven't seen anything for fanfiction yet. so i decided to give this a go! template is from here!! i'll throw a "read more" at the bottom with links to these fics, ratings, and warnings, if applicable. i'm pretty shocked i was able to write at least one fic a month! for some months, i had a bit of an internal conflict deciding which fics to advertise 😅 hopefully i captured a good range!

01746 ~ M, canon compliant, check tags for warnings

how to bed your captain ~ T, canon compliant

all bark and no bite ~ T, modern AU

doflaminBROS week 2023 ficlet collection ~ T, canon compliant

last trip to the county fair ~ gen, modern AU

façade ~ T, canon compliant, check tags for warnings

life of a paper shredder ~ gen, canon compliant

the duties of a pool boy ~ M, modern AU, check tags for warnings

let me kill your demons ~ M, canon compliant, check tags for warnings

words cut deeper ~ gen, canon compliant

heavy-handed ~ T, canon compliant, check tags for warnings

speechless ~ E, modern AU

i was busy this year, huh? i'll put some 2023 stats on display, too!

this is just, insane to me!! i could have NEVER expected this much support!! it's downright absurd. it's not like i'm writing very popular ships or concepts (aside from the donquixote bros, they're somewhat popular to my knowledge) BUT STILL. ya'll have always been so sweet and helpful and just, so supportive. i could never have imagined i'd be this into a fandom for so long, and i think part of the reason is because of the love in this community. i've noticed my writing improving drastically! so thank you. thank all of you. thank you kudos-givers and commenters and mutuals and followers. thank you guests and lurkers and all the folks who opened my fics in a new tab to save 'em for later. i'm giving you all a hug and a treat of your choice. i couldn't have created this much beautiful work without your love ♥♥♥

looking forward to creating even more in the new year!! 💖

[xproskeith]

Clancy/Persona Awakening Crossover Ficlet

This takes the main concept from the Persona video game series regarding Personas and fuses it with the Twenty One Pilots lore, specifically right at the end of the Paladin Strait music video. I also try to get in what I imagine Clancy's headspace during that moment and moments leading up to it. In fact, that became a very large part of this ficlet with the persona bit being most minimal. So even if you're not interested in the persona aspect, you might find the majority of this intriguing. So, without any further ado, here we go:

Clancy was determined. He was going to find Nico and defeat him and the rest of the bishops. He was going to break the cycle. He had no problem using the power he'd been granted to swiftly handle the 7 other bishops. He was ready for Nico.

Or so he thought. When Nico burst through that door, Clancy froze. And then Nico's cold hands were around his neck. It happened so fast. Did Nico really move that fast? Or did it only seem that way because he froze when he finally saw Nico? Clancy couldn't be sure and in the end the answer didn't change anything anyway. Clancy closed his eyes, trying to gather himself and what he would do next. What he COULD do next. Then Nico began to speak, his monotone voice distorted and as cold as ice.

"So few..."

Memories of the banditos getting ready at the basecamp flooded Clancy's mind. Before the attack. There were so few compared to what they would be facing. Yet, they were all so resolved. They believed. In the cause, in the Torchbearer, and in Clancy. But there were still so few...

"So proud..."

Clancy's mind drifted to the Torchbearer. His first time seeing him after his escape. When he rescued Clancy from DEMA. All the times he fervently told him about the Banditos and the cause. How he stood there looking at him so proudly when they reunited at the fire back in Trench after his long journey. He was so proud. Of the cause, of the Banditos, and, for some reason Clancy still didn't understand, the Torchbearer was proud of him as well. He believed in him. But this is where Clancy found himself now... Clancy felt the antlers slip from his hands.

"So... Emotional..."

To Clancy's own surprise, he thought of himself in this moment. He thought back to the surges of emotion that spurred him to first try and escape DEMA and of the journal entries and letters he wrote. He remembered being enflamed by the Torchbearer's words and his cause. More so than even the other Banditos. His desire to defeat the bishops and Nico. Yet all he could feel in this moment was fear and despair.

"Hello, Clancy."

It felt like Nico's hands tightened around Clancy's neck. What was he going to do? He'd already released the antlers. He couldn't use the power he'd been granted. Nico had him. Clancy thought he'd been ready, but he wasn't. He froze. And now his chance was gone. It was over.

His eyes still closed, and lost in a sea of his own fear and anxiety, Clancy's mind found respite when it drifted to the memory of him and the Torchbearer's reunion.

---

"You're finally ready," said the Torchbearer, handing him the mask. "I knew you'd push on through and make it back safely."

Clancy looked at The Torchbearer, somewhat confused as reality kicked in.

"You were never there?" asked Clancy, not fully comprehending what was going on.

The Torchbearer smiled warmly and reassuringly at Clancy and said, "I told you I'd always be by your side going forward. Even if I can't be there physically, I'll still be there. I'll always help guide you like I did this whole time."

"But you couldn't physically get to me until now?"

"Unfortunately, no. After the bishops recaptured you again with their plans to use you, they made it impossible to get to you physically. But I was still able to project myself to you and with a little help from Keons, I was able to help guide you out."

"I see. Well, thank you. But how are you so sure I'm ready to face them now? I just barely escaped and made it back here."

A grin spread across The Torchbearer's face. "You may not fully realize it, but you're ready. You've changed and I've borne witness to it. You were able to harness the same power as the bishops, sure, but the most important part has been that change in YOU."

"I guess I'll have to take your word for it," said Clancy, laughing nervously.

"Trust me," said The Torchbearer. "When the time comes, you'll be ready and you'll know what to do."

---

That's right. Clancy couldn't give up. Not yet. He had to find a way out of this. Another way to stand and fight. Clancy had no idea how he was going to do it, but his resolve had never been stronger. Nico thought those words would discourage him, but instead they empowered him by reminding him of everything he was fighting for.

A chill suddenly went down Clancy's spine and a surge of power swelled within him. And then a voice, strong and resolute, echoed in Clancy's mind.

"Ah, so my voice can finally reach you."

Clancy had never heard this voice before, of that he was sure. But it still sounded so... familiar.

"You seek the power to stop Him and the others? To free everyone? To break the cycle?"

"Yes," Clancy found himself replying to the voice. "It's not a matter of want. I will do that."

"I can see your resolve. You mean to achieve this no matter what. You need only realize that the power to do so was inside you all along! For I am thou and thou art I. From this moment forward, I will always be by your side and will bare witness to your story. Now, call my name and release your power!"

Clancy's eyes snapped open, locking with Nico's. Instead of their usual brown, Clancy's eyes were glowing brightly, but it was a different color from seizing. No, Clancy's eyes were a brilliant glowing yellow, as bright as the Banditos wore. Blue energy began to crackle around Clancy and the air chilled.

"Come, Prometheus!" Clancy called out boldly.

Immediately, power surged through Clancy and crackled through the air around him. Nico scowled and jumped backward, releasing Clancy. Just as Nico did so, a towering humanoid figure clad in classic armor and bearing a sword and a torch appeared hovering behind Clancy. Clancy bent down and retrieved the antlers he had dropped. Antlers in hand, Clancy stood back up and locked eyes with Nico once more, his gaze determined and resolved.

"And now, we end this," said Clancy. "For good."