#hunter doesn’t need any more stress but oh well!

[authorred]

Die With A Smile | Li Shen/Zayne x gn!Reader | Love and Deepspace

➺ Preface: After a particularly bad run-in with a wanderer, you're left essentially dying on site. You know this will not bode over well for a certain doctor-friend of yours, so you force yourself up and onwards. Both you and Zayne have to reconcile the fact that you almost died without seeing each other for almost a month.

➺ I know I already posted a song-fic for this song but goddammit I keep seeing edits for this shit on my fyp and I love this song so mf much that I can't myself ( I also have an unhealthy obsession with Zayne ).

Maybe I'll do a Sylus version??? However the hell I'll do that.

→ Song

Warning(s): Mentions of extensive wounds, blood

Oh god, Zayne is going to kill me.

Your skin is warm and sticky; a disconcerting feeling. What remains of your clothes is glued to your skin in blood and sweat, most of it yours. You don't know why, but for some reason, Wanderers love to dick with you as if you're a hot commodity. You were just trying to do your job as a Deepspace Hunter, which you succeeded at technically, but, now your injuries are catching up to you.

You're starting to feel lightheaded and stumbling on your feet. You don't know if you've broken any bones, but all you know is that every part of your body hurts and trying to blink takes all of your energy.

Goddammit, if Zayne sees me he's going to be so mad. Or sad. Or both. I didn't even text him today--I should've texted him.

You stumble from the remains of where the protocore field emerged. You can feel the warmth of your blood spilling down your leg and flooding your boots. It’s an absolutely unnerving sensation. You have to find a way to the hospital. You need to get help. You can’t die. Not like this. Not before you see Zayne.

~

You were going to kill him. No, not kill, perhaps that’s too far. But you were going to scold him, chastise him like a worried mother. Zayne has been pushing himself again, not taking breaks or sleeping for more than five hours. He’s been using the on-call rooms in Akso or sleeping in his office. He doesn’t know why he does this. Perhaps he’s stressed because you haven’t texted him in several days and he’s unknowing to your severe injuries. It’s a way to cope. Because if he didn’t, he’d go mad.

So why.

Why?

Why is he staring at several paramedics rolling you into the hospital, covered in blood and unconscious? Is that what you’ve been doing all this time? Being reckless? Risking your life? Again?

He stands there, rooted to the linoleum, watching you be rolled into the OR for emergency surgery. He doesn’t know what’s wrong—eyeballing it he could tell you’re suffering from many lacerations. But what if there’s more? What if your heart is giving out?

It’s not until the hospital begins to settle again that he’s able to move. Swallowing thickly and moving like a ghost back to where he’s needed.

~

Hours pass—two hours, specifically. Zayne stands in your hospital room staring at your sleeping figure. Covered in bandages and bruises alike, his eyes are filled with trepidation belying fear and concern. The pain you must’ve went through to trek all the way to Akso Hospital—the amount of blood you lost. Too stubborn for your own good. He can’t linger, he has other duties to attend to. But he wants to—gods, he wants to.

Stepping up to the side of your bed, his hand reaches out. His fingertips brush against the palm of your hand, gently trailing them up your wrist and arm. Featherlight touches to prove you’re here, alive, breathing. His virescent eyes comb up and down your body. “How reckless,” he whispers. “And here I thought you were simply lost with no reception.”

No response, as he expected.

With a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, Zayne retracts his hand and places it back in his coat pocket. With one last lingering look, he turns and walks away from your hospital bed. He has work to finish, and you’re stabilized and alive. At least he’s assured in that regard. He can go on with the rest of his day without that aching, gnawing anxiety in his chest. It’s a relief, really.

~

When you wake up, you have no idea where you are at first. You’re completely disoriented and lost. You vaguely remember trying to navigate your way through a town on the outskirts of Linkon, and then after that, the memories are fuzzy.

You look to your side, your vision severely blurred. You can see a person sitting in the chair next to your bed, resting. You recognize the shape of their body immediately. “Zayne?” Comes your hoarse, weak voice. Even that’s enough to rouse him from his sleep—or maybe he wasn’t even fully asleep in the first place.

Zayne sits up straight when he sees you’re awake before standing. “Y/n,” he says, almost in surprise. “You’re awake. With the amount of sedatives in your body, you should still be asleep.”

“I can’t move my body,” you chuckle softly, but it sounds like a sad whimper instead. “Maybe that’s where they went. . .”

Zayne sighs at your attempt of jokes in your state. “Should I ask what happened this time?”

“I think you know.”

Zayne gazes down at you, his eyes slightly narrowed in worry. “You’re too reckless. Please, put some value on your life before we’re unable to fix you.”

“I know,” you reply softly. “But you don’t seem the best either. I can still see those dark circles even through my fucked up vision. You’ve been overworking again, haven’t you?”

Zayne shifts like a kid getting caught before looking away, “I take naps during the day so I can be productive at night. And I’ve been eating well and hydrating. Truly, it’s not that bad.”

“Those dark circles say otherwise.”

A moment passes before Zayne looks at you again. “You were too close this time,” he says. “Your life was in a precarious position. You’re lucky we had the personnel available.”

“I know,” you repeat. “I know. I—I’ll be honest, I didn’t think. . . I didn’t think I’d make it.”

Zayne’s expression drops suddenly, but he lets you talk.

“All I remember thinking is that I needed to get to a hospital, to get help, because if I didn’t, I’d regret it. Regret not texting you, seeing you. I wanted to see you one more time, at least.”

Zayne’s face twitches, and he resists the urge to reach out and touch you. You need space. Your body needs time to heal. “I see,” he replies softly. “Is that what gave you strength to crawl to the doors of the hospital?”

“Yes,” you nod softly. “At least, if I died here, I’d be near you. And that’s enough for me.”

Zayne doesn’t say anything immediately. “I would be. . . in pain if you died,” he says quietly, doing best to articulate his feelings without coming off as too much. “I would miss you greatly. Agonizingly.”

“Tomorrow is never promised,” you say, gazing at him with such affection and favor he feels lightheaded from holding your gaze. “But if I die—if I die next to you, with you. . . I wouldn’t change a thing. I would die happy and content. Knowing you’re there.”

Zayne swallows, his Adam’s Apple bobbing up and down under his black dress shirt. “I believe it would be best if we promised each other. . . to not push ourselves too far.”

You chuckle softly, “Maybe. But whatever the case, I’m just happy you’re here.”

You add, “And when the day comes I do die, I’ll gladly die with a smile if you’re with me.”

[archivistofnerddom]

Bad Batch AU Idea:

Fives survives. He reconnects with Echo after the latter is saved from Skako Minor, though Fives doesn’t join the Bad Batch when Echo does. He is happy that his brother and fellow Domino is alive and with a squad that will support him at this stage of his life.

Since Fives doesn’t have his chip in anymore, Order 66 doesn’t affect him.

He manages to get away from wherever he’s at and tracks down Echo and the rest of the Batch. When Fives does catch up with them, they’ve lost Crosshair, gained Omega, and fled Kamino. Fives is relieved to see them relatively in one piece, though he’s sad to learn about what happened with Cross.

But then, Omega’s there — and Fives immediately shifts into Chaotic Influencer of Little Sisters mode upon meeting her.

Hunter develops even more grey hair. Wrecker likes Fives a little too much. Tech impresses Fives with his Ludicrous Ideas and reckless flying. Omega loves that she’s gained another brother, as unexpected as it was.

And Echo is simultaneously so happy to have Fives with them and mildly concerned when Fives and Omega team up very quickly to prank him. (He winds up with bumper stickers all over his armor and glitter paint on his scomp, and no one will own up to doing that. Echo knows who did it and isn’t mad about it all. It means that they love him.)

[sylustful]

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Little Kittens Always Need Their Perch.

"okay, okay. you're spoiled rotten, that's for sure."

ever since you were dragged into a meeting with Sylus that one time, he's been taking you to his so called "errands", which you personally believe is just excuses he gives to show you off like some kind of trophy to his criminal friends. though... it does flutter a sense of pride when he perches you up in his lap and hold you close - not that you'd ever admit it.

→ TAGS: 16+, suggestive (bc Sylus is a pervert), but mostly angst & fluff, a tiny bit of objectifying reader(he's mean but we all know that), reader is a brat and likes to get on Sylus's nerves (as per usual), reader is referred to Sylus as his wife but it's not true.

→ MIKI'S NOTES: i can't be the only one who imagines mc sitting on Sylus's lap during meetings like some crime boss and his wife. this is a thought i had when i was looking through the poses in the photo booth and saw that pose, iykyk. oh, btw, the reader in this fic has a severe dislike for summer and hot weather. anyway, enjoy this little drabble of mine, teehee. :3 dm me for requests or follow more Sylus fics!

→ WORD COUNT: 1951

gun? check. watch? check. keys? check.

you sigh, closing your eyes and rubbing your temples. there’s no real reason why you’re stressed right now, it’s like any other business meeting that Sylus has dragged you; you just like torturing yourself with overthinking. countless errands have passed and not once has Sylus ever allowed you to get hurt or see anything that made you squeamish and uncomfortable - always taking you out before things got messy. it irritated you most of the time, arguing with him at his mansion about how you didn’t want him to be alone. he would always brush aside your concerns and talk about not wanting do “damage the goods” - in this case, you, to be specific. your chest squeezes at his disregard to you, even though you know he doesn’t actually think of you like that… you hope. it doesn’t matter, Luke and Kieran will be here any minute.

you look at yourself in a full body mirror by the door and lift your combat boot up, checking out your outfit and furrowing your eyebrows. Sylus always liked you in skirts: frilly, skater, short, long; so you got used to dressing up when he would invite you to his errands. n-not like you wanted him to think you were pretty or anything, just… wanted to maintain professionalism. it always gave you butterflies when he would rest his hand on your thigh and drove the car with his other, squeezing every so often. he would tease you by sliding his hand up higher under the skirt to the point where you had to reposition him and hold it still by his wrist, scolding him with reddened cheeks. Sylus would just laugh it off and go back to massaging the fat of your thighs and humming that god awful tune.

you take a deep breath in and out before a ping rings from your phone and you check to see the message from the twins announcing their arrival at your apartment. you take one last glance at yourself before you open the front door and leave your apartment, locking it behind you and to the car. it’s the peak of summer and the humidity is infuriating to you, enough for you to initially decline Sylus’s invitation to this meeting, but he reassures you with air conditioning and sweets. Linkon has been raining so much recently, you’re starting to worry about your future plans. Tara had been begging for a girls day out with you for so long and as much as you want to go, the thought of dealing with this searing heat has you clinging to the comfort of your cool apartment.

“glad you decided to join us this time, Miss Hunter!” Luke says with glee, opening the back door for you. “it’s been forever!”

you laugh, sitting down and waiting for the twins to get inside the car as well before replying. “it hasn’t been that long, but i missed you guys too.”

“just fuckin’ get on with it,” Sylus mutters, furiously typing away at his phone.

you scoff at him, shocked at his abrasive attitude. you knew Sylus could be brash, but this was just cruel. “don’t listen to him, Luke, you can take your time. i’m pretty sure we’re already late to the meeting, anyway,” you say, trying to comfort him.

Kieran looks back at you, shrugging. you know that he gives you an awkward smile of thanks by his body language, even with the mask.

the ride there was uncomfortable, to say the least. usually when Sylus takes you to wherever he needs to go, whether it be an auction for antique weapons, or a wine tasting event; he always chatted up a storm with you, talking about random things. but now, it felt as though you were sitting on a volcano about to erupt at any moment, burning you from the inside out. what the hell was his problem, anyway? is the meeting you guys are going to this bad? is it the people there? you want to ask but you’re somewhat intimidated by his appearance. Sylus was scary when you first met him, sure, but it’s been a while since you’ve truly seen him this irritated. should you comfort him? distract him? he hasn’t looked up once to you, swiping and typing on his phone, doing God knows what. you fiddle with your skirt, pursing your lips in thought. the awkward energy made you anxious and your foot tapped on the floor.

it was then that Sylus growled in frustration, reaching over to put his hand on your knee, forcing you to stop bouncing your leg. you look back at him, eyes wide as he glares at you.

“quit it, Kitten, or i’m throwing you out of this car,” he warned, and it sounded as though he wasn’t joking.

you still your breath, goosebumps appearing all over your body. despite the weather being as it was, you suddenly felt like you were freezing under his ice cold gaze. all you could do was look down at the seat between you and nod your head, suddenly remembering all the times your parents had scolded you. Sylus then leans back in his seat, propping his chin in hand and continuing to look at his phone. this infuriated you even more.

you grit your teeth, looking back up at him and grabbing his wrist. “what’s up with you? are you being a dick on purpose?”

Sylus quickly wrenches his wrist from your hold, looking up to glare at you. “how i speak to my underlings is none of your concern, dear hunter,” he replies, a vein popping out his forehead as he forces out a smile.

“those ‘underlings’ in question do not deserve to take the brunt of your anger,” you argue back, taking his phone. “you should be lucky that they put up with your shit.”

you lean back in your seat and go through his phone, all the while Sylus is one breath away from backhanding you. he keeps his cool though, not necessarily caring about you going through his phone. you both know he gets into nefarious activity as a crime boss so it’s not like you’ll report him or something to the Hunters Association. it would be your fault for seeing something you shouldn’t have or didn’t want to see. it still irked him that you held no disregard to his authority and did whatever you wanted, no matter how cute it was. but Sylus was in a terrible mood, the heat also getting to him. he hadn’t seen you in a while either, and he had to throw himself into work so as not to spend time with you. he hated having to think about you. a part of him wanted to ignore your dislike for summer and just take you out anyway, possibly being able to see you in a swimsuit at his private pool or go to a lake or something. he also hated being afraid to ask you such a thing. Sylus, the fucking final boss of Onychinus, fearful of a little girl rejecting his offer?

eventually, the four of you make it to the meeting in question, and you look out the window to see a very tall building. you’ve seen it in passing when you patrolled Linkon City but never had the ability to go in since it was only for high profile people. irritation irks at you in the realization that, again, Sylus was insanely and disgustingly rich. you suddenly felt the urge to sock him in his mouth. Sylus steps out first, the tails of his suit coat flying in the wind and tousling his already wild hair. he walks around the back and opens the door for you, taking your hand and pulling you out of the car. while his movements are rigid and silent, simmering with unbridled rage, his hand is gentle in your hold, giving you a gentle squeeze.

this is where you truly understand.

╭┉┈◦ೋ•◦❥•◦

“don’t waste my fucking time, i’m already pissed off,” Sylus growled, slamming his gun on the table and giving the man a warning look.

you watch as the man’s associates bring out briefcase after briefcase, pressing the sides of the handle and popping it open, revealing… powder? you step back as the thoughts slowly set in your brain. a white powder that has killed countless lives. a government official handling dangerous substances. your hands twitch, and you have to grip your wrist to stop yourself from grabbing your gun. you knew Sylus was involved in various criminal activities, but drug trafficking?! are you fucking kidding?! your eyes turn to him but he never moves an inch, staring at the briefcases with a look of indifference. you want to scream at him for forcing you to see this, but you know making a scene will only make things worse.

what you’re not prepared for, is Sylus wrapping his right hand around your waist and pulling you into his lap. you yelp, surprised by his action and internally curse at him when you try to wiggle out of his hold. it’s futile, of course, with one arm wrapped around your entire midsection and the other hand holding the gun. goosebumps ripple when the cold metal hits your skin and you can’t help but wonder how many lives were lost by this gun.

“i suggest keeping still if you want to make it out of here alive,” he whispers into your ear, his fingers drumming the skin under your shirt. “if people find out your identity…”

the urge to sock him surges back tenfold within you but you keep still as you were told. shifting your legs to rest on his lap, you wrap your arms around him and rest your head on his. his grip around you grows tighter, the tip of his gun tracing up the bare skin of your thigh. a part of you swells with pride at his body visibly relaxing against you as he takes a deep breath in and out.

“Mr. S, i don’t believe that bringing your… partner is appropriate for our discussion,” the governor voices, giving you the stink eye as he twists the ring on his finger. you feel bad for the woman he’s married to.

“wife,” Sylus corrects, readjusting you to sit closer to him on his lap, your ass rocking against his front, eliciting a pleased groan from him. “and i would appreciate it if you looked at her with respect or not at all.”

wife…

wife? you being Sylus’s wife? even if it was a farce for the man not to question you being there, it still made your face turn up in flames with embarrassment as you turned your face into his cheek. he chuckles at your action, kissing your nose.

“Luke, Kieran, get the car ready,” he orders, aiming his gun at the man and shooting point-blank between his eyes.

the sound makes you flinch and you shut your eyes, Sylus moving up to push your head into his shoulder. whether it was to protect or shield you from more death, you weren’t sure. bullets fly, but Sylus crushes them all with his evol, striking back at them with even more force. when it finally ends and Sylus lets go of you, letting you stand on your own two feet, your legs wobble and you hold the armrest for support, your head spinning.

before you can fall, he grabs you by the collar and holds you up. “what do you think, Kitten?” he asks with a wicked grin, moving his hand to hold your cheek with his thumb and forefinger. “wanna be my wife?”

[lightwise]

TBB S3 E4 Recap and Reaction

- Poor Crosshair keeps getting stuck on cold planets.

- Batcher banging on the chair ready to get out 🤣🤣

- These shuttles are really interesting to me. It’s rare to see a ship that size that can be piloted by two different people.

- Baby girl, I totally understand your logic in wanting to pull the data logs to see where Tantiss actually is, but given how tactful we know Hemlock has been so far in keeping his location hidden, most likely it wouldn’t pull up anything.

- What a dreary spaceport. Feels very Andor and very like Norwegian Star Wars.

- The level of snark that Omega is giving back to Crosshair is cracking me up. We don’t see her showing this level of talking back or being sarcastic with any of the other Batchers, which proves my theory that Crosshair’s constant level of highly annoyed at everything around him brings out the sarcasm in everyone else he encounters.

- Love that his knowledge as a former imperial is coming to play to help them.

- Also love that Omega was the one to recognize that they need different clothes (and the obvious pan of the camera on the clothes hanging on the line in the first shot of the spaceport to accentuate that fact).

- Quilted clothes in Star Wars is my fave (yes more Andor parallels).

- The uplilt and little scoff that Omega gives and the look she gives Batcher after Crosshair snarls about bringing “the hound” along is PRECIOUS

- Also Cross and Omega cross their arms the same way. Okay okay I’ll never be over their dynamic here.

- Crosshair’s trucker hat/scuba apparatus is hilarious. He doesn’t look too bad though. Surely he’s at least warmer now.

- The credits negotiation omg. I love how Cross is just waiting for this to play out before he makes a move.

- YES omg are my baby girls strategy skills FINALLY coming back into play??

- Oh no no no no no this kid is going to rat them out isn’t he. You guys need to be more mindful of your surroundings!! Ahhh (okay I’m glad this didn’t happen).

- Honestly at this point Crosshair would be me as well. Just lots of very annoyed sighing.

- I love that Crosshair is getting to see all the things about Omega that the other boys know already, but he hasn’t had a chance to witness yet. We know she can wipe the floor with most people on strategy games/gambling.

- Yep nope this captain is not good news. Don’t get distracted by ranting about Imperial bribery, don’t do it, don’t….*sigh* I hate the Empire so much.

- Oh no this is so bad! I swear WHY is every imperial such a slimy self aggrandizing POS.

- Aww Crossy hunched down at almost table level ready to tear the room apart if anyone touches his baby sister. Adorable murder kitten. 😸

- Also Crosshair when all of this is over: where the HELL did you learn to gamble like that!?! Omega: 🤷🏻‍♀️😇😁

- Also also what game are they playing? Those cards are beautiful.

- Oh no they’ve found the shuttle already. Dear god this episode is so stressful!!

- CROSS!DAD IS OFFICIALLY CANON lmao

- Okay I was hoping Omega would let him win bc this isn’t going to go over well

- Whoa I didn’t actually expect him to concede. Maybe he’s not quite as slimy as I thought. Doesn’t matter though, the shuttle will give them away regardless.

- Of course. There it is. Let all the seedy businesses thrive as long as you get your fine out of it. Ugh. This is paralleling a lot of imperial activities in Rebel Rising and the Ahsoka novel as well.

- I also love how Omega uses touch with Crosshair to calm him down and communicate with him.

- Whoa I did not expect Omega to throw the credits and basically give Crosshair the choice of abandoning her or not. Nor for him to actually have to think about it for a moment.

- “My skills are being wasted” the boy does not like feeling helpless. I understand.

- This is going to give Cross some understanding of what Hunter has been going through the last few years. Especially if he ends up losing her.

- “Don’t push it” and the extra head shake after lmao.

- Geez this man is just lining his pockets every which way isn’t he. Despicable.

- “Alright, let’s try things your way” “Finally” I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

- Animal stampede!

- Oh gosh is Cross going to get left behind??

- Aw he finally called her Batcher.

- We are clearly seeing how much Omega has actually been tempered by the rest of the Batchers being around her until now. The unfiltered combined powers of Omega and Crosshair at their most unhinged is maybe more than the galaxy is ready for 🤣🤣

- Also a very Andor reference with the captain being stampeded almost to death and having his gun kicked away from him in the melee

- NO WAY WE FINALLY GET AN IMPERIAL GETTING THEIR DUE BY CREATURE DEATH once again *cough cough* not a kids show

- Awwww Batcher licking Crosshair’s face. He’s so done for.

- They got away. Wow. I actually wasn’t expecting that. And with most of the money too.

- Okay. Smart girl. She did not pick Pabu.

- What an ending. Wow. So. Similar to Mando season 3 (which is also scaring me) — what the heck is the rest of this season going to be about?

- This reunion is everything. 🥹🥹🥹 the hugs. The running. The tears. The worry. The anger. The hesitation. The fear. The literal and metaphorical distance between their ships that someone will have to cross. They better not fast forward a millisecond when the next episode picks up I swear.

[fractured-shield]

Five lines tag

Thanks @honeybewrites for the tag!

Rules: Find five lines based on the prompts you are given, then change ONE of the prompts at the end.

Lines are either from my current FS draft, or from the random scenes jumbled together in my notes that *might* be in FS eventually

A line about food (pov you're too stressed to have an appetite and your friend isn't going to let you pass out in a meeting)

He sighed as they stopped before the door to their room. “It’s always the same. The young ones are afraid of me, and anyone else treats me like I’ll break, or as if I already have.” “Well, Aestarn said that you aren’t frightening, to be fair, only that you look like it at first. So it seems they’ve figured out that you’re too nice for your own good, and exactly as threatening as a mouse. And not even the kind of mouse we have in Tarnuvin, those little skittish field mice they have here in Rhorn. …Oh, you stubborn bastard, you never even finished your fucking soup, did you?” In spite of himself, Idhren found himself laughing at the absurdity of Hal's question. “I'm sorry, I don't think I did.”

A sad line

"I couldn’t blame him, I couldn’t ask for more, but I… We parted ways on good terms, and then the war ended…and then he died. …That’s a story for another time,” he ended weakly. “Oh,” she said quietly, looking up from where she was trying to untangle the tarnished chain. He wasn’t quite happy with how much of himself he saw in her, but she had always had her mother’s way of understanding people in an instant. She looked at him like she knew so much more than he’d said. “Oh, you loved him. Didn’t you?” “I did,” he answered, so much more easily than he’d expected. “...I still do. And your mother, and every friend I shouldn’t have outlived, and…” “Don’t put it that way.” She spoke with surprising conviction, without any of the stumbling hesitation he was learning to expect from her awkward teenage years. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” He took a slow, measured breath. “My point is that you don’t stop loving people when you go your separate ways, or just because they die.”

A line about a book/reading

"Besides, thinking you’re good at something has nothing to do with whether or not you actually are. I don't know how it is for your parents, but I’ve never once felt like I was good at any of the council work.” He smiled just a little, like he was telling her some great secret. “Wait—really? Aren’t you Tarnuvin’s senior councillor or something?” “The title doesn’t mean much,” Idhren admitted. “It’s all an act, really. I’m terribly shy, I always feel like I’m less qualified than the people I speak with, like I’m afraid they’ll find out.” Waith looked away. She wasn't used to adults being honest about that sort of thing. She wasn't sure what to do with it. "I…it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who feels unsure, when Therien and Oenith the rest always seem like they know exactly what to do.” “Just one day at a time, if that’s what you need, alright?" Waith looked at her book, running her thumb along the edge of the pages idly. “Is that Fairalmin poetry?” He leaned closer, just a little “I can’t really speak it, I can only read it. So far.” She shrugged. “That’s right, you’re from Fairalme, aren’t you?” “I am. If you want more practice, we’ll have plenty of time on the way north. Therien’s halfway fluent, herself. Ah, I always liked this one,” he read the poem’s title. “Where did you ever find a book of old Fairalmin poetry?” “Someone gave it to my parents. My mother says it's not a very useful language to know anymore, but you know how she is.”

A line about the weather

The plains below were bare, stretching out northward from the city gate. The brisk wind tossed the dry grass in waves, empty of any passers-by. Even the farmers and hunters coming for the market from Durnthain’s outlying plains had all arrived by now. “What’re you looking at?” She heard Condel’s voice behind her. “The regional council starts today.” Oenith joined her at the wall. “You know how she gets.” Therien kept looking into the distance, as if a cluster of riders would materialize out of thin air, grey banners snapping in the wind and guards’ armor catching the glint of the sun, if only she looked hard enough.  “The weather's nice today—it's the perfect weather for this kind of thing, don’t you think? It was a little cold when I was putting out Ealrid's laundry this morning, but the wind fills out the banners when everyone gets here, and they're so nice to look at.” They didn’t answer. She could feel them staring at her. “Therien, who the hell has an opinion about what kind of weather is best for a council meeting?” Oenith gave her a teasing jab with her elbow. She rolled her eyes and didn’t dignify it with an answer. It made perfect sense to her, after all, so what was the use in explaining it?

A fun line (not sure if it counts as fun but it's got Malin in it and he's always fun to write)

“Gods, it’s been ages, hasn’t it?” he called out in a friendly tone that seemed to Therien much too casual for the current situation. The sun glinted against the gold scrollwork on the breastplate of his armor and he raised a gloved hand in greeting. “What are you doing here, Idhren?” Her papa gave a slight smile, answering more quietly. “The trade council just ended. We were leaving, until we ran into the hunting party. What about you?” “Oh, you know how it is,” he shrugged, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword, ornate and polished until it sparkled. Therien didn’t know how it was, actually. “I’m just keeping an eye on the Lochieru. It’s not like they’re going to declare war on Vailra, are they? They’ve enough enemies, with the whole alliance at their throats, they won’t risk adding another—and a city of mages at that.” Therien looked at him. “You don’t look much like a mage.” A moment later she realized her mistake. “Sorry—I didn’t mean to be rude, it’s just—” “Gods, no,” Malin laughed easily. “I’m only a swordsman. The only magic I know is how to light a candle, and it took me near a decade to learn.” He looked closer at her. “...Therien? Last I heard you were toddling around with a wooden sword and starting fights with your playmates. We’ve never met, have we—how old are you now?” “Seventeen,” she flushed timidly at the amiable attention, realizing already what her papa had meant, how everyone Malin met was treated as a friend.

Tagging: @ryderwritings @leahnardo-da-veggie @just-emis-blog and anyone else who wants to join, for the following prompts:

A line about music

A sad line

A line about a book/reading

A line about the weather

A fun line

Tag list: @just-emis-blog @orions-quill @honeybewrites @leahnardo-da-veggie @robin-the-blind-sniper-rifle

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

The Gym Membership - Part 18 (Crosshair)

Summary: Crosshair reacts to Tech's statement

A/N: Hello Lovelies,

I hope everyone is doing well. I know things are getting rough for all of us, but just keep in mind that we all love you. Just keep swimming. Keep moving, keep pushing, even if it's a millimetre, just keep trying.

Love oo

Warning: Grief, emotional hiding, anger, annoyance, flower buying, mentions of hospital, and cardiac monitor. I think that's all of it, if I miss anything please let me know.

AO3 Link   |   Words: 1,011   |   PREVIOUS - -> NEXT

Gym Membership Master List  |   Main Master List

“What could you possibly know about grieving? You’re not Hunter, you’ve never lost a wife or a fiancee! You’ve never loved anyone!” Tech’s voice echoed over and over in Crosshair’s head, he rubbed his hands on his pant leg, doing his best to control the anger brewing within him. He stood from his seat, his fists clenched by his side.

“You have no idea what I’ve lost” Cross’ voice was cold and menacing as his jaw clenched. “Just cause you’re my vod doesn’t mean you know my life!” 

He moved away from Tech, grabbing his keys, he didn’t exactly know where he was heading at that moment, what he did know was he needed to move away from Tech before he hit him.

He took a deep breath and turned to look at Tech one last time, “I may not know what you are feeling Tech, but if you don’t learn how to deal with Kamarie’s loss, it’ll eat away at you more than you can imagine.” It was all Cross wanted to add before he headed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Time passed as Crosshair drove his car in a daze, before he even realized it, his car was headed towards the Veteran’s Army Hospital. He sat in his car staring at the hospital for a good fifteen minutes as he contemplated whether or not he should get out of the car. 

He hadn’t been there in a week, his schedule got thrown off the whole thing with Tech stressed him out if he was being honest. As he sat there, he realized he hadn’t even brought any flowers with him. It was too late now to go and get some from his usual florist, he let out a frustrated sigh as he got out of his car and headed in.  He would need to make a stop at the gift shop, he hated getting gift shop flowers, they were always leftovers and scraggly bits. His jaw clenched as he looked at the stems that were being offered, they were pathetic and not good enough.

“Can’t find what you’re looking for?” The shopkeeper asked as she stood beside him, a smile on her face.

“Do you have … I don’t know, any fresh flowers?” He turned to the elderly lady who had been there taking care of the shop for the past twenty-five years. 

“Haven’t seen you in a while, kid” she mumbled as she walked to the door behind the register.

“Yeah, I’ve been trying to get my flowers at the shop you recommended.” He answered absent-mindedly, “Plus there was a death in my family … so my schedule’s been a little hectic”

“Sorry to hear that, kid.” She gave him a sympathetic nod, before she disappeared into the room she opened, she walked out with a rather large bouquet, “Here you go, lanky.” She placed the bouquet on the counter as she patted his hand, “Just remember, I always keep a fresh batch just in case.” Crosshair looked at the bouquet of roses and tulips that oddly went together, “Was it someone you were close to?” Cross quirked his eyebrow, as he tried to understand her question, “The family member that you lost.”

“Somewhat, she was my brother’s fiancé.”

“That poor man, are you being supportive?” She always treated him like he was her son, he wasn’t sure why, or what she was hoping to get out of being so kind to him.

“As much as I can be, but he’s hiding himself” his voice still had a hint of anger and annoyance as he thought back to Tech.

“Much like you are?”

“I’m not hiding”

“Oh no? Tell me, since the last time we talked, have you told your family why you come to the hospital every week?” Cross didn’t answer her, “Well… have you?”

He let out a sigh, “They don’t know anything”

She lifted her eyebrow in derision, “Isn’t that a form of hiding? You can’t be angry and annoyed with him for hiding when you are doing the same thing, and a lot longer than he has.”

“I’m not angry … or annoyed.”

“Yeah, and I’m not a 65 year gift shop cashier.” She held up her hands in surrender when he narrowed his eyes at her, “Alright, so you’re not annoyed or angry…” she rolled her eyes, “then how do you feel with the way he’s acting?”

“Aggravated” he smirked as he looked at her, “See not annoyed or angry”

She silently laughed as she shook her head, “Kid, pretty sure, aggravation is a mixture of both.” He just shrugged, as he listened to her explanation, “Anyway, young man, try not to be too hard on him. Just remember how you felt and how much pain you went through when you first started coming here.”

“Thanks Bethany. I’ll see you around.” 

He took the bouquet and nodded his thanks as he headed towards the seventh floor. His feet followed the familiar path he’d taken over the past several years, he headed to the room he had gotten to know like the back of his hand. 

His feet froze as his eyes focused on the woman’s back sitting in the chair by the bed, his hand gripped the bouquet a little tighter, as he walked in, placing the bouquet in the vase beside the bed getting rid of the old flowers that were there, “Why are you here?” He mumbled without looking at her.

I glanced up to look at the man who vexed me to no end, I didn’t even bother responding to him as I focused my attention back on my book, glancing at my sister’s bedside cardiac monitor. I don’t know what was more vexing his voice, the fact he always showed up and usually brought her favourite flowers, or that he didn’t say much and still managed to get under my skin. My eyes glanced over as I watched him grab one of the chairs in the room and slid it beside mine. 

AO3 Link   |   Words: 1,011   |   PREVIOUS - -> NEXT

Gym Membership Master List  |   Main Master List

@justanothersadperson93​ @liadamerondjarin​ @badbatch-simp24​ @spicymcnuggies​ @lady-ren​ @firstofficerwiggles​ @darkangel4121​ @discofern​ @kavecika​ @monako-jinn-stories​ @ladykatakuri​ @avathebestx​ @theroguesully​ @furyhellfire66​ @carodealmeida​ @ciramaris​ @sprout-fics​ @twinkofthedink​ @dindjarin-mandalorian​ 

[holodaxy]

Okay so stay with me as I've been having thought...mostly Hawk and Thrush Thoughts...sort of...

Is there a fic (and there isn’t because I’m about to get oddly specific – maybe this is more of a cry to write this because I won’t) where somebody has inadvertently gotten close to Beta (on purpose seems a bit cruel and horrible) as an Aloy replacement?

In my head it’s Talanah – in some way this seems wrong and a touch out of character, but you know those oddly specific details? Well yeah, she works for those oddly specific details so stick with me here…

So Talanah crosses paths with Erend and naturally they get on about Aloy and he mentions that she’s spending a lot of time helping reunite the Quen Fleet and rather innocently makes a joke about how Aloy is more interested in spending time with a Quen Marine than reuniting the fleet (because of course the GAIA Gang have been gossiping about Aloy and Seyka – not to mention they’ve got an inside source! Alva is right there!) Talanah isn’t impressed by this information, though doesn’t know why (Erend has a good idea, but he’s already opened his big mouth once so he’s not doing that again).

How Talanah makes her way to the base I’m not sure (I can’t work it all out!) and cue an awkward first meeting with Beta because of course Aloy didn’t mention that there’s this anxious identical ‘twin’ wandering around. So Talanah is about to leave (because this wasn’t on her ‘Life with Aloy’ bingo card) when she discovers Beta doesn’t know how to use any weapons and really, how could Aloy be so careless as to leave her twin sister all alone in the base with no way to defend herself? Anybody could walk in! As evident by the fact Talanah had just walked in – that’s her argument and she’s sticking to it, she won’t hear any objection from Beta about how the base security was likely programmed by Aloy to let Talanah in because she's been there once before.

So Talanah sticks around to show Beta how to use a bow (or any weapon really) and Beta totally isn’t her Thrush because that would just be weird (not that the whole situation isn’t weird to either of them, but its just a little nice for Beta to have company and for Talanah to be away from the stress of the Hunters Lodge). And I can totally see Beta being the one to tell Talanah everything – about Nemesis, about Zero Dawn and Elisabet Sobeck, about how she and Aloy are clones (again, none of this was on Talanah’s ‘Life With Aloy’ bingo card). She’d also give her a Focus (because Beta doesn’t understand why Aloy isn’t handing these out like sweets to people!) and shows Talanah how to use the Focus and oh look! They’ve taught each other things and that’s nice.

So one day they decide to venture out of the base (again, I don’t know, I really don’t know why) and who do they stumble across? Well Amadis of course (because every story needs a villain – that was harsh, he’s not actually going to do anything wrong this time). He doesn’t get a close look at Beta and just thinks Aloy has drastically cut her hair and changed her clothes (she did it like three time the last time he met her, where is she hiding those armour sets???) and he passes comment about how both he and Talanah were using each other to get over other people the whole time. Talanah has an ‘oh fuck’ moment and Amadis goes on his way again not realising he's caused total turmoil again.

So Talanah’s ‘oh fuck’ moment hits home that she’s drawn to Beta because of Aloy and she’s done exactly what she never wanted to be and made somebody her second choice. And deep down I think no matter how close the two of them were getting, Beta knows she’s an Aloy replacement and her self esteem is so far in the ground that she’s just pretty much ‘that’s just it for me, I’ll never be anything other than the inferior copy’ (and my poor baby Beta, I want to hug her) so she’s just kind of clung to somebody being nice to her even if it’s possibly (keep possibly in your mind) not meant for her in the first place.

I didn’t say this wasn’t angst – I mean, my opening summary of this didn’t indicate there wasn’t angst!

How this ends I’m not sure – I have two options, again…stick with me…

Aloy returns to the base right in the aftermath of the ‘oh fuck’ moment and is totally confused about what Talanah is doing there, but she’s kind of grateful that Talanah was looking after Beta. Then she finds out how close the two have gotten and is not impressed because how dare Talanah go near Beta! And Aloy totally won’t admit to being jealous and what Quen Marine? She’s be reuniting the Quen Fleet!

The two then have a long overdue heart to heart and all their feelings laid bare, happily ever after Hawk and Thrush. This ending seems a bit harsh on Beta who I don’t think deserves that so from stage right enter some unseen original character who has never, ever laid eyes on Aloy and knows nothing about her so they can like Beta for being Beta.

Option 2 goes totally the opposite way, enters rare pare mode and Talanah realises Beta is a totally different person to Aloy and while the original reason she spent time with Beta was Aloy (and was totally wrong) she’s actually rather drawn to Beta’s totally different personality and quirks. Cue Aloy returning to the base with Seyka and being totally confused about what’s going on – and has Beta just stolen her moment? She was about to introduce her girlfriend to the gang and now Beta and Talanah are a thing and…well…typical sibling bickering.

Of course there’s hidden option 3 which is everybody is miserable and unhappy, but that seems a bit bleak even for me.

Well thanks for sticking with me for this long…whatever this is – I don’t know what this is. I’m going back under my rock now, I’ll keep these wild idea to myself as this got out of hand 😁

[brothebro]

Ectoberhaunt 22- Day 4: BOX

[warnings: none. Rating: T Jack Fenton centric, crack treated semi-seriously] [I’d like to thank Nitzan from the DP discord for this wonderful AU idea]

Way before the portal to the Ghost Zone started working, Jack Fenton had a minor hiccup while building it. He hadn’t felt it important to let Maddie know, after all, he was fine, thank you, and the hiccup itself hadn’t had any significant impact on the machine as well, so…

It took him far too long to realise that maybe, just maybe, getting zapped by the ecto-technological miracle and not checking it out had repercussions on his health. When he started to develop what he would later call ‘cool superpowers’ he was…

You guessed it! Ecstatic!

After all, having superpowers over gravity and density meant he was far more equipped than the average ghost hunter to catch those dreadful spooks (that no doubt would show themselves eventually with the portal running). But work was plenty, and plenty stressful so Jack forgot to let Mads know about them. 

He thought he told her, he really did! He swears!

Cut to now.

It’s just another work-filled day and Jack needs some time to unwind. He thinks he’ll just go zero-gravity with his powers, maybe get his transformed ⁠— and what an incredible day that was when he first transformed! ⁠— blue hands on a few boxes. Maybe play some harmless pranks on those punks loitering around Target’s parking lot. Perhaps that’ll teach them not to graffiti the GAVs of innocent people with fake swirly moustaches. 

Jack Fenton’s face is not made for facial hair, okay?

In any case, Jack goes out for a zero-gravity late evening walk, vowing internally to be back for Maddie’s no doubt delicious dinner⁠— God he loves his wife! An hour and a half is more than enough to have some fun and have some time to do some gadget-to-scrap-and-remake-into-ghost-weapons shopping.

Just as predicted he finds those very same delinquents hanging out drinking diet soda ⁠— what are those kids’ parents even teaching them?! ⁠— squatting at the side of the parking lot under an old tree that has seen better days. 

“BEWARE!” he shouts in his echoey voice and zero-gravitys a few empty boxes from the recycling bin to float menacingly around him. 

The teens startle and look at him with wide eyes. 

“THE BOX GHOST IS HERE TO REIGN DOOM WITH MY ARMY OF SQUARE CONTAINERS!” 

Oh, man this is going to be fun! He’s not really a ghost, could never be such an ectoplasmic scum of post-human consciousness but the kids don’t know that and he’s going to use that to teach them a lesson not to deface people’s things. 

Let’s just hope that that spook Phantom doesn’t show up to trap him in that soup thermos again… 

[fanfictasia]

Whumpril Day 14

Holding Back Tears/”I said I’m fine!”

Spoiler: This is an excerpt from Call it Freedom

“It was… nothing,” he insists, because now that they’re here facing him, he can’t even begin to imagine trying to tell them what happened, how badly he failed. He clenches his hands to hide the faint tremor in them, well aware of the visible tension in his shoulders as he crosses back to his bunk and settles on it, staring pointedly at the wall, not them. He can imagine their expressions well enough, and he doesn’t think he can bear to look Crosshair or Tech in the eyes without crying again.

“That… was not nothing,” Echo says finally.

“I had a dream,” he grinds out, because what else can he call it? “It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

He doesn’t see Crosshair move – he’s not in his peripheral vision – but he hears the movement, and a toothpick hits the side of his head. He jerks, glancing at it, before turning a glare on Crosshair, who just stares back unrepentantly. They grew up together; of course, he doesn’t find Hunter’s current expression any more intimidating than he has the past three thousand times he’s seen it.

“I said I’m fine!”

“Oh, we believe you,” Crosshair answers snidely.

“My scans show that your stress levels are abnormally elevated,” Tech reports, and Hunter flinches at the sound of his voice. “When have we ever followed orders.” There was so much resignation and acceptance and determination in those words. The mere memory feels like a vibroblade even now.

“Must have been quite the dream,” Echo murmurs dryly, frowning.

“Uh yeah,” Wrecker agrees, rubbing his left ear. “It didn’t really seem like you’re fine.”

“… I don’t want to talk about,” he settles on finally. We lost the kid. I lost the kid. Our squad fell apart, and it was my fault.

The others don’t even know who Omega is, and that realization challenges his ability to maintain his composed façade. They don’t remember her. … She doesn’t remember them or any of the things they’ve been through. For some reason, that part hurts even worse, and Hunter ducks his head, focusing on breathing through the sudden rush of emotion.

“I’ll be fine,” he states once he’s certain that his voice will be level – he can feel their eyes on him as they try to figure out what to do. “I just need… some time to sort things out.”

[mlobsters]

supernatural s12e9 first blood (w. andrew dabb)

oh. i think i've read fic about them being in this prison, or the aftermath. obligatory i hate plotlines that get them arrested because it makes me unreasonably anxious

CAMP You just are. Now that’s not a threat. I don’t believe in torture. Doesn’t work. Oh, I’ve seen folks waterboarded, cut on. And they talk. Ooh, they do. But they never tell you what you need.

nice to hear because it's true and the show employs torture for information a lot and i also hate it

MARY [sighs] How did we let this happen, Castiel?

i mean, everyone made really bad and dumb choices. sam and dean, included. dare i say, contrived plot mechanics!

CROWLEY No. Do you know how many all-powerful beings have tried to kill them? CASTIEL Roughly, yes. CROWLEY As do I. I was bloody one of them. Sam and Dean? They’re like herpes. Just when you think they’re gone… Hello! The boys are back, leaving a trail of bodies in their wake. So wherever they are, whoever has Sam and Dean, well… In the immortal words of Lawrence Tureaud.. [imitates Mr. T] “I pity the fool.”

something oddly endearing/reassuring that crowley is so completely unconcerned about them being captured because he has that much faith that they'll end up on top

CASTIEL Six weeks, two days, and ten hours.

nothing like 40 years amirite

CASTIEL I saw it on the news and I thought, that’s the sort of thing Sam and Dean would investigate. They would roll into town, save the day, kill the monsters. But with them gone… I tried to work the case. I tried. [bitter little laugh] But… I don’t know what I did wrong. I… I asked questions, but maybe they were the wrong people, or the wrong questions, and I just-- I never found it. Never found the monster. Never even got close. And three more women died before I left town. Before I ran away. MARY So we go back. You and me.

i appreciate talking about this seriously, when cas tried hunting with them before it was just all a punchline. but hey, here's a thing that requires a lot of specialized skills and cas tried but couldn't figure it out. (where's the hunter network, ring up... garth? is he still doing that even with his werewolf family? get some backup) odd coupling it up with mary sounds like a good idea, cas.

well. they've surely piqued my curiosity on how they coordinated/arranged whatever this playing possum situation is

reminds me of that thing from a recent con with jared telling a story about when they first were auditioning for the show and he asked jensen how he got his eyes so big lol

the fugitive part 2 apparently. this is all so cheesy. having a hard time taking any of this prison plotline seriously but the show is trying to pretend.

SAM All right, so we got what? An hour ‘til dark? Which puts us at six hours ‘til midnight? DEAN That sounds about right. SAM Dean, we gotta talk about this. DEAN Okay, we will. All right? Later.

feel like usually the show gives us enough info to figure these things out but i have no clue what's up

MICK Wait, so you’re telling me what happened in Indianapolis was you took on the bleedin’ devil himself?

oh okay, now they're impressed? not at all the other equally impressive shit they did and they thought they should be killed for. whatever. i hate these people :p

s12e9 / s12e6

what happened to her side bangs? full bangs with this cut is kind of a weird combo

like a little purgatory larping

ok, the boys get to be badasses. moderately fun

jared's little rapid breathing and "don't" there weirdly impactful. like sam's stressed about the gun on dean - instead of playing it badass/cool

so they got me, i was feeling some of the vibes and then....

snort of disrespect. SO CHEESY.

ah, the mushy music is back for reuniting with mom and cas, but i think sam's clip is more important

wtf is going on, actually making me nervous with the car dying and sam's "it's time"

all right, a deal with billie. and "a winchester" dies, so mom's gonna offer up, right? i dunno what to say to this. billie was such a flat villain, like oh she hates them and can't wait for them to die. that was her one note. but then she helps dean out to get into the locked/warded house "you owe me", and then this. but i guess just offing her with an angel blade was an option? was she the boss after Death died? but taken out by regular means. whatever.

MARY Why would you-- DEAN We were already dead. Being locked in that cell with nothing… I’ve been to Hell. This was worse. SAM At least this way, one of us gets to keep fighting.

this should be horrifying and upsetting, but it was all so rushed together and knew that mary would jump in that i could be somewhat horrified at a distance but know it would be smoothed over immediately. also the montage of them in their cells did not exactly communicate "worse than 40 years of hell" feelings, so it feels also just in service of the plot machinations

CASTIEL What had to be done. You know this world-- this sad, doomed little world-- it needs you. It needs every last Winchester it can get, and I will not let you die. I won’t let any of you die. And I won’t let you sacrifice yourselves. You mean too much to me. To everything. Yeah, you made a deal. You made a stupid deal, and I broke it. You’re welcome.

good for you, cas. knowing the show, it'll turn out to have been a terrible decision but eh. and the way they're all looking at cas like, wtf bro made me laugh. someone who cares about... us?? and our contributions??? 🧐

[catch-the-wind]

when reader is sick hc's

finally posting writing here so true

n e ways okay so i’m brainrotting about the genshin charas taking care of their s/o’s when they’re sick 🥺 and now i'm feeling sick, sigh

ohm and sulien ambros belong to @teyvattherapist! they're such good chara's, i know i'm writing them here but i deffo recommend reading up on them

okay here u go, have some hc's that are kinda sorta long and by that i mean 2.5k- i haven't proofread this bc it's 4am and im going to BED but if i write for any other chara's i'll post a second part <3 mwah

tags: gn!reader, diluc x reader, kaeya x reader, jean x reader, lisa x reader, albedo x reader, dainsleif x reader, tartaglia x reader, ohm ambros x reader, sulien ambros x reader, soft bean hours

diluc

is not working or traveling when his partner is sick

absolutely makes them soup and hot tea and drinks

he’s trying to make them food but he’s not the best cook so he’s asking adelinde for help

absolutely asks jean, barbara, and ohm for help while his partner is sleeping but he’s so awkward LMAO

was absolutely frantic the first day he found out his partner was sick tho, he made them come over to the winery so they could sleep there and he can take care of them <3

absolutely lied about what room was his so they slept in his bed

“hmm this guest room is so furnished diluc are all your rooms like this” and no, no they are not, this room is his, bestie

diluc slept on a sofa in his bedroom and did work on the table that was supposed to be for flowers. kinda stressed over abyss order locations but was more worried ab his partner being okay so he was distracted

he just put the flowers on his nightstand for his partner to see when they woke up <3

gives his partner forehead kisses because they won’t let him kiss them on the lips and he gives them the gentlest cheek kisses while they sleep

also gives his partner his clothes to wear <3

cuddles them and reads to them when they’re awake and TEMPLE KISSES OH MY GOD

kaeya comes over because he’s worried his brother and his brother’s s/o haven’t been seen in a little while

n e way, diluc gets sick after his partner gets better and they nursed each other back to health

kaeya

like diluc, he took off work so he could take care of his s/o i,mediately after he found out they were sick

wouldn’t force them to stay at his place tho, he’d probably let them recover in their own place

but he might make them go to the kof hq or the cathedral just so they can be taken care of by a proper healer

he absolutely soothes their fevers and stuff w cryo and also the man can heal himself w his elem skill ofc he can fix someone if he tries hard enough <3

he gives kisses no matter how much his partner says not to but he’ll also give them butterfly kisses so it’s soft moments too~ sigh, ur too cute alberich

asks ohm and barbara and albedo and lisa for potions and such to help his partner feel better but he’s really lowkey so he doesn’t seem SUPER worried

he just hates seeing his partner not feeling so well </3

refreshes his partner’s vase of flowers at their bedside every day

brings home work so he can watch over his partner. he can’t cook super well either so he asks for help and brings stuff home from good hunter too

jean was okay to let kaeya off of work and diluc would never admit it (man practically swore everyone to secrecy smh) but he helped take up some of kaeya’s duties in his stead

and kae, the alcoholic, didn’t even drink while his partner was sick bc he was lowkey worried they would need his help w smth and he didn’t want to be drunk just in case <3

many cuddles despite protests of getting him sick <3

jean

absolutely uses her healer skills to make her partner feel better

panicked when they were still sick and thought it was her fault </3 she asked barbara and ohm for help and they just told jean to relax a bit bc her partner was sick and it wasn’t going to be a quick fix

wanted to take off work but didn’t, so she just brought her work with her

kaeya and ohm very kindly took up her other duties where she had to leave so she could be w her partner

her partner is staying in the kof hq where they get access to ohm and barbara comes to visit <3 but also so that jean can sleep comfortably enough close by bc you cannot tell me this woman does not sometimes sleep in her office or the library and barely makes it to the kof dormitories sometimes

she’s so worried the entire time, she’s probably got a few gray hairs and a new frown line smh

she has clothes that aren’t her work clothes???? it’s so foreign seeing her in stuff like pajamas. you didn’t even know jean owned pajamas

jean sets them up in her bed at home (yeah she has a place outside of the kof hq??? it’s surprising) but it’s a big bed so they can rest and she’ll have the lamp on her side on while she sits up and does work

absolutely dotes on them. she’s good at making foods that make them feel better, she’s just a good healer that way <3

albedo, klee, venti, kaeya, lisa, and ohm all come over to check on jean and co and make sure everyone is doing okay <3 lots of food brought

if jean was asked to sing to her partner normally, she probably wouldn’t bc she’d probably get embarrassed but i think she probably sounds v good and venti would give her his lyre to try out a musical instrument too. but also she’d read to her partner and they’d probably fall asleep together uwu

lisa

works part time hours at the library so she can go visit her s/o

probably asks them to stay at the kof hq for easier access to medical assistance and plus she’s almost always there

“cutie” but worried and very 🥺 (pleading emoji)

makes soup and potions and reads to her partner until they fall asleep

also super playful omg she’s still got a smile on and is full of affection while she walks her fingers up her partner’s arm to their face so she can cup their cheek

she’ll make her partner laugh and smile and blush even when they’re sick, but she makes them laugh until they cough sometimes and immediately feels so bad

jean, barbara, kaeya, albedo and ohm all come to visit with different foods and soups and medicines and such

klee comes knocking and gives lisa some good fisherman’s toast and asks lisa’s s/o if they want to hug dodoco b/c that always makes klee feel better

purple roses galore, lisa has them in her partner’s room and they’ve got a potion to make the. uh. sniffer? to make the sniffer feel better. don’t ask me how, idk but she would find a way to make them physically feel better with flowers

reads to her partner ofc, and she tells them stories ab her own life and time at sumeru sans the crazies

worried looks when her s/o is sleeping but also the softest smiles when they wake up pls-

albedo

cutest lil frown on his face when he finds out his partner is sick

immediately they are taken home and he’s testing to confirm what’s wrong w them and what he can do to speed up their recovery

he’s more distracted than usual at work but he’s coming over to your place all the time w what paperwork he can do

also sketches his partner while they don’t know. he’s got lots of beautiful candids of his partner sleeping, looking out the window, falling asleep, reading, even drinking water. he’s made the most mundane things look captivating

kaeya and ohm come to check on albedo when he doesn’t show up for work after a few days and it’s bc he’s taking care of his s/o with food and soup and alchemical potions and shit. and when kae and ohm come in, they find his partner opening the door wrapped in a blanket while albedo is asleep cuddling the pillow they left bc he stayed up the night before making soup and reading to them

klee has camped out on his partner’s couch, she helps w the cooking too~ she absolutely lets them hug dodoco and gives them a treasure to feel better too LOL

many kisses from klee and albedo, and they also go out to get treats for albedo’s partner too

domestic albedo cooking in his partner’s kitchen and for once it isn’t some alchemical potion that he might blow up the stove with

tartaglia

takes off work entirely but BOY OH BOY is he stir crazy smh

brings his partner to his apartment to rest <3

he’s so worried ab his s/o that he makes all the sick ppl food the first day, orders from wanmin restaurant when his partner wants smth different, and also gets toys and such to entertain them otherwise

also reads to his partner but, again, he gets stir crazy after a while

absolutely does workouts and katas in the living room and phew shirtless tartaglia working out? gets the heart rate up for sure ahem

rushes to his partner tho omg- need soup? water? a trip to the bathroom? another blanket? he goes to them the MOMENT he hears them moving around. absolutely dotes on them <3

his family knows ab his partner and he’s probably written letters ab them being sick~ his family sent snezhnayan herbs and flowers and medicines and such

zhongli comes around because he wants sugar daddy!tartaglia with tea and medicine from bubu pharmacy. hu tao is in tow with well wishes and a “hope i don’t find you at work!” which is. a little worrying because aren’t you just a little sick-

many kisses from tartaglia because he is Needy and he’ll absolutely get sick from cuddling his partner while they sleep

also he’ll probably just like. envelop his partner while they sleep. they’re all cuddled into him and he’s actually so warm it’s nice bc they’re cold w a fever and he’s living for comforting them

he’s so worried tho, he’s got the frowny face and he’s so adorable but he just doesn’t want his partner to feel sick

dainsleif

the man camps in ruins, he’s going to his partner’s house smh

he doesn’t go into the church either LOL so expect him in his partner’s home making dinner and doing their grocery shopping thanks

he would get ohm and barbara to come over tho <3 “fix them please” but also “how can i fix them”

is so dead set on making sure his partner takes their medicine at the right times, he’s so soft for them and them alone

cooks soup and old recipes he barely remembers from khaenri’ah. he doesn’t really get sick, so he doesn’t remember these ones too clearly. deffo brings back old memories he’d long forgotten

reads to his partner and tells them old stories of how the world used to be, his travels, gives them the gossip on a certain khaenri’ahn but doesn’t give away the name

ohm comes over with medicine and lollipops bc dain is so unlikely to go to the cathedral to get barbara smh

but also dain, so self-sufficient, is unlikely to want to ask for help, so ohm just goes to help anyway

dain with the old khaenri’ahn lullabies and tucking his partner into his arms and singing quietly while he holds them and rocks them to sleep

dain is immortal, he’s giving his partner kisses bc “i’m immortal, ofc i won’t get sick”

he got sick

but his s/o nursed him back to health and then there were smooches the end

ohm ambros

the doctor with his ill lover oh my god

he’s frowny, he’s taking care of his partner at his home in springvale and his home clinic is open to everyone else. but everyone knows his partner is the first priority LOL

kaeya and albedo come over to see if ohm is okay or if his house needs to be checked up on. they’re wondering if he went on a last-minute expedition to sumeru and didnt tell them

diluc comes over too, he’s just checking up on his best friend but he’s also stealing a cherry lollipop smh. he heard from kae that ohm’s partner is sick tho, so he brings some soup and good food over from adelinde. he also brings some of his own specialty food tho, the once upon a time in mondstadt <3

sulien sending letters to his big brother to see if his brother’s s/o is okay

ohm is also just super protective of his partner, there are not many people who come into his life who he loves and lets in in the first place. he’s absolutely trying to heal them with his own vitality, so their recovery is much shorter than initially expected

barbara also comes over w jean to check up on ohm and co, complete w a goody basket of soup, a teddy bear, flowers, and books

ohm reading to his partner <3 he’s got such a soothing voice even if his accent is wack LMAO. he’s reading stories and even his paperwork because just his presence is comforting

he puts his hands on his partner’s forehead to soothe the fever goodbye

ohm will not sing for his s/o simply bc he doesn’t think he sounds v good. and he probably doesn’t but it would be so cute to hear him try and please ohm? 🥺

n e way i want smooches idc if i’m sick KISS ME OHM AMBROS

sulien ambros

when he finds out his partner is sick, the man blinks like twice and then suggests so calmly that they go to his apartment in liyue

man does not sleep normally, he’s just going to nurse his partner back to health and read during their recovery. fruit tart can cover his duties for him <3

sulien cooks for his partner tho, he’s making soup and stuff and getting medicine from bubu’s pharmacy. he’s also picking up books on the way home but some of them are to be read to his partner so it’s okay-

like tartaglia, sulien works out while his partner rests and goes to them if he hears them moving around. he’s reading to his partner and not so frowny, but the slightest furrow of this man’s brow is already such a big expression of his concern <3

sends letters to ohm asking for advice ab how to help his partner feel better. ohm just sends a letter back with “i’m coming” and shows up within the day LMAO

reads to his partner, and the monotony of his voice is soothing and lulls them to sleep. he just looks at them affectionately (well affectionate for him) and presses a kiss to their forehead before finishing the story on his own and in his head

tartagalicious comes over and brings food, flowers and a teddy bear with some of sandrone’s paperwork but he sends a smile to sulien’s partner with some well wishes

scara comes over too just to visit and check to see where sandrone is, but scara is a grumpy bean so he just says “feel better” all brooding and like it’s a command to one of the fatui subordinates LOL

sulien like ohm uses his cold hands to soothe his partner’s fever and also gives them forehead kisses <3

Edit: a link to part 2

[pastelpaperplanes]

Big Ol Ask Post Pt. 3 I think

I haven’t drawn anything other than cursed or plain technical stuff w him 😔😔 have these for now but expect more soon!

anon a way back asked what he’d look like next to Overlord being already so big compared to Megs, that’s why you see Lordie if you’re wondering why he’s thrown in that line up!

by the way I have a voice claim for the big purple simp— Jenner from NIMH, he’s so awful but that suave baritone oh it fits too well >:] it’s the ‘humble servant’ line that got to me

Yep! Pharma is absolutely in this AU—as well as the CFau and Crack one too—and in all, he’s still an estranged medic long since booted from any legal work back on Cybertron.

He lost his credibility and more all those years ago when he found himself willing to do his fair share of cutting corners and hastily concealed malpractice to expedite his dream of getting his name down in the medical books—ultimately impressing his dear Mentor Ratchet, finally, in perfecting long-since banned risky experiments and surgeries—not to mention cruel and unusual temperament with the (supposedly) taboo practice of non-medicinal mnemosurgery.

His ambitions and aggression always got the bet of him, this hasn’t changed since he found himself working in freelance outposts. Light years away from Cybertron, he’s made a name for himself as a Good Doctor—but to his under-the-table black market part-dealing clients, he’s just about as bad as a Crooked Medic can get.

Bounty hunters and Arms Dealers like him for his business, a certain DJD member likes him for the occasional berth company and seemingly never ending supply of fresh T-Cogs—but no one actually likes him for his nasty temperamental personality, save for a young and naive Ratchet once upon a time.

Pharma is a roamer, as of recent he’s been a hard to reach mech—seems as if he’s found a little project to keep himself pretty occupied in the last few decades—something about a breakthrough for aiding the Decepticon Energon Crisis :] him and a small, horrifyingly cheerful surgeon are well on their way to completing their first trial batches, it’s safe to say that their little synthetic mixture will have it’s users sated and compliant.

they’ve got that amazing ‘new car smell’ those first few weeks, and instead of chittering like an Insecticons or vibrating their wings like a seeker—they beep and squeak, sometimes even honk a horn depending on the baseline altmode coding, to get their Creators’ attention before their vocalizer truly starts to kick online

It’s cute, but loud

Much like a seeker sparkling, they have to reach a certain ‘age’ (upgrade) to be able to transform completely, in between then they’re still able to rev those engines as a warning should they need it, as well as spin their wheels should they need a getaway HEELIES IF THEYRE LUCKY WOOHOOOOO—for seekers they can hover on their thrusters!

Crusade is actually pretty formal with Megatron. But yeah as a kid, Megs was always known as Carrier, but as Sadie got older and more aware of their surroundings—they definitely came to learn the true weight of that title and the fact that they were the progeny of the faction leader, a fact they should have really held onto with more pride. Not wanting to draw more attention to the already blatant favoritism (and nepotism) Crusade made a switch to addressing Megatron as Sir, My Lord, Lord Megatron, —ect. to better fit in with their fellow troops.

It bothers Megatron more than than he lets on. Crusade shouldn’t have to hide their high ranking as his child, the heir to the faction. Megs is their Carrier and can only order them around for so long, as their Leader however—pulling rank may just allow for their infuriatingly stubborn sparkling to listen to them should a day come where even a Carrier’s plea is dismissed.

Crusade does slip up every now and then and a ‘Carrier’ will slip—often hushed and annoyed though as Megs does like to tease every now and then, gotta remind them that they’re still his baby every once in a while :’)

Optimus however—whenever him and Crusade should truly reunite, will never be called Sire by Crusade, which they so heatedly established early on—Crusade never needed one and they don’t need one now, better to not let the title trigger those long-suppressed emotions. Sure enough though Optimus will get his moment.

actually no lmfao so you’re good! Eh, I haven’t mentioned much plot w them outside of them and Megs, plus bits of potential interactions with Optimus—so the rest of Team Prime is free game :D

For what I (hopefully will have) planned, their interactions with team Prime will be eh,,,interesting to each their own to say the least. Some more stressful than others BUT let’s not get into that until I’ve worked it out—for now I’ll just mention what they’re dynamics would be like when the drama of Oh Shit Boss Bot You’ve Been Hiding a Kid For HOW LONG has died down.

A usually touch-wary Crusade actually is the one to initiate a hug with Bulkhead, he’s the biggest and warmest and somehow is always happy to see them. Plus he tells cool recaps of Earth films and gifts them strange blobish paintings every now and then, all of which Crusade doesn’t exactly understand, but at least the colors are pretty.

Bee is annoying,,,which is what Crusade would say if confronted if they actually liked all the shenanigans Bee suggest they pull together, prank wars to the max, sparring for fun, video games?, DOUGHNUTS and RACES in the fortress halls??? Ahem. they are a super serious soldier, not a hooligan. But honestly, Bee is the one they seek out the most should they need an adventure, they missed out on a lot of this ‘fun’ growing up on the Nemesis—Bee seems to know how to balance a day of soldiering and dumbassery. sometimes.

Ratchet reminds them a bit too much of their Carrier than they’d care to admit. The medic is an old soul to his very core, perpetually tired but quick to snap into work mode, and sweet if you reallllllly squint. Sadie has been taught from day one to always respect medics, Ratchet obviously takes the cake on I’ve Seen Some Shit and for that alone Crusade both fears and admires Ratchet. Again, growing up on the Nemesis they didn’t have too many bots willing to talk much with them—but Ratchet (after he’s gone through his own lot of therapy, him AND Arcee. good lord) has a never ending pile of stories to share with them. Ratchet may throw in a few more colorful curses than necessary—which is SURPRISING bc Crusade thought they’d heard them all back home, but he’s entertaining and tells Crusade how it is, no sugarcoating. For that Crusade is grateful, there’s been too many half-truths thrown about to them in their recent years :’)

Ghost Prowl freaks them out—why does he deliberately have to be so sneaky?? Crusade has only met Prowl a fleeting handful of times (visits from the Allspark come with meaning, you know) and each time Crusade has been given nothing but odd riddles and poetic nonsense. Kidding. Prowl does like his wordplay’s but his given advice is always well meaning—the most firm and direct message Crusade has been passed though was probably most definitely “ Get those two cowards for mecha you call your Creator’s to stop fooling around with each other and SPEAK—at this rate it’s physically paining me that they haven’t begun Ritus and they’re not getting any younger”

Team Prime adores Sadie, they ask Megatron to see their sparkling photos every chance they catch him. And Crusade. hates it.

:) have

We’ve been here before, haven’t we?

[jade-parcels]

What if mc went into labour?? O_O

Panik! /(O_O)\

Going into labor

With Xiao, Diluc, Baizhu and Childe

(Same guys as this post)

—————————

Xiao:

He’s freaking out more than you are

He’s been around a long time but he hasn’t exactly…watched a birth. Or been by someone’s side for a birth. It sounds horrific, it’s bloody, theres a lot of gore and crying…It’s easy to say it’s not exactly his scene

Xiao loves you and his unborn baby so much!! But he has dreaded the birth since day one. He’s scared for you, he doesn’t like seeing you with a papercut!! Now you’re going to push out a baby??

Xiao knows he can’t deliver this baby so he took you into Liyue Harbor a month before you were due just to be safe! There’s doctors there!!

He wears a calm, collected mask as you hold his hand for support but he’s sweating…sweat is literally trickling down his face as he murmurs encouragements to you, trying to avoid making eye contact with the doctor because that’s just another level of stress on his shoulders

Every time you flinch, cry out or sob, he’s there. Xiao will even get in the bed with you if you want him to, you have him wrapped around your finger “You are so brave…I am…I am so proud of you” he tells you, trembling right beside you “Just a few more pushes, okay? You’ve got this” he counts with you, breathes with you, holds you, he’s there to support YOU and be whatever you need him to be!

Once the baby is presented to you, he steps away, not wanting to hold the baby right away. He’s still shaking and his arms feel like noodles, his heart is absolutely pounding…But he feels relieved. You’re safe and the baby is healthy. He’ll kneel beside you and the baby to say a prayer of thanks to Rex Lapis for keeping his family safe :’)

Diluc:

You’re about to have the most lavish birth a person could have

Midwives, maids, candles, warm or cool cloths for your face, imported extra strength painkillers, the whole nine yards

Diluc is not messing around, he wants this to be a smooth, painless (well, as painless as it can be) experience for you. He has interviewed your midwives and staff personally and background checked every one of them

He has planned it all out with you but when the time comes, he freezes up and panics. Never in a million years would he have predicted this! He’s always been so collected in stressful situations but how can one be calm right now??

Labor takes hours and the entire time he’s stressing. The midwife will probably have to step in and send him away for go get some air cause oh my gosh, he’s stressing everyone out with his nervous Nelly behavior!!!

When he comes back and it’s time to push, he’ll help you into whatever position you want. Standing, sitting, laying down you name it, he’s there to help you in any way he can

And once the baby is in your arms…He’s a a sniffling mess! You’ve never seen him cry this way, sniffling and hiccuping with a huge grin on his face “I-I just can’t believe it” he’ll choke out “I love you so much- thank you- thank you for everything”

He’ll be shaking from leftover stress all night, constantly checking in on you and the baby. Diluc may be a bit overbearing but cut him some slack…he’s a new dad with loss/abandonment issues 0-0

Baizhu:

He is READY!!!!

You two have has a written birth plan for months now so he follows it exactly. He assists you to your shared bedroom, gets you changed out of your clothes and into a baggy nightgown for comfort. He makes you lay down so he can get all of the equipment he needs

He’ll send Qiqi away, telling her to go to Gui’s house to get him just in case he needs an extra set of hands amidst the general chaos of birth

You still have hours to go before the baby is actually born but time flies when you have someone so kind and attentive by your side. His presence is calming and he uses his vision to grant some healing to you which in this case is just pain relief

Baizhu alternates between laying with you and getting you up to walk around to get labor started

Gui will arrive and hours later, hours of sweating, pushing, crying, promises of “you’re almost there honey, just a few more minutes”…Now your baby is here

Baizhu is quick to cut the cord and wash off your bundle of joy, bringing them over to set on your chest

Now that he’s no longer in doctor mode…he’s quite speechless :’) he’s just overcome with joy. He basks in this moment and thanks the archons that he was able to be here for this :’)

Childe:

Ajax took time away from work to be present for your birth!! He took you to his family home! You’ll be supported by his loving mother and older sisters. They’ll all be present to make sure everything goes smoothly

Ajax is overjoyed! He’s so excited to meet his baby :’) he is right there to hype you up! Whenever you feel scared or nervous, he’s right there with his optimism and sweet encouragement “Sweetheart, you’ve fought a ruin hunter with a dull blade and a bucket! This will be easy as pie, I promise you”

He’ll make you do squats and walk up and down the hallway so gravity will pull the baby down so you won’t have to push as much or as hard

Ajax isnt even nervous himself. Sure, in the back of his mind he knows there’s plenty of risks but he just doesn’t believe anything bad will happen. You’re so strong, he has his family here to help, he’s here to support you the entire way!!! He’s ready to meet his baby!!

Your birth is a noisy one, youve got like 5 people in the room with you telling you to push, relax, ‘it’ll be okay’, breathe!! Ajax is right there to hold your hand and brush your hair off your sweaty face

When he sees the baby for the first time he dissolves into a sobbing mess lmao it is not pretty. He wraps his arms around you as you hold the baby, crying into your shoulder, thanking you for being so strong, so beautiful

He’s said it one hundred times but he tells you again that he’d do anything to protect his family. He’s so grateful to you for bringing your baby into the world :’)

[cherryleehernandez]

Hunter comforting reader after a stressful week <3

Full credit to: @dorayakimanjiro for the idea! (It’s my first request/idea I’ve written for someone so I hope you like it!)

Stressful feels like an understatement, soul snatching, light busting, bone shaking? Perfect.

This week was awful, Y/N had just about every stupid little errand to run for Belos. “Y/N you are to retrieve ink pots from in town”

“Y/N I need you to go show the new maids where the cleaning supplies are.”

“Y/N go fetch me a cup of tea.”

“Y/N go slay monsters in the forbidden forest.”

WHAT ARE THEY?? HIS BUTLER?!?! A soldier? Maybe. Butler??? They did not sign up for that.

Y/N has trained hard since birth, they are not someone to run errands. They are a high guard for titans sake!

While it seems Belos is just doing this for fun he finally gave them a break, a break well deserved if you ask Y/N.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

With a huff and a groan Y/N stomps into their room, slamming the door shut. They tore off their mask and cape and ran to the bed. They were so relieved to be back in their room they didn’t even notice Hunter! Y/N froze as they heard a laugh near them.

Is- is hunter in here? That little bitch is hiding in the corner on the chair isn’t he?

Oh! HE IS.

“Hiii Y/NNN, long day?” He spoke with a teasing grin

“Aaaah more like a long week! Belos is a slave driver I swear!” Said Y/N complained

“Hey-“

“I know, I know. ‘That’s my uncle you’re talking about’ doesn’t change the fact that he had ONE OF HIS HIGH GUARD ‘FETCH HIM TEA’” They said flapping their arms in the air, adding emphasis to how annoyed they are.

Standing up hunter moved towards Y/N.

“I- uh- you?” They said frazzled

“Shhh, let me do this for you. You deserve a good break.” Hunter hushed

He lowered himself onto the bed, laying down next to them. His arm snaked around Y/N’s middle, and the other behind their head.

It was a sweet embrace, warm and soft. Y/N loosened up in his arms and laced their own around hunters torso, soaking in his scent.

“Thank you hunter.” They sighed

“Anything for you Mx. ‘high guard’” he joked

“UGH I SAID THAT ONE TIME! And it’s true anyway…”

Y/N pouted at what he said, jerk.

“Yeah, yeah, now get some rest sugar.” Hunter somewhat demanded with a light smile

‘This is…nice.’ They both thoughts as they fell asleep together.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

(If any of you reading are struggling just know that you deserve a break! Or rather, you need it! It’s ok to take time off, even if it’s just for five minutes. Take care of yourself, you’re doing great!)

(P.S. please send requests, I need ideas!)

[phoenixyfriend]

SW Suddenly-Omegaverse AU: Surrogacy, Worldbuilding, Obi-Mom

Truly the main irony of all this is that everyone considers Obi-Wan the Better Omega but Anakin is the one who's actually 👀👀👀 about pregnancy

Obi-Wan: I have the deepest respect for those who do it, but the idea of growing another person inside of me is weird and gross, no, thank you.

Meanwhile Anakin is like. Immediate baby fever. Someone actually approaches him like "hey... there are forms you can fill out to request an exception for pregnancy, and like... regulations" because he's that obvious about it.

I assume that if they've got safety nets for accidental pregnancies, then they're probably aware that there are people who want to do it on purpose? I feel like in an omegaverse where 'biological imperative to procreate' can be so much more intense, then maybe there's old precedent that stuck around even after suppressants got most of those hormones under better control.

Bit torn. Just know I want Anakin to Make Baby.

"Anakin, what are you--" "Do you think offering to be someone's surrogate would be acceptable to the council as a way to be pregnant without getting attached." "...what." "They'd probably accept that as a way to practice not getting attached, right?" "N...no, that's not... what?"

Anakin approaching Bail and Breha and being like “Do you... still want a kid? I would provide a kid. Do you want one here*?”

* in this dimension

Great way to give up the baby as a parent because he'd still be able to see them once in a while but also like... it's not HIS kid, technically. He can be a cool uncle who happened to give birth, which is distant enough to not be 'attached,' but close enough that his Tatooine-raised 'must ensure family is safe whenever possible' background doesn't flip out. It helps that 'Core World Royalty' is like... a top-tier family to be raised in.

(It would have to be post-war because he probably shouldn’t be risking his life while very pregnant. He needs to be reminded of that sometimes.)

Bail/Breha is an alpha/alpha relationship and while a pregnancy is still possible,* it’s a whole lot more difficult, and that's on top of Breha's canon medical issues that resulted in her heart and lungs getting replaced.

* AFAB alphas can get pregnant, and AMAB omegas can inseminate, but the success rate on that angle is much lower than the 'traditional' alpha/omega roles, as is any attempt at reproduction outside rut/heat. They're low-fertility overall for the non-dominant aspect of their reproductive system, which... ha, Anakin and Obi-Wan try to get explanations for why the senary system works the way it does, but it's a very longform history lesson that comes down to 'idk this got cemented so long ago that nobody really knows why anymore.'

AKA "why do you title these roles male omega and female alpha instead of intersex omega and intersex alpha since both parties have both genitals."

ANYWAY

Anakin: I want to make babies. But I don't want to get kicked out of the order. But I don't want to give up my own babies for adoption. But I can't keep my own babies if I want to stay a Jedi. So basically I want to have someone else's babies? Anakin: ...wait shit that's just surrogacy.

Anakin, calling up Obi-Wan: Hey are the Organas still struggling to have a kid? Obi-Wan: ...not really your business. Anakin: You're friends with Bail again though, right? Obi-Wan: I am, but-- Anakin: Do you think they'd want me to be a surrogate? Obi-Wan: What.

I can't decide if it's funnier for the Order to be like "I mean... technically there's no rules against this?" or if this is a precedent set by at least three omegas every generation because that's just how a/b/o manifested for omegas in a biological and cultural sense.

Bail: Wait, your former apprentice is... volunteering... to be our surrogate. Obi-Wan, exhausted: Yes. Bail: He barely knows us. Obi-Wan: He respects you and you're the closest people he knows that want a child and would be good parents. Bail: And he's just... volunteering? Obi-Wan: Yes. Also, you did say your primary worry was that a surrogate might be targeted for assassination and you couldn't ask someone to risk that, right? Anakin is very much able to avoid assassins, and would be staying primarily in the Temple anyway. Very safe, and not particularly scared of assassins in the first place. Bail: Your words say you approve, but your tone says otherwise. Obi-Wan: Anakin considers me his father. I'm not old enough to be a grandparent. Bail: Ah.

Anakin is a surrogate and enjoys it and everything is fine and then like a year later he's accidentally pregnant with his own and Rex's kid, and nobody knows how to ask if it's actually an accident.

A suggestion from @gelpenss:

OH MAN i.... have to drive home. But I just had a thought about like. I always want to poke at Betas in A/B/O like are they “normal” or different from our standard or.... but ANYWAY assuming they have a pheromonal thing I just think it would be neat if betas had the ability to be the Bucket of Cold Water. Like if caught early enough, and with the caveat it’s not permanent, a beta could arrest a rut or heat in its tracks until a more ideal time. Like. They aren’t birth control. But they are the remind me later button.

Okay done driving I am Returned to bring up why I brought up betas and it’s this: well okay 1. It plays nice with a popular but inaccurate dog breeding urban legend that female dogs will like, delay heat cycles? so that the bitches above them in pack hierarchy have first choice of mate selection. And I think in omegaverse it would be cool if that was a Bio Fact, and also historically enforced by the third designation. 2. It gives me an excuse to have betas have the Most Sensitive sense of smell because it’s their “job” to pick up on things before they go too far to be put on pause. 3. I’m just thinkin ‘bout a beta clone [...] just hovering around Obi-Wan because they found out how much stress his heat cycle causes and they’re like “okay cool I will help make sure it does Not”

I want to like a/b/o verses but betas niggle at me. I want to give them a hat and a Function that woulda helped before modern medicine.

I'm not sure how I feel about betas being able to delay heats, but I do like the idea of them having a more sensitive sense of pheromone smell than most. Most aliens assume it's omegas with the best sense of smell, and betas with the worst, but it's more complicated than that because they all specialize: Alphas are actually less attuned to pheromone smells, but more attuned to things that were useful back when humans were still a hunter-gatherer species. Omegas tend to be heightened towards danger smells like fire or aggression, and pheromones relating to children/care. Betas, as suggested above, are very sensitive to pheromone changes relating to mood and behavior of the community around them.

I like the idea that betas were historically the ones that ended up taking care children, unmated omegas, and so on during people's heats and ruts, because they kept their heads about themselves long enough to do things like cook and clean while someone was reeking of hormones. The checks and balances work out that betas may have lower fertility, but it makes them better able to support the network around them.

It works in with humanity's general collective history of thriving the most when working as a community.

Given that I decided that this is Jangobi, the clones might all subconsciously view Obi-Wan as Mom. Not intentionally, but, you know... Obi-Wan the not-evil stepmother. He doesn't know how he got into this situation, but he sure is here, and he sure as hell doesn't know how to get out.

Obi-Wan "I don't need to get pregnant, I have three million stepchildren" Kenobi

I definitely love "clones all want to make Obi-Wan's heats less stressful" but like in a different way from Whatever The Fuck Anakin's Got Going On.

Obi-Wan using the force to dull the pain in a Shiny's broken leg while the medic works on it and the Shiny just mumbles "Thanks mom" and everyone gets very embarrassed and pretends it didn't happen.

But then it happens again. And again.

Obi-Wan asks for an explanation from Cody and gets a halting response that, since Jango is technically their father, and his scent has been all over Obi-Wan recently... and Obi-Wan puts in a lot of effort to take care of them all.......

Anakin overhears the clones calling Obi-Wan "mom" and just. The most judgmental eyebrow raise.... Mostly in the sense of "You never let me call you dad" "Thought you said you weren't anyone's parent." "Hey, hey, Obi-Wan. What the fuck."

BOBA. BOBA ABSOLUTELY CALLS OBI-WAN MOM WHENEVER POSSIBLE. IT'S DEEPLY FRUSTRATING.

Obi-Wan eventually manages to admit that he's uncomfortable with it at minimum because of the gendering the word has for him, can they at least use the neutral 'buir' instead?

Word spreads like fire, takes like two days max for everyone to switch.

(Anakin demands cuddles as compensation for not getting to call Obi-Wan any true parental term for years.)

[ltleflrt]

Hey Carrie! You talked a little the other day about writers' tendency to start a fic too early in the story, and how you see a lot of first scenes that could have been scrapped to improve the story. My question is if you have some tips to recognize while writing that first scene that you are starting too early in the story?

Hello friend!

That's a really good question, and I'll see if I can give an answer that makes sense. I am not a professional, and I'm not educated or trained in this stuff, it's just something that I recognize from years and years and years of voracious reading. And as with all writing advice, I encourage you to take what I'm going to say with a grain of salt and remember that no writing rule is a hard rule, only a guideline.

Also, my advice is going to be pertaining fanfiction, and specifically to AUs. Obviously a published book has an editor with a razor blade going through a manuscript for you, and the problems that bother me in fanfiction crop up in AUs more than Canonverse.

Oh, and every instance of "you" is general, not specific 😜

So I think the main problem that I see is that people are starting with an Info Dump. An Info Dump is not always a bad thing, sometimes it's completely necessary, but it is NOT where you want to start your story. If it absolutely has to be done, it's better to be somewhere in the middle or near the end. When it's something that your characters need to know.

That's an important bit: Do your characters need to know this?

And related to that: Does your audience need to know this for the story to make sense?

And very important follow up: If the answers to the above questions are yes, does the character/audience need to know this RIGHT NOW?

There's a lot of information about your story that YOU need to know. Heck, my notes files are full of sooooooo much stuff that I know about the characters and plot that never reaches the final product.

So when you're reading your first chapter (I say reading, not writing, because sometimes info dumping for your own benefit is good, and then you fix it before you share the story lol), ask yourself those two questions.

So for example:

In an AU where Dean is a tattoo artist, and it's his POV. The story starts with Dean driving to work, and when he gets there he's going to find out that the empty shop next door has been purchased and is going to be a yoga studio. He meets Castiel out front, up on a ladder trying to hang a hand painted sign, and some teens go running buy and knock into the ladder and Dean has to catch Castiel from falling. (Anyone who wants to adopt this idea is welcome to it btw, I would love to read this lol)

The mistake I often see in a first chapter like this is that as Dean is walking to work, there's a whole Info Dump about why he's a tattoo artist instead of a hunter. He'll be ambling along, thinking about his nice little business, and there's info about how his mom died in a fire, and his dad was a jerk, and Dean didn't go to college because he saved his money for Sammy's college fund, and Dean's only passion was art, and Bobby Singer introduced him to a tattoo shop owner who took Dean under his wing, etc.

Question 1, does your character need to know this?: Why is Dean reflecting on his past? Does Castiel need to know this information in order to build a romance with Dean?

Question 2, does your audience need to know this?: Why does this information matter? If Dean's only reflecting on this because you want to make sure your audience knows where the timeline changed and this became an AU, then you're starting too early in your story. Dean doesn't need to know this, and honestly in a lot of cases the reader doesn't need to know this. This is information that should have been left in your notes file.

Question 3, does the character/audience need to know this NOW?: If this information is pertinent to the plot, like maybe there's some trauma there that Castiel might need to know about to develop their relationship, then you don't want to put it HERE, you want to put it in a conversation with Castiel LATER.

If I was writing this AU, I would just start with Dean sipping his coffee, he's kinda tired because reasons, he looks up to see an unusual commotion, and has to drop his coffee and sprint forward to catch Cas. If he's reflecting on anything in this scene, it's going to be whatever made him tired, or how good/bad the coffee is this morning. Since Cas is a new business owner, they can talk about the origins of Dean's business on their first date, because it'll be a relevant response to Castiel talking about the origins of his yoga studio.

And just in general, if Dean's origin story includes a lot of canon elements, like mom dying in a fire, dad being a deadbeat, Sammy being the adorable overachieving Stanford student.... try to hide that info for as long as you can so that the audience is actually curious about it by the time the info might pop up. It's the wild divergences that are more interesting earlier on.

Okay, and then I want to talk about my giant pet peeve for a starting chapter. It's a specific kind of info dump, that often includes the stuff from above, but then goes a step further.

My nemesis, The Daily Grind.

I haven't asked the authors, so I could be wrong about this, but I feel like most of the time when this type of chapter is included in a story it is because the author wants to show the reader that the character's life is boring and meaningless before the plot's inciting incident. I can absolutely see why that might be considered an important detail about the character, but keep in mind if it's boring and meaningless to the character, it's boring and meaningless to your audience.

You know how I said earlier that writing tips should never be hard and fast rules? Well this is in regards to that Show Don't Tell rule, and it's an example of TOO MUCH showing lol

It is possible to do a daily grind in an interesting way, but only if you include a Shake Up right away. And you have to look at the 3 questions a little bit differently.

So for example:

Castiel POV, and he works in an office. His daily routine is to always get up at the same time every day, he goes for his run, he grooms himself, he has his breakfast, he goes to work and talks to Kelly about how Jack's doing in kindergarten for a few minutes before going into his office. Adler comes in to be a prick, Castiel hates him for it, and then he does his reports, has lunch hiding in a corner of the lunch room so that his co-workers will leave him alone, he does more reporting, leaves an hour after his shift technically ends, goes home to a lonely apartment that maybe includes a pet who is the only being that shows him affection, has an unsatisfying dinner of leftover takeout while watching a mindless reality tv show, then he goes to bed.

Ugh.

BORING.

Which, yeah I get it, the point is that his life is boring. But now the story is too, and I've clicked the back button before I can see how exciting it's capable of getting.

Question 1, does your character need to know this?: No. He knows. Poor thing definitely already knows.

Question 2, does your audience need to know this?: Yes, but...

Question 3, does the character/audience need to know this NOW?: Yes, but new question for ya:

Optional Question 4, why does this need to be separate from your plot's inciting incident? The answer to this 4th question is usually that it doesn't.

Chapter 2 of this type of beginning usually shows the shake up of Castiel's day. My advice is to start with the shakeup, and sprinkle in the details of what you would have put into chapter 1 to show the contrast. It's far more interesting to learn how boring Castiel's day is by starting with the shake up.

So, same scenario:

Castiel's alarm doesn't go off for some reason, OH NO HIS ROUTINE IS SHAKEN UP! You're explaining his routine while also stressing him the fuck out because he has to rush, or skip something that he normally needs to do. Action! Interesting! He gets to work late, and has to miss his conversation with Kelly about Jack because she's telling him that Adler's already in his office being a prick because Castiel isn't there waiting for him like he always is. Oh shit, he's pissing off his asshole boss! Conflict! He's so flustered by the shakeups that he misses something on his report, and he gets a call from that new marketing guy Dean Winchester who asks if they can have a meeting about it when Castiel normally takes his lunch. BAM! MEET CUTE OPPORTUNITY! While Castiel is getting all flustered by how pretty Dean is while they talk about TPS reports, he can reflect on how this is both better and worse than hiding from his co-workers in the corner of the lunch room. The rest of the day after that meeting he's thinking about how weird this day is, he still goes home an hour late, he talks to his pet about his weird day when he gets home, and maybe he still eats leftover takeout, but he's not paying attention to the reality tv show because holy shit he wants to count Dean's freckles.

In this example, you're Telling the audience about Castiel's normal routine instead of Showing them. But since it's during a plot heavy chapter, it works!

Lemme see if I can TL:DR this...

As you're reading, ask yourself who needs to know this information, why do they need to know this information, and why is it important for this information to be included early instead of later?

If the answer to any of those questions boils down to "this is backstory" instead of "this kicks off the plot", then you've started too early.

I hope this helps? I'm always nervous about giving writing advice because so much of the time I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm just feeling around in the dark. And I definitely do not ever want to hurt an author's feelings, because this hobby is so fucking hard, and we're all fragile. Even authors who welcome con-crit with open arms will have a weak point that they're unaware of that might get poked wrong and cause a crack, ya know?

I hope anyone who gets this far who might see their own works reflected in my examples understands that I have a lot of respect for their ability to put their work out into the world, and I want them to keep doing it. We're here to have fun, okay? Okay. I love y'all 💜