#i am enjoying it a bit more than i thought. the feeling of Have To is a real bog hgfsh

[cattheraccon]

i remember back when i was 13 i cut my hair short just to look like kairi from kh1 and i really liked it, then i kept cutting it short mostly for cosplay purposes and once someone misgendered me and it felt SO.GOOD.

i remember lots of times where i thought "i wish i werent born a girl" and that sort of stuff. and then i stopped thinking about it for a long time (because i got in a toxic relationship with a guy who believed in very strict gender roles)

and then when i felt free to be myself i started thinking about it again and i remembered how much i loved having short hair, so i thought about cutting it again and when i did it felt so nice!

and i realized i enjoy wearing clothes without assigning a gender to them, just whatever felt right for the moment, so i started experimenting a bit, and now im closer to finding what i actually like for the first time in my life!

i realized that im probably not quite trans because i dont wish to be any other gender and most of my dysphoria comes from how im percieved rather than my own body, and i found out that im probably non binary, or genderfluid, and it finally seems like it fits!

and with that identity in mind i not only feel more comfortable trying on mens pants and baggier clothes and stuff like that, i also feel more comfortable wearing more femenine things like crop tops and shorts and maybe even tight shirts! and thats because i finally feel like i have found myself, outside of the gender stereotypes that have been enforced onto me since i can remember, outside of what is expected of me. i am who i am regardless of what others see in me or what they expect me to be, my face, my voice, my body, my genitalia, none of that matters. the only thing that truly matters is me and my own identity.

I see a lot of ‘cis’ women say they wish they were androgynous in the way men were or they wish they were pretty in the way men were. This is your sign to go try to do that. You may find you enjoy being an androgynous woman. You may find you no longer identify as a woman. You may find you don’t like androgyny. You will not know until you try. Cut your hair if you’ve always wanted to but have been afraid to. Shop in the men’s section if you’ve been too nervous to. Wear clothing with an androgynous  silhouette. Experiment with binding, take baby steps with compression bras if you want. Wear unisex scents. Live life. Try things you want to try. A lot of cis women do not understand the joys of mens pants and mens deodorant. I think everyone should try both of those things.

[wosospacegirl]

I'm picturing Y/N and Kika have sex and it goes one of two ways

I can imagine they both are constantly after reassurance the other is having a good time, that it feels good, constantly apologising if they even so much as fumble a bit, bit noisy to cover up there insecurities and trying to convince the other they are actually enjoying themselves

Then on the other hand, I picture it just being this hot and intense thing where after all the awkwardness they both have a point to prove? Like its hot and heavy and just super intense after holding back all that time, like they've pulled the elastic band so far and now it's just snapped

And u are gonna make me cry at 7am omg that's literally them...

..

I see yn PRETENDING to be cool about it, trying to take the lead because she sees that Kika is nervous, but in the middle of it Kika just stops everything, cups her cheeks and kiss her lips very sweetly and innocently.

"Hey...it's okay, you don't need to pretend, I know you are nervous too," kika says.

She can barely see yn because they are in the dark, they turned off the light and yn's curtains were pulled together in a way that the moon can't even take a peak about what's happening inside the room.

Yn breathed once, then twice. "I am okay, not...nervous," she mumbled.

She had mastered that face, that voice tone, one that made her seem more sure of herself than she really was. She had learned it from Alexia years ago by watching her captain make speeches in the locker room about things she wasn't even sure of.

But Kika saw her through. She saw beneath the facade she so much tried to keep on.

Kika saw her and she still stayed.

"Okay..." yn said after a few seconds in silence.

Kika never rushed to make the silences between them go away, she knew that it made yn spill whatever she was feeling.

"Maybe I am a bit nervous," yn admitted.

"You are very nervous," kika said, a bit teasingly.

Yn took place of her fingertips on the top of Kika's lips. She was smirking, as Yn thought she was.

"You look very cocky for someone who had her hands trembling when I invented you to come to my room."

Yn felt the way Kika put more of her body weight into her, pressing their hips together.

She liked that very much. She realised she would die happily, crushed in between the mattress and Kika.

"I've never been invited into a pretty girl's room before," kika said, moving her lips against yn's fingers. "That's why."

Yn blushed, but she felt something ignite inside of her, something that made her legs part just so Kika's body could fit better.

The same probably happened with kika as well, because she– in what yn considered a very bold move– opened her mouth and took yn's fingers in, letting them rest on her tongue before sucking them.

Yn breath hitched.

Her fingers were wet with Kika’s saliva.

Yn watched, barely, because of the lack of light, how Kika sucked her fingers, so slowly it made her want to cry.

Next time, they were going to do it with the light on, curtais open.

They were going to welcome every single photon that could make it possible for them to see the other better.

That was why they needed for so long. They needed someone to see them for who they were. Someone to not look away when they saw the ugly. Someone who stayed.

..

Well, now I'm late for my internship now, and Im pretty sure there are lots of typos... but i don't have to fix them right now, haha

That's how i picture their first time!!

[honeyedmiller]

Sarah’s Birthday

a firefighter!joel miller x f!reader drabble

series masterlist

synopsis: Sarah turns fifteen, and you and Joel bask in what your future will be together.

rating: explicit. 18+, minors do not interact.

word count: 3.3k

warnings: illusions to smut, a lot of fluff, family dynamic, no use of y/n.

a/n: this was originally part of part ten but i felt like it dragged on for too long, so i made it into its own little part (shoutout to nini for the idea)! hope you enjoy <3

You wake up with a good kind of ache in your bones. 

The one where you’re sore from your… escapades with your fiancé the previous night. 

Your fiancé. 

You can still feel his lips ghosting your skin, still hear his sweet whispers of endearment. See the look in his eyes when he made love to you all night long, making you feel so cherished and protected. 

You awaken to those thoughts and the dawn of the summer sun peeking through your shared bedroom window. You stretch your limbs before a glint catches your eye. You pause, admiring the shine. 

You get so lost in thought that you barely feel Joel stir next to you. It’s only when he gives your bare shoulder a kiss do you look away from your dream ring. 

“Look how beautiful it looks in the sunlight,” you muse. 

You can see Joel’s soft smile from the corner of your eyes as you watch in awe how the sun catches perfectly on your ring. 

“Not as beautiful as the woman wearin’ it.” 

You turn your head to face him now, admiring him in his sleepy state. His eyes are barely cracked open, his curls are in disarray, and his voice—god, his voice—is thicker than molasses in the morning. It’s this deep, raspy drawl that makes you swoon like a person crazy in love. 

Fuck, you are crazy in love. 

“Love it when you sweet talk me,” you say. He sleepily grins and leans in to kiss your forehead, pulling your body into his. 

“We have to get up to set up Sarah’s surprise,” you murmur into his chest. Your lips fall graciously onto his warm skin, and he hums in content. 

“Five more minutes,” he mumbles, giving you a brief squeeze. 

Your head pops up from his chest and you look down at him with a quirked brow. His eyes shoot over to his bedside alarm clock, bright red numbers blinking 6:30 right back at him. His eyes flick back to your face, softening as they study your face. A soft smile plays at his lips before he leans up to kiss you. 

“Baby, she doesn’t usually get up until ten in the mornin’. You really think it’s gonna take that long?”

You sigh, laying back down on his chest. “S’pose not. I am pretty sore from last night,” you tease. 

Joel’s chest lightly rumbles as he chuckles at your words. 

“Want me to kiss it better?” There’s mischief laced in his tone as his warm hand travels down your naked body. Goosebumps arise on your skin at his touch, and you can practically feel Joel grinning from ear to ear with how receptive you are to him and his touch. 

“No. ‘Cus then we’ll really not get anything done, and I don’t think my body can take one more round right now.” 

He gently grabs your jaw and turns your face up toward his. He looks concerned now—maybe even a bit worried. 

“Fuck, did I push you too far last night? Did I hurt you?” His sweet brown eyes are worrisome, and you shake your head immediately. 

You switch positions so you’re now on top of him. You straddle him and cup his face, leaning down to kiss the worry line between his brows. 

“Oh god no, Joel. Never. I just don’t think I’ve had that many orgasms back to back to back,” you laugh, and the tension immediately dissipates from his shoulders and you see him visibly relax. 

“I’m sore in the best way possible, baby. If it was too much I would’ve let you know. I promise.” 

He nods. “Okay, good. Last thing I want is to ever hurt you, especially when we’re intimate.” 

You smile down at him. “I love you.” 

He returns it. “I love you too, darlin’. Let me run you a bath since it’s still so early. Sore muscles ain’t fun.” 

“As long as you join me,” you bargain. 

He laughs and gives your hips a love tap. “How could I say no?” 

And so you both clamber out of bed and Joel draws you both a bath with your favorite scented bubbles ‘for extra relaxation’, as he’d put it. 

“Come on in, cowboy. The water feels really good,” you say. 

“Just gimme one second baby,” he says, and you nod. You sink into the warm water, relaxing your aching muscles. He comes back a second later and climbs in behind you. He leans you back against his body, and you sigh in content as your eyes flutter shut. 

“So, I wanted to give you this,” he starts. You open your eyes to see a beautiful silver band engraved with three flowers on the front, a micro diamond in the middle of each. Inside of the band are three tiny words that read honorem, fides, amor. 

“Honor, loyalty and love…” you trail off, and you feel Joel nod behind you. 

“My dad had this ring made for my mom when they were newlyweds. She passed it on to me and told me to give it to the woman I’d someday marry.” 

Tears well in your eyes at his words, and you can only let out a whisper. “It’s beautiful.” 

He slips it onto your right hand ring finger, kissing your knuckles. “It’s my promise to you that I’ll honor you, be loyal to you, and love you for the rest of our lives. You’re half of my heart, baby. I don’t want you to doubt that even for a second.” 

“When did you know?” You ask, and when he’s silent for a few beats, you elaborate. “The moment you knew you wanted to marry me.” 

“Honestly?” 

You nod. 

“At your sister’s wedding.” 

You crane your neck to peer up at him. “Joel,” you whisper. “That soon?” 

He nods like what he just told you is the most casual thing in the world. 

“Mhm. Knew right then and there when I saw you standing up there near your sister that I want to be up at that altar with you one day. Make you my wife.” 

“When did you ask Sarah? My parents?” Your voice is a mere whisper, trying to wrap your head around his words. 

His hands move up your torso, palms slightly grazing your breasts. Your nipples tighten and you gasp at the contact, and Joel softly chuckles behind you before his hands move to your shoulders. He starts to massage the tightness out of your muscles, and you relax even further into him. 

He leans down to kiss just below your ear before answering you. 

“I asked your parents at the hospital when Emily had Mateo. Your mom was so excited, and I think your dad may have teared up a little.” 

You laugh at that, knowing your dad isn’t a very emotional man. 

He squeezes your shoulders, kissing your skin once again. 

“I asked Sarah shortly after my accident. She’s been completely on board this whole time and has been houndin’ me about when I was gonna ask ya.” 

You smile at that, knowing how persistent she can be sometimes. 

You’re quiet for a few moments as you admire the ring before turning your neck so you can kiss him. “I… have no words. Just—thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me, thank you for believing in me, and thank you for being patient with me. I can’t believe I lucked out with the man of my dreams.” 

“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispers. 

You squeeze his knee underwater. “It’s a good thing we have the rest of our lives for me to figure it out then, isn’t it?” 

-

You want to make sure everything is perfect for Sarah before she comes downstairs to see her small surprise. You have balloons, a personal heart-shaped cake, and a couple of presents you and Joel bought her set up on the dining room table. 

You finish making the appetizers and desserts in time, and Tommy and Maria make their way over to help set up for the party. You’re in the middle of making chocolate chip waffles for breakfast when you hear Sarah coming down the steps. 

You plate her breakfast, setting it down on the table before she rounds the corner. She rubs her eyes as she makes her way into the dining room, and you try to hold in a laugh as it takes her a second to process everything. 

“Wait what? This is all for me?” 

“Happy birthday, baby girl,” Joel says, bringing her into a hug. 

“Thanks dad,” she laughs, moving to hug you next. “Thank you for setting all of this up for me.” She gives you an extra tight hug, to which you return. 

“How’d you know it was her?” Joel asks, crossing his arms over his chest as he pretends to be offended. 

“Please, dad, I love you so much but you don’t have cute ideas like this. Like, ever.” 

You, Maria and Tommy all laugh as he sticks his tongue out at her, and she rolls her eyes. 

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” you say, and she beams at you. 

“Thank you.” 

She hugs Tommy and Maria too as they wish her a happy birthday. She looks down at the table, and excitement is written clear as day on her face as she sees the chocolate chip waffles. 

“Ugh, I love you guys. Thank you.” 

She digs into her breakfast and opens her presents, thanks everyone again, before she rushes upstairs to get ready for her party. 

You laugh as she dashes up back to her room, loving that she’s so excited for her celebration. 

Within a few hours, the party is officially in full swing. Music is playing over a speaker, the grill is piping hot, and drinks are sweating in the palms of many hands. 

You’d think that teenagers wouldn’t entertain the idea of a bouncy house water slide, but it turns out, all of them absolutely love it. They’re all having a blast running around, while the adults are mingling. 

You make your way up to the grill where Joel, Tommy, your brothers, and your dad all stand. 

“Gentlemen,” you greet them. “Why are you guys standing like a pack of wolves around the grill?” You tease, and they all laugh. 

“Why do you women sit at one table and talk for hours on end?” Andy retorts, and you point at him knowingly. 

“Touché.” 

“I hear congratulations are in order,” your dad says, wiggling his brows. 

You grin shyly and show off your ring, and your dad and brothers all seem to nod in approval. 

“You’re a good man, Joel. I’m glad it’s you that my daughter gets to marry.” 

“Aww, dad, you haven’t gone all soft on us have you?” You grin at him, and he rolls his eyes. 

“Don’t give me that. You’re my baby girl, so of course I’m gonna go soft on you for this. I’m allowed.” Everyone laughs and you hold your hands up in surrender. 

“That’s definitely fair.” 

“What can I do for ya, pretty lady?” Joel asks, slinging an arm around your shoulder before pulling you into him. 

“I need a cheeseburger, Miller, or this pretty lady will be raging with hunger real soon.” 

“Well fuck, no one wants to see that,” your dad says, and you bark out a laugh. 

“No, they really don’t.”

“I’ll take care of it. Give me ten minutes and I’ll serve you a plate with the fixin’s you like on it,” Joel says. 

“Thank you.” You grin at him and pat his chest before pecking his lips and stepping away, but Andy pulls you to the side before you can even take another step. 

“Dude, I need you to do me a solid,” he says. 

You quirk a brow at him. “What’s up?” 

His eyes dart past you and back to the table where you were sitting with your mom, Maria, and Maria’s cousin. 

“Who’s that gorgeous woman sitting next to Maria?” He asks, and your lips form into a smirk. 

“Why do you wanna know?” You tilt your head to the side, and he groans as he turns his face toward the sky. 

“Shadow, please. She’s fucking beautiful and I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of her. Can you find out if she’s single, and, I dunno, put in a good word for me if she is?” 

You wipe the smirk off of your face, because you truly can see how smitten Andy is over her. You remember your conversation with him back at your parent’s house a few weeks back, and you know teasing him about this is in your nature, but you decide to pump the brakes and take it easy on him. 

“That’s Maria’s cousin, Natasha. She’s an attorney and she is, in fact, single.” 

“Jesus, you women are like the fucking FBI.” 

“Or we just actually talk to each other to get to know one another. Like normal people,” you say, rolling your eyes. 

“Yeah yeah, okay. Fine. But can you, I dunno, introduce me to her?” He’s fiddling with his hands, and you don’t think you’ve seen him this nervous in a long time. Andy was usually always so confident and suave around women he had interest in, so this truly surprises you. 

“Come on,” you say, nodding your head back to the table. 

He pauses for a beat. “Wait, really? Just like that?” 

You roll your lips into your mouth, trying to refrain from rolling your eyes at him for what seems like the millionth time today. 

“Yes, Andy, just like that. I’m not that mean. I wanna see you get the girl too, you know,” you sigh, and he laughs. 

“You’re not mean, baby sis. Maybe a little insane, but not mean. And, well, thank you. I appreciate you.” 

“I’ll show you insane if you don’t shut up. But, enough with the emotional shit. C’mon,” you nod your head, and you walk back over to the table with Andy in tow. 

Natasha’s eyes land on Andy and he smiles at her, to which she immediately returns. 

“Andy, honey, why don’t you sit next to Natasha here. I’m gonna go get myself a plate,” your mom says, and you have to stifle a laugh. That woman works quicker than anyone you know. 

“Oh, uh, sure,” he says, looking at her. “Is that alright with you?” 

She softly laughs, waving her hand to the chair next to her. “By all means.” 

He gives her a small smile before plopping himself down next to her, and you and Maria share a knowing look before you dive into your own conversation. 

And the rest of the day blurs into nighttime, singing Sarah happy birthday with an almost gutted-looking Joel at her side as realization that his baby girl is growing up hits him. You know it’s been a bittersweet day for him.

Guests eventually dwindle as the hours of the day tick down. Sarah wanted to end her birthday with a slumber party at her friend Katie’s house, so by the end of the night, it was just the Millers brothers, Maria, Natasha, and your family left.

You’re all sitting around the living room in good conversation. You’re leaning into Joel’s side, and his lips brush your cheek lovingly as you rest your left hand on his thigh. 

“So Joel,” Maria starts. Everyone’s attention moves to her, and she offers him a kind smile. “How did you propose to her?” 

All eyes are on Joel now, and he clears his throat as he sits up straighter. His right hand covers your left that’s settled on his lap, giving it a squeeze. 

“It was at the ranch. Already knew that place would be somethin’ special when Tommy and I were little boys runnin’ around causin’ a fuss,” he chuckles. “‘N now that I know the land will be ours officially, I wanted to ask her where new memories will be created for the rest of our lives—startin’ with that one.” 

“Actually,” you start, looking at him and then to Maria. “He asked me a while ago, and I’ve been giving him a hard time. I didn’t say yes right away. He knew I wouldn’t say no, though, but I had to keep him on his toes.” 

“Are you serious?” Andy snorts. “Classic. Sounds like some shit you’d do.” He points the neck of his beer bottle at you, and you smile at him before flipping him off. 

“Hey now, I deserved to work for it. She’s one thousand percent worth it,” Joel says, kissing your temple. “But then I called her my wife yesterday after we had a little run-in and nothin’ more has ever felt so right. The day she described her dream ring to me, I phoned a buddy of mine whose wife makes custom engagement rings. Then I gave her the ring my mom passed on to me to give to the woman I’d someday marry.” 

The women aww in unison, but Cole holds his hand up. “What the hell do you mean by a run-in?” 

You scoff and roll your eyes. “Oh yeah. Forgot to mention we fucking ran in to Christian yesterday at the grocery store while we were getting the rest of the stuff for Sarah’s party.” 

“Are you fucking serious?” Andy asks. Everyone who knows about him looks at you in disbelief. 

You nod in confirmation, but gently nudge Joel in the ribs. “Yeah. But Joel socked him hard as fuck across the nose after he tried to play tough guy and said some disrespectful shit.” 

“Holy fuck,” Cole says, while Andy and your dad laugh in unison. Your mom and Maria look mortified, but Joel just shrugs. 

“He deserved much worse in my opinion, but I definitely broke his nose. He threatened to have me arrested.” 

Tommy laughs now, taking a swig of his beer before pointing the neck at Joel. “This fucker has a mean right hook, I’ll tell y’all that.” 

“I’m glad to hear my soon to be son-in-law is protecting my baby girl like that. That’s one of the many reasons I gave him my blessing.”

“He’s a good man, sweetheart. It’s about time you found true happiness with someone who reciprocates the love you put into them,” your mom says, and tears start to well in your eyes. 

“No more cutting the onions, mom. Jesus,” Andy says. 

“I have a knack for knowing these things about my children, Andrew. Watch yourself.” She gives him a warning look, and he holds his hands up in surrender. 

The night goes on as normal conversation ensues, and eventually the house is left with just you and Joel by the time it hits midnight. 

You’re putting the last of the leftovers in the fridge when Joel comes up and hugs you from behind, wrapping his arms around your waist. You turn in his arms, sliding your hands up his chest and around the back of his neck, intertwining your fingers together. 

“Thank you for everything you did for my little girl today, baby. Guess she’s not so little anymore,” he sighs. “It means the world to me that you love her like your own.” 

You smile and peck his lips. “Of course, Joel. I just hope she enjoyed herself today.” 

“Oh, she definitely did,” he starts, leading you up the stairs and into your shared bedroom. “I haven’t seen her have this much fun in a long time. ‘N I definitely have to give credit where credit is due, darlin’.” 

You sit down on your side of the bed, leaning against the headboard while Joel lays down on his back before tossing his arms above his head and closing his eyes. 

“Well I appreciate you, honey.” 

Your hands smack your thighs as you look down at him, wiggling your eyebrows. 

“You know what this means though, right?” 

Joel peeks one eye open to look at you. 

You give him a knowing look. It’s one that makes him twist his torso so his face is now buried into his pillow, and he lets out a loud, pained groan. 

His little girl is growing up too fast. 

“It’s time to start planning for her sixteenth birthday party.” 

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[smcubed22]

LOOKS SO FUN and I am procrastinating the APM chapter I owe oops. I did it for both Red (Anything Past Midnight a Durge/Wyll series) and Tav (A Guide to VERY HUMANOID for Dunces a Tav/Astarion series).

1. Is your OC a confident speaker?  Do they find it easy to express themselves verbally?  Or do they stutter or perhaps easily lose their train of thought?

Red - He’s definitely never held his words back, even when people wish he would. I think he’s allergic to staying on the same train of thought for an entire conversation, however.

Tav - Tav might not have been very good at Common, but he certainly never hesitated to muddle his way through a conversation. He doesn’t find it easy but greatly enjoys connecting with others in this way.

2. Does your OC use any expressions or slang terms that are unique to the area in which they grew up, or a specific community of which they were once a member?

Red - Most definitely uses more than his fair share of expressions. Most of them didn’t come from anywhere but that mad little head of his. But some of his speech patterns are relics of his old life as a Bhaalian priest.

Tav - For sure, he’s slipped into saying things a bit roundabout (calling moods/expressions “songs” and referring to death as “the waiting”) but has tried to be SUPER NORMAL and VERY HUMANOID please and thank you. He’s so good at this (he isn’t).

3. How often does your OC swear?  Is it something that punctuates their everyday speech?  Or is it so unusual to hear them use "bad" language that it would shock those around them?

Red - Could be rated NC-17 for language alone.

Tav - Tends to pull words from the people around him. He doesn’t curse frequently but an “oh hells” wouldn’t be shocking.

4. Does your OC have a particular accent?  Do other people ever judge or stereotype them on the basis of their accent?  How do they feel about this?

Red - Unless you have him thoughtful or listening, his words come out like they’re being chased. People have definitely assumed he’s half mad and stopped listening. This does frustrate him.

Tav - Sings his words when he’s not thinking carefully about it. He also is far too loud when he forgets he’s meant to speak more quietly. Between that and his broken/learning common, a few in the beginning took him for an idiot. He doesn’t mind -- he agrees with them.

5. Can other people recognise when your OC is angry or serious by the tone of their voice?  Or does their language become coarser?  Or perhaps more formal?

Red - Mentions of innards go up by like 120%.

Tav - Speaks more slowly with the full volume of his voice. Where it was musical before, something about it is highly abrasive on the ear now.

6. Does your OC show courtesy in their language around others - do they routinely thank others, or do they only do so if they perceive that person as being of a higher social status?

Red - Is learning to become super polite and courteous fuck you who said that he isn’t???? (No)

Tav - Thanks people often and is still working on what NOT to thank people for.

7. Has your OC much experience of public speaking or any formal training in rhetoric?  Do they find such things easy or intimidatingly difficult?

Red - Definitely led his share of cult ceremonies that he doesn’t remember.

Tav - No formal training but charisma and extroversion covers a lot of gaps.

8. Did your OC's parents or other caregivers use any specific terms of endearment for them as a child?  Do (or would) they use similar terms for their own children?

Red - “Mutt” doesn’t count Red, let’s just go with no.

Tav - Nope. Was just child, unless there was a need to specify among the children.

9. Does your OC consider their voice particularly "sexy"? Do they try to adopt a more seductive tone in romantic situations?  How successful are these efforts?

Red - He doesn’t consider his voice sexy (Wyll disagrees, he loves the rasp in it) and doesn’t change his tone. Though he might be more careful to speak privately.

Tav - He doesn’t consider his voice sexy (Astarion says it has its charms) and doesn’t TRY to adopt a more seductive tone but can’t quite manage to keep arousal out of his voice when it happens and he wants it.

10. Does your OC often punctuate their speech with filler sounds, such as "um" or "er"?  Or words such as "like" or "you know"?

Red - Oh absolutely. His speech pattern is full of pepper.

Tav - Some of this yes, but is more likely to pause and think.

11. Has your OC ever made a conscious effort to change their voice?  Perhaps by trying to rid themselves of a particular accent or making themselves sound more assertive?

Red - When disguised selfed in Chapter 20/21 of APM. It did not go well XD

Tav - Worked very, very hard to adjust his accent as soon as possible. Also worked very hard to adjust the volume of his voice, as his home language is very loud.

12. Are there any particular words that make your OC cringe?  Is this due to negative associations?  Or second-hand embarrassment?  Do they try to conceal their dislike?

Red - Disgusting, due to negative association. Also if Mizora dares to call Wyll pet one more time he’s gonna do a whole lot more than cringe. The first he tries to conceal his dislike, the second he does not.

Tav - Mercy, for reasons that will hurt everyone.

13. Is your OC talented at creative writing, whether poetry or prose?  Would they ever show their work to anyone else?

Red - No. Though Wyll certainly thinks his expression is creative.

Tav - I’m publishing his journal as we speak XD I would not call it poetry or prose, but the tadfools are having fun correcting him.

14. Are there any concepts or activities which are taboo in your OC's culture of origin, which they prefer to refer to euphemistically?  How do the respond to others who do not share these taboos?

Red - Not that I can think of. 

Tav - Nothing that I can think of that would be referred to euphemistically.

15. What is your OC's favourite or "go-to" swearword when under duress?

Red - Depends on what villain’s monologue he’s most recently poached. Though he’s fond of CUCK.

Tav -  Was definitely mispronouncing Tsk’va for awhile there. Now probably “hells”

16. Does your OC's body language sometimes give away what they might prefer to conceal?  Or are they practiced at ensuring that their physical presentation matches their stated positions?

Red - His body language absolutely gives him away. Anxiously pulling at Wyll’s clothes fools no one.

Tav - Has gotten far better at it, though his calm is certainly sometimes “too calm.”

17. Has your OC ever found other people struggle to understand them because of their accent?  How did this make them feel?  Did they resent the listeners?  Or feel bad about themselves?  Or both?

Red - Doesn’t have an accent but has definitely been misunderstood for other reasons and either resented it or thought it was funny.

Tav - Yes. He would patiently try to work it out with them in as many ways as he could phrase something, using gestures. I think he’d feel a bit defeated if he had to pull a companion over to help him.

18. How does your OC feel about other people with "posh" or "upper-class" accents?  Do they feel a natural deference to them?  Or a resentment?  Or do they not even notice?

Red - Hot.

Tav - Admiration. Words, like people, are so lovely no matter their shape.

19. To what degree does your OC amend their language and/or tone when speaking to children (or in front of them).

Red - Does not.

Tav - Is extra careful to speak more quietly and often crouches so he’s not looming down on them with a big voice.

20. Does your OC ever use technical or academic language when discussing their specialist interests?  Do others ever need them to translate these terms?

Red - No, though he definitely has his own weird shortspeak that very few understand

Tav - No

21. Does your OC like to ascribe nicknames or pet names to other people?  How well does this usually go down?

Red - Yes. Not very well lol.

Tav - No, names are very important.

22. What is your OC's singing voice like?  Does it surprise other people by being better (or worse) than they expected?

Red - Eerie, but not bad sounding. When he drags his words out in song they sound up to no good. The kind of whispery rasp a thirsty sailor would use to sing of a ghost ship.

Tav - Surprisingly beautiful and chorally, and not quite as deep as you think it would be for his size.

23. How confident is your OC at writing?  Do they regularly write letters or even academic papers?  Or is their writing stilted, awkward - or even a source of embarrassment to them?

Red - Doesn’t write much but can. His handwriting is a spidery scrawl and he would probably stop halfway through writing to draw something deeply disturbing instead.

Tav - Is working very hard in VERY HUMANOID: The Journal to become better at writing a quest journal. :) 

24. How does your OC's voice change when they are trying to persuade someone else to let them have their own way?  Is this particularly persuasive?  Perhaps only to certain people?

Red - Please please please please /poke poke poke poke. Come on, it'll be fun! It is not particularly persuasive. Wyll does have a hard time saying no to his smile.

Tav - His persuasion efforts have an increasingly subtle lilt as the game goes on. He is *very* persuasive.

25. Has anyone ever mocked or made fun of your OC's accent or the words they use?  What was the impact of this upon them?

Red - Is the bully mocking every villain in Faerun for their word choices and life choices.

Tav - Probably did not notice. Astarion stole from them.

26. What kind of compliments might your OC bestow upon another person?  Elegant flattery?  Crude sexual banter?  Measured, but positive feedback?

Red - Confusing and intense ones that might require some parsing and questioning to fully understand.

Tav - Direct compliments, simple in form and warm in intent.

27. Does your OC ever use deliberately offensive or abusive terms towards particular social or cultural groups?

Red - Monologuers! *shakes his fist* He’s also not fond of Wulbren so the Ironpans get some remarks.

28. How easy does your OC find it to say "no"?  Do they prefer to prevaricate?  Is this out of courtesy?  Or from a fear of rejection?

Red - If it’s someone he doesn’t care about, no is easy. If it’s someone he cares about, no is next to impossible. (If he’s not useful he’s useless, mentality.) Wyll is working on that.

Tav - Will do his utmost to make everyone happy but will say no if he needs to, especially if it’s to protect someone else.

29. Are there any words or terms that your OC finds particularly offensive?  Is this unique to their own experiences or something on which most people would agree?

Red - He didn’t much like “your kind” in reference to Bhaalspawn. Because his kind is who he chooses dammit! He says everyone agrees that everything that comes out of Mizora’s mouth is offensive.

Tav - He’s difficult to offend, but he would take offense to anyone belittling a group senselessly. He very much doesn’t like being referred to as “child.”

30. Is your OC particularly vocal during sex?  Do they tend to use actual words or even full sentences?  Or just noises?  How much control do they have over this? Red - You can’t stop him from yapping unless his mouth is otherwise full. This gets very disjointed when he’s pushed along in pleasure. Toward the end he might not even be sure of what he’s even saying.

Tav - Is loud, but it’s more noises than comprehensible words. Not much control at all.

31. How often does your OC raise their voice?  Is this always deliberate or can they sometimes not help it?

Red - All the time, he’s a little firecracker. Sometimes it’s deliberate, sometimes he’s just annoyed.

Tav - His voice is very loud by default and takes great effort to keep quiet.

32. Does your OC ever make idle threats?  Or do they only state very precisely exactly what the consequences will be?

Red - Every day. But he’s also ready to do it >D

Tav - No, will do what he says.

33. How long are the sentences your OC usually uses in conversation?  Do they tend to communicate in brief, or even terse, pieces of dialogue?  Or are they prone to flowery language - or even outright verbosity?

Red - Who’s that guy Brief?

Tav - Is usually briefer with longer pauses trying to figure out how to say what he wants.

34. Does your OC yell or scream during arguments?  Or do they become quiet and withdrawn?

Red - Bold that you would think I need a reason to yell.

Tav - Depends on the argument. He might lose control over the volume of his voice, but if he cared about a person, he wouldn’t be screaming at them necessarily.

35. Does your OC ever talk to themselves?  How aware of this are they?

Red - Yes, sometimes he’s aware.

Tav - Not to himself, but you never know which rock might actually be a wizard, okay?

36. What is your OC's laugh like?  Is it a genteel titter? A hearty belly laugh?  Or a snorting noise like a constipated donkey?

Red - It comes in two flavors - giggling and cackling.

Tav - Booming and warm, or a pleasant chuckle.

37. How wide is your OC's vocabulary?  Do others consider them eloquent or well-read?

Red - Wide enough to commit crimes. No and no, though Wyll claims he does have a certain way about putting things into perspective sometimes.

Tav - Widening rapidly, as he loves to learn and chat and has been trying to find the words that Astarion uses in various books. Gale has informed him that Jake’s Encyclopedia of Eels is not, in fact, a dictionary.

38. If confronted by someone who cannot - or will not - speak how would your OC respond?  If they cannot - or will not - speak themselves then how do others respond to this?  How do they make themselves understood?

Context would make a very big difference on this one, but I will try.

Red - Would watch their expression carefully to try and intuit their deal.

Tav - Would watch for their gestures or any other clues around to figure it out, if this person is attempting to communicate something.

39. Is your OC particularly loud in combat?  Do they yell?  Roar?  Or are they a silent and deadly presence? 

Red - Forever living the struggle of NEEDING to run your mouth but also LURKING.

Tav - Is loud in existing, clank clank clank. Other than battle communications though, doesn’t actually say much. A two handed maul with divine smite kind of speaks for itself.

40. Does your OC challenge others for perceived discourtesies?  Or are they unwilling or unmotivated to cause a scene?

Red - Would challenge god for 1 corn chip, chihuahua energy. WYLL SAID NO PICKLES energy.

Tav - Doesn’t care if you aren’t courteous to him, but don’t you go treating any of his companions disrespectfully.

41. Does your OC ever wish that their voice was different?  Are they ever embarrassed or ashamed of their accent or the volume of their voice?

Red - Wonders what he would sound like if Kressa didn’t rearrange him sometimes.

Tav - Wishes he could speak more quietly more easily.

42. Does your OC find any particular voices or accents especially alluring or stimulating?

Red - Loves Wyll’s voice, especially when he’s telling a story

Tav - Enamored with how emotive Astarion’s speech is

43. How often does your OC add new words to their vocabulary?  Do they hungrily pick up new terms and words?  Or do they struggle to remember such things?

Red - Will find a new word and repeat it until everyone is sick of hearing it.

Tav - Hungrily picking up the terms he needs to communicate with these lovely people of Faerun.

44. How eloquent is your OC?  Is their use of language beautiful, or at least skillful?  Or do they struggle to communicate without sounding clumsy or awkward?

Red - …I don’t know if eloquent is the word. Or beautiful. Skillful maybe? His communication is definitely creative.

Tav - Isn’t skillful or eloquent, but has a nice voice and speaks without reservation, even if his words are imperfect. His speech itself is clumsy but his delivery makes up for it.

45. Does your OC ever change their language or tone when moving between different cultures or social settings?

Red - May have started getting a little rhymier at the gate. And I think he’s caught a little of Wyll’s poetic vibe.

Tav - Definitely struggles to code switch in Oath, resulting in his voice being songier and expressing his emotion in tone rather than words.

46. What (if any) are your OC's go to "polite" expressions of disappointment or frustration?  Do they ever substitute words like "sugar" or "darn" for stronger language?  Under what circumstances might they do this?

Red - I tell them I’m polite and then I tell them to fuck off.

Tav - Sakvah :< 

47. Does your OC find it easy to talk about sexual activities or bodily parts?  Or can they only speak about them using twee euphemisms or obscure slang terms?  Or can they not speak about them at all?

Red - The things that come out of this elf’s mouth would make a sailor jump in the harbor.

Tav - Tends to be pretty direct and sees no particular reason to be embarrassed.

48. What would be the most offensive word or term to use about your OC?  How would they respond to this being used towards them?  Would it matter what the intent or understanding of the person using it might be?

Red - “Disgusting.” Might throw him into some mind skippies. He would either say I’M NOT or kind of shrink a little, depending on how he’s doing.

Tav - “Child.” If it was someone he felt he could talk to, he would correct them. He would not like it no matter the intent.

49. Was your OC quick to learn how to speak as a child?  Was their grasp of language encouraged by those around them?  Did anyone read with them?  Or recite poetry or stories to them?

Red - Was never quite a child, and his grasp on most things occurred under threat.

Tav - Learned about at the same pace as the other children in the facility, perhaps a little more slowly. The caregivers did read to them and tell them stories about the Heroes of Avernus and that they might someday join them.

50. Does your OC ever revert to baser, perhaps even coarser, ways of speaking when under stress or anxiety?  Or are they consistently poised and self-controlled, no matter how difficult the situation?

Red - Has been known to growl and threaten. Maybe talk about intestinal jump rope. If he’s very far gone, he might go into a sort of blank minded repetition.

Tav - Is very cool under stress, though he might slow his speech to properly think about his words. Though he does startle easily and might slip a little if you sneak up on him.

OC Language and Vernacular Questions.

Is your OC a confident speaker? Do they find it easy to express themselves verbally? Or do they stutter or perhaps easily lose their train of thought?

Does your OC use any expressions or slang terms that are unique to the area in which they grew up, or a specific community of which they were once a member?

How often does your OC swear? Is it something that punctuates their everday speech? Or is it so unusual to hear them use "bad" language that it would shock those around them?

Does your OC have a particular accent? Do other people ever judge or stereotype them on the basis of their accent? How do they feel about this?

Can other people recognise when your OC is angry or serious by the tone of their voice? Or does their language become coarser? Or perhaps more formal?

Does your OC show courtesy in their language around others - do they routinely thank others, or do they only do so if they percieve that person as being of a higher social status?

Has your OC much experience of public speaking or any formal training in rhetoric? Do they find such things easy or intimidatingly difficult?

Did your OC's parents or other caregivers use any specific terms of endearment for them as a child? Do (or would) they use similar terms for their own children?

Does your OC consider their voice particularly "sexy"? Do they try to adopt a more seductive tone in romantic situations? How successful are these efforts?

Does your OC often punctuate their speech with filler sounds, such as "um" or "er"? Or words such as "like" or "you know"?

Has your OC ever made a conscious effort to change their voice? Perhaps by trying to rid themselves of a particular accent or making themselves sound more assertive?

Are there any particular words that make your OC cringe? Is this due to negative associations? Or second-hand embarrassment? Do they try to conceal their dislike?

Is your OC talented at creative writing, whether poetry or prose? Would they ever show their work to anyone else?

Are there any concepts or activities which are taboo in your OC's culture of origin, which they prefer to refer to euphemistically? How do the respond to others who do not share these taboos?

What is your OC's favourite or "go-to" swearword when under duress?

Does your OC's body language sometimes give away what they might prefer to conceal? Or are they practiced at ensuring that their physical presentation matches their stated positions?

Has your OC ever found other people struggle to understand them because of their accent? How did this make them feel? Did they resent the listeners? Or feel bad about themselves? Or both?

How does your OC feel about other people with "posh" or "upper-class" accents? Do they feel a natural deference to them? Or a resentment? Or do they not even notice?

To what degree does your OC amend their language and/or tone when speaking to children (or in front of them).

Does your OC ever use technical or academic language when discussing their specialist interests? Do others ever need them to translate these terms?

Does your OC like to ascribe nicknames or pet names to other people? How well does this usually go down?

What is your OC's singing voice like? Does it surprise other people by being better (or worse) than they expected?

How confident is your OC at writing? Do they regularly write letters or even academic papers? Or is their writing stilted, awkward - or even a source of embarassment to them?

How does your OC's voice change when they are trying to persuade someone else to let them have their own way? Is this particularly persuasive? Perhaps only to certain people?

Has anyone ever mocked or made fun of your OC's accent or the words they use? What was the impact of this upon them?

What kind of compliments might your OC bestow upon another person? Elegant flattery? Crude sexual banter? Measured, but positive feedback?

Does your OC ever use deliberately offensive or abusive terms towards particular social or cultural groups?

How easy does your OC find it to say "no"? Do they prefer to prevaricate? Is this out of courtesy? Or from a fear of rejection?

Are there any words or terms that your OC finds particularly offensive? Is this unique to their own experiences or something on which most people would agree?

Is your OC particularly vocal during sex? Do they tend to use actual words or even full sentences? Or just noises? How much control do they have over this?

How often does your OC raise their voice? Is this always deliberate or can they sometimes not help it?

Does your OC ever make idle threats? Or do they only state very precisely exactly what the consequences will be?

How long are the sentences your OC usually uses in conversation? Do they tend to communicate in brief, or even terse, pieces of dialogue? Or are they prone to flowery language - or even outright verbosity?

Does your OC yell or scream during arguments? Or do they become quiet and withdrawn?

Does your OC ever talk to themselves? How aware of this are they?

What is your OC's laugh like? Is it a genteel titter? A hearty belly laugh? Or a snorting noise like a constipated donkey?

How wide is your OC's vocabulary? Do others consider them eloquent or well-read?

If confronted by someone who cannot - or will not - speak how would your OC respond? If they cannot - or will not - speak themselves then how do others respond to this? How do they make themselves understood?

Is your OC particularly loud in combat? Do they yell? Roar? Or are they a silent and deadly presence?

Does your OC challenge others for perceived discourtesies? Or are they unwilling or unmotivated to cause a scene?

Does your OC ever wish that their voice was different? Are they ever embarassed or ashamed of their accent or the volume of their voice?

Does your OC find any particular voices or accents especially alluring or stimulating?

How often does your OC add new words to their vocabulary? Do they hungrily pick up new terms and words? Or do they struggle to remember such things?

How eloquent is your OC? Is their use of language beautiful, or at least skillful? Or do they struggle to communicate without sounding clumsy or awkward?

Does your OC ever change their language or tone when moving between different cultures or social settings?

What (if any) are your OC's go to "polite" expressions of disappointment or frustration? Do they ever substitute words like "sugar" or "darn" for stronger language? Under what circumstances might they do this?

Does your OC find it easy to talk about sexual activities or bodily parts? Or can they only speak about them using twee euphemisms or obscure slang terms? Or can they not speak about them at all?

What would be the most offensive word or term to use about your OC? How would they respond to this being used towards them? Would it matter what the intent or understanding of the person using it might be?

Was your OC quick to learn how to speak as a child? Was their grasp of language encouraged by those around them? Did anyone read with them? Or recite poetry or stories to them?

Does your OC ever revert to baser, perhaps even coarser, ways of speaking when under stress or anxiety? Or are they consistently poised and self-controlled, no matter how difficult the situation?

[peachhcs]

did we ever get will actually asking sammy to be his gf? like once they decide in the grace period that they want to fully commit to it.

i've been trying to write this for like weeks now and the creative juices were just not flowing so hopefully y'all enjoy this! i've been lacking ideas as of recently so that's why i haven't been as active, but hopefully they're coming back to me!

(me also when old ask..)

au masterlist

it's obvious samy & will wanna be together but how ready are they to take the step that will change their relationship forever?

they were basically a couple in everyone's eyes but their own. since the grace period started, samy and will followed each other around like lost puppies and frankly, it was starting to annoy everyone watching the two be so in love yet avoid the label of boyfriend and girlfriend. samy even wore will's t-shirts around the house as a coverup up over her swimsuit and if that didn't scream couple behavior then what did?

"are they ever gonna like..ask the other out?" gabe mumbled from the back deck where him and a few others were sitting around watching the couple chase each other around the yard.

it was samy's graduation party, so the lake house was a lot more packed than usual, but samy and will's flirting hadn't changed. they were still as insufferable as when they started going on dates a month ago yet neither of them had plucked up enough courage to ask the other out for real.

"don't be a hater," julianne said from where she was cuddled up beside ryan. gabe rolled his eyes though. "i'm not, i'm just saying. they've been flirting since we were sixteen and honestly, i'm getting tired of neither of them just making the move to ask the other out," the dark-haired boy continued his complaining.

"you're just jealous smitty's actually getting some," drew teased a bit which made gabe even more annoyed.

"real classy, fort. i just don't get their "grace period" or whatever the fuck. he likes her. she likes him. it's simple. they're together or they're not."

"ugh you just don't get it because you've never been in love with your best friend. if i was samy, i'd be fucking scared to date my best friend because what if it fucks everything up and it ruins our friendship?" julianne continued defending the younger hughes while ryan's gaze snapped over.

"hey. i am dating my best friend and that didn't stop me from admitting my feelings or being in love," the brunette defended and a bit hurt that julianne was implying that him and her weren't best friends before dating.

"okay, not what i meant. obviously, you're my best friend. i mean like...samy and will have known each other before we even came into the picture. they've been through some real shit together and..it's not easy to just..get into a relationship. i'd be terrified to lose my best friend i've known for my whole life just because of some feelings," the blonde shrugged and the boys finally started understanding where she was coming from.

"i feel like knowing my best friend has feelings for me would just want me to be with them even more. i'd already know everything about them so we wouldn't have to go through the awkward get to know you phase. i wouldn't wanna wait or..test the waters. i dunno," the hockey player shrugged. he was getting tired of arguing back and forth with julie.

"that's the whole point though. if it didn't work out, all of that stuff would just become obsolete in your mind and it'd all be ruined. i'm sure one of them wants to say something, it's just a matter of being okay with sacrificing the entire friendship for a relationship," the boys sort of followed, but they were done arguing about it. instead, their conversation fell quiet and their phones interested them more than talking about their friends' feelings.

meanwhile, will was determined to throw samy in the lake per luke, ethan, and mark's request. at this point it was tradition and it made it even more fun because it was graduation party. the older boys thought will doing it would make her less suspicious. 

"i know what you're trying to do," samy yelled as she ran away from the blonde. 

"no you don't!" will yelled back. he knew he could overtake her stride in an instant, but he was trying to be nice and give her some length. 

"come on, smitty. i'm not dumb. i saw you scheming with luke." 

will slowed his run until he was completely still. samy realized he stopped chasing her and slowed too. she turned around and saw him with his hands up a few feet away. "i promise. call it a truce?" the boy offered with a convincing grin. 

the younger hughes raised her eyebrow. she looked over to where luke was with mark and ethan. all of them had their backs turned. she looked back at will who was doing nothing but smiling at holding his hand out for the truce. 

"if you're pranking me, i swear to god," samy shook her head, but reached forward to shake on it. the hockey player's grip was firm as they shook hands, his pretty smile distracting her from the fact that he pulled her towards him enough that he could get his other hand around her waist and hoist her over his shoulder. 

samy shrieked, " will! you liar!" 

he had a good grip, so samy couldn't escape if she tried. will ran down the yard to the dock while luke, ethan, and mark cheered in excitement. oh, they were so dead after this.  

"sorry, hughes. brother's orders," will chuckled. 

"hey, hey, i'll do you a really big favor if you don't throw me in," the brunette was desperate to try anything so will wouldn't throw her into the lake. 

"a really big favor? it'll have to be huge," will paused inches away from the edge. the water splashed against the wood making it so incredibly enticing to throw the soccer player in. 

"if you don't throw me in, i'll ask my mom if you can sleep in my room tonight." 

now that was a big favor. normally, it never mattered whenever will and grace visited because will would sleep in luke's room and grace would be in samy's, but ever since the in between started, samy was itching to have will in her room instead. their parents were a bit strict now that they were older and they knew about the feelings between them. 

"woah, trying to get a home run already?" will teased. 

"we've been at third base for how long now?" the brunette hit his back earning a chuckle. 

the offer was so tempting. as comfortable as the couch was downstairs, will wouldn't mind finally sleeping in a bed with samy in his arms. their loop hole to their parents' rules was that they'd stay up late watching a movie so they'd fall asleep together while it was still playing. the blonde put her down and samy smiled in satisfaction. it was so easy to get him.

"good choice," the girl hummed. she leaned up, an indication she wanted a kiss. will happily obliged, leaning down to meet her in the middle, but samy didn't actually want a kiss. 

when he was close enough to not suspect anything samy took matters into her own hands to forcefully push will back. the boy stumbled over his feet, losing his balance and falling into the water below. samy bursted out laughing while everyone else watched in shock. 

"holy shit," gabe mumbled as he watched the scene unfold. 

"now that was good," drew laughed. 

will pulled himself back onto the dock where samy was still a laughing mess. he was drenched head to toe when it was supposed to be samy in his spot. he shook his hair out onto her like a dog just getting out of the water. the girl moved away from him in hopes to avoid the water zone. 

"you're so dead for that," he mumbled. 

"your fault for falling for it," samy giggled. 

"so you're saying the favor was a trick?" will raised his eyebrow. 

"no, i'll still ask. i think you deserve it after this," she was so insufferable, but will couldn't like her more. the little smile and fit of giggles falling from her lips was enough to wash away any anger the hockey player might've felt for taking the fall instead of her. 

"good because you owe me now," he reached forward to pull her into his arm. her shirt was getting wet now, but it didn't matter when will connected their lips for real this time. she tasted like strawberries and a hint of vanilla frosting from the icing she stole earlier when her mom was still decorating the cake. 

a few whistles from the crowd in the yard filled their ears which broke them apart. drew was on the deck clapping and samy's brothers were snickering to one another. both of their faces heated up in hot blush. 

"what the hell are you waiting for? ask her out already!" drew didn't have any shame yelling across the yard. will's blush deepened into his ears. 

the question had been on the tip of his tongue for weeks now. he wanted to ask after their first date, but he didn't know what too soon was. samy was the one to suggest the grace period and will did not want to pressure her or scare her into something she wasn't ready for. at this point though, they'd been dancing around the question knowing they were both too scared to ask it. 

"samy?" if he didn't do it now, he'd never do it. 

samy met his gaze, "yeah?" 

"can i be your boyfriend?" 

a soft smile crept onto her lips, "i thought you'd never ask." 

their lips connected again and that was the signal that he'd done it. all of the guys on the deck jumped up in excitement seeing their friends kiss again. will and samy smiled against one another when they heard the excited screams and cheers. 

"think they're excited?" samy laughed. 

"they've been waiting years for this," the hockey player pulled her flush against her chest, his arms enveloping around her as he squeezed her tight. their hearts were full knowing this moment had been years in the making. 

the new couple made it back up the yard where their friends were waiting. gabe and ryan were pulling will away while julianne and hannah quickly congratulated samy. they were blushing ear to ear. 

"thank god. was starting to think you guys would never make it happen," gabe teased. 

"someone owes me $20!" ryan exclaimed while everyone began arguing about who owed who what. samy and will just sat back with smiles on their faces. the boy put her arm around her and she leaned into his touch, her eyes flicking up to his. 

"maybe we should let them be," will chuckled and they escaped inside before anyone noticed to hide away for the rest of the day and enjoy their new status of boyfriend and girlfriend. 

[nonsscrapheap]

TFP: Universal Obversations

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH EVERYONE! first update of pride month and it's UO! because the brainrot is extremely real and i just cannot stop my motivation in writing this story despite my want to do Twice The Primes and Dance of the Fire Bot. i won't argue with my motivations, i just write what i feel like writing and it's mostly Universal Observations.

yeah this chapter beat out last chapter, again. it is... 12.9k words long, literally less than 30 words more and i would've hit 13k. was tempted to do so, but decided- yeah let's just go. i wanna update. so here we are!

i hope you all enjoy!

[ ----- TP : UO ----- ]

Omega Outpost One

[ Megatron glared down at him, before sighing deeply. Reaching down to grab Optimus' servo in his, grunting as he pulled the mech up from his precarious position and into his arms. One arm around his chassis and the other underneath Optimus' knees, holding him bridal style. "What have I said about leaving my side, my Prime?" He growled, leaning in to glare directly into Optimus' optics before smirking. "I can't leave you for even a klik, can I?"

Optimus' battlemask snapped open, revealing a small, fond smile on his faceplate. "I would apologize, but it was not my fault this time my Protector. I am entirely blameless in this endeavor."

Megatron's smirk turned into a charmed smile, "We'll see about that, but for now…" He raised his helm, letting Optimus down from his hold as they stood back-to-back. Surrounded by all sides by large, monstrous creatures with Soldier Quintessons riding atop them. "Let's deal with these mongrels, shall we?" His fusion cannon hummed to life, charging.

Optimus' battlemask snapped close as he readied his axe. "We shall." ]

"PAUSE! PAUSE PAUSE PAUSE—"

The last couple of hours have been... strange to say the least. Bulkhead hadn’t exactly gotten out of berth expecting to watch Alternate Universes today after all, his expectations were the usual; patrol a bit, pick Miko up from her host parent’s place and head back to base, hang out with Miko at base, patrol some more when it was his turn. Maybe dent a few con faceplates if given the chance.

But no, instead, a weird orb thing (now known as an Observer apparently) gets found in their storage and it was a weird path from there. That weird world where Optimus was uh, and then the Actor world, and now this?

Don’t get him wrong! Bulkhead was all for giant robots fighting- ignoring the weird feeling of watching something that looked Cybertronian (even if empurata-like), didn’t sound Cybertronian, moved somewhat like a Cybertronian but wrong that threatened to set off all his warning programs in his processor- it was great! Especially considering one of the robots was being piloted by Miko! His charge and best little buddy and human best friend!

She was even called Wrecker, how cool was that? He’d been so excited to tell Jackie all about it in his next message to him.

But then it dawned on him how fragged Earth’s situation kind of was with the Quintessons- clued in by Miko- err, Wrecker’s reaction to Ra-Senscript’s fifth port. Given to him by human Shockwave of all me- uh, humans? (Human Shockwave’s name was Waltz Stein, could you believe it?? He still couldn’t!)

And then there was that- flashback scene? That moment, that picture. At first, he could’ve sworn that mecha suit looked familiar until-

“WHEELJACK!”

Wrecker had screamed his name as she was taken through that Quintesson spacebridge and Bulkhead’s spark dropped to his tanks. On one servo, Wheeljack was human- that was pretty cool! Plus, he was a pilot! On the other hand, whatever happened to him... Bulkhead hoped that human Jackie was okay, was alive. For Wrecker’s sake, with how she screamed, she must’ve cared for him a lot...

Did that mean Bulkhead was human here too?

Seemed like all Cybertronians were human here, or so Bulkhead had thought until the Observer suddenly showed... Cybertron.

Alive.

Hanging in there with Praxus being attacked, but Praxus was being attacked; it had been standing! Cybertron was alive here! His home planet was still kicking!

Only, well; Praxus was being attacked. No doubt by cons.

Optimus wasn’t a human, that was a relief- not that Bulkhead had anything against humans or the thought of his leader being a human in another universe! It was just a weird thought y’know? Shockwave was already one thing, Wheeljack, another. But Optimus? He’d need to get used to the idea first.

So seeing Optimus as a normal Cybertronian was nice- less nice was the fact his leader was in a familiar war zone. Although it was cool to see him with his axe again, Optimus was a beast with that thing. Miko was right to be disappointed at the fact Optimus didn’t have it anymore or couldn’t get another one like it, the cons would’ve been dealt with a bit easier if Optimus still had that axe.

‘Course all good things must come to an end... something he really hoped wouldn’t happen when Other Optimus almost got knocked off into a canyon-sized fissure. Primus.

And then he appeared.

Other Megatron.

Bulkhead felt rage in his spark at the sight of the damned warlord, of course he wasn’t the only one to be angry. They all were, they shouted at the screen, as if their insults and threats would breach through universes and negatively affect the silver tin can and prevent him from even daring to think of laying a single scummy servo on Optimus.

Ratchet had certainly been going at it like as if that would happen, Primus that medic knew swears that Bulkhead didn’t know of! And he grew up in the slums and worked alongside some surly mechs when he was a construction bot! Not to mention the way he was weaving Earth insults into Cybertronian too? Bulkhead kept those in mind, feeling kinda awed by Ratchet’s storm of curses and threats. Another thing to tell Wheeljack later, heh.

Then something happened that came completely out of left field, if that was the right way to use that human phrase; Megatron did lay a scummy servo on Optimus but he... pulled him up? What?

And then he was saying stuff like ‘not leaving his side’ and ‘My Prime’? What??

And the way he was acting, the way Other Optimus was acting, bantering? ‘My Protector’ what?? Megatron had his servos on Optimus but he wasn’t- Bulkhead’s optics had to glance down to Megatron’s chestplate just to make sure that symbol was purple and y’know, a Decepticon symbol- the other world with the nice Megatron (fragging weird as pit) had the Decepticon symbol red after all but nope. Still purple.

And the symbol on Other Optimus’ shoulder was an Autobot and red, so the factions clearly existed but—

Why the frag did they seem so chummy?

No, chummy wasn't the right word. Not with the way Other Megatron had been smirking at Other Optimus. It was almost like they were- were they?? No. No. Right? But. Uh. Wait—

Just as Other Optimus and Megatron were about to duke it out with the Quintessons (the Quintessons were attacking Praxus?!) Ratchet had called frantically for an immediate pause.

He doesn't know which one of the kids paused the screen, too busy gawking at said screen as it paused in a kinda cinematic way- with both other versions of his leader and the Decepticon leader back to back, surrounded by the largest and ugliest Quintessons they've seen yet being ridden by those Solider unit Quintessons earlier on with the Other kids.

For a moment, there's a tense silence- mostly upheld by the disbelief as no one could tear their optics away from the screen right now. The question still stood in Bulkhead's processor.

"Was Megatron flirting with Optimus?" The question slips out of his intake before he could stop it, or the next one. "And was Optimus flirting back?"

He couldn't even imagine Optimus flirting in the first place, the Prime was too stoic and focused on the war to do so. And yet he couldn't help but think that was the case when Other Optimus was speaking to- Other Megatron of all mechs!

"No! Impossible!" Ratchet retorted fiercely, the medic searing his optics at Bulkhead in a glare and usually it would make Bulkhead flinch back, sheepish but the Wrecker was too focused on the screen with bewilderment to even do that. "They were not flirting!"

"Uh, I dunno Ratch, he seems kinda close to King Con there." Miko pointed out, looking extremely fascinated by the screen, human eyes wide with a considering look on her face. Considering? Considering? Just what was she considering about? Bulkhead didn't know, and maybe he didn't want to know. "They're fighting together. Literally back to back on screen right there."

Ratchet spluttered, glancing back to the screen and scowling. "It's because they're working against a common foe! Clearly the Quintessons are of a greater threat than we realize there if Optimus is working with Megatron. Otherwise, the two would be at each other's energon tubing!" He reasoned, and- yeah that made sense.

Because if there's going to be a threat against Cybertron bigger than even each other, then the only logical thing to do was to team up against it. Still pretty jarring to see Optimus and Megatron together like that though, the Actor world had been the same but this was different. These weren't actors, they weren't mechs pretending to be leaders in a world of fiction, these were actual alternate counterparts to the leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons.

"Okay. Okay." Jack said, glancing back and forth between screen Optimus and- well, their Optimus. Optimus himself was looking at the screen with an incomprehensible look, even more than usual than his usual stoic look. Bulkhead can't even imagine how Optimus was feeling right now. "So… Quintessons made Optimus and Megatron team up since the enemy of my enemy is an ally, and Cybertron is alive."

The phrase Cybertron is alive hit Bulkhead harder than he'd expect it to. Because, it was wasn't it? In that world where the Quintessons attacked, Cybertron was alive, the cons actually called for a ceasefire and decided to work together with them to keep those things from taking over their planet.

.: Um… it still doesn't explain why Megatron called Optimus 'My Prime' or Optimus calling Megatron 'My Protector'? :. Bumblebee hesitantly said, and no one could reply or even try to explain that because… well, it's absurd. Megatron would never call Optimus 'My Prime', and Optimus calling Megatron his protector? Not a chance in the world…

In their world.

But in this 'Mecha' world?

"I'm starting to see why that mech warned us about whatever the frag we'd see with the Observer." Arcee muttered aloud, tense in her seat as she eyed the floating screen warily. A complicated expression on her faceplate.

That mech?

"You mean Rung?" Jack asked, finally reminding Bulkhead of who Arcee was talking about, giving Arcee a confused look. Rung, right, the orange mech with the other Observer. That gave them all the warnings and slag. Shouldn't have been hard to remember, considering that weird moment with his optics and all that, yet his name had slipped Bulkhead's processor there for a moment. "Guess so, best to keep in mind what he said. Whatever we see isn't exactly something we can apply here- not really? Just… try not to let it get to you guys. Seems like Megatron is an ally in that world, and is uh- close to Optimus."

It's an absurd thing to think of, after millennia of war, eons of conflict, years of battle… But Jack was right, and the proof was right there in front of them. The Autobots and Decepticons existed in another world, and that clearly meant the war was going on, but with the Quintessons around and Cybertron in danger from them…

"Jack is right." Optimus said, finally speaking and gaining the attention of everyone. "I cannot speak for the decisions of my other selves in these alternate universes that we see, especially the first world we saw-" Ah right, that world, Bulkhead shivered, "-as the differences between our worlds becomes clear. Although similar, like Jack said, we must keep in mind what Rung has warned us about, to not let the contents of each world deeply affect us in a manner that would prevent us from doing our duty of protecting Earth from Megatron and his Decepticons."

Unknown to almost all, with the exception of perhaps Ratchet, behind his stoic facade, underneath the emotional suppression that helped keep him calm, Optimus was rather happy at the sight of him and Megatron fighting side by side in what seemed to be an actual, amicable (?) relationship. The part of him that regretted trying to kill Megatron from the spacebridge explosion, the same part that still cherished the moments of Orion Pax and Megatronus, was overjoyed in fact.

( An ex-gladiator stood in stunned silence, optics trained on the screen. He's been like that for a few kliks now, frozen, quiet. It was unnerving, perhaps if one was opportunistic enough, they could have attempted to attack him right this moment yet no one in the room could do so as they too, were stunned into silence.

The silence was only broken by a single seeker's shriek, "What the frag?!" )

Raf, who was back in Bumblebee's servos rather than Ratchet after the medic had returned the boy to the scout's custody just so he could freely swear at the screen, spoke up. "I'm actually curious as to what's happening in that world- Optimus said that the Quintessons were wiped out here a long, long time ago. But there, they're not. Did they end up finding Cybertron late here? Did they still attack Cybertron during the era of the Thirteen Primes but retreated just in time to avoid going extinct and were just, biding their time? Also, since Shockwave and Wheeljack and um, whoever else is human- how did that effect the war between you Autobots and the Decepticons? Did it lead to Optimus and Megatron becoming, uh, allies, or was it really the Quintessons that forced them to band together?"

The kids were certainly something, Bulkhead hadn't expected to become so attached to them when they first showed up. No one in the team probably expected it either, but the moment they saw Other Raf, Senscript, bleeding from the nose from overextending himself in testing that damned cortical psychic patch link, they had worried.

Bumblebee and Ratchet especially, Raf had given up trying to reassure them verbally and let the scout scoop him into his hold once more. Offering the yellow mech all the physical comfort he could give in his small size, it had made Bulkhead's spark clench in his spark chamber.

And oh, when Senscript got hurt by the Quintessons? Bumblebee had nearly lost it, reminding Bulkhead of that unfortunate clip of future Bee buzzing angrily at Megatron in the Actor universe. The one where they predicted Raf's near-death… It really cemented just how much the humans meant to them. ( And how fragile they could be. )

And now here they were, listening to his questions and considering it for themselves. It certainly helped calm them down a bit as they considered them.

Was it weird that Optimus and Megatron were… allies in another world? Certainly, but that was just it. Another world. Another universe. It was weird, and unlikely, but it happened there.

Didn't mean it had to happen here. Or could.

The likelihood of Megatron deciding to work with Optimus was low, and him considering peace was even lower. Not without a common enemy, which they didn't have here.

"Good questions, Raf. Questions that will hopefully be answered as we continue watching. I, too, am curious as to what happened in this world. And the ramifications and side effects to some of our people no longer being involved in the war." Optimus said with a small smile.

Bulkhead tried to imagine not having Jackie around during the war, imagined not having Shockwave around for the war. "I can't imagine not having Wheeljack be part of the Wreckers, but at least he was with you Miko." He said, grinning at his charge who whooped and grinned back. They didn't say anything about Wheeljack's disappearance, trusting and hoping that the mech… man? Was okay and alive.

.: Well… I am kinda wondering who else is human and who stayed Cybertronian. :. Bumblebee whirred, glancing between them all.

"Yeah! That too! I wanna know who's human now- I kinda hope you're human Bee, I wanna know what you look like as one." Raf beamed, something Bee mirrored as they all began to wonder what they would look like as human.

"We didn't really see what Shockwave or Wheeljack looked like as human, Shockwave had that weird mask over his face and Wheeljack uh- he was in his mecha." Miko said as she lounged back against the couch. "Wonder if Bulk's human here too."

Jack, in contrast, sat on the edge, leaning forward to look at Arcee. "Yeah, I mean- you got that hologram of yours Arcee but I don't think it has a face? I'm wondering what you'd look like as human."

"Yeah, doesn't have a face, can't move that well either. I just use that hologram to make sure no one knows I can drive by myself." Arcee replied dryly but was smiling as she too, wondered.

Ratchet was grumbling, still glaring slightly at the screen before sighing. "I suppose we should continue viewing if we really want to know… Primus, the thought of Megatron working with you Optimus is…" He didn't finish, shaking his helm instead. "Let's just get this over with, children?"

"On it Ratch! Observer, continue!" Miko exclaimed grandly, excited to see what came next.

[ Megatron and Optimus fought well together, extremely well. They covered each other's weakspots and wordlessly assisted the other with no sign other than a simple glance. Together, even the monstrous Quintesson beasts were having trouble in trying to take them both down.

Optimus mostly using his axe and limbs, occasionally shifting a servo into a blaster but mostly swinging his axe, while Megatron used his signature cannon and blade. ]

"Woah… King Con and Optimus fight absurdly well together." Miko breathed, awed by the flawless, almost elegant teamwork between the leaders of the Autobots and the Decepticons. Bulkhead had to admit, it was quite the sight.

Ratchet huffed, eyeing the battle as it continued on. "I'm not surprised, though its been eons since they fought together side by side—"

"Optimus and Megatron fought together before?" Raf interrupted, wincing before sending an apologetic look at Ratchet who waved it off.

"Yes, though it was before Autobots and Decepticons existed. In the golden age of Cybertron."

Jack glanced over to Optimus, "You mentioned it before, when we first met. You called Megatron your brother, or well, you once considered him a brother? You were close…"

"Indeed." Optimus answered softly, a look of nostalgia on his faceplate, in his optics as he watched them both fight so well together against the attacking Quintesson soldiers and their beastly mounts. "Megatron, Megatronus then, was actually the one who inspired and taught me how to fight…"

Miko snorted, "Wonder if he regrets teaching you now, since you can take him head on!"

Did he? Bulkhead had known that there was history between Optimus and Megatron but he hadn't exactly known how far it went…

Optimus didn't answer, optics watching the screen intently.

( A warlord finally sits down, ignoring the clamor of his subordinates as he watched the fight. His optics taking in the sight of his nemesis and his other fighting together side-by-side once more. It brought up memories that he thought he long buried, brought up emotions that he thought completely discarded, brought up thoughts he had pushed aside for millennia.

Usually it would send him into a rage, make him scowl, glower and sneer. But right now… watching the effortless team work… Seeing Other Optimus completely trust his alternate self in battle, that fond smile from before…

He stayed silent.

Watching. )

[ .: This is Lord Megatron to Prowl, lock onto my coordinates- I have found our missing Prime. We are currently dealing with a squadron of Quintesson drones and soldiers, Optimus Prime has sustained injuries, his helm is dented which is why no one's comms were able to reach him. :. Megatron grunted as he took a small dull moment during the battle to contact reinforcements, flicking away Quintesson gore off his blade.

Optimus was doing the same, taking in a brief vent as the Quintessons backed away warily, giving them a moment of reprieve.

Prowl's voice came in immediately, .: Coordinates locked on and confirmed Lord High Protector, reinforcements incoming in 8 kliks and counting. Evacuation of Praxus at 79% percent with minimal casualties but several major injuries from all factions. Fatalities will be counted after the evacuation, but estimations lie in the hundreds amongst the civilians Lord High Protector and are likely to grow. :. Megatron didn't look happy at that, yet quietly confirmed it all the same. ]

"Prowl? Aw man! I haven't heard Prowl's voice print in so long!" Bulkhead laughed, a bit delighted in hearing the mech's voice from the screen. Though his joy was dampened slightly by Prowl's words, torn from the information they were getting.

They were at the point of the war where civilians were still a thing, non-combatants that were living in cities. And Praxus was falling right before their optics, again.

"Who's Prowl?"

Arcee answered Miko, "The Autobot's best tactician, used to be Optimus' right hand mech when it came to tactics and plans but we lost contact with him shortly after the Exodus from Cybertron." She grimaced with a sigh.

.: He and a few other Autobots were supposed to come with Bulkhead, Ratchet, Optimus and I to Earth but there was too little time and they had to get on another ship instead. :. Bumblebee whirred sadly, causing Bulkhead and Arcee to nod as Raf relayed what Bee said to Miko and Jack.

"We could've had more bots here? Dang! Would've really evened the odds with the cons." Miko grumbled, making Bulkhead to nod again. So far, they'd been doing fairly well against Megatron and the Decepticons, they were vastly outnumbered, sure most of the cons were vehicons but underestimating those guys would be a rookie mistake.

Just look at Cliffjumper.

Not that he'll ever say it aloud, or within Arcee's audial vicinity, he liked living. Thanks.

Ratchet squinted at the screen, "'Lord High Protector?'" He repeated incredulously with a hint of curiosity.

"That supposed to mean anything?" Jack asked the medic who shared looks with Optimus. "Sounds like it should."

"No, it does not." Optimus denied, shaking his helm with a muted but curious look on his faceplate. "It is not a title that Ratchet nor even I, know of." Which is something considering Optimus usually knew esoteric and obscure information- probably because of the Matrix considering it was said to the repository of knowledge from Primes of Old.

( "Soundwave, search for the term, 'Lord High Protector.'"

A visored mech sat in silence (the room finally back in order after a warlord snapped at them to stop making so much noise) but on the screens of a warship, multiple databases, articles, information banks were flipped through in rapidly quick succession before a big red X appeared both on the screens and the mech's visor.

"Hm…" )

[ "Megatron!" Optimus suddenly called out, tense as the Quintessons let out a startling noise. Loud, abrupt, yet commanding. Megatron tensed as well, bracing himself for whatever was about to happen. Only for him and Optimus to reel back in shock as the Quintessons suddenly retreated, roaring overhead, and heading towards another direction.

.: Prowl! The Quintessons are— :. Megatron was suddenly interrupted, he was disgruntled by it but grew serious as Prowl exclaimed.

.: They're not retreating! I'm getting reports from all over Praxus, they're converging to a single spot in the city! An unknown Quintesson spacebridge just opened! :.

"Optimus!" Megatron barked, alarmed by the sudden change of events. ]

"That doesn't seem good." Raf gulped, seeing the remaining Quintessons, the horrible gigantic beasts and the soldier units, suddenly- not retreat as Prowl said, but head elsewhere in the city.

"Quintesson spacebridge?" Jack repeated with a click of realization, he shared a look with the rest of his friends and the bots. "You don't think…"

"Oh, I do think." Ratchet replied with a grimace.

[ The screen changed to a familiar mechanical hand slamming into the ground, an earthquake following afterwards as the ground vibrated hard underneath its palm. "WHERE THE FUCK ARE WE?!" Wrecker screamed, panicked and enraged at the sight of incoming XTRs.

Besides her, Tailbreaker was carving into a gigantic beast with his blades, mechanical hands tugging at incoming tentacles to tear them apart. .: No idea! But we need to protect Senscript until he can wake up and tell us where we are! :.

They were both stationed in front of Senscript's unmoving mecha that was slumped in a little alcove to some gigantic building neither of them recognized. The 'Apex Armor' disk was tucked into Senscript's smaller hands, both his cortical cord and sensory crown were thankfully retracted back into his helm though he wasn't moving at all. A look into the mecha revealed Senscript still unconscious in his cockpit chair, blood still dripping off his chin. ]

.: Raf! :. Bumblebee whirred with concern, whining against the boy's small hands that pressed against his faceplate in reassurance. .: He's still unconscious, still has blood coming out of his nose. :.

"Aw c'mon Bee, calm down. I-I'm sure I'm fine." Raf tried to tell him, smiling at his best friend and guardian only to droop when Ratchet began muttering a bit too loudly.

"Who knows what damage there could be to the human brain from such a direct connection to the processor of something like a Quintesson. The blood flow has at least lessened, but the fact it's still bleeding from his nasal area is not good. Not to mention the technology necessary to facilitate such a thing—"

Raf sent him a weak glare, "Ratchet!" He exclaimed as the yellow scout let out a high-pitched noise of worry. The medic let out a disgruntled apologetic noise, a hint of worry and guilt on his expression as he glanced between them both and the unconscious Senscript on screen. He focuses back to his datapad, typing into it.

Optimus Prime glanced over and his derma tilted upwards slightly as he sees glimpses of human biology being brought up on the datapad.

( A medic who loved racing discretely pulled up certain information on his datapad, squinting down at it and looking at the screen with a thoughtful hum. A seeker notices and leans over, only to see a website about human biology on the datapad, the seeker pulls a face but keeps quiet, optics reading line by line and glancing at the screen as well.

The medic notices and adjusts slightly so the seeker could read a bit more comfortably. This gesture went unnoticed by most of the cons in the room, unnoticed except by the seeker himself and the medic's conjunx. )

"Dudes, we're on Cybertron!" Miko exclaimed excitedly, batting at Jack's shoulder.

Jack grunted but looked up in wonder, "We really are." His wonder takes a hit when he sees the sad look on Arcee's face. "Arcee?"

"Wish this wasn't your first look at Cybertron, or Praxus." Arcee said, gesturing back to the screen with a grimace as Tailbreaker was slammed into a stray building but was holding on to the Quintesson beast stubbornly. "This isn't how I wanted to show you our home."

The kids share a look as their respective cybertronian guardian similarly shared a sad sigh. Even Optimus and Ratchet gave the kids a regretful and sad look.

"Well, hey! I'm sure you guys will show us tons of cool places on Cybertron! I mean, we're there now! Other us- and it's still alive, so like, there's got to be good places still standing to show!" Miko determinedly, wanting to cheer the bots up.

On one hand, their Cybertron was dead, which was definitely a bummer. And seeing it alive was- hard, but at the same time, it filled Bulkhead with a renewed sense of vigor somehow. And hey, Miko was right! Other Miko, Wrecker, would get the chance to experience Cybertron's wonders herself- and through the screen, they could show her and the kids too! So it wasn't all that bad!

"Yeah, seeing Cyber—" Jack was about to support Miko's words before he flinched as more Quintessons arrived on screen, roaring in intimidation at the two mecha pilots. There was a lot of Quintessons, the big hulking beast mounts and the smaller yet still hulking soldier units riding atop them. "Oh no."

[ "Fucking hell, that's a lot of Class 7 Soldiers and Levis." Tailbreaker gritted out, standing on the corpse of one such 'Levi' after dealing with its rider. In his cockpit, he rapidly flipped several switches and turned a few dials, steam and hot air escaping his mecha's joints as he optimized his systems. "Wrecker! Siege optimization! We're here with no back-up, no signal to base- do not let your levels drop too fast, too soon!"

.: You don't have to tell me twice! :. Came Wrecker's urgent yet annoyed reply, the screen switching to show she was doing the same before switching back to Tailbreaker.

"Priority one; keep Senscript and that Apex thing safe at all cost! They want that thing then it's in our best interest to make sure they don't get it! Cut down the numbers till we can get him out of this clusterfuck!" Tailbreaker barked just as the XTRs descended upon them. ]

Bulkhead's never seen Jack so authoritative before, as the oldest of the human kids, he did try to reign them in or keep them safe and stuff but this? This was older Jack doing his best to keep his teammates alive in a dangerous combat situation.

Still trying to keep them safe but in a situation that Bulkhead would have never imagined to happen, nor did he ever want to ever again. Because as cool as it is seeing them pilot those admittedly unsettling mechas, seeing them in such danger was terrifying.

"You don't know why the Quintessons want the Apex Armor, don't even know what it is or what it does but just knowing they want it, you- ahem, Tailbreaker makes the decision to keep it away from them. Astute observation and a good choice, not only that, you're optimizing your gear to last for as long as possible.." Ratchet notes aloud, glancing over to Jack who grinned at him.

The teenage boy shrugged, "Well, the longer we last, the better right? And I mean, it seems obvious? They tried to get it in secret, did their best to get it and when they couldn't but had it in reach- they triggered a spacebridge that sent other us from one place to another? It's important, real important, so yeah. Keep away."

The rest of the team gave Jack a proud look, Arcee in particular having a slightly smug expression on her faceplate.

.: And you're protecting Senscript too, planning to make an escape when given the opportunity. :. Bumblebee beeped, had his mouthguard been down, Bulkhead would definitely see a smile there. Raf relayed what he said to Jack whose grin grew a bit.

"Not only because he was like- his protection was a priority of the original mission but he's a teammate. A friend. 'Course I'd protect him." Raf beamed at his words.

( "Who knew Jack could be such a leader?" An arachnoid femme commented sardonically with a small smirk, amused by how authoritative the little human was on screen. It didn't matter that he was older on screen, or that this Jack was in another world, to her, he was still a target she oh, so dearly wanted to hunt. Not only to hurt Arcee, but to pay him back for what he'd done to her ship and herself.

Shame she could only hunt her world's Jack, Tailbreaker would have made another fine trophy in her personal opinion. She hopes her counterpart meets him, regardless of species. Though of course, she does hope she stayed Cybertronian. )

[ .: Wrecker, fall back! They're heading towards Senscript! :. Immediately Wrecker's mecha pulled itself away from the Levi she was wrestling, forcefully dragging the creature with her as her sonic weapons turned the Levi's cranial organs and technology into mush, the liquid dripping out of its orifices as Wrecker used its body to slam into the incoming XTRs that tried to make their way to her fallen teammate.

"You're not getting him assholes!" Wrecker growled, briefly cranking her damage output to 70% and releasing a high-pitch sonic wave from her subwoofers, it made the XTRs reel back in pain. "Tailbreaker!" A glance to her fuel levels revealed it took quite a bit of power to do so.

Lithely, Tailbreaker's mecha came in for quick kills while the XTRs were still reeling, aiming for weak spots that either killed them or brought them down to be killed soon enough. ]

"There's too many of them." Arcee said tensely, worry starting to seep into her spark as more and more Quintessons gathered around the three mecha pilots with only two performing combat, protecting their downed third.

Bulkhead's servos clenched and unclenched, feeling the need to having something in his servos as he watched Wrecker and Tailbreaker do their damned best in defending Senscript and the Apex Armor. Their original plan of carving a way out was quickly falling fast as there were too many Quintessons to properly chart an escape.

A sense of concern and worry began to settle over the base, even Miko was looking a bit worried for herself on the screen but was ultimately still cheering their counterparts on. "C'mon you guys! You got this! Go other me! LIVE UP TO YOUR NAME! WRECK AND RUIN!" She hollered, as if the force of her shouts alone would help across universes.

Not even Ratchet was going to scold her shouting, now when he was analyzing the situation at hand.

( "They'll be overwhelmed at this point." An ex-wrecker muttered, trying to hide his slight disappointment. It was only because he didn't want those Quintesson-things to win on Cybertron, or so he would insist if asked about it.

"Normally I would agree with you however you've forgotten some crucial details; they're on Cybertron." A seeker replied lowly, as out of nowhere, a familiar beam shot through multiple Quintessons at once. "And the Quintessons were not exactly subtle in their rendezvous." )

[ A bright violet beam shot through multiple XTRs, briefly gaining everyone's attention as from over the incline, a familiar canon whined down- the barrel smoking and gleaming hotly from going halfway towards full power. The owner of the canon, a mecha of silver with flashes of purple, snarled something unintelligible, to the humans at least.

.: Reinforcements? No fair, who let that mecha get a giant fuck off laser cannon?! :. Wrecker complained but was grinning in clear relief as she panted in her cockpit, sweat going down her face.

Tailbreaker took in a deep breath, "Seems like it- don't recognize the mecha design. Not government for certain though, too personal with all those spikes and sharp edges." He replied, though he was just as relieved. "Whoever they are though, as long as they're aiming that cannon at the XTRs, I'm not complaining." ]

"Oh! Ohh! What'd King Con say in Cybertronian?!" Miko exclaimed before pausing, "Never thought I'd be happy to see Megatron but there he is! Saving our afts!"

Raf rubbed his neck as he sat on Bumblebee's shoulder, "He pretty much just said 'Get off my planet' Miko, and uh, yeah. Same… Do you think he'll hurt other us?"

"Normally I would say yes, however considering several factors in this situation…" Ratchet trailed off, giving the screen an inscrutable expression. "No, there's a chance however with how you are clearly fighting against the Quintessons, an established enemy- he'll be cautious but he won't outright injure or attack you unless provoked. Especially considering… his alliance with Optimus."

.: Not to mention he… probably doesn't know you guys are human. :. Bumblebee realized as Megatron dove into the fight with determined anger. .: If I didn't know you were humans piloting big suits, I'd say you're one of us only- you all look like empurata'd bots. :.

"What's empurata?"

All the Autobots froze at Raf's innocuous question, an uncomfortable look on their expressions.

"That… is a question we will answer later, Raf. Perhaps, they might even provide the answer to it." Optimus said gravely, and the children exchanged confused looks but nodded all the same.

( "I take it back, these Quintessons are hardy creatures." A deadly femme muttered, seeing several survivors from the warlord's fusion cannon. It wasn't at full power but even that was usually enough to kill many mechs at the same time without any survivors.

Said warlord growled lowly at the sight but reluctantly nodded, feeling the phantom sensation of a burning ache on his arm- he usually refrained from going that strong for good reason. And the very rare times he went full power… He can't help but wonder just how many times his counterpart had gone to full power against the Quintessons. Certainly more often than he did with his arch enemy. )

[ "There's another pilot!" Wrecker exclaimed as a mecha of red, blue and silver appeared with a gigantic axe. "Okay, who's giving all these pilots cool shit?! I wanna talk with them!" She cackled, approving the sight of the axe being swung around with surprising finesse. "God, I haven't seen someone lug around a mecha-sized melee weapon since Wheeljack!"

.: Focus Wrecker! Gawk and talk later, protect Senscript and the Apex Armor! :. Tailbreaker snapped at her before he was grabbed solidly by a Levi's tentacles. .: Shit! :.

"Shit, TAILBREAKER!" Wrecker was torn, she was still acting as Senscript's major defense against the Quintessons and she was a bit too far away from her teammate and leader to do anything about it. ]

"Jack!" "Slag."

The joy of seeing Optimus again, seeing him join the battle and assist the kids was quickly overtaken with worry as Tailbreaker's mecha was grabbed by the tentacles- those things were wrapped around dangerously tight around the mecha's torso- right where Tailbreaker's actual body was.

Bulkhead had seen, by chance, of an organic lifeform being crushed in a metal compactor before during the war. It had been a wild animal from the planet he'd been stationed on that got stuck in machine, and it had left him nauseated the entire time he'd been on the planet afterwards.

He doesn't think he could bear the thought of watching a human, especially one of the kids going- squish. It was one of the many reasons why he'd been a little hesitant on going around on Earth. That accident with the powerlines was another, more light hearted reason that he actually wished was happening right now.

He'd take electricity forcing him to dance over the possible death of the kids any day.

( "Ugh, squished human. Disgusting." A medic shuddered, having seen many horror films as well as the rare actual footage- he'd been curious after all. Certainly strayed him away from seeing human media again… for a while anyway.

"Sounds disgusting, but it looks like it's not happening this time." The ship's second in command commented with a sniff, snorting at the sight of the warlord on screen coming to the human's rescue. Using his sword to cut the massive tentacle that captured the mecha. "He must not know he's saving an organic. These mecha look far too much like cybertronians- empurata'd ones, but still. It's uncanny and disturbing." Though the thought of his 'master' unknowingly saving humans was quite amusing, of course, he kept it to himself. Eyeing the interested warlord who had gone silent. )

[ Tailbreaker hadn't been prepared for the save from the stranger pilot but looked up as he was hauled on to his feet. "Thanks-" His gratitude was cut short as he finally saw the 'mecha' up close. "You have a face." He blurts out in confusion, watching that scarred metal face contort and change like an actual face. With red eyes, lips, sharp teeth?

.: He has a what? :. Wrecker commed in as the silver, spiky mecha gave him a scrutinizing look on his face.

'Who makes a mecha with an expressive face? Not even a digital one, but a fully articulated one!?' Tailbreaker thought somewhat hysterically before shaking his head in his cockpit and focusing in. "Nevermind, look out!" He bodily tackled the mecha down as a barrage of tentacles tried to spear through both of them. Ignoring the surprised look the mecha gave him. ]

"He has a face!" Miko laughed, leaning against the couch from the hilarious moment. Bulkhead chuckled with her, it was kinda funny.

Jack rolled his eyes, "From what I can tell, all the mechas we made don't have faces- just like, screens, visors or something. Seeing a 'mecha' with a face would definitely be surprising… Guess we've got no idea that we're on another planet just yet." He reasoned, smiling at the agreeing nods he got from Optimus and Arcee.

"You guys are a bit too busy with the Quintessons to notice the strange architecture." Raf chimed in before blinking. "You saved Megatron!"

"In any other situation I'd be angry but considering its not you, and Tailbreaker has no idea who Megatron even is, I'll let this slide." Arcee half-joked, somewhat disgruntled over the fact her human charge and partner had saved the tyrant that she and her team had been fighting for so long.

Jack winced, rubbing the back of his neck somewhat guiltily as he nodded. "Yeah…" He'd yet to tell anyone what happened at the cave in, about how he had the chance to take Megatron's life, to end the war for them… and he didn't take it. He'd put it in the back of his mind the entire time, but seeing his other self save Megatron…

( A warlord snorted, a smile, small yet terrible, perched on his derma as he sees his counterpart being saved by the same human that had the chance to end him yet didn't. He wonders if the Autobots knew of that moment, if the human had told them he had the chance to end things permanently and didn't.

Or did he keep it to himself out of shame? Either way, it truly seemed like that little human was far more interesting than he first thought he was. )

Maybe he should finally talk with Optimus about it.

[ Tailbreaker was quick to get back on his feet, this time hauling the silver mecha in turn and giving the strange mecha a slight nod before throwing himself back into the fray with a determined cry.

It didn't take long for the mecha to join him, countless of XTRs fell from blades, axe, fists and both cannon and sonic blast.

There had been a few close calls with Senscript's safety, a Soldier managing to slip through, a Levi's tentacle shooting out towards him, several attempts from above. Yet they managed to protect the youngest pilot successfully.

Not without damage however, it was a rare moment that a mecha would ever come back unscathed. Wrecker's left subwoofer on her shoulder had been crushed inwards, making her arm barely usable. Her plating had cracks and scratches, and she lost a few panels of heavy armor. XTR gore covered a vast majority of her mecha, especially her arms.

Tailbreaker's visor had cracked after being hit in the head, his right leg was sparking as a few cables had been cut forcing his mecha to limp awkwardly and keep his balance. His blades were caked in XTR blood, although he wasn't missing any panels, multiple armor platings were cracked and scratched- less so than Wreckers at least.

The silver mecha's cannon was steaming, wisps of smoke was wafting off of it as the heated metal glowed. They were favoring their right side, pressing a hand over a gash across their chestplating.

The blue and red mecha was leaning on his axe, but surprisingly looked the least damaged aside from Senscript. Most of the time, the silver mecha had stuck to the their side, protecting them to the best of their abilities. ]

It was tense, watching both the humans and the two leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons fight against the Quintessons- there were far too many close calls. Wrecker and Tailbreaker didn't seem used to fighting side by side for long periods of time, nor protecting a third party. Sometimes they were too hyper focused on Senscript to notice an enemy coming in when they should have.

Meanwhile Optimus and Megatron continued to fight like a well-oiled machine, with Megatron tanking a lot of hits for Optimus. Which was insane to think of considering normal circumstances, but in that world, in this 'Alien Mecha' universe, it really seemed like the leader of the Decepticons was dedicated in protecting the Prime.

Whatever this title of 'Lord High Protector' seemed accurate so far. Which made them all the more curious as to what it was exactly.

"Oh thank frag." Bulkhead sighed when he saw reinforcements finally coming in to help, he'd been starting to worry at how long they'd been fighting- the screen showed it in bits and pieces, seeming to accelerate through certain moments but even quick combat could be exhausting in such heavy circumstances.

The mecha suits didn't look too good, he'd been worried that Mik-Wrecker's mecha's arm would fall off after that bad hit to the shoulder-subwoofer. But thankfully, and honestly to be expected, Wrecker's mecha was made of literally tough stuff.

Ratchet made a disgruntled noise, optics looking over the injuries of not only Other Optimus but Megatron as well- something he didn't think he'd be doing but after watching the mech fight alongside and protect the Prime there… He still didn't exactly trust the Decepticon tyrant of that world but it wasn't like he could do anything else. Besides, he was still a medic. He had to assess what injuries were in front of him…

He couldn't help but do the same to the mecha suits as well, they were cybertronian-like enough that some techniques would work the same- welding, cable cauterization and mending, plating replacement, glass mending or full on visor replacement… it was the humans inside that he was really worried about though.

( "Quintessons are definitely a persistent enemy, they seem to have the numbers to willingly sacrifice their own troops without care- none of them ever seemed to consider the option of retreat." A seeker muttered with disgust and slight fascination, "Then again, these 'Soldiers' and 'Levis' seem little else but bio-created drone shock troops and muscle, smart enough to wield weapons, ride mounts and attack but not enough to consider other strategic or tactical moves."

"No responses of fear, not really. They kept attacking Lord Megatron without any regard to their own safety and lives." A medic commented, "Even our vehicons have basic intelligence at first with the chance of growing more into their processors if given time and experience but I doubt that the Quintessons would let anything else other than their 'commanders' to have a shred of competent intellectual thinking or sapience."

"Pretty sturdy." An ex-wrecker added, "A few of them survived a point blank blast from Lord Megatron's fusion cannon, it wasn't at full power but still." Both mechs nodded in agreement, glancing over to their still silent leader who watched with an unsettlingly neutral expression on his faceplate.

"Reinforcements." An arachnoid femme noted with a hum of interest, snorting at the sight of both red and purple symbols arriving together on screen. "It truly seems like Autobots and Decepticons have decided to band together in face of this Quintesson threat… Impressive with the numbers indeed, but for both sides to ally together? For Lord Megatron to side and protect Optimus Prime? My… The Quintessons may truly be a bigger threat than I originally thought."

The warlord twitched at her words, his neutral expression twisting to a scowl though he kept silent. Still watching the screen with narrowed optics as both Autobots and Decepticons descended to deal with the remaining Quintessons. )

[ .: … These aren't pilots. :. Tailbreaker suddenly said in a private comm between him and Wrecker, and Senscript, had he been awake but the poor guy was still unconscious for now.

"What?" Wrecker replied a bit confusedly, panting to herself as she adjusted her mecha's settings while trying to calm herself down from the adrenaline of the battle.

.: None of these guys are pilots. Wrecker, look at them. They have faces, fully articulated and emotional and- there's too many of them. No government would fund all these mecha and- look! That one just transformed into some sort of futuristic jet! :.Tailbreaker exclaimed, gesturing to a mecha who had jumped into the air and turned into a flying aircraft. .: And these buildings… are way too big for humans. :.

Wrecker finally noticed her surroundings, stiffening in her cockpit as she sees the giant buildings that were her mecha's size. The mechas around her were gesticulating, most of them had faces that moved lips, frowned, smiled, blinked. "Holy shit." She muttered as it finally hit her. She and Tailbreaker subconsciously stood close before Senscript, like sentries, keeping separate from the not-pilots around them. ]

"There's the realization!" Miko snickered, grinning at the way her older, other self was looking stunned. Honestly she was expecting a more explosive reaction considering she was, y'know, her. But hey, that's fine. Miko was a little stunned herself when she first saw Arcee transform in that alleyway, only snapping out of it when Jack made the absurd move of rejecting Arcee's offer.

Like seriously, who wouldn't want to go with a giant alien robot? She sent a look to Jack who caught it and rolled his eyes.

"I see Hound, Red Alert, Remedy, Velocity- Primus, they're all there..." Ratchet said quietly, a bit disbelieving at seeing so many familiar faces in the background of the screen. Prowl was rallying both Autobots and Decepticons, instructing them from one place to another.

"Ironhide, Chromia, Jazz…" Optimus hummed quietly, a small soft yet sad smile on his faceplate as he saw his other self talk with old friends he hadn't seen since the Exodus, unfortunately. Not to mention a few faceplates that were… no longer with them. He took in a deep vent, at the sight of Kup and Impactor.

.: Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Blaster… :. Bumblebee whirred, doorwings drooping low. More and more names came to mind as he saw faceplate after faceplate, he felt Raf's hand and saw his concern, .: I-I'm okay Raf, just… missing old friends. :.

Bulkhead laughed, it was something happy and sad as he saw himself on the screen. Not alone of course. "Broadside, Springer, Roadbuster… Even Seaspray's there!" Primus, he hoped old barnacle butt was alright, he was alive during the Exodus. He could feel coolant gather in his optics at the sight of faceplates long gone, even before the Exodus.

"Nautica, Firestar- Cliffjumper!" Arcee abruptly exclaimed, standing up at the sight of both herself and Cliffjumper on the screen! "He's alive! Oh thank Primus, he's… he's alive." There. He was alive there, with her in that world. That was good. That was… frag, never thought she'd feel this jealous over herself in another world.

"That's Cliffjumper?" Jack asked, curious and careful. He smiled though when Arcee gave him a nod and a smile, shaky but there, and he said nothing about how unusually shiny her eyes were. Still, he furrowed his brows before calling out. "Pause!"

Several eyes, human and cybertronian, turned to him in confusion and question. "You guys look like you need a minute." He told the Autobots, seeming more than one of them taken-aback and eagerly looking at the screen. It was one thing to see your planet alive and healthy, but seeing old comrades, ones that you haven't seen one way or another…

Optimus Prime nodded slightly at him. "Thank you Jack, that is very kind." No one commented the slight sniffles that came from certain bots,

( "Skywarp… Thundercracker." No one commented the seeker's voice breaking slightly, not even the tyrant who looked at multiple Decepticon faceplates in the screen. Ones he has not seen in a long, long while.

A medic hesitates, but stays silent and does nothing. Merely looks away when he caught the sharp glare of the flier who was quickly recomposing himself, silently berating that tiny show of weakness.

"So many bots and cons still alive." A femme whispered lowly, optics narrowing as she sees a few past prey alive in the background. A sign that the war had stopped rather early, or perhaps she was not a cybertronian. Neither was an option she liked, one especially more than the other. At any rate though, she sneered when she caught the sight of a certain blue femme, snorting at the red mech that was beside her. "Ah, so she does keep a partner, a cybertronian partner, alive in another world… How long will she keep him?" )

It took a few minutes before the team unanimously decided to continue again.

[ .: So, to recap; our mission goes FUBAR at the end because that XTR Commander- I don't know, fucking warped us to some alien planet that has living mechas? We're surrounded on all sides by aliens! Aliens like the XTR- no, shit, that's an unfair comparison. They're not like the XTRs, they're- they helped us. They fought against the shits, and by the looks of it, the XTRs were fighting them too. Just look at this place. :. Wrecker commented and Tailbreaker nodded in agreement.

The mecha-sized city they were in was burning. Crumbling down. They recognized a city being attacked by the XTRs just fine… "I don't think they're hostile to us yeah, we might actually have found an alien race that doesn't want to attack us- that might help us with the XTRs." He was a bit relieved by that, and he straightened in his seat when he saw the two mechas- mecha aliens? Alien Mechas? That helped him and Wrecker before. "Incoming."

Much to his and Wrecker's surprise though, as soon as they were near, the red and blue alien-mecha began to speak English. "You are… humans?" ]

That certainly surprised them.

"He knows about humans?" Raf blinked, "Have they been to Earth yet?"

Optimus' expression furrowed slightly, "Perhaps? To know about humans despite being on Cybertron—" A sharp gasp interrupted him as Miko suddenly stood up.

"What if Wheeljack's here?! He disappeared into a spacebridge right?! He's gotta be here!"

Bulkhead's hopes began to rise, "If anyone managed to get on Cybertron before Miko, Jack and Raf, it's gotta be Jackie." He agreed immediately. The chance of Wheeljack being alive and on Cybertron? He'll take it! But Primus! It was going to be weird seeing Wheeljack as a human!

"Then let us hope it is Wheeljack." Optimus replied with a nod.

( "They already know of humans?" )

[ .: It knows English!? :. Wrecker gawped into their comm, Tailbreaker made an admonishing hissing sound at her before activating his external speakers to speak with the alien mecha.

"I- yes, we are humans." Tailbreaker confirmed considering what else could they do? They were outnumbered, by the looks of the transforming weaponry- outgunned as well. Trying to fight only one race of aliens was hard enough, fighting a similar species to the suits they were piloting definitely wouldn't be ideal. "How did you... Pardon, but- how do you know about us? Speak our language?"

The cracked mask the mecha was wearing slid away, revealing another face that was giving him a welcoming expression. "You are not the first of your kind that we've spoken too, he has become a friend of ours as he helps us in our war against the Quintesson. Do you recognize the name, Wheeljack?"

Almost immediately Wrecker's mecha lurched forward, her external speakers activating to exclaim. "Wheeljack?! He's here!? You have him?!" She reached out with her least damaged arm to try and grab the alien but was stopped firmly by the silver mecha who growled in warning.

Tailbreaker was quick to get between him and Wrecker, holding Wrecker back from doing something reckless or impulsive. ]

"He's there! Ahahaha! That's Wheeljack for ya!" Bulkhead cheered the moment Other Optimus said Wheeljack's name, he couldn't wait to tell Jackie all about this! "'Course Jackie survived! He made it to Cybertron too! No matter the species, he's always gonna find his way back to us Autobots!"

Miko was squealing, cheering with him. "Yes! He's alive! Man, Wrecker must be so stoked!"

Jack shared an amused but relieved look with Arcee, glad that the other Wheeljack was still alive. "Still, just what were the chances that Wheeljack managed to get to Cybertron with a spacebridge? Really makes me wonder just what happened." He commented, crossing his arms and leaning back against the couch.

"From the brief flashback, Wheeljack got ambushed by the spacebridge by the looks of it. Something pulled him in." Arcee recalled with a frown and Bulkhead's mood darkened at the reminder. He growled, hating the fact that Wheeljack had been hurt- kind of? His mecha had been damaged, but there was a real chance that human Wheeljack got hurt too.

.: Well, whatever happened. He survived and he's with the Autobots now. ;. Bumblebee chirped before tilting his helm. .: So far we've seen almost everyone from the team there on Cybertron with the exception of me and Ratchet. Do you think we're human? :.

"I hope not!" Ratchet grumbled, frowning at the thought of being human. He was very content with being a cybertronian! "I would not know how to deal with being so small, and fragile."

"Aw c'mon Ratchet, I think you'd do fine! You wouldn't know anything different since you'd be born a human anyway." Raf grinned, now wanting to see whether or not Bee or Ratchet were humans like Shockwave and Wheeljack.

( "It was too much to hope that the Autobot, human or not, had perished I suppose." A seeker grumbled, annoyed by the Wrecker's continued survival.

"Though it is impressive that he's managed to make it all the way to Cybertron. Considering how we last saw him." A medic chimed in.

His conjunx grunted, "Something had him, speared through his mecha. Wonder what happened… Knowing Wheeljack though, explosions were involved." The SIC seeker shuddered, remembering the demise of a certain plateshifter after their attempt of infiltrating the Autobot base. )

[ "You know him."

Tailbreaker nodded towards the red and blue mech, "Yes, he was- is, a good friend of ours. Wrecker especially… We didn't know what happened to him, he just disappeared during one attack. He was eventually labeled MIA and—"

"They considered him dead! But no! Not Jackie!" Wrecker exclaimed, shoving Tailbreaker away who wobbled with his damaged leg. She laughed, it was a touch bit hysterical but mostly relieved, "I knew it! I knew he was alive! Didn't think he was on a whole different planet! Where is he?! Is he here? Is he nearby?! WHEELJACK!" She called out, looking around, hoping to see her old friend.

"Wrecker, Wrecker pull yourself together." Tailbreaker said sharply, they were speaking with what seemed to be the leader of the aliens here. All the other aliens seemed to answer to them earlier on. "I'm sure we'll see him at some point, but right now, we need to focus. Senscript is still down, we're on another planet and- I'm sorry, we're being rude. My callsign's Tailbreaker, MECH pilot 05."

Wrecker had calmed down, nodding, "Wrecker, MECH pilot 00. Our third's Senscript, MECH pilot 013." She gestured to the unmoving Senscript.

The robotic alien frowned before offering a welcoming smile, "I am Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobot Faction of Cybertron. Cybertron being the planet you are on, of course. And this," He motioned to the silver not-mecha beside him, "Is Megatron, Leader of the Decepticon Faction and Lord High Protector of Cybertron." ]

"There's that title again." Ratchet muttered, optics narrowed at the alternate version of their enemy. "Just what does it mean?"

"Something obviously important if it's part of Optimus' introduction to the kids." Arcee said, arms crossed as she too wondered just what 'Lord High Protector' meant. By description, it should be obvious but it was actually pretty vague, did that mean protecting Optimus since was Prime? Seemed like it.

But even if this was an alternate Megatron, he was still a Megatron who was the Leader of the Decepticons, Autobots and Decepticons still existed as different factions and knowing the power-hungry mech. Being Optimus' protector wasn't the only reason why he was Lord High Protector, he wouldn't be satisfied with just that.

( Speculation ran through the war room, they, too, were wondering what Lord High Protector meant.

Their leader's expression was looking more displeased yet he kept calm, kept sat down as they all continued to watch the screen. )

[ .: Alright, so we are talking to the leaders of their race. And the planet we're on is called Cybertron. :. Tailbreaker muttered into their private comms before replying, "It's nice to meet you both, wish it was under better circumstances."

"Yeah…" Wrecker trailed off, scowling at the silver… cybertron guy? Megatron. Not that he would know, unlike the aliens, her mecha didn't have a face. Anyway, he didn't seem too happy to see them. "What's his deal?"

"Wrecker!" She ignored Tailbreaker's hiss to asses the other leader.

Optimus frowned and turned to Megatron, speaking in their language. ]

"Ugh, what are they saying? What gives? Earlier on, we understood Optimus just fine but now we can't?" Miko complained, gesturing to the screen.

"It's a perspective shift, thing." Raf sighed, shifting on Bumblebee's shoulder. "I couldn't understand a lot of things within the Observer but depending on perspectives, languages can be translated automatically to be understood by the users. Since we're in um, our other selves' perspective, who don't understand Cybertronian- it doesn't translate it until we shift to someone who understands Cybertronian."

Ratchet grunted, "It should be automatically translating no matter what perspective but, again, damaged systems within. As for what Megatron's saying he's complaining about there being more humans. To be expected, honestly."

Arcee's faceplate furrowed as she tilted her helm, "Doesn't really sound like complaining though, he seems… concerned? Optimus is trying to reassure him but Megatron's… not happy with how the humans are being treated? That they sound young? The frag?"

Jack and Miko blinked, "What."

Bulkhead had to agree, what. "Since when did buckethead care for young human huh? Or humans in general?!"

"'Their government is less to be desired Megatron, but your displeasure is being mistaken to be aimed at them, specifically.' That's what Optimus just said." Raf frowned with confusion on his face. "Now Megatron's sighing and saying he should have made more effort in learning the human language so he could apologize himself and… and Optimus is teasing him?"

Bulkhead needed Ratchet to check on his processor because he's pretty sure a few fuses blew as he hears Optimus tease Megatron about not learning English, even smiling at Megatron- unfortunately the grumpy medic seemed to have blown a few fuses himself, gawping at the screen for the very same reasons.

Megatron wanting to apologize to the human kids? Optimus full on teasing Megatron?

Forget the Quintessons, the mecha suits, and the change of species for some people, this was the most shocking thing they've seen in this world yet!

Meanwhile, Optimus was watching with not exactly wide-optics, but he had yet to look away. Seemingly entranced by the comradery he saw between his other self and the other Megatron. It… reminded him too much of Orion and Megatronus, far more than the actor universe ever did.

( Unwanted memories come to a warlord's processor, old ones that depict of an Iaconian archivist smiling at a Kaoni gladiator during a time that seemed more simple than the present. Of late cycles with messages shared across the planet, of a relationship building from the same interests, and a potential for more.

The room tenses at the loud growl their leader let out, dark and irritable. Only one other mech in the room recognizes the slight hint of conflicting jealousy hidden beneath the building anger, and like always, keeps silent about it and everything else. )

[ "His displeasure isn't aimed at you, this cycle- hm, day? Has been stressful for everyone involved." Optimus finally said in English to them, "For now, let us retire to somewhere safer so your comrade can be overseen by a medic. Wheeljack is on his way."

At the mention that Wheeljack was one his way, Wrecker was immediately going over to Senscript. "Lead the way bossman!"

"Wrecker!" ]

"No matter the universe, Miko is Miko… the actor doesn't really count." Jack sighed, palming his face at Wrecker's casual attitude to someone who was suppose to be one of the leaders of an entire planet. For some reason, he thought being a bit older, Miko would have learned to be a bit more… he doesn't know, restrained? Respectful? To figures of authority, but nope. She could follow orders at least… Mostly?

"Jackie must mean a lot to you Miko." Bulkhead said with a smile, happy at the fact that even though he and Wheeljack hadn't known each other as long and were different species, at least he still had a good close friend like Miko worrying over his human butt.

Miko grinned, "Looks like it! Aw man, aw man! I can't wait to see human Wheeljack!" She cheered, excited to see the Wrecker as her own species- he was already cool as an alien robot space cowboy samurai, he would no doubt be just as cool as a human! It was Wheeljack they were talking about after all!

Despite the short meeting, and the whole 'Makeshift' thing that happened before it, Miko had a great impression on the real Wheeljack. She'd been pretty disappointed when he decided not to stay, making him promise to visit Earth again in the future. And hey! Considering what they were doing, maybe as soon as Bulkhead told him what was going on, Wheeljack would totally have to come back to Earth and check it out for himself!

[ "There's nothing there?!"

Abruptly, the scene cuts back to Earth. Silas hunched over intimidatingly over a table with a glowering look on his face, the poor soldier reporting to him shook his head. "N-No sir, nothing aside from the remains of the XTRs."

"And the trackers?!" Silas snapped towards a man sitting by a console.

The man flinched but answered, motioning to a screen. The pilot pictures of Wrecker, Tailbreaker and Senscript were dim with all their statuses being labeled 'N/A'. "Out of range sir, possibly offline."

Silas growled while Shockwave, who was by another monitor, stood by in silence. Finally speaking, "Play it again." He ordered the woman controlling the computer. She did as ordered and played Wrecker and Tailbreaker's last messages.

. JD-05 : W-What the— :.

. MN-00 : No- n—o! —AY! MAYDAY! Wr—ECH HQ! We a—ing s—ome sort of vort—tal! It's the th—ing that took Ja—:.

Shockwave hummed, "… Vortex… portal… Senscript did not say anything, he must have sustained damage or was knocked offline." He said mostly to himself with interest, but the screen suddenly flashed over his hands behind his back. They trembled and clenched tightly. "Hmph." ]

"We're back on Earth!" Raf declared, surprised at the sudden shift from Cybertron to Earth.

Miko glared mulishly at the screen as she pouted, she wanted to see Wheeljack! She wanted to be back on Cybertron! "Back with MECH."

"Back with Silas and Shockwave." Jack sighed, though he looked confused at the sudden switch to Shockwave's hands. Not seeing the importance of it.

The Autobots on the other hand seemed slightly dumbfounded. "Is that…"

.: Emotion? Is Shockwave experiencing emotions? Like- as a human? Humans… don't have emotion suppressors do they?? :. Bumblebee whirred, turning to Raf who shook his head.

"Not… really? I guess there's medicine that can help calm people down I think, and some people can't feel emotions correctly like other people but…" He trailed off, shrugging helplessly.

"Question is, just what is he feeling? Annoyance that he didn't get results over his prototype testing? Anger? Disappointment?" Arcee scoffed, the initial thought of Shockwave having emotions was absurd but paused as she thought it over a bit more. She shuddered, it was bad enough that the cycloptic scientist was emotionless, if he actually had access to emotions like anger again…

Optimus spied Ratchet on his datapad once more, this time on a different website pertaining human emotions and medicine related to it. The medic catches his glance and his faceplate tints, grumbling with a cough as he abruptly closed the website. Optimus hummed yet said nothing about it.

( A seeker perked up, delighted, "My, my, is that frustration I see a hint of from Shockwave of all mechs?" He needled to nobody but himself. Unsettling as it was to see Shockwave even portray a silver of emotion, it was quite the sight for someone who'd been at odds with the scientist before hand.

"Well, he is human. From my… information gathering, I find that humans, even those who claim to be emotionless, do seem to have emotions of sorts." A medic said, tapping at his datapad. "Humans can't exactly permanently render themselves emotionless, not without severe repercussions that a cybertronian could easily ignore."

Unnoticed by all but one, a silent mech bowed his head slightly. The warlord, initially displeased by the return to the planet they were currently on, paused for just a moment before returned to being displeased. )

[ "Three pilots, three of our top pilots are gone and that's all you have to say?" Silas questioned, annoyed by Shockwave's perceived unaffectedness. "Billions of money, years of investment, in training, gone."

Shockwave didn't bother turning to him, "You knew that was a possibility the moment they started piloting mechas. All it takes is one bad battle to lose everything, as is usually the fate of all pilots."

A flash of a towering extremely damaged purple mecha standing in front of something small, something dented, something mostly covered in XTR blood but underneath was a hint of yellow.

Silas narrowed his eyes at him, "The fate of all pilots is dying in their mechas for the sake of humanity, as they were trained to do. Not inexplicably disappearing all at the same time! No one left behind, not even a single component left from their mechas— Especially from the Ambus set! We even lost the prototype invention you made!" He seethed, scowling at the man who stood in place with his hands behind his back as if nothing had happened and they hadn't suffered a huge loss. ]

"Woah, woah, what was that?!" Bulkhead gawped at the very brief moment of what looked to be a familiar-ish purple mecha and something else on the ground.

A chill ran up most of the Autobots, a bad feeling at the brief flash they saw. It'd been too fast, too much in a too short of time. But it had been a flash of human Shockwave's past- hadn't other Miko said he'd been a pilot before? That that was the reason why he even had the callsign of 'Shockwave'?

Whatever it was, it was swept away by Silas' infuriating words.

"Excuse me?!" Arcee hissed, plates bristling at the screen.

Bumblebee growled, .: He's not even concerned about the kids! :. He exclaimed indignantly with anger, his engine growling with him from how angry he was.

"Money? Investment?! Ain't worth scrap to the lives that you actually 'lost' you tiny coward of a man! If you're so incensed and annoyed, go pilot your own mecha!" Bulkhead snapped at the screen, servos slamming on his knees.

Ratchet hissed something vulgar in cybertronian, not to the extent of much earlier when other Optimus had been dangling off a cliff with Megatron above him but the promise of pain was just as intense.

Even Optimus was sporting a dark expression as he stared dispassionately at Silas.

The kids glanced at their Autobot guardians with concern, but were all a bit touched by their reactions. Still, they did their best to calm them down.

( The words investment, training and dying reminded two ex-gladiators too much of their pasts for reasons unknown, even to them. Of patrons and battles, beneath the glory and fame, invisible shackles at their limbs, Tight and chafing. Having to fight for even the privilege to live.

A seeker, a medic, an ex-Wrecker, and an arachnoid flinch at the sudden dual noises of engines rumbling dark and low. One was expected as his faceplate darkened significantly, the other was a complete surprise considering his reputation and full-faceplated visor. )

[ "You are pointing out the obvious, Silas." Shockwave drawled, much to Silas' growing annoyance. "But I understand your frustration, the losses we've suffered outweigh what we've gained."

"Oh? And what exactly have we gained?" Silas questioned through gritted teeth.

Shockwave typed into the woman's console, replaying a segment of Wrecker's last message over and over again a few times. "Information. Information that may be crucial."

. MN-00 : We a—ing s—ome sort of vort—tal! We a—ing s—ome sort of vort—tal! We a—ing s—ome sort of vort—tal! We a—ing s—ome sort of vort—tal! :.

"I believe what Wrecker is saying is 'vortex portal'. There's been an ongoing theory of how the XTRs have been appearing stealthily on Earth, they don't always appear within a ship in our atmosphere after all and pilots have been known to disappear inexplicably in the past with little to no signs of pilot or mecha." Shockwave's red mask glowed a bit brighter, "I believe we just found the answer." ]

"The Quintessons must have been hiding the fact they were using bridging technology from the humans." Ratchet theorized with a huff, glaring darkly at both humans on the screen. One human he was already expecting to dislike considering who his counterpart was, but the other? MECH had originally just been a human nuisance, an unfortunate organization that found out about Cybertronians. Soon afterwards though, they became something dangerous with their kidnapping of Breakdown, then even willing to ally with Arachnid and kidnapping Ms. Darby, Jack's mother.

But now? In that world at least, he earned even more ire from the Autobots from his callous words alone. He could only imagine what treatment and training the mecha world children had been underneath the thumb of that man, not to mention Shockwave himself… And he didn't like it, not one bit.

[ A red, white and green mecha suit was striding through a cybertronian hallway. Obvious from the other mechs and femmes that were going about in the large space. The suit was barely patched, its size was smaller than Wrecker's and even Tailbreaker but it was wider with two swords attached to its back. "Better keep up Maggie 'cause this cowboy ain't slowin' down for nothin'!" He called back to the larger mech that was attempting to follow after him. "I got a friend waitin' for me!"

"Wheeljack." 'Maggie' said with exasperation as he avoided a mech, apologizing for nearly bumping into them. The mostly blue mech sighed but gave a slight smile at how excited the human sounded. "Refrain from calling me that, Wheeljack." ]

"Maggie?!" Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee were definitely gawking now, Bulkhead especially considering he knew the relationship between his Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack hadn't been… the most agreeable in the last moments before the Exodus.

"Who's that? Who's Maggie?" Miko asked, watching Wheeljack and 'Maggie' weave through other bots and- yep, those were cons. Autobots and Decepticons really were working together.

"Ultra Magnus." Ratchet corrected, though he couldn't help the amused look on his faceplate. "He used to leader of the Cybertron's own Elite Guard before he later became the commander of the Wreckers."

"Oooh, he's a Wrecker? NICE!"

"Kinda? He's- well, he's uh… kinda rigid compared to most other Wreckers Miko. Much more by the books kind of mech, if you get what I'm saying." Bulkhead told herand frowned, "Man, can't believe Jackie's calling Ultra Magnus Maggie- and he only had a light reprimand! Something's up!"

( "Finally back on Cybertron… if only to witness the Autobots again… Hm, his mecha suit is quite different from his cybertronian self but I do see some similarities." A seeker mused, deadpanning unamusedly at the banter that was said between the Wrecker and the other Autobot. He recognized that one as well.

"So far the board's even, Shockwave's a human and so is an Autobot. Who knows who else is human here." A medic chuckled. )

[ Finally, Wheeljack arrived at a certain room. Throwing the door open without a care, "Wrecker!" He called out joyously and almost immediately he was grabbed from the doorway much to Ultra Magnus' immediate concern- just as he was aiming a blaster at Wheeljack's assailant, he heard a warbled; "Jaaackiiiieeee!"

He hesitated as he sees a giant Quintesson gore-stained mecha hugging Wheeljack. "You're alive! I knew it! I knew it, I knew, I knew it!"

Wheeljack laughed, patting the mecha's shoulder. "Damn straight I am! Gonna take more than that to… get me…" He trailed off, Ultra Magnus's optics blinked as he peered behind them both. Another human mecha sat awkwardly within the room on a medbay berth, another was laying, supposedly unconscious. He straightened at the sight of Optimus Prime and Megatron.

However just before he could say anything, Wheeljack's clearly horrified voice spoke once more. "… Miko, why do you sound so young?"

"… Shit…" ]

It started out as such a tearful reunion, Wheeljack was alive! Wrecker got to see him alive!

That was, until Wheeljack's horrified question came.

They were all pretty confused by it, but two veterans could only feel dread for the upcoming conversation that was about to happen.

( On a warship, things just seemed to be getting a bit more interesting on screen. )

[ ----- TP : UO ----- ]

glad to have updated in the first week of june! unfortunately updates may or may not slow or just continue on, the new house needs a room (my room) built so its a bit hard to concentrate sometimes when construction goes on and other stuff is happening

BUT HEY WHEELJACK IS ALIVE! AND LOOK HERE'S ULTRA MAGNUS! WE LOVE THESE TWO!

[PREV]

[NEXT]

[START]

[fatherwound]

𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 - 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: first love/late spring

part two posted! • ao3

summary — running from something you can’t name, you return home for the first time in years. everything is the same. everyone too. except you. that is until the familiar face of joel miller, your dad’s best friend, comes back into your life. you thought you’d left your foolish childhood crush on him in the past thought it long buried. but your life has never been that easy. coming home was supposed to help you figure things out. not make them more complicated.

word count: 2k

psa — this is not your usual dbf!joel fic. i got tired of seeing the same thing over and over with joel as a lowkey predator, so when i say this is slow burn i mean it. but i promise it will be worth it. x

content warnings — age gap relationship (reader is late 20s/joel early 50s), father issues / eventual cws: mention of domestic violence (past), alcoholism (past).

author's note — for tumblr I am breaking up the first chapter into two parts, because it's 5k otherwise. the first chapter consists of 3 memories after this beginning, so it feels most natural to split it this way. please enjoy and like if you read! this is my first ever fanfic so any support is appreciated. x

You never thought you’d find yourself back here. When you left for Boston, almost ten years ago now, you never expected to come back. Not that you don’t love your home, it’ll always hold a special place in your heart.

But Boston was supposed to be your escape, the beginning of your new life. You had always told yourself you weren’t going to be one of those sad people who spent their whole lives in the same spot that they were born. You always wanted more than that.

And yet, here you stand, surrounded by the all too familiar sights and smells of home. The warm sun shining down on you. The sweet smell of honeysuckle on the wind. The dust already caked to your shoes from the driveway.

Spring in Texas was always your favorite, the hydrangeas your mother planted all those years ago, in full bloom by the front porch. They’ve always given you a tight squeeze on your heart, you’re glad your father has taken such good care of them while you’ve been gone. He never had a green thumb, so you honestly expected them to die without your loving hand.

You should go inside, you know you’ve been standing here just long enough to start to be strange, like you’re avoiding something. You know your dad probably hasn’t noticed you yet, so you reckon you have a few more moments of peace.

You tug the strap of your duffle back onto your shoulder where it’s starting to slip off, your skin already beginning to sweat. Too many years in that New England chill.

You really should go inside, you know your dad will have ice cold sweet tea in the fridge, and it’s been so long since you’ve enjoyed a glass. But that damn truck has you stuck in your tracks. You noticed it as soon as you broke past the tree line of your father’s long driveway.

You don’t know why it’s got you so rattled. It’s not like you didn’t think you’d see Joel. It was inevitable. You just thought you would have at least a little bit of say of when and where.

You had already spent the last two hours of your trip mentally preparing to see your dad again, which was a tiresome enough endeavor. You hadn’t expected to have to tackle them both in one go.

You can feel the all too familiar twist of anxiety in your gut, you ball your fist up, trying to hide the slight tremor there. You close your eyes, and try to picture how things will go down, like you always do.

You’ll walk inside, have the awkward hug with your dad, he’ll ask how you are, and you’ll give the same unspecific answer as always. It won’t really matter because he can talk enough for the both of you. Then Joel will probably walk out after him, and that’s where you mind goes blank.

God, you really thought you’d have more time to prepare to see him again. “Fuck” you swear under your breath, “Let’s just do this”.

You shake your head, grip your duffle bag probably a little too tight, and walk up the rest of the drive. When your feet hit the wood of the steps, you let out a short breath before putting your hand on the screen door and opening it up.

As expected, almost immediately your dad pops his head out of the den,

“There you are!” He walks up to you and there is the slightest pause before he puts an arm around you to pull you in for a hug. It’s clearly a little uncomfortable for both of you, but your dad has never been one for hugs. Always treating you more like a son than a daughter.

With a slight pat on the back, he pulls away, “So, how was the trip? Long drive huh? Hope you didn’t do it all in one go. Did you get your car looked at ‘fore coming all this way? Here, I’ll take a look at it in a minute, see if you need a top up on anything. I’ll check out the battery too, just make sure it’s all good to go.”

You nod, smiling, inserting the occasional noncommittal hum.

Eventually, your dad takes long enough of a break for you to get a word in, “Hey do you mind if I go set my stuff down? I was really hoping to get a shower…”

“Yeah, yeah sure thing, but first come say hi to Joel, he’s just out back, he was helping me set up this new grill I got. I’ve been wanting one for years, but I never could justify spendin’ that kinda money on something like that, but hell he finally convinced me, and-“

You have to interrupt his train of thought, as usual, “Yeah, sure thing Dad.” You drop your duffle on the ground beside the door, and watch as your dad walks towards the kitchen, “Here, I’ll pour you a glass a’ tea, and I’ll meet y’all out back” he yells over his shoulder.

You mumble a response, not really listening. You slowly walk towards the back door, opening it with a slight tremble to your hand.

God, why are you so nervous? It’s just Joel. Your Dad’s best friend.

You’ve known him forever; you grew up with Sarah always following close on your heel. You’ve seen him a few times on the rare Christmas you would come back home.

It’s just Joel. Typical, grumpy, quiet, nonchalant, handsome in his own rough way, Joel.

That’s what you keep telling yourself as you walk down the back steps, and you’re almost able to convince yourself until you see him.

Those broad shoulders, his muscled back visible through the dark navy shirt he’s wearing as he kneels next to the grill your dad was going on about.

He hears you walk up and brushes his hands off on his worn denim jeans before turning to face you, and god it’s like someone just punched you in the stomach with as much force as humanly possible. You’re honestly amazed that you don’t double over.

“Hey kiddo” he drawls in that rough Texas accent you swear sounds better on him than anyone you know.

You don’t know how, but he looks so different and yet the exact same. His hair is a bit longer than it was the last time you saw him. Curling a bit behind his ears. There’s a lot more grey in his patchy beard and streaks of it in his hair now. His face looks a bit more weathered than you remember, but it looks good on him.

His eyes though, are the same as always, brown and endless, and that’s when you realize you’ve been quiet for probably a moment too long.

“Hey Joel, long time no see” you smile, stepping closer.

“Yeah, well seems you’ve been too busy for me and your ol’ man, Miss Big City” he chuckles.

You laugh awkwardly, “Yeah, sorry ‘bout that”, you say as you nervously rub your neck.

You both stand there a moment longer before he closes the gap, wrapping his big arms around you. You melt into his embrace immediately, reciprocating in a way you didn’t with your dad.

He says softly into the top of your head, “It’s good to have you back, kiddo. With you and Sarah both gone it’s been too quiet ‘round here, even for my likin’” he chuckles.

Letting you go, he musses your hair a bit, which you both love and kind of hate. You're 27 and he’s acting like you’re still the kid he’s known all these years.

You suppose to him, you are.

“How is Sarah? She’s at A&M, yeah? I see her post a lot on Instagram, but it’s been a minute since we’ve talked.”

“Yep, just finished up her junior year. I asked if she was gonna come by this summer, especially with you back in town. But she’s got this good internship she’s working this summer, so I don’t know if she’ll have the time but, she said she’s gonna try.”

You nod along, but before you have a chance to say anything else, your dad pops up beside you two, handing you both a cold glass of tea.

“I see you too already did your reunitin’, hasn’t she grown up? I swear you’re taller than the last time we saw ya” your dad shakes his head and looks to Joel.

“Yeah, I guess she has, what are you now anyway? Probably pushing 30? Hell, what’s that make us?” He chuckles looking at your dad.

“I’m 27, thanks. Still got a few years ‘fore I’m old. Can’t say the same for you two. Bunch of senior citizens about to be walking around here. Gonna be retirin’ soon, yeah?” You joke, already falling back into old routine.

“Ha ha, very funny” your dad says, and puts a hand on both you and Joel’s back. “Well, hun why don’t you get ready, and we can all go grab some dinner, how’s that sound?”

You break eye contact with Joel, and nod to your dad, “Yeah sure, that sounds good.”

You turn to walk back inside, but you can’t resist turning around to steal one more glance at Joel.

What you aren’t expecting is to meet his gaze, and you immediately look back ahead, a flutter spurring in your gut.

You grab your duffle from its place in the hallway and walk up the stairs to your old room.

Everything is how you left it.

Band posters on the walls, string lights hung up, your old worn-out flannel comforter still probably needing to be thrown out. Pictures of people you haven’t spoken to in years lining your mirror. Even your old journal is still resting in it’s spot on your nightstand.

It all a bit surreal. You’re such a different person now, and yet everything else is still the same. It’s odd how life works like that.

You drop your duffle on your desk chair, and flop down on the bed.

It’s so strange being back here, in this room. Once again thinking about Joel, and how completely normal you feel about him.

You push into your eyes with your palms. God, maybe you really haven’t changed that much at all. Still pathetic.

You groan, and roll onto your side, staring out your bedroom window.

The trees outside rustle in the wind, and it’s almost enough to calm you for a second.

But your mind never is one to give you a break.

The familiar drawl of Joel and your dad float up through the window, and your drawn right back down into your spiral.

You can’t do this again.

You remember a time when he was just Joel, but it hasn’t been like that in a long, long time. And you hate it.

Maybe coming home wasn’t such a good idea.

Coming back was supposed to help, supposed to clear your head from the hell that’s become your life in Boston. The last thing you need is more complications.

You’ve had enough of complicated.

Leaving your apartment in the middle of the night, Andrew working late again; you can only imagine the shit storm that will be waiting for you when you go back.

If you ever do.

But you know you will, you’ve never been able to run away from anything.

This is just a hiatus. A break to gather your thoughts and try to figure out your next move.

And if you happen to spend time with Joel, would that really be so bad?

So you had a crush on him as a kid? You were a child, with childish whims, and childish feelings. And you’re not anymore, so it’s done.

Dead and buried.

And yet… there is the slightest bit of relief. An almost imperceptible shift in the unbearable weight that has taken root behind your ribcage. You might not even have noticed if you weren’t so used to the dull ache it leaves.

It’s just a coincidence surely, nothing to note. That you only noticed that slight relief, when you were looking into those deep brown eyes.

You roll over onto your stomach, letting out a frustrated sigh into your comforter.

Nothing has ever been that easy for you.

[urautismdiagnosis-wistie]

Ramble about when dashi first joined the octonauts and some kwazii because I'm biased okay- AKA DASHI IS AUTISTIC TO ME

(Also I used ur screenshots @hers-underwraps 👉👈 uhhhh hope ur school stuff went well

(I think itd be a really cool thing if she was really nervous when she first joined but gained confidence and a sense of belonging after a bit)

she was lowkey kinda anxious in general when she first joined (esp in my au since she sorta ran away from home to become an octonaut but like she was an adult so does it rlly count)

Anyways, she was like yes I can do this job but I also wanna like show how passionate and serious I am but ALSO I wanna be friends 🥺👉👈

she tried to do the thing where u act a little playful so that you can, you know! Remove any awkwardness and make some gateways into conversations and getting to know people- especially since most of the crew kinda already knew eachother (other than peso he was new as well)

I'm gonna cut to the chase and just say she didn't realize that cats wagging their tails was a sign of annoyance and not happiness 💀👍 cuz like dogs are like oh! To make a friend i must show we may have fun together! So like she was tryna look all friendly with a wagging tail and lil jumps n sht and kwazii was like 💀 yo why is she being so passive aggressive thoooooo .... also dang girl personal space 💀

like kwazii WAS tryna be welcoming and yapped a bunch, and even helped her navigate the octopod since kwazii had a hard with that at first-

but like bro wasn't prepared to get playfully punched by someone he didn't know that well 😩 (she was doing that thing where u overcompensate friendliness when ur nervous 💀🙏 and also dogs playfight alot sooo).

or her joking about getting to the good food first cuz imma be so real there's no way kwazii isn't like a little territorial about food (being stranded on an island trauma) like hes totally willing to share but do NOT suggest ur gonna TAKE his food under any circumstances even if ur playfully joking 😩

She took the initial friendless and then tried to return it in a playful way.. only for it to backfire 😔

Anyways she (AUTISM) did NOT catch that...she was like OMG im doing such a GREAT job. And kwazii was like. ..Too polite to say anything cuz he tried subtly hinting he didn't like certain stuff but, but ur honor shes autistic she ain't picking up on anything 💀👍 and then she was like 🥺 👉👈 why is he avoiding me????????????????

His pupils are big and happy and his tail is wagging so why doesn't wanna play ping pong with me anymore 🥺🥺🥺 maybe I should do more little hops to show how excited I am to be here, surely it shant be perceived negatively by a cat 🙏 (its bad in cat body language 😩😔)

anyways she totally wasn't sulking in the library when professor inkling noticed her and asked her to help her organize some of his books. Then he disappeared and she was like 🤡 well I SURE HOPE I DIDNT MESS UP AGAIN hahaha better at least finish doing the books-

Then he returned and was like 🥰🥰🥰 ah! Thank you dashi! You seem to have done quite a splendid job, sorry I took a moment to return! You see I had gotten rather distracted, you see i found some extra copies of some books! Hmmm... oh! You know, perhaps you'd enjoy them, I insist you take them! You did mention feeling as though your room was a bit empty after all, dear 🥰

And then he basically (politely) shoved her out the library and when she got back to her room she just found like 3 manuals on reading other species body language. Peso admitted that he found the same book randomly appear in his medical bag. Perhaps.... even a few other octonauts had received the book as well... (lol they all did, kwaziis adhd *ss just forgot it existed 💀)

Dw tho, it all turned out fine. Dashi had heard that kwazii was in the kitchen and went to apologize but then found him trying (and failing) to make cupcakes for her 😭😭😭 cuz he thought he wasn't bein a good matie 😔 they laughed it off tho <3

[dodger432101]

OMG I LOVE HOW YOU WRITE LUX💜💜💜

I can’t help but think of Lux making an effort to swoon us every time we come home. I’m talking nice music, flirting touches and lots of kisses and hugs☺️

[I got a little lost in the fluff. If you want another that's more flirty and about making the reader really swoon send another request, I am more than happy to write a flirty lil Lux :>]

Work has been hard on you this week. The general public weren't the most fun to deal with at the best of times, but it's like the world has banded against you recently. There were always some annoying teenagers, or a parent who needed someone to take their anger out on, or food and drink thrown just about everywhere it could go.

You stagger home each day, worn out even though you live close to Palazzo. Lux hates seeing you so run down, always helping you out of your clothes and getting you something to eat. Every other day he'd run you a bath or get your shower ready, washing your hair for you while you rant out your frustrations from the day. He even threatened to go to work with you one day to sort those pesky mortals out. You're too tired to argue against him at that point, so you mumble about him not worrying about it as he helps you dry off and get into bed.

Luckily for you, you have the weekend off. So on Friday, you stand a little bit taller as you head out the door, blowing a kiss to Lux. Of course he knows this is your last day before you get a bit of time away from work, so once he's said goodbye to you he gets to work on making a nice scene for you to come home to.

Today has not been any kinder to you. Fatigued, you clumsily unlock the door to your home and stagger your way in. Only after the door closes behind you do you register the soft music playing further in the house. Curious, you make your way towards the source of the sound, ending up in your bedroom. Lux slips off the bed as the door opens, sauntering over to you. He's wearing a white shirt -the top few buttons undone- and black pants, you notice, as he adjusts his collar before holding a hand out to you. “You look exhausted, angel. Come, lay down, do you want anything to eat?” There's already a t-shirt and a pair of shorts waiting for you on the bed, which Lux helps you into once he's got you out of your work clothes. Of course, that doesn't happen without plenty of kisses being littered over your body, each one relaxing your tense muscles from withholding your rage at the Palazzo’s visitors.

“Mmm, not right now, love. Maybe later..” You flop down into bed on your front, head to the side and eyes closed. Just from your voice it's clear that you need this treatment. Your God nods to your response, even though you can't see it, hands massaging at your shoulders. That gets him some grumbled moans of relief so he goes down your back too, smiling as he feels you sink into the mattress with each knot that he works out.

After you're nice and relaxed, he comes back up to kiss along the side of your face he can get to. “I'm so proud of you for getting through this week, my love.” The music playing fades out, replaced by an equally soft track. It's a playlist of relaxing music he found, mostly containing instruments he's noticed you enjoy. “I love you so much, angel. You put up with so much shit from your own species,” That gets a low chuckle out of you. “Just to keep a roof over our heads, and food in your -well, our- bellies. I hope you know just how grateful I am to have such a strong, persevering lover. And I hope the little things I do make life easier for you, sunshine.”

Lux snuggles up against you, giggling as you grumble at the feeling of his shirt. He separates from you just enough to unbutton it the rest of the way and pull it off, a fond smile on his lips as you bury your face into his chest. “You do help, Lux, so much. The thought of coming home to you keeps me going through my shitty job.” His hands go up to run through your tangled hair as you turn on your side, facing him, humming as he gently scratches at your scalp. “I love you, Lux.”

The God of Light rests his head on the pillow, watching you with little hearts in his eyes. “I love you too, my beautiful angel. Take a nap if you want. You sure look like you need it.” He leans down to press a kiss to the top of your head, smirking as you return it on the part of his chest your lips are pressed up against. “You've got 2 days to relax now. We can watch that series you mentioned earlier in the week, or try that recipe you found online, or-..”

You've fallen asleep to his voice, the vibrations of him talking lulling you to dream land. He slowly wraps his arms around your head, cradling you to his chest. “Or we can just stay in bed. Either way I'll be happy. I love every second I spend with you.” His voice is just a whisper. “Sweet dreams, my most precious light.” With one more kiss to your head, Lux closes his eyes, soaking in your warmth as he joins you in sleep.

[saras-almanac]

Aaron was supposed to be someone who unconditionally loved/understood Robert like different to andy/jack/vic/katie/chrissie and so on, yet kind treats Robert similar to everyone else really, nothing Robert does is good enough, lets his family treat him like crap (similar to Chrissie) yet makes people apologise to john etc and act's like his the best etc. robert was the love of his life like but seem to stick up for ben/john more than ever did robert like. plus fact he got with John knowing his pain/issues with feeling replaced by andy is the cherry on the top, and then married John (maybe to spite robert) and robert literally gave up life for vic and aaron. like everyone else gets replaced by a new, better brother etc (whether it andy or john) no one even understands why he did what he did.

You know I am Robert Stan first and foremost so you'll always catch me agreeing that Aaron didn't really treat Robert that great in their early relationship--especially when it comes to how his family treated and talked about Robert. (Which is why I want to write that break up fic and now I want to write the one where Chas burns the letter and/or one where Robert actively distances himself from Aaron after being rejected that way) And the whole thing about Aaron never really backing Robert is very frustrating because to me it just feels like that relationship was never fully equal (though I feel like that was by design and I hated that.) Any time Aaron ever did anything that Robert could be upset by, Robert either didn't care/forgave him instantly, or Robert went and did something "worse" so it's never down to Araron confronting stuff. I hope that when they actually get together this time, that's changed a bit. It's also why I sort of want Aaron to be pursing Robert this time a lot more.

I actually would love to see the idea of Aaron choosing John over Robert explored in the show (or fanfic because let's be real, fic authors do it better) and the actually heartbreak that would cause Robert that even the love of his life chose the "better son" over him. Aaron never really chose Andy over Robert and definitely didn't after he found out Andy's the reason Robert was shot and Aaron went to prison. But having Aaron actively choose John over him I think might actually destroy Robert in a way and I would love to see it.

I mean, the whole thing I'm seeing with this John story is that... well it sucks to be honest. John is boring and can't even be boring correctly. He's just there and I'm supposed to fall over myself for him? And I just do not believe that Aaron would continue on with the man who's Robert's half-brother because of what that would mean for Aaron--to have that reminder of his ex-husband who he is still very much in love with--every day? But I don't think Aaron initially thought about how him picking John would feel to Robert, even after he saw Robert for the first time. I think it's not something he's going to really understand until later, if the show even goes there.

Honestly, this entire storyline for Aaron makes no sense and feels even more out of character than when he came back in 2023. The only thing that felt in character so far was him marrying John to spite Robert because let's be real, that's exactly what he did. But it's all just so weird and obviously I'm not enjoying this storyline but I am determined to get caught up on Aaron and then eventually watch more because I am dying to see Belle's storyline in full and just catch up with the other villagers. But since I've got fanfic on the brain, I at least have to get caught up with Aaron!

[deanssluvr]

PUPPY LOVE

pairing: sabrina carpenter x fem!reader

word count: 1.2k

summary: it’s your girlfriend’s birthday and you decide to surprise her with a puppy.

content: rpf. fluff.

a/n: saw these pics of her and this fic idea immediately popped into my head. hope you guys enjoy. mwah

song inspo: must be love by laufey

Today was a very important day. It was your girlfriend’s birthday. You’d been together for about 3 years at this point, and wanted this birthday to be even more special. She was a little upset that she’d have to spend the day at rehearsals and not with you. But you reassured her that once she got home, you’d make the rest of the day feel special.

She told you she didn’t want anything big and wanted to just spend the night with you. You had something special planned for her, but first, you had to get the perfect gift. So now you’d been staring at your phone for 15 minutes at a note you labeled “gifts for her”. It’s stuff she’d look at and things she mentioned to you. You’d write it down so you’d have gift ideas, but now you have no idea which one to get her. You wanted to make sure she’d love it.

So, you closed your phone and lay back on the couch thinking. Then you remembered her mentioning a dog recently. You thought she was kidding, but she mentioned it quite a lot. 

“Hm. Why not?” you shrugged to yourself. 

You pushed yourself off the couch and freshened up a bit before going out.

The drive was rather short, which was good since you still needed time to set up before Sabrina got back home. The shelter itself was small and in a rural area. Sectioned off from other stores. As you walked in, you were greeted by the smell of dogs. It didn’t bother you since you grew up with many dogs. 

At the front desk was one woman. She was very focused on something on her computer. You had to say excuse me twice before she noticed you.

“Oh my god. Hi,” she had an apologetic smile, “I am so sorry. I was so busy I didn’t even notice you came in.”

You reassured her that it was fine.

“I was hoping to adopt today,” she smiled, seeming more excited than you were. She led you towards the back, where the dogs were being held. There were so many. All of them were so excited to see a new person. Some were jumping at the door, and others were just sitting, but most of them were barking. 

She took you further back where they keep the younger ones. Although there were so many, your eyes landed on a small golden retriever. You asked her about it. She told you that the dog was a girl and 3 months old. The dog was abandoned on some random street and was brought in a week ago. It hurt your heart that someone would do that to such an innocent and adorable puppy. 

“People can be so cruel. My god,” she nodded her head in agreement. You decided right then and there that this was the dog you were gonna take home. She smiled excitedly and left to go grab some papers. While gone, you bent down to pet him through the bars, while letting him sniff you first, of course. She licked your hand before letting you pet her. It seemed like she already trusted you.

The front desk lady came back with the papers and handed them to you. She told you to go fill them out at the front while she gets the dog ready. You filled it out and waited about ten more minutes before she came back with the dog in hand. 

“She’s all ready to go home with you.” She hands the dog to you, as well as a bag full of goodies, things you’ll need. “So, do you have a name for her?”

“No. I was gonna let my girlfriend name her since it’s her birthday gift.”

“Aw, that’s too cute.” She took the paperwork from you and looked over it. “Well, everything looks good. So you’re good to go.” 

You thanked her for her help before leaving. Once to your car, you set a potty pad on the seat and set her down. Then you went to the driver and left the parking lot. You made your way over to the nearest pet store to pick up a few things. You put her on the leash and took her into the store. You grabbed things such as a collar, dog bowls, food, and a bed. Just basic things to get you through the first couple of days. She was somewhat well-behaved in the store. She didn’t bark, but was happy to try and go up to every person (and dog) she saw. She was very friendly, to say the least.

After getting what you needed, you made your way back home. Luckily, Sabrina wasn’t back yet, so you still had time to set up. You set up her bowls with some food and water so she could eat. In the meantime, you finished icing the cake you made. It was a simple chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Her favorite. You added some chocolate-covered strawberries and two candles that said “26” on top. After you finished, you checked on the dog again and found it asleep on the bed you bought her. She looked so peaceful and so cute. You had an idea to leave her in your bedroom until it was time to surprise Sabrina. So you carefully pull the bed into your room and quietly shut the door, as you didn’t want to wake her. 

You walk back over to the kitchen and set up the cake and flowers you got her, and suddenly you hear the door open. You quickly lit the candles and grabbed the bouquet before hiding behind the counter. You can hear her walk towards the kitchen and set down her things.

“Surprise!” You sprang up from behind the counter. Her eyes lit up immediately when she saw you. “Happy birthday, my love.” 

She smiled lovingly as you handed her the bouquet. 

“You did this for me?” you nodded, “I love it.” 

“Go ahead and make a wish,” you gestured to the cake. She took your hands in hers and shook her head.

“Everything I want is right here,” she placed a sweet kiss on your lips, and then blew out the candles. 

“Oh. Time for your gift,” you walked over to the door of the bedroom and opened it. She watched you, skeptical of what was happening. But as she watched the puppy run out, she kneeled on the ground as it walked up to her. She let it sniff her before petting it.

“You got us a dog?” she looked at you in pure disbelief.

“Well, you wouldn’t stop talking about it,” you told her, a sarcastic tone lacing your voice. She rolled her eyes at you and went back to showing it love. It quickly escalated from hesitant petting to full-on belly rubs. The dog seemed to love almost as much as you did.

“I left her name up to you,” she held the puppy in her arms as she thought about it. 

“How about Lily? Like the flower,” it was her favorite flower. Beautiful and soft like her. Makes sense she’d use it as a name.

“I love it,” she was barely paying you any mind anymore, as her full attention was now on the dog. It didn’t bother you, of course. You were just happy that she was happy.

[thecomfywriter]

hi hello how are you?

it’s 2:07am and i don’t wanna sleep quite yet because im restless and pacing around. so yap time!

i feel like i rarely yap about my books unprompted (on tumblr). when it comes to the “good morning plebeian” posts, those are most often about myself vs my books.

not that i’m going to yap about them right now. lol.

or maybe i will. i don’t know yet. i’m kinda just word vomiting all my thoughts.

chemistry is lowkey stressing me out a bit because bruh… why do i even need to know about how to make an alkene from an alkyne dawg???? why????

i know why, but still. >:(

my walks have been super fun, but i wanna start biking again. but i keep having to delay it because it’a been SO hot holy shit i nearly passed out today oop-

i didnt, luckily, but that’s besides the point. the point is, i was feeling hot and dehydrated and on the cusp of being a victorian child. like helloooooo can we prove that i am worthy of my melanin??? what is this weak behaviour in heated conditions? bro i started discombobulating 💀

regardless, i have two chapters to add to cos in terms of the rewrite, and four to rewrite / edit before i order the proof copy and edit on the pages. i’m acc so hyped for it wowowow. i also really wanna work on the gotn cover but idk ive been feeling so uninspired when it comes to art recently. :/ no bueno.

okay imma yap about tis and tcal for a second. tread lightly, because there may be spoilers.

so when it came to the rewrite, i wanted to sort out the timeline of events so it was better understood for ME on when things happened and why. and can i just say…

alan is too mwah mwah RAHHHH (🤡) for me to put him through the amount of shit that i do.

ACTUALLY TOPIC CHANGE WOMP WOMP I HAVE SOMETHING ELSE I WANNA TALK ABOUT

i cant understand when people say they enjoy making their ocs suffer. the derived pleasure from their pain. i remember a point in time in my life where i did (angsty teenager core lol), but even then, it was more the thrill of watching them overcome the adversity as opposed to the pain they felt in the moment itself. it’s a big reason why i loved eoj more than anything. evan goes through OOFFF in that book, but it wasn’t the fact that he went cold that got me hyped. it was watching him thaw out again.

i don’t know. i just can’t seem to wrap my head around the idea of making my ocs go through so much pain so unnecessarily. i understand it happening as a necessary plot point, but the traumatic backstory just because has never really clicked for me. i just don’t get it. i’m trying to, but it just confuses me.

maybe i just need to hear it from the other pov tbh. because im not familiar with the idea of it. it could just be there’s a sense of intrigue in watching someone from such a rough background be so resilient as to survive. in not sure. but i’ve never understood it, and yet it seems so common in writing spaces, to hurt ocs and put them through the absolute most.

womp womp. not me yambling about something completely new.

okay, final thoughts in this post (which implies i may start a new one to continue yambling 👾👾). i like the difference in magic systems i’ve clarified between tis and tov. tbh, i found myself blurring the lines between the two worlds sometimes, but now that ive outlined some of the eras in tis, the magic system is making more sense to me, and it explains a LOT of why their world operates the way that it does.

okay! cheerios! happy writing!

[blondie-4404]

Friendly response, but spoilers beware!

Buford being queer is fantastic. Do agree. Also with Doofogram/Monoschmirtz

I actually found "The Candace Suit" to be hilarious. This might just be because I love media I can critique and make fun of. Like yeah the OOC Isabella comment did not hit the mark (although I initially took it as a "I am obsessed with Ducky Momo" then "I am sixteen years old" as two separate statements. Cause it has been repeated that she is 16 since she's got her driver's license now). IDK it was really unexpected, but yeah, I get the OOC bit. Isabella doubting how cool PnF's pogo stick was weird, especially since it was basically just her and Phineas at that point. No love subplot, just doubt at first. Then Phineas wanted the validation and called her out on it. But I also love unexpected and weird things. Who thought of this episode? Why? Still I loved Buford walking around the town and everyone's reactions to the suit. The messed up body portions as everyone wore it, like she looked like she ate Ferb. Buford calling Lawrence "Chief" is literally the best. I think it being immediately followed up by Agent T for Teen helped a lot.

Agreed the goat can go

Montynessa: I agree it is better than Ferbnessa (sorry), but tbh I ship her and Candace more.

TBH I think it rubbed you wrong since the suits kind of gave that one creepy pasta Momo vibes with the face shape. Very SCP. Also with how at least three of Baljeet's suits were chained or hung from the walls (like seriously... what is with the manacles in the room?) and the racks of suits just hanging. With Doof's -inator, you'd expect the mash monster to inhibit one of the suits but no... it just went in the pogo stick and launched into orbit.

And yessss I wish we would have another part to the Meap Saga but alas.

Tbh the most disturbing part of the episode was Ferb's voice actor changing T-T still not used to it. He went from insightful/nerdy one liners to actually furthering the story whenever he speaks. It's nice that he is taking more, but it still kind of feels OOC.

The music every episode set on Disney+ is something that I know I personally enjoy, but I know that not everyone likes musicals. The older seasons had a lower music-to-episode ratio.

All in all, still loved the entire season! Hope there are more (there are more eps than the ten on Disney+....right?)

PHINEAS AND FERB SEASON 5 SPOILERS BELOW!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Buford is sooo queer omg

Doofenshmirtz x Monogram when?

The kids were oddly mean to Candace in 'The Candace Suit'? Like, very OOC imo, but I did enjoy other parts of the episode. I just kept getting distracted by how weird it was for ISABELLA GARCIA-SHAPIRO, SWEETEST ANGEL EVER to make fun of Candace for liking Ducky Momo??? Like wtf???

Let the screaming goat meme fucking die already

queer Buford

Montynessa. I need more Montynessa plssss Dan and Swampy plsss

Isabella got to lean into her confident and authoritative sides a lot more this season and I love it

Stacy my beloved

Doofenshmirtz is as relatable as ever

I strongly suspect Doof is evil again purely because he missed Perry

I didn't love the use of fake-swearing in a few instances. Like it feels wrong for PnF specifically? idk

Overall, pretty solid, most of the episodes I enjoyed greatly. A few missed for me but still felt pretty PnF-y. The only exception is 'The Candace Suit'. Did that episode make anyone else sorta uncomfortable? Like not even the Buford doing weird stuff (because we love him for his quirks), just the idea of it rubs me the wrong way slightly and I can't quite explain why.

Meap Me in St. Louis was chaotic and a mess in the best possible way, I love the gag of the fake trailers becoming real trailers they have to use so much.

Overall, amazing

[fictionadventurer]

I thought that it was stupid that Brandon Sanderson had the narrator of Tress of the Emerald Sea call all the unnamed sailors "Dougs" when he could have just called them, you know, sailors. But then I started using the term. Turns out having a word for "yes, we know that realistically all these individuals have unique identities and personalities, but they're not the focus of this story so we're going to treat them as faceless background characters" is surprisingly useful.

[apocalypticdemon]

I am so beyond ready to quit this job. Wednesday cannot come fast enough.

[keeps-ache]

think this is funny. anyway. the Thoughts are back at it again