#his stubble? hmmmm

[neilfinnaesthetics]

Oh

[oneoftheextras]

masterlist | got a request?

paring: luis serra x gn!reader

request: “less than 1,000? hmmmm….perhaps a super sweet domestic morning drabble with Luis and the reader?"

words: 994 (under 1k lets gooo)

'warnings': gender neutral reader, fluff, slight flirting

want a handwritten letter from a character?

"5 more minutes..." Luis groaned, the natural timbre of his voice deeper than usual due to the untimely disturbance of his sleep.

His arm was curled around your waist as he held you against his chest, the short coarse hair of his stubble prickling your bare shoulder.

"I can't!" you attempted to wiggle out of his grip the way you had been for at least the last 30 minutes, "I have to work," you aimed to bargain with a man who had decided your time was better spent cuddling.

When you started to slip from his grasp he held on tighter, pulling you back into him and nuzzling his face into your neck.

"Luis, please-" you whined with a lint of a giggle, "-you work from home, that means you can stay in bed with me all day." Luis' voice was slightly muffled due to his mouth being smoothed against your skin.

Your alarm sounded for a second time - your final snooze warning. "Seriously, I have to get up," you nudged him away from you and he reluctantly let go.

For as dramatic as he was being, he knew that he couldn't make you late to logging in for your shift.

You gave him a quick kiss on the forehead and slipped out of the covers, his arm that was draped over you falling softly onto the mattress that was still warm from your presence.

"It is torture to be without you, mi amor," his voice holding a lint of sarcasm as he veiled his forehead with his arm, mimicking a damsel in distress.

The eye roll you gave him was paired with a smile that only he could bring out of you, "I'm sure you'll survive," was the last comment you got in before you entered the bathroom.

Although he was out of your sight you still heard the faint call of "I'm not sure, I think it might be fatal," from the bedroom. You shook your head at his theatrics and turned the faucet of the shower towards you, and finding the perfect temperature to start your morning routine.

Despite being, quite literally, held back; you weren't running late for work which surprised you. With the scent of your body wash fresh on your skin you descended the creaky stairs of your home, now full dressed and ready for the day, with the location of the kitchen counter in your mind as your workstation.

The moment you stepped into the room; the cold of the stone flooring seeping through your socks and ambushing your feet that longed for the absent warmth of the shower again; the waft of breakfast hit your senses.

With the morning sun creeping through the large windows and creating a warm orange glow in the otherwise bright room, you saw Luis: standing over the stove in nothing but his socks and a frilly red apron you had bought him last Christmas.

"Ah there's the love of my life," he turned his head towards you slightly without taking his eyes off of what he was cooking, the cigarette that was wedged behind his ear swayed from the movement.

The surprise of seeing him out of bed had worn off and you were able to sit down at the counter and open your laptop. Unfortunately, the way your kitchen had been built meant that you had to have your back to him, but you could still hear him working away behind you.

"In the mood to break health codes today, are we?" you tease at his nakedness, "What can I say? You make me want to misbehave," he quipped, and you didn't need to be looking at him to know he was wiggling his eyebrows and giving you a cheeky grin.

It's a good thing you didn't turn to face him because suddenly his lips were against your temple and a mug of coffee was being gently placed down on the counter, next to your laptop that was slowly waking up.

As he retracted his head to continue what he was doing, you swivelled on your seat so you could watch him.

"You're in a good mood this morning," you commented, shamelessly admiring him as he worked. "Despite being so rudely awakened as well!" he opened his mouth after he spoke to give you a dramatic shocked expression.

"What did you do? What's broken?" you folded your arms across your chest and waited for the devastating news he was about to deliver that would explain his behaviour.

"Only my heart at these painful accusations", he had started to plate up what he was cooking, but still managed to split his attention evenly between that and you.

You continued to stare at him as though he would buckle under your gaze and tell you everything, but he held strong.

He set down the plate in front of you and the smell hit you even more than before as the steam rose from the dish. "My favourite!" you exclaimed and looked at him with a happy grin.

He handed you your cutlery and gestured for you to eat - "What did I do to deserve this?" you asked, cutting into your breakfast.

He slipped his arms around your waist and rested his head into the crook of your neck, giving it a small kiss, "Just continuing to be the best thing in my life-" he pulled his arms away to let you eat, but made sure to give you another kiss on the top of your head "-I wanted to remind you of how much you mean to me,".

You were about to reply when a ding came from your computer, notifying you it join your morning meeting. Clicking 'join' you quickly put your hand over your camera, remembering that Luis was still only wearing an apron, you waved for him to move out of view - and you watched the man you love leave the room with a wink you'd come to adore.

taglist (this is old so pls let me know if you want to be removed / added):

@mylife-demonstrates-murphys-law @hereticpriest @enagmaticether @anxiousgoddest @kodzu-ken @moonnei @diesinspanishbcimhispanic  @fvckmeupyoonz @homosexualjohnwayne @notplutos @moth-baybee @answer-the-sirens @ochakoakabane

[wolfstargazer]

Delicate - a wolfstargazer microfic - word count: 276

Remus was barely awake, but he could feel the sun from the gap in the curtains falling across his face. He stirred and felt the heaviness of Sirius' head in the well of his shoulder, Sirius' hair spilling across his chest. He was certain Sirius was still sleeping but as his eyes fluttered open he watched as Sirius delicately entwined his fingers with his own, his voice a low rumble reveberating through Remus as he said, "Tell me again when you knew."

A smile tugged at the corners of Remus' mouth. He shifted, pressing a featherlight kiss on the top of Sirius' head.

"You won't get a different answer no matter how many times you ask me."

"Hmmmm," Sirius made a low noise and turned. Remus felt the slight scratch of stubble against his skin as Sirius looked up, eyes grey, hair falling carelessly in front of them.

"Tell me again...all the same..."

Remus sighed and allowed his mind to float back through the years. The scents and sounds and tastes and sights of days gone by became as real to him now as they had been back then. Spiced woodsmoke and barked laughter. Tannins and the autumn sun catching Sirius' face just so. Remus had wondered and hoped whether it had just been nostalgia; a yearning for something familiar after all they had lost...

But he had known himself too well, had always suspected what it had meant, though it had taken losing everything for things to fall into place.

Remus swallowed, and his voice was full of emotion as he whispered quietly the words he always said anytime Sirius asked, "It was always you."

Prompt by @alltoounwellll

[littleredwing89]

PRINCE OF GOTHAM - PART 8

PRINCE OF GOTHAM - PART 8

CEO!Jason Todd x Reader

Warnings – Language. NSFW. Smut.

A/N: Hope you all enjoy the next chapter! :) apologies for no tag list, still trying to get it working and get back into the swing of things xoxo

——

Jason looked up as you wandered into the kitchen with three bags of popcorn under your arms. He chuckled and put down the newspaper he had, “What are these for?”.

“Movie night, duh!”, you grinned and grabbed some bowls out from one of the kitchen cupboards. You emptied the salt popcorn into the plastic tub, ignoring the small frown on his face.

“Which movie?”, he sounded suspicious and rightly so. The last film you’d both tried to watch ended with you under him on your couch. Not that you were complaining about that too much.

“It's a good movie, I swear”, you winked and slipped a piece of popcorn into your mouth.

Jason made his way across to you, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, “It better not be like the last one”.

You scoffed, ignoring the blush covering the bridge of your nose, “I think you enjoyed the last one thoroughly”.

“Hmmmm”, he pretended to think, his voice dropped low, “I don't believe we ever finished that”, he dipped his head and trailed kisses up your neck.

You bit back a moan working it’s way up your throat, “We could try again if you want?”.

“Is that a smart move?”, he breathed against your flesh, enjoying the way your skin prickled against his stubble.

Sliding your hand down his front you sighed in bliss, “Mmhmm”.

Just as your fingers hit the waistband of his joggers, everything in the apartment went pitch black.

“What the-”.

You laughed and pressed your forehead into his chest, “I’m guessing that's a no from the universe then”.

Jason grumbled under his breath, tearing himself away from you and wandering across to the fuse box. He growled irritated and started flicking the red switches on and off repeatedly with no luck.

“Oh for fucks sake!”.

“It’s just a power cut”, you chuckled to yourself and stroked your hand down his spine delicately, “Relax, don’t you have any candles?”.

He sank into your touches and closed his eyes, enjoying the waves of calm you radiated into his stiff body, “I do”.

“And you never thought to use them to set the mood?”.

Jason grunted, “That’s a fire hazard…plus I don’t need candles to get you in the mood”.

You grinned, “You’re such a buzz kill!”.

He rolled his eyes and moved across the kitchen, “I think I have them here somewhere…”.

“Why don’t you go light the fireplace”, you moved him out of the way, “And I’ll sort out the candles”. You opened the cupboard next to the oven and found the candles easily. You’d spent so much time here now you knew your way around his kitchen, often finding things quicker than Jason.

———

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually used the fireplace. Maybe he hadn’t. He watched you potter around the living room, dotting the candles around sporadically creating a soft romantic glow.

“Maybe I should use these candles more often”, he mused, unable to take his eyes off your beautiful smile.

“I thought it was a fire hazard”, you teased.

Jason huffed out a puff of air. He didn't want to admit that seeing you smile was all he needed. Regardless of the impending fire risk.

“As long as they’re under control it’s fine”.

You giggled more and finished lighting the last few candles around the living room before heading over to the fire, “There goes our movie marathon”.

“I can think of a way to pass the time”, he winked across at you, patting the space in front of him.

“You’re insatiable”.

“Only for you”.

You sat down on the soft fur rug facing into the blazing logs, with your arms wrapped around your legs and clasped in front of your shins. Jason pulled you between his open legs and you relaxed, leaning back onto his chest. You let your head relax against his shoulder, eyes fluttering shut at the gentleness of his actions.

Jason folded his arms alongside the outside of yours, to match their bend and bring a little extra warmth to them. It was a moment of sheer bliss. His senses were filled with the citrus scent of your hair. Your shampoo bottle pressed up against his in the bathroom. His head leaned down to inhale the fragrance of your skin, and his lips kissed the intersection of your neck. Jason smiled and smoothed his touches along your shoulder. You released a long and rather languorous sigh, with just the hint of a moan floating on it. The first kiss led itself to a long, slow series replicating the first wherever his lips could reach.

“Jason…”.

You let your head and shoulders droop forward, and in doing so let the shirt's right shoulder slide slowly down your arm, bringing the neckline along. Jason leaned forward again and gently kissed the back of your neck enjoying the way you shivered, his stubble scratching you perfectly. He saw that the shirt’s; his shirt; other shoulder had fallen as well. The elegant silk cloth was now loose and slowly uncovering your strapless bra, along with the perfect curves of your breasts.

Jason’s hands still covered yours, and he lifted them up to touch your supple flesh, pulling you into him tighter. He felt a tremor somewhere inside you when both of your paired hands reached the soft skin left exposed by your lace bra.

The thrill of your hands touching your soft breasts together made him groan into the nape of your neck, hot breath fanning over your skin. You purred at the sensations. You slipped your hands out of his and pulled the bra down, letting his hands envelop your bare breasts.

Jason forgot to breathe momentarily. You melted into his touch. His hands alternated between palming your breasts and teasing your nipples with his thumb and fingers. You moaned, arching further into his hands, the sensual delights sending tremors across your whole body.

Slowly you twisted round to kneel between his legs, rising up on your knees in front of Jason. Your breasts bounced tantalisingly in front of him, tongue darting out to wet his lips. He reached around behind your back, now warm and damp from the heat of the fire, and pulled you towards him.

Gentle kisses brushed over each of your nipples before his tongue traced over the tips. You gasped, hands tugging his hair sending sparks of desire down his spine. His teeth grazed them, tugging them to hardened peaks. Jason looked up and fell under the spell of your smouldering eyes, radiant again with their own light in silhouette from the fire burning next to you. 

Rising to your feet, you reached down and quickly pulled his shirt straight over your head, tossing it aside leaving you in nothing but a pair of black lace pants. His hands had slipped up the velvet softness of the back of your thighs to pass over the lush curves of your ass, tracing the edge of the lacy fabric. Your teeth sunk into your lower lip, suppressing the obscene moan. He pressed his face forward and kissed the front of your pants, his hot mouth working over your clit.

“Jay…”, you whined low, legs shivering with pleasure.

He slid his fingers into the waistband of your panties before dragging them tortuously slow down your legs. The lace created a delicious friction against your heated skin. They dropped to your feet leaving you completely bare in front of him. The amber glow of the fire lighting your body perfectly to Jason. He knew you were stunning but this was completely different. The way the flames highlighted every inch of your curves, making you look like a goddess emerging from the flames.

Your fingers bunches in the material of his T-shirt, tugging lightly. You didn’t say anything. Jason’s arms bent behind his head as he lifted it off revealing the expanse of his solid chest.

“Lie down princess”, he kissed the insides of your thighs.

You sat down gently, Jason guiding you slowly back onto the rug. The fur felt like silk under your skin. He hovered over you, nose tracing yours before he kissed your lips. Your legs fell open, letting him settle between them perfectly. His lips curved at your reaction.

He let his hands travel the lushness of your body, followed closely with hot, opened mouthed kisses. You writhed under him, the coil tightening in the pit of your stomach. You needed him impossibly closer.

Jason’s tongue dipped into your navel before dragging down your body, settling between your wide open legs. You murmured his name repeatedly, fingers twisting into his dark locks, trying to guide him where you needed him most.

His tongue ran along your dripping slit and your thighs clamped around his head. He groaned against your pussy and pushed your legs back open, holding them there. The vibrations of his moans sent waves of pleasure through you. 

He swept his tongue through your folds several times, before wrapping his lips around your clit. You cried out and gripped his hair, tugging harshly. He smirked and flicked it, earning more beautiful whimpers.

Your hips thrashed against his mouth, aching to tip over the edge. Jason followed the spasms of your body, allowing you to chase your high. He slipped two fingers into your gushing core, feeling the wet heat instantly wrap around him. The thought of sinking his cock into you and feeling you cling desperately to him made his shaft twitch with excitement.

You released his hair when you felt the first wave of your orgasm crash. You gripped the rug behind your head and sobbed his name, your desire soaking his face. Jason didn’t let you go, coaxing you into another earth shattering climax with his tongue. Shuddering spasms wracking over you.

When he pulled his face away from your dripping core, he looked up at your slick body covered with a thin sheen. Damp from the sweat of the fire and your orgasms. Your chest heaved as you took in greedy gulps of oxygen, steadying yourself. Jason couldn’t tear his gaze away. The glare of the fire bathing you in a mystical orange glow. You looked serene.

When he made his way back up your body and kissed you deeply, it took you by surprise to feel the length of his naked body pressed into yours. He’d rid the rest of his clothes. Your hands rubbed down his back, nails dragging down his spine when you felt his cock stroke through your sopping folds. His muscles flexed and he groaned into your mouth. You could taste your arousal on his tongue as it caressed yours with a softness you weren’t used to with him. The kiss shook you.

One of his hands inched down your side, feather-light before hooking your leg around his waist. You sighed happily into the kiss, nails scraping against his scalp. Jason pushed his hips forward and sunk into you slowly, groaning huskily as your tight wet walls wrapped around his cock perfectly. 

Hearing your muffled cries against his lips encouraged him to thrust deeper, the drag of his shaft eliciting ripples of pleasure across your body.

“Fuck”, he muttered against your kiss swollen lips, his stubble prickled your cheek when he rubbed his to yours, “You feel perfect”.

Every sensation heightened the want coiling inside you. Ripping through your core and up your spine. Every touch was euphoric with hidden sensuality.

“Jason-oh!”, your voice threaded through his mind. Your desire made his cock pulse inside you.

He propped himself up with his elbow next to your face twisting with delirious passion. The silken fur brushed against his skin, it was a nice sensation, but nowhere close to how you felt under him. You lifted your hips to meet his thrusts, aching to feel him deeper. The way he caged you with his arm made your pussy flutter around him. He growled in your ear, his thumb stroking over the dip of your hip bone.

You tilted your head back, murmuring delicate praises. Without thought his lips traced the line of your throat, littering it with kisses as he drove harder into you. The moans escaping your mouth vibrated deep from your chest and Jason felt it as he kissed along your collarbone, nipping occasionally.

Like the surf crashing against the shore, your climax washed over you with the force of a tidal wave. You saw a blinding white light behind your eyelids as you sobbed his name. Nails clutching the back of his neck as you rode your high, thighs quivering around his waist.

The intensity of your orgasm and the way your core clenched around him, Jason followed you off the cliff edge falling into his own powerful end. He groaned your name deeply, his damp forehead pressed against your chest. His cock pulsed as he emptied thick, ropes of cum inside your pussy.

You stayed like that. Entwined together as the flames of the fire danced away, licking over your bodies. Occasionally kissing, fingertips stroking over one another. A type of intimacy one would share only with their lover. Nothing was said. You didn’t need to. You both felt it. It was obvious. Something had shifted. 

Jason carried you to bed that night. His strong arms lifting you into his king sized bed. When he placed you onto the luxury linen, it was the only time you were out of his embrace. The second he slipped under the sheets, he pulled you back into his chest, moulding his body around yours. You hummed happily, your hand squeezing his forearm draped over your waist. The weight of it made you feel comforted. Secure.

“G’night princess”, his voice rasped, tickling your ear before he kissed the spot behind it.

——

[lostonehero]

Ok fuck cannon for both series mech tma au

Also mech Martin as a treat

"W-wait." Jonny stopped holding up his hand before Nastya could set the dimension hop.

"The great Jonny d'Ville stuttering? Never thought I would see the day." Nastya rolls her eyes. "What's wrong? You want to get Martin, right?"

"I..." Jonny sighs and looks at Tim and then back to the rest of the crew and eventually Nastya. He fishes out a pair of glasses from his pocket.

"Smarts Jonny." Ivy raised her brow.

Jonny sighs and crosses his arms. "Tim and I have other versions of ourselves in that universe."

"So?" Raphaella quirks her brow. "Extra parts to experiment with."

"Not exactly." Jonny takes a breath. "Any universe or reality doesn't like copies and to remedy that well... we won't be able to stay here." He starts to motion his hands as his tail starts to lash back and forth. "The reality has a way to correct this, and that is to physically fuse myself with my alter, and the same will happen to Tim. I literally have no idea what that will even do."

Brian tilts his head. "So what you're saying that that there is a chance you'll both dissapear?"

"Not exactly, but kind of." Jonny shrugs, removing his glasses. "Eh, it's whatever just wanted to warn you fucks. Tim and I agreed to go through it. We all were already fucked around with the promise of actual death and waking up before, and who knows Martin's world goes through a literal apocalypse so that will be fun."

Tim nods. "We both have bets going on about how it works. I also get to go to a less advanced version of where I'm from. I really want to see what's that like. Also, I saved Bertie, and he got a long life, so I'm honestly fine with a true death."

Raphaella looks at both of them. "If both of you truly die, can I do an autopsy of your bodies to see what came over?"

"Why the fuck not? I don't give a shit I'll be dead." Jonny hums and raises a brow at Ashes. "What?"

"You'll be human." Ashes motions vaguely to his obvious status as not human.

"Huh." Jonny scratches his stubble. "I'll miss my tail if I remember any of it."

Tim snickers. "I'll be fine."

Ivy smirks. "What if your alternate has short hair?" She pauses. "Also, I want earth books."

"I have a new fear." Tim sighs.

Nastya pauses. "Are you sure?"

TS smiles. "I Think They Already Agreed. Bring Me Back A Earth Cat."

"You heard them let's fucking go." Jonny reached out and grabs Tim's hand. "I ain't living for the rest of time without Blackwood."

"Neither I am." Tim nods. "All speed ahead."

Nastya sighs. "This is a terrible idea, but if both of you still remain, I suppose stopping the apocalypse would please Aurora..... oh hmmmm." She puts the ship full throttle, and in an instant, Jonny and Tim vanish.

......

Martin woke up on his back, which honestly is the weirdest way he could wake up second to the alarm on his... he knew the word for the thing, but he couldn't recall it. He barely fumbled to turn off that obnoxious noise. What was a much more pressing manner was the fact his body was wrong, well correct but that was wrong. He can't recall when he had normal legs and feet... he could, but he would much rather forget the time before the good doctor got her hands on him. He was abnormal for a mechanism since his mechanism was organic in nature his lower half was that of a spider. Of course, he didn't hate it he wanted something different after that.

Ok, at the time, he thought himself a monster and tried to kill himself a multitude of times. He grew out of it. Obviously, it would have been a bleak eternity otherwise. He had a vague feeling of where he was, but the word peaches and worms came to mind. He kind of knew what that meant, but he was more so annoyed that this afterlife was basically before he became a mech. He had to figure out what he was doing.

Maybe if he went too... uh oh right the Magnus Institute, that's when he worked a normal job on earth. This was earth he hoped it wasn't in his head that this was some elaborate death dream because that would be a first. He should try to recall more of this if he is ever going to get through this weird afterlife. He hoped it was an afterlife because if not it meant that he wasn't dead, and he didn't want to do that without Jonny and Gunpowder Tim, and of course, the rest of the crew.

He got showered after figuring out the old-fashioned shower and got dressed in familiar clothes he didn't want to remember. He knew he had to remember, but he really didn't want to. He knew how this world worked. Public transport was easy, and soon, he arrived at the very institute that set everything in motion. What's that saying like a hover bike? Or a bicycle? He will remember what to do and go through the motions.

"You're late." A pretentious pompous voice sneered at Martin.

Martin paused, staring at the man studying him, and he reminded him of Jonny, and a name spilled from his lips. "Jon?"

"Did you hit your head on your way here? Of course I'm Jon." The short man shoved a stack of papers in his arms. "Get through these and try not to fall behind."

Martin frowns and takes the stack of statements. He knew they were statements. Some real some fake, and he had an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach that this wasn't the afterlife. He sat at his desk and stared at a computer, which he didn't recall the password for, and just started to read. He couldn't think about who he saw by him.

"Geez Marto, you ok?" That was Tim, not gunpowder, but Stoker. He was rubbing his eyes, but it was still him.

Martin knew the moment he saw her not corrupted by a thing that wore her skin poorly he might add he knew he wasn't in the afterlife and his death was a fucking lie. He wanted his final death with the rest of them. Did they also wake up before they became? Before the doctor got a hold of them? He takes a breath and sighs. "I'm fine." He forced himself to say. He noticed Tim was bleeding around his eyes. He chose to get up and wet some napkins to help.

"Tim, you really should see a doctor for that." Sasha frowns.

"I'm fine it's probably from my contacts. I'll wear my glasses, and the problem should clear up." Tim gives finger guns as his eyes water.

Martin sighs. "Tim, you're crying."

"Not emotionally." Tim snickers at his joke. "I'm fine. I probably just need rest and to get new contacts." His eyes stop watering after a moment, but it doesn't stop him from rubbing them like they ached.

Martin wasn't convinced, but he knew better than to push it normally got him shot or someone crying in his arms. He knew that didn't matter here. This place wasn't.... he wasn't home. "I'll make some tea for everyone."

"Thank you, Martin." Tim smiles as he rubs his eyes.

"Amazing as always." Sasha smiles.

Martin nodded and distracted himself with making tea. It didn't last long enough as he gave out the tea. He stepped into Jon's office, and he raised a brow at the scene he walked into. Jon was sitting on his knees in a chair not built for that position. "I made you some tea."

Jon nods, rubbing at his chest. "Right."

Martin paused and decided to push his luck. "Why are you sitting like that?"

Jon scowls and takes his mug of tea, and takes a sip. "My lower back aches, and it is worse if I sit normally. My painkillers haven't kicked in."

"Ah, alright, just be careful, alright." Martin smiles, hoping he was acting enough like he did before.

.....

Tim groans as he stares at the bottle of eye drops the doctor gave him. It did literally nothing. His eyes ached and burned, and no matter what he did, the pain wouldn't go away. It's been two weeks, and it's only gotten worse, and he hasn't been able to do anything to relieve it.

He used the heels of his hand and pressed them into his eyes for any sort of relief that wouldn't come. Doctors couldn't find anything wrong and called him basically crazy because there was nothing wrong with his eyes. He knew something was wrong. He knew something was happening.

Tim was desperate. If the eye pain wasn't enough, he was starting to have weird dreams of a man with mechanical eyes. They would talk, and Gunpowder, the other guy picked that name. Don't ask him why it suited him. The memories... no dreams, he keeps having to correct himself. The dreams Gunpowder tells him are his memories, and he apologizes for them all the time. At one point, these memories became his own, but the only thing it did was make Gunpowder more solid in his mind.

Tim liked Gunpowder he was kind and a bit odd, but he didn't feel alone. He hasn't felt seen or known since his brother. Fuck he really missed Danny.

"You have his memories."

Tim nearly fell backward. That was Gunpowder, but he was awake if the pain was anything to say about that. His eyes scanned the small bathroom, searching for the source of the voice, but he didn't see anything. Maybe he was hearing things. The statements were probably getting to him.

Tim sighs and shuts the lights off, and heads to the couch. He just needed to sleep, that's all. Sleep came quickly these days, and he woke up not in Gunpowder's memories but to a futuristic bedroom. He knew this place from some more steamy memories from Gunpowder. Speaking of him, he was lounging in the bed holding a bottle that no longer had labels.

Gunpowder flicked his mechanical eyes to glance at Tim. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and a pair of goggles was around his neck. He held up the bottle. "Shit doesn't do much in here but wants some?"

Tim shook his head as he approached and sat on the edge of the bed. "Did you say something?"

"When you started to spiral? Yeah." Gunpowder sits up, putting the bottle aside. "I'm not as well versed in this theoretical nonesense as Jonny is, but I think it's almost complete." He reached his hand out, and Tim allowed him to grab it. "Soon we'll be together awake and asleep, probably when my eyes finally form. Again, sorry about the pain."

"I don't think I'm able to believe you." Tim had that sinking feeling of dread that he knew Gunpowder was right. "Why?"

"We wanted to save our third to complete us." Gunpowder pulls his hand away. "Eternity isn't great when you're missing someone that helps complete you. We were also promised an apocalypse, and that did sound fun."

"Love is a good reason." Tim wanted to reach out again but refrained. "So would you be able to take over like a ghost?"

Gunpowder laughs. "I ain't no ghost, but maybe again, Jonny knows more about this bullshit than I do."

Tim nods and gets up approaching the door.

"Are you sure?"

"If what you say is true, I might as well know more about you." Tim opened the door and vanished into memories that weren't his own.

Gunpowder picked the bottle up again and sighed. "I wonder if Jonny is having a good time."

.....

Jon felt even worse, he however did not go to the doctor even at Martin insistent, he was acting odd more so than normal, and it made his work even worse. He stripped off his shirt and pants, then finally his binder and groans. The red spot on his lower back right on his tailbone he could pass off as bug bite, now ballooned into a throbbing red mass that was completely solid to the touch.

He really wanted to keep ignoring it, but he felt something move under his skin, and it scared him half to death. Every part of him felt wrong, to his privates they were extra sensitive more so then when he started T to his ears that were bright red and painful, to his head that he can feel growing bumps on his head. The worst of it was his chest, his heart was constantly beating erratically, and he could swear he heard a ticking like a metronome in his chest. Everything was wrong, and yet he just crawled into his bed.

No to Jon, the worst part were these dreams that were nothing but fiction, and this Jonny character was a idiot, a violent obnoxious idiot. Jonny talked to him. He purposely argued with him and teased him. That ass was crude and didn't have a fucking care in the world the complete opposite of himself. He was some vile creature that probably spawned from the statements he read.

Jon bit down on his pillow, he moved wrong, and his sensitive privates sent nerves and sparks through his body. He was asexual he shouldn't have these desires, and he shouldn't be thinking about his coworkers in this matter. Why the fuck was Martin a spider creature it scared him but also thrilled him and he hated these thoughts. Tim was mostly the same, but his hair was long, and his eyes were machines. He blamed Jonny for all of this. But he wasn't real his mind just wanted someone to blame.

That obnoxious crazed laughter rang in Jon's ears. He groaned, spitting out his pillow. "Leave me alone, you annoying hallucination." That only earned him harder laughter. He gave a frustrated yell into his pillow. He refused to listen to the just jerk off from Jonny and grabbed sleeping pills from his draw, and hoped for a dreamless sleep, which he knew was futile. He kept seeing memories that weren't his of some nonesense syfy fan wet dream. Jonny wasn't real, and what he saw wasn't real either.

.......

Sasha moved closer to Tim. "Eyes still bothering you?" She motions to his the dark sunglasses you couldn't see his eyes through.

Tim nods. "Yeah, doctors aren't helping. They feel like they're going to pop." He sighs. "Do you know what's up with boss man?"

Sasha shrugs. "I was going to ask about Martin. He seems more lost than normal, and he seems less jumpy but even more depressed? I don't know he keeps avoiding me every time I try to press."

"I can talk to him if you talk to Jon about his attitude. I watched him yell at Martin first 10 minutes, and Martin just took it with a smile like he didn't care." Tim frowns, rubbing his eyes his vision was getting blurry, and he could feel something wet drip down from his face.

"Eye drops first, you're crying again, and it's not clear." Sasha hands him a tissue. "I'll go talk to Jon."

"You're the best, Sasha." Tim smiles and rushes off to the bathroom. He barely makes it inside when his vision goes dark. He can only whimper in shock as fresh pain blooms where his eyes should be. A wet substance drips down his cheeks, and he barely registers hands on his shoulder, guiding him to sit on the ground.

Soft hands carefully remove the black glasses and a soft curse on his lips from a voice Tim knows, but he can't focus or see who said that. He could feel a wet cloth wipe whatever was on his face.

"Tim, you gotta breathe." That was Gunpowder. He sounded so clear, like he was right next to him. "I know it hurts, but you have to let the machines build themselves. It's actually really neat to watch."

The soft hands were done cleaning his face as he let out a sigh at the loss of touch. And a flash of light burned, and then he heard a soft click like that of a camera and a softer moving of machines like a soft roll. His vision came back way too fast, and suddenly, it was too perfect, and he saw too much. He saw a familiar sweater connected to a man leaning over him. "M-martin?" Of course it was Martin his hands were soft... he didn't know why he thought of them like a cat's paw.

"Blackwood!" Gunpowder gasps.

Martin takes the spoiled hand towel and puts it in his back pocket. "Tim, can you focus on me?"

The soft whirl of machines and Tim was looking at Martin. "What happened?" He could see the hand towel and had a few theories on what the stains were.

Martin smiles softly, and Tim feels calmer.

"Feels safe into the den of the spider." Gunpowder hums. "Do you mind if I just uh..."

Tim barely registered what happened until he was in the spot where Gunpowder was. He saw his body move without him, and he just watched unable to process until it clicked what had happened. "Oh." He watches Martin tilt his head as Gunpowder looks up at him, then he feels a stinging pain as Martin hits them.

Gunpowder holds his cheek and looks to Tim, realizing they both felt it.

Martin takes a breath. "You didn't heed any of my warnings."

Gunpowder smiles staring up at Martin.

Martin falters, and he moves and sits down next to him on the bathroom floor. "Is...?"

"Yeah, Tim's here." Gunpowder hums. "Don't think he made the connection yet."

"That is a given." Martin pulls his knees up. "I haven't.... yaknow, and I'm worried when I do..."

"You won't be able to hide." Gunpowder nods and reaches out to Martin. "Aha, he made the connection."

Martin smiles softly, interlocking his fingers with Tim. "Yeah, a lot of shit happened. Welcome to the madness of it."

"Oh, we're well past madness and circled back round to sanity." Gunpowder chuckles, taking the glasses back. "Talk later?"

Martin nods and watches Tim return to his body. "Are you ok?"

Tim blinks. Well, he thinks he blinks, but he's pretty sure he doesn't have eyelids anymore. "I uh... I think so." He paused. "So where's the spider parts? Don't tell me my shared memories and adult fantasies are a lie."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, you're both horrible. Ask Gunpowder, you ass." He gets up and holds out his hand. "Come on, we have to get back to work before Jon throws another fit."

Tim nods, getting up with Martin's help. "Seriously though, where are the spider bits?"

"I don't actually know, and I don't want to test dying to see if they come back." Martin sighs.

"Ah, fair enough." Tim continues to hold Martin's hand. "I uh...you know what happens..."

Martin frowns. "Tim, for me, it's been well over a few thousand years. My memory isn't perfect. I remember what my mind thinks are the important bits, but I've really tried to forget this happened. The ending isn't a good one." He sighs. "We can talk after work, in the tunnels."

"Tunnels?" Tim raised his brow following Martin, never unlocking their hands.

......

Martin pulled Tim back as emts rushed out with a stretcher. "Who got hurt?"

Sasha rushed over. "I went to check on Jon, and he... he was bleeding, and he was barely breathing. I called the ambulance, and they rushed him to the hospital."

Tim frowns. "Is he ok?"

"I don't know." Sasha gives a soft gasp as Martin pulls her into a hug.

"Hey, you did the right thing. Jon will be fine." Martin smiles softly. "We can visit him after our shift. I'm sure he wouldn't mind visitors."

Sasha hugs him back. "You're right. You're right. He probably knew something was wrong and refused to see a doctor."

Tim sighs. "That does sound like Jon." He paused for a moment. "I, uh yeah, back to work."

Sasha nods, wiping her eyes and pulling away from Martin. "I'm sure he'll appreciate a cleaner archive when he gets back."

Martin nods. "Of course, that sounds great." He grabs Tim's arm. "Tim and I can grab some boxies and start moving things around."

"Oh, that's great." Sasha smiles, watching them leave.

.....

"Why did you grab me?" Tim raised his brow.

"So I think I know what happened to Jon." Martin frowns.

Tim paused, and his demeanor changed, and he sags his shoulders. "Oh, this is not going to be good."

"No, it's not." Martin sighs. "Fuck everything has changed now."

"So, did we do it?" Gunpowder raised his brow.

Martin snickers. "Yeah, not even close. We both know that gods won't take this lying down even if it's Jonny."

"Eh, worth a shot." Gunpowder shrugs. "Blackwood has told me enough to know what Jon ends up as I'll explain later."

.....

Elias adjusts his tie and smiles, looking over his archivist. The unfortunate nature of the Flesh and Stranger working together does have this outcome. Of course, he can pull all the strings needed to have this little incident swept under the rug and tied in a neat bow. He smiles softly, watching him wake up. "Are you alright, Jonathan? You've given us all quite the scare." He stops seeing a scowl that isn't Jon's normal one on his lips.

Jonny's mouth felt like it was full of cotton, and his head was fuzzy, and Jon's nagging didn't exactly help him either. His gaze moved up to the man in a suit. He looked like a prick, an obnoxious wealthy prick. Jon was yelling at him that's his boss and don't fuck this up. Of course he wouldn't fuck this up he knew how to act proper and can copy Jon's boring ass. If he could just focus.

"Jonathan, are you alright? You may have hit your head on the way down. You're on some painkillers." Elias smiles, leaning over him.

Jonny furrows his brows. He hated painkillers and always took the fun out of pain and violence. "...fuzzy..." He managed to mumble. His tolerance to painkillers was null and void due to his affection for actual pain. Couldn't he just get Jon's tolerance and not just the fun new parts to explore. He scowls again at the man above his bed, he wanted to rip that smile off his face.

Elias chuckles softly. "Painkillers will do that, and you're not even on that heavy of a dose. I'm sure your coworkers will be visiting you soon. Hopefully, you'll feel better by then."

Jonny grits his teeth. He had a few choice words for that pompous ass.

"You can't kill him." Jon looked drowsy floating next to him.

At least Jonny wasn't the only one suffering in this cushioned hell. He huffs and turns his head.

Jon chuckles. "Don't be mad. You've got control." He was very out of it. He felt the same effects Jonny was. "What's.... what is uh...." He blinks, unable to form a coherent thought.

Jonny huffs and can't fight the feeling of sleep overtaking him.

......

"So Gunpowder Tim cut a bloody path...." Jonny stops, noticing that his head finally felt clear enough and reciting old ballads of his friends wasn't needed. He looked down at Jon, who was staring at him. He floated down to lay next to Jon. "What's with that look? I already explained our situation to you at nauseum."

Jon scowls, looking away. He then makes a vague motion, unable to explain why he suddenly felt wrong.

Jonny raised his brow. "You've got my dick. Ain't you special."

Jon scoffs, but his face is turning red because he feels that is true. "No..." He huffs.

Jonny paused, watching Jon get frustrated. He didn't feel like sharing in that. He learned early in that they shared emotions, and he had to get used to feeling things that weren't his own. It was honestly worse than Nastya, making him feel Aurora emotions. "I can tell you."

Jon felt himself be pushed out from his body as Jonny took control. He scowls but sighs, watching and feeling Jonny's own emotions. "So? What's wrong with m- us?"

Jonny scowls. "They cut off my fucking tail! It's a fucking bitch to grow that back." He raised his ands and feels around his forehead. "Good, they didn't cut them too short. Actually, I like them short, so this isn't an issue... I'm narrating for you Jon be grateful."

Jon raised his brow. "You can't hear my thoughts?"

"Can you hear mine?" Jonny spits back.

"Fair point." Jon sighs. "Are we ok?"

"Fuck if I know. Everything is new, raw, and sensitive. My dicks never been this fucked before." Jonny growls as he is forced back out by Jon.

"D-Dont do that." Jon pulls the blanket over his body.

Jonny shrugs, not understanding Jon. "Whatever, we just have to adjust." He pauses for a moment, pointing at Jon. "This is earth, right?"

"Yes?" Jon raised his brow.

"Tim and Blackwood always referred to me as a cowboy. What's a cow? I don't think I've ever seen an earth cow."

Jon blinks. "But you have parts like a bull."

"Wait, I thought it was called cows." Jonny returned a confused look.

Jon shakes his head. "Alien, right, you're an alien. You don't know human er earth animals. Cows don't have sharp teeth like you, but uh, bulls are basically male cows, but cows are the general term used."

"Can I see what they look like?" Jonny floated to lay next to Jon.

"Yeah, when I get my phone." Jon paused. "Are you upset I wasn't born a man?"

"Why would I care? You've got my dick now, and I have a new hole to play with. This is a win for me." Jonny shrugs and raised his brow feeling relief pour from Jon.

"Thank you." Jon says quietly.

"Ok?" Jonny shrugs floating to look around the hospital room.

......

Sasha slams on the breaks. "Tim what the fuck."

Tim's eyes clicked and whirled. He was told only he could hear this by Gunpowder. Well, both can hear since they share a body. He reaches for his glasses and realizes he took them off because his ears were bothering him. He could feel the look from Gunpowder and Martin on him. "It's a long story."

Sasha rocketed to a spot to park, and she twisted her body to the back seat. "Tim explain now!"

Martin bites his lip and blurts out. "It's my fault. I'm supposed to be dead, both me and Gunpowder. Promised an end to eternity, and it was a farce and I'm back here like this, and I really tried to forget about this part of my life. I mean for fucks sake you die and get replaced Sasha and none of us notice for a year because of how it worked. Tim dies in an explosion, destroying the circus, and that isn't to mention the fucked up paranoia from Jon and extreme levels of fucked up creatures that I mean now I can look back at and laugh but you can't you're mortal. I mean, these are fear gods, so I mean they will get to you eventually."

Gunpowder grabs Martin's hand. "Martin, that's enough. The only reason Jonny knew about my past was because he was playing soldier and was with me. You don't have to..." He stops as Martin waves him off.

"No, it's fine. Tim and Sasha deserve to know." Martin sighs. "I'll tell you what I can remember it has been a few thousand years since I've been through this."

.....

Sasha swallows. "I believe you."

Martin blinks. "Why?"

"I've had a bad feeling, and I knew Gertrude didn't just go missing." Sasha then points to Tim. "Also look at his fucking eyes Martin that's pretty good evidence."

Gunpowder nods.

Martin gives a nervous smile. "I'm sorry I've gotten used to things over the years. I like Tim's eyes."

"Yeah, yeah, don't boast his ego." Sasha puts her seat belt back on. "So keep your glasses on Tim. We're going to visit Jon if the same thing happened to him like you."

"It's equally as possible. Jon worked himself into a delusional state and just hurt himself." Martin shrugs.

Tim blinks back in control. "That's really dark."

"No, no, Martin has a point." Sasha starts the car again. "Remember that incident in research."

"I tried to forget, but I see your point." Tim sighs, putting his glasses back on.

Martin sighs. "Hopefully that isn't the case."

.....

Jon shifted uncomfortably as he sat up. Jonny wasn't lying. The tail thing was incredibly uncomfortable and annoying. He stared at the hospital food in front of him and was told he couldn't leave till tomorrow. He hated hospital food, and he hated hospitals.

"Stop pouting." Jonny rolls his eyes. "I can feel your emotions and pouting won't get you nowhere."

"Oh, then what can I do? Please enlighten me." Jon scowls taking a bite of his peas.

"For one, actually eat. How the fuck are you in such shit condition? Do you even know what fun is?" Jonny shook his head. "You can't do shit without meat on your bones, and you look half starved. You're a fucking disaster."

Jon continues to scowl, not saying a word.

The door opens to his room.

"Blackwood!" Jonny floats through him, trying to tackle him. "Fuck."

Martin smiles softly as Tim and Sasha follow behind him. "We wanted to make sure you're ok."

"You gave me a scare, Jon." Sasha crosses her arms. "You need to learn how to take a break, or at least see a doctor."

Tim was odd wearing sunglasses that completely hid his eyes, but he knew Tim was having trouble with his eyes. "You look awful."

Jon can't help but give a soft smile. "Just wasn't paying attention and hit my head." He motions to the bandages around his head and ears.

"Don't lie to Blackwood. That man can see through any lie you spit." Jonny crosses his arms. "Besides, I bet you control of my choosing that Gunpowder is in your Tim."

Jon ignores him. "Ah you didn't have to bring me anything."

Martin smiles softly as he pulls out a chocolate slice of cake. "It's just some chocolate cake. I mean, you don't have to have it..." He stops as Jon's demeanor changes in an instant as he pushes his food aside.

Jon was forced out and watched Jonny make grabby hands.

"Give it here, Blackwood." Jonny huffs. "Don't you fucking tempt me."

Martin's expression changed, and Jon could feel a shiver down his back. "You and your sweet tooth." He tisks, placing the slice down.

Jonny grabs the container. "Fuck you." He huffs and has enough decency to use a fork. "Your fucking lucky I have to fix this body or I would end you."

Jon watches Tim snicker. "You lost height!" His snickers turn to giggles.

"Piss off." Jonny scoffs.

Sasha raised her brow. "How did you know the cake would work?"

"d'Ville only has one craving he can't quit, and it ain't cigarettes." Gunpowder smirks, taking off his glasses, revealing his mechanical eyes.

Jonny scowls. "Oh fuck you. I don't deny myself pleasures like you."

"I have manners you lack." Tim spits back.

Martin chuckles and has a glint in his eyes and a sinister smile that again Jon can't tear his eyes from. "Now, both of you, that's enough." He moves closer and leans over Jonny. "How about you behave and finish all of your food, and maybe I'll convince the doctors to let you leave early?"

Jon can feel the tug, no the crashing wave of desire, and just pure love spill from Jonny, and if they had his tail, it would be wagging like a dog.

Jonny, for his part, nods eagerly. "It would be faster if you fed me." He purrs back.

Martin steps back. "Don't push your luck. I'm mad at you."

In a split second, that emotion was gone, replaced with annoyance. Jon had to shake his head from the whiplash.

"We agreed!" Jonny huffs stuffing his face with food. "It's not like you were there with your bleeding heart. You weren't there, I woke up after that bar in that... look, I'm not having this conversation."

Jon could feel a bubble of an emotion, one that he knew should leave unspoken. He remains quiet watching Martin.

Martin gaze didn't break, let alone change. He crosses his arms. "Did you do the same?"

Jonny swallows his final bite. "I can't say I wanted to change it, so I didn't."

Martin's gaze seems to finally soften. "Good, he didn't deserve forgiveness." He reached out and pat Jonny's shoulder. "That's my cowboy." He pauses. "What's with the frown?"

"They cut off my tail." Jonny sounded honest and small.

Jon was taken aback.

"I never said humanity was a kind species." Martin brushes a stray piece of hair out of Jonny's face. "It will grow back."

"Not the point." Jonny sighs. "How's your former mortal." His gaze shifted to Tim.

"Probably better than yours with the adjustment." Gunpowder slides his glasses back on. "You look like shit."

"Not my fault." Jonny mutters.

"Never said it was." Gunpowder muses. "Maybe you shouldn't have asked Martin for his story."

Martin rolls his eyes. "Just because you're bitter doesn't mean you get to drag me into this argument again." He walks by Sasha, grabbing her arm. "Would you like to hear more while they complain?"

Sasha nods. "Sure, why not." She follows Martin out of the room as he shuts the door behind him.

Gunpowder frowns. "Don't give me that look. I already got an earful from him, and to be fair, he warned both of us to wait. Now, why do you think this didn't happen the first time?"

"Aren't you just full of dumb questions." Jonny adjusts his glasses. "They were already dead and gone by the time we crossed the first time. This place was fine. I dunno Blackwood said it's been. I dunno fifty years since it ended and started again." He raised his brow at something Tim couldn't see. "You do know what apocalypse means, right? Right well that happened, and you died before I came here the first time."

Gunpowder waves his hand. "Jonny, stop, we both know what happened in the end. They don't know the full truth yet, neither of them."

Jonny frowns and stares at Tim. "How long do you think it will take till being the good guy gets old?"

"Who knows? We've never tried it." Gunpowder shrugs. "You should hold off on being honest about this world, as much as I know you like your stories and songs. Unless you want to deal with Jon."

Jonny waves him off. "Whatever, it doesn't matter now he'll learn as I will annoyingly to see his memories. Just let me figure this out, and as much as I hate to see you two on good terms compared to my situation. Just wait."

For what, Jon had no idea, but this Gunpodwer did, who nodded.

"Seriously though, figure something out with this Jon. You seriously look worse than when we were starving, as a competition." Gunpowder sighs. "Blackwood..." He looks through the door. "Yeah, he already convinced the doctors and nurses to let you go, and they are on their way. Enjoy your new home, alone." He smirks as he leaves.

Jon was flung back into his body, feeling Jonny fuming, but the other man was uncharacteristic silent. He had to think this over and what this actually meant. So he died the first time, but when and how? Before or after the apocalypse?

.......

He wasn't truly alone, not anymore. Jon sunk into his bed and opened his phone. "How did Martin even convince them to let me leave?"

"He's got a way of trapping people making them do what he wants." Jonny hums. "Now, show me a picture of a cow."

Jon wanted to press, but he quickly learned pleasing Jonny was the best way to get answers. He pulled up a picture of a cow and a bull and held it up.

Jonny was quiet studying the creatures he saw. He broke into a wide grin. "They look cute, don't they. Good cows."

Jon hums and sighs. "You said Martin told you what happens to this world. What happens? Why did he become one of you? What are you guys?"

Jonny frowns. "I rather not feel your stupid emotions." He scratches behind his ear. "You won't let this go. However, Blackwood warned me you were insistent, so I might as well spin you a tale." Suddenly, a harmonica appeared in his hands. "A tragic fate of star-crossed lovers doomed by forces beyond their control, and a man turned to a monster that was left in the ruins."

Jon listened to the haunting story on a soft melody. He learned how his coworkers, no his friends, died. How he roamed the wastelands the fears as the apocalypse he caused reigned, how Martin stayed by his side even though he caused this by being tricked. The story ended in a sharp blade.

Jonny stopped. "And you were no more as the pancoption crumbled the archive now, just a man taking his final breath. An ending driven by a man afraid of death and so willing to please a god who didn't care for him as nothing more than a tool. Blackwood crushed but was not dead. A familiar doctor just happened to be passing by the rubble. She wanted to try something new, just not machines anymore, something animalistic, something new. And so Blackwood became a monster a first of his kind." He stretches. "Immortality such a boring goal, isn't it? You would think you would want something more interesting."

Jon was speechless he couldn't string together thoughts.

Jonny frowns, feeling the rush of emotions. "Look..." He swallows and feels tears drip down his face. He was frustrated that he couldn't stop this. He hated emotions, and he hated being honest to himself, but Jon still viewed himself as mortal, and he won't be raw without his partners. He floated down beside Jon and let him cry. He couldn't stop it. The rush of emotions overwhelmed him.

Jon finally spoke. "How do I stop it?"

"Fuck if I know. I wasn't here. I heard the story from Blackwood." Jonny was purposely looking away from him. "You have to ask him, but we promised to play the good guys this time around, or well, until it gets boring."

"We're going to stop this." Jon tried to muster confidence he didn't have.

Jonny just sighs. "Go to bed. Watch some of my memories. If you don't start trying to fix your body, I will do it by force."

Jon pulls his blanket up and frowns. He falls into an unsteady sleep.

......

Elias raised his brow, watching his archivist return to work. "Jonathan, I did tell you to take time to rest after yesterday." He had a smile and a silver tongue.

Jonny scoffs. "He's worse sober."

Jon smiles nervously. "I'm fine, Elias." He adjusts his hat covering his new sensitive ears. His tail had already started to grow back, and Jonny said it's a side effect of immortality, which Jon didn't believe in. It's supposed to be much longer than a cow's tail and semi prehensile. He wanted to test it but knew better than to try anything in public.

Elias frowns. "Now, Jon, I don't need you working yourself sick again." He knew the effects of the stranger and the flesh it probably hasn't hit the man yet, and he didn't want him breaking down having him explain the truth.

Jon frowns. "I'm fine, Elias. I know how to take care of myself. I'm going to get back to work."

Elias frowns, crossing his arms and watching Jon rush off to the archives . He raises his brow, and seeing the start of a tail, he is informed that it is cut off. It shouldn't be growing back this fast. He had a few connections to pull to get more information. He had no desire to pick another archivist nor start again.

......

"We should kill him." Jonny floats next to Jon, his tail lazily flicking behind him.

"Elias is my boss. I'm not going to kill him." Jon scowls as he hears Tim snickers. "Tim, that's enough."

Tim hums, Jon can see his hair is curling and is getting lighter than the black he has. "I don't think so, bossman. We think it's quite hilarious Jonny's on a leash."

Jon was pushed out as Jonny took control. "Oh go fuck yourself you fucking cunt." Jonny stomps off to Jon's office making it a point to slam the door.

Martin snickers from the entrance and refrains from explaining Elias can see them. Oh, that would be hilarious. Does he know Jon and Jonny are sharing a body, or does he think that the fears changed Jon? Either way, things have changed, and he wants to see Elias... no Jonah squirm with the unpredictability. Martin will force him to realize immortality is not worth it, and death is a gift. He silently walks to his desk and takes a seat.

"Enjoying the show?" Tim smirks. "We are."

"Oh, I'm enjoying something else." Martin smiles back.

"Already knitting a web, I see." Gunpowder nods. "I always enjoy the finished project."

Martin taps his fingers against his desk. "You know I think it's not a Web I rather not get mixed up with that particular fear I think I can recall the avatar is kind of a right bitch."

"Really? You have to explain the fear thing better because some of them just sound fun or fun to kill." Gunpowder smirks.

"Later, and Sasha already made a list." Martin points to Sasha sipping her coffee.

"You two share a body. Did you not pay attention when Tim was reading it?" Sasha raised her brow.

Tim huffs. "I couldn't figure out how to turn off the Xray vision on these damn eyes until like an hour before I slept." He had a slight blush on his cheeks. "Then the damn things wouldn't stop focusing on objects miles away."

Gunpowder took back control. "To be fair, I still have trouble controlling them. Human biology and mechanical parts tend to fight until they get into a rhythm. Also, I have like a million years of experience, and Tim does not."

Sasha frowns. "That sounds actually awful. Does Jonny have these problems?"

Gunpowder shrugs. "He never complains, and if he dislikes something, he's quite vocal. I think he uses the ticking as a metronome."

Martin nods. "As boney as he is, he's very nice to sleep too. The ticking is quite soothing." He sighs. "Granted, I won't be able to enjoy any of that for a long while, I reckon."

"Shit, I remembered that this isn't a desert planet." Gunpowder pauses. "Jonnys going to be a little bitch."

"Why?" Sasha raised her brow.

"Jonny's originally from a mostly desert planet, so his tail ears and horns were basically made to keep him cool. Even the nights were hot, so he doesn't exactly have any defenses against the cold, and he makes his complaints known as Gunpowder said." Martin hums. "Although he loves the snow and rain."

"We never said the man made sense." Gunpowder shrugs, letting Tim back in control.

Sasha tilts her head. "What was the planet like that you're from?"

"Gunpowder is from the earth of a different dimension." Tim taps his pen against his desk and adjusts his glasses. "He did however blow up the moon."

"Now you're just fucking with me." Sasha rolls her eyes and heads back to her desk.

Martin chuckles. "Don't feel bad about it. In this time, we've barely had any people on the moon."

"See, I told you!" Tim huffs. "He wouldn't listen to me or the facts I provided."

"Tim, you have to understand where we're coming from. We lived on a spaceship." Martin hums heading to his desk to start working.

Tim sighs. "Still annoying."

.....

Martin stares at the bloody fingernails in the sink. He knew his luck was running out. His body wasn't going to wait till his first death. He could feel how tight his skin felt and how it was hard to walk to breathe. He wasn't scared to become what he was supposed to be, but it would make this so much harder. He flexed his hand, seeing the black claw nails start to poke through his flesh. He doesn't truly care he made peace ages ago with what the doctor made him.

Elias watched Martin with a curious gaze. He can feel the Beholder use his eyes to watch intently. He had a feeling in his gut something changed something twisted in the mere fabric of reality. He hasn't even checked on Jon since he arrived this morning, and the Beholder agreed that something more interesting was happening. Martin was unassuming and predictable, but this was new, and he wanted to know why. He wasn't an avatar, and that also fueled his curiosity. How is he changing without one of the fears?

Martin rubbed his eyes and sighed. He had time, and he had time to prepare. He wanted Jonny. He just wanted that soft ticking, Gunpowder could soothe his anxieties, but Jonny was a comfort. Sure, the man was brash rude and a devil, but he was his, and that was enough. Gunpowder wouldn't touch him till Tim was fully on board with him, and Martin respected that. Hell he was fucking happy with that. Jonny, however, was a mystery, Jon was tighter lipped, and he knew how long it took for Jon to even understand his emotions, let alone actually relie on others.

Martin gathered his fingernails from the sink and threw them out with a sigh. Maybe he could go to artifact storage to slow things. Well, that has just a likely chance to kill him. He doesn't care. Maybe he could convince Gunpowder and Tim to head to the tunnels properly. He finished washing his hands, not even flinching at the exposed nerves.

Elias's gaze intensified as he watched Tim enter the bathroom. More importantly, he removed his sunglasses, revealing new eyes. When did he get surgery? More importantly, how can he still see? He shut his eyes, and he was seeing from Tim's eyes.

Tim scratched his chin. "Martin, you alright?"

Elias saw a man in the mirror that wasn't Tim.

Martin sighs. "I'm fine." He stretches. "Just a bit achey, what about you?"

"I'm fine." Tim crosses his arms. "Ok, maybe not entirely fine, but I'm getting used to it."

The man in the mirror that wasn't Tim spoke and Elias could hear him.

"I know my scars aren't pretty, and I'm sorry." The not Tim sighs.

Tim shook his head. "Dude, I said it's fine." He turns back to Martin. "I'm more peeved about the hair than I am about the scars, and I still haven't agreed to grow it out."

Not Tim huffs.

Martin chuckles. "The two colors look good together, and if you don't grow it out, what else am I supposed to grab?"

Tim swallows, and Elias sees him in the mirror, and he figured it out that this not Tim was in control.

"Oh, don't tease the man. He doesn't understand the fun a simple act can do. Let alone one with those..." Not Tim stops staring at Martin's hand. "When?"

Martin huffs. "Gunpowder, it's fine. You know how you can't hide what the good doctor does to you. I'm fine. I just feel a bit stiff and uncomfortable, but it will pass."

Not Tim or Gunpowder, ridiculous name if you asked Elias. He smiles softly.

"Fuck the waiting, from what I've seen its going to be brutal and he shouldn't be alone..." Tim was speaking out loud now. "He shouldn't have to go through this by him....self... ah, you ass."

Martin raised his brow with a soft smile. "I appreciate the offer, Tim, but you're not exactly desensitized enough for my liking."

Tim huffs. "Then Gunpowder will watch and be out. You don't deserve to be alone through this. I know you have an issue with that, I uh well, Gunpowder knows, and I saw the memory."

"Fine, if you insist." Martin paused, and Elias shivers with that look. "I've shared things with Gunpowder in secret. I don't want you to share with anyone." He grabs Tim's shirt. "Understand?"

Tim swallows and nods.

Martin smiles again as his features soften. "Good, I'll come by your flat tonight."

Tim watches Martin leave with a shudder. Elias doesn't leave yet.

"I warned you about being caught in Blackwood's web. You're not close enough with him to get comfortable." Gunpowder clicks his tongue. "He's not the man you knew, so please don't underestimate him. I would rather not die before Jonny does. We've got a bet going on."

Tim swallows and slides the dark sunglasses back on, and Elias is shocked to see his vision didn't change in the slightest. "He's still a good person."

"That's... well, none of us are good." Gunpowder responds dryly. "It comes with the territory."

Tim didn't like that answer, but he remained quiet as Elias came back to himself. He had a lot to think about.

......

"At least you know how to tell a story." Jonny responds with a bored tone. "These statements still suck, I still suggest we burn the entire place down."

Jon scowls. "No." He stretches and pulls out the used tape. "Can you think of anything that doesn't involve violence.... or sex." He gives a glare.

"Now you're just plain boring." Jonny raised his brow. "Being serious all the time must be fucking exhausting."

Jon sputters. "Just because I'm not some guy who thinks he's immortal and some sex pest doesn't mean anything."

"I don't care what you think of me." Jonny stares directly at Jon. "We are stuck together for the rest of time, and whatever comes after."

Jon scowls. "I won't devolve to be on your level."

Jonny rolls his eyes. "I don't care."

Jon huffs and leaves his office.

"Jon, you ok?" Sasha smiles softly.

Jon stops and sighs. "I'm fine, just getting used to an unfortunate roommate."

"That's one way to call it." Tim mutters.

"You two should try getting along." Sasha hums. "You'll be stuck together forever, I guess. I think it would suck if you two were stuck together fighting for all of that."

Jon scowls. "Oh, he's a right ass only cares about violence and sex. He's nothing but a pest, and I abhor the fact that I have to share my own body with him."

"Oh piss off." Jonny huffs.

Gunpowder sighs. "His attitude comes with his age. He is the oldest of us besides the doctor, but we don't know about her, though, really." He kicks his feet up. "Jonny, I know you're listening. You should be cautious he's going to see memories that you've forgotten. Funny how the mind works even if we forget they still exist in there, just waiting for a trigger to pull them free."

Jon expected Jonny to kick him out and take control, but he felt fear grip his heart that no longer beat. He swallows the dread that wasn't his and doesn't look at Jonny. "I will keep that in mind for when I sleep."

The conversation dies as Jon leaves as the day has ended, and he doesn't want to linger.

.......

The rusty hinges creaked on the old shack the teen called a home. He made sure he tipped off his shoes before entering, and he saw his father passed out in a drunken stupor. He carefully made his way to the small kitchen connected to the living room. If you would call it, that and stumbled upon a note.

"Jonny boy, I've left to clean up after your father. He pissed off some old doctor at the edge of town. I've left old Bessie for you to make sure she's in better condition when I get back, boy. Now, if I don't come back, I know you won't end up like your father. You're too smart for that. Use your ears to find a target to shoot. We both know your eyes aren't the best use that good hearing of yours. Don't file your horns too short boy they grow for a reason, and I love you forever and always."

Wrapped in leather by the note was a familair old looking revolver, the name Bessie was carved crudely into the handle. The weight would become familair in the teen's hands. He took the note scowled at his father and then headed off to hunt for dinner since that lazy piece of shit won't do anything but gamble.

Jon woke up with a start. He could feel a rush of emotions that weren't his. "I..."

"Don't say a fucking word." Jonny scowls. "Don't go telling nobody about that."

Jon nodded he paused, squinting at the clock that glowed, showing it was 3am. He sighs. "I don't remember my mother, or my father, with died at different times, but I was too young to remember them. My grandmother raised me, bitter she had to raise another child. Never told me that directly, however."

Jonny braces himself and grits his teeth. "I don't remember what my mom looks like either."

"Then we have that in common. Maybe the next dream will be my memory, and you can pick apart that." Jon sighs and curls under his blanket.

Jonny nods. "Just go back to sleep."

......

Martin grits his teeth and groans in pure agony. He could barely register the hand going through his red curls. His legs hurt, and he couldn't move them. His skin felt like it was on fire, and he didn't particularly like burning to death. He was stripped down to his birthday suit, and it didn't help with the fact that he was in pure agony.

Gunpowder continues to run his hands through Martin's hair. "It's alright, you're ok. It will be over soon."

"Just fucking kill me." Martin groans.

"We both know that won't help." Gunpowder sighs. "Would you like to hear my story?"

Martin takes a deep breath. "Please distract me."

Gunpowder nods and begins to narrate his origins.

....

An obnoxious alarm pulled Tim from sleep on the floor. He was laying in something wet and the smell of iron... no blood filled his nose, which caused him to panic and flail completely awake. His eyes lock onto a large spider, half then blood, then flesh and bone. Gunpowder takes over before he can throw up.

"Yikes, I thought the shared emotions wouldn't be this strong. Man, you are super depressed." Gunpowder gets up, smearing the blood off from his body. "You're going to need a stronger stomach." He looked over Martin, who was out cold. "See, he's breathing.... please stop screaming. " he covers his mouth, feeling his stomach sour from the sheer fear and disgust from Tim. He swallows the bile rising in his throat, turns away from the scene, and heads to the bathroom.

Gunpowder barely makes it to the toilet to empty the contents of his stomach. He continues to dry heave for a moment before turning to face Tim. "Are you done?"

Tim was pale, and he finally caught his breath. He was still radiating fear and disgust, but he was stable enough to talk. "Is he still alive?"

Gunpowder wipes his mouth. "Of course he is. What part of we can't die, don't you understand?" He frowns, pulling back his frustration. "Sorry you can't control how you react yet. I didn't realize how much I would share when we feel strong emotions." He sits on his knees and sighs. "I'll clean up, just try not to get sick again, please."

Tim nods and shudders. "I.... I'm not desensitized to this stuff. I'm sorry."

Gunpowder gets up, feeling the soft twists of sadness and self-doubt. "Tim, it's not a bad thing, means you're still human. Don't be too hard on yourself." He pulls out some cleaning supplies from the bathroom cabinet. "Tell me about Danny."

Tim frowns and nods slightly. "He was my younger brother...."

.....

Martin wakes up to someone touching his hand. He furrows his brow, pulling his hand back, and skitters up to be his full height, staring down at Tim. He hissed and then blushed, finally realizing that Tim was, in fact, there, and he wasn't a threat. He covers his face and groans, playing out his legs to be shorter. "I didn't mean to hiss at you."

Tim looked over to Gunpowder giggling, and he felt a laugh bubble in his own throat, and wow, no wonder he got frustrated. He didn't exactly know how he felt about feeling someone else's emotions. He gave a soft smile and reached out again to hold Martin's hand. "Your hands are really like a cat's paw."

Martin smiles and lets Tim take his hand. "Spiders have padded limbs and toe beans if you actually look at them."

"That's actually really cute." Tim blushes slightly. "Oh shit how are we going to get to work?"

Martin shrugs. "Might as well scare Elias first."

"Really?" Tim snickers. "What is he scared of spiders?"

"No, he's scared of what they represent." Martin hums. "We're going to be late, and I need a shirt."

"Right, you brought a spare one, right?" Tim paused and rushed over to a bag Martin brought. "Also, you're going to have to talk to my neighbors because of all the stuff we threw out, and they probably think I'm a serial killer."

Martin snickers. "I think I'll scare them into silence."

"Man, I've seen too much of Gunpowder, and Jonny and you having fun together to remember that I'm supposed to be scared of you because you're a spider centaur." Tim tosses over a sweater.

"I suppose I don't find myself scary either. Honestly, the fear left pretty quickly once I realized how my new body worked." Martin smiles. "This will be obnoxious getting to work. I don't mind walking. You live much closer than I do, but being stared at isn't ideal."

"Maybe a blanket?" Tim stops and covers his face. "That wouldn't work."

Martin chuckles. "I appreciate the concept idea, but Jonny tried that once."

"Wait really?" Tim raised his brow.

"Yeah, ended up in a bar fight." Martin snickers. "Although it was fucking hilarious."

"Huh." Tim crosses his arms. "Just bite the bullet and head out?"

"After you." Martin hums and smiles.

.....

Elias blinks, and the scene doesn't change. What confounds him the most is the fact that this has nothing to do with the web. The Beholder is taking it all in, and he can feel actual confusion from his patron. He clears his throat and approaches. "Martin, I don't believe it's near Halloween unless you've got an event planned."

Martin hums impressed at how well Elias can mask his true emotions. "I don't think a costume would be strong enough to carry someone on." He motions to Tim who waves.

"He insisted that he carry me." Tim smiles.

"Well, yes, but I hope I don't cause you too much trouble." Martin smiles. "Why the surprise this is your institute, and shouldn't you expect the supernatural?" He has a smirk as he walks past a stunned Elias.

Elias doesn't have a response to that. His mind was completely blank, and the Beholder was eerily silent.

Tim was snickering. "Double boss man seems quite stunned."

Martin chuckles. "Oh, this is quite fun."

That thought came crashing down with a terrified scream and wide eyed stares.

Martin felt exposed, and he couldn't remember the last time he felt bad about his body until this moment. He knows Tim can feel him tense. "I..."

"Jon, seriously?" Tim huffs sliding off Martin's back. "It's not his fault he's like this."

Jon was trying really hard to keep his panic and fear in check, and he felt a growing bubble of white hot rage directed at him and feeling it. The feedback loop was really confusing. "I uh..." He was forced out by Jonny.

"Fuck off." Jonny took back control his tail was lashing and puffed out at the end. His ears were pinned back, and the hair on top of his head was puffing out. "Seriously fuck off I don't judge you for who you carnally desire. Blackwood is mine, and you have absolutely no right." He goes o continue his rant, but a tooth falls out. He blinks as confusion fills his features, and he crouched down to poke it.

Martin opens his mouth and closes it. "You know I remember now what he was missing, the teeth."

"The teeth." Gunpowder repeats with a nod.

"I'm sorry Martin, are you ok?" Sasha vaguely motions.

"I mean, it was painful, but it doesn't hurt now." Martin pauses. "I have to figure out how to use my desk."

Tim is getting back control, pulling his eyes away from Jonny, now messing with his teeth. "I mean, you can get rid of the chair and move from there."

"That could work." Martin hums and looks over to Jonny. "Are you ok?"

Jonny holds a handful of his teeth. "What do you think?" He scowls. "Well fuck you too. No, I'm mad at you. That's a stupid fucking question, I don't care about spiders let alone being scared of them."

Three pairs of eyes watch the one sided argument.

.....

A fog seemed to roll into Elias's office out of nowhere, and a tall, muscular man in a captains attire steps inside. The man stops and stares at Elias, who had his head down on his desk. "Elias?"

Elias groans. "Peter."

"Shouldn't you be enjoying your new archivist floundering?" Peter raised his brow.

Elias takes a breath. "Peter, I have called every avatar I ever had contact with to ask if they knew what was going on with my archivist and his assistants. I have no leads, and the Beholder is clueless."

Peter opens his mouth then shuts it with a click.

"Do you have any idea what's happening? Because I don't have a singlaur clue." Elias throws his hands up. "One of the archivist assistants is a half spider centaur, and he's not even aligned with the web. The other has mechanical eyes that still work as eyes. That technology doesn't exist, and the Flesh doesn't bother with machines."

Peter reaches out. "I think you need a vacation."

Elias slams his hands against his desk. "Peter, I'm serious!" He gets up and grabs Peter's arm, and drags him to the archives.

Peter stared stunned.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

How You Remind Me

Epilogue for Sweet Treats AU: by character | chronological | epilogues

Warnings: these drabbles will include dark elements such as noncon, control, intimidation, and other stuff that may not be specified. Take this as you chance to scroll by.

Note: here we go.

Please let me know what you think <3

🍫🍫🍫

“How can I help you, sir?” Your question floats before you as you stare at the man.

His eyes, his jaw, his cheekbones. It’s eerie how much this stranger looks like him. The resemblance has you on edge. Any man makes you wary, but he has your adrenaline bubbling. That moment of shock and panic still curdles in your blood.

“Hmmmm,” he hooks a thumb in his pocket thoughtfully. “How about a cafe au lait…”

His demeanour alone sets him apart. It’s not that bullish stance that Bucky takes, not the constant posturing of a man ready for a fight. And his tone doesn’t make you want to shrink to a speck of sand.

“Cafe au lait,” you repeat as you hit the screen, “size?”

“Just a twelve,” he rubs his short stubble as he taps his chin, “and… cheese danish sounds about right.”

“Sure thing,” you key in the rest of his order and hit total, “cash only.”

“Hmm?” He tilts his head, “uh, yeah, should have enough.”

He reaches under his jacket and takes out his wallet. You stare at the top of his collar, the top button undone, no tie. Even so, he feels overdressed. He lays out a ten and slides it over the counter.

“Keep the change.”

“Oh, uh, thanks,” you open the drawer and shove the money inside carelessly with the fives. “Order will be up at the end.”

You point to the end of the counter and turn away. You can’t hide fast enough. Candy stands by the machine as you pull out a small frothing pitcher and some milk.

“Cheese danish,” you say curtly as you focus on your work.

“Hm,” she doesn’t move as she puts her hand dangerously on the metal top. 

“Careful,” you give her a look, “it gets hot.”

“Sorry,” she drags away her hand, “you okay? I coulda taken care of that guy.”

“It’s fine. He’ll be gone soon.”

She nods and exhales heavily. “Spitting fucking image,” she whispers, “I swear, I was ready to unleash my judo skills, Coco bean.”

You snort quietly. Candy’s tough but she knows how to make you laugh. The tense eases as you chuckle and you sigh.

“Would you stop standing around and get that danish?” You chide.

“Sure thing, boss.”

“Hey,” you call over your shoulder, “I told you, I’m not the boss.”

“Oh? Then who is, ‘cause it sure as shit isn’t Birdy and I’m not taking that responsibility.”

“Let’s call it a joint venture,” you counter as you spoon the foam onto the concoction of milk and coffee.

You lift the mug gently and carry it to the pick up window where Candy’s left the danish. She busies herself by wiping down the countertop. She’s not very subtle as she sends curious glances down to the man as he approaches you.

“And there ya go,” you present his drink, “enjoy.”

“Thanks,” he slides his coffee closer but doesn’t hurry, “so, you own this place?”

“Uh, three of us do,” you answer evasively as you fix the napkin holder.

“It’s nice. Quaint.” He slips two fingers through the mug’s handle but still does not budge, “so you from around here?”

Your eyes snap up and your lips part. You were wrong. His eyes are different. Lighter. Or perhaps it’s only that he’s not glaring at you.

“You got a lot of questions.”

“Sorry, yeah, I’ve been told that before,” he laughs at himself, “I, uh, I’m just passing through. On my way to cottage country, you know? This place is dull as dust so… tryna make it less.”

“Mmm, well, I wish I had some recommendations but you don’t seem like the quilting circle type.”

He scoffs again.

“Funny,” he muses as he taps his fingers on the mug, “like I said, I’m not staying long but if you think of anything to keep me busy, name’s Nick. Got a room down at the lodge.”

“Oh, the lodge,” you nod and give a sarcastic smile, “well, I do have some advice, Nick,” the last consonant clicks in your throat, “we supply the lodge with desserts so you don’t need to come all the way down here for a danish.”

He winces and his cheek dimples. He smiles at your dry rejection and reaches for his danish. You flick your brows up then down dismissively and spin away. You swiftly march into the backroom and nearly collide with the rolling cart as Birdy moves it into your path.

“Jeez,” you exclaim as you catch the side of it, “careful.”

“Uh, I’m just– Candy told me to tidy up. I’m tidying,” she pouts, “gosh, I can’t do anything right. Steve was–”

“Shhh,” you hush her sharply, “don’t. No more. We’re done talking about him. About any of them. Got it?”

She harrumphs and nods. She looks down and slowly rolls the cart onward as you let it go.

“I didn’t want it,” she utters quietly, “I was drunk…”

“I said, can it,” you go to the stove and peer through the tinted window to the muffins rising inside, “we’re past that.”

[ericaand]

Acoustic (Imagine)

Characters: Eddie x fem!reader

Summary: Sweet!Eddie is missing you, and is prompted to write/sing a song. Set in current times, I guess.

Word Count: 339

Warnings: None. Fluff.

You're at that place between real sleep, and being awake when your phone begins to buzz on the table beside your head.

"Hey baby, I know it's late. But I couldn't sleep. I made you a song."

You hadn't seen Eddie in almost months, which is longer than it'd ever been since you'd been married. Eddie got the chance to go on a small, short tour within the closest few states. As much as you'd wished you could have gone, you couldn't. Unfortunately, touring doesn’t really make as much as you would think. And bills still need paying.

"Hi baby, I miss you so much. I can't wait to hear it. Play it for me please?" You squeeze your eyes as a few tears fall.

He began playing a ballad, strumming gently, so as not to disturb anyone else. He trips over a few words as he goes along, and hums a bit during parts he hadn't finished.

"Hmmmm, mmmm, mmm, ohhhh, mmmhmmm."

You could just imagine him. Sitting guitar situated on one leg, eyes fluttering open and closed as he fully gets lost in the song. The way that his mouth forms Os, and the veins in his neck when he hits notes that are a little more difficult.

You close your eyes and roll over, grabbing the pillow that you hadn't washed, just wanting to smell him.

"I was laying there, staring at the ceiling of this shitty motel room, just wishing you were with me. The way that your hair gets stuck in my stubble when we're spooning. The soft curve of your hips, and how they peak out of your cute little panties. Ugh, God, and how your skin is so. fucking. soft." He lets out a small groan.

You felt warmth fill your entire body, as you relaxed your muscles and sunk into the bed. "Only a few more weeks baby, then I'm all yours. However you want me."

"I love you. But fuck. I want to dig my nails into those soft hips."

MASTERLIST

[corviids]

That does make a lot of sense because lucerys is still instigating them having kids despite them not really needing anymore. Like aemond would of been fine with 2 sons and 2 daughters but lucerys is the one who decided to forgo taking the moon tea in order to conceive valerion. Especially since lucerys had close calls with pregnancies I can see aemond not wanting to risk lucerys life anymore, he has his heir and spares so he's good. Meanwhile lucerys is like "hmmmm qybor looks extra handsome with stubble 🥰.....what if he got me pregnant 👀" then boom here comes the next set of twins 🤭

luke grew up in a big family so that’s what he wants. aemond just wants someone to call his so he prioritizes luke’s health over having more children. they clearly had no issues when it came to conceiving so everyone is like “are y’all done yet??” but it’s luke who has the power to make that decision since aemond isn’t about to stop having sex with him any time soon 💀

[heich0e]

OKAYYYY EVERYONE IM BACK and i read the latest installment of the trigun poly!au heheheheheheh LIVV ??!?? LIV LIV LIV LIV LIV (chanting and bouncing and sang to the tune of bill nye the science guy) i love when u write a sassy reader, she’s so fun to read i love how no nonsense and irritated she is hehe. when i was reading it was giving me a little bit of a star wars vibe??? IDK WHY like it reminds me of the same sort of old western feel of a star wars au LMFAOOO reader is so nice to let nico sleep on the floor instead of making him sleep outside on the porch tho. u always do this thing in writing where u drop little hints abt the backstory like in this one it’s readers dad and her mom and i’m picking them up and nibbling on them like a mouse trying to decipher everything. nico said reader is young and isn’t far into her adulthood so what happened to daddy 🤨 and mama??? hmmmm ALSO i looked up what nico looks like and he looks very scruffy so i understand why u made it a point to talk abt his stubbly jawline yummmmm CANT WAIT TO READ MORE THANK U LIVVIE

WHAT IF I CRYYYYYYYYYY

ok so re: sassy reader i think that it's so SO interesting to look at reader's character and personality in the prequel versus in the contemporary timeline of the fic bc it's SOOOO different!! like yes of course in the established poly era of the au she's still a little mouthy and holds he ground but in the past she was MEAN!! like a cat who hisses at everyone who walks past!! i tried to keep the cardinal elements of her characterization consistent but writing her when she's still an untamed little beast was really fun :')

LOVE THE STAR WARS REF in your comment as a bitch who loves a star war but ALSO because i rly did sort of consider making this a space western for a loooooooooong time (and there might still be an element of that which will come into play later he he he)

INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU ENJOYING THE BACKSTORY BITS bc i know that's a real point of contention in x reader but i will simply never be someone who can write something w/o backstory!!! daddy and mama are both mentioned a bit more later in the series but spoilers: they are both dead RIP (rest in parents)

I genuinely had to cut out so MANY allusions to nicholas's stubble/chest hair/nose because it got INCREDIBLY distracting how often i was finding reasons to talk about them but his NOSE IN PARTICULAR DRIVES ME CRAZYYYYYYYY

i love u i love u i love u messages like this make writing and sharing my writing so much fun they are my fav thing in the world u are my fav person in the world i ADORE YOU SO SO SO SO SO MUCH THANK UUUUUU :')

[soapisahimbo]

Please, I need input… what do you think konig looks like? Blond? Brunette? Long hair? Short hair? Baby face? Scars? Stubble or smooth?????????

OOF, this is difficult! I've seen a lot of different theories as well as fanart on how he might look and they all fit somehow, but if I were to make my own... hmmmm.....

I think he has light brown hair, very messy and unruly because he doesn't put much time and energy to like style it or even comb it - we're talking Helmet Hair Deluxe™️. Not that he doesn't wash it regularly, he just never does anything else with it. Not very long, chin-length at most. It gets in his eyes when he's not wearing his helmet so he might try to tie it up. We know his eyes are blue and that he's got dark circles for days and I'm pretty sure he's quite pale. Definitely has scars, at least two rather big ones like across his forehead or near/across his mouth. Might have one on his neck after someone tried to cut it but failed. He might shave every now and then, but I don't think it's anything he prioritizes.

Fairly strong facial features - semi-sharp jaw, prominent brow bone with strong eyebrows, strong cheekbones, although with surprisingly full cheeks. A nose that has been broken at least a couple of times, so it's a bit crooked. I can imagine him missing like a part of his ear to be honest. Sharp canines, bottom front teeth are a bit squeezed together. Looks a little bit like he's about to unhinge his jaw if he opens his mouth as wide as he can.

As far as his body is concerned, he's got plenty of scars - bulletwounds, stabwounds, cuts, burns, you name it. He's not lean or toned, no wash board abs or any of that- he's very sturdy. He lives up to the nickname The Human-Battering Ram in both appearance and ability.

[samioli]

Gosh the more I hear about DD the more I’m like I’m so glad I’m still playing Apollo Justice. Uhhhhh oh! Top five or three if your personal NRMT Headcanons and maybe one or two of your HCs for Phoenix and Miles by themselves? I saw a post earlier about like hard and soft HCs, hard being stuff you just need to have about the character for them to make sense to you and soft is less rude or die but something you still enjoy.

I guess one for me is the Bi Phoenix / realizing he’s also attracted to men. It’s not a deal breaker really but if a fic went out of its way to say he was only gay I might squint a little like mmmmm not a fan but you do you

And then a soft one is him having heterochromia. I can flow with his big brown puppy dog eyes but despite recent set him having two blue eyes isn’t Bad. But it’s one of those things I never noticed until someone said it and I saw they changed Maya to have blue eyes too and THAT feels wrong haha (no hate to blue eyed Maya-truthers)

yeah, dont get me wrong, theres still some REALLY GOOD NRMT moments in DD (like if u present phoenix's badge to miles, for instance) but that combined with that one quote i mentioned earlier just. does not make sense to me.

anyways! hmmmm interesting. i guess for NRMT, one HC is like, i dont like when miles is REALLY mean, esp during sex???? thats probably just a me preference but idk, like. a lil degradation is fine but they both should be having fun, yknow?? and sometimes i see miles depicted like he doesnt really care or that phoenix has to fight for his attention during sex, and while kink stuff like that is totally fine, i just don't personally see it for them in particular. these two are so obsessed with each other that it makes other people sick. one hard HC would be that Miles is super supportive of phoenix during the 7yg. they def had some ups and downs during that time, but miles was always there for him. ALSO a side hc, i HATE when people think miles would be disgusted by how phoenix looks?????? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are you kidding?? miles wants to touch his stubble SO BADLY and he thinks phoenix looks hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! end ted talk last hc would be that, even if he says otherwise, miles loooooooooooooooooooooooooooves phoenix's voice and how much he talks. loves it. cannot get enough of it. one time they get into a fight and phoenix doesnt talk to him for like. idk, an hour or two tops and hes just like 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺internally. and god dont get me started about sex!!!!! he esp loves phoenix's voice and talkativeness during sex two headcanons for Miles Edgeworth: that he's nuerodivergent in some way, i guess. im partial to him being autistic, but its all great tbh. and another headcanon for him would be that he actually has the biggest sweet tooth and won't admit it Two headcanons for phoenix: He has BPD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and desperately needs to go to therapy for his issues my god. (i have BPD, been in therapy for a long time, im a whole lot better than what i used to be jsdnsjkd) OH and he also has adhd. hes just like me fr thank you so much for the ask!!! im sorry that i rambled jsaknsdk

[silverior968]

Comic based on an incredible conversation I had with my dad yesterday

[Image ID: A traditional pencil comic. The first panel has the artist, a teenager with glasses, short, shaggy hair and a hawaii shirt excitedly explaining something with their hands moving. The speech bubble has the text "...and it's gonna be so funny, because my friend is Princess Zelda! So it's like "Princess Zelda and her new bestie - a car!"" The text next to them says "talking about cosplay". The next panel has the artist's dad, a bald man with stubble and a T-shirt, nodding with a speech bubble that says "a car made of flesh". The next panel has the artist grimacing, their hair fluffed up like a cat. The fourth panel is of the artist looking horrified, arms crossed with a speech bubble that reads "DON'T SAY THAT" with emphasis on that. The fifth panel has the dad with the speech bubble "well if he's a human version of a transformer he has to transform!" The sixth panel has the artist looking thoughtful, with the text "hmmmm" next to them. The seventh panel has them shrugging with a speech bubble that reads "Drag Queen?". The 8th panel has the dad smiling, with his eyes closed and arms crossed. His speech bubble reads "His drag name shall be IRON MAIDEN". The 9th panel has the artist saying "I was thinking more oldschool" and the dad's speech bubble, reading "like Miss Daisy?". In the 10th panel the artist has a speech bubble that says "or Dorothy" and the text "he seems like a Wizard of Oz fan" next to a small drawing of Dorothy and Toto. The next panel has the artist looking enlightened, with the speech bubble "Oh I know, medical puns!". The 12th panel has the dad looking thoughtful, with his eyes squinted and a speech bubble reading "Sara Bellum?" The 13th panel has the artist doing jazz hands, smiling, with their speech bubble reading "Mal Practice". The 14th panel has the dad saying "Mel Practice". The 15th panel has the artist looking shocked with a lightbulb next to them. The text above them reads "ENLIGHTENMENT". In the 16th panel the artist is leaning their head on their hands, smiling in a way that makes it seem like they're making an evil plan. The speech bubble reads "VIVI SECTION". The next panel has them with stars in their eyes and jazz hands, exclaiming "DIANNE GNOSIS". The 18th panel has the artist with one finger raised and a speech bubble that says "You know what my drag name would be? SIR JERRY*" and small text next to them reading "*I've had about 12 surgeries". The second to last panel has the artist saying "Oh, Mister Echtomy would also be good". The last panel has them with their head in their hands, with a speech bubble that reads "But would I be a drag king? Or a drag queen?". / End ID]

[odnson]

two tag games involving fic stuff under this

one line any fic! rules: pick ten of your fics, scroll to somewhere midpoint, pick a line chunk and share it, and then tag ten people.

tagged by @b1uetrees, thank u so much!! i’m a little late but i finally got the time!! i don’t think i can pick 10 fics tho; i’ll get to posting a 10th fic someday. 😂 also not putting the entire titles because i’m on mobile 💀

1. this one is from rivers aka one that is still very dear to my heart 😂

Instead of saying anything, Joowon chooses to act: he lets his breath ghost Dongsik’s nape, watching the hairs there stand before he leans in and kisses the skin between his shoulder blades, at the first knob that formed his spine.

2. this is perhaps my fave line from hook, only because i have a vivid image of ds tearing down the walls caging yy’s remains with his hands after he saw there 👀

Dongsik knows how to be gentle, but sweetness eludes him.

3. to the sun features jw and hyuk having a moment and looking back, i still like it so:

Joowon is steadily working past all these preformed prejudices in his mind, and he’s long realized that he’s been treating Hyuk like shit because he never saw Hyuk’s concern for him as something sincere.

4. from waterworn wishes, aka perhaps me at my cheesiest

Dongsik wonders if this is how it feels to be loved.

5. from tall ships, which i think still has the intro i’m really proud of:

There’s no guitar, but Dongsik’s heart sings nonetheless.

6. from as the world, one of my stuff that i look at rarely, but doing this fic meme thing reminded me that i had this bit in it

It takes him back to the reed fields, to wind against his hair as he tugged Joowon away from meeting the brunt of it.

7. this one is from company policy, and i really like it only because i think it hones in on the fact that jw is the “get out of my school” meme the moment he developed a crush 😂😂😂

He hates how everyone is entitled to Lee Dongsik’s kindness, but his dislike is reserved only for him.

8. this is part of wasted love’s summary, but eh, i think it says a lot about my hcs about these two lmao

The longer he remained here, the more he realized that this was exactly where they differed: Han Joowon was capable of loving only one person, but Lee Dongsik possessed a heart too big to love just one.

9. from qualm, the only fic i have that had the scenes flowing in a pace that didn’t require any separator, which, i think, is really interesting fsr bec i never trusted myself to have a piece that had one cohesive flow

There is no torrential downpour soaking them, no more darkened, dusty basement concealing decades-old secrets, and still Han Joowon is pleading.

second meme starts here, the fic writer interview. @b1uetrees was very kind to tag me once again, thanks very much!! 💕

name/nicknames: j

fandoms: be nowadays; gotta love how insane those characters made me

two shots: hmmmm to the sun and hook, perhaps? hook is so self-indulgent lmfao i wanted service top jw shaving off ds’ stubble and it was so specific that i knew i had to do it myself if i wanted it to exist 😂😂😂 to the sun was also self-indulgent, (all my stuff are lbr) but not as much as hook, i think. it did have jw in eyeliner tho, which ngl, i wrote for me 😂

most popular multi-chapter fic: exec horny/company policy 😂😂😂😂 funnily enough, it was 50k when i completed it and i thought “yeah i can post this in chunks” because i like finishing stories before posting, but idk. sth happened and it turned into an 80k thing somewhere along the way.

actual worst part of writing: oh, writing itself, i guess. like, wdym i gotta do it myself and that idea won’t spring out of my head fully formed like athena?? what

how do you choose your titles: unless something fits for the whole thing (like company policy), i go through a bunch of instrumental osts

do you outline? the better question would be “do u follow the outline” imo because that’s when i’ll start sweating 😂😂😂 i mean i do outline, but only for significant stuff i’ll likely forget (covid did me so bad and gave me horrible brain fog), but how to get from one plot point to another…………i wing that most of the time 💀💀💀

ideas you probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice?: mafia au, i stg, i did this little meme re: zodiacs and battery percentages on the cursed bird app and it revealed a “gang au” which is basically the same thing?? yeah. i do have an idea for it and the whole vibes, but wdym i gotta sit down for it to see it happen? 🙃

callouts @ me: ur phone is not a suitable device for writing

best writing traits: i think it’s the fact that i always write for me 😂 like, i write what compels me, what i want to see, what i enjoy. other ppl liking it is a very nice bonus, but me liking it has to be the most important factor here. i’d hate for the joy of writing to be taken away from me.

spicy tangential opinion: this might come as a shock to some ppl but if u don’t like sth, pressing the backspace key usually makes the thing go away. also if u’re going to be nasty to some fics, do it in ur dms and gcs and not on the cursed bird app bec u don’t know who sees those and don’t, ffs, bookmark the fic and tag it with “meh” or put a rating 💀💀💀 i’ve seen these things happen and with all due respect to ppl who do these: wtf is wrong with u??? (if u dont have gcs or frens to trashtalk stuff with then guess what, u’re probably a nasty fandom police that everyone has blocked)

not tagging folks bec i think everyone has done this by now 😂😂😂 if anyone wants to do it tho, say u’re tagged by me!! 💕

[memento-morianon]

happy storyteller saturday! do your characters have any irrational fears? where did they stem from? how do your characters go about dealing with them?

(in hindsight, trying to participate in storyteller saturday while i was on a roadtrip was poor timing lol, sorry for the late reply)

hmmmm irrational fears. a very good question! also a tough one for me to answer, because i get so focused on their big fears that play a role in the plot and character arcs, I haven't really thought about their smaller and more irrational fears before.

Evarin and Morianon are my two major protagonists, so I'll just focus on them and talk about their fears in general, and maybe i'll find some irrational fears as i explain the bigger fears.

Evarin's greatest fears are losing her loved ones and not knowing who she is.

the fear of losing loved ones is mostly centered on her husband Morianon, because he has a history of severe depression and she remembers the times he has almost died since coming to live in her town as a child. whether it's by accident or his own hand, she is afraid that he will die in some tragic way before he reaches his natural lifespan. and she knows that even in old age, his species means he will most likely die before she does. this is a pretty rational fear, all things considered. it gets worse when Morianon has been having a rough time, and it fades when he's had a long stretch of good days.

her fear of not knowing who she is might be considered more irrational. Evarin is a trans woman, and she's also 3/4 gnome and 1/4 orc. Her mother is half orc and her father is a gnome. the gender cultures between these two groups are not the same! Evarin often feels she is too gnome to ever have any place in orcish culture, even though she is related to/ very good friends with multiple orcs and participates in their culture all the time. she avoids looking too much like her father because he is a man, but if she looks too much like her mother, she would end up looking too orcish in a way that gnomish culture would perceive as masculine.

the primary traits she's worried over are her facial hair and her tusks. gnomes don't grow tusks, unless they have the right recessive genetics and enough testosterone. being amab, part orc, and having a gnomish father who carries the recessive gene without presenting it, Evarin could grow tusks faster and longer than her mother's. she dreads this, but the deep roots make them difficult to get removed and Evarin has always sort of avoided getting any surgeries to affirm her gender. so she keeps the tusks filed down to the smallest possible size. she also keeps her facial hair meticulously trimmed. more so than even a gnomish cis woman. gnomish women often have some manner of facial hair, usually just a few chin whiskers and some sparse hairs on the sides of their faces. Evarin thinks her stubble makes the tusk bulges in her jaw look too obvious.

Evarin fears losing her sense of self because she's in such a precarious place between gnome and orc, woman and man. she is a woman, but she can't bring herself to fully abandon parts of herself that many would consider inherently more masculine. she is part orc but she doesn't think it's enough to count, so she clings to her gnomish side and feels detached from the orcish culture even as she participates in it. she frets over her public perception, though she knows this small town community is full of people who accept her as she is, and she worries that she might lose her grip on this narrow internalized ideal she's built for herself. and then who is she? this fear is a major part of her character arc over the course of the story.

which also brings me to a potential irrational fear that's been blocking her from stabilizing that sense of self. I think perhaps she is terrified of getting any surgeries. she would never admit it. her mother is a doctor. Evarin herself studied medicine and is a professional medical "singer", which means she uses vocal magic to assist in medical situations. so it's really quite irrational of her to be afraid of surgeries. she knows all the steps taken to make it safe! she knows the recovery procedures! but somehow when she thinks about getting her tusks surgically removed, or having bottom surgery, or getting breast implants, she feels this terrible repulsion at the idea. maybe she had an operation as a child, some standard thing like getting surgery for a badly broken bone, or having an internal body part removed for health reasons (adenoids, appendix, etc) and it just freaked her out in a way that will not leave. She does occasionally have to attend surgeries as a medical singer, so she has learned to focus on her own job and avoid her fear when it's someone else being operated on. but i think she's doing everything she can to avoid needing any surgeries herself.

and then there's Morianon. goodness. he's got so many fears. he was badly traumatized as a child from being abused and neglected and ultimately surviving a hurricane that struck his birth town. he was then adopted into a foreign country. he's afraid of pain, dying, strangers, strong winds, he's scared because he feels small, he's afraid of being alone, he's terrified of being vulnerable. he's got a lot of fear in that small feathered body. most of which he can't even begin to explain because he is also afraid that other people will think he's crazy and dismiss him. he has historically coped by just not being himself. he's got dissociative identity disorder. he shoves his fears and coping mechanisms into various internal boxes and hopes they stay in those boxes forever.

he has gotten therapy, but this is a sort of fantasy pre-industrial era, or semi-industrial era, and while magic has allowed for some pretty useful advancements in medicine and technology beyond the expected (like full gender affirming surgical care) alas the field of therapy is just as messy as it has been in real life history. he's doing better! he's no longer paralyzed by all of his fears, especially those involving other people. but i would say that some of the therapies he's tried have just not been helpful. there are things he would rather keep to himself and refuses to bring up in therapy, won't even mention to his wife or parents. those secrets end up being extremely plot relevant and he's going to have to confront his fears in order to overcome his own character obstacles.

[acidiccherry]

You know what I think? Maybe Sau is set to his Halbrand-ish form (Annatar shares his features except for hair, stubble and eyes) due to actually hooking up with Galadriel in Eregion hmmmm question mark question mark??

Maiar become bound to their physical forms when they eat, sleep and have sex. And we've already seen him eating, so he doesn't seem to mind becoming bound to his current form.

And, let's be honest, if Gal would give him even the slightest invitation to intercourse, I mean. The pants would go off in a second.

It’s time for another submission to my “Gal and Sauron f*d already” obsession and I want to discuss this scene in the second episode where Galadriel covers seeds with her ring hand. Firstly, we’ve seen seeds referenced before.

It is shown when Adar plants them before battle last season and when, interestingly, Bronwyn lovingly gifts them to Arondir and when he gifts them back in episode 6. According to elven tradition in TROP, it is meant to be a blessing, to honor life in defiance of death. When we see Galadriel with seeds in season 2, the shot already provokes questions and observations. Is she actually planting those seeds? --Yes and no. Because you never see her put them in the ground you only see her covering them up. What the viewer sees is not what it seems and she is not alone in this dream. Galadriel is not just planting here. She's burying something. She’s covering up the truth and the only one who knows this is Sauron. Which is why you hear Sauron’s voice in the background calling to her. He knows the secret she is covering. Dream Celebrimbor and Shapeshifter Celebrimbor both say the same line, “Are they not the seeds you planted?” He is haunting her with the truth that only they both know.

What are the “seeds”? It is their secret she buries at the feet of her brother. An act meant to hide the truth under the guise of memorializing him. I think this is meant to symbolize Galadriel's bond to Sauron. Her vendetta against him was meant to be a vow honoring her brother but instead of fulfilling that, she created something else. She bound herself to her greatest foe. And her planting that seed is concealing her shame, which in turn gives “life” to something else, something that is in defiance of death. It is a dark twist on this eleven tradition. But could it be more than just an abstract, spiritual connection?

Let’s contemplate the obvious sexual undertones of seeds being planted. When we first see them in TROP, they are given as a gift from Bronwyn to Arondir. Presumably, out of love and affection but also the promise of something more. "New life in defiance of death." Later, we also see Adar plant seeds but he is alone in a field. It still has reproductive connotations here because Adar is lord father to the uruk. He is their only Father. There is a blank space here that the viewer later fills when Adar confesses that his "children" were the gift Sauron had promised him, the “seeds.” I think the conclusion we can come to is that the "seeds" here are Sauron’s as well. But the "children" Sauron has gifted Adar are as doomed as the seeds their Father plants in a sunless sky. Adar knows that despite his hopeful words, new life will never grow here just as his own seeds, his uruk, will never know the sun's light. But what of the seeds we see Galadriel tending to? Look at this shot because I think it confirms their origins. Does this imagery look familiar?

I think that not only do they represent a truth Galadriel is trying to suppress but that secret is literally regarding the “seeds” of Sauron. What grows is not Sauron but of Sauron. New life in defiance of death. Because unlike Sauron who needed to drain the life force around him in order to be reborn, these seeds needed Galadriel to nurture it for it to grow. It needed her and possibly Nenya. That is why Sauron brought up these cryptic words to her twice. He's reminding her of those seeds, their shared secret from their past. He's reminding her that he lives because of her. Not just because she rescued him from the Sundering Seas. Not just because she crowned him king. She broke the cycle permanently because they created new life together, not death. He may be killed, banished and take a different form a hundred times over but his blood, him, lives in her and her progeny for eternity. Because look at this shot. We go from a close up of Gal’s hand, wearing Nenya, patting the earth over Sauron’s seeds to this — Gal’s hand resting over her womb.

What Sauron is showing her in this dream is that it’s not her sins that condemn herself and those she loves to their fate. It’s the shame, the denial and the cover up. It’s her denying the truth as ugly and dark as it is that will bear greater tragedy.

[helaelaemond]

Don't get me wrong I LOVE Fabien Frankel. But the relationship between Criston Cole and Alicent's children kind of suffers because of the decision to not recast the character/have a younger version. Because when you see Aemond and Criston together, they are so obviously two men of the exact same age that as a viewer it's so easy to forget that this is, for all intents and purposes, Aemond's father. Like this is the man that filled in for deadbeat Viserys and taught him how to fight, looked after Alicent, offered comfort and mentorship and probably fatherly affection. Like look at the way Criston looks at lil baby Aemond after he's been maimed, that is love right there <3. Olivia is the same age as her on-screen children too, but I feel like because there was a younger actress it isn't as noticeable.

hmmmm im a bit torn on this, because they didn't change Daemon's actor, and i think it worked well, but I see where you're coming from. I kind of had the opposite feeling about Corlys and Rhaenys, in that they didn't do anything to make them look younger in the earlier episodes, so they look the same by ep 10.

Personally, I think that giving him shorter hair and stubble and what looks like the hints of wrinkles/lines on his face especially in ep6/7 (?) he looks like the years have passed. But then in ep 9 when he's with Aemond, he looks younger again (but maybe that's just the costuming?).

You're so right about Criston being somewhat of a substitute father. It's clear in the characterisations that he's got a personal bond with the Green kids that goes beyond that of just a guard - Aemond is open and honest with him in an emotionally intimate way, and Helaena willingly touches him when he shields her from Meleys.

Fingers crossed we get to see more of that dynamic in s2!!!!!!!