#i even looked up the text of that stupid book and it still didn't explain anything

[hiddenramen]

like. i think the metahuman liberation army basically just wants quirks deregulated? which. honestly? i literally do not have enough information about the world to even begin to parse that. are people not allowed to use their quirks without licenses, or is the licensure stuff just for heroes specifically? i had assumed the latter, but do you have to get a permit to be able to use your quirk at all?

if so, i immediately have about ten million questions, but the first that pops to mind is: how would that even work for heteromorphs? like. at that point you literally just are your quirk. is tsuyu using her tongue to grab something technically illegal because it's a facet of her quirk? would hawks not be able to fly without his license? also, was bakugou technically illegally using his quirk when he'd fire off little sparks as a kid to show off?

and if that's not what they're talking about, and people can just use their quirks normally so long as they're not doing anything illegal with them (which is what i'd assumed), then what the hell is the MLA even for?

[thatfandomslut]

Green-Eyed Monster

Regina George x Reader

Word Count: 1.1k

Trigger Warnings: jealous Regina, friends who don't agree with reader relationship (we've all been there, right?)

Request:

can you regina and reader are dating but reader starts being friends with janis, cady, and damian and regina gets super jealous and it causes a fight with reader and then they make up and it's fluffy at the end

Mean Girls requests are open.

(Y/n) laughed loudly, quickly clasping a hand over her mouth as many people turned to look at her. Within those many was Regina George, her girlfriend. Though, no one knew that they were dating since Regina was still in the closet. The blonde quirked a brow from her section of the cafeteria as Janis placed a hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder to help shush her. This was an action that Regina did not appreciate as she narrowed her eyes over at the two. Neither noticed this action as (Y/n) only laughed harder, her forehead gently hitting the table as Janis patted her back, laughing, too.

"Why were you laughing so hard?" Regina asked, sitting across from (Y/n) in her room. She kept her eyes narrowed as she examined (Y/n), trying to figure out what was so funny that she didn't even respond to Regina's texts during lunch.

Regina was still learning how to be in a relationship, and she was far from perfect, but she was perfect at being jealous. Even though there was absolutely no need to be since nothing was going on between (Y/n) and Janis. However, Regina didn't know this. After all, Janis was conventionally pretty, and she came without the baggage of a hidden relationship since she was already out. There was a small possibility that the school's 'it' girl was insecure. Not that she would admit that in any way.

A small laugh escaped (Y/n) as she thought back to what made her laugh so hard. This caused Regina to cross her arms before standing up. "Well, we were talking about this painting from mine and Janis's art class. We had to do portraits, but there's this one guy who like sucks at painting. And, I am perfectly aware it's not nice to laugh, but his portrait of Ms. Klein was not it." (Y/n) couldn't help but feel more giggles bubble in her chest, though she was finally able to keep them at bay.

Regina must have not understood art humor, because this wasn't that funny to her. "Did you have to let Janis put her hand on you though?" She questioned, watching as (Y/n)'s brows knitted together in confusion over what the problem was. "People are going to think you two are dating or something? Do you realize how stupid that makes me look?" Regina looked angry, and (Y/n) was getting to the same point that she was.

Sitting up on her bed and closing her book, (Y/n) considered her words carefully. "Okay, look, I didn't mean to make you jealous, but Janis and I are just friends. I'm not sure what the difference is when you, Gretchen, Karen, and Cady are touching each other's faces to apply each other's makeup. Perhaps you can explain it to me?" (Y/n) tried to stay calm and centered. She knew how heated Regina could get. Still, she must've said something that worsened the situation as Regina's cheeks brightened in color.

"The difference is, Janis is out, and you are out," Regina stated, grabbing for her bag as she started for the door. (Y/n) quickly untangled herself from her blanket, grabbing Regina's hand to stop her. "Don't touch me. You should go hang out with your girlfriend, Janis. She was all over you at lunch, anyways."

(Y/n) let go of Regina, not wanting to anger her more as she sucked in a breath. "Come on, Regina, let's just talk. I don't want to argue over this. I will ask Janis to stop touching me if it will make you happy." (Y/n) offered, hoping to create some peace between her and Regina. She hated arguing with anyone, but she despised arguing with Regina. It was another level of fighting that she couldn't handle. It made her head spin.

Regina walked out of the room and started down the stairs with (Y/n) hot on her trail. "I don't want to talk. I want you to understand how stupid I feel when you just let Janis put her hands all over you." Regina said as she made her way to her Jeep. "Just leave me alone." (Y/n) sighed as Regina shut her Jeep door and ran her hands down her face. She knew to give Regina space, that chasing after her right now wouldn't do anything for either of them.

(Y/n) went back to her room, falling back onto her bed. She was in love with Regina, but the worst part of this being a secret is she couldn't go to her friends for comfort. Instead, she felt unintentionally isolated as Regina's perfume still lingered in the air unhelpfully. She realized that Regina's insecurity more had to do with the fact that she and Janis were both out, but Regina didn't even give her time to help her work through that with her. So, instead, she had to force herself to not call or text the girl.

The next day, around lunchtime, (Y/n) was still somber over the events from the previous night. She had texted Regina a sweet 'good morning' as always but received nothing back. That's why it surprised her when Regina approached her table. "(Y/n), I have a quick history question, can I speak to you in private?" Regina glanced over at Janis, who rolled her eyes at Regina. (Y/n) nudged the girl beside her to stop before following Regina out of the cafeteria. "I realized that I took my anger out at you. To be honest, I was a little scared you might find Janis to be a better girlfriend because she was out, and you didn't have to hide." Regina admitted, causing shock to spread along (Y/n)'s face.

She wasn't expecting Regina to be insecure over Janis. "I understand your fear, and I understand your insecurity. You should know though, I'm not into Janis. She, Cady, and Damian are my best friends. I love them, but it's very different to the way I love you." (Y/n) put her hands over Regina's before their fingers intertwined.

Regina tried to hide the grin growing on her face as she looked down. "You love me?" She asked, her voice filling with emotion, a shift from the apologetic tone she held just before.

(Y/n) laughed softly before kissing Regina softly. Regina kissed back, cupping her cheeks. "Yeah, I love you, Regina George." (Y/n) said softly, glad to see that they had made up and that they were both getting over their previous argument.

"I love you too, (Y/n)," Regina said softly before taking her hand and leading her out the door. "Come on, I'm ready to go out there. I don't care what people think anymore. All that matters to me is that you're by my side when I go out there."

[punkshort]

somewhere to run | 10. austin

Pairing: sheriff!Joel x f!reader

Chapter Summary: You and Joel travel to Austin to meet with a lawyer.

Chapter Warnings: language, angst, hurt/comfort, flirting, sexual tension, emotional abuse, infidelity, some recapping of DV and SA situations but nothing new, smut (18+ MDNI), unprotected (reader previously mentions she's on bc) piv sex

WC: 6.6K

A/N: I have started a notification blog - @punkshort-notifs if you are interested in following for fic updates (but I will be keeping the tag list for this series until it is over)

Series Masterlist

One Month Later

Life carried on the way it always does. Without permission, regardless of any pain or suffering, it always remained a constant. Whether you were present or not, whether you wanted to acknowledge it or hide from it, it didn't matter, because life always carried on.

The first week was the worst. A week of what you could only describe as depression. A week of being alone. Safe, but terribly alone. Going to work helped distract you, until he came in for lunch like always and it felt like your heart was being torn in two all over again. And you could tell it hurt him, too, but you both seemed willing to withstand the pain over not seeing each other at all. Because even though it hurt, it was a reminder you were alive. A reminder that you could still care enough about somebody else, despite everything.

The second week was when you could no longer smell him in your bed. You woke up one morning, eyes barely even open as you searched around the pillowcase, then the sheets, grabbing and pulling at the fabric, desperate to seek out his scent to no avail.

The third week was when you finally didn't have to fight the urge to call or text him, even though he said you could, you knew it would just make things harder. And he must have agreed because he didn't reach out, either.

The fourth week was when you began to feel like you were finally coming out of your slump. You could go to the grocery store or pharmacy and didn't feel your heart skip a beat, you didn't scan the parking lot for his truck in the hopes of running into him. You didn't stop thinking about him, but it just hurt less. That is, until you ran into Hailey coming back from work one evening.

She was out on the sidewalk, cleaning up some garbage from the picnic tables in front of the pizzeria when you waved and caught her eye. You could immediately tell something was wrong by the pained smile she gave you.

"Hey," she said, the smile not reaching her eyes as she leaned up against her broom.

"What's going on?" you asked her. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Yeah, I know, sorry. Work's been-" she waved in the direction of the propped open door and shook her head. "But I've been meaning to talk to you."

"Oh?"

"It's about book club," she said, dropping her gaze to the ground. "And I just want to let you know, I voted against it-"

"They don't want me back, do they?" you offered, trying to make it easier for her. She sighed and shook her head.

"It's all so stupid, I'm sorry," she said, looking up at you again. "Nikki's got all those old ladies wrapped around her finger and they're just pissed Joel dumped her for... well, y'know."

"They know we aren't together, right? I mean, I'm married..." you trailed off, not wishing to go into too much detail when you knew eventually when you went to court, all your dirty laundry would be aired.

"Yeah, they do. Still, they blame you, and it's stupid, like I said. They should be mad at Joel, it's not like it's your fault, and I swear I tried explaining that-"

"It's okay," you said, holding up your hand and giving her a sad smile. "I appreciate it, but it's fine. I have a lot coming up, anyway. I won't find that much time to read."

"But we can still hang out! Do you wanna go get drinks this weekend? Or maybe see a movie?" Hailey asked, and you could tell she genuinely felt bad.

"Yeah, either of those sound great," you said. "I'll text you and we can figure something out."

You made a hasty exit and dragged yourself up the stairs to your apartment. Even though you probably wouldn't have continued to go, the rejection still stung.

For a while, the silence was deafening. Without a TV to even distract you, leaving you with endless amounts of time to overthink, you were worried you were going insane. You lucked out recently and found a decent TV at a thrift store, so you at least had something to occupy your time, although you knew it would be short lived. In a couple days, you had an appointment to meet with a law firm in Austin. An appointment Joel had set up and offered to attend with you, and at the time, you were so desperate for anything to do with him, you agreed, but now you were wondering if that was a bad idea. Almost two hours in the car alone with Joel? No, that didn't seem like a good idea at all.

"Whadd'ya mean, you wanna drive separate?" Joel asked as you refilled his coffee. "That doesn't make any sense. Waste of gas."

"Yeah, but I was thinking of staying an extra day. Check out the city," you lied, turning your back to him so he wouldn't be able to see through you.

"Alone?"

You cringed at the word, but nodded. The little dinner bell rang in the window and your eyes jumped up just in time to see Thor put Joel's sandwich on the small shelf. You grabbed the plate and set it down in front of him, his eyes still boring into you, waiting for a better explanation.

"I think it'll just be easier," you said quietly, the words only meant for his ears. When he connected the dots, he leaned back in his chair and nodded.

"Oh," he said, gaze drifting down to his food. "That's a shame. I was lookin' forward to it."

"I'm sorry," you told him, grabbing a rag and pretending to wipe down the counter so your conversation didn't invite gossip and speculation. "So was I. That's the problem."

"And if I promise to behave myself, would you reconsider?" he teased, finally making you smile a little.

"I think you're incapable of behaving yourself, Sheriff," you replied, making him chuckle.

This was what your relationship had been reduced to: quick, flirty exchanges over coffee and turkey clubs. You supposed it was better than nothing.

"C'mon, it's just a couple hours. If you want, you can nap or listen to music," he said, picking up his sandwich and taking a bite.

"Fine," you relented, but only because once you offered taking two cars out loud, you realized how stupid it sounded.

"Pick you up at 7?" he asked around a mouth full of food.

"Sure. Do I need to prepare anything? I've never gotten this far in the process before," you told him, suddenly feeling nervous.

"Nope. Helen already sent over all the reports and once the process gets started, they'll reach out to whatever hospital you went to back in Philly to get your emergency room medical reports," he explained, and you nodded along, feeling fidgety. "I'm sure they'll do some more digging while they're at it. Reach out to his police captain and all that."

"Right," you said, biting your nail.

"One step at a time, alright?" he told you softly, picking up on your nerves. "You already did your part, now let the lawyers do theirs."

"But I'll have to testify," you reminded him, and he slowly nodded.

"Most likely, yes. You don't have to, but it'll help your case if you do."

"And he'll be there?" you asked, wringing the towel between your hands.

"Yeah, he'll be there," Joel said, watching your face fall. "But I'll be there, too. You just look at me when the time comes, don't look at him."

"Okay," you said, taking a deep breath. You knew this would be hard, but you also knew it was necessary. "And this lawyer - they can help me get a divorce?"

"Yeah," he said with a nod, and you breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay," you said again. You forced yourself to smile even though the anxiety was already creeping up. "I can do this," you told him, trying to sound confident.

"Hell yes, you can do this," he replied. "That's my girl," he added, picking up his sandwich then pausing before taking a bite. He glanced up at you and gave you half a smirk when he noticed the look on your face at the term of endearment. "Sorry, I'll behave."

You had initially dreaded waking up so early, but after the restless night's sleep you ended up having, it turned out it didn't make much of a difference. Your appointment was at 9:30 and it took about two hours to get to Austin, so Joel arriving at 7am gave you a decent cushion in case there was traffic.

Already two cups of coffee down, you poured the rest into a travel thermos and grabbed your purse before jogging lightly down your stairs. You locked your door and turned towards the street to find Joel's truck parked right out front. Glancing around, you noticed it was fairly quiet still, which was a relief. Joel didn't have to take you to see a lawyer. His job was technically done until the trial. He was doing this for you, to give you some support and advice and it would be ideal if you could keep people from gossiping about it for as long as possible.

"Mornin'," he greeted you with a lazy smile, which perked right up when you handed him the thermos. "Oh, you're an angel, baby," he murmured, taking a sip with an appreciative groan. You took a deep breath and forced yourself to focus on your seatbelt. Less than two minutes and he already had you squirming in your seat.

The first hour of the trip actually turned out to be relatively quiet. You sat in a comfortable silence, listening to the radio while Joel hummed along and tapped the steering wheel and if you closed your eyes, you could imagine the scene just a little differently. Instead of Joel taking you to see a lawyer in Austin so you could press charges and divorce your abusive husband, you imagined you were taking a road trip together. Maybe with no destination in mind: just the two of you and the open road, stopping whenever you saw fit to explore and staying at roadside motels with stiff sheets and shag carpets, limbs tangled together as you panted into each other's mouths. No secrets. No drama. You smiled to yourself, the fantasy giving you a pleasant reminder of what you could have if you just stayed strong.

"What're you smilin' for?" he asked, and your eyes opened to look at him.

"Nothing," you said, and he clicked his tongue against his teeth. God, you missed that tongue and what it could do.

"When all this is over, do you think we can take a road trip together?" you asked him, and his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Yeah, 'course we can," he replied, glancing over at you briefly before looking back at the road. "Where did you wanna go?"

"Doesn't matter," you said, rolling the back of your head against the seat. "Just wanna be with you," you added, softer this time. He looked over at you again, examining your face quickly before focusing back on the road.

"Me too, baby," he said, just as softly.

Joel stopped at a gas station just outside the city to fuel up and stretch your legs. After using the restroom, you wandered up and down the aisles while Joel pumped gas just outside. You were the only one in the store, aside from the sleazy cashier with greasy hair and nicotine stained teeth leering at you every time you crossed his field of vision.

You decided on a couple waters and some sugary pastries and made your way up to the front, forcing a polite smile for the cashier, whose eyes were greedily raking up and down your frame as you approached. You were wearing a modest dress with a cardigan, doing your best to look put together for your appointment, but that didn't stop the cashier's eyes from roaming.

"That all?" he asked as he began to ring you up. You nodded and hummed before glancing out the window, watching as Joel replaced the nozzle on the pump.

"$8.32," he told you, his eyes dropping to your chest as you pulled out a ten dollar bill from your wallet and handed it to him. Your fingertips tapped impatiently on the counter as he slowly counted out your change, clearly trying to prolong the interaction longer than necessary. When it appeared he was ready to hand over the money, you held your hand out, but he pulled your change back a bit and leaned forward.

"You from 'round here?"

"No, just passing through," you said, lifting your hand again, but he clenched your change in his fist.

"What's a pretty girl like you doin' out here all by yourself?" he sneered, his hand dropping below the counter to not so subtly adjust himself in his pants. You made a disgusted face and he smirked.

"She ain't alone," Joel's deep voice rang out from behind you. The cashier's eyes drifted over your shoulder and looked like he was about to make a snide comment when you felt Joel's hand around your waist. His eyes fell to Joel's belt and saw the badge and gun and the smirk he was sporting a moment ago vanished. He quickly handed you back your change and busied himself with organizing the cigarettes while Joel tugged on your waist, urging you to back towards the parking lot.

"And you wanted to drive separate," Joel teased as he led you towards his truck. He opened the passenger door and stepped back so you could get in but you paused and looked up at him. His forehead crinkled as he grinned, his eyes squinting in the sun and all you wanted to do was kiss him and never stop.

"What?" he finally asked when you didn't make a move to get into the car.

"I really want to kiss you right now," you murmured, and you watched the grin slip from his face and his eyes flick down to your mouth.

"We can't," he replied, his voice pained as his gaze continued to drift from your eyes to your lips.

"I know," you sighed. Instead, you stood on your tiptoes to press a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth, your lips lingering a moment longer than you should have before climbing into his truck. His breathing stuttered, the feeling of your lips on his skin again sending him into a tailspin. He took a deep breath and looked up at you in the cab, putting on your seatbelt.

"Soon," he told you, giving your leg a squeeze before closing the door.

"So you mentioned you know some of these lawyers?" you asked him as he drove through downtown Austin.

"Yeah, I've dealt with this law firm a lot on some cases over the years. They're good people, as far as lawyers go," he joked before making a right hand turn. "I asked to meet with one of the women. Her name's Madeline. She's nice. Been there a real long time. Thought you'd feel more comfortable with that," he said, and you nodded.

"Thank you," you told him for maybe the twentieth time that day. You were convinced if not for Joel, you never would have made it this far. You would have had no idea where to even begin, but he knew the answers to all those questions and helped give you the confidence you so desperately needed.

Your hands began to shake and your stomach felt like it was in knots as the two of you walked up to the front doors of the impressive four-story building. Men and women streamed in and out of the doors, most dressed in suits and pencil skirts and talking on their phones hurriedly. You swallowed the lump in your throat once you got to the front of the building, but Joel held the door open for you with a reassuring smile.

"Don't be nervous, it'll be alright," he murmured as you walked up to the large receptionist desk that housed two women with headsets on, typing furiously into their computers. One looked up and caught your eye, giving you a friendly smile.

"Mornin'," Joel said, telling the young woman your name and appointment time. She glanced at her computer and nodded before looking back up at you both with another smile.

"I'll let her know you're here, you can take a seat. It shouldn't be very long," the woman said, casting Joel one more admiring glance before she turned back to her phone and dialed a number.

Joel led you over to some plush couches and chairs and you nervously picked up an old magazine. You skimmed through it, just looking for something to occupy your hands as you waited. He sat down next to you, then inched closer so he could rest his arm along the back of the couch. It felt like he was wrapping his arms around you without actually touching you, and it gave you a temporary sense of peace.

After a few minutes of listening to the receptionists answer the phones and transfer calls, you finally heard your name and Joel's. You both looked up to find a thin, middle aged woman with short, blonde hair and glasses and a kind smile waiting for you.

"Maddy," Joel said warmly, and the hairs on the back of your neck went up. He wouldn't have asked an ex-girlfriend to represent you, would he?

"Joel, long time no see," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek before introducing herself to you and shaking your hand.

"That's usually a good thing," he reminded her as the two of you followed her down a long hallway, passing by a few empty conference rooms and closed doors that presumably lead to offices.

"Yes, very true," she agreed with a chuckle before stopping in front of her office. She extended an arm, inviting the two of you to enter first before she followed and closed the door behind her.

"How's Tracy?" Joel asked, glancing at a photo on her desk as you sat down.

"She's great. It's our ten year anniversary this summer. We're planning a cruise," she said, settling into her desk chair and shooting you a smile.

Okay, so probably not an ex.

"Alright, let's not waste any time. I know you drove a long way to get here," Madeline said, clasping her hands together on her desk and giving you another smile. She gave off a positive energy, and you could feel yourself loosening up. "I read over everything Joel sent over so I know the basics, and I am so sorry for everything you've had to endure," she said, her eyes softening. "But can you explain to me why you've never tried to come forward before? Trust me, his lawyer will bring it up."

"Well, I have tried," you began, your fingers tangling together in your lap. "I've gone to the police a handful of times but every time I thought I was making progress, Patrick would do something - call in a favor, I don't know," you said with a shrug. "And my police reports magically disappeared. I've gone to the hospital on several occasions-"

"That's right, I did read that. Which hospital?" she asked, picking up a pen, the tip hovering over a legal pad.

"There were a few different ones," you said, then rattled off the names and approximate dates you visited each hospital.

"Okay. We'll reach out and get copies of those records for the trial," she said, dropping the pen and looking at you to continue.

You went on to tell her about your experience with the police back in Philadelphia and how angry Patrick would get after those visits. You told her about his disappearances for days at a time and how he would come home in a haze, no doubt with alcohol and some type of drug in his veins, how those were the times he hurt you the most.

By the time you got to the part in your story where you packed a bag and left Philadelphia during one of Patrick's benders, you felt a lot more at ease. Your nerves were gone and Madeline's comforting gaze made it so much easier to tell her everything.

"So the next step in the process is discovery. Our team here is going to be digging up dirt back in Philly, and I am sure Patrick's lawyer is already doing the same thing," she said, putting down her pen and looking at you over her glasses. "That being said: is there anything I need to know? I don't like surprises in court. I don't care if you ever smoked weed or pushed him back, I just need to know so I can get ahead of it." You quickly shook your head.

"No, I've never tried drugs and I never hit him back." You glanced over at Joel for the first time and found him staring at you with a look in his eye that made you believe you were thinking about the same thing. After a moment, you turned back to Madeline, about to open your mouth to speak when Joel cut you off.

"There's one more thing," he said, sitting up straighter in his chair. She looked at him curiously, clearly not expecting him to have anything to add. "We, uh," he cleared his throat and glanced over at you. "We had a brief, personal relationship," he said. Madeline sat back in her chair and you could have sworn she was glaring at him. "It's over. It was just once," he continued, and you nodded quickly, trying to help him out.

"Nobody knows, either," you told her, drawing her gaze back onto you. "Patrick had his suspicions, but he also accused me of sleeping with two cooks from work, which is untrue," you clarified, "he's just jealous and angry."

"How can you be sure nobody knows?" she asked, and you paused.

"W-well, nobody..." you trailed off, looking at Joel for help.

"It's a small town, Maddy. If people knew, they'd be talkin'. Trust me," he said, rolling his eyes. "The most anyone knows is I had a little crush on her, but nothin' more."

"Besides. Patrick's cheated on me for years. I'm not an idiot, I could smell the perfume on his jacket and found the condom wrappers in his pants pocket," you told her, but she shook her head.

"This is a little different, hun," she said, leaning forward. "Joel's the town sheriff. He arrested Patrick and broke his nose. It's going to look like he had ulterior motives," she said, lifting up a piece of paper in front of her to double check her notes.

"I didn't break his nose, the table broke his nose. It was self-defense. The guy's got nothin'," Joel scoffed.

"Yeah you're probably right, but he's still going to make your life a living hell in court," Madeline said. "You looking for representation, too?"

"What?!" you exclaimed, turning in your seat to look at Joel. "He's suing you?"

"Yeah, it's no big deal. Happens from time to time, nothin' ever comes from it," he said casually.

"Why didn't you tell me?" you asked, your voice softening.

"Didn't wanna worry you. You gotta focus on this," he said, pointing to Madeline. "The other shit doesn't matter."

You wanted to argue with him but you knew your time was running short, so you let it go.

"Well at least you had the good sense not to take her statement," she said, glancing down at the papers before her. "Let's just hope it doesn't come up, and if it does, I'll be prepared," she said, making a note to herself before giving you her attention again. "I'll do my best to fast track this and set a court date. I'll have my team call his superior officer and we'll run some checks on him, call the hospitals, and start building your case. I'll be in touch soon about any potential witnesses you can bring to the stand that you trust. Anybody who might have witnessed Patrick abusing you, even if he was just yelling or twisting your arm. People you confided in. Anybody you might think can help, start thinking about it now and gathering contact info, okay?"

"Okay," you said firmly. You were starting to feel better, like this was the beginning of the end. And you had the feeling that Madeline was the right person to fight for you. She seemed honest and straight forward, understanding yet tough. This was someone who would give you your freedom back.

"And I can get a divorce?" you asked, and she nodded.

"Yes, I'm going to file the petition this afternoon and he will be served the papers," she explained. "If he contests it, we can cross that bridge when we come to it, but I'm hoping with all the fire we're throwing at him, he won't want to put up a fight."

"Thank you," you breathed, feeling even more at ease now that something was actually happening today. Any amount of progress at this point made you feel good.

You stayed another hour to review an endless amount of paperwork: the contract with the law firm, reviewing your statement for any inaccuracies, initialing and dating next to so many paragraphs on the petition to be filed that your eyes were going blurry by the end.

As you both stood up to follow Madeline out of her office, you stopped short.

"Wait, what about payment? I don't think we discussed legal fees in the contract," you said, frowning as you pulled your copy of the contract out from under your arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought Joel already told you," she said, glancing over at Joel, who dropped his gaze to his shoes. "The partners picked your case pro bono. The firm has to do a certain number each year and Joel suggested to a few of the right people that your case should be considered."

Your eyes widened and your jaw dropped.

"Are you kidding me?" you whispered in shock, trying to fight the tears that were beginning to spring up. You looked at Joel but he averted his gaze before awkwardly clearing his throat.

"It's no big deal-" he began, but you cut him off.

"No, it is a big deal," you told him, and he clamped his mouth shut. Madeline's eyes flicked between the two of you for a moment, watching as you tried and failed to come up with the right words to convey your gratitude.

"The firm is happy to represent you, hun," Madeline said, breaking the silence. "We're gonna make sure this guy gets what's coming to him, understand?"

You tore your eyes away from Joel, who was finding it difficult to look anywhere but the floor.

"Thank you. Thank you so much," you told her, and she smiled before extending her arm towards the door.

As you walked towards the lobby, she was reminding you to expect a call in a few days with an update and to have a list of contacts ready for her, but you just nodded along numbly, barely listening.

Joel had already gone above and beyond by finding you a good lawyer and coming with you for support, but to also convince them to handle your legal fees? He didn't have to do any of this, but he did, and he didn't expect anything in return. Nobody had ever expressed so much concern about you before. And as you walked in silence towards the parking garage, you realized there could only be one explanation. There could only be one reason why he would do so much, and the thought had your heart pounding in your chest.

You drove in silence for a while, the atmosphere in the truck tense. He tried putting music on but you couldn't focus on anything other than everything that happened in the past few hours. Then you started to go back even further: cleaning your apartment and finding you furniture after Patrick vandalized it, walking you home during a rain storm, fixing your fucking sink when you had barely spoken two sentences to him. You rolled your head to the side, watching him as he focused on the freeway, his grip tight around the steering wheel.

"Look at me," you said quietly, and you saw a muscle in his jaw twitch. After too long of a pause, he just said one word.

"Can't."

"Why not?"

"I'm drivin'."

"Bullshit," you said, and watched his throat bob as he swallowed nervously. You continued to stare him down, willing him to look at you, needing to see into his eyes to confirm your suspicion.

"Please, Joel," you finally said, your voice small. You could see the conflict in his face. The way his lips formed a hard line and his brows pinched together as he fought the urge, but once again he found he couldn't say no.

Slowly, he pulled his gaze off the road and forced himself to look at you. Your lips parted as you looked right through him and he knew right then and there he was fucked.

"Pull over," you mumbled, and he just nodded. He could feel the heat of your gaze on him as he took the nearest exit and pulled into a parking lot of what appeared to be an abandoned department store.

He didn't need to ask and you didn't bother to explain.

Once he parked, doing his best to choose a secluded spot, you each ripped off your seatbelts. He reached down to pull the lever below his seat and slid it back as far as it would go and in broad daylight, you climbed over the console to straddle his lap. His hands flew to your hips as you gripped the sides of his face, searching his eyes frantically before your mouth crashed down over his with a moan.

Joel was normally a strong man, but something about you always made him so weak. Weak and selfish and desperate and he wouldn't have it any other way. That's why, even though he knew it was a mistake, he kissed you back. Your tongues tangled together and when your hands slid up to his hair, he was done for. You were too warm and tasted too sweet and felt too fucking good, it was a miracle he came to his senses when your hand dropped down between you to land on his belt and he managed to pull away.

"That's not why I did all this," he said, each of you panting for air. "I didn't do it so I could fuck you."

"I know," you assured him, cupping the back of his neck. "I know why you did it."

He gazed up at you and slowly nodded.

"Reckon it's pretty obvious, huh?" he said softly, toying with the hem of your dress.

You didn't say anything in return. Instead, you lowered your mouth hungrily over his and he happily obliged. And when your hand drifted back down to his belt, he didn't stop you. He couldn't deny it any longer. He tried, he really did, but it was hopeless.

He wouldn't say the words out loud, and you were grateful. Because if he had, you weren't sure you would be able to convince yourself this was a one-time thing. Madeline's disapproving glare was seared into the back of your mind, her comments about Joel's own lawsuit still very much a concern, but when you lowered yourself onto him, each of you groaning your need into each other's mouths as you stretched around him, it all became a distant memory.

"Missed you so much," you mumbled against his skin as your mouth dragged down his jaw. You rolled your hips, slowly at first, but picked up the pace when you remembered you were in the middle of a parking lot and didn't have much time. "You feel so good," you continued, feeling his arms tense around you as he tried to hold himself back. "Think about you all the time. Especially in bed - ah!" you cried out when he began bucking up into you.

"Yeah? You touch yourself when you think about me?" he grunted in your ear, and your eyes rolled to the back of your head as you nodded. His hands gripped your waist, guiding your movements up and down while his mouth ghosted over your chest, wishing more than ever he could glide his tongue over your nipples, but he was too aware of where you were. He settled for yanking the sleeve of your dress down, exposing your shoulder so his teeth and facial hair could leave little red marks, hidden from view.

"Can't get enough of you, can't fuckin' stay away," he groaned, watching as you circled your hips, greedily chasing your own pleasure. Your arm shot out to the side, seeking leverage against the now foggy window, your fingers leaving telltale streaks as your hand slowly dragged downwards so when he got into his truck the next morning, he would see the ghost of your hand in the early morning dew.

"Joel," you whined, tossing your head back while you began to bounce, your ass accidentally beeping the horn and making you both laugh. Nothing could harm you here. Not when you had each other. Not when you had the feel of his rough hands over your skin and his soft lips against your mouth.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his arms wrapped around you, holding you close. "C'mon, baby. Want you to feel me tomorrow," he said, lifting his hips up to meet yours, bringing you closer and closer to the edge.

You gasped as your body went rigid, a white hot heat ripping through you while your legs began to shake and you whimpered his name over and over. You heard Joel groan and say something, probably a warning he was close, but you couldn't be sure. You nodded and mumbled some encouragement but your mind was still too fuzzy and your ears were practically ringing from the force of your orgasm. But when his teeth sunk into your shoulder, the slight pain snapped you out of it. His arms wrapped tightly around your waist, pulling you down firmly onto his lap until his body stilled and he grunted into your skin.

You rested your cheek on the top of his head while his face stayed buried in your chest, both of you fighting for air as reality slowly began to sink in.

"Guess I didn't behave myself," he finally said with a chuckle. You grinned and lazily raised your head up so you could look at him.

"I think I'll take the blame for this one," you said before lifting off of him with a little gasp and moving your underwear back in place. You were about to swing your leg back over to your seat when he stopped you.

"Just another minute," he said, his hands mindlessly sliding up and down your thighs, and you draped your arms around his neck.

"We shouldn't do this again," you finally said, breaking the spell. He sighed and nodded but his hands continued to glide up and down your legs.

"I know."

You cupped his face and tilted his chin up to look at you. Your thumbs brushed over his cheeks as you stared into his eyes, still seeing everything he didn't have the courage to say. Leaning down, you pressed a tender kiss against his lips, then rested your foreheads together.

"Thank you, Joel."

"You're welcome, baby."

As promised, a few days later, Madeline's secretary reached out for a list of contacts that could be called upon to support your case. You didn't have many people in your corner, but you gave her your cousin's information back in Philadelphia, an old co-worker who you had partially confided in when the abuse started, a few friends who had noticed bruises but you had made up excuses for them at the time, and you reluctantly gave your mother's information, with the note to discuss with you first before contacting her.

You had hoped Madeline wouldn't want to call on your mother to testify. You hadn't spoken to her since you ran away to Texas, and given the way she responded when you told her what Patrick was doing, you weren't confident she would be a good witness. But it was still someone from your past who you confided in, and that was what Madeline was looking for: a trail of evidence, cries for help, anything to prove the most recent incident was not a one off situation.

"Madeline called me today," you told Joel after picking up his empty plate.

"Oh, yeah?" he asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"She reviewed all the contacts I gave to her secretary and she scheduled another appointment for next week."

"Great, what day?" he asked, pulling out his phone.

"Tuesday," you said, replacing his coffee with a glass of ice water. He glanced up at you and quirked an eyebrow. "You drink too much caffeine," you explained, and he grinned.

"Ah, shit. I have a thing at Sarah's school that day. Lemme see if I can reschedule it-"

"No, go to Sarah's school, I wasn't telling you so you would come with me, I was just... letting you know," you said with a shrug.

"You sure?" he questioned, and you nodded.

"I'm sure. I know how to get there now and I feel comfortable with Madeline. I swear, I'll be fine," you told him. He put his phone down on the counter and thought for a moment before leaning forward and lowering his voice.

"This ain't 'bout what happened last time, is it?"

"No!" you said in surprise, and he looked relieved. "Not at all. I'm just trying to... I don't know, take control of my life, I guess?" He nodded but he still looked confused. "What I mean is, I think it's important I do some things for myself. Not that I don't appreciate-"

"I get it," he said with a chuckle as he stood up from his stool. "You just let me know if you change your mind."

"Okay," you replied with a smile, but stopped him when you realized he hadn't touched his water. You held the glass out to him and he stared at it, then looked at you with a sigh before plucking it from your grip and downing the whole thing in one gulp.

"Happy?"

"Very," you said with a grin, and watched him as he walked towards the front door, stopping briefly to chat with Maria before heading back to work.

Joel shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress pants as he walked back to the station, nodding to a few people along the way. He couldn't stop his gaze from traveling up to the window above the pizza place every time he walked by, smiling to himself when he noticed a new plant in your window.

The bullpen sounded quiet as Joel made his way back to his office. He liked quiet days. That was always a good day, in his book. He sat down in his chair with a huff, the little orange light on his desk phone blinking angrily at him, indicating a voicemail. He picked up the phone and punched in his passcode. He was reaching for a pen when the voice on the other end of the phone made him freeze.

"Joel, it's Maddy. Give me a call back when you get this, it's urgent."

Taglist: @harriedandharassed@merz-8@sarap-77@nandan11@anoverwhelmingdin@fandomscollide@survivingandenduring@honeyedmiller@pedropascalsbbg@southernbe@pedrosfanny@gobaaby-blog-blog @eloquentdreamer @yomiyasxx @mrsparknuts@missladym1981@spacedoutdaydreamer @cosmic006533-blog @prettyinpunk85@maried01 @sunnyskyapplepie @sawymredfox@gobaaby-blog-blog@stevie75@mxtokko@sleepylunarwolf@lizzie-cakes@laurrrra@annieispunk@here4thedilfs @navystandardheatingoilcap @slugz-writes-shit@devilbat@ashleyfilm@scp116@tragerlover@iveseenstrangerthings50 @yvonneeeee @brittmb115@lulawantmula@abbysgirlll@ro-nahime-things@whxtedreams@ashhlsstuff@little-pookie@serenadingtigers@paleidiot@ashy-kit@lizlil@detectivejuliuspepperwood@buckyispunk @fckinel @sarahhxx03 @krispeenuggiez @flippittygibbitts@picketniffler@pedroslittlelady

Please follow @punkshort-notifs for fic updates

[yourmomxx]

Heyyy omg I saw you looking for criminal minds requests. Would it be possible to request something for derek morgan?? Maybe a protective derek where he's freaking out after hearing that reader is hurt (reader can be bau as well or just regular civillian, it's up to you) and ends up smothering her. Thankyouu so much 🥺💞

a/n: I totally could see Derek Morgan do this, honestly, this is so good. Anon, thank you for your request, I really hope you like how it turned out!

"Derek, seriously, I'm fine!"

"Uh-huh, sure. Tell that to the x-ray the doctor made of your double fractured ankle."

You tried really hard, you did, but at the end, couldn't resist the urge of rolling your eyes.

Derek - your dear, caring, passionate boyfriend, who you loved endlessly (most times) - had acted this way for the past few days. Four, to be exact, four and a half if one counted the day he spent in the hospital with you, not leaving your side even to get coffee.

It had been, a few days ago, that you had broken your ankle.

Fractured, twice.

It happened while you were coming down the stairs, you'd slipped on a patch of the sleek wood and tumbled down the remaining three quarters to the bottom.

It was the most stupid and idiotic way to break a bone, honestly, but it had happened to you either way.

You'd known Derek was out on a case, somewhere in Milwaukee, you honestly didn't remember all the town's names all that exactly, which is why you had satisfied yourself with only sending him a quick text after an ambulance had shuttled you to the nearest hospital.

The doctors had told you that you would be fine, just that they were pretty booked this time of year and your treatment could take longer than usual.

It's why you stayed the night.

When you had woken up the next day, mind still a bit foggy and ankle swollen and hurting more than it would any normal day, you had never expected to actually see your boyfriend earlier than that evening.

But you'd been wrong.

Because there he stood, Derek Morgan, in all his tight-henley, muscular glory, talking with one of the doctors who'd briefed you about your condition the day before, an invested look on his face, just a few feet outside your open hospital room door.

The clinical, white sheets rustled as you straigthened yourself up.

"Derek?" The soft call of his name made your boyfriend look up, just as the doctor stepped away.

A smile played around his lips as he made his way over to you. You were still baffled about his showing-up, when he leaned down and pressed a greeting kiss to your mouth.

"Hey, sweet thing," Derek mumbled.

With a grunt, he sat down in the worn-out, yellow cushion chair and regarded you with deep concern in his dark eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

You tilted your head.

"Like I fell down the stairs and double-broke my ankle not even twelve hours ago."

Derek's mouth left a soft chuckle. You grinned.

"What are you even doing here, I thought you had a case?"

He raised his hands in a defensive manner. "Whoah, now don't be too excited." There was no bite behind his words, or the eyeroll you gave him in response.

"I'm serious, baby," You said. "You didn't have to be here, I'm totally fine."

Derek leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. His gaze didn't leave yours.

"We closed the case about two hours after you sent me that text," He explained. "When I read what happened, I pushed everyone to pack their things just a bit faster than normal, we took the jet, and now I'm here." He opened his arms. "End of story."

You cocked an eyebrow. "How much faster?" You asked.

Derek weighed his head. "A lot faster."

You let out a laugh. "God, you are crazy," You breathed out, cheeks pushing your eyes closed with how wide you were smiling.

Derek reached out and took your hand into his, the warm weight laying comfortable in your palm.

"Only for you, mama."

His hand squeezed yours and you smiled.

Turns out that hospitals were the. worst.

At first the willingness with which all staff was tending you with, it felt like a blessing, for once not having to do the most mundane tasks by yourself - because honestly, who wouldn't want that? - but as time passed by, it all seemed to weigh down on you.

You were practically chained to a bed that wasn't yours, and therefore in no possibility as comfortable as the mattress you were used to. The clinical smell of sanitizer started burning in your nostrils, and your eyes felt blinded by the exact same shade of white that covered every wall, surface, and sheet in your sight.

You almost groaned when a white cast was put on your leg to stabilize it. Derek had just grinned at you and promised to bring Penelope over at some point, with a set of acrylics, glue, and rhinestones.

That's when it had started. The Doctor had told you to rest up for a while, don't put too much weight on your left foot where you had broken your ankle, and come in for regular check-ups.

You should've known then, that you were doomed. Because since you had left the hospital that afternoon four - three and a half - days ago, Derek had not once thought about leaving your side.

For anything.

Any. Thing.

He was being so sweet with it, of course, because Derek Morgan didn't know to be anything else, but over time, having this constant worry hung at you for tasks that should have been the simplest of everyday life was draining, and made you grow agitated.

If you needed to compare it, it felt like being sixteen and your parents checking in on you while you were at a friend's birthday party every hour on the clock, all over again.

You were standing in the kitchen right now, spatula in one hand, the other perched warningly at your hip, a pan on the stove ready to be heated up and a disapproving look on your face, staring down Derek Morgan who stood accross from you with his arms crossed and an almost stronger "Don't try me"-attitude than you had.

Almost.

"Baby," You said, slowly dragging out each syllable. "I understand and do appreciate your concern, but I am fully able to cook lunch."

"The doctor said not to put too much pressure on your foot," Derek shot back. He gestured towards the kitchen island. "Scurrying around for at least half an hour without a break is what I call 'too much pressure'."

The only pressure you were feeling right now was the exasperated groan that you fought back of pushing out your chest.

"I feel alright," You reassured him. "And if I really feel like it's too much, then I'll sit down and take a break."

Derek shook his head. "Will you, though?"

You sighed and put the spatula in an empty space on the kitchen island.

As smoothly as you could, you walked over to your boyfriend, supporting the weight on your unmoving leg by leaning your hand on the kitchenette, as you had discarded your crutch on the other side of the room.

Derek raised his eyebrow at that.

Finally reaching your boyfriend, you put your unoccupied hand on his cheek and let your thumb softly stroke over the stubbled skin.

Derek ever so slightly leaned into the touch.

"I'm just worried 'bout you," Derek murmured quietly.

You nodded slowly. "I know."

You did. And you understood. With all the death and hurt he saw, day by day, night after night, how could he not be?

"But baby, you gotta believe me when I tell you that I can take care of myself. That I know my limits." You gestured around vaguely. "That I can cook lunch for myself and my beautiful, kind boyfriend."

A hushed laugh escaped Derek's chest. His dark eyes found yours and the glimmer in them softened, turned a whirl of worry into a smooth tide.

"You just gotta watch out for you," Derek said. "I know you like to push yourself, don't like admitting defeat."

His hand came to rest on your forearm of the hand that was still tenderly lingering on his cheek. The soft tickle of his thumb drawing absentminded circles seeped through the thin layer of your clothing.

"But taking breaks is okay. There's a difference between being weak and just taking care of yourself."

Derek dipped his knees slightly when he noticed your gaze flashing to the floor, to catch your attention again.

"And I have never, not once in the time I've known you, known you to be weak. Alright, sweetheart?"

The warmth was radiating off his strong body, and infiltrating every single one of your concious senses. Unaware you were doing it, you leaned closer to him. The breeze of his cologne wrapped around you in pure comfort.

"Alright," You said. "Alright, I promise I'll take care."

Derek held your gaze. His fingers pushed a loose strand of hair away from your forehead. "That's all I wanted to hear."

The quick peck you pulled him in for by the neck quickly turned into an open-mouthed kiss, Derek's tongue circling yours for the briefest of moments, before finally gaining dominance.

You attempted to press further into him, but your hard time keeping balance wouldn't allow it.

He pressed one last, small kiss to your nose before backing away.

You smiled at him cheekily, still supporting yourself on the cold stone of the kitchenette, and laboriously turning around to finally get to make the food you'd fought so hard to be able to cook.

"At least let me work the stove."

"Derek!"

[fanfictiongirlie]

Twilight: Some Soulmate - Chapter Six

Click here for masterlist

Parings: Paul Lahote x Reader

Description: Y/N a member of the Cullen family is imprinted on by one of the wolves, she is shocked, he is shocked. She is struggling with drinking animal blood over human, and he is disgusted by a vampire for a soulmate… But maybe it could work..?

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: None

Words: 1,374

I didn't come back. 

I stayed away from home. 

My family went back to Forks. After Edward nearly killed himself because he thought Bella had killed herself, they all went home. I just couldn't, I felt sick being away from Forks. But Paul made it clear to me, he didn't want me. Why would I stay somewhere, knowing that. 

So I've been exploring, and by exploring I mean, I had a little cottage in England. And I've been reading, I even got a job. As a book keeper, it was actually a nice little life I built in a short amount of time. 

But there was something missing.

Imprinting was a stupid thing. It sucked, knowing there was someone out there who was your perfect half. And they wanted nothing to do with you. Why did my soulmate have to be a werewolf. It didn't even make sense that he was my soulmate, what if I never became a vampire. Then again, Alice said it must of been destiny that I became a vampire. Rosalie says I should be happy it happened when I was still young and not when I was old. 

Paul hadn't tried to message me, or call me. Which hurt, I knew it was hurting him too. I could tell, I could almost feel it. Which Carlisle said was silly. 

They had visited me a few times; my family, before the whole Edward walking into the sun event. Since moving back to Forks I hadn't seen them. 

Esme was begging for me to come back, but I just couldn't. I had a little life here. 

----------

I left my house at 5am, before sunlight, and made my way to my little book shop. Which luckily was located inside a big shopping centre, so no sunlight would hit me throughout the day. I entered the shop, and picked a book at random to start reading. The shop wouldn't be opening until 8am but until then I can read. 

I checked my phone a few times, No new texts from Paul. A few from my family. 

Alice: It's going to be very sunny today, be safe. 

Jasper: Sending calm vibes. 

That one made me laugh. 

We may need you home soon, unfortunately there may be a fight 

That one was from Carlisle. I felt panic, I called him.

"Carlisle what's wrong?" I say, putting my book down. 

"Alice has seen a group of newborns heading our way" He spoke in his quiet soft voice. I had missed it. 

"I can come back and help if you need me Carlisle" I spoke, I didn't really want to come back, it had been ages since I had been there. But if it meant keeping my family safe.

"I'd feel a little bit more confidant if you did, but there's one problem" Carlisle said. 

I waited for him to speak again. 

"The wolves will be helping us, we met with them a few days ago" Carlisle explained. "Edward said he could hear Paul thinking about you, looking for you in our group" 

"Oh, really?" I asked, surprised. 

"Edward says he still hasn't forgiven you, he could hear the anger towards you. But I believe he wants to see you" Carlisle finished. 

I nodded, as if he could see me. 

"When will the new borns be there?" I asked. 

"In one week" Carlisle answered. 

"Okay, I'll leave now, hopefully it shouldn't take long. But I'll see you soon" I say, I put my phone down and frown. I guess I couldn't be opening the shop today. 

I headed outside, luckily the sun hadn't quite left the clouds, but I drove home. Packed all the important bits, and then put a headscarf on. 

And headed towards the airport. 

-----------

The flight was quick, and the drive to Forks was uncomfortable. I didn't want to see him. Or maybe I did. 

I drove quickly, not looking away from the road. I could faintly smell the wolves, and it hurt. 

I pulled up into my house, parked the car and ran quick into the house. But it was empty. Now I was confused. 

I pulled out my phone and dialled Carlisle's number. He answered after one ring. 

"Y/N, are you home?" He asked

"Yes, where are you?" I asked. 

"In the woods, follow my scent, it should be fairly easy to follow" He said, and the call ended. 

Carlisle wasn't wrong, I followed his scent and I saw them soon enough. I also saw the wolves. I knew where Paul was, our eyes met. I could feel the anger. 

I missed him. So much. 

"Y/N" Esme smiled widely, as she came over to me to hug me tightly. 

"I missed you" She whispered into my ear. "I missed you too" 

Carlisle started what ever this was, and then Jasper proceeded to start showing off his fighting skills. 

"Y/N, your turn" He said smirking at me. 

I stepped forward, finally taking my eyes off Paul. 

I watched Jasper, waiting for his first move, he went to punch and I dodged, grabbing his arm and spinning him. He jumped and tried to land on me, but I dodged that by jumping up and wrapping my arms around his chest and pulled him down. 

"That was a good example of what the newborns do" Jasper explained "They will wrap their arms around you and squeeze, do not let them do that"

We all fought a little bit more, except for the wolves, they watched. Carlisle called it to an end as we had been doing this for hours. I stepped forward towards Paul but he growled and ran off. I frowned, I had hoped if he saw me again but with my amber eyes back maybe he would forgive me. Obviously not. 

I joined my family in our walk back to the house. 

"Will you stay after the fight?" Emmett asked me.

"I'm not sure" I answer. 

"You should to see me become a vampire" Bella smirked, I nodded. 

"That's definitely something I wouldn't want to miss, the worlds first clumsy vampire" I joke. Everyone laughed at this. 

I walked closer to Edward so I was next to him. 

"Hey, Ed, was he thinking about me?" I asked. 

Edward nodded

"He only thought of you, when you were fighting Jasper, he kept thinking 'If that vamp actually hurts her Ill kill her'" 

I smiled, it was something. Better than him wanting to kill me.

"It'll be okay Y/N" Bella smiled at me. 

Hopefully it will be okay. 

Previous Part - Next Part

[thelov3lybookworm]

You Think I Wanted This? (Part 2)

Part 1

Summary: The wedding day has arrived.

•○●⛦●○•

A/n: Ehehe im so excited for yall to read this aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh

anyways, enjoy!

•○🌑○•

If there was one word that could describe the situation around the palace, it would be chaos. But ten times worse.

The time was flying by, and it was getting incredibly hard to keep herself from screaming in frustration. The anxiety building up in her, the worries... it was hard to focus on anything.

The wedding would take place today in the great hall in just a few hours, and Y/n could not stop the tremor in her hands.

The only thing that comforted Y/n was the fact that Cam was now present with her, in the Palace, having returned from Basgiath during the leave granted before his second year.

Due to being the son of the king, he had been granted some leniency so he could attend Y/n's wedding.

That, and the books Y/n was forced to read, being a healer.

All alone in her room now, all she could do was read through the boring texts again, because that was the only way she could stop thinking about the inevitable ruining of her life.

A knock startled Y/n, and she glanced at the small clock she kept on her desk, frowning when she realised there was still, at the very least, an hour until the maids came to get her ready.

Standing, she called out. "Yes?"

"May I come in?" The voice was unmistakably female, with the confidence of someone far older an experienced than the owner of the voice should have been.

Y/n walked over, opening the door a crack to find Violet Sorrengail waiting, her hair in a messy braid hanging over one shoulder.

Y/n blinked, then opened the door wider, letting her in.

"Sorrengail, what brings you here?"

Violet took a deep breath, letting the door fall shut behind her before speaking.

"Did you ask to be married to Xaden?"

Y/n blinked, taken aback. "Xaden? Why would I want to be married to him?"

Violet sighed, frustration evident in the dark circles under her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. Now that Y/n looked closely, she looked like she had not showered or had a meal in years.

"I- you were staring at him that day like- like you wanted him, and then right after the king announced your marriage and..." Violet took a deep breath, looking like she would have a panic attack any moment. And despite the fact that this girl was involved with Y/n's soon to be husband, that they had something going on, maybe even feelings involved, all Y/n felt was pity for her.

Y/n sympathised with the girl, but there was nothing Y/n could do to comfort her than give false words of hope.

"Look, Sorrengail, there is nothing I can do. I am sorry, I truly am, but I can't put a stop to this wedding, if that is what you are here for."

"But you didn't even try!"

Y/n crossed her arms, rubbing between her brows, realising Violet had been trying to hold in her emotions all along and she was not here for a friendly chat over tea.

"I know the consequences I would have had to bear for objecting, and the wedding would still have happened because no one goes against the king's words."

"You are his daughter! He would have-"

"And you are a grown woman, who, I hope, understands what consequences are. So I am not going to sit here and explain to you what would have happened if I'd done what I wanted to two hours before the betrothal takes place." Y/n glanced at the clock to make sure she had the right timing before turning towards the door, reaching out to clutch the handle.

"You didn't even try." All anger had dissipated from the rider's voice, and the tears in her eyes made her look like she was ready to fall to her knees and beg for Xaden to be freed.

Y/n clenched her eyes shut, knowing if she watched Violet cry, she would do end up doing something very stupid, and that something was definitely going to get her killed.

"I am sorry Violet, but there is nothing I can do other than to tell you to return, go to someplace that brings you peace, and stay away from the palace for atleast two days."

The fire of rage again lit up in Violet's eyes, and she stomped forward just as Y/n opened the door for her to leave.

"Fuck you." Violet cursed, and Y/n did not bat an eye at the words as she clicked the door shut behind her.

With a sigh, Y/n returned to her desk.

Not long after, someone again knocked on the doors, though this time it was the servants arriving to get Y/n dressed up all pretty for the ceremony.

Y/n let go of her textbook and let the attendants fuss over her, the mannerisms of a princess that had been drilled into her since she was born keeping her from complaining everytime they pulled her hair too harshly.

Kept her quiet even when the corset was too tight.

Kept her quiet even when all she wanted to do was cry and ask what the purpose of all this was.

•○🌑○•

Violet's pov.

The crowd was silent, watching the bride walk down the aisle who only had eyes for the groom. Some of the held appreciation for what the girl had managed to achieve, some held scorn in their hearts for her getting married to the son of a coward and betraying the kingdom.

Her eyes remained unwavering, her long hair running down her straight back, hands clutching at the small bouquet of flowers.

She was beautiful, Violet had to admit.

The groom too stared at the bride, his hands folded neatly behind his back, and though his expression remained neutral, his eyes spoke volumes about his happiness regarding this marriage.

At least the two of them knew nothing could come out of this marriage, and no one would be disappointed after the outcome turned out to be hatred.

The moment the bride took her position at the podium, the priest started speaking.

After long minutes of droning, the bald priest finally asked the question that the groom, bride and Violet all dreaded.

"Do you, Xaden Riorson, take Y/n Tauri, to be your wife?"

Violet's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the tense Lieutenant, who, if possible, tensed even more as he answered.

"I do."

"Do you, Xaden Riorson, swear to be loyal throughout this marriage to your wife?"

At that, Xaden jerked, his head turning a little towards where Violet was standing, but then he stopped himself and stared again at his to be wife.

"I do."

The princess blinked in confusion, and her eyes slowly swept the crowd as she searched for something.

Violet moved, trying to conceal herself behind the pillar she was standing next to.

Of course, the two girls met eyes before Violet could be successful.

Violet watched as exasperation and pity filled Y/n's eyes, and Violet lifted her chin in confidence she didn't feel.

"Do you, Y/n Tauri, take Xaden Riorson, to be your husband?"

Violet watched as the princess swallowed and spoke, no other sign of hesitation or anxiousness in sight. "I do."

"Do you, Y/n Tauri, swear to be loyal throughout this marriage to your husband?"

"I do."

The lack of hesitation almost made Violet feel bad, because the certainty that dripped from the princess's voice told Violet that even if Xaden continued to pursue Violet behind close doors, the princess would stay loyal to him.

Almost.

"I now pronounce you two married. You may kiss the bride."

Violet held Y/n's stare until Xaden was right in her face, and then she closed her eyes, and let him kiss her.

Violet turned away, walking out of the huge doors and making her way to the flight field near the palace.

She knew she should have heeded the princess's advice, but she couldn't stop herself from seeing him get married by her own eyes.

Even if the bride was not who Violet wished.

•○🌑○•

@artists-ally @riddlesb1tch

Xaden Taglist: @sidrapotter @anniiittttaa @pirana10 @harrystylesfan2686

[kaziwi]

hiiiii can you write like a college au where you’re like struggling in a class and ace or zoro offers to tutor you but in reality they don’t know what they are doing and only did it to get close to you

thankssssss <33333333333333333

Hii!! This request was SO CUTE!! I did write a lot though so sorry about that!!

I hope you enjoy!

Fake Tutoring You

Character(s): Zoro, Ace

WC: 1,183

Zoro

You groaned as you looked down at your latest biology test. In big red marker pen the letter F was written on the corner of your paper. You were failing biology.....like really REALLY failing. You were screwed if you didn't pass this semester, but you just didn't understand anything. You had no idea what to do, until the guy next to you spoke up.

He said his name was Zoro. You had sat next to him all year long, but didn't really talk much. He was always really quiet and you didn't want to bother him. He said that he noticed your grades hadn't been the best lately, which had you flustered while you covered the F on your paper.

He reassured you that it was fine, and offered to tutor you. This was perfect!!! You thanked him so many times and gave him your number and said that you guys could figure out a time and date later. You left class happier than you arrived, excited for your first tutoring session.

Zoro was screwed. He didn't tell you this, but he also happened to be failing biology. Well...not failing....but it wasn't much better than your grades. Every day he thanked Chopper for tutoring him before tests because without him he would be in the same position as you right now. He had a crush on you, but had no clue on how to ask for your number. When Nami suggested this method, he had thought it would be flawless. Now he realized that he actually had to tutor you. Stupid witch. She probably did this just to embarrass him.

As soon as you were out of sight Zoro pulled out his phone and rushed to call Chopper.

"Hey Chopper, you think we can have another tutoring session tonight??"

"Didn't you just have a test a few days ago??? You have another??"

"Um....well....basically..." Zoro explained his current situation to Chopper, and tried to ignore the snickering from Usopp and Luffy in the background.

"Sorry Zoro, I can't tonight, but if you want I can email you a few online text books you can read through to prepare!!"

"Yeah...thanks Chopper" Zoro hung up and held his head down low. He knew he was screwed, but maybe, just maybe he could help you a little. He got a text from you later that day asking if 2pm tomorrow was okay. Zoro said sure, eager to see you, but this meant he had little time to prepare. He opened all the links Chopper sent him, pulled out his bio notes, and drank more coffee than he ever had before. He was going to be a biology MASTER by 2 pm tomorrow.

It was now 2pm and Zoro was RUNNING to the library to meet you. Maybe staying up till 5 am preparing wasn't the best idea....

You were waiting at a table, constantly checking your phone. It was 2:15 and he still wasn't here. You planned to wait another 5 minutes before leaving, till you saw a sweaty Zoro run up to your table.

"Sorry I'm late, I overslept," He panted out. Honestly he looked like shit, his clothes all sweaty and his hair was a mess, but it was a little cute...

"It's 2 pm....do you usually sleep this late??"

"Haha..sometimes..."

Zoro sat down and pulled out some notes and a textbook. This was his big moment, the moment he's been preparing for. You would be wowed by his biology skills and then ask him out...haha....

About 10 minutes into tutoring, you turned to him and asked, "You don't know what you're doing...do you.." It was pretty obvious, every question you asked he stuttered or had no clue how to answer. You felt bad and thought that maybe he was just nervous, but after awhile even you could tell he didn't know anything.

Zoro realized it was pointless denying it, so he confessed. He was worried you would be upset at him, but after he explained everything you just laughed.

"If you wanted my number all you had to do was ask," you said between laughs. Zoro was flustered at first, but soon joined you in laughing about the situation. You promised him to not consider this your first date and he promised to introduce you to his really smart friend Chopper that could tutor you.

Ace

The letter F covered your computer screen. At this point you didn't even want to check your grades anymore after seeing your recent scores. You were failing Calculus, like really bad. You had no clue how you were gonna get your grades up. While wallowing in your own self pity, someone tapped your shoulder.

You turned around to see Ace, the guy who sat behind you. He had a cheeky grin on his face while commenting that he couldn't help but see your test scores, and offered a solution.

You had never expected him to be good at Calculus, as he was always goofing off, but after he kept insisting he could help, you caved and set up a time and date to meet.

Ace did a silent cheer as he left class. You and him were going on a date. Well...technically it was an unofficial date where he would "tutor" you, but that didn't matter. He was so excited that he forgot that he was ALSO failing Calc!! Yay!!

He immediately called Sabo and told him about his accomplishment.

"Are you really that stupid Ace," Sabo said in a stern voice over the phone.

"WHAT it was a good idea!!"

"Ok...but what about tomorrow when they expects you to tutor them and you can't...don't you think they'll get mad."

Shoot. Ace didn't think about that one.

"SABO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP MEEEE," Ace cried into the phone. Sabo reluctantly agreed and they stayed up until 2 am prepping Ace to tutor you.

Now a VERY tired Ace walked to a near by café, hyping himself up for his "date." He walked in and looked around till he spotted you sitting at a table in the corner of the café. God you looked beautiful.

Ace walked up and greeted you, pulling out the notes him and Sabo made last night. He was ready, HE COULD DO THIS, and then maybe...maybe after you could go on a real date.....

Lets just say things did not go according to Ace's plan. You slowly realized that he was talking nonsense and had no clue what he was doing. Even after prepping with Sabo all night Ace still couldn't answer your questions.

"Look, I just did this so we could spend time together. I wanted to ask you out, but I wasn't sure how to. Then when I saw your grades...I had this spur of the moment idea and-"

"Ace it's fine," you cut him off, "Really its ok, I get it, how about we forget the math and consider this our first date?"

Ace was more than happy to do that...and he promised he would introduce you to his much smarter brother, Sabo, to help you get your grades up.

[lovinbarzal]

PERFECT PT. 2 | J. HUGHES

jack hughes x fem! zegras sister! reader

summary: trevor finds out.

warnings: heated making out, angry twin brother z

a/n enjoy <3 ( the gif represents jack at the end lol )

masterlist part one

——————————————————————————

1 year later

"I need you gone again." Trevor blurted. The two were sitting in the living room watching a movie.

"Lemme guess, Jack's coming?" Y/n turned to her brother with a knowing look.

"Yeah and this time Griffin isn't here to say that I can't kick you out." Trevor held a proud smile. Y/n pulled her phone out and tapped on it for a moment before bringing it to her ear.

"He's trying to kick me out again." She said with a smirk before putting the phone on speaker.

"Trev, you can't kick her out." Griffin said as Trevor's face fell.

"Fine." He grumbled before crossing his arms and sinking into his side of the couch.

"Love you, Griff." Y/n hung up and putting her phone away.

"But he is still off limits." Trevor said.

Y/n was actually talking excited to see Jack. They had been secretly texting and calling. Trevor knew she had known that she was talking to someone but what he didn't know was that it was his best friend.

"Y/n was supposed to be going with Griffin to Cancun for break but she ended up stay so I'm sorry for my weird-ass sister." Trevor said from the drivers seat.

"Dude, she isn't even that bad." Jack defended sounding a bit standoffish. Trevor sent him a look, "I mean, like she's your sister."

"Yeah and she's a bitch. She's been bitchyer since she started talking to some guy. She won't even tell me or Griff who he is." Trevor ranted about his sister's mysterious guy.

He looked out the window in attempt to hide his smile. He knew who the mystery guy was. It was him.

Y/n laughed loudly as Jack said something stupid.

"I'm telling you! She was not real!" The two were dying of laughter.

"Helen Keller was real, J. She literally has a book." Y/n explained. The two were on the couch cuddling. Trevor had went out to pick up their dinner so the two were alone.

"Exactly! How the hell did she write a book if she couldn't see of right!" He defended.

"You're an idiot." Y/n said with a laugh.

"But I'm your idiot." He said leaning down for a kiss. Things quickly got heated.

The two were so in the moment that they didn't hear the door unlock.

Trevor dropped the pizza that he had been holding and screamed. Y/n and Jacked jumped away from each other.

"No! No! No! No!" Trevor said from the doorway as his face turned red.

"I told you that my little sister was off limits!" Trevor yelled at Jack before turning to Y/n, "And we made a pact that friends were off limits!"

Trevor was furious. He basically had steam fuming from his ears.

"Trev." Y/n reached out but Trevor pulled away and turned back to Jack. He shoved Jack against the wall making Y/n yelp.

"You do anything with her?" Trevor yelled.

"No! Dude, I would never! That's your little sister man." Jack exclaimed with wide eyes. Y/n was his twin sister but Y/n was younger than him by 5 minutes making her his little sister.

"Exactly. My little sister." Trevor said with disappointment. He let Jack go before turning to Y/n. His face was filled with a mix of betrayal and disappointment.

"Trev." Y/n attempted again.

"No." Trevor shook his head before walking out the door.

"Shit." Jack breathed out as tears slipped from Y/n's eyes.

"Are you ok?" Y/n asked turning to Jack. He could hear the heartbreak in her voice.

"I'm fine. Are you ok?" She nodded unsurly.

"Come here." He opened up his arms for her. The two stood their just hugging as Y/n cried. She just betrayed the most important person in her life.

Yeah, she had Griffin and her parents but Trevor was her TWIN brother. The two always argued but they always made up. This time she didn't know. She didn't if they would be able to come back after this.

It was around 1 am when Trevor got back home and Y/n was awake. Jack had fallen asleep on the couch. She couldn't sleep not until she was sure that he was okay.

"Hey." She said softly walking up to Trevor.

"Hi." He replied. The both of them couldn't look each other in the eye.

"I'm sorry." The two said at the same time making them finally look up at each other.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn't have reacted that way. I went over bored. I should've just listened and heard you out." Trevor ranted but Y/n just pulled him into a hug.

"I should've told you." She said as he hugged back.

"It's ok. We're ok." Trevor said as they let go.

"Just if breaks your heart, it will hurt me to have punch him in the face since he is my best friend." Trevor smiled maming Y/n smile.

The next morning went by smoothly. Jack was confused. Everything seemed to be normal. Only thing was that Y/n had kissed him in the kitchen with Trevor sitting at the table.

"No PDA in front of me especially while I eat my breakfast." Trevor complained. Jack furrowed his brows.

"We still on for the rink later?" Trevor asked Jack with a smile.

"Yeah?" Jack answered but came out as more of a question.

"He knows. It's ok." Y/n said as Jack nodded slowly.

"You're not mad?" Jack questioned looking to Trevor.

Trevor shook his head, "But break her heart and I'll fucking kill you."

Trevor smiled as he said it. Y/n threw an empty water bottle at Trevor.

"Shut up, fartface." Y/n remarked which led to an argument between the twins.

Jack smiled as he watched the two argue.

Everything was good. Everything was perfect and so was she.

[lostonehero]

Mini mech fic or something

Marius isn't dumb he just can't read common

DTTM came and passed, and they were still around. None of them truly knew what to do now as their mechanisms became more ingrained into their bodies, Brian was suffering the most, not remembering that he was never human and trying to cope with vio metal and new forms. Although Ivy, Raphaella, Nastya, and Aurora were transfixed on a book Ivy found on their most recent stop for supplies.

"I have no record of this language in any of my databases." Aurora chirps. "How very exciting something new."

"Or old." Ivy hums. "I've never seen pages made from this material. It's a poisonous substance made inert by making it into a paper like substance."

"The medical diagrams are quite fascinating. I wonder what species this book pertains to. I want to experiment on them." Raphaella's tone was full of growing excitement something not heard since DTTM.

Nastya smirks. "We could use this to find a new adventure."

The four continue to chatter excitedly until a metal hand grabs the book.

The four shout at the same time. "Marius!"

Marius hums thumbing through the book.

Ivy scoffs. "Just what are you doing? You can't possibly read that."

Marius hums. "Hmmm? Oh, it's a heat guide for before and after. Haven't seen something like this in ages. I misplaced mine after Carmillia took me. This is an updated version.... huh, I didn't know that was possible." He continues to thumb through the pages.

"A heat guide?" Raphaella raised a brow. "What does a heat even mean?"

"Nothing you have to worry about." Marius hums softly.

Nastya pulls the book away from Marius. "Seriously, you can't possibly be able to read this. The language is not in Aurora's database or Ivy's archive."

Marius blinks. "That's because Ivy won't let me put my journals into her archive!" He pulls out a journal from one of his pockets and opens it. The written language is identical to the book. "I handwrite everything I can't actually read common. All my texts books I've bound myself."

Ivy pauses. This explains why Marius only picks up audio romance books and whatever other books he takes from her archives. Well, nearly all her books have audio to go with it. She records a lot in the lull of no new books.

"You can't understand written common?" Raphaella bites her lip. This explained too much.

"My planet exists in a mostly dead star system. There aren't other or different species to communicate with. My star system was nearly destroyed for resources and abandoned." Marius pulls out another book of star maps. "It's here. There's only two planets left with any sentient life. My species is the only sentient life left there." He looks annoyed as he snatched the book back from Nastya. "If any of you actually cared enough to ask, you would know what I am and what my species is like instead of the slurs Nastya uses. Now, if you would excuse me, I would like to read this book. There's new information here I was not aware of."

Nastya waits until Marius is out of earshot. "I knew they were derogatory. I didn't think they were actual slurs."

"Come to think of it, I don't actually know anything about Marius's species nor their name." Raphaella looked somewhat guilty. "I've done plenty of tests, but they never matched anything."

"I need to use his textbooks to create a translation." Ivy was already ready to rush out. "And write an apology note."

Nastya looks guilty as well. "I will help Ivy." She quickly follows behind Ivy.

.......

Ivy was at her limit. Even with Nastya and Aurora's help, she couldn't even translate one page. Whatever language Marius grew up on was so divorced from any other written tongue that she needed his help. She only heard it spoken by Marius when he was first brought here, but that was only once since she avoided him till he spoke common. Fuck no wonder why he sounds so fucking stupid he has to translate everything from his own language. It's time to bite the bullet she had to make this up to Marius.

Marius was crouched from what Ivy could see in his infirmary. "There, you really need to stop hurting yourself and let yourself rest more like this. So what if you can't pilot like this? We don't have any destination, and Aurora is perfectly fine finding her way."

"Marius?" Ivy blinks as Marius stands up, then Brian in his creature form gets up.

"Hello Ivy, do you need a check-up?" Marius smiles. "Just wait a moment. I was just finishing a little project for Brian. Jonny is going to finish the actual fabric part." He pulls out a very large metal outline of a dog bed. Brian proceeds to take it tail, wagging and drags it out. "Brian, it's not... whatever, I think he might need to scent it with his own scent. Anyway, that just leaves you, Ivy. What do you need?"

"Teach me your language." Ivy's fins puff out. "I have to know. I tried to translate it using one of your books. I just. Marius, please."

Marius raised a brow. "You want to learn?" He takes a breath. "I would be petty and say too late after everything, but I'm not that kind of person." He watches Ivy relax. "However, I can only teach you verbally and show you how to write things. I'm also not that great at common even after all this time, so things might not translate well."

"That's fine, just teach me. I want to know everything now. I'm sorry I dismissed you before. I want to know how your species survived. I want to know why there are only two habitable planets left in your star system. I want to know your speci-. " Ivy stops as Marius interrupts.

"Xeon. My species is called Xeon, and I come from the planet Xeonia." Marius takes a breath. "We'll start simple with the language. History and biology and everything else doesn't matter until you understand the language."

Ivy nods, writing the name down. "Understood, you will be my teacher."

Marius says something Ivy can't quite grasp.

"What was that?" Ivy tilted her head.

"My name." Marius smiles. "Well, the proper pronoucation of my name, at least."

"Oh!.... Oh," Ivy looked a little embarrassed. "So Baron isn't actually a title."

"Uh, I think the best translation is Byron? But Marius is still fine. That's my middle name." Marius rubs the back of his neck. "Well, let's get started."

Ivy nods.

.....

Marius did not expect to have Raphaella, Nastya, and even Aurora join. He pinched his brow. "Stop, please, that's not how you pronounce that." He proceeds to say it again and points to the words written on the board. "You're stressing the wrong letter."

Ivy was getting frustrated, obviously not used to being able to feel emotions again. "Marius, I physically cannot replicate the noise you are making!"

"Then stick to the written word, please." Marius sighs. "Nastya, you're technically right, but be careful your accent makes it almost sound like you're being insulting. Try shortening your vowl sound. Raphaella, you're actually doing really well. Aurora, sorry I can't upload anything."

"It's ok, Marius. I am enjoying learning with my partner." Aurora pops out a metal hand to ruffle Nastya's hair.

"This is quite new for me, so thank you." Nastya smiles. "I also had no idea what I was saying was slurs. I apologize for that Marius."

"I mean, you really didn't like me, so I mean, it's not fine, but I'll live." Marius rubs the back of his neck.

Raphealla pauses. "Why is this pronounced differently but spelled the same?"

"Oh, it's the same meaning, but one is more serious than the other. Common, you would say love, and it compasses all of that, but this means the difference between liking something, a family bond, and romance, and then post heat bond." Marius then gives an example of each. "Althought the last one you would never use."

Ivy frowns. "Why? What is the importance of a heat that would change these words so dramatically?"

Marius looked uncomfortable. "It's incredibly personal, and I really don't know how to explain it to species that don't experience it." He takes a breath and wipes the board clean. He creates a small diagram of four stick figures. "This will be brief, and I will not go into any detail, and up to recently, I only thought this could only be shared within my species."

"But -" Raphaella and Ivy try to argue, but Marius cuts them off.

"No. You get this brief explanation or nothing." Marius is met with silence, so he continues. "A heat can only be triggered by the body normally the hair will trigger it when asked, or when it has decided that this is the correct one for you and it is usually never wrong in it's assumptions. The process of heat can end in two ways a successful bond or bloody battle on pure instincts, and only one will survive, and the victor will kill and eat the loser. After undergoing a successful heat, a part of each partners being will be exchanged between the pair, and they will undergo transformation. The bond can be broken by force, but that is considered a war crime and will drive both parties to madness or worse. The second way is if the partner dies and you will be considered broken and undergo a second transformation physically. You will recover and even try another heat bond, but the damage will remain, and you can never go back to before. I, however, learned recently from the book Ivy found it can happen between a Xeon and a different species. However, it's exceedingly rare, and if it doesn't work, the Xeon will kill them even if they are compatible. That's all I will say on that. Again, none of this even applies to any of you."

Ivy and Raphaella look in pain not being able to ask questions as Marius returns to the language lesson.

........

"This is the starship, Aurora. You seem to be stranded. Could we help?" Brian smiles, having won against everyone, and they had to be good guys for the next few centuries.

A woman appears on the screen she had short nubs of horns, long amber hair, and sharp teeth with pointed ears. "Oh, uh... yes?" Her common was quite broken. "Vessel injuries can't move engineer sick."

Nastya smiles. "I can fix any ship."

The woman noticed Nastya and flinched. "No no no we can wait it is ok." Wings puff out behind her. "No bother."

Nastya scowls. "Look I'm offering -"

Marius quickly dropped in speaking rapid Xeon.

The woman seemed to relax and nodded along.

Marius nods. "Ok, it's just a simple maintenance and some general repairs. Nastya, you can come if I help. Their engineer is on maternity and can not be reached."

"How did you know she's one of your species? You have similar species markers, but she has horns and wings and other things. Also, why was she scared of Nastya." Ivy had her pen in hand, having following Marius to get history.

"Nastya's species have not been kind to them, and they are wary. She's been through successful heat, and the engineer, if you listened closely, is her mate. They are expecting a third child together, and this time, their mate ended up carrying the child to term." Marius turns back to the screen and gives a thumbs up. "We can board from the left side of their ship."

Ivy writes something down.

Nastya nods. "Oh, ok. I uh you both were talking way too fast."

Marius chuckles. "No faster than you guys."

.......

"So Adelaide, what are you doing out here?" Marius smiles as she leads them to the small engine room of their modest ship.

"Oh, it is much safer for use to have children off the main hub. We have family looking after our young ones, but you know how it gets." Adelaide smiles. "If it was me like the last time, we wouldn't have to leave, but my nest still smell of our youngest and me. We weren't expecting him to carry, but surprises are welcome. Do you have a special someone you want to pop the question to?"

Marius blushes a deep purple. "Ah, I don't know he isn't... it's complicated." He leans back as Nastya begins her work. "You've got an old system."

"I call it reliable. We come from the descendants of the first to leave. Our main hub is the size of a small planet. Where do you hail? We've only ever come across a few sister ships through the ages. Of course, I wasn't even conceived yet." Adelaide laughs. "You travel with many species."

"I do." Marius smiles softly. "I'm glad to hear there's a place for us. I'm from Xeonia if you believe that. There isn't a way to convince my crew to go back or even follow you guys. It's not awful, I just get homesick."

"Xeonia?! I didn't think that was possible this far out." Adelaide wings puff out with a few feathers. "That's amazing. You must try to get to the hub, it's lovely they just got a new forest." She pauses. "She speaks quite broken, is she learning?"

Marius nods. "Ah yeah, I've been teaching a few of my crewmates. It's difficult. I don't have any books I can use, and my common is much better spoken."

"Nonsense, I have my children's books here you can have them. You've got one of those colonizers to learn our tongue. I can get more." Adelaide switches to common. "Get books be back." She rushed off.

Marius smiles, watching Nastya walk back into view. "Did you finish?"

"No, but I'm nearly done. I got bits and pieces. However, what did she mean by hub?" Nastya raised a brow.

"I wasn't the lucky ones who got to flee when the war began, but there were ships, massive ships that woukd rival continents that left, filled with as much as the population it could carry." Marius sighs. "I don't actually mean war, but I don't know how to translate this uh invasion, scarcity?" He looks a bit frustrated. "It doesn't matter now it's so long ago I don't even know if Xeonia is still standing or Thanos. There's these ships, and most of my kind is spread among the stars, but they made a new planet."

"Hmmm, I'll get Aurora to head over there. I'm sure Ivy and Raphaella will be ecstatic at the chance to see more of your kind." Nastya smiles. "I would be as well."

Adelaide returns with a massive stack of thick books. "Take take! These are all of them. Please take them as payment."

Nastya returns to her work as Marius takes the books.

"Thank you." Marius smiles. "Thank you so much."

.......

"Why does it smell like this?" Nastya choked back a gag as they arrived back on Aurora.

"I don't ask you why your homemade food smells like it does." Marius puts the stack of books down. "Just give it here. I'll keep it in my room. It's not like any of you guys can eat it."

"What makes you so confident?" Nastya raised a brow as Ivy rushed the pile of books.

"These are all language books?" Ivy's pupils stretch as she grabs them and rush to her archive.

"Oh, what smells like death?" Raphaella flies at Marius, who pulls the food away.

"My meals for the week fuck off." Marius huffs.

Raphaella grins. "How about I test it? You can eat the rest."

Nastya steps between them. "Relax, there's a hub a man made planet of the Xeon species nearby."

"Why didn't you say that sooner?" Raphaella gasps. "A bigger sample size! Actual results!"

Marius sighs as Aurora chirps as Nastya puts the coordinates in. He shakes his head, slipping out so he can enjoy his food in peace. He can't recall the last time he had a homecooked meal from his home, well, something close enough."

.........

Jonny hopped on the bed next to Marius. "You ran out of there fast. Got spooked by seeing another one of your kind?"

Marius shakes his head. "No, I just." He sighs. "I haven't been able to have a proper conversation in my tongue since I was taken aboard. She was so casual and kind. None of use ever wanted to leave in the beginning, but that is always how it goes. My mech wasn't built for combat. I..." He rubs the growing tears on his face. "It was a long time ago. I suppose the truth will stay with me." He gently touches his metallic arm. "I would have just been another casualtie."

"So what is that?" Jonny interrupts pointing at the plate of food.

"Ah, I've forgotten the name, but something I've always wanted to try, but we never did have enough food. The trick is you have to keep the meat cold so it doesn't turn to sludge." Marius smiles. "You can't have it..." He cuts a small piece and eats it. His tears burned a hole in his shirt. He takes a breath. "Nastya may take Aurora to the hub."

"The hub? The ship wasn't alone?" Jonny raised a brow as Marius continued to eat.

"No, not at all it was a simple maternity ship. She called it a makeshift planet, and they even built a forest." Marius hums. "It's an accumulation of the original ships. Well, not all of them, but they made a new planet." He smiles. "I would love to visit."

"We will visit, and we have to behave thanks to Brian." Jonny chuckles. "Sounds like a treat. You dealt with my shithole of a planet."

"New Texas isn't that bad." Marius finished his plate.

"Well, yeah, now it ain't, when I was mortal it was." Jonny snickers. "Seriously, are you ok?"

"Just talking to her brought up some old thoughts and feelings. I'm just glad Lyf isn't here. I don't want to pressure him. There isn't a way back once it happens." Marius rubs his arm. "I rather not force him to do anything. He doesn't even like me like that." He traces the scar on his mechanism. "He made sure to show that, but I can't excatly stop my feelings or thoughts."

Jonny didn't know exactly what happened between the two, but it was right before DTTM, and Marius was inconsolable. He welcomed his death with open arms. "Well, the space cop can suck it. He won't be out here."

Marius smiles. "Thanks Jonny."

"Yeah, yeah." Jonny smiles. "Have I told you the story about the time my mom too Jack's eye?"

"Hmmm, I don't think I can recall." Marius laughs when Jonny punches him in the arm.

"Just lie and let me tell it." Jonny chuckles.

.....

Maybe he missed the fanfare the Mechs had. He's been avoiding them for an eon at this point, so he didn't think the alarms would be blazing when he boarded Aurora. Lyf covered his ears. He made sure to visit at the night cycle so Aurora wouldn't be blaring.

Jonny, tired and annoyed, trudged into the hanger and was the first to see Lyf. "The fuck do you want?"

Lyf blinked as the alarms finally stopped seeing more of them come out, everyone but the one he wanted to see. "Look, Aurora still let me on before anyone shoots."

"The fuck do you want?" Jonny repeats as guns cocking are heard.

"I wanted to apologize." Lyf raised his hands as the guns are raised. "Fuck I wanted to see Marius. Ok, I just wanted to see Marius and apologize. I fucked up. I ruined it. It took me so long because I'm an idiot."

"You said it, not me." Jonny motions to everyone to put their guns down. "Wait.... where is Marius?"

Aurora chirps. "It appears he is still asleep. He claims he has been feeling off. He thinks it was from the gift of food, but he has looked healthier since eating it, and he finished it within two days. His body is most likely trying to process proper food for his species that he hasn't had since he arrived. I've been reading many of his scanned books from his own library since I now have a translation key."

"He never sleeps through your alarms." Nastya frowns.

"I'll check on him in the morning." Raphaella yawns.

Tim has already fallen back asleep standing up. The only tell is that his gun fell to his side.

Ashes groans. "Fucking next time do it when we aren't all out cold."

TS beams. "I Shall Show You Back To Your Quarters!"

Lyf tried to argue as TS dragged them deeper into Aurora.

Jonny sighs. "I'll get Tim.... or fuck it." He joins Brian who has curled up next around Tim and falls on top of Brian to sleep in his fur.

.......

Lyf's throat went dry as he watched Marius enter the mess hall. He has long hair down to his middle of his back, and it looks alive as it curls. His eyes were still that beautiful amber, but he could see a ring of purple glow around the amber. He must have been wearing some cologne or perfume because he smelled really nice. The love struck gaze turned to an icy cold lump in his stomach when he saw the ugly permanent scar on his metal arm from him. He didn't even notice Marius eating something rotten and covered in mold.

Ashes cleared their throat. "Did you hear the alarms last night?"

"Mmmh?" Marius blinks, swallowing his bite. "Were there alarms?"

Ashes points to Lyf. "The damn space cop decided to hop on board, have no clue on why Aurora allowed it."

Marius blinks, seemingly finally noticing Lyf. "Oh, uh, hello, Lyfrassir."

"No Inspector Lyf?" Lyf raised a brow.

Marius shrugs. "You aren't an inspector anymore. You don't like it when I call you that."

Lyf bites his lip. "R-right. Marius I wanted to apologize."

"Stop." Marius stares at Lyf with an unreadable expression. "Just stop. You made it quite clear. I don't need you to apologize because you think you hurt my feelings. You're allowed your own feelings, and I can't change them." He mumbles something Lyf couldn't understand as he pulled his long hair back. "It's fine. You don't owe me anything." He finished his food and sighed. "Let me know when we land."

Aurora chirps and gives a thumbs up.

Lyf watches Marius leave. "I fucked up. I fucked up so bad." He groans as he covers his face.

"What did you even say to him the first time?" Ashes raised a brow. "He's always happy to see you."

"Everything awful I could think of at the time." Lyf sighs. "Wait, land? Where are you guys heading?"

"There's a hub we are approaching in about two hours." Nastya walks in. "It's a planet made up of massive ships. I'm interested in the technology."

"We have to behave so no killing or robbing, but I will be gambling because that's not illegal." Ashes huffs.

Lyf nods. "I think I'm just going to go back to my room." He slips out of the mess hall and hugs his chest. He just needed to try again. He can pair off with Marius when they land, and he'll use that.

......

Marius smiles nervously as he exited first in Aurora. He was asked to keep the others behind while he introduced them. He just wished he didn't look like such a mess. He swallows and speaks in his native tongue. "I am Byron Marius Von Raum. This is the starship Aurora. My crew is called the Mechanisms, and we are looking to dock and stay for a short time."

"Of course you and your crew are welcome." The man smiles. "I am Aiden, and welcome to the collective. I know it's a cliché name, but it's what the original agreed on. However, they will need respirators if they wish to explore below the surface." Aiden frowns, pulling Marius aside after giving a all clear and to speak common. "Why are you out in such a condition? I understand that, as you explained, you're the only Xeon on your crew, but you should be isolated."

"Isolated?" Marius swallows. "I'm fine, I'm just a bit off it's fine."

Aiden didn't look convinced as he gently rolled a bracelet around Marius's wrist with a plus. "This will alert them if anything happens. You should be careful and have no stressful activities. You should really check out our heat center. It's not healthy to be teetering like this."

Marius groans, covering his face. He had a heat syndrome. It was taught to him before puberty. It's a dangerous state you could find yourself in if you never triggered your heat or if you purposely stopped having it regularly. It's been fucking eons and he assumed the damn mechanism stopped it. It's been a few million years. "I... I think..."

Lyf interrupted, adjusting the respirator on his face. He grabs Marius's hand. "Come on, everyone else paired up and headed off. I want to see a manmade forest. It's not even green. Can you believe that?"

Marius swallows following along, thankful for the bracelete. He watched Aiden say something into a device as he listened to Lyf ramble.

.......

"This is not a forest." Lyf tilted his head, staring at the grotesque flesh like trunks with silver metallic leaves. They were everywhere.

Marius realized Lyf never let go of his hand. He pulled away and swallowed the rising nausea. Now that he knew why he felt wrong, it made sense, but he really would rather just go to the heat center, but he couldn't just explain that to Lyf. "Lyfrassir, these were native to my planet. If it was a night cycle, you would be able to see them glow."

"Glow?" Lyf tried to reach out again, but Marius stepped away. He smelled really nice, too. Why could he smell that through the respirator? "They're from your native planet?"

"Yeah, these ships came from there. It's the first time I've been around my species like this since I was taken on Aurora." Marius could feel a wetness drip from his hair. He had to be careful and figure out a way to get distance between them. He stiffens, hearing a deep inhale close to him. When did Lyf get this close?

Lyf hums content. "I have to ask what is this cologne, perfume, or whatever it is. It smells quite nice."

Marius could feel a creeping blush as the back of his shirt got more wet. "You can smell that? You like it?"

"Of course I can, and yeah, I like it. Why wouldn't I like it?" Lyf had a mild look of concern as he watched Marius look embarrassed and concerned himself.

"You shouldn't like it! You shouldn't even be able to smell it! Fuck!" Marius pushed Lyf away. He could feel his hair get restless. "N-no... get away! Just fucking go!" He painfully grabbed his hair and pulled. He used his metal hand and could feel his own hair betray him even in pain they drilled into his hand. The venom was like fire.

Lyf takes a breath. "Marius for fucks sake!" He completely misreading the situation and rushed forward removing the respirator. He hissed in pain, feeling Marius's hair dig into his neck as he locked their lips together. He felt teeth dig into his own lip. When were Marius's teeth so sharp? They never looked sharp.

Marius groans, his knees nearly buckled. His hair dug into his neck as soon as he lost his grip from shock. Everything was on fire as the pair hit the floor, something ice cold went into his wrist as his vision went black.

.......

Lyf's ears were ringing, and all he felt was empty. He finally came back to his scenes and looked around. His body felt like it was full of static. He sat up, gripping his head. "What?"

"Aha, good, you're awake!" An accent not made for common drew Lyf's attention. "Good news, he didn't kill you, and even better news we got there just in time to separate you two from anything permanent from happening. I understand you are probably very confused, but we managed to pump your system so you didn't die from the venom. You seem to be a mix of miguardian and juton, so we managed to get some of our reserves to give you fresh fluids and blood."

Lyf furrowed his brows. "How did.... no what happened?" He could see dried rainbow static on his arm by the iv and bandages.

The man takes a breath. "Your crew mate was in what we call a heat syndrome. It comes from never experiencing your heat or activtively suppressing it for long periods. You unfortunately got caught in the middle of it. It went past the tipping point, and the little safety bracelet we gave him managed to stop it long enough that we could get you to a hospital. The area your crewmate is in has been blocked off until his heat has run its course, and then we will give him a separate examination and just let him go with a clear bill of health."

"I don't know what that means." Lyf rubs his temples. This doctor didn't even seem scared of the rainbow static blood he had. He doesn't know what heat means. "I have to get back to him."

"No, no, no. That would be a disaster. He is incredibly dangerous and not of sound mind till his heat passes. I understand he is your friend, but it would be like signing your death warrant." The doctor takes a breath and taps his chart.

"But it's a rule we pair up." Lyf bites his lip. He didn't want to make a scene or kill anyone, but he had an urge to see Marius again. It was as if a sudden heat flared to life in his gut, and he crossed his legs. "We do it to keep each other safe."

The doctor pauses. "Is it too hot? You seem to be flushed." He seemingly was testing something, but Lyf had no patience to deal with anything vague.

Lyf growls. "No!... I..." He takes a breath, holding his head, hoping the pressure would clear his head that suddenly felt wrong. He knows he fucked up forcing himself on Marius. His heat was probably a defense mechanism he triggered like a fucking idiot. The heat in his guts seemed to travel lower, and he crossed his legs harder. "I just have... I have to... fuck..." He wanted Marius. He wanted to show him how sorry he was. He wanted... fuck he didn't know what he wanted it was getting too hot and all he knew is that Marius could fix this. Marius is a doctor. He needed Marius.

The doctor turns and rushes to the door, shouting something Lyf doesn't understand at all.

.......

Jonny frowns at more unanswered calls. He taps his foot, annoyed. He tries once more with the others staring at him, they were ushered back on Aurora to sleep just to avoid health risks, and they had to play long. Finally, someone picked up, but they were speaking Xeon. He grits his teeth and hates to speak Marius's tongue because his New Texas accent comes out full force. Fuck it. "This is Jonny D'ville of the Aurora, and whoever is on this line better tell me why my crewmate isn't answering."

Ivy stared slack jaw at Jonny. "You're fucking fluent?"

"What the fuck?" Nastya pinched her brow. "You liar."

Jonny gives the others the finger to stop the chatter. "Oh... ok... are you sure? I see. I had a feeling, but it's his own private business... I understand.... ok.... yeah, I'm aware of that chance.... i.... ok.... I'll tell tell them to stay away.... I will give him my congratulations when they are finished.... yeah, there's a reason for that.... oh, you already know.... yes, he is... no, I don't believe that would affect that.... right, thank you." He clicks off his device and takes a breath.

"So?" Raphaella raised a brow.

"Personal, incredibly personal. Marius won't even talk about this shit to me. Aurora, make sure Lyf's room merges with Marius's. Fuck." Jonny rubs his face. "That wasn't a fucking suggestion, Aurora."

Nastya furrows her brows. "Jonny what the fuck is this about?"

"Heat, Nastya. Marius went into heat." Jonny runs his hands through his hair. "Stepping anywhere close will get you shot Raphaella if Marius doesn't kill you first. Do you have any idea how incredibly important this is to Marius's species? It's the one fucking thing Marius has kept tight lipped about. I know you fucking took the books out Ivy." He takes a deep breath. "Aurora have you even started?"

"Yes, Captain!" Aurora chirps back. "I have been connected to their main hub of information. Are you sure it is Lyf?"

Nastya knew nobody called Jonny, Captain, unless it was serious. "Aurora, what do you mean?"

"I did my own exploring. If what Jonny says is true, the rooms must be combined. I shall answer any and all questions in regards to this Raphaella and Ivy. You will not bother Marius, or I will cut off your air supply until you behave." Aurora chirps.

"I need a fucking smoke." Jonny huffed.

Tim rushed after Jonny. He knew about Marius. He wasn't as close to him as Jonny was, but they were still close enough. Marius told him things about his own kind.

"What is a heat?" Ashes raised their brow. "Does he spontaneously combust?"

"No, however, it is an inherited biological process. In a sense, Marius's sentient mind has been shut off. He is running on the hormones and instincts that pilot his body at the moment. He will not remember anything that is occurring during this period, and hopefully, Lyf will not as well. You can consider it sexual, sex is involved, but it's more of a way to kickstart the whole biology aspect to take place. Down to the chromosome, an exchange will take place a piece of Marius, and a piece of Lyf will swap places in as gruesome of a way as you can imagine. This is more worrying because Lyf is infected with Yog Sogoth, so there is no telling what will happen. You can not stop the process once it starts it will permanently disfigure both of them if attempted. Once the process has ended, both men will begin to change physically, biologically, and instinctually as well. Although this is a rarity between Xeon and a different species, it is not unheard of. Now, any changes to either man can't be stopped. Any attempts will not be tolerated, and I will kill you if you even try Raphaella and throw you out of the airlock."

Raphealla steps back from the weapon Aurora produced. "Understood."

"Any pressure on Marius from any of you will result in a complete isolation from myself and the rest of the crew until I decided you have learned your lesson." Aurora chirps cheerfully. "This process is terrifying, but is considered a badge of honor for Xeons and is highly respected, and honestly, the more I learn about his species, I am terrified of them. The entire reproduction process is dangerous for everyone but the expecting parent. It explains why the couple were on maternity leave on a small spaceship away from this planet. I would like quiet until I say otherwise. Don't even get me started on how they fight wars and invaders. Marius's blood alone is able to eat through my fucking hull."

Nastya has never heard Aurora sound so scared before.

Ivy in a quiet voice. "I will be in my archives reading the uploaded files." She scurries off.

Brian runs off to Jonny's room, where he knows Jonny and Tim will be.

TS grabs Raphaella to put her in her room.

Ashes lights up a cigar their hands shaking slightly.

.......

Marius opened his eyes with a groan. The last thing he could recall was that kiss and then the cold. His body hurt inside and out. He was still in the forest, which was good, he thought, but wasn't entirely certain. There was something... no someone on his chest. He looked down to see light brown hair with rainbow static like highlights. His heart sank. They didn't get Lyf away. They couldn't... he... he.

Lyf huffs and embraces Marius's tighter, flooding Marius with hormones that relax him. He hums softly with a blissed out expression on his features.

Marius took a breath he thought of his sister in this moment and her heat bond. He couldn't remember her name but it was a joyous occasion. They had nothing, but they still celebrated. He couldn't imagine that now. He forced this on Lyf. He couldn't fucking stop himself. He was a monster.

Lyf groans and furrows his brows waking up. He was on someone he could hear an odd rhythm of what he can assume is a heartbeat. He wasn't actually certain it didn't sound normal or healthy. The heat was finally gone. He didn't feel like he was being cooked from the inside out. He spots the glint of a familair metal arm and sighs in relief. He knew it, he knee he just needed Marius and it would fix it. Whatever it was, it was done. He pulled himself to sit up straddling mari- Byron.... ma- Byron... he furrowed his brows staring down at Mar- Byron, whose eyes were lit up purple.

Marius stared up at Lyf, whose expression went from content to confusion. "Lyfrassir?"

Lyf frowns, knitting his brows. "Why can't I think of your name as M- Byron." He bit his lip. He took a breath. "Doctor ba- Byron Marius Von Raum. There it... fuck." He sighs. "Why can't I call you by your name?"

"That is my name." Marius swallows, trying to get used to Lyf's voice with his tongue on his lips.

Lyf stared at Marius wide-eyed. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"Byron is my name. Marius is my middle name." Marius frowns. "I'm sorry."

"Stop." Lyf takes a breath. That was old Norse. Ma- Byron doesn't know old Norse. He grabbed Byron's face. "Say something else."

"I'm sorry?" Marius raised a brow. Lyf's hands were soft. "Lyfrassir, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about everything, all of this, us."

"I think my brain melted when my insides were on fire in the hospital." Lyf rubbed his temples. "I know for a fact you don't know old Norse."

It was Marius's turn to look confused sitting up now. Lyf was in his lap. "No. No Lyfrassir that isn't right there wasn't a hospital we're still in the forest."

Lyf held onto Byron. "No? Your weird bracelet started to make a loud siren noise. And your hair was alive. I think it bit me too. I woke up in the hospital, and a doctor was talking about how they saved me and how your heat had to run its course. Then something in my stomach started to get hot as he kept arguing with me that it wasn't safe for me to find you, and Yog Sogoth won't let me die but I didn't tell him that, but it just kept getting hotter and hotter and it felt like my body was set on fire on the inside. Then the doctor got a pale expression and ran by the door and shouted something I didn't know I couldn't understand. All I knew was that you would be able to fix it."

"You made it to the hospital." Marius repeats.

"Yes, as I said, I made it to the hospital by force, and they even said they pumped my system. I really don't think so because they would have had questions about the rainbow static that is my blood. They didn't even question it." Lyf sighs. "What's with that look?"

Marius swallows. "You reciprocated on your own. You..." He smiles as relief floods his system. "Your body mimicked mine even after everything I did was removed. You..." He laughs like the weight of the world was gone. He pulls Lyf into a tight hug. "I didn't... I didn't force anything."

"Force what?" Lyf was getting over what he was hearing as more senses returned to him. "Why am I sticky? Why do I hurt everywhere? Ma- Byron where the fuck are our clothes?" Wait! Fuck! Byron, your arm!" He stared at Byron's metal arm it seemed to have spread upward just above his elbow with metal veins like a virus.

Marius furrowed his brows as he followed Lyf's gaze. He swallows, tracing his hand over the new metal. "I don't know. I... Lyf, my memory is from when you kissed me until we woke up together is just gone." He wasn't concerned by that in the slightest. It was expected, and to remember, your heat is considered a curse. He did feel slightly queasy, and he knew the changes were about to start. "Just..." He lays back down, taking Lyf with him in a bear hug. "Breathe with me."

"Byron, what... oh, that doesn't feel right." Lyf was getting a bit uncomfortable. It wasn't a heat this time but something clicking into place, and his whole body felt some sort of shockwave. He dies his best to match Byron's breathing before his eyelids grow heavy and he is gone.

........

Jonny crossed his arms as Tim stood behind him. "Byron Marius Von Raum. I know he's in the recovery wing with his mate Lyfrassir Edda."

Tim really liked Jonny's accent when he spoke Xeon. He, however, had no idea what the shorter man was saying. Brian was with them in his creature form because he could pass for a therapy animal, and Marius and Lyf were only allowed two visitors at a time.

The receptionist smiles. "You must be Jonny D'ville and Timothy Stoker. I must say your Xeon is perfect. I'm impressed it's not an easy language to learn." She taps away at the computer and smiles. "The security guards will guide you, Lyfrassir seems to be awake, and reading his help books we provided, Byron is fixing up his temporary nest at the moment trying to get comfortable. Did you start the required changes to their barracks in order for them to return to your ship?"

"Yes, the rooms have been combined, but no other changes since it's both of their stuff. The beds were removed and replaced with building material for their own permanent nest." Jonny pulls out a few photos. "Is this enough? We've been working together, but we won't know until Byron sees it."

"Oh, this is more than satisfactory. You must be quite close with your crew, captain." the receptionist hands over three visitor badges.

"I'm not...." Jonny shakes his head. "Thank you, Byron is like my brother, that's all."

A large security guard in dense armor approaches. "Follow me, and do not deviate. Not everyone recovering is sound of mind yet."

Jonny nods and motions for Tim and Brian to follow.

......

Marius sighs, throwing pillows and blankets aside. This was all wrong it didn't smell right or feel right. He rubbed his temples, hospital remember you're in recovery this isn't home this isn't.... he rubbed his face and took a breath, looking back at Lyf, who was curled up against a few pillows, reading intensely. Mate was safe. Lyf was fine. A new noise made him turn and growl at the door opening.

"Relax, relax..." A security personal bows to show no desire to fight. "Byron, two of your crewmates and a therapy creature have requested to join you in here with your mate."

Marius looked over to Lyf, who nodded and shut his book. "I... yes, of course." His voice was hoarse, and he tried to get his body to relax. He relaxes more, spotting Jonny and Tim with Brian.

The security officer smiles, shutting the door behind the three.

Jonny carefully made his way over to Marius. "Hey, how are you holding up?"

"I'm sore uncomfortable, and my head is swimming in an ocean of hormones." Marius motions for Jonny to sit next to him.

Lyf raised a brow. "What is that? Did you kidnap some sort of creature?"

Tim snorts. "Ah, I knew we forgot something. Nah, that's Brian."

"Isn't he supposed to be metal? Bipedal?" Lyf blinks watching the creature vanish in black smoke revealing Brian.

"It's complicated." Brian rubs the back of his neck.

Marius growls. "Back away."

Brian holds his hands up and steps back from Lyf. "Sorry, sorry."

"No... I." Marius groans, rubbing his temples. "Just... please just keep a distance from Lyfrassir."

Jonny shakes his head. "Stop that. You can't excatly fight the fucked up instincts till you're more stable. How's your arm?"

"It's sore, but it's not painful, just new." Marius hums. "So how did you get Raphaella from coming?"

"Aurora trapped her in her lab." Tim hims. "I may have also shot her. Ivy's been in her archive with Nastya, going over everything they can about your species. Ashes is collecting what they can go around this place. Aurora is keeping TS from cleaning your new combined room with Lyf."

Lyf nods. "I'm nowhere near the level of uh weird. Mar- Byron is at the moment." He sighs. "They won't even like me braid my hair! I can handle m- Byron rearranging everything every five minutes, even the weird food that I will not consider as meat, but it's my hair!"

Marius looked away, trying to bite back a small smile. "That his been his only complaint. Unfortunately, Lyfrassir still doesn't believe that Xeon hair is alive, and that is just a safety concern."

"Says the man who got a haircut!" Lyf had a matching small smile.

"I didn't get a haircut." Marius finally smiles without hiding. His hair was like a buzz cut showing off two nubs of horns that barely broke the surface of his scalp. "I'm keeping to this short for a reason."

Jonny hums. "So horns, will they be long enough for some headbutting?"

"The correct question, will your skull be thick enough to do that." Brian adds. "I'm sure we have lost count of how many times Tim has had his skull caved in from Jonny's headbutts."

Marius shrugs. "I don't know yet, but you will be the first to know." He shifts in his spot. "I can answer any questions right now. I know you guys won't be bad about it like Raphaella or Ivy, I love them, but this isn't exactly something I'm ready to be overwhelmed with."

"I have a question. Why do some of your species have wings, and the others don't? The other features seem to vary wildy. Do you have subspecies within your population? Is it from breeding with other species?" Brian scratches his chin.

Marius could feel laughter bubble in his chest. He got up just being in his boxers was the only piece of clothing he could manage at the moment. It was obvious that the fat on his body was being burned faster than it could be replaced, so he was much more muscular. He turned to show Brian his back. "They're coming in slowly, but as you can see, they are developing." On his lower back, two red swollen lines are forming. There is only slight movement under the skin. "There isn't subspecies or cross breeding. It's just the difference between before a shared heat and after." He turns back around, and looking closer, there is a new thin line across his stomach. It's impossible to tell at this point what that could be, but it was clearly there. Other parts, such as his knees shoulders and elbows, seemed extra calloused, his upper chest and upper back seemed to be slightly darker, and his legs seemed to be growing more hair than normal. He sits back down, holding his tail.

"Oh." Brian swallows. "Are you alright? It can't be pleasant."

Marius shakes his head. "It's normal, and it's only a little uncomfortable. Our bodies are built for this transformation, and it's still way too early to tell what I'll actually look like when this is over. I don't even know if I'll have fur or feathers for my wings. Lyfrassir will get wings, too. That's why he's sitting like that."

"I really rather not think about it, and I'm still going through the help books since I'm not the same species. M- Byron has been quite helpful, but I'm willing to take this over the bifrost or Yog Sogoth any day of the week. It's not the worst thing in the universe." Lyf was curled on his side, and the stack of books was much higher than first glances as he moved a blanket aside.

"What's with the speech thing?" Tim crossed his arms.

Marius chuckles softly. "Lyfrassir can't call me by my middle name anymore, it seems. Oh, before you ask, I can still refer to him as Lyf, but it annoys him if I use his full name."

Lyf rolls his eyes. "I never said it annoyed me. It just sounds odd with your accent being more pronounced than it was before."

"They've given Aurora a more permanent space to dock as you recover. Nastya is using it to do more repairs and upgrades." Jonny pauses. "Do you want us to tell them anything?"

Marius shakes his head. "No, there isn't anything to say. This is a normal process it just takes time." He smiles softly. "Thank you for visiting."

"Actually, I do have a request." Lyf sits up. "Can you guys figure out why none of them freaked out seeing my blood?"

Jonny blinks, clearly not expecting that. "Excuse me?"

Brian looked slightly intrigued. "I'll ask Ivy about what she has researched so far. There seems to be a massive centralized archive system for historians I believe here."

"That does seem weird because you're still glowing like static." Tim looked away to readjust his eyes.

"I don't think it's that serious." Marius bites back a yawn. "But now you have me curious. Tell me when you visit again."

The door swings open with the security officer. Brian barely switches back barely fast enough. "Times up."

.......

Ivy walked up to the desk. She must admit she was impressed and excited. This was an entire archive based on a historians work, who still continues to update this. She had her notes ready and questions written out to get access. The Lyf situation was incredibly odd, but this historian was much more interesting. She also had to stop getting into the Xeon species because she was growing more and more worried for Marius. Pesky emotions will only halt her progress, and she also really needs a distraction. It's not because she misses and is worried about Marius. Definitely not.

The nameplate as the man sat at the desk read archivist Donnie, there was a note written next to it stating the historian is back and you must make a compelling essay for her to even consider meeting you, unless you are a child. The man sits up and puffs out his feathery wings. "Good morning! It's not often we get outsiders who wish to browse the archives. How can I help you? Are there any particular requests?"

Ivy hands a piece of paper to them. "I do not have the vocal cords to correctly communicate in your language. However, I am fluent. I am Ivy Alexandria, part of the Mechanisms who come from our ship, the Aurora. I am here to study as much as I can from this archive. I merely want directions to the oldest works, and I will continue from there."

Donnie pursed his lips, his tail moving rapidly behind him. "Your name is familiar...." He turns and begins to go through a few files. "Aha! The Mechanisms, your file is ongoing and quite unbelievable, but I digress. I have been told that if any of you specifically from this group, if you are who you claim to be, can speak to the historian directly if you so desire. If not, I can give you the directions and a much stronger respirator. The oldest we have are at the very bottom, and you'll need something stronger if you hope to be able to breathe."

Ivy paused. The author is here, and it could be useful to speak to them directly. There is clearly something off. No mortal would be able to write all this in a lifetime no matter how long lived the species is. It could be a title for a group carrying this legacy, but how would they observe other cultures and write such detailed history such as this. She pulls out her pen and writes in big letters. "I would like to meet the historian."

Donnie perked up. "Of course! Follow me, or I can carry you to her office."

Ivy points at him, and it gets the message across as she is picked up and flown to a high office. The aged door had a worn metal plate that read Misery, historian.

Donnie rings an old rusted bell next to the door. "Lady Misery, I have one Ivy Alexandria, who claims is a part of the Mechanisms of the Starship Aurora."

Heavy footsteps and the old door is swung open as the hinges whine in resistance. A woman towers over Ivy and Donnie. Her horns were oddly curved. Her eyes were silver, and her ears were more pointed. Her hair was long black and draped over her shoulders like silk. Her tail seemed reinforced even more dangerous. She was in a Lolita style dress it was pink and purple. Her chest of the skin showing was armored. The most glaring curiosity was her wings they were hairless leathery and covered in unblinking eyes. "A mechanism?" She switched to common. "You do match the descriptions of who you claim to be." She switches back to Xeon. "Donnie, leave us be. Miss Ivy and I shall be in a meeting."

Donnie nods and heads back down.

Ivy is pulled inside the office by Misery. It was a larger office than she expected. It was organized. There was a small nest in the corner and an open notebook on the desk.

"Where are my manners? My name is Misery. My last name doesn't matter anymore with how long it's been. I am the acolyte to- " Ivy gets a ringing in her ears from the name. "So I've been immortal as well. That isn't important either. However, I've been trying to get an interview with any of you Mechanisms for ages. I love your work keeping history alive of civilizations that no longer exist it's quite nice to hear the tales portrayed as you guys do."

Ivy blinks. She had an incomprehensible amount of questions, but one was the most pressing. "Immortal?"

"Oh yes!" Misery takes a seat at her desk. "Like Lyfrassir Edda. He is the acolyte to Yog Sogoth, which means he can not die or age anymore, and if the god were to be killed, he would replace them like I would be if my god died. I have met many other acolytes, but I've only heard about Lyfrassir. I've even met the God Killer she was a real treat. You would just love her tale. I'm rambling, and I apologize."

That answered more questions than Ivy was prepared to get, but also led to even more questions. "I would like to know everything, I want the files, I want all the information you have on disks to process myself in my own archive. Tell me, is all of this work yours?"

"Yes, it is, and that will take a bit. I do have a backup hard drive, but it is a few tons. I try to observe the best I can without interfering. If not, I get first-hand accounts and stories from the citizens I observe. My work is a mere fraction of the universe because I am only one being doing this recording. I take pride in my work as a historian." Misery smiles. "I will share mine if you share your archives with me."

"Yes! I mean, of course. Exchanging information will be helpful to both of us." Ivy smiles wider than she is used to excitement threatening to overheat her mechanism.

"First, I have to ask what brings you and your crew to this collective, and why are you staying?" Misery pulls out a new notebook and a pen.

"Marius, our crewmate, the ship's doctor. He's a Xeon and wished to visit, and we were curious to learn about his species and history. I was, at least. Raphaella wanted a large sample size of the Xeon species. We were all curious. However, Marius went through a successful heat with Lyf, so he is in recovery until further notice. So we will be staying until he is recovered." Ivy hums.

Misery finished writing and paused. "Lyfrassir Edda is here as well and went through the heat bond with Marius. I must give my congratulations to them. It's exceedingly rare for a Xeon and a different species to be successful together if it's reciprocate. Xeons are nortiously toxic to every other species." She hums, tapping her pen against the notebook. "Ask me anything. I'm happy to share my knowledge and observations. Being an acolyte means I have a memory that doesn't fade, so I remember everything since I've been changed by the god."

Ivy nods. "I can not forget either due to my mind being a machine. Let us begin, and them we shall discuss the manner of sharing our data."

"Of course." Misery smiles wide equally excited.

......

Lyf was incredibly uncomfortable. He was informed in great detail that the changes his body is experiencing wouldn't be pleasant. He was prepared for that, but he felt disgusting, he hasn't been able to shower or take care of his hair. His back was pulsating with just pure agony. He knew it would be any day his wings would burst from his skin. Byron wasn't in better shape. His mind had switched off to an animal mind. Food had to be given through a reinforced door that was already showing heavy damage from Byron.

Lyf could see the hair on Byron's legs were now like fur and a thick coat that traveled just barely to his hips. His back had two open sores his wings were just poking out they were slowly coming out, and it was quite bloody. The line across his stomach has gotten darker and seems to be splitting open. His tail seemed sharper and longer. The spines on his shoulders can in threes, and there were matching ones on his elbows and knees. If he was in pain, he couldn't say it. He was reduced to low growls, clicks, and purring.

Speaking of which, Marius had crawled over to Lyf's side. He quietly made some clicking noises.

"Byron, please, I'm not in the moOD! FUCK!" The pain was as over as fast as it happened. The pressure was gone, and Lyf felt a weight on his back. "Byron, what the... Oh! Ooo, never.... ooo, that feels nice." Heblays on his stomach, feeling Byron's hands comb through his new wings. It felt amazing and almost made up for no showers or hair care.

Marius chirpped along as he cleaned and preened Lyf's new wings. He isn't aware that Lyf had fallen asleep.

.......

Jonny pinched his brow. "The only reason I'm allowing you to visit is because Marius requested to speak to you. I hope that historian friend of Ivy's taught you manners." He crossed his arms, tapping his foot.

"Her name is Misery." Raphaella says with a shit eating grin. "I'll be on my best behavior. Marius is my friend too. This is just so fascinating."

"And personal." Jonny sighs as the pair is lead down the halls. He noticed that the door seemed to be reinforced again.

"Ah, don't worry about it. Your friend is just stronger than we counted for no real damage done. Minimum injuries when he broke the door. I must ask about the metal arm. However, I have never seen a replacement adapt to a Xeon before. We normally have to replace them after a heat." The security office hums as they open the door. "I'm staying close, so if anything goes wrong, we'll be here. Byron was quite insistent for visitors against recommendation."

Marius was grooming his new thick fur on his legs. He seems to be much more flexible than before. Lyf was watching, not even noticing the door was opened.

Raphealla flew inside and was slammed back against the metal wall just as fast. "Fascinating!"

Marius growls, one hand was around Raphaella neck, his wings stretched out and puffed out with the fur standing on edge. His eyes glow a dark purple before he blinks and staggers back, letting go. "Don't..." He rubs his face. "Raph, stay away from Lyf, please."

Jonny gives a look. "Did you really want her here?"

Marius sighs and steps back. "Y-yeah. Can't excatly go back without a stress test."

"He's lying. He wants Raphaella to look at his arm." Lyf huffs annoyed his show was taken away. He really wanted to see just how flexible Byron got.

Marius gives a sheepish look and sighs. "Yeah, Lyfrassir, right." He holds up his mechanical arm. It has indeed adapted mimicking his flesh arm with the new spines, along with the spread that Raphaella wasn't aware of. His flesh arm was discolored up to his elbow. The skin seemed to be getting darker, maybe even thicker like scaled armor. "It's never changed before, and I know Brian's is adapting to how he looked to before he was alive, but I just want to make sure I didn't truly ruin it. Lyfrassir informed me I did pump a lot of venom into the arm, and it doesn't excatly interact great with metal."

Raphealla expression flickers between concern and curiosity. "May I get closer? I know I rushed in here, but we all know how serious that assumption is."

Marius nods, stepping away from Lyf and motions for Raph to approach. "It's gotten a bit more sensitive and uh active."

Jonny keeps an eye on the two leaning back on the wall. Everyone on Aurora knew Carmillia was black out drunk when she grabbed Marius, cutting off his arm to replace it. Everyone also knew his arm had a mind of its own like it was alive. Marius even had to coax it to do any type of maetience on the damn thing.

"I don't trust the doctors or mechanics here to even touch it. You know how that went on New Asguard." Marius didn't have to look to know Lyf paled considerably.

Raph nods, gently reaching out to look over the mechanical arm. "I wasn't allowed my tools, so this will just be a surface glance." She watched Marius nod as he held out the arm. "It's a bit brighter colorwise, and huh, the metal seems even stronger. The spread needs to be looked into. I'll talk to Nastya and Brian about that. The spikes seem to be a mix of your biological material and the metal on your elbow, at least. Is this painful?" She pressed into the metal arm.

"No, but I can feel that you increased the pressure. It feels entirely like my normal flesh arm. There isn't a delay in sensations anymore." Marius pulled his arm back, flexing his hand.

"Wait, do that again." Raphaella tilts her head.

"Do what?" Marius raised a brow as his mechanical hand is grabbed.

"There seems.... AHA! There seems to be a lens in your palm now. It opened like it's looking." Raphaella traces long the lense till a new slit opens, pricking her fingers, and she pulls away. "I think your hand bit me."

"Bit you?" Marius brings his palm to his face. The lens was still open, but he could see an outline of what appears to be a new slit. He brings up his other palm to compare and sees the same slit and he could open it to show teeth and a tongue. He stared blankly at both of his hands and then traced his stomach where the new large slit was. The subtle movement clicked in his head what was underneath. That would be dangerous, very dangerous. He takes a breath. "So it's mimicking my other hand?"

Raphealla gasps seeing the mouth on Marius's flesh hand. "When did you get that?! Can you eat from it? Will you eat from it?"

Marius chuckles. "Now that I know my mechanism is breaking." He looks over to Jonny, who had a small smirk on his lips. "Maybe? I haven't actually tried. You should be more concerned with my stomach, actually."

"Oh?" Raphaella crouched down to be eye level with the slit on Marius's stomach. "What does it do?"

"If my memory serves me right, which as you guys say it doesn't, but if I'm right, my stomach is becoming a creature in itself. It's rare, but in a successful heat, organs can become sentient and become like pets in a sense." Marius scratches his beard. "Probably shouldn't be so close before I manage to take it to tolerate others."

"Now you're just fucking with us." Lyf groans.

"As cool as that sounds, you're just full of shit." Jonny chuckles. "Fuck imagine having a living... oh #$@%@$!" He managed to combine several different languages curse words into one messed up sentence as Marius pulled open the seem.

Raphealla stumbles back and maybe shreiks.

Marius looks down to see a worm mixed with a snake and scorpion creature slowly climbing out. It's covered in slime and neon green blood. "Oh, I was right! Hello there, little guy." He makes a shuddered moan as it crawls back inside, and the slit closes. "Ah, not ready to explore. That's ok, give me time to think of a name." He rubs his stomach, and a soft chittering is heard.

"I think I figured out my limit." Raphaella stands back up. "Living organs, I can't believe that's where I draw the line after all this time." She runs her hands through her hair. "I... what the fuck. What the fuck? What the actual fuck."

"I would say I'm shocked, but I did see it crawl out of Byron's flesh when he slept through dinner the other day. I thought I was hallucinating. Apparently, I was not." Lyf takes a breath. "That thing is fucking terrifying."

"Don't be mean." Marius huffs.

Jonny rubs his eyes. "For fucks sake. A little more warning would be nice. I think I called it a slur."

"You did." Marius hums. "However, I have no idea what else you shouted."

"I have several questions." Raphaella paused. "That i will ask later. I need to... I need to read more about your species."

"I never thought I would see the day where Raphaella was left speechless in the face of the unknown." Jonny shakes his head. "Fuck now I have to actually talk to this historian."

"Historian?" Lyf raised a brow.

"Oh, you'll meet her once you're out of this place." Jonny smirks. "Misery loves company." He laughs.

"Historian of what?" Marius raised his brow, walking and sitting next to Lyf.

"Everything, I suppose." Jonny shrugs. "Apparently, she's like Lyf, which means a god picked her and won't let her age or die. So what she has been doing is recording different species till their end, or she gets discovered and can't be out of the picture."

"So she's an acolyte." Lyf hums. "I met others like me in our separate travels. I've even met the god killer. Although I don't know what she is besides New Texan, and frankly, she scares me."

"You've met the god killer separately, Ivy will be pleased to know that the observations are the same." Raphaella looks over to Jonny.

"Fuck you, just because I'm New Texan doesn't mean I know every New Texan. I would remember someone known as the god killer." Jonny scoffs.

"Because her name is Valerie, only acolyte or gods refer to her as the god killer." Lyf raised his brow. "I don't go around calling myself the acolyte of Yog Sogoth. That's really fucking stupid."

"Ok fine space cop fuck off you've made your point." Jonny rolls his eyes.

"What aren't you going to make fun of the normal name for someone with that title?" Raphaella elbows Jonny.

Marius clears his throat. "So this historian, is she Xeon too?"

Jonny sighs in relief with the changes in the subject. "She is, but she calls herself broken."

Marius shifts suddenly, looking uncomfortable. "That's the proper term for a Xeon whose heat mate was killed, and they survived the changes. She probably looks stronger and more dangerous. It's not exactly a badge worn with honor, and it wouldn't be her out living them. It has to be murder plain and simple. It's never a natural death to be broken. It used to be used to strengthen the military without the knowledge of the said soldiers. I only found that out by chance...." He shakes his head. "I rather not speak of the time before my arm."

"But she would be able to go through another heat and gain another partner." Raphaella hums as Marius nods. "But that would be her choice. Is there a way for multiple to be heat bonded to one Xeon?"

"I'm not entertaining whatever you are planning." Marius growls.

Lyf rubs Byron's back. "Relax, as you informed me any forced tries will result in being eaten alive."

"We both know that won't stop her." Marius huffs.

Jonny sighs. "I'll keep an eye on her and Ivy. When the fuck are you getting out of here?"

Marius shrugs. "The bond has to finish, and my body has to plateau in its changes. I'm not quite there yet. Although I'll have longer bouts of lucidity as the end draws closer. Until...." He yawns paling as sudden exhaustion took hold of his body. "I'm done..... this is the safest and.... quickest way... I..."

Lyf grabs onto Byron. "You two should go."

Jonny and Raphaella share a glance and nod. The security guard grabs the two and take them out.

......

"Oh, that is quite special. Has your fired name it yet?" Misery smiles, carrying a two ton server on her back, in a new bright pink Lolita style dress, and matching ten inch heels.

"Are you sure it was another creature?" Ivy raised her brow skeptical. "I haven't come across that in any textbook."

"Because you don't have access to post heat textbooks, you'll have to be mated or be Xeon to have access. I don't think Aurora has gotten through the security either." Misery clicks her tongue as she places the server down in Ivy's archive. "It's not information you'll really need, even if you're merely curious."

Ivy scowls and her fins flare. "Excuse me! Marius is a part of our crew. We should know-" Misery stops her patting her head.

"It's cute to think you are owed this information. Marius and Lyfrassir already have the information they need. Neither of you will have any need for this information, and it doesn't matter what you claim you need this information you don't." Misery chuckles. "It's also quite amusing how you think, Raphaella. A little needle like that won't pierce my skin. Sure, you two are entertaining, and I respect both of your work, but I find your other crew members more interesting. Once Marius and Lyf are done and I get my stories, I'll be leaving you guys alone and continuing my work."

Raphealla bites her lip. "You'll leave?"

"Of course, I will. Just because we're both immortal doesn't mean we should stick together. I see no point in inserting myself in this crew you have. It has been a lovely time, however, so don't fret. You'll have your memories and our shared research." Misery hums ruffling both Raphaella and Ivy's hair. "Come on, I have two more of these servers to share with you two. Oh, and Raphaella, I'll share my biology research. Poisons and toxins are my specialties."

Ivy and Raphaella share a glance with an unspoken agreement to get Misery to stay. They don't have anything to lose, and they need something new. They both have grown attached to her.

.......

"How do you court one of your kind?" Ivy taps her foot against the floor, staring at Marius.

"Hello to you too." Marius raised his brow. "I'm sorry. I thought Jonny would be with you or Tim, at least, not Raphaella."

"Not important, Marius, answer the question." Ivy huffs.

Marius blinks. "You got passes and went through the entire hoops to visit me to ask that?"

"Correct." Ivy crossed her arms.

Raphealla hums. "Another question: Where's Lyf? Did you eat him? If so, how did he taste?"

"He's taking a shower." Marius pinched his brow. "That part was over at the start. I have no desire to eat my mate." He rubs his face, his right arm now looks like it dipped in ink up to the elbow, and there's a faint outline of armored scales. "Why do you even want to court an Xeon? It's only been a few months. I highly doubt anyone will volunteer for observations or experiments."

"So about that, remember the historian we mentioned?" Raphaella smiles. "So we want to add her to us. Since you're an Xeon, you can tell us how you court others."

"Romance novels and anything similar seem to be quite rare culturally wise." Ivy hums. "We need something concrete in order to properly do this because my species sense of courting is not working." She leans back against the wall. "I understand the inheriting with different species is a reality new concept considering how Xeon's work, but there must be a way to gage this."

"We want to keep her in our travels. She's immortal just like us, so getting attached doesn't have the normal risks that dating a mortal would. She's also quite fascinating, and I honestly haven't felt like this since I met Ivy." Raphealla sighs. "So get talking, lover boy."

"I can tell you why romance like you both know it isn't exactly a popular or even liked concept." Marius rubs the back of his neck. "I honesty didn't actually love Lyfrassir, you know. I mean, I wasn't exactly physically capable of it like you two are. That stuff comes after a heat when our biology changes, you know. I was comfortable with Lyfrassir. He made me happy, and i trusted him. I didn't love him. I wasn't capable of that. I was enthrall with romance novels because I truly never understood it. Family bonding and casual sex were something that was normal. Romance only mattered when you heat bonded to the correct one you meshed with. It used to be sections were carved out for heat seasons where it would be like a combat zone and it would go based on hormones and instincts and that would pick for you, but the loss of life was also a key factor. I suppose there's more nuance now, but that was what it was like, and I can bet you there's still areas here for that. My best advice hinestly is just find common ground and spend time with her is the best chance you'll have."

"Really?" Ivy sounded confused. "You never... but.."

"I tried to force it. I tried to mimic the behaviors in the novels I've read. It did hurt after what happened between us, but my heart wasn't broken. I'm perfectly capable of having emotions and bonds with others, just never romantically. We'll now it's only for Lyfrassir. However, I've always viewed you guys as our crew as a family. Adopting is a very common and encouraged practice for Xeon, even if they aren't the same species. I wasn't raised by my parents. I don't remember what happened to them, but I was adopted, and i had siblings. Which would happen if the parents are killed. Nobody just steals kids."

"You've never had the experience before." Raphaella frowns. "I... I'm sorry, Marius."

Marius shrugs. "I can feel it now. It's not something I ever expected to be able to do. It's odd, but I think I like it? I'm not really sure yet. It hits me at odd times, and it's hard to parse what that feeling over anything else at the moment. I'm still a bit fried. I'm not..." He freezes, realizing he was suddenly purring. He shudders. "Oh huh." He pursed his lips.

Lyf entered the room carrying Byron's now creature of a digestive system. "You are the weirdest fucking pet I've ever had but for the gods sake you're kind of cute." He stops staring at Byron then to Raphaella and Ivy. "It followed me into the bath."

"That explains why I couldn't find it when I woke up." Marius smiles softly. "Can I please have my digestion system back?"

"I... huh." Ivy watches the creature crawl back into Marius's abdomen as Lyf brought it close. "I do not understand the emotions I am feeling."

Marius sighs happily. "Ooo! Did you feed me, too, in that bath?"

"No, your stomach ate the soap I was using." Lyf sighs but has a smile on his lips. "It's as weird as you are."

"Whatever it was, it was good." Marius yawns already curling up in the temporary nest. "I'll be back soon." He says as he falls back asleep.

Lyf hums. "Have a nice day." He waves as security removes the two.

.......

"Do you really think it's a good idea to surprise them?" Lyf sighs as Byron finishes brushing and braiding his hair.

"We're adults, Lyfrassir. we don't need to be picked up. I'm done with everything, and so are you. Jonny left us clothes, which i need hemmed. Didn't think I lost that much weight, but what can you do?" Matius smiles, tying off the bow in Lyf's braid. "Besides, I'm getting sick of that room, and we have to build a nest on Aurora, and I do need to get a few fruit trees here for myself before we leave. We'll probably leave soon once I've gotten my check-up from Raph and questions from Ivy. Ashes probably had their fill of gambling. Jonny got his materials for a new story. TS is happy making friends. Brian is enjoying the peace and behaving. Nastya is happy doing all the repairs on Aurora. Tim probably got his hands on some old weapons here and is going to use that to play with in the shooting range. It's been nice being with my own kind, but I prefer the crew. They're my family and so are you."

Lyf blushes a static rainbow blush. "I-i thank you. If you could indulge me, I think I want to go out to eat and have a proper Xeon meal."

Marius bows at the receptionist and security officers before stepping outside. "Anything you wish I will do. A dinner for two sounds lovely."

"You can quit it with the romance, were practically more than married at this point." Lyf glows brighter as Byron kisses his hand. "You're awful."

"Only for you, my inspector." Marius grins as Lyf hides his face, embracing him.

......

"As i said before, I won't be remaining. I appreciate the desire for me to remain and even travel with you guys, but I won't. I have my own ship and own travels. I rather not make myself a part of the story." Misery smiles softly. "Although the sex was very nice between the both of you."

"I don't know what's worse, watching Misery let them down gently, or the fact that Ivy and Raphaella are convinced they can make this work." Ashes sighs.

"This is too sad even for me." Jonny sips on his beer. "Even with the added weirdness, Misery would have been an ok fit, but this is just sad."

"What's sad?" Marius slips in between them.

"Fuck!" Ashes yelps. "What the fuck? Marius you fucking prick."

Jonny laughs. "Welcome back to civilization. I think Brian is debating on shooting the ceiling to get this sad scene to stop."

"That bad?" Marius chuckles waving for a drink.

"I don't think Lyf is going to help this situation." Ashes nearly chokes on their drink when Misery's gaze snaps to Marius.

"Byron?" Misery said nearly a whisper.

"Yes...?.... ah!" Marius blinks as he tastes the air. He may nice remember what she looked like or sounded like, but his body and senses did not forget his sister. "How?"

Misery smiles, pulling Marius to her side. "If I knew it was you, I would have put a request in at heat recovery. I know you probably don't remember my name or face, but that doesn't matter. This explains how you vanished after all."

Marius chuckles. "Well, the doctor was quite drunk. Come, let's share a drink. Fill me in on what I've forgotten."

Ivy and Raphaella share a look equally confused.

[elli3luvs]

could i get ellie as a knight in love with princess reader?

my beloved

summary: she was coming back today. after many days and nights without her, your knight was finally back.

wc: 985

cw: mentions of injury, maybe slight homophobia in a way

a/n: i literally love this trope it's my absolute favorite! thanks for your request

your fingers tapped against the book laid in front of you. your tutor was going on and on about the dull allegories hidden within the text, but you couldn't be troubled to pay much attention. 

she was coming back. after many restless nights, you finally got a letter delivered addressed to you detailing where exactly she was. 

if she was correct in her estimate, the group she was with should enter the palace any time now. at the latest, another hour or so. your heart swelled at the prospect of seeing her again.

your tutor clicks her tongue as she sees your eyes wandering out the window, "my lady," your head twists back to look at her, "looking out the window will not bring her any faster."

you lay your head on your hands with a sigh. there was truth to her words but all you wanted to do was will the knights to arrive, "i just pray they are safe, that is all."

she chuckles at your words, "i know your true intentions."

it wasn't said in a malicious manner, you knew she would never mean it like that, but it still made your heart pick up speed. falling in love with a knight as a princess was taboo enough. but with a woman knight? it would be hard for your to fully explain that to people. 

"there they are!" she blurts suddenly while clapping her hands together. you jump out of your seat and scramble over to the window.

she was there in the front, riding in on a beautiful white horse. you couldn't see her face due to those stupid metal headgear. it was for her safety, but you were selfish. all you wanted was to see her freckled face. you were going to have to be a little more patient.

you look over at your tutor who gave you a knowing nod. she was telling you to go ahead. the books scattered on your desk were the last thing on your mind as you scurried out of the room. the hallways were bustling with maids and medics dashing to tend to the knights.

you weave through the crowd of people, trying to hide a smile that was pulling at the corners of your mouth. 

your friend, who happened to be a maid, stops you with a giddy expression, "come over here!" she whispers while pulling you into a concealed corner.

"dina," your hushed whisper vibrated between the two of you, "i must go! i have to see her this instance or i will seriously explode." 

she laughs, "i know, i know but," her face turns more solemn. worry spread through you, "i must let you know that she was injured."

you twist to try and get out of the corner but dina was stronger than she looked. she kept you firmly in place, "i have to go!"

"it was nothing serious!" her words cause your wriggling to stop, "she just has a slight scar on her face now. that is what i have heard from the medics."

"oh, dina. i don't care about that."

dina pats your shoulder, "yes, i'm aware. ellie can do no wrong but i just didn't want you to be stunned," she pushes your shoulder slightly, "now go see her."

not wasting a second, you dart back into the hallway, breaking through the flow of people. you had to get your tree soon or she would have to go back to training without even getting to see each other. you could not let that happen. that would be a fate worse than death for you right now.

when the outside air rolls onto your skin you feel a sudden relief wash over you. only a couple more strides and she would be there, waiting for you. the thought made you giddy.

as you breached the top of the hill, you saw her outline staring in the opposite direction of you. she was looking out on the small village you were one day going to rule over. your heart hammered against your chest. she was as gorgeous as she was when she left.

you take a couple more steps before calling out, "ellie." she jumped at your voice before turning around. 

her face scrunched as if she was in pain before engulfing you in her arms, "it felt like i waited for you for an eternity out here."

you take a deep breath, reveling in how her arms felt around you, "dina pulled me aside. i would've gotten here faster if i could have."

ellie laughs and you could cry at how the sound made you feel, "that girl is always causing trouble." she pulls you from her chest so she could look at you.

your eyes go to the scar that starts at the top of her eyebrow and ends in the middle of her cheek. your fingers ghost over the healed scar. ellie smiles gently at the soft way you treat her.

"a knife wound," ellie speaks causing you to jerk away, "i let my guard down."

you rub her face and she leans into it as if she had been starving for your touch, "even with a wound like this you are still the most sensational human i've ever seen."

she shakes her head, "clearly you haven't seen yourself," her hands grab at your waist, "i missed yo-"

a booming voice echoes throughout the hill, calling for your perfect knight. she curses as a tinge of regret flickers through her eyes. ellie looks at you apologetically but you understand.

"i may have looked at the schedule of the knights," ellie looks impressed at your act of deviance, "i expected this. you may go, i am just elated we got to spend some time together."

ellie lands a kiss on your cheek, brushing your hair out of your face, "expect to see me tonight, my beloved."

[castleofclouds]

ᴛᴏ ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏʏꜱ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ᴅᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅ Nct Dream Alternative Universe OT7.

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅ pairings ; ot7 × reader (yn)

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅ disclaimer ; fiction, cursing, 18+ content, kms joke and many more.

Story are by © castleofclouds, do not copy or repost without watermark!

‧₊˚ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖‧₊˚ ⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖‧₊˚ ࣪﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪sumarry : your life was peaceful until your stupid friends start giving you ideas of making thread about ur exes, stirring a whole new problems for you, suddenly one by one of your past start running back to you and opening old books of you and them, how do you act in this situation?

genre : gotta be fluff! texts (sometimes smau) angsty, slowburn, romance, humor, mention of 18+ content.

tag : @bluedbliss, @luvandletter, @1daily2lele7,

To All The Boys I've Loved Before ; Picture Frame

You knew Chenle is your new neighbor, you knew he gonna texts you soon or later, but you didn't expect him to text you this soon, especially after your encounters with him.

You take a sigh, memories of him still fresh in your minds, like it never leaves.

Tomorrow is gonna be a hard day, you mumbled as lie on your bed yangyang watches you and scoot closer. “What's happening?” he asked worrying about you, karina and winter heard and get closer, you hugged them suddenly.

They jolt in suprise but didn't let go and let you hold them, as they patted your back and head, you feel content on their act of care, the four of you decided to have a sleepover at your and Karina apartment, and of course you glad they do that.

You hugged Karina as you fell deep into your world of Dreamland, imagining today was just another bad day of yours that you wish you can throw to the back of your mind.

The next morning you woke up, founding everybody already went and had classes, a note on your desk already explained everything, you smiled and get ready, your class started at 10, so you still had plenty of time before going to class.

A knock on the door caught you by suprise, you ran to see who's at the door, Chenle standing there with his arms behind his back, and a smile on his face, you smiled awkwardly.

It's still feel weird seeing the guy that you used to share a bedroom, kitchen basically a house with standing in front of you as a new strangers that you just acquainted with. Well not entirely.

“The landlord said I should try to socialize with the neighbors, so I kinda bring you this?” he gave you a jar full of cookies, which were weird. The landlord never really give a shit about his renters, how can Chenle talk to him? “Thanks, I appreciate the kindness Chenle.” you take the cookies from his hands, he stand there awkwardly.

“Do you need anything else?” you asked, he looked around your unit, “You lived alone?” he asked again curious in which answers with shaking your head.

“No, I lived with Karina but she spend most of her times on colleges or at her parents house, kinda alone but not too lonely to be honest.”

“That's basically means alone.” he corrected you, you rolled your eyes, “Then what if it's true I lived alone?” you spat, he laughed clearly enjoying your sassy attitude. “Nothing, just saying If you ever feel alone I'm 2 steps away from your door!” he winked before walking back to his unit like nothing happened, you wanted to scream.

What's with your exes and their obsession of messing with you? You didn't know yourself.

You quickly change into your favorite outfit and called it for the day, you walked passed Chenle unit, it seems he is still busy with moving so many boxes and papers on his front doors, you even saw a list of groceries and some old picture frame, you leaned closer to be suprised by Chenle stand behind you as he poke your shoulder. O, oh. You are caught!

He smiled, seeing his smile make you wanted to just kiss him here and there, you did a great job handling your thoughts though.

“Oh, it seems like someone is still as nosy as she used to.” he chirped, a little to joyous you think.

“I'm just trying to walked past here but there's so many stuff in front of your door, I can't walk!” you tried to cover your act with being angry, he looks at you intensely, genuinely enjoying caught you still being curious about him.

You take the picture frame and showed you the picture, it was a picture, of him and.. A dog? Since when he had a dog, until you heard a bark from inside his house, “Wanna come inside?” he gesture to his door, you contemplating if you should come inside your Ex house or not, it's not like you can't it's just you think it's awkward, but the idea of a cute dog waiting for you at the other side of the door messing with your idea of wrong and right.

You followed him anyway, to found a cute little dog with the softest white fur, and beautiful eyes you get on your knees clearly whipped for the little dog. He smiles at your mannerisms.

“Meet Daegal, she is my baby girl for a while now.” he introduces you to the cute dog, you smiled putting your fingers in front of the little white fur face, she licked your fingers as a sign of welcoming, you awwed.

You followed chenle to inside of his apartment, so many medal and award cup all scattered around his house, so many posters of Stephen Curry all over his walls, you saw a picture of Daegal, his friends, even picture of him and yangyang.

Yes. Yangyang and Chenle were best friends, well not really were, they still are but you knew yangyang never showed it to you because he doesn't want to make things complicated, not like you mind, but you appreciate his kind gesture.

Until you found a picture of him grinning while playing a basketball, he look really cool in that pictures, you remember that pictures vividly.

That's when you first met him, when yangyang first introduced both of you, your favorite counter of all of the counter you had with anybody.

He still have that? After all this time?

“You still had that pictures?” you pointed at the picture, he looked at your direction, and nodded.

“I love that picture it reminds me of old memories.” he smiled, the same smile he always gave you every time he wins a basketball match, he would run to you with the brightest laugh he could give and hug you in the middle of the field.

“Yeah, good memories..” you wondered to yourself, Chenle looked at you, you look back, you want to averted you eyes but you can't, his eyes as if trapping you inside, making sure you can't run away again, making sure he didn't let you go this time as he used to do.

Sound of notification from your phone take you back to reality, disturbed both of you from the long eye contact, “Oh sorry about that.” as you checked your phone to found your friend asked about your whereabouts.

You don't know how to respond, or how to tell Chenle that he just got himself another visitor, he titled his head in confusion, “Why? What are they saying?” he asks looking at you with his twinkling eyes, you want to squish his head.

“My friends said they are leaving the class because they wanted to see your dog.” You admitted, he looks at you and slowly blinking before laughter echoed from his mouth.

“Your friends? They actually left the class just for that?” he wiped the years from his eyes, you nodded, “They whipped for cute dogs you know.” you respond, he agreed he knew yangyang love cuddly things he knew some of your friends love cute stuff so he already guessed it, but you quickly shake your hands, “But don't worry, I'll make sure to not disturb you!” as you bid goodbyes, you can see Chenle smile turn upside down, he really didn't want you to leave if he could he would love to let you just stay with him watching and playing with daegal but he can't do anything about it, he isn't your boyfriend anymore.

“That fast? You can always stay for 5 to 10 minutes more..” he tried to reasoned with you, but you shake your head as a no.

“Nope. This class is important so I'm going now, thanks and bye! And daegal too!” you bid before you run out from his house, you knew if you stayed much longer there's going to be some sort of love in the air and that ain't good for you, you already promised this year gonna be a peaceful and bitchless year, you can't make exception for one person even though you really miss him.

You dialed your friends and tell them you already walk to college, they answered with lots of dissapointed emojis, and crying stickers well not today kids, no visiting cute dog for today.

Previous, Masterlist, Next.

A/N

Not gonna lie, you can clearly see I kinda have a BIG SOFT SPOT for Chenle, cant blame me, he is soo cutee i want to just kiss him all over his face if I could🥺 every time he laughed I'M COMBUST, don't know why he kinds reminds me of confetti and fireworks so cute and so beautiful huhu gosh I miss him please SM make him had his own content please please, I'M BEGGING. btw do any of yall remember the cover of Sorry, Heart by Daegal that was funny as hell but she is so cute 😭

[dwaekkicidal]

Guess who's back

Back again

Shady's back

Tell a friend

I'm sorry I didn't come by earlier but I have a few deadlines to meet *cough* book rep *cough* and I had to study and I was out with friends and shit so I didn't talk to anyone outside my close contacts :< *Chrissapointed in herself*

Ahenyways I need to yap to someone so be prepped for a long ass thing (*huff* and no, it's not what you think it is you dirty minded lil otter ---)

So thing one I'm going nuts about is I can't fliPPING FIND THIS FUCKING FIC RRRRRAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH >:c

I'm like genuinely enraged over here bcuz my stupid ass didn't save the link and like I wanna read it so bad rn its unhealthy ... Worst thing is I remember finding it over a taglist and I've checked all the accs on the taglist and it's not there :(( and when I look for the title it doesn't come up 😔😔

Secondly, SKZ music. [I'm sorry but I can't talk abt it to anyone irl] I'm not even talking about the music videos, or the meanings behind the words and lyrics, I'm just referring to the tracks on Spotify.

MIROH. Voices. YAYAYA. My pace. District 9. Grow up. Astronaut.

Sure, it's not the whole album, but- excuses-moi??!!?? Just to start on MIROH. It's like, funny bcuz of the instrumentals but the text gives it like a serious vibe too and the rapping -- (we love) oh and not to forget the lion and the eagle fighting in the background.

Then, Voices. To this day, I can't decide if it's:

"step out on the(m) voices"

OOOOOORRRRRRRR

"still battle them voices"

And I haven't done research, so may this rest in the MLD* forever.

(*MLD = Misheard Lyrics Department)

Then, YAYAYA. I'm amazed by the genre range of stray kids because to me that's one of the most rock/metal songs I've heard. And then to imagine Jiji playing it on a fancy e-guitar... I mean I'm delusional but even that is out of reach. On that note, Changbin's raps are giving *✨sparkle sparkle✨* lately, especially bcuz I feel like in SKZ2020 his rapping is pretty present? Iykyk I don't flippin' know how to phrase it.

On the note of Changbin, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the first part he has in my pace. And in general his parts in that song. Idk how to phrase it (again) but I really think it's absolutely cool that his voice sounds so... this is gonna sound so weird... Scratchy. Like he's just been screaming his loungs out doing god knows what and then recording. And he sounds like a duck lmfao (I can't explain what I mean because I don't have enough standard vocabulary for this but yeh), like his voice is kinda deep but also like light and like squawky/scratchy and like idk what I'm rambling here :3

(ot8 speaking btw)

District 9, no comment. Just vibin' n enjoyin' in front of the bathroom mirror.

Grow up is giving kdrama final episode happily ever after outro//lofi study session in a library vibes. .... Delusions kicking and picturing that kdrama scenario rn, smh...

Astronaut: "MC happily moving back to their childhood hometown after being abroad for ten years Roadtrip" and filming/vlogging on the way back - kinda vibe. Or one of those DIY videos with the nice music and annoying DIYs.

Next up, Charmer. I don't know shit about the meaning of the text but ain't no way I won't vibe to that banger. It's just me being an uneducated little shit, ik, but who needs translations if I get the vibe without it?

Then, Novel. I don't speak a single syllable Japanese. But holy mother o' God, will I be shouting that

"MASHIRO NAKAMI NI OMOI" *so sorry if this ain't the correct romanization, I do it by ear so-*

either quietly when I have my earpods in and and have to get ready for bed or really loud when I'm out in the fields with my music.

On that note, I also dislike if theres a Japanese AND a Korean version of a song that I like. Like, with THE SOUND, I really like the Japanese version but I also kinda like the Korean version but I always have high hopes it's the Jap ver and then I get disappointed when it isn't but I'm also too lazy to kick the kor ver from my playlist :/

So I'm really exhausted rn because I had a sleepover at my friend's, technically speaking a girl's night ( = >2 hrs of sleep for me) and technically I wanna say bye rn but. Hold up.

So we're four girls, and out of us all I'm likely the most clingy. Like, I luv hugs and holding hands (in a platonic way) and cuddles and Skinship and et cetera , and it was like:

TV

Friend 1 - Friend 2 - Me - Friend 3

And 1&2 took up very much space so 3 almost fell off the couch.

And then we were like watching horror movies (my requests for anime or httyd were denied bcuz it's kid's movies and they all liked horror movies better)

Anyhow, my hand ended up on 3's thigh. Like, in a "I'm her boyfriend" kinda manner. I didn't notice. (HOW???) Then, SHE noticed and went like, ey let's take a snap and send it to my ex and pretend you're my bf!

spoiler alert, if anything I'd be gf material. I mean, yes, compared to hers my hands are huge and yes my voice is quite low/deep but bf? Ik it was pretense but still... I mean my boys kinda count me as a boy too but that's different.

Yesterday I also learned, it's genetically stated if you're straight or homosexual. Like, it's in your DNA if you're straight, bi, gay, asexual or any other identification there is. The only thing you really do is realize what you are and label yourself like it. Come to talk about it, what's your opinion on the LGBTQ community?

Did you drink any macha already this week? Or does your fancy drink change with season? And if so, what do you drink? I drink hot chocolate and children's punch. Like, the steaming hot fruit juice if you know what I mean.

Love,

- 🦦

dont be sorry or disappointed in urself! :)) ive also been really MIA especially on tumblr. ive still been writing on the side but i havent been on here much since i last posted lol

i genuinely love most of the skz songs ive heard, but out of all the "noise" music MIROH and My Pace are probably in my top 10 (miroh is prob in my top 3 tbh lol)

im bisexual so im part of lgbtq community :3 and all of my closest friends (minus the two hetero men lol) are lgbt as well!

no matcha this week :(( ive been out of the powder to make it at home and i havent been able to go out to a cafe/dunkin donuts to get it made for me </3

[thedreadvampy]

Midcentury American novels update:

Finished Farenheit 451 on Thursday and it didn't hit me to the degree Catcher in the Rye did but I do completely get the sense of despair and the hunt for something to cling to. Umm also there's an actual nuclear apocalypse in this book which I. Did not know through my general cultural osmosis. And it made a lot of the stuff that initially read a bit as 'you can't say ANYTHING now cause of 50s Woke' less irritating in hindsight, cause the looming presence of nuclear war gives some real crunch to the overall theme of looking away from the discomfort of acknowledging what's wrong. Still not 100% comfortable with 'well we started burning books lest minorities become offended' as a midpoint comment but like I read this when I was 12 or 13 and very much came away with the sense that it was a shallow What If TV But Too Much kind of story that was very pleased with its own intellectualism. and I don't really think that's what it is I think it's a primal scream of WON'T ANYONE DO ANYTHING????? CAUSE I AM TOO SMALL AND TOO STUPID AND TOO COMPLICIT BUT NOBODY ELSE IS MOVING EITHER???? which you know. I can connect with at this time.

anyway then I reread One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest yesterday. That one I actually have read as an adult, like 10 years ago, and what I remembered mostly from it was the degree to which either the characters, the author, or both, truly despise women. On reread I don't think that's entirely fair, although it's hard to tell inside one character's very limited and metaphorical perspective - I don't think Ken Kesey hates women, I think that Candy and Sandy are relatively whole people and the other women in the story are avatars of the system abusing the men on the ward, so Chief Brogden sees them as such. Getting over the general 60s misogyny miasma, though, I really really liked it and stayed up very late last night finishing it, I think it has a lot of very coherent things to say about trauma, power and marginalisation and I think it's all a bit Foucault. It's odd that I remembered it as being very het-white-American-male in tone because this time around it felt very interested in how people are artificially marginalised in order to preserve power, and specifically in the violent assimilation of Indigenous communities, so I truly don't know why I went away last time feeling it was so tone-deaf. It's really good, is the thing.

(As a side note, cause Sam's copy is an 80s film tie in copy - there's no fucking way that film is good, right? Cause I actively cannot imagine how you would make a film adaptation of a book that exists so much in one mostly-silent character's head, kind of unmoored from time and moving between reality, metaphor and hallucinations, and with a fairly distant relationship to the literal events, and have it not be shit. Animation could maybe do it and you could potentially do it with a really good effects department to establish early on that this isn't a neutral, literal depiction, but even so it feels like doing this in a visual medium would undercut the fact that most of the book's story involves stuff that isn't really happening on a visual or audible level.

Like about a tenth of the text is Chief Brogden drawing connections, conclusions, describing the emotional and sensory experiences of things like dissociation, anxiety and electrocution, and generally explaining why the things that he and the other patients do that seem random make sense to him. And even with heavy voiceover it seems to me that a) a film would mostly be us watching mental patients act the way we expect mental patients to act, without the insight we get through his eyes, and b) it would inevitably need to be about what a guy McMurphy is, either positively or negatively, which to be entirely honest is kind of not what the book is about even though that's the plot of the book?)

The book isn't about McMurphy, it's about people realising they've not only had their agency taken away, but given it up themselves, and how they react to that and what it would mean to reclaim that. McMurphy's one of several people going through that arc, and he's going through it in an opposite direction to the people around him, but it's not more about him than about Chief Brogden or Billy or Harding or even Nurse Ratched. But I feel like because of how film language works, it would be very hard to make a film of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest where McMurphy wasn't the main character. And he's not. Chief Bromden is the main character as well as the narrator - his life is defined by people collapsing under unbearable pressure and giving up their freedom and agency, which is how his tribe lost their land and how he lost his agency and his power of speech, and watching McMurphy force the people in power to subdue him by force rather than him caving in, the Chief makes actual choices about how he wants to respond to power that don't involve him falling out of reality or becoming invisible. and I think like halfway through I was like 'ehhh don't really get why Kesey went with a specifically Native protagonist' and by the back end of the book it is extremely clear to me why.

Cause his arc has a lot to do with the violence against indigenous communities and while I don't think that the book is primarily a metaphor, per se, because it very much is literally about institutionalisation and the stigmatisation of inconvenient Madness, I do think it's also saying things it wants us to apply to other relationships of power and assimilation, starting with the forced assimilation and land theft of Native Americans, and touching in on class, politics, race and sexuality more generally. Not much on gender, mind - I don't think that it does actually despise women, but it also isn't very interested in interrogating anything about them other than the impacts they have on men, which 🤷‍♀️ 60s innit.

idk I liked it a lot. I liked Farenheit 451 pretty well and better than I expected to, but Catcher and One Flew have both got me in this kind of rambly post-read mode where I'm just turning them over and over in my head to look at them, you know?

[serendertothesquad]

Seren's Studies: Odd Squad UK -- "Should Odd Acquaintance Be Forgot" Episode Followup, Part 2

Ooooooh Ozzie origins. Oooooooooooh big bad origins. Ooooooooooo origins. Does it scare you?

Let's continue below the break!

(A post-editing note: I was informed that Leonie is, in fact, a girl, and not a boy like I thought. I'm keeping the LGBTQ+ theory because we've already gotten gay triangle villain and they could extend that to child villains too, but keep in mind that Leonie is a girl and not a boy. That's my bad.)

Setting aside the fact that they used the right flashback effect this time...Orli, please. Stop talking about math, just for a second. I'm begging.

Equilibrium! Starlight Glimmer! Equality!

...Sorry, I'm just tossing stuff out there.

Ohhhhhhhh...Barb E. Q.

Okay, that's actually kinda clever, NGL. But man, they are taking any schtick and applying it to people, huh?

I get that Oxandra is part of the Terrible Three, but...Onom was unique in that he went out onto the field a lot. Why are we extending that to her as well, as opposed to her staying in the Lab?

Kinda feeds into my complaint about departments not being a thing anymore.

To be honest, I expected all of them to hate even numbers, so restricting that to one of them is a nice touch.

LMAO WHAT THE FUCK????????? I JUST DID A WHOLE COUGH AT THEM HAVING OWLS??????????????????????

You guys think Agent Owl is there too? From "Follow the Leader"? In disguise?

OH OH F U C K GEE JESUS CHRIST ORWELL JUMPSCARE HNNNNNNNNGH.

Fucking threw my phone because whoof was I not expecting that.

No, no, no, that's the TripAdvisor bird. Or...uhhhh...shit, that one owl mascot for that one glasses company who I forget.

You can easily get them mixed up, Orwell. 'S okay.

"Well, they were smart, but they needed some guidance."

Congratulations, Ozzie! You just described every fucking child villain in this entire fucking franchise.

HoooOOOOOOOOOOLD UP. He made them a manual? He...didn't tell them to read the thick red book seen in past seasons, which definitely sure as hell wasn't written by him?

That's...very stupid. Give 'em the Agent's Handbook and go re-fictionalize that instead of breaking continuity like this, Ozzie.

See, this is actually playing into the psychology of children. You show a kid floating stuff and they'd probably laugh at it.

Look at all those Eggman's robots Lorem ipsum text!

He...oh my God, he printed the manual backwards?

CASE IN FUCKING POINT. Even putting aside the fact that this is incredibly flawed, there's an Odd Squad printing press that would have spotted the mistake like *snappy fingeys* that. Ozzie is not a part of the Odd Squad printing press.

This seal man thing is both hilarious and creepy at the same time.

And this is just stupid and contrived at the same time. Poor Ozzie's got such a lack of confidence that he has to make a cake to celebrate not 6 years of working together, but 6 days.

So if the almighty leader likes symmetrical numbers...man, he'd have a hell of a time with Villain X then, huh?

AND WHAT THE FUCK MAKES YOU THINK HE QUIT BEING A FUCKING DIRECTOR BY RUNNING AWAY?????????? THEY'RE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE BRUH WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS LOGIC.

...Okay, I blame Tasha more than I blame Ollison, but still. Ozzie got overwhelmed and ran away. That doesn't mean he quit on the spot; if he had, that would have been enough reason for Ollison to drop this promise of revenge. Ozzie still quit, but it was far away from their prying eyes.

Making a case in point as to why this show really should be animated: if it were, he could've gone to the Big O or the Little O and gotten this straightened out. But both Millie and Shazdeh are too old to reprise their roles now, in this live-action hybrid feature, and so this is what we're stuck with: Captain O doing what they should've done.

Ohhhhhhh, so the Department of Help was created just for him? Okay, makes sense! I kinda thought that was the case!

But it doesn't explain why he plopped Opie into it (or why Captain O did) after he got promoted versus just dissolving the department and letting her stay in Mail. AFAIK, we never got an actual reason for why Opie became the new head of the Department of Help beyond "yeah, you're nice enough and you'll do great". She's nice, but she's insanely stupid, which doesn't bode well for a help-based department.

...Unless they put her in there because she's too stupid for the field...?

For a half-second, I actually thought this would be Silly String, which, in this universe, has binding properties.

...'Scuse me while I go weep.

No...no, Ozzie, no. You explicitly said they were smart but needed a little guidance. "Smart but needs guidance" does not mean "is brain-dead enough to not recognize a book was printed backwards".

God, this is just so painfully convoluted. Olando's backstory made more sense than this and it was tainted only by bad writing! Even The Shadow's backstory made more sense than this and the only problem with her was strictly in her reformation!

I hate everyone who told me Mark wrote this episode, because y'all are fucking liars. And if Mark, Tim, and/or Adam had written this episode, it would have been so much better.

Fool them once, okay, sure.

Fool them twice, fine, I guess.

Fool them thrice, it's getting a little concerning.

Fool them four times, now it's irritating.

Fool them five times, your ass is getting ground into the soil before you're dead.

"you left us! abandoned us!"

uses a gadget that's designed to put their ex-leader out of commission

Leaving you, putting them to sleep, it doesn't matter. The point is that, either way, you have no guidance.

Considering we saw Oxandra wielding at least one gadget as a villainess, who's to say she doesn't have more on her person that can inflict direct harm on her enemy that doesn't put them out of commission, but instead wounds them enough to where they can't do much of anything, like, say, the pies from the pienado?

I've heard talks that this gadget is, in essence, a gun, and firing it at Ozzie would kill him. I'm...somewhat inclined to agree. It's a little muddled because of bad writing (and again, we've had death allusions written by more experienced writers who did it much better, like the aforementioned pienado), but sure, fandom founder deems this a murder attempt. It's about the closest we're gonna get in this trainwreck of a series/season. (I also wanted my "stuff that got past S&P" count to go past 75 and straight to 100. Thinking back on it now, there's no way 12 episodes can amass 15 incidents.)

...Oh.

Huh.

Well then.

WELL THEN.

Talk about fuckin' unexpected 'cause WHOT???????

The fact that she has enough power to fight off the effects of the gadget before succumbing to them is fucking wild, and frankly, huge props to her.

That being said, this has impact, but with more episodes and more time to explore this story, it could have hit so much harder. I'm feeling the same emptiness as I did with Olando and his backstory. And funny enough, both backstories can be attributed to one thing:

Shitty fuckass writing.

History really is doomed to repeat itself, and this franchise is slowly getting cooked.

This, on the other hand, is just incredibly bad editing.

Now, see, if I enter into a state of delusion big enough, I can imagine that the pattern on this key is the symbol of the Big Office department.

Which would be cool, but no one decided to really think of that because we're playing by Precure rules now where seasons aren't canon to one another. (And Precure actually does it a lot better when you don't have someone screeching in your ear about the franchise timeline.)

Can...can the oddness get out by itself? Because there is no way they got into the lift and released oddness themselves, on their own physical power, within se- hold the fuck up, is that our first look at Headquarters?

...Oh my GOD IT IS. WHAT THE HELL. LITERALLY JUST A WHOLE-ASS FIXTURE IN TOWN LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO.

It's not in the death context, of course, but given how Captain O is out of commission and given the fact that this is a finale episode, they got balls to drop "dies" like this outta the fuckin' blue. They could have easily gone with "I hate it when my battery goes!" or a simple "aw man, I lost the video!"

(On to Part 3!)

[yandere-romanticaa]

Something low key odd happened to me at the beach today and I got a little inspired to write something based off it so hopefully it'll be out soon. This feels weird to type out because this is giving child Wattpad but it's too amusing not to share.

Basically, I was longing around and reading a book when I felt someone staring at me. You know the feeling when the hairs at the back of your neck stand up straight and you suddenly get restless? Well, it was that. It was strange because I was surrounded by a decent amount of people BUT there was an abandoned building nearby and I just decided to look up.

A strange masked man was up there and he was staring at me. I was creeped out.

Whenever I would pull out my phone and try to take a picture of him the dude would just DUCK and stay put for a few minutes. This went on for a little bit so I decided to kinda just... Ignore him. That specific building is abandoned and if often used for graffiti artists so that's the only reason why someone would even be inside of it although I have no idea why he had a mask on. I ignored him but I could still tell that he was staring. I just turned my back to him and hoped that he would go away and that's when I felt a god damn pebble on my back.

This guy was deadass throwing freaking PEBBLES at me.

People started to notice him because he was throwing stupid pebbles everywhere and he just started shouting - "YOU, girl with the book!!! Why are you ignoring me???"

AND HE WAS SO LOUD TOO IT WAS SO STRANGE BUT ALSO KINDA FUNNY because he sounded like a kid who got their toy taken away. He was the personification of this emoji -> :( I can't configure in text how stupid/sad he sounded but that emoji is the best way I can explain it.

Oh and I think he was an American. He didn't sound like he was a local but he had an American accent but who knows. He disappeared after that and I didn't see him for the rest of the day.

So long masked weirdo. At least you gave me inspiration to create a story. I might just make this guy unintentionally famous! 🤣

[acourtofthought]

The whole 4 book buildup is such a reach, I feel like some Elriel with a big following made the claim and they all went along with it, because, no one else agrees. Even friends of mine who are casual readers and don't care who ends up with who are genuinely confused when I tell them about the fandom drama.

Book 1: 0 points. Azriel wasn't even introduced

Book 2: 0 points. Elain and Lucien were mated in ACOMAF. At this time, SJM goes on record to explain why she mated them and we can expect to see tension and growth, TOGETHER. Clearly, Elriel isn't anywhere on her radar or mind, especially if she's openly talking about Elucien. My favorite game is sharing this interview with Elriels and watching them spiral.And, let's not even get into Mor and Azriel. If only SJM had made them endgame; we wouldn't be in this mess. But as far as Azriel is concerned, Elain who? He's all about Mor.

Book3: 0 points. The series ended here, as planned, Elain is by Lucien's side. There is enough clues indicating they will find a way to one another. There was so much buildup between them? From Elain needing sunshine, to taking a step towards him, to smiling at him after the war. Asking him if he is ok. Besides all that, she is still, as far as we know in love with Grayson. Her heart is broken. It made sense why SJM didn't push Lucien on Elain there and left it open ended to a future if the series ended. BUT, it didn't and this is the time she's interviewed and teased future books, this is also the time she includes Elucien in headcanon vacations and when she said Elriel had a sibling bond. The Twitter meltdown was epic to watch.

Book 4: 0 points, Azriel is looking at Mor with so much heat that is makes Feyre uncomfortable and in the same book, he looks at Elain with pity, sighs with relief that he didn't have to get her or Nesta a gift. Yeah, real romantic. I do think this js when Elain started developing her crush, or interest in Azriel, but as we don't have her POV, we can't for sure say why she likes Az, if it was purely physical, if it was to prove she could get over Grayson, if it was to prove to herself the bond with Lucien doesn't have a strong grasp on her. We don't know yet. That's what elriels don't get. Without Elains POV. It's all assumptions. But who's POV we do have? Oh that's right Azriel

Book 5: 0 points, because NOTHING ultimately happened, Azriels POV, per canon, showed us he never thought about a future with Elain, he refuses to answer a question about Mor. Azriel and Elain aren't a couple, the aren't in love, Azriel says she hardly knows him. There is no real foundation for anything when it comes to endgame couples from SJM. She never even let these two off the dock. Elries love to say nesta know his secrets, did they even watch SJMs interview? She said Nesta can relate to Azriel, because she knows what's it's like to hold in pain and not be ready, that's the secrets imo she comments about in Azriel. And if Feyre knows about Mor, it's safe to assume nesta does too as Mor is the one by the fire.like I don't think it's a secret Az is in love with Mor to anyone, yes, cassian noted a change, but he still isn't over her.

So my point is, when you look at the BIG picture of things and also take into account the context, Elriel really had nothing more than a few cute moments, all the theories I see from them constantly change, or use text taken out of context, like they see notorious for that shit. Like, oh let's pick a random word and make it a  parallel and use a bunch of words to sound convincing, not to mention the lies they spread. 😂

Eluciens and Gwynriels don't argue and say they are in love, or make some far fetched off page theories, we aren't stupid. We are aware there is no romance between them right now, it's the pontential, given SJM patterns and her interviews, she's buildt a romance on a lot less. Besides, eluciens have what elriels wish they did, a mating bond. ☺️ and gwnriels have strong evidence of one, but we aren't naive enough to think Azriel is in a good place to jump into a ship, which is why a friends to lovers works for them.

That's what I think E/riels miss, the big picture. Yes, there are definitely times where you can point to the text and say, "this was a cute E/riel moment!" but when you pull back and look at everything surrounding that moment, it ruins it's authenticity and everything combined doesn't look good for an E/riel endgame.

And no, Gwynriel isn't in love yet but that's a good thing. Because Az isn't fully over Mor and no one wants him falling for Gwyn while he's still conflicted over Mor. But any moments Gwynriel share, even as friends, isn't ruined by the bigger picture in the way E/riels were. Gwynriel moments still stand up as being positive, healthy, and fun interactions versus E/riels which are surrounding by negativity, hiding who they are from one another, and a mismatch in interests and personality's.