#hes got nightmares from a number of things but i think that one sticks out. the description of the pain goes on for like 4 paragraphs

[metranart]

“I know it sounds weird” Hawks chuckled breathlessly, “—but it's something instinctual....” You frowned at his lame explanation. You were a little sick of that excuse. “Right now, I am very overprotective of you, baby bird.”

ft. Hawks centered, Hawks x reader, Slight! Bakugo x reader, Slight! Dabi x reader.

Hawks x UA Student! Reader (Part 8)

- Warning tag: obsessed! Hawks, possessive! Hawks, naive! student reader, violation of trust, dubious consent, mating cycles, rut response, obsessive behavior, uncontrollable thirst for reader, manipulation, forced, thigh riding, hormonal minds out of control, sexual content, first time, cock riding, teenage fuck, Dabi's toxically interested in you, Bakugo bestie yet secretly inlove wit you, love confessions, cock-drunk, Hawks trying to be good but failing miserably, gaslighting, HEAVY plot, lots of smut. -

Finally, finally! Hawks was back, peering at you, unrestingly worrying about the whereabouts of his feathers. 

There could only be two options, one: there was a nest, an actual bird nest built out of his feathers somewhere in the house waiting for you to inhabit it along with him, and two: his feathers were scattered in every inch of the house, acting as motion detectors to keep you safe from any possible threat.

Either option was a nightmare to Hawks, the hero, and a blessing to Keigo, the mate.

Gaze less foggy, Hawks could see the damage he’d done. You were covered in bites, scratches, bruises. The mark of his fingertips was printed all over your young and delicate skin like a brand of his felony. 

Dammit! DAMMIT! he grimaced.  

He should have stop sooner- he just hadn’t thought you could infatuate him this badly. He could have avoided this sort of damage, but you were just so fucking inopportune, not to mention awfully tempting and mouthwatering for someone who possessed a rut. He wasn't even able to be gentler. It was your first time. He was legitimately a piece of trash! The number two piece of trash because without a doubt he knew the number one on that category and compare himself to the incinerator was too much to handle right now.

Even now, Shit! Even now, he itched to grab you, keep you close to him, inside his greedy grasp-... where you belonged— Ugh! he couldn’t avoid thinking of you as HIS. The rut was over, and the next one was half a year away, so, you were supposedly safe or at least, that was what he was trying to force himself to believe... because, HOLY SHIT! was really having a hard time seeing you as someone other than his partner, his mate.... he had a mate. Takami Keigo now had a MATE, someone to call his, someone to care for and pamper and HIS.

He had never had anything, much less someone. God! please protect you from him, because right now he was dangerous... dangerously close to hug you against his chest and kiss you till air ran out, at risk of sweeping you off your feet and take you straight to his penthouse to never be allowed to leave ever again, in hazard of becoming your willing slave, you wanted someone dead, you got it! Just say the word and he’ll do it. Belonging, excited him a lot, skyrocketing him to cloud nine but now had to dial it down and try to keep his mind at ease. 

Breathe Keigo! Focus Hawks! 

Finding you sticking to the other side of the tub really broke his reverie, you looked distrustful, nervous, hurt.... he did that.... there weren’t words to describe how sorry he felt for what he had done to you. He was torn between his blinding happiness and the shameful way he got it …. he couldn’t… he couldn’t even begin an apology because didn’t even remember your name. Somehow, he knew baby bird, love, sweet thing, or darling wasn´t appropriate right now, but you´ll have to bear with him. 

“Ehmm—…. I feel like a jackass for having to ask this…. But….” Hawks could not look you in the eye as he spoke. “What was your name again, baby bird?” 

You blinked at him in disbelief. Wow! you nailed it, Keigo! You nailed making you feel like a whore. Nevertheless, you refused to let the hurt show on your face, instead taking in how sheepish and miserable he actually looked, and somehow, you felt less uncomfortable... just a thad.

“Y/N.” You conceded, looking elsewhere except him.

“Y/N.” He repeated, each syllable rolling down from his tongue like if he was memorizing the secret code to disarm a bomb. “T-Thank you, (y/n).”

Your eyes rose to stare at him from the other side of the tub, bubbly semen floating on the water in between the two. You could only stare. Watchfully waiting for him to snap again. He told you that you were safe now, but you had heard those same words before and yet had inevitably woken up in his arms, naked. So, you still wouldn't fully trust.

“Baby bird—”

“Please use my name.” You brusquely cut him off, ignoring the withering look that flashed way too fast over his features to then soften. He hid a heavy sigh under an awkward chuckle and hoisted his elbow over the edge of the tub to rub his chin with his palm.

“Sorry-…(y/n), I can't seem to stop apologizing...” he muttered, burdensomely but quickly recover clearing his throat, “o-okey.... as far as I remember we are at your house-” 

“My parent's house—If we are being specific, I already live in the UA dormitories." Quickly corrected, very prone to interrupt him and him very prone to let you, never dropping that infuriatingly stupid sympathetic grin.

“Right.” He nodded, “-Is there anyone else in the house besides my mother-in—” 

This time he cut himself off, -if he were a cartoon, you would be able to see a drop of sweat run down his forehead- it would be funny, but it wasn't, the glare you shoot at him felt like a hot knife slicing through his skin and he hurried to apologize, yet again. 

“Sorry, sorry baby bird-…. Oh dammit! Sorry about the baby bird too! God! I´m really sorry, is just that my mind is still a beating mess-”

You didn’t like that statement one bit. It made you feel in danger, on high alert. Was he going to get out of hand again?! Your body reacted automatically, lunging out of the tub, wet and slippery straight to the floor, desperately trying to get away.

Hawks watched the whole thing from his spot, didn’t move to stop you, only restricted you with the feathers still adorning your wrists and ankles trying to prevent more damage on your body. He knew that any sudden move from him would be misinterpreted. He wanted to swear for his life that you were safe.... but if he was honest, he wasn’t sure... still didn't trust himself, wasn't sure what he would do if your naked figures got close again.

The raw power of your scent was imprinted on every cell of his body, every breath he took was filled with you. It was intoxicating to smell like you or smell you covered in HIM. You were still ovulating, still ready to be breed.

He could tell, he could even hear your heartbeat-... far too fast for comfort. You were making him anxious, unknowingly activating in his mind a mate-response from his body.

“Your heart is pounding.” Hawks pointed, soberly, doing the extra mile for you not to notice his hands clenching the rim of the bathtub, tightly “I need you to try and calm down, (y/n), or you’re going to make me—” 

“Stay away from me!” 

You did not know where that roar came from, you had never heard your voice so fierce. Everything was getting out of hand. 

“I didn’t mean-” He interrupted, calmly. You were not listening. He sighed, hanging his shoulders. If you weren’t so fucking terrified, you would’ve been impressed by how in control he actually seemed.

“Just stay away from me, Keigo!” You grumbled, for a moment forgetting you were awfully naked and at his utter sight. His name had slip out of your mouth so naturally, that even the biting tone wasn’t enough to stop Hawks from feeling a delicious tingle ravish his skin, wishing to hear it again. 

“Fine-” he said under his breath, standing up and stepping out of the tub. Wingless back displaying powerful muscles that could crush a little thing like you without even blinking. You rushed to take whatever you could find and saw how he had to bite a giggle when turning around found you threatening him with a deadly toothbrush.

“Easy there, baby b-” he cleared his throat soundly to cut out the petname that insisted to slip out, “-As lethal as that toothbrush is for the cavities, I still need you to calm down.” Hawks spoke slowly, he was forcing himself to stay calm. You weren't making it easy on him. 

Your little body trembled, cold or fear, he didn't know, and it was driving him insane. He wanted to hug you and nullify either option, the heat of his body and his feathers could warm and dry you better than any cloth and the devotion of his claim... well, it was useless to think about it.

“.... Are you calm?” He ventured taking a step closer and hearing the clear drumming of your heartbeat going wild, stepped back and waited. Once you seemed less tense, he mused. “So, I'll ask again. Is there anyone else in the house? besides your mother, perhaps.... another male?”

Your eyes squinted at his weird word selection. “Another male...?” You repeated, “which cave did you come out of?” you continued, bitingly.

“I know it sounds weird” Hawks chuckled breathlessly, “—but it's something instinctual....” You frowned at his lame explanation. You were a little sick of that excuse. “Right now, I am very overprotective of you, baby bird.” You snorted at the use of the petname but he ignored you, apparently it was here to stay. “I'm not even sure how to explain it but...” he scratched the back of his head sheepishly to then continue.

“If another male so much as looks at you, I’m liable to hurt him, BADLY. Like `straight to emergency´ badly, I won´t be able to control myself or my actions,” his tone was soft, apologetic. “Keeping you safe, comfortable and close are my priorities right now, that's why I fed and bathed you and now I need you to sleep.... hopefully with that-” he seemed nervous and that push you to pry.

“...Yes?” 

“Hopefully with that I'll be able to... leave.”

He was telling the truth. He was fucking telling the truth, you could tell. Holy Fuck! He´ll leave you alone. YAS! 

“REALLY?!” you were unable to control the volume of your excited howl.

“Shhhh!” Hawks pressed a finger over his lips. “(Y/N), you're being too loud,” he cautioned in a low voice, back turned to you while searched for something to cover up. “At any time, your mother can—” 

“—Sweetie, is everything okay?” 

FUCK! Now he was one hundred percent sure where his feathers were because unless your mother was a trained ninja, he would have felt her approaching.

You both froze, even the toothbrush slipped from your hand and without preamble, Hawks rushed to your side hovering behind you as if your petite figure would cover him from your mother. His warm breath right next to your ear.

“Answer her, baby bird.” He said in a whisper too low. “Do you think she knows I'm here?” He stressed, hands absentmindedly squeezing your shoulders the longer you took to reply.

“Sweetie...?” you heard your worried mother call again. 

The heat emanating from Hawk´s body was very distracting, not to mention nerve-wrecking, especially now that his uneasiness made his limbs forget about your number one rule: ‘hands off’. 

Neither of you could stop him from wrapping his hands around your waist or pressing his hips distractively against your bottom. Keeping you anchored to him, as if he was trying to protect you from the intruder on the other side of the door.  

That closeness, the heat of your skin under the pads of his fingers was more than enough to throw him back to the memory of him knocking the breath out of you as you received him. As he slammed inside that haven between your thighs, like knocking on heaven’s doors. The way you squeezed so tightly around him, desperately trying to push him out... just as now.  

“Let go...” you choked out as quite as you could, peeling his hands off, but he was stronger than you. He’d always be so much stronger than a little, helpless student like you. You feared him before he even did anything more than breech your personal space.

“S-Sorry,” he spelled, being thrown out of his musings, sweat rolled down his forehead and he shook his head, trying to calm his own blood pressure, he needed the blood to go north, not south. 

In a studied motion, stepped back. Enough to be at arm’s reach but gift you as well a sense of freedom. “Answer-… go on.” He breathed out. 

“E-Everything’s okay, mommy-” You hurried to reply in an even tone. Trying to ignore how close Hawks still was, invading your personal space as if were nothing wrong. “I just slipped... but I didn’t hurt myself.” You openly lied, the last thing you wanted was to alarm your mom. As Hawks claimed to be overprotective of you, you knew yourself the same to your family.

“Ummm... are you sure, sweetie?”

“Yes, mommy, I'll be out soon.” You faked mirth.

“Ok, if you need anything, call me.” Your sweet mother offered and then you heard her go downstairs.

Hawks sighed, long and soundly. “Hell, this is wrecking my nerves—….” he said, “and your heartbeat is not helping either.” This time he had to bite at his lip, “TRY, please, try! to slow down your heartbeat, dammit.” He almost growled.

“Can you blame me?” you to spat out, “why did you have to touch me...?” you grumbled, quickly stepping away, ignoring his hands reaching out, “—being this close to you certainly isn’t helping me to lower my goddamn blood pressure!” You fumed, and Hawks snorted, loud and childish. It pissed him off, how you avoided him. How you repelled your own mate. He had marked you, but you had marked him as well. Did you know that?

Right now, he was at the loser’s side, he wasn´t allowed to play the victim. He had already done too much to you. So, swallowed his frustrations like a big boy and chuckled, uncomfortable and fake. 

“I´ll do my best to stay away from you.” He forced those toxic words out, it felt wrong, like corrosive acid burning his throat.

“You better do.” You sulked.

It was awful to Hawks -the number two hero of the whole country, the player, the golden boy, the number one bachelor- to be denied of something he deemed his. To be this near you, cock out and half-hard already without the power to slide inside his own partner. Helpless to start any kind of affection, intimacy or familiarity... shit! even a simple brush of his hand was out of the question.

“What´s that slipping down your thigh?” you suddenly asked, curiosity making you squint your eyes at the viscous, jelly-like fluid that turned watery the more it dripped.

Hawks peered down, finding the big stain dripping down his thigh and gathering the weird substance on the tips of his forefinger and thumb, smelled it. It was slippery and he was accustomed to see his lovers covered in it. It was cum, his cum being pushed out by gravity's force from your tight and recently deflowered pussy— How many times did he have to come inside you for it to still come out, even after you took a bath? He lost count when passed from five.

“ ‘s fine…” He cleared his throat uncomfortably- God damn it, you were waiting for an answer. “Not- ah, not your f-fault.” He stuttered, hips twitching before hurry to clean himself on the sink. 

“—Why would it be my fault?” you mused, and then it hit you. 

The moisty sensation between your legs wasn´t water or soap as you wrongly believed, you slipped one finger inside and it came out dripping till the knuckle. 

“Gross-s...” your mortified whine made Hawks glance back over his shoulder. 

His fists tightened, too embarrassed, too pleased as well. Splashing water over his chest and face to lower the temperature of his body, struggling to keep the blush from spreading, and as soon felt the shove you gave him to take his spot on the sink, it felt like a breeze more than a shove, but he still moved aside, to let you wash yourself the evidence of his crime.

He had stuffed you—had left you full of possible chicks, his brood swam inside your belly. It didn't matter how far you pushed him. He lived inside of you, that was his actual residence.

“Why- Why are you smiling about?” 

Hawks stared at you, blankly. He had been caught daydreaming about his happy family. The day he could get to come home to you, his pretty lovely wife making dinner for him, a bunch of kids bouncing excitedly to his arms, eager to receive him and talk to him about their day at school. Yes, he wanted that.

“N-Nothing...” he stuttered, absentmindedly. “I-…. I just space away.” He said way too fast, disturbingly stretched grin and ashamed golden gaze betraying his jovial tone.

“Sure,” you scoffed.

For the first time you were both as calm and docile as you could be around each other, you finished cleaning up what you could, but you were still too tight so most of the day you would be dripping. You sighed in defeat and leant against the sink, letting your eyes wander, without knowing some golden eyes were wandering as well.

The nakedness that your bodies sported became impossible to ignore. Hawks was shredded as hell-... he was unfortunately a handsome bastard, his body was muscular and strong and so thick in a good way, not lean muscle like the boys at your class, but well-defined. A bunch of well-developed muscles aimed that way to be strong, fast and lethal. His hero costume really dwarfed him, and even so, he was immensely popular among the female population.

You saw his hands suddenly came together over his crotch and your face lit up, damn it! you had been absentmindedly staring at him! You spat out a quick apology and immediately turned away, hiding your face with your hands.

Hawks choked down a giggle, it was nice to be on the side you apologize to for once. 

“—Could you... could you please cover up with something?”

“No.” 

“No?!” you repeated, incredulous. Hugging yourself tight.

“There’s… there’s nothing around, baby bird, I-I already looked.” 

His throat felt dry. The heat wasn’t subsiding. It was hard to breathe, let alone speak coherently while having you all naked and pretty in front of him, you were unquestionably custom made for Hawks, every bump, every curve, every dent was mind-blowingly gorgeous to his eyes, you were sculpted just as he liked woman. Your breast was still developing but damn! Didn´t you have a nice rack already? Once fully developed, he´ll be unable to keep his hands away for even a second.

FOCUS HAWKS! You stupid horny bird!

Clearing his throat, turned on his Hero side. He needed to look for options, but none would work without having his feathers, sighing, resigned to ponder out loud.

“We need to get out of this bathroom, your mother will begin to suspect that something strange is happening if you keep stalling...” Hawks mused, deep in thought “I'm afraid our most plausible option is to run to your room... there we will surely find our clothes-”

“Why are you talking like you don't know what YOU did with our clothes? You were the one that stripped me naked.” You blasted, feeling quite vexed with the development of things and his lack of acknowledgment to his actions.

“Because I don't know, (y/n), my rut—”

“STOP! Just stop with the rut bullshit!” your voice rose, and Hawks hand itched to cover your mouth, but he refrained. “Why are you making up this kind of lies-”

“I'm not lying to you, baby bird!... is this, the RUT... won't let me get away from you for long enough, I know it sounds ridiculous but I'm being one hundred percent honest with you.” Hawks swear, he sounded genuine enough. Perhaps, he was a victim of this series of unfortunate events as well... but the throbbing stretching sensation coming from your crotch refused to accept that truth.

You blinked back the tears of frustration that pricked your eyes and breathed. Now was not the time to argue, time was running low. The longer Hawks stood in your house, the dangerous it was for your family.

“My room is at the beginning of the hallway next to the stairs,” you instructed, “I'm going to peek out to see if there’s no one around and when I give the signal, we run.” Hawks nodded.

You carefully opened the door and making sure it was desolated, both ran down the corridor, entering your room to slam the door behind. You pressed your forehead against the door feeling your heart hammering hard. Only one mistake was needed, and the situation would be easily misinterpreted. Your parents would think you were toying with the Number Two Hero in the country, running naked around the house like an easy gal. 

You slammed your fist against the door, and it shook beneath your hand. 

“-Baby bird?”

You heard him call but there was something different in his tone, something sweeter and mellow. So, you opened your eyes, you hadn't even realized that you had closed them in the first place and glancing at Hawks you noticed a strong blush covering from his neck to his ears. At least, his pants were back on, even so, he looked more sheepish than when was naked.

“I really hate myself for having to keep asking you to do things.... you don´t owe me anything, far from it.... but—I need you to lay down....” your eyebrow arched, incredulously, “PLEASE, lay down inside the nest with me!”

COMING SOON PART 9....

⭕️ In my PATREON you will find NSFW art of this story and more spicy MHA NSFW art and exclusive smut fanfiction. ;)

@wtvbabes @dreamlessnight @naomi1247e @alicecil87

[charhounds]

the lore wiki leaves something to be desired but the way theyre actually written in game is like catnip to me and it just kicked in

just got hit with category 3 Character Thoughts i fear i may not recover

[hermesserpent-stuff]

Hermes, I I here to humbly ask thee for another songfic request.... it is for... the Ace In A Cage AU! You may choose your pick of which song on your playlist, as you will know which one fits that world best.

(You don't have to make this, but if you want to, a song might help you with writing it)

this is song 1. anywayssss this is what i got

Remy stares at the place where his den should be. His den with a nest that had been made for him and Henri when Creed had joined with the Guild. A nest that had been a safe place to run to ever since he was thirteen. When he had arguments with papa or Henri or big nightmares or little troubles and …

His heart shrieks and he leans against the sun heated wall. He trembles and shakes, eyes burning. 

Stupid Hydra.

Stupid portal thing 

Stupid Remy for hitting it with a card and getting exploded into a place where he feels so lost and confused. Everything looks like home. But to the left. Like looking at yourself in the ripple soft a pond or in a fun house mirror. His stomach twists and he finds a garbage can to throw up in.

After dealing with his wounds he had come straight to the nest. He probably should have gone back to the mansion but… he hurts so so bad right now. He adjusts the bandages on his aching arms. He turns and steps away. 

One foot.

Then the next.

Then the next.

His soul weeps as he moves alone through streets that are no longer his.

He starts heading north, up towards the mansion, with a vain hope of getting help. He slowly starts to avoid more people. They are all so much more sensitive to his eyes and him wearing glasses. Every once in a while he would seek help and shelter but…

People would try to get him to stay while calling for someone on the phone. He always slips out before the call connects, not wanting to know who would be interested in his red eyes. He needs to make it back to the mansion. See if anyone's there. The number no longer worked. He had tried it. It failed. He decides to make himself more scarce while moving through cities, terrified. Had something happened to drive his family underground? 

Maybe he should avoid the mansion… but he has to know.

Sticking to the shadows does not afford him much time to watch the news and get updates. After a driver tries to lock him in her car while trying to take him ‘where they help mutants’, Remy stops hitchhiking. 

A month passed in bursts of travel and he eventually snatches a bike, easily swapping the tags and kicking it into gear. His brother had taught him how to ride a bike anhas Creed htaught him how to be one with it.

Snow swirls down from the sky as he speeds across paved pathways that echoe what he knows. That fill him with a longing that cannot be healed. He has been running on fumes for the last few weeks. Not sleeping much for fear of his charm slipping out. Normally he would have been able to let it loose a few times in the safety of Creeds presence if he had been unable to get back into the nest. 

The dusky greys of the shadows snake across the fresh whiteness of the snow. Purples shade the darkest bits of shadow and Remy wonders at all the hues as he drives onwards. The snow only grows thicker as he goes, specks of cold becoming a wall that tries to soak into his souk. The fifteen year old knows that it is not much further to the mansion, just antoher bend and then!

Oh.

He really shouldn't be surprised, he thinks as he stares at a fence that is designed all wrong, with brickwork that is a mutation on what he knows. The colors are off. Instead of a stunning red with bursts of green and brown plant life, the bricks are a browner hue, with just a few vines creeping about. The mansion beyond is similar to home, but a little too big. Like a jacket stretched from use beyond its fit, with seams bursting and breaking and being patched with material that is the right color and texture but still wrong. 

He covers his mouth and hops off the bike as bile rises. He throws up in the bushes as his emotions smash past his mental shields. They splatter like blood on the world around him, sticky and clumpy. He wipes his lips with the back of his hand and steps back shaking. Something pokes at his mind. Something that feels like Xaiver, but its not. He lets his natural barriers throw whomever it is back. He raises up his mental shields sharply and bolts back to his bike as he hears… something. 

Something is coming. A roar that rings his soul.

But…

It is off.

Just like everything else. 

Remy has had too many experiences with clones to want to see how this world’s verion of his family is… twisted. Because he has finally accepted that somehow, some way, he has been brough into a new world. This is not his home. Could he even get back home??

He revs his bike and takes off, letting it shriek as he takes off. He hears the sound of motorbikes behind him as he zooms down the road. He twists off down a side road he kind of recognizes. he can hear the bikes behind him, more powerful than this stolen ride. He breathes and falls into almost meditative concentration. Running is what he is good at. He had learned how to run before he had ever learned how to stay. He pushes the bike faster and sharply turns off the road onto a side path that is gonna take him to a cliff, that has a road below. He launches the bike over the edge as he gets to it.  

He throws out a card at just the right time to hit the ground beneath him. The shock waves of his explosion gives his bike enough lift to keep it from snapping in half when hitting the ground. He revs his bike and flies, wind and snow swirling around him in wave like swells. He hears a crash behind him and a roar louder than any tiger or lion he has ever heard. Just as loud as Creed when he is pissed. 

Remy cannot help it.

He looks back. 

A man is chasing him on all fours, blond hair flaring behind him. 

Creed?

He heart leaps and he shakes his head. Remy narrows his eyes at the messy road ahead of him. He had seen twisted clones of his père. Half-melted things made due to Mister Sinister’s obsession with Remy, Jean, and Scott. He does not want to see what this world has cooked up. 

He throws cards behind him and blows up some of the road. He pushes the bike faster through the storm. 

--

Remy curls up on a random rooftop in New York, staring at the altered skyline. He sneezes wetly and takes another bite of his frozen sandwich. Snow is slowly falling from the sky. He has a bit of shelter over his head that keeps the snow off of him. He sneezes wetly again as he jots down another difference in the ratty notebook he had found thrown out. Remy keeps it all encoded just in case. 

“You're really stupid for stealing that face.”

A voice growls and Remy jolts. He stares, eyes wide at this altered Creed. Longer hair. Up in braids, looping and twisting up on itself is in a ponytail. The man is wearing pure black and Remy shifts out from his corner and takes a step back.

“Remy don't want no trouble monsieur, just tryin’ to live.”

He steps back as this twisted Creed steps forwards.

“Even bothered with the accent.”

Remy sneezes wetly again, shifts back further, and shivers violently.

“It's my accent, Remy not tryin’ to steal a face?!”

He is so, so confused, tired, and sick. Does… does this Creed think Remy is trying to be this world's Remy? 

The twisted Creed snarls and lunges. Remy spins and mourns the sandwich as he blows it up against the man’s side. He shifts and runs, leaping across the gap between buildings. Something hits his neck and the drugs swirl violently outwards. He tries to roll and fumbles, pain flaring up through his body as he skids across the roof. He whimpers as he tries to get up. But everything is shutting down. Remy whimpers loudly as hands pin him and his memory flares and drags at him. He struggles as much as he can, but his brain is fading fast. Gambit gasps loudly and sobs as he is pressed more firmly into the roof. 

No! No! No!

Not again!!!

He never wants to go through that again. 

And then blissful blackness overtakes him

[sindirimba]

if i were writing the sequel i'd stick somewhat close to the comics but changed and rearranged and adjusted to my preferences.

this got a little long but i had to play around and write all this out.

open on car chase as the group runs from the cops in two cars, nile and andy in one, joe and nicky in the other. quick flashback to what they'd just done, rescue a group of women from traffickers. back to present, joe and nicky do the bridge thing because andy is mortal now and we have to work around that, GOD. anyway there's a cute scene where andy and nile look over the hill and then joe like sticks an arm out of the crash and is like, we're good. TITLE CARD.

next scene in paris. immediate aftermath of booker discovering quỳnh in his apartment. quỳnh calmly asks him where the others are. he says he doesn't know. quỳnh doesn't like this answer. suddenly vague thugs come in and grab booker. quỳnh demands to know where andy is but booker has a correct vibe check and once again refuses to tell her. quỳnh knocks him out, she and the thugs leave with their hostage.

next moose and his team looking over the crime scene the guard left of the trafficking headquarters. weird crime scene. things don't really make sense if you think about it. moose notices some weird bit of evidence, like some old-ass trinket one of the guard dropped or something when he gets a call from a man who introduces himself as james copley. says he has some information regarding the string of massacres he's been investigating.

SCENE: quỳnh's boat. she's watching the sunset. emotional moment. thugs bring out booker with pillow case and hands tied. she turns, pillow case is removed, quỳnh interrogates him again. focus has shifted to andy but he won't tell her anything. refuses to. with cool anger she has him collared and dunked. cut to...

nile wakes up with a gasp, still seeing flashes of booker drowning as she calms down from her nightmare. whispers "quỳnh". she grabs her phone, checks her text thread with booker, sees he hasn't responded to her last one from days ago ("you doing okay today?") and immediately dials andy's current number.

team meeting. she's rallied the team together, tells them what she saw. copley provides intel on probable locations. nicky says his 'suffering in the past does not justify the torment of another in the future' bit here because i like it. when leaving the meeting nile meets moose on his way to meet up with copley and they have some cute flirtation that gives nile a little mental break from the action of the movie she finds herself in. copley comes out and is like, 'mr king i have the research we discussed' and copley and nile share a sly little 'copley's doing clean up for us hehe' look. shot of moose watching nile leave, clearly enamored already.

they meet up at the docks* and find quỳnh and booker, they take booker back into the group in a quick but touching moment. hugs probably. quỳnh injures andy after a brief fight in some minor way and realizes she's mortal in a heartbreaking moment as they stare at each other. they have a full fight where quỳnh fights much more sloppily and passionately, they KISS, but then quỳnh runs and leaves the others to escape.

(*copley IS wearing the fisherman hat from the comics)

time for pizza in hotel scene as a brief interlude between intensity. booker thanks nile for coming to get him. it's all nice, lots of gif fodder all around. nile says something like, welcome back, book. booker expresses disbelief. joe echoes the 'we're not meant to be alone' line. emotional momentssss. maybe more hugs, let's get a little sloppy with it.

andy's distracted though. she eventually says she has to go do something, she'll be back in a bit. enjoy the pizza.

andy broke from the team for the moment to track down quỳnh. finds her on a dark street, almost vacant of other people. they have basically the same conversation as in the comics, about hope and hopelessness, but with even more added pessimism thanks to andy's loss of immortality. they share a cigarette. quỳnh says something about having waited so long to find her again only to have her be slipping away already. calls mortals vermin, reminds andy what they did to them. why defend them, andromache? andy tries to argue for optimism, newly inspired by nile, but quỳnh's pull is too strong and she is left alone as quỳnh walks away. she's lost and conflicted.

scene of nile slipping out of a hotel room after having hooked up with moose. she's in a good mood as she walks down the street when quỳnh steps out in front of her. she goes on immediate defense. quỳnh hints at secrets in andy's past, then leaves nile confused.

group meets up again to discuss what to do next re: quỳnh. andy is quiet as copley lays out his research on what she's been up to. how she's been getting money since escaping the ocean. it's nothing good and nile expresses distaste. andy says something about desperate times. nile, taken aback, reminds her of their principles. andy scoffs. nile stares for a moment, then asks her about what quỳnh hinted at. andy hedges until giving in and confirming the code of hammurabi thing, dismisses it as nothing mattering, people are shit. nile fights back against this, tells her it's their responsibility to keep fighting. andy calls people vermin. nile lays out the choices: her way or quỳnh's. andy folds in on herself, says she can't do this anymore. she tried but she can't. quỳnh coming back showed her. nile says sounds like she's made her choice then. gathers the guys together. nile tries one more time to get her to come with them but andy says nothing, just stares into the distance. they leave her alone to ruminate in the dark.

then, the hotel door opens. quỳnh's silhouette as andy looks up. light shines down on her from outside. quỳnh says, "they left you". andy says, "they did". quỳnh says, "i will not, andromache" and offers her hand. after a moment, andy takes it. END MOVIE.

[sapphic-agent]

How would you have redeemed Bakugou?

I'm glad you asked😈

So, this actually isn't a very hard question to answer. Bakugou should have been an easy character to redeem as a) he's young and b) he embodies everything wrong with society so as our main character resolved (or should have resolved) to change that, it should have been easy to change Bakugou along the way. Let me break it down.

Class 1A doesn't like Bakugou A big point of contention for not only Bakugou but 1A as characters is the fact that he's explicitly awful to Izuku (and them even if it isn't as bad) and half of 1A doesn't care while the other half outright admires him. Kirishima and Mina especially as a later point of both their characters is that they don't like bullies, yet they end up as part of his friend group and take his verbal abuse.

I would have kept up a general indifference/disdain for Bakugou that was showed at the beginning of the show. Kaminari (another one who ends up as part of his group unfortunately) clowning him should have been kept up the entire series, as well as Tsu pointing out how awful and annoying he is. Bakugou's attitude should have kept him ostracized from the majority of the class.

Because Kirishima is a big part of the reason Bakugou starts to change, I would keep him Bakugou's friend. But he doesn't tolerate any of Bakugou's disrespect and consistently calls him out.

Uraraka and Iida defend Izuku from Bakugou This kind of ties in to the first point, but I think Uraraka and (especially) Iida should have shown more concern. Bakugou's behavior isn't normal and I think the two of them of all people should have been aware of that. I mean, you see your friend who doesn't defend himself and looks terrified for his life being yelled at and assaulted by someone with a dangerous quirk and you don't do anything?

I feel like for who Iida is, he would look down on that and would make the effort to chew Bakugou out. Izuku's friend constantly calling something out would stress to him (and the audience) the fact that how Bakugou treats him isn't okay and shouldn't be condoned.

Aizawa chews him out Unfortunately, Aizawa has to give Izuku a hard time because that's who his character is, but he should have been just as hard (if not harder) on Bakugou. Bakugou, who has been careless with his quirk and has deliberately disobeyed his instructors. Bakugou, who threw a literal temper tantrum at the Sports Festival. Bakugou, whose actions put fellow classmates in danger.

I've said this before, but it's so insane to me that he consistently sticks up for Bakugou while actively talking down to Izuku. You would think that Bakugou would be the kind of hero Aizawa hates.

He loses to Todoroki (or Uraraka or Shinsou) Him losing would be the start to him having to deal with failure. He should have been humbled this early in the show. It would have also been a great segway into him learning that saving people should be a hero's top priority, not being the best. Winning isn't everything and it should be the last thing on a hero's mind.

And I know the whole point in canon is that he didn't get to win the way he wanted to, but that doesn't negate the fact that he still won and was regarded at the best in 1A.

His actions at the Sports Festival turn pros away Idk about anyone else, but I would not want a walking PR liability nightmare in my agency. He threw a temper tantrum on live television. He attacked his unconscious, defenseless opponent and had to be knocked out. Why on Earth was he still given so many offers (over 3,000 is beyond ridiculous, I would even say Todoroki's number was dumb too)? And the fact that Tokoyami and Iida were given way less offers is just insulting, they got third place.

This would have been a good time to stress that his actions have consequences and that he can't do and say whatever he wants and still get everything.

The fact that everyone- students, teachers, and pros- are so desensitized to his attitude and behavior is extremely concerning (especially for the teachers and pros).

Best Jeanist teaches him more I appreciate Best Jeanist's efforts, but let's be real he focused way too much on Bakugou's style. I give him leeway because he isn't a teacher (and still did way better than Aizawa), but Bakugou needed a reality check. He should have been more focused on teaching Bakugou and telling him why his attitude needed to change.

(He also should have been kept around for the work studies. Bakugou didn't spend nearly enough time with him. And why is it that the only adult who genuinely wanted Bakugou to be better past getting stronger the one who had to "die" and disappear? Any other hero could have been used and it wouldn't have changed anything)

Bakugou doesn't pass the final exam This has been said a lot so I won't go into how he passed and Sero didn't, but the fact that his actions here went completely unchecked is disgusting. He was deliberately uncooperative and assaulted his teammate and somehow still passed? Excuse me? Aizawa has expelled students for less, but Bakugou didn't immediately fail? Anyone else would have been suspended at the very least.

Bakugou needs to be held to the same standard as everyone else. Giving him special treatment just enables his terrible behavior.

Aizawa actually admits fault in allowing Bakugou's behavior to go unchecked and actually makes good on his promise to fix it The fact that Aizawa spent that press conference deflecting from the actual issue is extremely annoying. Yeah, Bakugou works hard. So do all your students and you're not singing their praises. Not a word about Izuku who literally works out during class whenever he can. Not a word about Uraraka who learned hand-to-hand combat.

That all means squat diddly when Bakugou has repeatedly broken rules and received less than a slap on the wrist for it. Using how hard he works as an excuse is a copout, especially when it was his own actions that got him kidnapped in the first place. He knew he wasn't supposed to confront the LOV and insisted on it anyway.

Todoroki doesn't fail the provisional licensing exam For once, Bakugou has to face the full consequences of his actions on his own. And this is where he really starts to ponder if Best Jeanist was right and that his behavior isn't becoming of a hero. If everyone else passed and he didn't, doesn't that mean that he really is doing something wrong?

(Personally, I would make it so that he would have to try against in his second year, but that's subjective)

Bakugou doesn't get to know about OFA Instead of rewarding his terrible behavior, All Might should have given him a reality check. That being strong isn't what makes a hero. That Izuku earned One For All because of his heart. That the toxic ambition that Bakugou has is what helped shape Endeavor into a monster (let's pretend he knows about the Todorokis) and that he's going down the same road.

And this would be the turning point for Bakugou. What makes him stop and look at himself in the mirror and realize that he doesn't want to end up like that. That he doesn't want to be a monster.

And that's when everything I mentioned before finally clicks for him. This is where Bakugou really starts to change, and not because he forced his way into knowing a secret that was none of his business. But because he's being forced to realize that his actions aren't hero material.

This is where Bakugou begins to actually put in the effort to change. Not to get him what he wants, but because it's the right thing to do.

(None of that save to win bullshit)

Small, but meaningful changes Bakugou begins to be more mindful of his behavior. It's nothing big, but he makes an effort to stop insulting his classmates. If he starts, he stops himself. If he does, he owns up to it and apologizes.

He drops the shitty nicknames and starts to show the bare minimum of respect towards his classmates. He leaves Izuku alone. He takes it upon himself to go to Aizawa (not that I think canon Aizawa would be much help, but let's pretend for the sake of this) and ask how he can improve. He makes the genuine effort to change and improve. He actually gets better.

Accountability Bakugou confesses what he did to Izuku to Kirishima. Kirishima is rightfully upset and chews him out, but understands that Bakugou is genuinely trying to change. He tells him that he needs to find a way to apologize.

And Bakugou does. He apologizes to Izuku privately and owns up to everything. Not just in Aldera, but everything that happened in UA too. He shows actual remorse and sincerity, no excuses or reasons and no sugarcoating. Just a real apology owning up to the fact that there was no justification or logic behind his behavior and a promise that he will be better.

And Izuku thanks him. He doesn't accept or refuse it, he just says thank you.

1A somehow overhears. And Izuku's friends give Bakugou a piece of their mind. The rest of the class is rightfully horrified and upset. This leads to Bakugou being even further ostracized from the class (they aren't mean to him or anything, but they don't like to be around him).

Save to Save Bakugou's arc comes to completion when he risks his life to save someone. Not Izuku, just someone, anyone. Someone who needed to be saved. It isn't even during the PLA War or any other significant event, it's a random occurrence. He doesn't think about it, his body just moves. He saves that person successfully, and then collapses from his injuries.

Maybe he lives, maybe he dies. Who knows? That's not the important thing. What's important is that it signifies that he really did change by willingly giving up his chance of being the #1 to do the right thing.

That is how I would have redeemed Katsuki Bakugou.

[chefbuck]

i hold one card that i can't use

aka 8.08 coda fic, wc: 1.4k

--

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It’s wasn’t supposed to be this long. But then a week passed. And then another, and another and suddenly months have accumulated and the Diaz household has never felt so boney. And Buck watched his best friend wilt away as the days went by. 

But then— Then Eddie answered the door pantsless and although something inside Buck slumps at the sight of no mustache, for the first time in months Eddie looks lighter. He looks like he’s finally breathing again. And how could Buck feel anything but relief?

And yes, Tommy. Tommy is just another dot on the list of people who have seen Buck and not found him good enough to stick around for. Its— Its—

Buck’s still processing. 

Whatever. He’s doing his damnedest not to backslide because healthy coping is part of his new regimen and he’s focused on centering his feelings and frustrations into baking things for his loved ones who actually stick around. 

He’s just finishing handing over a basket of banana nut loaf and chocolate chip cookies and breakfast scones into Eddie’s hands when he tells him he’s moving to Texas. And Buck is- Maddie. Abby. Alli. Taylor. Maddie. Eddie. Tommy. 

Buck is fine. Buck is fine because he’s plastering a smile up on his face to show just how fine he is and holding the tablet in his hands, ready to help out. And if he holds it in front of him like a shield and tightens it to his chest to send a message from his heart through the device to tell Chris to just come home, he can still be mad as long as he comes home, then that’s between Buck and Eddie’s trusty iPad. 

So Buck sits with him on the couch and tries not to think about the last time they did that. (Tommy wound still fresh, Eddie beautiful under the glow of his own joy. Now, Buck pretending it doesn’t hurt and Eddie, last straw and everything.) Buck sits with him on the couch and helps him out with the terrible nightmare that is house (and apartment, Buck somehow managed to convince him with a few accessible options he found) hunting and he sits in with meetings with realtors because he’s nothing if not thorough. When his presence confuses them a bit, then that’s just karma for number three on the bullet list. But Buck helps Eddie in everyway he can to find the best place for him, even though Buck himself will never step foot inside. 

(Because Buck doesn’t want Eddie to move, are you kidding? Of course he doesn’t want Eddie to move, but what is he supposed to do? Tell him not to go and be with his son? Like hell he is. So if Buck has to rip his heart out of his chest and help it leave him just for the sake of Eddie and Chris together again, he would do it. He would do it a million times over.)

When Eddie tells him over and over that Buck didn’t really have to do all that Buck will smile and say I know. He never has to do anything for the Diazes. He does it because he wants to. 

-

“Okay, and you got the address of the place, right?” 

“Yes, Eddie,” except with the smile Buck puts on his face the tone comes out more like yes, dear, and Buck tries very hard to keep his composure. Both hands on the wheel now, and if Eddie looked over he would see it clear as day that Buck is barely holding it together. Thankfully, for Buck, Eddie is determined to look anywhere but at him. 

“Right, okay. And you have everyone’s numbers just in case of emergency? Not that you should need it but I know you like to have that.” 

Buck nods his head, like a bobble doll. “Saved in my phone.” Buck wishes he was a bobble doll. That way he could fit in Eddie’s carry on and take him with him and Eddie could put him high on a shelf and watch over his boys just to make sure they’re safe no matter what. 

“And, shit, did I forget my charger?” Eddie’s turning around in his seat, rummaging through the glove compartment, and center console storage for anything he could have left behind. 

“It’s in the front pocket of your bag.” Buck pulls into park. They’re here. He doesn’t feel like throwing up. “Eddie,” Buck turns his head to look at Eddie, and finally he looks at him. “It’s gonna be fine. 

Eddie holds his gaze and lets out a breath. The wild look in his eyes doesn’t dissipate. “Yeah. You’re right. Fine.” His smile doesnt reach his eyes. He looks tired. 

Buck sticks his tongue out just between his lips, like he does when he’s gearing up to say something, but all he comes up with is, “I’ll grab your bag.” 

Buck’s unlocking the doors and unbuckling his seating and grabbing Eddie’s bag from the back. It’s a miracle Buck’s knees dont buckle underneath him from the short walk to his driver seat to the truck of his jeep. The last time the Diazes used this suitcase it was to fit both Eddie and Chris’ belongings for a week and a half trip to visit Eddie’s sisters. This time, it’s filled to the brim with just Eddie, since none of them know how long he’ll be gone. 

Buck’s not brave. You’d think he would be with his job and the daring stunts he pulls. But his feet are planted to the asphalt and so instead of meeting Eddie at the passenger side, Eddie has to come to him and Buck just hands over the suitcase. They’re not exactly in front of the doors that enter to the terminal but the feelings just the same. 

Eddie stands in front of him finally, and he must be fucking nervous for his flight because he looks as pale as Buck feels. He’s on the curb so he’s basically the same height as Buck but he stands so far from him, a whole two steps away. 801.6 miles is going to kill him. (Buck first googled the distance when Chris left and he would recite the number in his head, because they say getting to know something makes it less scary. Except the number stayed just as big and Chris stayed just as distant.) 

He clears his throat. “Here you go.” 

Eddie takes the handle from Buck and their fingers brush just a bit. One last time.  

Buck’s not brave. He can’t will his feet to walk Eddie to the airport glass doors because the last time he did that for someone they didn’t return until they both long moved on. Buck doesn’t think he can survive a do-over of that. Not that it’s the same thing. Eddie’s not his girlfriend. Although he does—

Eddie doesn’t say anything so Buck says, “I’ll, um, I’ll be sure to check, check in on your place every few weeks to make sure everything’s okay. And the mail, do you want me to, to forward you your mail?” Pebbles are making their home in Buck’s throat. 

“Oh, um. I hadn’t really thought of that.” Eddie’s voice sounds small. 

Buck waves him off. Right, no need to stress the guy out even more. “That’s okay, I’ll figure it out.”

“Buck-”

There’s so much he wants to say to Eddie. He wants to tell him that Manta Rays are highly intelligent and the markings of their underside are specific to each one of them. He wants to tell him about the new frog exhibit at the aquarium next week. He wants to tell him about how C shift started a rumor Adrien might be pregnant due to the five missed shifts, but it’s really because she’s fighting off a nasty flu. He wants to ask Eddie to take him with even though it’s not possible and Buck doesn’t even want to go, he just wants his boys here. 

But because Buck’s brain and body hate him he doesn’t say any of those things. Instead he blurts, “Are you coming back?” He’s wincing immediately because now he’s jinxed it.

Eddie almost looks surprised and then soft, “Of course.” 

It’s more than Abby ever gave him. It’s a verbal, solid answer. It’s words in the air that Buck could catch in his hand if he jumps at the right time. Because Buck and Eddie are so much different than Buck and Abby ever were (he doesn’t think it’s polite to compare but he almost wants to say better?). And it’s not that he doesn’t trust Eddie or thinks he would ever lie to him, because he wouldn’t. It’s just Buck doesn’t trust his ability to convince the people he loves to stick around. 

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: Namjoon & Grace - America

With the number of times they had come to America and had dealt with American interviews, the people, the crowds, etc. you’d think the boys would have become blase about it. But they were still over the top, still vibrant, still loud, still bouncy, still wide-eyed to the big American cities. And in the interviews, which they had become used to, they were still excited and amazed that an American magazine wanted to interview them. 

The first few interviews had been a bit of a mess but Namjoon and Grace had worked out a system. Namjoon would sit at one end nearer to the interviewer, Seokjin next to him and another member next to him. In the back, Grace would sit behind Namjoon and other members next to her. That way the two could control the members but still keep an eye on the interviewer and hear the questions without much hassle. 

Grace didn’t know if it was the abundance of Starbucks coffee or if it was the fact they were all running on little sleep, but everyone seemed very extra bouncy today. “This is going to be a nightmare,” Namjoon groaned into his hands which then rubbed his face, willing for him to wake up just a little to deal with six hyper men. 

Yoongi included, who actually looked interested in the interview coming up for once. 

“This is why I stick to tea,” Grace sighed as she lifted the cup and all but downed the hot liquid. It wouldn’t wake her up like coffee but it would keep her alert enough to make sure no one said the wrong thing. 

“We all need a nap, maybe a few hours. But we’ve got no break today until tonight when we get to the hotel rooms and we've got rehearsals as well.” 

Grace could see Namjoon starting to fret and worry, knowing at times like this he went into double leader mode - leader of BTS, representative of BigHit, all eyes focused on him because of his English, never wanting to put Grace on the spot because it wasn’t her job even if she was British. 

“Listen, the questions are pretty simple so you and I can handle them between us. The boys will just jump in with their random English like they do or Korean words which the interviewer will think it’s cute and if Jimin flirts a bit, then there’s no harm done. Stop worrying, we’ve done more important interviews with no sleep and they’ve come out fine,” Grace reached over to squeeze Namjoon’s upper arm, frowning slightly. “You need to stop going to the gym. It’s getting ridiculous.”

“Also, you need a bit of a haircut,” she added as she reached over to gently tug the styled hair. Namjoon leaned away, batting against her hands which she grinned at. 

“I know what you’re doing noona, and thank you,” he sighed and took a moment to breathe in, breathe out and relax. If he was relaxed then the others would be and it would be smooth sailing. 

And one look from Grace would soon sort them all out anyway.

[v3lv3tf0x]

Request from anon;

I hope you could write Stu/Sid. It's a very underrated pair in the fandom and I'm not a big fan of the overrated Stu/Billy. My idea is Sid not liking Billy anymore and Stu easily wins her over by being a better boyfriend.

This request is from early October, we're so sorry it took so long to write! We got a little carried away with the buildup on this one, but we hope it lives up to your imagination! 1,985 words.

Sidney felt bad even thinking these things, but she couldn’t help but feel that Billy wasn’t the same anymore. He used to be so warm, supportive, but a few months after her mother’s death, he seemed to pull away. She had initially assumed that he was giving her time to grieve, but when she would ask to hang out or come over, he always had some sort of excuse. They made a little bit of sense in the beginning, but eventually he began to only say things like he was “too tired” or “not in the mood”. She had even tried to use her body as a way to grab his attention, but Billy seemed uninterested. Tatum had come over for a sleepover, and she brought Stu with her. Sidney had invited Billy and he claimed he would try to make it, but she didn’t have her hopes up. The three friends were sitting on Sidney’s couch, watching some horror flick, when Tatum spoke up; “So, where’s Billy?” She asked, popping her gum. Stu perked up, looking over. “Yeah, did you invite him?” “I did,” Sidney sighed. “He said he would try to make it but he didn’t make any promises.” Tatum frowned. “He hasn’t been coming to any of our hangouts. Do you guys even hang out anymore?” “He’s just busy...” Sidney says, rubbing the back of her neck. “I should beat his ass,” Tatum scoffed. “Look, we’ll call him right now and if he doesn’t get over here right now, I say you drop him. He’s been practically ignoring you for months now.” “Maybe...” Sidney shrugged, nearly jumping out of her skin when Stu jumped up, reaching for the phone. “I got it! He won't turn down his best man,” he proclaimed, grinning as he punched in the numbers before holding the phone up to his ear. The girls stayed silent as the phone rang and rang and clicked, indicating Billy had picked up. “Hey! Are you coming to the sleepover? We miss you~.” Stu said, his tone playful. “We’re watching scary movies, c’mon! You have to, we have snacks.” He was silent before speaking once more. “Yes! Hurry up.” The he slammed the phone down. “He’s heading over!” “Of course.” Tatum rolled her eyes. “He should have come when Sid asked.” “It’s alright, at least he’s coming,” Sidney shrugged, smiling sheepishly at Stu. “Thanks, Stu.” “No prob, Sid!” He patted her head, making her blush slightly as he plopped on the couch next to her so they could resume the movie.

Nearly an hour later, Billy pushed his way into Sidney’s house, scaring the shit out of the three huddled on the couch currently watching Nightmare on Elm Street. “What the fuck, Billy! Why didn’t you knock?!” Tatum shouted. Billy just stared at her for a moment before looking at Stu and Sidney. “I’m here, why’re you upset?” He scoffed, narrowing his eyes. Stu grinned up at him. “Grab some chips and sit, man, we’re almost done with this one.” He gestured to the T.V. screen. “You can pick the next one, too,” Sideny added softly, scooching closer to Stu so Billy has room to sit. Billy nodded once, grabbing a bag of chips and quickly going through the movies before pulling out In the Mouth of Madness and then sitting in between Sidney and Tatum with a loud sigh. Tatum eyed him, glaring. “Jeez, you didn’t have to come, asshole.” She snarked, crossing her arms. Billy ignored her, leaning back, throwing his arm over Sidney’s shoulders, making her jump. “Why’re you so jumpy? Relax.” Billy looked Sidney over once, frowning. She laughed sheepishly, shrugging and turning back to the movie.

Billy was gone by the time everyone else wakes up. “I don���t get his problem, Sid, it’s like someone rammed a huge stick up his ass,” Tatum ranted as she brushed her hair. Stu peeks his head in the doorway. “You think he’s cheating?” He asked, eyes wide, hand over his mouth. Sidney frowned softly. “I hope not.” She stared down at the counter for a second before looking back up at Tatum. “Do you think he is?” “He better fucking not be,” Tatum scoffed. “I’ll kill him.” Sidney smiled. “Well, he’d better watch out, then.” “Don’t worry, Sid, you got us!” Stu marched over, wrapping his arms around Sidney and spinning her around, making her scream. “He’s a dickbag, but I’ll talk to him, yeah?” He added once he set her down.

It didn’t get better. In fact, Sidney could conclude that it had only gotten worse. Even Stu couldn’t get him to come to their hangouts anymore, not that he was really trying at this point. He saw how down Sidney got when Billy was around and simply stopped actually inviting him. Who needed him around, anyways? She seemed happier with him. And Tatum, of course, but that was a given. She was sweeter with him, too. Who needed Billy?

“Sidneyyy~!” Stu called out from the porch, obnoxiously knocking on the door without stopping. “I’m coming, quit!” Sidney shouted, hurrying down the stairs to open the door. “Jeez...” “I brought dip!” Stu thrust it in her face, showing her a tub of queso and a tub of guac. “My mom made ‘em cuz we had family over last night.” “Oh, cool.” Sidney said, dodging to avoid a broken nose. “Just set them on the counter, Tatum should-” The phone rang, interrupting her train of thought. “Come in, I’ll be right back.” She told Stu as she went to answer the phone. “Hello, Prescott-” “Sid! I’m gonna be late, my dad’s pissed about my grades...” Sidney slammed the phone down with a huff. “I’m done with him.” She declared, marching into the kitchen. Stu turned around blinking. “What happened now?” He asked, tongue flicking out to catch a stray drop of queso, cocking his head to the side. “He’s not coming again because apparently his dad is upset about his grades.” Sidney scoffed. “Bullshit!” Stu shouted. “His dad doesn’t give a fuck about that stuff.” He crossed his arms. “That’s what I’m saying.” Sidney sighed. “Do you think he’s cheating on me...?” “Well,” Stu hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. “Maybe...?” Sidney was silent for a long moment. “That’s so stupid.” She eventually muttered, wrapping her arms around herself with a frown. Stu shuffled his feet, reaching towards her. “He might not be!” He tried, patting her head. “He’s just an asshole, you know?” “I’m still breaking up with him.” Sidney scowls.

“You really did it?!” Tatum practically screamed in Sidney’s ear on the walk to her house. Sidney winced, ducking her head. “Yeah... I don’t know if he took it well, but he didn’t, like, hit me or anything.” She said sheepishly. “He’d better not!” Tatum scoffed. “Stu’d beat him up, right?” She peeked over Sideny’s head at Stu who was walking on her other side. “Oh. Sure, yeah.” He nodded quickly, grinning. “Sure,” Sidney snorted. “I would!” Stu protested. “Anything for you, Sid~!” He said dramatically, making Sidney blush, rolling her eyes. “Go home, Stu.” She shoved his shoulder.

Stu had to admit it, he was thrilled Sidney had dumped Billy. She deserved so much better. She deserved him. Now he could make his move without it being weird! She already seemed inclined towards him, and how could he resist such a cute face?

“You want to come over again?” Sidney asked, looking puzzled as she pulled books from her locker. “Tatum won’t be there.” She added. “That’s fine!” Stu nodded, smiling. “We can study together.” “Alright.” Sidney shrugged, closing her locker. “I still have some snacks, so I think we’ll be okay in that department.” She said, beginning to walk to her next class. Stu nodded once more before heading to his own class. “See ya!”

“Look, here, see how the three is carried over here?” Sidney said, leaning over Stu’s paper. “Yeah...” He tried to pay attention to what she was saying, honest, but her shoulder was practically touching his. “Really? What am I talking about then?” She deadpanned, sitting up. “The- the math sheet!” Stu said quickly, looking up at her. “Okay, I think we’re done for today.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s been like two hours, anyways. Want something to drink?” “Apple juice?” Stu called as Sidney made her way to the kitchen, trying not to sound disappointed. “Got it,” Sidney called back, rummaging around in the kitchen before coming back out, two cups in hand. She handed one to Stu, who took it and slammed it in three gulps. “Jeez,” Sidney mumbled, sipping at her own cup. “What? It’s good!” Stu leaned back on his hands, cracking his back. “Wanna play a game or something?” Sidney raised a brow. “Don’t your parents expect you home for dinner?” “I guess.” Stu shrugged. “But it’s boring at home.” He added with a pout. “It’s really not. All I have is, like, a deck of cards.” Sidney ducks her head, avoiding eye contact. “We can play war!” Stu straightens out, leaning towards Sidney. “Wanna?” She blushed. “Sure.”

Tatum squealed into the phone, making Sidney jerk it away from her ear. “Really? He likes you?!” “Don’t sound so shocked,” Sidney snorted. “But yeah, haven’t you noticed? He’s all touchy and stuff.” “I did, I just didn’t want to say anything yet! He totally does!” Tatum giggled. “Wow, getting with your ex’s best friend... Sidney, how daring!” “Hey, I’m not- it's not like that!” Sidney said quickly, running a hand through her hair. “He just, like, hangs out at my house all the time...” “Oh, you totally like him back.” Tatum said decisively, causing Sidney to gasp into the microphone. “Hold on-!” She tried to interrupt, but Tatum kept going. “Nuh-uh! I see how you blush around him! Oh, you tramp! What will Billy think of this??” She rambled. “I don’t care what Billy thinks of this.” Sidney scoffed, rolling her eyes. “He made his decision.” “True,” Tatum mused. “So, are you going to tell him?” “What, Stu?!” Sidney balked. “No!” “Why not?! You two’d be so cute together!” Tatum whined. “Well, he should ask me out first.” Sidney says firmly. “Besides, what if I’m, like, imagining things?” “Girl, you are definitely not.” Tatum scoffed. “I’ll drops some hints, okay? You won’t be single for much longer!” “Tatum...”

“Tatum’s being weird,” Stu pointed out, leaning against the locker next to Sidney’s. She sighed. “Really...?” She stared at the book in her locker, trying to play this off. “Really really. Like, keeps telling me how lonely you are and stuff.” Stu snickered, leaning closer. “Well, you know Tatum...” she shrugged, blushing and quickly grabbing her book and slamming her locker shut. “I gotta get to class-” she ducked away quickly, leaving Stu in the dust.

Stu was waiting for her after school regardless. “Hey, Sid!” “Hi,” she mumbled, ducking her head. “Wanna go get ice cream?” He asked, cocking his head. “Yeah, sure.” She nodded, blinking in confusion when Stu held his hand out. “Your backpack,” he said for clarification. “Oh-!” She fumbled to take her backpack off, handing it to him. “Thank you.” Stu just smiled at her as they began to walk. It was short and they ordered, Stu offering to pay for Sidney’s. “So... you like me, huh?” He asked out of the blue, not even looking in Sidney’s direction, nearly making her choke on her ice cream. “Tatum told you?!” She managed to get out, wiping her mouth frantically. Stu snorted loudly, handing her another napkin. “No, but that just confirmed it!” Stu cackled. “It’s okay, I like you, too, Sid.” He patted her head, despite her current actions to hide her face. “Well, you better.” She huffed, earning another easy smile. “So, you’ll be my girlfriend?” He asked, eyes crinkled at the corners. “Yeah.” Sidney looked up, a sheepish smile on her lips.

[hoffmansnightmare]

Keep Away From The Edge

Chapter 2

Read Part one here: Part 1

Pairing: Mark Hoffman X Emmy Hodges

Recovering, Hint of Panic Attack, Crying, Not Comfort, Drinking, Nightmares

(You can also read it here! Keep Away From The Edge)

Emmy only stayed at the hospital for another day before they decided she was well enough to head home.

Well enough was of course relative. Emmy wasn't sure she'd ever be well enough again, but she wasn't in any danger of dying from her wounds. They'd monitored her to make sure she didn't spike a fever, and released her with scripts for painkillers and an antibiotic. 

"If you start to feel like you have a fever, please come back." Her nurse, Betty, had explained. Betty handed her the clothes she had arrived in, which had been washed as thoroughly as they could be, but still had slashes from the glass. Emmy winced at the sight of them.

"Is there anything else I can wear out of here?" She asked. The idea of putting the clothes she had suffered in back on made her skin crawl. These garments were fated for a fire when she got home, most likely. "Also…did you find a tape recorder with my things?" Emmy didn't know why she was worried about that thing in particular. The memory of sticking it in her back pocket was already becoming hazy. 

"I think we may have some sweat pants and t-shirts we can send you home in." Betty looked uneasy at her second question. "I'm not sure about the tape recorder. I would guess that the police probably took anything like that as evidence."

Emmy thought about the detective's business card that still sat on the bedside table. She imagined herself calling him up, demanding to have her tape recorder back. It was hers. She'd earned it. "My wallet and cell phone are gone too?"

Betty just shrugged, looking very apologetic. "I didn't see anything besides your clothes." 

Emmy drew in a long, labored breath. "Can you still see about those clothes?"

Betty gave her a small smile and a nod, leaving her to find something for her to wear. Emmy was grateful, but soon how she was even going to make it home crossed her mind. She lived across town, and with no wallet she couldn't get a taxi. She had no family left and the few friends she had were states away. She had one friend that did live close by, but Emmy also didn't feel like she had the strength to explain what had happened to her again…not yet anyway.

Her eyes wandered over to the business card again. 'Detective Mark Hoffman' in bold black letters above his phone and fax number. Surely he was far too busy to humor Emmy's woes. Maybe she'd just see if one of the nurses could give her just enough for bus fair. Then she thought about being crammed in a tight space with strangers, unfamiliar faces, any of which could be the person who had taken her. 

Her hand yanked the room phone off the receiver and she was dialing his number before she could think any further about it. By the third ring she was starting to get cold feet, her hand on the receiver getting tense, ready to slam it down after another unanswered ring.

"Detective Hoffman." 

Great he'd answered and now she had no idea what she was even going to say. What had she even needed in the first place? Her wallet?

"Hello?" 

"H-hi." Emmy forced the word out. "It-it's Emmory, Emmory Hodges?"

"Yes." Hoffman's voice pitched up in recognition. "Did you remember something?"

"W-well not exactly."

Mark listened to her plight. "You don't have any family who can help you out?" Of course Mark knew she didn't, but asking was a part of the script, part of the act he had to keep up as the detective who hadn't been following her around for weeks. He knew her routine very well, and it wasn't very exciting. It looked much like his had, before John. Work, bar, home. Only to be repeated day after day. Both of her parents had passed away, and there were no siblings that he knew of. And she certainly didn't spend time with friends. At least not often.

"No, and without my wallet I can't get a cab." Emmory said. 

Mark looked over at her possessions he had taken when he'd grabbed her. Just a cellphone and wallet. He'd added the tape recorder she'd put in her pocket before dropping her off. Just three lonely items sitting on a cluttered desk in the crowded warehouse he was currently using as a home base. Mark checked his watch for the time. He should probably head into the station soon anyway.

"I can swing by the hospital, and I think I can return your wallet and cell to you."

"That would be great." Emmory's voice brightened. Just a little. "Then I could pay a cab. I don't mean to be a bother."

Hoffman smiled at that. He wasn't exactly sure why. 

"O-oh there was one other thing." She sounded unsure again. "There was a tape recorder in my back pocket. Did the police retrieve it? If so…I would like it back too."

"You want your test tape back?" Now Mark was truly confused. 

"Y-yeah. I made it all the way through with it in my back pocket and I…I just want it."

Mark chewed the inside of his lip. On one hand he didn't see much harm in returning it to her. He could wipe it for all prints, and it was one John had prerecorded. But what she wanted with it was a mystery, and Mark didn't like mysteries.

"I'll see what I can do." He answered. He heard a whoosh of air on the other line.

"O-okay. I'll see you soon?" 

"Yes." Mark was already standing and grabbing his coat. "I'll be there soon." She hung up and Hoffman snapped his cell closed. He stood over her things, cell, wallet, and tape recorder, still debating on whether just giving her the thing was a problem or not. Then he had to stand there and consider why he was even humoring the request. He should just tell her he couldn't get that particular thing out of evidence. She'd believe it.

He pulled on his leather gloves and shoved all three items into his coat pockets. 

At the hospital she was waiting for him at the nurses station just outside her room, which was currently being turned down and sanitized for the next patient. Emmory was wearing a shirt that looked to be two sizes too big, and a pair of sweatpants that were synced around her waist. They looked like they were as big as the shirt. In her left hand was a plastic bag with what looked like her old clothes.

Her eyes landed on him as soon as he exited the elevator. They almost pinned him still in the spot. They were such an intense shade of corn flower blue, a little unsettling if he was honest. Mark kept his feet moving, procuring her wallet and phone from his pocket. For now he left the tape recorder where it was, not exactly keen on revealing it in front of all the nurses there. She grinned as he handed them to her, opening her wallet to make sure everything was still there. 

"Wow, they didn't take anything." Relief was obvious in her voice. Next she tried the phone, but the battery had long since died. She put both things in the pocket of her much too big sweatpants. "Thank you again…and the other thing?"

Of course she'd ask. Mark tilted his head toward the elevator. "Let me walk you out." She followed without further comment, looking absent again. When the elevator doors closed he produced the tape recorder. "Here, but it's our little secret." 

She took it with wide, almost reverent eyes. He told himself he was giving it to her to gain more of her trust. The more she trusted him the easier his life would be down the line. Her thumb hovered over the play button, and Mark put a hand over it. 

"Maybe don't listen to it. Not so soon after anyway." Was she trying to traumatize herself further? Thankfully she listened to him, putting it with her phone and wallet. The rest of their ride down was silent.

On the ground floor the elevator doors opened up to pure chaos. In the short time it took him to get here and their elevator ride down, the press had learned Emmory was being discharged today, and were not swarming the front doors. Emmory stopped dead, watching the reporters shout at her through the doors. Apparently the hospital staff had shut off the automatic sensors and locked the doors. 

"Oh…" Emmory said, her hand fisting itself into her oversized shirt. "How am I going to get a cab?"

She wasn't, not without going through that throng. The two of them were far enough back that the crowd hadn't noticed them, and Emmory was already taking a step back. 

"We go back to plan A." Mark said simply, tapping her elbow. "I take you home. Come on. I parked in the parking garage. We can go out the back way."

She looked up at him with those wide blue eyes again. "Okay." 

Escaping the press was relatively easy. At least it seemed that way to Emmy. She supposed the detective was probably used to maneuvers like this. Emmy tried to covertly take the man in properly from his passenger seat, being fully conscious for the first time in days.

Objectively he was handsome. The first thing that had stood out to her was his eyes, blue like hers, but riddled with emotions she could not even begin to decipher. Then his lips, they were so full it seemed like a crime. His hair was a dark brown and combed carefully. Clean shaven face and a build that was just…solid. He wasn't exceptionally tall, but he was…well thick. He looked like her might be a little soft in some areas, the way older men sometimes were.

"So, where am I taking you?"

Emmy started sharply. Right, he needed to know where she lived. "I'm just outside of the city. 1428 Summers Ave." She gave him directions on how to get to her place, although once she said the street name Hoffman had nodded. He probably knew every street name in a ten mile radius of the city. 

There was still something, at the back of her mind, bugging her. Like an itch she just couldn't reach. 

"You seem to be handling everything very well." Hoffman said, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh…well…" truth be told she hadn't really let herself stop to think about it. She'd either been sleeping or trying to figure out how she was going to get home. "It hasn't, I guess, occurred to me yet?"

Hoffman was quiet for several moments, then he nodded. "It could still be shock. Hasn't sunk in yet." They were out of the city now. Her stop wasn't very far from here. 

Emmy tried to think about that. It wouldn't do her any good to ignore it. Was it just that she was so thankful to be alive? She didn't really think so. Yes she was happy she didn't die, but now she was going to be covered in scars, and probably have some bad nightmares to boot. Would she just go about like it didn't happen? Why hadn't she cried yet? Emmy thought the not crying thing was probably the weirdest part. Then again she'd heard stories of emotions so great they were beyond tears. Maybe that's what she was experiencing?

"Hey, you get lost in there?" They were stopped at a red light, and Hoffman had taken the opportunity to look at her, tilting his head slightly to get a better look at her face, which was pointing down to her lap.

She blinked slowly, coming back to the present painfully. Her throat was closing and she suddenly couldn't be home soon enough. She turned her head to the window, swallowing hard. "I'm fine."

He left her alone for the rest of the ride. When he pulled up in front of her house Emmy turned back to him. "Thank you. You really saved me."

Hoffman smiled and something flickered in his eyes. "Hey, it wasn't any trouble." 

Emmy tried to smile at him as she left the car. It felt off, and she hoped she wasn't actually grimacing at him. Once she closed the door behind her everything hit her like a wave crashing over her. Her back fell against the door and she slid down until she was holding her knees and shaking. It was then, when she was finally all alone for the first time in a few days, that the tears came. They rolled down her face fat and hot. Now Emmy could really feel the ache all over her body, how the deeper cuts hurt.

A sob bubbled out of her chest, which started a torrent of more sobbing. She sat there, on the floor with her back to her front door, and cried for what felt like hours. She cried until she just couldn't anymore. She was still heaving sobs, but her cheeks had long dried. Eventually she got too tired to even make noise, so she subsided to whimpers, then silence. Just sat there with her chin on her knees, staring at the hard wood floor of her living room.

How was she meant to just keep going after what had happened to her? The point of the test was to teach her to appreciate being alive, but now all she could think about was how she was going to go about things as usual when she had nearly been another deceased victim of the Jigsaw killer. Now she was one of his lucky survivors. She was supposed to just put that all behind her? In the moment that seemed impossible. Like she'd never be able to move on. Logically she knew she eventually would, probably with plenty of nightmares, and the scars to remind her every day, but down the road it really would become just a memory.

Being back in her home just threw into sharp relief how wrong it felt. To be back here, safe in her house, when only a few days ago she may never have seen it again. It was beyond her comprehension. And her job…oh God she'd have to go back to work. That alone suddenly seemed like a monumental hill to climb. Did her boss even know what had happened to her? She hadn't called him yet, but she'd have to go back to work eventually. Trauma didn't make the bills go away. Emmy sniffed at that. It felt cruel that the earth kept on spinning.

Her ass really started to hurt from sitting on the hardwood floor, and her back was getting stiff, so she got back to her feet. She walked into the kitchen, which was just a step out of the living room in an open floor plan. Her phone charger was on the kitchen island so she plugged her phone in and set it down there to charge. She took the tape recorder out too, setting it next to her phone. It still had her dried blood on it. She hadn't noticed that before. She went back to retrieve the plastic bag she had been holding that held her old clothes. She chucked it into the trash on her way to her office.

Her office was down the hall off of the living room. Really she just wanted to go into her bedroom and collapse on the bed, pretend she didn't have to actually exist for one more day, but she thought it would be better to check in sooner rather than later, and she was sure her email was full to bursting by now. Mainly she wanted to email her boss and make sure she did indeed still have a job. That would really just be the cherry on top, having to job hunt after everything. Her email was full, most of it was spam and chain emails. Some were from her boss, wondering where she was, and worried. Emmy sent a way too brief email explaining what had happened and letting him know she'd be back again on Monday. She hadn't realized what day it was until she sat down. Thursday. For some reason the fact that the Jigsaw killer took her in the middle of the week really stuck with her.

Wonder if he has a 9 to 5 schedule.

She received an email back within a few minutes. It was the middle of the day and he was probably sitting right at his desk. Her heart thumped opening the email, expecting him to say that she'd been terminated. But no, he was relieved she was alive, if not okay, and that she could take more time if she needed to. Emmy replied back her thanks, but that she'd be in on Monday. She thought returning back to routine is what they always said you should do. Keep yourself busy and all that.

Now all she had to do was turn on her phone and see who had tried to contact her.

The precinct was abuzz as it always was. Kerry cornered him as soon as he walked through the door to ask him about the latest survivor.

"Did she have anything new?" 

Mark could have rolled his eyes. "You read the notes. She saw as little as the others."

Kerry followed him all the way to his office, filled with way too much energy. "I want to bring her back in. After recovering she may remember more details.

Real irritation flared in Mark's chest this time and he rounded on her, his hand gripping the door handle. "Jesus, Kerry, give the woman a few days at least. She's going to have enough trouble adjusting." 

He watched as shame flickered through her eyes. Mark wanted to sneer openly in her face. You forgot she was human for a moment there didn't you? All you could think about was that she lived through what you are studying. He could have sympathized with Kerry at one point, not so much now. Maybe some of that was his own fault. The work he did with John seeping unto his very marrow. Had he once just wanted to put bad guys away? He thought so. Now he was beholden to a dying old man who swore there was a better way.

"We can give her a week, but I do think it's important we question her again. It's standard."

It was. People tended to remember details after a period of time. Not that Mark thought Emmory would magically remember anything important. Well he knew she wouldn't. His only reply was a grunt as he opened his office door. A clear sign that this conversation was over. Mark sat down in his chair with a groan. He had plenty to do, or pretend to do. That day he had the request John made of him to fulfill, and he had a lot of work ahead of him.

Mark worked well into the evening, eventually checking his watch and seeing it had gotten quite late. He’d made some good headway. He’d call John and update him once he got out to his car. He wanted to drive by Emmory’s place, just to check in. Not that he expected he’d see much, but it was worth a look to see if she were home, or back at her favorite bar.

All was quiet at the Hodges House. The lights were out, and the car was in the driveway, which didn’t mean much. The little hole in the wall Emmory frequented was only a couple of blocks away, and he knew she was prone to walking there. They couldn’t take your keys if you didn’t drive.

So Hoffman made his way to the bar. It was a small place with a weird name, Lavender Tavern Syndrome. It was a step above a dive bar, and seemed to be video game themed. There were arcade cabinets along one wall and a few of the tables themselves were arcade machines, with a screen under the glass tabletop. Hoffman wondered if this place was Emmory’s favorite because of the theme, or because it was so close. He also thought they’d probably do better business deeper into the city, but they seemed to be doing well enough. There was no sign of Emmory here either, so hopefully she was at home in bed.

Mark ordered a drink, not wanting to look more suspicious than he already did in his cheap suit. The bartender was very welcoming, taking his drink order with a smile and producing it quickly. Definitely a far cry from the bars Mark had been used to in his heavy drinking days. He’d finish his one drink, then head home for the night. Maybe he’d swing by in the morning to see if there was any change. He didn’t think Emmory would be open to joining them, he wasn’t sure if she had the fortitude…

And maybe he didn’t want her to be. John’s cult didn’t need to grow any bigger. Mark could guess that John would eventually want to talk to Emmory, see how she took his ‘rehabilitation’, but Mark would leave that up to his discretion when he returned from Mexico. Mark wasn’t ready to out himself to her anytime soon.

Emmy tossed and turned in her bed, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead. The nightmares had come, memories of broken glass and how hot her blood had felt oozing out of a fresh cut. Shards grinding against the bones in her knuckles. In her nightmares she could have sworn there were still pieces inside of her, burrowing deeper under her skin.

Then, at the very end, when she got to the light at the end of the tunnel, a voice. It was deep, resonating in her chest.

Congratulations. You made it.

@grxmreaperx

[chorusofkhonshu]

Alone : Archetype 5

Archetype #5 The Explorer So I stick Low as the Archetype # 3 the Hero, and coincidentally Alone the Explorer. 1 thru 12 are the most important numbers and only and the only numbers that have archetypes. The Explorer Archetype is one that loves to wander, to find the secrets that lay everywhere. Admittedly there isn't a lot to go off of for Alone appearance wise. However her description is telling enough, the secrets of the Spiral. Matching perfectly with the Explorer Archetype. One thing to note with this Archetype is that they struggle with isolation (Being Alone get it) so this fits her very much so.

So the Hero and the Explorer go hand in hand mostly, a pretty common pair. After looking at these two I would wonder who would be the cause of betrayal or calamity in Little Nightmares 3. Who would cause us sadness? I flipped flopped back and fourth between these two before linking them to Archetypes but now I think it'll be both of them. Both the Hero and the Explorer are driven by obsession. The Hero to complete his journey and reach his goal. They have a reason for doing what they do, for Low its to find the mythical place. For the Explorer, their obsessions are for more, how do I say, unfocused. Hero's have one goal, they reach it and move onto the next, much more focused, one at a time. Explorers need to know anything and everything. So who will bring their downfall? IDK probably both of them. The old Mirror Monster gave people what they wanted, if they are collecting mirror shards maybe its like a one wish type of deal, like a genie, so regardless of the wish they are still gonna get screwed over. Just because their friends doesn't mean they want the same thing. Gotta break apart their friendship. Low will probably be the one to get got because if the Mirror Monster didn't have some connection to him he wouldn't have these powers, and Alone will be alone by the end of it.

Then again Little Nightmares has always been good at pulling the rug out from under us so who knows?

[varcbrandartsnmore]

Varc Does Gunpla: HG Sinanju

Hey Heleniacs,

As y’all may have been noticing, I’ve been posting more toy and Gunpla content lately, and I want to make it more of a “thing,” so I’ll be doing a series called “Varc Does Gunpla”/“Varc’s Toybox,” in which I discuss/review toys/Gunpla. This edition will focus on the HGUC Sinanju, originally released in 2010 by Bandai Spirits.

The HGUC Sinanju is a kit I’ve been wanting for years, ever since watching the TV anime version of Gundam Unicorn, officially titles as Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Re:0096. The Sinanju, piloted by Full Frontal, who may or may not be Char Aznable (or some descendant - he basically says he takes on the role of Char for his people/supporters, though Char proper appears to have died 3 years prior, but I digress), quickly became one of my all-time favorite mobile suits in all of Gundam. I saw the kit at a hobby shop one time, but decided against buying it for the sake of my wallet. I regretted my decision for years, but I think recently was the perfect time to get it, as I am at a point in which I am more comfortable detailing my kits over using stickers for accent details, such as the gold accents on the Sinanju. I like to think that I am pretty handy with a pen these days, between having a lot of practice with plamo and doing linework for my drawings.

Once I had the time to build the kit this weekend, it was a blast the whole time. All of the pieces fit just right, it felt rock solid in terms of structural integrity, and it was satisfying to run my gold Faber-Castell across the accent lines. A fellow artist on Twitter/mutual member of a mecha art Discord recommended that I get a gold paint pen, and it was an awesome investment. I got a white brush pen the same day, and both have been incredibly useful in giving my kits a more premium look in my opinion. These pens were fantastic for the Moderoid Shin Getter 1 I also built recently, though the effect may have been subtle.

It was a bit annoying to try to push parts into their sockets when I had just painted the gold accents, only for the paint to smear because I held the kit in just the wrong spots. As a result, I had to get creative about what to hold onto when snapping hands to wrist, torso to waist, and shield to forearm, for example. I suppose I could have waited for parts to dry, but I am extremely impatient, and just like to get things done. Nonetheless, I think the accents turned out pretty well. Honestly, my complaint probably comes down more to user error and flaw than anything else.

With this kit being 14 years old, one would expect a plethora of problems to either whinge about or fix with their almighty “modeling skills.” However, I have no real complaint with fitment, pose ability, accessory selection, color separation or solidity. One could complain about the sheer number of color-correcting stickers, which probably are a pain to get to contour and stick down to the pieces with gold accents. Out of the box, it may be a nightmare for some. That being said, I think I’ll put my “toxic veteran” hat on for a beat and say to put the “extra effort” in to carefully take care of the accents yourself. The results are pretty worth it, and it feels more personal that way, at least for me. I guarantee that if Bandai release this kit today, they would make all of the accents separate parts with either gold cast plastic or painted gold plastic. They’d probably even use the dreaded gold-plated plastic and make it a Gundam Base or P-Bandai exclusive or whatever. I’m sure a few people would call for that, and shout from the rooftops, “HGUC SINANJU 2.0 WHEN?!” To that, I say, “How about never? This kit is already great.” I feel like doing more color separation might take some of the soul out, as much soul as a megacorporate behemoth like Bandai could even put into it. That’s just me, I suppose. It’s been 9 years since I’ve started the hobby, and am proud of the skills I’ve built over those years, if slowly. For that reason, I’ve chosen to include WIP and finished product photos in this post. Anyways, see y’all on the flipside. Stay tuned for more, art, toy, plamo, and even music - I’ve got several projects lined up leading up to the end of the month. Until next time, peace, love, mermaids, and big robots! ✌️❤️🧜‍♀️🤖

[laurfilijames]

Okay, I’m here, I’m making myself comfortable 😌

I’m avoiding SOA talk until I finish season seven, so I don’t stumble onto anything (honestly shocked I’ve managed to stay spoiler free for so long)

So, our man Will Miller… do you have any of your own head cannons for the most reserved of the Triple Frontier boys?

Ooooo yay!!!!!!! I was so happy to see this in my inbox you have no idea 🤗💗 Sorry it took me so long to answer, I'm hosting family at my cottage this weekend and there are dogs and children everywhere and not a moments peace 😅

Totally fair to avoid SOA talk! I'm glad you've managed to remain spoiler-free until this point!

You bet your ass I have headcanons about the Captain! This man is on my mind day and night and each time I watch TF, more thoughts (and thots) and ideas come up and I simply can't get enough.

So, here's a few I'll share that maybe some will agree with and maybe some won't!

The Miller's had a rough upbringing. Their dad was a drunk and their mom left when they were fairly young, resulting in Will stepping up to care for Benny and making sure he was looked after, earning Will his seriousness and maturity far sooner than he should've.

Because of that, Will was out of that house as soon as possible, having enlisted the day he turned 17.

Growing up, Will taught Benny how to fight and defend himself, making him feel less guilty about leaving his younger brother at home without him when he went away.

Because he saw what happened to his parents, Will doesn't drink much. He doesn't like the loss of control and hates the emotions it stirs up in him when he does have a couple more than he normally would. He will have a beer or two with the guys or enjoy a glass of wine with dinner occasionally, but never enough to even get a buzz. 

He keeps track of everything because it helps him process things. He never wants to forget the things he's done; good or bad. It helps him stay accountable for his actions and he's not the type of guy to kid himself into thinking his position can justify it, and he's learned over the years to acknowledge rather than bury what's happened. The numbers are sort of a certainty for him and help ground him.

Will doesn't sleep well. He suffers from nightmares often, and on nights when they don't happen, he's usually awake on account of his own thoughts. When a nightmare does happen, he wakes up in a full sweat and more often than not it's accompanied by screaming and thrashing around. To help pass the hours when he isn't able to fall back asleep, he'll go for a run to get rid of that anxious energy or hit the 24 hour gym.

I'm one to believe that his relationship with his ex-fiancée wasn't the best, that maybe they had been together since they were young and over the years grew apart and fell out of love as they changed and got older. Will's choice in career caused a lot of stress between them and wedged them apart even more, and unfortunately she took advantage of his deployments to indulge in affairs with men who suited her better. The Publix incident was the last straw for her; she wasn't willing to stick around to try to help him through things and abandoned him completely, leaving him to spiral before picking himself back up again with the help of his brother and friends.

I honestly could keep going but I'll stop there! Please, please, please if you or anyone else has opinions on any of this and wants to discuss it further send me an ask or reblog this. I just love talking about my man 😩💗

[theoneeyedgoldenwolf]

When the mightiest fall

Whumptober 2024, number 27: Voiceless, Laboratory

Inspiration: A picture by @narsh-poptarts of very badly hurt Time whom is protected by Twilight.

Summary: The Hero of Time is the strongest person by body and mind that the Chain of eight Links have ever had the rights to meet, learn to know and call as their brother. When he shatters, the Heroes of Hyrule are given the hardest task of their lives.

CW: Torture, nightmares, shattering a person by mind, cursing, mocking, kidnapping, left for dead, bad feelings (not worth one’s caring, shame, etc.), Dead Hand, dying in nightmares

CW: Torture, nightmares, shattering a person by mind, cursing, mocking, kidnapping, left for dead, bad feelings (not worth one’s caring, shame, etc.), Dead Hand, dying in nightmares

Notion: - Originally this was going to be different day’s story (alt Forgotten) but made different for it. Got few ideas that I will use at some other time for different story too as this one changed quite a bit from the original idea. - I didn’t exactly plan nicknaming Time as Alpha Wolf. The Chain called him as such in one story long ago but it didn’t stick back then nor was it used as a nickname for him. Now it just jumped up in my mind and became a thing. So, yeah, be aware of that nickname possibly coming up again at later stories. ;)

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Time whimpered as he watched the approaching guy with pure terror in his eye and desperately tried to move away from him. The wall behind him and the chains around his wrists prevented his chances of escaping what was to come. The guy smirked wickedly as he struck the syringe into his neck and pushed the liquid into him.

The man backed away while watching how their victim slowly fell unconscious until the hellish nightmares already began to play within their captive’s mind. “If you wish to break a Hero, you can’t beat him up.” The guy told while bit scowling at the damage his comrades had already inflicted into their subject.

The Chain’s leader was quite bloodied due to the torture the other men in the laboratory had done. There were two deep cuts in his body, one at his tight and one at his abdomen. He had a wound on the side of his forehead after the men had struck his head against the brick wall several times. Several punches had also been landed into his face. His fingers were bloodied due to the needles that had been stabbed beneath his nails and pulled out roughly.

The leader of the group watched how the one eyed male’s whimper turned into screams and begs. “The only way to really destroy a Hero is to strike him through his mind. It holds his worst nightmares locked up. But, with right combination of drugs, you can bring them right back to life. And, with that, you can turn them useless as their own mind destroys them.” He explained and shrugged. “Besides, with drugs you don’t need to dirty your own hands or pay for the job being done. Just one strong enough dose and you have him in a whimpering mess.”

The others came to their leader’s side to enjoy of the show. “What do you think he’s seeing?” One of the guys asked while still hoping to get to land a hit or few into the whimpering male.

“That is only for him to know. He’ll be voiceless about that part. There’s no chance he’ll ever get the words out to tell what chases him in his nightmares.” The man replied calmly.

“Chases? More like having already caught him.” Another guy snorted cruelly.

The leader chuckled with wicked delight. “Either way, he’s already terrified of me.” He leaned back in the chair and smirked. “And I’ve only injected him three times by now. Yet, the fun part is that each injections throws him into crueler nightmare than what the earlier one was.”

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The nine Heroes of Hyrule had arrived to a new town while feeling beaten and tired. The latest battle had been a hell to get through. It wasn’t because they would’ve gotten hurt or been overpowered. They had had everything under control at there but all of the beasts had been black bloodied. That had forced them to put bit more into the fight than normally.

It had taken the whole day to get the monster camp destroyed and the creatures of Darkness beaten. They had been ready to just set a camp but the idea of keeping night shift didn’t appeal to any of them. Even Time himself was certain he wouldn’t be able to stay up even one shift. That was the reason they were grateful when Wild informed of a town only about hour’s walk from their place.

That walk had been mainly uphill which sapped them of the last of their strength. In the end the Chain’s leader carried both Legend and Hyrule, Warriors had Sky and Twilight had picked both Wind and Four up. The Traveler had used lot of magic in hopes of getting most of the monsters down. The Veteran had ended up getting bruised pretty roughly by couple of Bokoblins that had gotten him off guard. The Chosen Hero had matched several Lizalfos one at a time and been really put through his moves at there. The Smithy and the Sailor had been struggling with the steep hill and rather slid downwards two steps while taking one forward. Wild was leading the way while doing his best to aid his brothers in getting up the hill.

The room they got from the Inn was small and definitely not meant for a group like theirs. In the end they pretty much just dumped their gear and stuff into one corner while letting the five smallest Heroes take the bed. It wasn’t enough even for them but it was the best they could do. The rest of them just surrounded the bed while sleeping on the floor.

The nine brothers bound by the Hero’s Spirit slept long into the day. Even Time whom always was first up was second last to awaken from his rest caused by exhaustion. Almost half of them were bit sore from the earlier battle and sleeping on the floor. Wild handled the late dinner while the others started to get a massage to get some of the stiffness off. They spend the rest of the day at the room to get back into better condition.

At the next day the wielders of the Master Sword finally left to check around the town. The errands were the normal things such as restocking and information gathering. They separated into three teams to get things done fast and efficiently.

Once everyone was back at the Inn and the bought stuff was shared, they took turns in explaining what they had found while giving pretty good notion of the town’s layout. Time listened mainly before throwing in the idea of having bit of fun. The others frowned a bit while getting interested. The Old Man told off what he had noticed and soon all nine left the Inn and eagerly made their way into the House of Games.

The place had several different booths for all kinds of games. The archery and luck with ropes were soon ditched as the Bombchu Bowling was found. It wasn’t only about accuracy or skills. Those bombs went as they pleased which brought its own difficulty into finding right way and angle to send them off. The Chain’s leader mainly supervised while paying for the games. “Sorry, I’m the expert here.” He told while raising his hands in declining manner. “I just want to watch you guys figure it out.”

Just as the Chain was fully taken by the game and being quite competitive with each other, Time caught notion of something in the darkening evening. He turned towards Warriors and tapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll be back in a moment. Make sure no-one cheats while I’m not keeping eye on them.” He requested before leaving the current room of the House of Games and into the street.

Warriors tried to check through the window what had caught his little brother’s notion. He wasn’t entirely certain but he had a feeling the small store which clearly had just opened up was the oldest Link’s target. Yet, he couldn’t watch him get to there as the others were already causing bit of a scuffle about whose turn it was and how the game was supposed to be played. So far Four was winning and clearly on to something in the line of figuring out the strategy of the game.

Time was bit suspicious of the candy shop as it was open only couple of hours at late evening. Yet, he wanted to treat his boys with something sweet no matter which of them was going to win in the Bombchu Bowling game. The idea of chocolates and the look of bliss on the eight Links’ faces was something he really wanted to see. They’d deserve something like that after the latest battle.

Sadly, the moment the one eyed male entered the room and closed the door behind him, someone already blew very fine-grained dust onto his face. He gasped and coughed while trying to get the stuff off before falling to his knees. He barely even realized the people gathering around him as he lost his consciousness.

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The Chain didn’t even realize the time flying by or Time being missing. It was only when they actually ran out of money only about half an hour before the place would close as it was open only during nights. “Where’s Time?” Sky queried while yawning and stretching.

Warriors jerked and looked around in fright. He snapped his gaze into the window before already falling pale. “Oh fuck…” He mumbled while nearly trembling out of the combined effect of anger and fear. Yet, that anger was pointed at himself instead of anyone else. “Time…” He started bit uncertainly before gulping once to keep his voice strong. “Time… He…” He started again before slumping against a wall and shook his head. “Fuck… He said he’d be back soon. Oh fucking hell… I…. I don’t know how long that was…”

“Captain?” Wild called worriedly and the war Hero shook his head while forcing himself back to his feet.

“He left while it was still dark.” The Captain stated out while taking a hold of himself. “There’s a shop across the street. I think he went there.” He continued and nodded towards the window. “We could start from there.”

“You sure he’s not just playing a trick on us with that mask of hiding he got?” Legend inquired while taking another check around. Yet, he couldn’t feel any kind of magic being in usage from the normal stuff his brothers usually had along and in unconscious working.

Warriors shook his head while leading his brothers out of the house. “No. I really doubt he’d play it like this. He usually uses it to scare us, not to worry us.” He reminded as calmly as he could. “I can’t help but feel like something bad’s happened.” He half whispered while hating himself for having not realized so much earlier that his little brother hadn’t returned to them.

The moment they reached the closed shop, the Captain was already banging on the door. He really wished Time had come to here and not having caught notion of something entirely different at last night. “Open up! This is important!” He screamed as commandingly as he could while drawing from his rank all he could.

“A sweets shop?” Four queried while trying to peer into the house from the windows.

“Time’s got as much of a sweet tooth as any of us.” The war Hero told before bit shrugging. “Yet, I think he was up for treating us eight than himself. He just does stuff like that.”

“I don’t think anyone’s going to come to the door.” Wind told bit uncertainly while backing off to get a better check of the place. “I think…” He gulped once before sighing. “The owner’s died some time ago. Her ghost is living in the second floor.”

The Sailor’s brothers were bit startled but the information only got Warriors to pale again. “Oh fuck…” He whispered while the earlier fear was starting to be more of a terror. “I saw this place open last night…” He told before gulping and forcing himself into his Captain Mode as he called it in these days. “Break that door.” He commanded while being ready to kick it open to get inside.

Legend quickly crouched down and started to pick the lock. In no time the eight Heroes entered the room which only source of light was the doorway. The whole place was filled with dust. The air scented of mold and decay. The Chain tried not to gag while seeing how everything that had been on display long ago was now entirely unusable. “Why would Time come to here?” The Veteran queried while trying not to breathe the foul air.

“He has been to here.” Twilight suddenly told while pointing into the floor. There was a patch where there was no dust. Besides that there were clear footprints that had gathered around that specific patch before making a road away from there.

“Let’s move. Time’s been gone long enough.” Warriors commanded while taking the lead in following the footprints. The others nodded and followed closely. The road led them to a wall without a way of getting through it.

While most of the Chain tried to find a way forward without using bombs as they wished to be stealthy enough in hopes of getting the bad guys off guard, Wind shivered and turned around. He bit gasped when he saw the ghost of an old woman. Before he had a chance to request for help, the spectre already noticed him staring at her. “Burn. Burn it all down to the ground.” She commanded bit cruelly.

The Sailor glanced at his brothers before turning his notion back into the see-through woman. “We will. But after we’ve found our brother and gotten him out of here. Please. Help us.” He replied and felt few of his brothers glance at him. Yet, they knew of his ability and hence understood what he was doing.

The ghost thought for a while before nodding and pointing to a specific part of the wall. The pirate-Hero nodded his thanks and turned around. “That brick! Press it!” He half shouted while pointing to right spot. Twilight, being closest, swiftly pressed it. The piece of wall moved off the way and revealed a very dimly lit staircase leading down into a basement of sorts.

The Chain swiftly began to descent the swirling stairs while being ready for anything. And yet, the area they came to took them off guard. It was well lighted and clearly looking like a laboratory. They shivered a bit even though it certainly had been used to find new recipes for chocolates, cookies and whatnot the above being shop sold. Now, though, it was used for something entirely different.

Yet, before the eight Links could start to try and figure out what all the liquids in different bottles were meant for, the air was split by a terror filled scream. The Chain of Heroes dashed forward while having fully recognized their leader’s voice. The closer to the right place they came, the more they heard. And that only got them to seethe in absolute rage and need of protecting.

The brothers of the one eyed male heard him whimper and beg. “N-no… P-please, no… N-not anymore… I-I’m begging of you…. Please. No more.” The voice was filled with terror which only got them even more worried of what in Goddesses Highest Throne had been done to their oldest brother. They had never seen or heard Time crumble to pieces like this.

There was cruel laughter of a group of people. “See? All you need to do is to show the syringe and he’s in pieces.” One voice told with a clear smirk within his words.

“Aww, look at that!” Another voice mocked and snorted. “Didn’t think I’d ever see a Hero cry.”

“What a loser. Can’t take few nightmares.” Third voice sneered.

“And they call him a Hero.” Fourth voice huffed. “Can’t believe how weak-minded, pathetic and waste of space he is.” The speaker derided with cruel voice.

“Come on. Let’s leave him for a while so we can have more fun with him.” The first one commanded. “After all, I doubt he’ll last longer than a day or two before he loses his mind.” The four men laughed as they left the area.

The moment the road was clear, the eight Heroes half dashed, half snuck into the area. They gasped in shock when they saw their leader. “Time?” Twilight called worriedly while approaching the chained and whimpering male. “Time? Can you hear me?” He half queried but still got no reply. “We gotta get him out of here.” He half commanded the others while carefully touching the unharmed side of the one eyed male’s face.

The Rancher gasped in shock when Time jerked away and trembled even more. “NO!” He shouted out while being unable to get further away because of the wall and chains.

“What the hell they’ve done to him?” Legend queried in shock and rage.

“Whatever it is, it’s still working.” Warriors growled and forced himself calmer. “Sprite?” He called as softly as he could. “Sprite, me and the boys are here. We’ll get you out of here. You’ll be okay.” He promised as soothingly as he could.

“Hold him. I’ll cut the chains.” Twilight stated out while drawing out his sword. The Captain nodded and ignored the jerking and louder whimpering his little brother was doing. He kept whispering quiet reassurances with soft voice but he wasn’t certain how much of that reached the older male.

The sound of metal against metal brought the four tormentors of the Chain’s leader back into the area. “The hell’s going on in here?!” The leader of the four men shouted out. He and his team gasped in start when they saw the Chain. Yet, that only got them to draw out their weapons while being ready with the syringes.

“Take him.” The war Hero growled while carefully giving the one eyed male for Twilight to support. After that he drew out his sword and locked his gaze into their enemies. “You messed with the wrong person.” He snarled while stalking past the others. The clear terror in his brother’s gaze when he saw the four was more than enough to overflow his rage and hatred. These four before him were as bad as traitors went.

Wild glanced at his oldest brother before looking at the men in the fault of the Old Man’s condition. “Consider them as members of the Yiga.” He stated out while drawing out his bow and arrows. He wanted to take the main one out as much as the Captain did. In fact, he knew all of his brothers wanted to take that guy on. Yet, in the end of the day, Time was Warriors’ little brother. The war Hero had all the rights to strike first.

Twilight wanted to attack the four men too but he needed to look after the oldest Link. Even though they knew of four, they couldn’t be certain of them being the whole group. Someone had to keep check on the surroundings too. Plus, right now the Chain’s leader was much calmer than a while ago. He needed to see this. He needed the knowledge of them defending and guarding him as much as he did for them. And right now they had the bad guys to take down.

With the Champion aiding with arrows, there were about two Heroes against each of the bad guys. That kept them from being able to strike the same shit into them as what they had used against their main victim. The Links wished they could’ve done far more of damage to compensate for what had been done to their leader. And yet, in the end, it was better to be rid of them than to prolong something they knew Time wouldn’t approve of if he was in right mind.

Hyrule wanted to heal Time straight off but the one eyed male didn’t really let them close. He flinched and jerked away at any touch. “Sprite?” Warriors called while hating the look of mixed feelings in that one eye. There was shame and fear within that gaze. “You’ll be okay, little brother. We’ll look after you.” He promised gently and came to Time’s other side before wrapping his scarf around the older male. The Chain’s leader gasped and trembled while having tried to flinch away from the touch. Yet, the Rancher and the Captain held tightly just to keep him to his feet.

As they started to leave the place, it took a while before Time understood the softness of the fabric that was against his hurting fingers. Slowly, almost unconsciously, he fisted the scarf while trying to ground himself into that feeling. He gasped and flinched roughly when the softness was brought over his head to shield him from the bright daylight and the people around them. “Sssh, it’s okay, Sprite. You’re safe.” Warriors whispered while ignoring the stares and quiet whispers that already started go around them.

“I gave my word.” Wind reminded while taking out Fire Arrows. Yet, he wasn’t the only one to strike the place into flames. His brothers nodded and called out both magic as well as taking out different kinds of Fire Arrows. With their work combined, the place was in huge blaze in no time. “Rest in peace.” The Sailor whispered while bowing his head for a moment until following his brothers back to the Inn.

The moment Time was safely at the room and seated onto the bed, he backed into the corner of the area while trembling and watching around him in fright. “Old Man?” Legend called while keeping everyone from crowding their leader in worry. The only notion of having been heard was the twitch of an ear. “Can you pick the lock of the handcuffs on your own?” He queried while carefully taking out the needed items and showing them to the one eyed male.

It took a moment before the Old Man nodded and the Specialist carefully threw the items into his oldest brother’s reach. Time shakily took the items and fumbled with the cuffs for much longer than he would’ve at any other day. Yet, eventually those restraints were off. “Just taking these away…” Legend whispered while slowly and carefully reaching to the chains and pulling the two handcuffs away from his leader.

“Sprite?” Warriors called and hated how little of recognition there was currently in his brother’s gaze. The only notion of the word having been registered in the one eyed male’s mind was the twitch of his ear. “You need to let Hyrule heal you. He can do much better job than a potion.” The Captain nearly begged instead of commanding in any of way.

Time slowly shook his head and opened and closed his mouth. Yet, nothing came out. He growled and raised his trembling hands but he couldn’t get himself to sign. He growled even more while wrapping his arms around himself while crying out of anger and frustration.

“I won’t overdo myself, Time.” Hyrule promised in Fairy Language after having changed forms. The Chain’s leader snapped his gaze up into the small being and frowned a bit. “It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” The Traveler promised while gently landing onto Time’s knee. “You’re safe, brother not bound by blood. We’re here with you. All eight of us.”

The shattered Hero nodded once before opening his mouth and trying to get something out but ending up gritting his teeth and slumping even more while closing his eye and hanging his head. “Sshh, once the drugs wear off, you’ll be capable of talking again. I’m sure of this.” The half-fairy soothed as calmly as he could while starting with his magic. Time sighed a bit and relaxed as he felt the fairy magic check him through. It was familiar and warming feeling and he welcomed it eagerly after the hell he had been going through.

Hyrule worked slowly but it wasn’t because of the damage he needed to heal. It was simply to let his brother have something calming and soothing for as long as he was capable of giving it. He started the healing from the head before going for his hands and leaving the other two cuts last. Legend left both a green and a red potion close to the duo.

The Old Man sighed heavily when Hyrule finally pulled away with his magic. He flew away to change forms just to take the green potion. “Drink. Please?” He begged and nodded to the red potion. “You can trust us. You know that.” He reminded gently and smiled a bit when Time nodded and, still shakily, took the already uncorked potion. The half-fairy changed forms once he was done with his potion and flew back to the one eyed male’s knee.

Wild left the room to make something for them to eat. Yet, as Time was very out of it, he knew the normal real meals weren’t an option. That was the reason he created simple finger snacks out of vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, boiled eggs and such. He also did hot chocolates and crepes while making an assortment of different jams to go with them.

The Chain nodded in acceptance when the food was brought in. Yet, none of them touched the trays as the master archer placed them on the bed as close to Time as he dared to. “Pick what you wish. We’ll share the rest after that.” He explained while backing away so he would stay comfortable distance away from the frightened one eyed male.

It took a while for Time to take in all that was being presented. Eventually he created a salad of sorts for himself while picking couple of the crepes and strawberry jam with them until picking the hot chocolate. The Chain relaxed a bit when, even though his hands still were shaky, began to eat. “Want anything else?” Wild inquired while carefully coming closer. When his leader shook his head, he picked the trays and moved to the room’s table to give the Old Man the privacy and space he needed.

The eight Heroes were unable to get through to their oldest brother but things were calm enough. They did manage to get the scarf over Time and a pillow behind his back so he could sleep at least somehow comfortably. The rest of them, though, took places from the floor while staying in such places the one eyed male would see them from his place.

On that night, and for several nights to come, the Links woke up into Time’s screaming. They scrambled close to him while doing their best to wake him up fully from the nightmares his mind had brought up. Yet, touches and hugs only got him to scream even more while struggling to get free. The only thing that calmed him down was Hyrule speaking in Fairy Language. Yet, that only brought anguish as the Chain’s leader was unable to reply.

The eight accomplished swordsmen of Hyrule divided into two teams during the days. One roamed around the town in desperate search for a cure while the other one stayed with Time to keep an eye on him but, most of all, to keep him company. He was slowly realizing of where he was but the nightmares were hard to wake up from and he was still unable to speak.

“Alpha Wolf?” Twilight called at the fourth night of having fought to wake the Old Man up with the others. Time snapped his gaze and, even though voiceless, his lips formed one simple word: “Cub?” The Rancher smiled a bit and nodded. “I’m here, Alpha Wolf. All of your cubs are here.”

The Chain’s leader frowned and blinked repeatedly while taking a look around. Twilight moved bit aside to let him see the others and he smiled a bit when the Old Man relaxed a bit. Yet, his expression turned sorrowful when the one eyed male tried to speak but nothing came out. He barely was even able to mouth the needed words.

The oldest Link growled again and dug his hands into his hair. “Sprite, please, don’t do that.” Warriors begged sorrowfully while not daring to go close in fear of freaking his brother out. Time sighed heavily and let his hands falls down as he slumped in defeat and just stared at the bed.

“Alpha Wolf?” Wild called while carefully and slowly coming closer. The one eyed male raised his gaze up into him but it was somewhere between recognizing and having no knowledge of who he was. The Champion carefully offered the Slate towards his oldest brother. “Please… You can use it as you wish but… Maybe… Maybe you can give us information of what you’re going through. We want to help. Please?” He half begged while feeling tad uncertain of the situation.

The Chain’s leader frowned and very slowly with trembling hand reached towards the thing. He looked uncertain and fully questioning the situation. The master archer just nodded and let go of the Slate when the other one had secure enough hold of it.

Time still felt uncertain but he very carefully searched out the place of notes. He wasn’t certain what he was doing but he opened a new sheet and just stared at it for a while. He closed his eye for a while and just concentrated into breathing. After that he opened his eye and raised his trembling hand to search out the right letters to, hopefully, write something. He hesitated for a while before turning the screen towards the eight Heroes.

“I’m sorry.”

The eight Links were both delighted and shocked of the words. At least their brother was capable of communicating with them but the given line wasn’t something they had wanted to read from him. “Sprite, it’s not your fault.” Warriors started firmly but gently. “We’ll help you just like you’ve helped us.”

“Alpha Wolf, please, there’s absolutely nothing to be sorry for.” Twilight agreed while desperately wishing to hug his mentor.

The one eyed male just slumped and turned the Slate around. He undid the earlier text and wrote something else. His hands were still shaking but at least he knew he was capable of getting words out of his mind into being seen. He hesitated for a second before turning it around.

“My mind’s fucked up. I”

“Time, we’ll help you to clear it.” Four stated out but he bit slumped when his words didn’t seem to register in the oldest Link’s mind.

“Sprite?” Warriors called while watching his little brother struggle with finding the right words. “That nickname, Alpha Wolf, where does it come from?” He queried and bit smiled when Time gave short chuckle and very weak lopsided smile. Yet, he had bit steadier hand as he began to write.

“Twilight called me that once. Not sure if it was meant to be said aloud or just accident. As you know I call him Cub now and then so…” The one eyed male shrugged while turning the Slate around.

“Sprite?” The Captain called again while having realized that the Chain’s leader reacted only to two nicknames at the moment. “Do you mind if everyone called you as Alpha Wolf?” He inquired before tad blushing. “Though, obviously, I’d still call you Sprite.”

Time frowned while thinking the idea through. After a while he raised his gaze up into Twilight. The Rancher smiled and shrugged. “I don’t mind. If you’re okay with it so am I.” The one eyed male nodded with a slight smile and wrote one short word into the Slate before turning it around.

“Okay.”

The Chain relaxed a bit while having a way to keep the conversation of sorts going. “Alpha Wolf.” Wild called while moving tad closer to be seen. “We know you fight against something in your nightmares. Please, let us know what it is. Maybe we can help somehow.” He requested as gently as he could.

The Old Man grimaced at the reminder of his nightmares before sighing heavily. He turned the Slate towards himself again before already writing. He knew there certainly was a picture of it but he didn’t yet dare to search for it. Part of him wanted to delete the picture of the monster of his worst nightmares but he didn’t do that. Everything that was in the Slate was part of his boy’s memory. He would never erase even one small bit of that.

“It kills me every night. I can’t beat it. I try but… I can’t win. I don’t have what it takes for it. I… I’m not…”

Time hid his face into his hand as he broken down. He turned the Slate around while slumping and feeling like what those four men had called him was true. He didn’t feel like he was worth the notion and care the eight around him was giving. He couldn’t even think about being capable of leading them anymore or be the guy he had been before they came into this town.

“Alpha Wolf.” Legend called and steeled himself when that broken gaze was turned into him. “Whatever you’re thinking is not true. We’ll help you through this. You never would give up on any of us so there’s no chance we’d give up on you either.” He stated out as firmly as he could. “So, what’s the beast we gotta beat to save you?” He asked with slight lopsided grin.

The Chain’s leader blinked few times before biting down to his lower lip. Part of him just wanted to write those two words down but he ended up shakily searching for the right picture. He was entirely uncertain as he took a shaky deep breath and let it out equally shakily as he turned the Slate around.

The eight Links gasped in shock as they saw the picture of a Dead Hand. “Fuck. Should’ve figured that one out.” Warriors growled quietly while desperately wanting to pull his little brother into a hug.

“Alpha Wolf.” Wild called and got that scared and nearly defeated gaze up into him. “Go through the other pictures. Search for one to few that make you feel safe and secure. Happy. And show them to us. Please?” He suggested and the others actually calmed down a bit at the Champion’s idea.

The Old Man swiftly closed the folder of the pictures of monsters and opened up another folder. He bit smiled at the photos of different kinds of festivals they had been to. Yet, his gaze got bit fonder at one specific one and he turned it around.

They all were in Wild’s era and in the Korok Forest. There was some kind of festival going. They all were in the photo with some Koroks and the Great Deku Tree with them.

The Chain got even calmer and smiled at the memory of that specific festival. They waited patiently as their oldest brother continued to go through the pictures. After a while he turned the Slate around again.

Dinraal. In his full glory with a setting sun in the background. The lighting of the moment got the dragon to shine.

Time smiled bit sorrowfully as he turned the Slate around and opened the notes again. He quickly wrote something before turning the screen towards the eight. “He reminds me of a dragon I knew. Volvagia. I think he would’ve looked like Dinraal if he had had the rights to grow up.”

The Chain just nodded while not daring to ask questions about the dragon or what had happened. Right now their leader was feeling calmer. His trembling and shaking of his hands had lessened and there was slight smile on his face as he went through the better pictures. It was far more of worth than getting answers into questions brought out by curiosity. They could ask them once Time was feeling better and back to himself. At the moment they needed to help him and not bring possible bad memories up.

It took bit longer for the one eyed male to find the next picture. He clearly was bit wondering between one to few pictures before finally making his choice. He smiled a bit uncertainly while showing the picture.

It was another calm evening photo. This time, though, there was no person or creature within it. It was just a picture of a forest in slight calm rain.

Time turned the Slate around again once everyone had gotten good enough check of the picture. He wrote few new lines into the notes. He frowned for a while before turning the Slate around as he was satisfied enough with his writing.

“I like the rain. Especially if it’s created by nature itself. And more so if it happens in a forest. Brings back good childhood memories.”

The eight Heroes from different eras of Hyrule nodded in understanding. And, unconsciously, they made a full mental note about getting the Old Man into a forest during a rain. At then it wouldn’t matter whether or not they liked it as long as their leader enjoyed of the situation.

Wild handled the foods and things seemed calm. The Heroes stayed away from any bad topics in hopes of keeping their oldest brother calm and, hopefully, healing. They all feared the next night but at least they got something to use to help their leader. They tried not to show how much it hurt to see the one eyed male in the condition he was. And yet, they did all they could to make him understand that it wasn’t his fault.

When Time woke up screaming at the next morning while being utterly terrified and out of his mind, Wild was the one whom got through to him. “Alpha Wolf!” He called while trying to keep his voice away from the worry and fright he was feeling. “Please, look!” He begged while having picked the Korok picture and pushed the Slate into the older male’s lap.

The Old Man blinked several times before his freaked out mind understood what he was seeing. At then he just stared at the photo while very slowly calming down. He raised his gaze up while frowning. “Rascal?” He called with hoarse and quiet voice, just barely getting that one simple word out.

The Champion and his brothers calmed down while the master archer nodded and carefully scooted closer. “I’m here, Alpha Wolf.” He whispered softly.

“P-please…” The one eyed male whispered, nearly just mouthed the word. He carefully put the Slate next to him while showing for the younger male to come closer. Wild moved slowly forward without really knowing what to wait and even less of what to do. He ended up giving a slight gasp when his oldest brother pulled him into a hug and broke down.

The cook of the Chain didn’t fully dare to return the hold in fear of freaking the Chain’s leader out. He just did his best to whisper reassuring words and let him hold him. It took a while before Time let him go. “Please… Stay close…” He quite well pleaded while looking far more vulnerable than what Wild had ever seen anything be. He just nodded and stayed right at his leader’s lap while leaning against his chest. At least he was the first one the Chain’s oldest Link allowed close and to be in touch with him.

Time picked the Slate back up and searched for the notes part. He kissed the side of Wild’s head before starting to write. He hated the words that he needed to get out but the others needed explanations.

“I want to be close to you guys. To be held. But I know I’ll just freak out. Fight and scream. I don’t…. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know how to fix this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m not as strong as I’ve given the image of. I’m sorry I’m… Not worth it.”

The Old Man turned the Slate around while trying not to cry but feeling the tears in his eye. He just turned away while trying to concentrate into Wild, into the feeling of safety at the moment. Somehow having the Champion by him and in touch didn’t feel like what Dead Hand’s hold and terror did.

“Alpha Wolf, don’t worry about anything. We’re here. We’re not going anywhere. We’ll help you to heal.” Sky promised gently and smiled a bit. “Just concentrate into Wild at the moment.” He noted while wishing he could’ve done more. “And just know that we love you no matter what. Just like you’d help any one of us through something like this, so will we help you. And you’re definitely worth it, Alpha Wolf. You always have been and always will be. We’re right here for you.”

The oldest Link tried his best to dry his tears while giving a weak smile and a nod. He closed his eye while resting his head on top of Wild’s and taking in his boy’s scent. It was something to ground him into the moment and not into the horrors of his own mind. All that he had kept locked up had been set free and he wasn’t certain if he could deal with them. He didn’t feel like he had what it took to beat his past’s demons and even be done with them or lock them up again.

After a while of calming down, Time picked the Slate up again. He wasn’t fully trusting his voice and ability of talking so he wrote few simple lines. Yet, those were for the Champion to read instead of the whole Chain. When the master archer had checked the text, he grinned and turned his notion into Warriors. “Captain, you’re in charge of the meals for today. Alpha Wolf’s order.” He told with a slight grin and the one eyed male blushed a bit and tad slumped before giving a sheepish look to his older brother.

The seven Heroes were bit startled but the war Hero recovered quickly. “Consider it done, Sprite.” He stated out and grinned while giving a swift salute. His little brother blushed a bit more at that and gave a quiet whine. “Breakfast sounds good at the moment, right?” Warriors half asked and everyone around him nodded. “Great. I’ll be back soon.” He stated out before leaving to room to handle the day’s first meal.

Wild carefully picked his Slate and wrote something down onto it. He gave it to Time whom frowned as he read the text before tad smiling and writing something down below his boy’s writing. The Champion nodded and turned his notion into his brothers. “You guys know the three pictures Alpha Wolf chose as his way of calming down. The next nights will be hard but I believe we can start to get through him by that nickname and the pictures. Yet, Alpha Wolf doesn’t want to know the order in which one of us aids him. On that way it’ll hopefully help more.” He explained as calmly as he could.

The Chain nodded and one of them went to inform Warriors with the plan of helping. After all, their attempts of finding the cure from the town’s people hadn’t been successful. Even the local potion maker and witch hadn’t bee of aid. And with the laboratory destroyed, there was nothing they could’ve used to test and figure out. Yet, seeing Time allowing Wild leaning against him and him holding the master archer… It was clear indication that the current idea would be of use.

Time still wasn’t able of talking much but he was more aware of his surroundings. The meals were still simple finger foods but at least it was something he was capable of eating without trouble. And, at least, he had gained even slight bit of different kind of touch than what his terrorized mind brought out and the Chain took that as a win.

It still was hellish moment for the eight Links when their leader woke up screaming and terrified at the mornings. Yet, one by one, they got close to him and stayed right by him after that. Four was next one after Wild. The Sailor at the next day from there. After that was Legend followed by Hyrule. It was a relief when the Old Man was capable of speaking in Fairy again. It gave him bit more as it was his first language he had learned. The others didn’t mind him talking with the Traveler through the whole day in their shared language. The half-fairy translated only if needed since at the moment their so-called secret conversations were at least something that got the oldest Link to speak instead of writing. From there, next was Sky’s turn to get close to his leader. Second last was Twilight out of Warriors’ acceptance. After all, unlike the others, the war Hero had a nickname of his own for their leader.

The more of the Chain got close and into touch with Time, the easier his nightmares seemed to get. He still woke up screaming but he calmed down quicker each time. And with each day, he was bit better in talking. His voice was still quiet and hoarse but it was getting stronger and losing the slight waver within it.

On the night after all eight Heroes had finally gotten to create the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort for their oldest brother, they woke up into him whining miserably. They were bit startled but at least it wasn’t a terror filled scream and freaking out by being held and, unintentionally, being pinned down by them. They stayed up after having awakened and just whispered reassuring words and quiet promises of being there by him.

When Time finally opened his eye much calmer than before, the Chain was still fully uncertain of how things would go. They all were ready to pull off if needed but fully hoping it wasn’t necessary. Yet, they calmed down when their leader looked at them calmly and fondly. “Hey there, cubs. How are you eight doing?” He queried quietly with still weak voice. Yet, there was that slight mischievousness within his small grin.

The eight Links were tad startled but they calmed down nearly instantly afterwards. “We’re better now that you’re doing better, Sprite.” Warriors replied on everyone’s behalf. “So, we’re all cubs of yours now, huh?” He inquired with a grin.

The Chain’s leader shrugged a bit. “Well, if I’m the Alpha Wolf, that makes you eight as my cubs.” He countered calmly but still having bit of mischievousness within his voice.

“Can’t argue with that.” Legend mumbled while laying back down and just bit snuggling closer to his leader. He yawned a bit and closed his eyes to drift back to sleep.

“You mind if we…?” Sky half asked while looking sheepish.

“Just take a nap, boys. There’s nowhere to go today.” Time replied while gently pressing the closest members of his team back down. He smiled fondly at the family he had while staying relaxed and calm. He closed his eye and actually thought back to last night’s nightmare. It had been entirely different compared to the earlier nights.

After everyone was awake and had very late breakfast, the Old Man was finally able of explaining what he had gone through in his mind’s hell. His voice was still healing but he rather used it than wrote now that he had gained it back. And he knew his boys would make sure he wouldn’t overdo his own healing.

There had been two different nightmares and both of them happened within one night. In first one they all had been wolves and an outsider had come over to challenge him for the lands and leadership. Since he hadn’t felt like he deserved the leadership he had and the acceptance of his pack, the outsider had beaten him. In most nights he had been left for dead while in few the outsider had killed him. He had felt like the death had been mercy as the other way was long and painful way of dying.

In the second nightmare, which at first had been the sole hell during the night he had been caught, he faced the Dead Hand. He couldn’t get free and even if he could, he wasn’t able to fight. He lost at each of his attempts. Yet, when the Chain started to get through to him, it changed a bit. But, in the end, he had been left feeling useless and not worth the saving as he just stared the eight defeat his worst nightmare. Yet, the looks they gave afterwards only made him feel worse. Pity and anger. He didn’t feel like he deserved the Chain by him.

Yet, as the eight Links, one by one, got close to him and never gave up on helping him, things began to change. In the first nightmare his pack attacked the intruder only after he had already failed. They looked after him and helped to heal while trying to get him to be the leader again but he didn’t feel like he deserved such notion, care and acceptance. Nonetheless, during that last night, he wasn’t fighting alone. No, he was fighting for his family and home. The nine of them chased the intruder away together. He wasn’t the leader but family member. His pack of family didn’t care if he made mistakes or needed backup and help. They just cared about him. And that was what made their Chain so strong. The family they had gained from each other was more than worth of protecting and fighting for. They were there for each other equally and none of them would let any of their brothers get hurt for any of reason. They’d fought as one against any threat towards their family and home.

With the second nightmare the situation was similar with the Chain setting him free. Yet, few of them stayed by him to make sure he was all right while the rest kept the beast at bay. And, when he was ready and had given out a command of getting off the way, they followed it and let him slice the beast into two. Yet, even though the monster was dead, the Chain burned the pieces just to be sure. They let him take down his worst nightmare while making sure he was capable of it while knowing he’d have the backup if needed. It was the safe and caring way of letting him face his worst enemy and win.

Still, even with Time having healed and getting his voice back to normal, they stayed at the Inn for few more nights. The Chain stayed close to him and created the Hero Pile of Support and Comfort around him for each of the nights. They really wanted to make him understand that they were there right by him and ready to defend him from anything and everything that posed a threat to him.

In those three nights the Heroes still stayed at the town, the Chain’s leader relived the moments of the photos he had chosen as his safe places. He smiled happily in his sleep while having each of his boys by him to enjoy of those situations. The Korok Festival, Dinraal and rainy forest. He knew his boys weren’t too fond of getting wet but he also knew they would be there for him and try and enjoy of the moment too. After all, they all wanted to see each other smiling and happy. And right then and there, Time fully felt loved and cared while knowing the eight would help and defend him any way possible no matter what would come forth.

[electricbluebutterflies]

Kabby + ❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

Post-s2-grayspace, PG-ish, also on ao3.

And here he’d thought she couldn’t get worse.

Marcus would not describe himself as someone who enjoys routines, but… he does, and most of his have been blown to hell in the past few weeks for various reasons, and one of the few things that held was his longtime nemesis and her strength of personality, and then that changed too, and then before he could process the change it got worse and she got sidelined, and now…

Abby has always been a nightmare, but right now she’s a cocooned nightmare with demands and he’s the only person self-destructive enough to keep an eye on her.

It has been two days of relative quiet, not enough for it to feel right at all but he’d spent almost all of the first one asleep next to her and he’ll process the strangeness of that situation later but-

Unfortunately for him, today she’s lucid and has processed that moving around is not going to be comfortable for another few days. Again, the only justification he has for sticking around is the number of failed sacrificial suicide attempts he’s had recently, and this feels like it’ll become another one, and-

They need to make this normal fast before one of them does something that can’t be undone, a possibility that looks all too likely with the two of them stuck in a small space until further notice. They’ll either finally kill each other or – possibly worse – screw, and both of those have been fun daydreams over the years but neither is actually a good idea and-

“I’m trying to fix your hair so hold still.”

Normal, Marcus thinks. As if they’ve ever pulled that off for more than five goddamned seconds and even that’s been painful.

“I don’t remember asking you to,” Abby hisses right back, and he’s seen that glare wound lesser souls but he’s been on the receiving end enough times to be immune so too bad and-

“You haven’t bothered to since-“

“You think that’s a valid reason to suddenly care about my grooming?”

“I am trying to distract you!”

And failing, clearly. Failing enough he wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to bite him again and yes the last time seemed like a plausible accident but the next will not be and-

“I did not ask you for that.”

“You don’t ask anyone for anything,” he mutters. “You try to do everything yourself and you end up-“

“Like you’re any better. At least I have people who care about me.”

And there are days he suspects a lot of that may be because of her preferred necklines, he thinks and will never say because he does like having all of his appendages attached to his body, but-

“So we’re both terrible at this. Maybe we can do better.”

“By each other?” she laughs. “You really are having a midlife crisis.”

She is… not and never wrong, and her ability to see and slice through him sure is something, and-

“Is that the worst thing in the world?”

“To the extent that you’re going to make it my problem, yes.”

He has no such intentions of burdening anyone with this, he wants to say, but-

Yes. Yes it will completely become her problem, because they’re what remains of a leadership structure and he cannot do anything without her and he’s accepted that need for the balance she gives him and-

“I don’t want it to be a problem.”

“What you want has a real habit of not-“

“Can you please just shut up so I can braid your hair?”

“I didn’t ask you to-“

“You aren’t physically stopping me, so-“

“Fine,” she sighs, and thankfully from this angle he can’t see what he knows is a good visual, and-

Oh, she’s going to be the end of him one way or another, he’s known it for thirty years and he’s more sure of it now than ever.

She does not manage to stay still – he’s pretty sure she’s incapable of it, she’s active in her sleep too and he has the bruises to prove it – but she’s at least still enough for him to twist her mess of hair into something that will stay out of her eyes, and it’s such a small goal here, and-

“Is that comfortable?”

“I can’t see what you did, so…”

“Reach back and feel?”

She does, starting at the top of her head and working down to the tips of her hair, down to where his fingers still linger and the slightest brush of skin is everything and-

“Actually not bad,” she murmurs. “You do occasionally surprise me.”

“I try.”

“Normally not good surprises, but…”

“Can you stop hissing for a minute and-“

“I’m trying to get used to this new version of you. Let me be weird about it.”

He’s trying to get used to it too, and he’s tempted to make a comment about how she has no idea what it’s like in his mind, but…

They’ll both get over this. Eventually. First they have to be what they are a little longer, apparently.

[jinlizz-dragondrama]

Chapter 8

Hide n Seek and Evil Shoes?

3rd POV

Two years have gone by, and it feels like yesterday when you just met Donnie and the gang. You guys are pretty much inseparable, heck Master Splinter thinks of you as his second daughter (Number one daughter goes to April love you girl!!) Anyways, with you now, soon to be turning 16, and in your sophomore year of high school, things have gone by pretty smoothly. You've grown into quite the woman, acne please def not an issue (lucky bastard wish I didn't have acne in high school) *clears throat* Now then you still have your cheerleader bullies and are still a bit insecure about your eyes so you continue to wear brown contacts.

Your pops have been acting suspicious lately, and it doesn't help that you've been having nightmares that keep you up all night. Such terrible dreams of vines and purplish red tentacle-like appendages protruding from your back, eyes turned into cat-like slits with yellow scleras, teeth sharp and pointy. People scream in the background as you are holding your best friend Donnie by the throat choking him with a vine. An armored person from head to toe walks up behind me, the metal foot pads clanking with each step it took, a menacing stare and red eyes glare at the turtle, it places its sharp metal hand on my shoulder encouraging me to finish him. Don's eyes are brimmed with tears as he reached out to you, as he was desperately trying to force air into his lungs. No matter how hard you try to let go, you can't. It's as if your body isn't your own. Then you are thankfully woken up by your alarm.

Y/N POV

Waking up in a cold sweat, I sit up and try to catch my quickened breath. My T-shirt is sticking to my skin, my hair is an unruly mess, and warm tears streak my face. As I slow my breathing, I check the time and see that it's 9 am. on a Saturday. Dropping my phone onto my bed, I walk to my bathroom, and start the shower with cold water, walking past the mirror I look at my reflection and a flash of an evil grin and murderous eyes stare back at me. Rubbing my eyes and looking back quickly, the image is gone. After my shower, I get dressed in some grey leggings, a sports bra, and a hoodie, skipping on putting in my contacts as I doubt I'd see anyone I knew from school. Grabbing my phone, charger, some snacks, and an already-packed swim bag with a change of clothes, make my way out of the new secret hideout under the shoe store. Using the back entrance, I make my way through the alleyway. Clicking my sneaker heels together the skates pop out, and looking down at them I admire how they look thanks to Donnie's upgrade I can go way faster, input coordinates and not have to move my feet. But I only use the autopilot if I'm going long distances, skating to the school pool, climbing over the fence, disabling the cameras from my phone on an app (perks of having a tech-savvy friend and after the purple dragon incident he got a pretty good layout of the security system which in his words was "subpar"). I changed into my bathing suit and started my workout. Even with swimming I couldn't escape the images and sounds from my nightmare once finished I dried off wrapped a towel around me, sat on the ground, and began to meditate to calm my mind.

I was soon rudely interrupted by my phone ringing, opening one of my eyes and seeing the caller ID is Mikey. My anger quickly dissipates, and I answer getting an invite for pizza and hang-out time. Dressing back into my clothes, finding the designated manhole, and jumping down. I enter the lair, and walking into the kitchen I see Raoh opening a piping hot box of pizza, putting my stuff down on the floor I walk up to them.

"Ok, Rock, paper, scissors for the first slice. Me and Mikey are up" Raph says

Knowing full well that Raph picks Mikey because he always uses scissors. Everyone but poor Mikey has realized this. Of course, Mikey loses and Raph is about to take a bite into his slice when the lights go off, then back on, and his beloved slice is gone. Soon the lights flicker again and the whole pizza is gone, we all freak out at how quickly it disappeared.

"The table is eating our pizza!" Mikey shouts

We hear chuckling, scampering, and mouth-stuffing sounds.

"It's the chair!" Mikey shouts and points at the chair

As the boys start to get ready to attack the chair, Splinter appears seemingly out of thin air eating a slice of pizza. Apparently, today is the day we learn about ninja stealth and invisibility. He shouts "Lights off jitsu", the lights flicker again, and the pizza slice he threw at Leo disappears. We meet on a building behind a billboard, I sit next to Splinter behind the billboard while he explains to the boys about sneaking into Big Mama's Yokai Hotel.

"Ninja invisibility lesson number one keep to the shadows," he says while he moves into the shadow of the billboard

"Lesson two Blind spots use your enemy's blind spots," he says while popping out of each of our blind spots which freaked me out a bit not gonna lie.

"Lesson three be as light as a feather...as quick as a fast feather move quickly and softly," he says as he bounces around our surroundings

"Lesson four Slooow Moootion Juuutsuu" he says while I watch him slowly grab Donnie's tech Bo from his hand and his wallet.

"Oh please like you can sneak up on- hey give me back my Tech Bo" he pats himself down "And wallet"

Splinter tosses my Donnie's wallet and I catch it with an evil grin.

"Sweet now I can buy some stuff off my Amazon wish list!" I say evilly

"You wouldn't dare!" Donnie says while pointing at me.

"Now using your new skills sneak up on me and attack," Splinter says while side-eyeing them with his back turned towards to boys.

Mikey....being well Miket announces he's about to attack but is reminded not to do that by Splinter then he does the most hilarious thing and attempts to do lights-off jutsu with the sun. I couldn't help but snicker at his attempt. But then Raph tries to do light as a feather jutsu and you can guess how well that went...spoiler alert it didn't go well his stomping caused a mini earthquake that shook us about and caused a water tank to topple over and wash us into a garbage-filled alleyway.

"Boys you're not kindergartens, Lesson five blend into your surroundings," he says After using a ninja smoke pellet and disappears

The boys can't seem to find him, but he reappears in a turtle disguise. I immediately know it's him but I let the boys figure it out...which they don't. I roll my eyes and smack myself on the forehead when they fall for the trick and they attack a bag of garbage that was very close in shape of Splinter's body. Each one of the boys receives a karate chop to the head after he removes the disguise. Master's last hope is to send the boys on their own to figure it out for themselves. They hover over to the hotel using Donnie's battle shell. We watch them leave and Splinter tells me to go after them and that I'll benefit from this lesson. He tosses me a disguise brooch that Sunita gave to him for me, placing it on my clothes I transform into a teenage turtle, putting on my pink ninja mask and quickly admiring my turtle body I take off after them. (Don't judge my design please it's a work in progress 👀)

Splinter watches the Nexus Hotel waiting for us to return and several days go by without our return. He starts to go into panic mode.

"I've sent my children to their doom! Don't worry kids help is on the way" He shouts and runs towards the hotel.

Once he arrives he changes into Bell Boy clothes and sees that the hotel is in utter chaos...come to find out it's spa day for Big Mama. Splinter tries to close the elevator but a bunch of Yokai fill it up and Im pushed in as well. Once they all leave the elevator and reach their floor, Splinter and I look at each other and sigh. Donnie and Mikey, are hiding under a room service cart not their greatest moment but I got bored of hiding in the shadows and watching each of them utterly fail so many times to get the dog tag. So I dressed in the hotel staff uniform and was pretty much blending in. They roll themselves into the elevator and Mikey thought it would be the best time for him to try slow-motion jutsu which made me sweat a bit with how slow he was going that it was very obvious. Once they reach their "desired" floor the boys speed off and almost bump into Gus. Thankfully Master was able to distract Gus with a steak dinner that was on the tray. We then go to find the other two boys, Raph is doing horribly at blending in with the shadows, he grabs a huge leaf, chuckles to himself, and tiptoes towards Gus to get the tag, but his sneaking up on people stink activates and I toss a tennis ball towards Gus which he gleefully catches and plays with while Splinter hides Raph behind a painting. We then get back into the elevator to look for Leo, we find him in a room full of yokai, quickly grabbing a seat at the bar. Leo moves from blindspot to blind spot, which thankfully no one notices because they are distracted by the fight that is being shown on these snow globe tv things until he reaches Gus and goes for the collar just as one of the competitors wins and everyone stands up to cheer. Leo is left dangling and holding onto the collar we both spit out our drinks when Gus recognizes him. Leon splashes Gus's drink in his face and takes off running, we quickly follow him.

Mikey and Donnie are going up a stairwell with the service cart still hiding them, but Leo runs into them, he tries to grab onto something which ended up being me and we fall down the stairway. We all take off running and crash into Raph as we roll into a hidden room. We are surrounded by a bunch of Big Mama's henchmen. They look at me with confused looks on their faces.

"Who's she and how did she get here?" Mikey says

"It's me you dumb dumbs, but now is not the time," I say interrupting their awe

"Come on let's make Pop's proud," Raph said

"Lights off jutsu," Mikey says as he claps his hands

"Oh come on Mikey that's not gonna-" Donnie says before he is cut off by the lights going off and the giant lava lamp is still on but casts very dark shadows around the room.

"I will never doubt you again," Donnie says shocked

"Alright guys, keep to the shadows," Raph says as we disappear

Taking out each henchman at a time, Master watches from the air vent in the room. The lights turn back on and we each take turns demonstrating what Splinter taught us. In the end, Donnie catches the dog tag that Raph unhooked from Gus's neck. Once we made our way back to the building with the billboard we start to celebrate and Splinter congratulates the boys and me on a job well done. We are dismissed to go celebrate as a group, I jump onto Donnie's jet pack and we head out to get pizza.

"So are we gonna talk about Aqua's turtle disguise or nah?" Leon says with a smirk

I roll my eyes and retort, "Well this is a disguise brooch I got from Sunita, now I'm part of the turtle club"

Leo snorts and we fist bump. Unbeknownst to me Donnie is blushing as I took on the characteristics of a Soft Shell turtle just like him.

Donnie POV

Wow, who would have thought she'd look adjacent in both her human form and a turtle form?

We grab some pizza and head back to the lair to play some games and possibly watch a movie. April finally stops by wearing a work uniform and tells us about her job working at the Foot Shack. I smile that she got a job there and we can be work buddies. I've been working there ever since they opened, it's a fairly popular store and I love working there. I even designed a few shoes.

I'm on the couch with one of Donnie's purple weighted blankets and with a closed Jupiter Jim comic on my lap. The boys had left the room before April came and once the movie was done to skateboard. Splinter returns to the lair doing his "conga dad dance" (Don't judge the name of the dance lol). We both laugh at his dance, which surprises him and pops his back out of place. We try to help him but apparently the conga dad dance has more than one use and he uses it to pop his back into place.

He sees the Foot Print on April's shirt and says "That is a curious symbol"

"Yea, it's my Dads logo for their shoe store, April and I are work buddies now" I say happily while high fiving April.

"The Foot Shack, hm perhaps I should drop by I do love kickies" he says somewhat suspiciously

April puts an end to it by telling him that his whole "situation" isn't gonna come and disturb us at work. But knowing Splints he doesn't take no for an answer. April and I leave to head into work and Splints gets to work with his teenager disguise.

April and I are stocking up the shoes when we see Splints wearing open toed shoes. Those puppies have seen better days, I try my best not to puke.

"Now do not be alarmed, but I suspect your store is being run by the most evil forces to ever walk the earth" He quietly shouts to us

"You cannot be for real" April retorts

I start picking up the boxes April dropped when both of my dads walk in. They walk past us but not before Papa Brutus ruffles my hair and gives me a thumbs up. They enter through a circular door vault that locks behind them. April tries to get Splints to leave well enough alone but he makes a break for it and rushes up a fire escape to look into the secret room.

We follow after him, I briefly hear the boys screaming and some loud flapping but when I turn around I don't see anything. Shrugging it off and watch as Splints falls through a window and lands on upper part of the room.

April and I hop down and see both of my Dads and a group of Foot Clan warriors. Splinter pulls us down and shushes us

"You two please, you do not know the great evil these men are capable of" he says seriously

"Behold warriors of the Foot Clan" says Papa Lui as he pulls a cloth to reveal something...it was a really long cloth so the suspense was killing Splinter.

"Our new sprung line, aren't they beautiful" Papa Lui says

"Wait a minute pump sandals? That is a real thing?" Splints says completely shocked

"Hey!" I say taking offense to that statement

"That our darling daughter created" Papa Lui says proudly

"Such talent" Papa Brutus says while wiping a tear

"Oh sorry Aqua..." Splinter says awkwardly

But he continues to laugh "The Foot Clan has become shoe salesmen"

"Which we will use in today's aquasituon" Papa Lui continues while holding a scroll and revealing an armor. Both Splinter and I freakout a bit before April pulls us back before anyone can see. I have flashbacks of the dreams I've been having lately and start sweat and have a mini panic attack. Splints tells us the history of the armor, April and I gasp while looking at eachother.

"I work at an evil shoe store" April says exasperated

"For years I had a hunch they were hiding something from me" I say sadly as a tear runs down my cheek.

April tries to comfort me, the Foot Clan starts to leave the vault while wearing my new shoe design to the van. Splints goes to jump down but slips, kicking over shoe boxes and falling onto two foot clan warriors. We both look downbat him as he rips the uniform off of a guy.

Rushing back outside we see the warriors getting into a van, Splints gets in line with them and April and I follow behind.

"Were coming with you!" I say

"No, I'm going deep undercover to make sure they take not one shred of the evil armor. Please give my love to my sons." Be says heartfelt

"Hey guys your pops loves you, do not reply all" April says while quickly typing the text to the boys

Meanwhile the boys are attacking a giant mutant pigeon but we'll get back to that later 😉.

April gets a text notification and it Alerts Papa Lui, he quickly shows us away telling us to get back into the store.

"Awww, you never let me get to go on your missions" I say trying to get him to let me go which fails miserably.

Splints is able to get in the van with everyone. April grabs her bike and I follow her using my roller skates. We quietly enter Grand Central Station finding places to hide. The Clan starts searching for the armor pieces. April ends up making noise from her hiding spot and I peek my head out from my spot. The two of us are dawned in Foot Clan clothes and Splinter instructs us to distract the Clan while he gets the piece. (Insert not so ninja moves as we make our way over lol) Once we successfully distract them, I hear the sound of a horn, the Turtle Tank comes barreling through the glass window.

"And he sticks the landing" Leo says proudly

I face Palm myself and groan inwardly

"Mystic Metal" Donnie shouts while pointing at undercover Splinter who's holding the metal

"Just as I planned...wait what are the flameheads doing here" Raph questions while using Donnie's habd to point at the Clan.

The Clan starts to attack, April and I rush uo to Splinter, he gives is the metal peace and quickly make our way to a train. Getting onto a train we are ambushed by purple tentacle vines, immediately I fly into action using vines to fight them back to protect April, it was a pretty intense fight that I desperately hope to win.

The warriors were easily defeated by the boys, seeing that Splinter is the only one standing Papa Lui forces him to fight The boys. Which he kicks serious butt wish I was there to see it. Knowing Donnie records everything he wouldn't let me see it...scoff. Anyways purple tentacle vines force their way through the floor and causes it to collapse. Draxum, The boys and my dads exchange words, but is cut off by Draxum throwing April to the floor and holding me tightly with his tentacles.

"Caught these two stealing our property, But this one is quite interesting, put up a really good fight, I wonder who this could be" Draxum says while pulling off my mask.

"Let go of me you overgrown goat freak" I shout

Everyone gasps and Donnie clenches onto his Tech Bo ready to attack and save me.

"Sweetheart what are you doing here?" Says Papa Brutus shocked

"Let her go, she's one of us" Papa Lui says

"What no way Aqua is a part of the Foot Clan?" Mikey says

"Yes, I mean no, it's complicated" I say while struggling to break free not bring able to concentrate and use my powers.

Draxum looks at me and smirks, "Interesting I think I might do some experiments on her, her powers may be of use to me"

The boys get into fighting stances and My dads had looks that could kill directed towards Draxum. Splints goes to attack Draxum but his pops out of place once more and quickly does his conga dad dance which the boys recognize and freak out once they realize it's their Dad. Draxum grabs Splints, he breaks free from the tentacles and comes to the realization that he's Lou Jitsu. In their shocked states April reveals herself and they charge an attack to save me, both my dads think the boys are coming to attack me so they send paper ninjas to protect me. The armor piece gets tossed onto the tracks of the train and gets run over. The gang easily defeats a few of the paper ninjas, Donnie hits Draxum with his Tech Bo, Draxum ends uo dropping me, Don catches me abd holds onto me tightly. Papa Lui sends more after them, Raph grabs all of us and jumps onto the oncoming train. It was like everything was moving in slow motion, I see my dads reaching out to grab me with sad looks on their faces, tears stream down my face and I bury my face in Donnie's plastron. We hop if the train once it reaches near the lair, Splinter karate chops the boys and grounds them all. I'm in a corner trying to calm down and wiping tears from my face. Mikey comes over to comfort me, Donnie awkwardly stands back and rubs the back of his neck.

"Well since you have no place to go-" he's cut off by a glare from everyone. "I mean um you're welcome to stay with us as long as you want, right guys!"

Everyone agrees with him and smiles at me.

"Yea, we know you aren't in kahoots with those guys you'll be safe with us" Leo says confidently

Smiling and rushing to hug everyone doing the weird crying-laughing thing. Splinter interrupts asking one of the boys to carry him and we make our way to the lab. Little did we know that my dad's and Draxum put the armor pieces together and attached them to the almost complete armor. My dad's vow that they will stop at nothing to bring me back home to them. And this is the start of my new life with the Turtle brothers.

[jockpoetry]

Book asks: 1, 2, 15, and 20!

1) book you’ve reread the most times?

I am like a chronic rereader so this is kind of hard to figure out, however it's probably a tie between any of the books from the Spenser series. I reread it at least once a year for every year (and I’ve been reading these books when they were regularly coming out new about as long as I’ve been reading so!).

2) top 5 books of all time?

oh jesus books are so hard for me to rank because there are so many books i read and love and never think about again and then there are books i read and it's been twenty years and i am still thinking about it. I’ll go authors over individual books because I love a series. Robert B. Parker easy number one. Frank Bidart is (at this point in my life at least) my favorite poet so number two for him. I think I’ve read just about everything Mette Hjort has written so pop her on there. Hard pivot to name individual books: On The Road (😔🫡) and Post War as #4 & #5 respectively.

15) recommend and review a book.

Title: Words of Stone by Kevin Henkes | Rating: ★★★★.5 So this is a book I read in the fifth grade for our reading groups and it haunted me so thoroughly that for years I had nightmares based around an inciting incident of the novel. I cannot express how many times I'd wake up sweating and shaking from a nightmare because of this book. But I also could not remember the name of the book I knew it was Stone-something or Something- Stone and it was like 2020? 2021 that Betty, the icon and hero that she is, actually found the book i was talking about and I reread it thinking okay it won't be as good as it was when I was a kid. Honestly it is still one of the most heartbreaking upsetting books that I've read. It's just got a lot of heavy topics, it's got some really complex child characters. It's just a ruin your night stick with you for life books if you read it at the right time I think. The way it ends is a big factor for why I think it hung with me for so long. It just ends. Nothing is wrapped up, you don't get any resolution of the tension It's Done. There's no sequel there's nothing. And I love that. I am not giving any plot details beyond this: it's about a boy who lost his mom and the friendship he makes with a little girl one summer. Enjoy!

20) what are things you look for in a book?

I am, and always have been, incredibly picky. Like genuinely I can walk in to bookstore, ready to spend money, and 9/10 walk away without anything. I don't know if there's anything specific that I can say I look for. If the vibe is right I'll know it, but I can go 'I want a cozy mystery' and spend an hour minimum carefully picking up cozy mystery after cozy mystery and not finding one that sticks out to me or vibes with me. It also is super specific. Timing IS in fact everything so there are books I said meh too that I rad years later and loved! There’s no one thing that I will always gravitate too, but good vibes win out.