#i gave her a suit under the armour

[shinigami--apples]

The only way she'd ever have been a warrior in the Tal'darim system is if she had really souped up psionics

She'll blow you up with her mind

[dunnowhatimdoin]

I made some redesigns for the whole comic cast (even if they don't need one, but eh). I sketched them all something like a month ago, then I completely forgot about it and came back to finish them only now. Oops.

Anyway, I tried pairing them up for opposing sides, poor Blitz got left out in the process.

Following are some design notes for how they ended up looking.

Ballister

-He got fancier 'cause he's a Lord, even if I'm not sure is it's just a title he gave himself or if he actually was born into nobility. The red in his jacket, belt drap and cape got darker to keep the villainous feel. The necklace holds the cape; realistically it would be very uncomfortable, but this is fiction.

- He keeps his armour but he gets a longer fauld, as a callback to the tunics of Middle Age nobles and also to the look of a lab coat. His boots were stolen from the movie concept art :)

- His figure is thicker in comparison to Ambrosius's, for contrast purposes.

Nimona

-The idea was that with a fancier Ballister she would get a complete, proper squire attire. Worn by her, it didn't last long...

She really isn't for the fancy look, especially the golden accents, but since it was all provided by Ballister, she feels guilty rejecting it.

- The tooth she wears as an earring is probably her own.

-I know she heals incredibly fast and doesn't leave marks, but it would be nice if she shaped on scars to "look cooler" and also more professional as a sidekick. Show off that she can fight, y'know?

Ambrosius

- His armour got more decorative than anything, with the sole purpose to make him look good, so that the Institution can look good. If he actually needs to work, he has an uglier armour for it. Still, he wears a braid because moving around a lot with long hair sucks.

- He's got his little diadem, fluffy collar, gradient cape and ribbons because he likes showing off how important of a person he is. Definitely not a sad orphan picked from the streets or anything.

- Gave him a couple beauty marks under his eye because come on, they suit him.

- The corset serves to give him a thinner and more elegant figure. It's something like two or three times smaller than his ideal size and that's not good for his health-

The Director

- In the comic Director is more of a political leader, rather than a religious one, so now she's a general. She's got her band and sword perpetually attached to her belt to show this off, being intimidating with the idea that she's caple of causing harm.

-Puffy sleeves to match Ambrosius's, with cuffs so they don't get in the way.

-Her metal collar and short cape are a callback to knights armours.

-She gets a longer veil to distracts form the fact she's bald and diamond shaped ear caps because diamonds being the Institution symbol is a concept I stole from the movie :)

Blitzmeyer

-Big coat to reference her past as a traveller (the whole "journey over the mountains to the lands beyond" thing) and also 18th century clothing, which is  Illuminism period and the whole "science over superstition" ideal.

-Her ponytail got a little messier to reflect her chaotic nature. Speaking of chaos, the bandages are from experiments that got a little out of hand...

-Big, comfortable boots because maybe she isn't leaving anymore but you never know what might happen.

[rooksunday]

for @corrieweek day five: fix-it

this crossover came to me in a vision. shiv and widget are my corrie ocs.

Shiv eyed the natborn with the kind of look she usually gave to Fox: unimpressed, with a chance of derision. To her disconcernation, the nattie simply grinned wider.

“You’re very good at that! The whole glowering thing, I mean. I can see why you’re in charge.”

“I’m not in charge,” Shiv said at once. Flattery wasn’t the way to her viscera. Nil points, nattie. “I’m Chief Medical Officer for the Coruscant Guard. If you’re looking for someone in charge of this posting, you need Commander Fox.”

Because Commander Thorn was still on Scipio.

“Commander Fox is the big one with the coffee stains on his armour, am I right? Wanders around under a cloud of existential despair and smells a bit like premeditated murder?”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that description.”

The nattie had definitely met Fox.

Another smile. “Of course! Anyway, whoever that was, and I’m not saying it was Commander Fox, but they told me to ‘piss off and bother someone who gives a single solitary shit’, although they said it in a language I don’t think they thought I knew, so.” The nattie spread their arms wide and wiggled their fingers. “Here I am!”

Shiv didn’t groan or bury her face in her hands because she hadn’t let Fox break her yet but fierfiek, give a genetically modified girl a break. How Fox hadn’t been decommissioned was the biggest mystery on Coruscant.

“Again, while I can neither confirm nor deny anything about any being you may have encountered prior to arriving in my office—“

“Naturally.”

“What is it I can assist you with?” Shiv asked. “Stranger who has yet to introduce themself,” she added, arching her eyebrows.

“Ooh, you’re good at that as well, aren’t you? Well! I’m— Hang on, I’ve got a card, just a tick.” The nattie fished around in the pockets of their pinstripe suit jacket—an odd fashion that Shiv hadn’t seen on Coruscant, but admittedly, she didn’t pay particular attention to anything but blasters and dresses—until retrieving a small wallet with a triumphant cry. They flipped it open so Shiv could read it. “Here you go! My credentials. Pronouns are he/him, and I’m—“

“‘The Doctor’,” Shiv pronounced.

“Exactly! Now you say—“

“Doctor Who?”

He nodded like a toy dog perched in the rear of a speeder. He had a lot of teeth for a nattie.

“Yes yes, there’s a whole bit, but you see— And this bit is important, Chief Medical Officer of the Coruscant Guard, but I need a doctor. Another doctor. I’ll take a medic. Several, if you’ve got them,” the Doctor said, his rambling turning frenetic. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “There’s been a bit of an accident, you see.”

Shiv shot to her feet. “If you’ve hurt one of my Corries—“

“No! At least, I don’t think so. Chap wasn’t wearing armour. Silly, really—“

“You hit a natborn and came here?”

They were all going to die.

Shiv pushed the Doctor ahead of her, following the sweep of his increasingly wild gestures towards a blue rectangular box that looked like four doors stuck together. It was plonked in the middle of the Corrie foyer, with no clear indication of how it had gotten inside. Widget had his blaster out but was holding it as if by habit, and not in readiness. He shrugged when Shiv gestured a question at him.

“It just appeared, sir,” he said.

“What’s this?” Shiv asked the Doctor.

“My vehicle. It’s licensed, don’t worry. More importantly, see, is what’s inside.”

“Yes, do show us your victim.”

The Doctor made an odd grimace and opened the door to his odder vehicle. “It’s bigger on the inside, yes, yes, but the thing is— Oh dear. I think he’s dead. There’s bits of him all over. People don’t tend to recover from that kind of thing usually.”

Shiv stared into the vehicle for a long, long moment. At the lumpy black and red bits spattered about the inside of the Doctor’s vehicle. At the familiar, impractical robe that she had always thought absurd. She glanced at Widget, who looked a question back. Finally, she returned her attention to the Doctor. He looked like one of Fox’s feral tookas that had just delivered a rat, but to his credit, he was disguising his smugness reasonably well.

But he hadn’t been raised in armour. Shiv read glee all over his pinstripes.

“You appear to have killed the Chancellor of the Republic in a-a road traffic accident,” Shiv said.

“I do appear to have done that, yes,” the Doctor conceded, without an admirable effort at contrition.

Shiv hummed and looked at Widget. Widget was disguising his glee excellently. “Have we got a procedure for that, Trooper?”

“I think there’s a fine, sir.”

“There you go, Doctor. There’s a fine. Payable to the Coruscant Guard Retirement Fund.”

Widget jerked. “Are we retiring, then?”

“I certainly am.” Shiv tilted her head at the Doctor, who grinned back, as if anticipating her question. She jerked a thumb at the Doctor’s vehicle. “Got room in there for a few more?”

The Doctor slung an arm around Shiv’s shoulders. “My dear Chief Medical Officer, I have room for an army.”

[karuuhnia]

I've been a Pokémon fan since the very beginning and recently a friend asked me who my favourite character was. I couldn't answer with just one character. So instead I gave her my top 3 favourites from each generation - and then turned it into this. lol

A little bit more info under the cut if you're interested.

_______

Please do not alter, repost/reupload or redistribute my artwork anywhere! (Reblogging is perfectly fine, of course.)

Gen 1:

Blue: The original rival, you loved to hate him. :D

Erika: I loved her design as a kid, even though I had no idea what a kimono was back then lol

Bill: No idea tbh lol. I like his hair and that he's a nerd, I guess? Honestly, Gen 1 did not have that many memorable and fleshed out characters, so I kinda struggled here.

Gen 2:

Lance: Honestly, he was my fave in Gen 1 already. I love his strength, his design, his virtuousness, his bravery, his code of honour, his everything. To me he's like a knight in shiny armour from old fairytales. lol I could spend a whole day describing all the things I love about him, but I don't wanna bore you.

Eusine: Probably a weird pick for many because he is kinda obnoxious in the game lol I've always had a soft spot for him though and I really wanted him to get Suicune in the end, after he'd changed.

Morty: I love his design and colours and that he's Eusine's bff and voice of reason.

Gen 3:

Steven: He is classy, wears a really awesome suit, has very cool Pokémon and is still a huge nerd. I love it!

Archie: (I see you, @chipsncookies) Big hunk with a big smile and a cool outfit. Beard. Not a bad guy, actually. Learns that he was wrong and does everything to make things right again. Frienemies with Maxie.

Maxie: Scrawny beanpole with a silly (but very cozy looking) outfit. Secretly a dork. Not a bad guy either. Learns from his mistakes and wants to make them right again. Frienemies with Archie.

Gen 4:

Riley: I was a huge fan of Sir Aaron in the movie and Riley is just as awesome. I love his hat too. His personality is also similar to Lance's, so that's a huge plus.

Cynthia: I really, really like her. She is so cool and strong and her theme is amazing. Just like Charizard she's become too popular and that gets a bit tiresome sometimes.

Looker: Okay, I admit, it took me a while to get used to Looker. But now I like his quirky, funny Inspector Gadget shenanigans. What changed my mind was the aftergame of XY. ;__;

Gen 5:

Ingo & Emmet: I couldn't do it. I couldn't choose who of them I like more. So they share the first place.They're a duo anyway. And absolutely inseparable. R-Right?

Elesa: I like her mainly because of the fanon that she's bffs with the subway twins. But she's also not the bitchy supermodel that I first thought she was. She's actually kind and supportive.

Alder: Funny grandpa with awful hair, but a big heart and a great theme song.

Gen 6:

Lysandre: His design always gave me Ganondorf-vibes. That's pretty much it. His goal is stupid.

Emma: Her storyline in the post-game was by far the best thing in XY. And her theme is so beautiful!

Sycamore: I still wish he had actually turned out to be evil. I still like him.

Gen 7:

Kukui: What is not to love about him? He's a hunk, he loves his wife, he takes in Lillie, he punches Pokémon with his bare hands.

Lillie: Sweet little girl who deserves all the love from her friends and her adoptive parents instead of all the shit her psycho bio mother put her through.

Burnet: She's sweet and smart and kind and I wish she had a much bigger role in the game. Her anime part was great though <3

Gen 8:

Piers, Sonia and Raihan: Honestly... These are pretty much the only characters that I remember lol Gen 8 was very underwhelming for me.

Gen 9:

Arven: Just a poor neglected boy who wants to save his sick dog. In contrast to his shitty parents he's got a big heart, is caring, nurturing and supportive.

Clavell: The twist about this character was that there was no twist. He is just a very kind grandpa who genuinely cares for the well-being of his students. I also LOVE his battle theme.

Hassel: This game really is full of wholesome boomers. Hassel's got a huge heart for art and his students and Pokémon. He's also not afraid of showing his emotions.

[thechildofmythal]

Library Books

Short fic of Cullen x Inquisitor Lavellan slow burn.

The Inquisitor literally bumps into Cullen in the library of Skyhold. Cue some of the oldest tricks in the book, pun intended. There's attraction, there's tension, there's two bookish nerds trying to flirt. Awful and cute.

It's canon that Cullen reads a lot, so it would be easy to find him at the library, I think.

Read here in AO3 if you're a registered user, or find it in its entirety below the cut.

Words: 1 790

*

Ellana Lavellan climbed the stairs to the Skyhold library with her arms full of books. Reaching the top, she looked around to see if Dorian was around, but saw no sign of him. He would have been a great help in getting the books back in their right places, and made it fun, too.

Sighing, Ellana faced returning the books on her own. She took a look at the book on top of the pile in her arms, “A Study of the Fifth Blight,” and began to wander a meandering route between the bookshelves to find its place. Luckily, it did not take too long for her to find it. She tilted her head to read the cover of the next book on her lap while she walked between the shelves - and promptly walked into something tall, furry and immovable. 

“Oh!” she exhaled as a few books fell from her arms to the ground, but felt a stabilising, firm hand on her arm. It was Commander Cullen. She had bumped into his back - face first into the fur mantle on his shoulders. 

“Inquisitor!” Cullen exclaimed in surprise as he turned to face her, holding on to her arm with his hand, a book in the other hand. Ellana noticed he did not have his gloves on for once. “What were you– are you alright?”

Ellana blinked up at the man, trying to reorient herself, but his widened amber eyes on her and the man’s sudden proximity made her all the dizzier. Creators, he smells nice. Why did she always think about his scent? She never thought of what Varric or Blackwall or anyone else smelled like. Did Cullen simply have a stronger smell? Did he use more of some scent? No, it wasn’t that. The smell was very subtle, and it didn’t seem like he actually added any perfume. Perhaps a spicy, vanilla aroma in the hair product he used, then there was the leather of his armour, and most importantly, his own masculine musk that made her feel positively drunk of his presence. 

“Ellana?” Cullen repeated in a softer tone, squeezing her arm with a concerned look.

Ellana realised that the reason why she always noticed his scent was because, well, she noticed everything about him. Except apparently him being there in the library, having just walked straight into him.

“Sorry, I’m fine! I just, uh, wasn’t looking where I was going!” she hurried to explain and get a grip of herself. 

“So engrossed in,” Cullen turned his head to read the title of the book still remaining in her hand, “ A Dissertation on the Fade as a Physical Manifestation? Riveting reading, I’m sure.”

He gave her a lopsided smile, and Ellana swallowed. Her eyes were locked on the scar on his lip, and the tease in his voice made her get all kinds of ideas. She only needed to lean forward a bit, go up on tiptoe, and she could kiss him. It would be so easy. Would he still hold on to her arm? Would he answer her kiss and wrap the other arm around her, too? The thought gave her a thousand butterflies in her stomach.

“Dorian gave me this to read,” Ellana said and ripped her eyes off him to see where the other books had fallen.

Cullen’s hand let go of her. He tucked the book he was holding under his arm, and promptly knelt down on the floor to pick up the fallen books for her. Ellana quickly crouched down as well to clean up her mess, with a flustered face.

“That’s a book for mage students at Circles, ” he said, handing her a book from the floor. “Not the best suited for the likes of you and me.”

“You can say that again. Don’t tell Dorian, but I couldn’t finish it. Awful stuff. He’ll have to explain it to me.”

Ellana reached for the book farthest away at the same moment as Cullen did. Their hands brushed together, they looked at each other, then away, and they both chuckled a little. Cullen then picked up the book easily, having longer reach, and they both stood up together.

“Were you bringing all of these back?” Cullen asked, and with curiosity looked at the titles of the books he had picked up.

“Yes. Reading helps me get to know the world in other than Dalish terms,” she said and shifted, looking down at the books. “You must think me a bore, but I do enjoy reading.”

“If you are a bore, then there’s two of us,” Cullen said softly. Ellana looked up at him, and saw him smiling down at her. The butterflies and the terrible urge to kiss him returned in an instant. 

“Let me help you return these, or you’ll be here all evening,” Cullen offered. He took a book called Beyond the Frostbacks from her hands, and looked around. “This one belongs to this shelf, I think.”

“Thank you,” she said, and took a step aside to look for the right place for the next book called Ferelden: Folklore and History. 

“Rather heavy reading, all of these. Not a fan of Varric’s works, then?” Cullen asked conversationally as they walked between the bookshelves slowly, looking at the shelves and slipping the books in their places. 

“I’ve already read a couple of them, actually, and they’re really good,” Ellana admitted. “But I constantly feel like I’m out of my depth. I try to catch up on knowledge everyone seems to assume the Inquisitor should be well versed in.”

Cullen paused to look at Ellana as she reached to put a book on an upper shelf. With her back to him, he let his eyes wander along her stretched body, taking in her athletic, toned form and, Maker, her round buttocks perking up as she got up on tiptoe. Those were some form fitting trousers she was wearing, he thought appreciatively. She was not particularly short or small, but she had trouble reaching the top shelf. Cullen took a couple of seconds to gather courage to step closer - and to enjoy the view. Then he took a step forward, right next to her, and reached up easily being considerably taller than her. His larger hand covered hers holding the book, and he gently guided the book to its shelf. The book slotted into its place, and her hand ended up in his for a brief moment.

There she was. So close. Looking up at him with those big earnest blue eyes. She smelled fresh - like the moment just before rain, or perhaps freshly washed bed clothes that had been hanging outside to dry, and like a summery meadow in the middle of the night. No one else in Thedas smelled as enticing as she did. Or was as captivating as she was. Or as beautiful, he caught himself thinking. Cullen’s eyes were drawn to her parted lips - she then bit her lower lip, looking up at him, and he felt a sudden urge to bow his head and kiss her. The way she looked at him - he had to misjudge it, right? It would be madness to kiss her. It would be madness if she wanted him to, but she looked like that… This is mad, he decided. Get a grip of yourself. 

Cullen cleared his throat audibly - she blinked her eyes and looked down immediately. He let go of her hand and took a step back. The moment was over. He looked at the last book in his hands and started walking to the next library aisle. 

“You sound like you’re putting too much pressure on yourself,” Cullen said, picking up the conversation. “You should remember to let yourself relax, as well.”

“You’re one to talk. When’s the last time you’ve had a day off?” Ellana asked pointedly, walking after him. She gripped on the book she had left with both hands to stop them from shaking. 

“That, my lady, is beside the point,” Cullen quipped over his shoulder, and placed the last book in the shelf. “May I suggest a book? Some light reading to get your mind off of Grey Wardens and the Fade and Orlesian emperors of old.”

“If Dorian recommended a book on the intricacies of the Fade, are you going to suggest a book on trebuchets?” Ellana teased him, making him stop and look at her with a raised eyebrow.

“As a matter of fact I do know an excellent book on siege equipment, thank you very much,” Cullen said and Ellana couldn’t help but laugh. Making her smile and laugh made his heart swell in his chest. “But I thought of a fictional adventure story, actually. You might think it childish, but I enjoyed it as a younger man. I haven’t read it in years, but it’s harmless fun with a good plot twist.”

Cullen’s eyes scanned the shelves for a moment. “A-ha!” he found it, picked it off the shelf, and presented it to Ellana. 

“Empire’s End,” she read the title and thumbed through the book. She looked up at him, finding herself biting her lower lip again. “It doesn’t seem childish at all. Any romance?”

“There’s a subplot, if you must know,” Cullen admitted.

“Does the couple get a happy ending?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow at him. 

“That would be spoiling it,” he remarked. “And this is actually only the first book of a trilogy.”

“Oh come on, I won’t be reading it if they don’t get a happy ending,” Ellana complained playfully. 

“I didn’t realise you were so starved for romance, my lady,” he noted with a teasing smirk. “Perhaps you should ask Cassandra for book recommendations, instead.”

“I prefer your recommendations, thank you,” Ellana said and surprised her for being forward, “so I get more excuses to talk to you.”

Cullen’s mouth opened, then he breathed out and laughed a little. Boldened by her rather obvious flirt, he attempted one of his own. “In that case, perhaps I should take the two other parts of the trilogy, just to give you the excuse to come and see me when you need them.”

They both chuckled nervously, looking at each other, then away, then theirs eyes finding each other again.

“Sounds great,” she said.

“Good,” he said.

“Um."

“Yes, well…”

“Thank you for the help.”

“Any time, Inquisitor.”

Cullen bowed his head to her, and Ellana took a step back, smiling like an idiot. Then she turned before she would bump into someone else, and walked away. 

Before she left, she looked back over her shoulder - and caught him looking after her. They both looked guilty, then grinned at each other, Cullen shook his head smiling, and she escaped to the staircase.

[arc-misadventures]

The Cats Armoured Coat

Blake: Okay, how are your guy’s plans going?

Pyrrha: Not good. Jaune just complimented my armour on how nice it looked, and how it will provide me additional protection the next time we have to fight.

Blake: Well, he did compliment you on how nice you looked.

Pyrrha: I know~! But, I thought my armour would help seduce him with its subtle curves, and metal plating. You think his eyes would have been mesmerized by the sight of the skirt as I shook my hips at him.

Blake: Well, he did compliment you, he never did it before so he is aware of your new armour. Unlike before where he wasn’t aware of… anything.

Pyrrha: That’s true… I guess I’ll take the wins when I get them then.

Blake: That’s the spirit! So how goes things with, Yang’s new armour?

Pyrrha: Well… she’s having some… issues…

Blake: Like… what…?

Blake looked over, Pyrrha’s shoulder to see, Ruby struggling in vain to shove, Yang’s massive breasts into the armour breast plate, then to try, and connect the armour to the rest of the suit.

Ruby: Grrrr! They. Won’t. Fit!

Yang: Yes they will!

Ruby: No they won’t!

Yang: YES THEY WILL!!!

Ruby: Ahh! This breast plate should have at least been made into a, B Cup, why did you want it to be an, A Cup?!

Yang: Because watching my massive tits pop out would be so hot!

Ruby: There are more effective ways to may a, Double G Cup look like a, A Cup. This isn’t one of them?!

Yang: It will work!

Ruby: Rahhhhhhhh!

Yang: Ahhhhhhhh!

(Click)

And with that final scream the armour plate fit into its slot locking itself in place.

Yang: Ah! See, told you it would work~!

Ruby: Not for long. That things like a coiled spring; one good bump, and that thing will come flying out like a sling shot.

Yang: Pssh! That won’t happen. Good gods… It’s been years since I could look at my feet like this. Is this how you, and Weiss feel?

Ruby: Hey!

Yang: Haha! With this I can finally seduce, Jaune! He’ll no longer be going after that washboard, Weiss as soon as he sees my amazing mommy milkers~!

Ruby: Okay…? Just, stop bouncing like that; you might dislodge the chest piece if you keep doing that.

Yang: I can’t help it; They were always jiggling now they’re doing nothing at…?!

Like a ballista releasing its crossbow bolt, Yang’s breast plate came out flying at an insane speed slamming into, Ruby’s face knocking her off her feet, and knocking her out cold in seconds. Leaving no time to marvel as, Yang’s bounced free from their confinement.

Ruby: Gahh?!!

Yang: Oh shit, Ruby?!

BP: …

Blake: Well, that was inevitably going to happen…

Pyrrha: The jiggle they gave as they broke free was pretty nice.

Blake: Oh it was salivating to the senses. Anyway, want to come with me while I seduce, Jaune~?

Pyrrha: Oh~? And, what exactly are you planning on doing?

Blake: Follow me~!

~~~

Jaune: Lotters~! Looters~! Looters~! Loot… ers?

Blake: Oh! Hi, Jaune~! What do you think of my new… Body armour~?

Jaune: Looks incredibly uncomfortable, and highly impractical.

Blake: Eh?

Jaune: Actually it would be good if you wore an undershirt, and a cap. But, I doubt all that heavy chainmail is comfortable on your cat ears now is it?

Blake: It is a little heavy on my ears.

Jaune: and, you really should have worn an undershirt under all that chainmail. How they link the chains together may inadvertently scratch up your back, and you should probably have a shower too since they use oil to maintain the quality of the chainmail. Don’t want to ruin your lovely skin now do we~!

Blake: Oh… T-Thank you… I’ll go do that later…

Jaune: And, as for that… skirt…

Blake: What about it…?

Jaune: …

Blake: …?

Jaune: …

Blake: Jaune?

Jaune: It really compliments your amazing a…?! I-It’s highly impractical! Take it off!

Blake: I’ll go do that…

Jaune: Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I was going to meet, Nora, and Ren at, Looters. Till later then.

Blake: B-Bye, Jaune!

Blake: Well… That failed…

Pyrrha: I’ll say… He took one look at you, and critiqued everything wrong with your outfit.

Blake: I know… Dammit… I thought this would rock his blocks off…

Pyrrha: Well, yeah, but look at the bright side.

Blake: And, that is?

Pyrrha: Jaune thinks you have an amazing ass~!

Blake: …

Blake: Hell yeah! Bellabooty for the win!

“Smack!”

Blake: AHH?! It scratch my butt! The chainmail scratched up my ass! Oh gods that stings!

Pyrrha: Well, he did warn you. So…?

Blake: Not helping!

Pyrrha: Sorry.

[hugmekenobi]

Wardrobe Change

A Bad Batch Series interlude oneshot

Image from the Popverse courtesy of Lucasfilm (my gif searches were being very uncooperative)

Hunter x femaleJedi!reader

Summary: Times change, uniforms change and this new design has its fair share of admirations.

Warnings: No use of y/n, pet names (sweetheart), Cid being Cid, I make up a timeline, affectionate possessiveness, fluff and feelings, Force communication working how I say it does, PDA in the form of making out and affectionate biting, spicy/suggestive dialogue, getting caught/interrupted, awkwardness

Masterlist for Season 1 chapters

Word Count: 4.7K

Rating: 18+

Author’s notes: It’s the last of the oneshots before we get into S2! This was purely because I wanted to start S2 off with the armour changes being understood and so I didn’t have to describe them lol but I hope there’s more substance for y’all to enjoy! Big shout out to @hugmedin who helped me when I got hit with a bad bit of writer’s block and wrote a section of this, including my favourite line in this fic that had me freaking out when I read it, love you my guy!! 

“Okay! I have them! Ugh this is so heavy!”

You all turned your attention over to the loud thud and you smiled as you saw Lyra collapsed over the container she had previously been carrying. She’d only just managed to get it through the doorway. “You should’ve told us. We’d have helped you bring it over.” You said as you stood up and walked over to her.

“It’s part of the service.” Lyra panted as she stood up and smoothed down her top. “I think you guys will like what I’ve done.”

“Can you get that out the way? It’s blocking the entrance! We don’t have all day for this. I have my own business to run!” Cid said by way of greeting.

“You weren’t exaggerating.” Lyra muttered.

“Give it 6 months and you’ll be on mildly better terms.” You uttered back with grin.

“Oi! Either help her or get out of her way. It’s bad enough you’re using my place as your fitting rooms!” Cid barked over at you.

“Better terms?” Lyra said with a small laugh.

“I did say mildly.” You replied, grabbing the other side of the box, and lifting it over to where the rest of your squad had congregated in the corner.

“Are they finally ready?” Omega asked excitedly as she gave Tech the datapad back.

“Omega, we haven’t finished-”

“Come on, Tech! I can do it later!” Omega griped.

Tech sighed in defeat.

“A quick break won’t hurt Tech.” You appeased.

“Let me see!” Omega said.

“Okay kid, hang on.” Lyra said with a smile. She opened the box and began the process of handing the updated armour out. “I played around a bit with them.”

“How much?” Hunter and Echo asked warily as they took theirs from her.

“Don’t stress. It’ll all look perfect. I changed the colours and symbols as requested but I got rid of a couple things that weren’t really necessary. You guys have more civilian type clothing to wear underneath now, rather than just those blacks you’d handed over. And that means you don’t have to always change into these clothes you’re wearing now if you want to take your armour off. Oh, and your codpieces are gone.”

“You took away a whole section of our armour?” Tech asked sceptically as he took his.

“They were annoying me.” She replied simply. “And I don’t think you’re in a position to act like it’s a super crucial piece you’re missing. You don’t have any thigh armour. That wasn’t a change I made, that was all you.” She added pointedly.

Tech opened his mouth to protest but he couldn’t think of a rebuttal fast enough.

You chuckled as you watched Tech walk away, mumbling something under his breath about how it suits his needs just fine.

“Where’s mine?” Omega asked eagerly.

“Alright kid. Here you go.” Lyra passed the pile of clothes over to Omega who grabbed them keenly and dashed off to change.

“Did I see a hat?” You asked as you watched her turn the corner.

“It makes the outfit.” Lyra replied with a smile.

You laughed. “I won’t question your style.”

“Good. Cause now it’s your turn.”

“You only changed the colour, right?”

“In a way…”

“Lyra…”

“Calm down. It’s nothing crazy. I still kept the hood and mask element you like. I just started from scratch. The top you bought from me before isn’t really suitable for what you do. I didn’t realise you operated with no armour at all. If I gave you the original one back, it would only be a matter of time before you had rips in it. I’m surprised it was in one piece for so long.”

“Okay… so?”

“So, I got my hands on this new material that is generally just sturdier so that’ll help, and you have some armour of your own.”

“Armour?” You said sceptically as you watched her reach down.

“Not a lot.” She reassured you. “I figured you liked the freedom of movement, it’s just a couple of things. Here’s the top.”

You took it from her, and you could already tell that it was better quality. The black fabric was thick but when you put it over your head, it fit snugly but still allowed for flexible movement. The mask and hood were indeed still there and where your previous top had red lining on the outside, this one now had a turquoise. Your eyes also noted the small white half skull that seemed to have been another element that was carried over. “And this was an essential thing you needed to keep?” You said, pointing to the sign.

Lyra grinned. “You both like it and don’t try to deny it.”

You rolled your eyes but smiled with her. “This is perfect though, thanks!”

“I’m not done.” She handed over the additional pieces to your ensemble.

You took the small parts of armour she’d give you. They were black and decorated with a mix of white and turquoise stripes. You also realised they were like the ones Hunter wore on his forearms. She’d also added a pair of black gloves.

“This means you’re also getting rid of that horrendous thing keeping that vibroblade on your thigh.” Lyra ordered.

“There’s nothing wrong with it!” You said defensively, glancing down to your thigh where your vibroblade was encased. Sure, the strap was fraying, and it was no longer the same colour as it was when you had first got it and some of the leather was showing cracks, but it served its purpose just fine. Plus, it had been with you through a lot of highs and lows and although a mantra throughout your life had been ‘no attachments,’ you had found that both Hunter and this strap were exceptions to the rule and you were rather fond of it.

Lyra just gave you a sad look. “Look at it. It’s disgusting. Throw it in here and never think about it again.” She insisted, turning the box towards you.

You sighed and chucked your vibroblade on the table before you threw your old strap into the empty container. You attached the new pieces to your forearms before you sheathed your vibroblade into the one on your left arm. You then put the next pieces that ran from your shoulders to the end of your upper arm. You were annoyed to find that Lyra was right, and you didn’t feel restricted by having them there.

“And you told me yourself your blaster holster is a hand-me-down from Tech. Put that one away too.”

“You were just waiting for a chance to upgrade my stuff weren’t you?” You grumbled as you took your blaster out and removed your holster. It joined your old vibroblade strap.

“Oh yeah.” Lyra said with a smug smile.

You attached the new holster to your thigh and put your blaster in it. “Happy now?” You asked, gesturing up and down your body.  

“You look hot!” Lyra said as she circled you, studying how you looked with the new parts on.

“Shut up.” You laughed, slightly flustered.

“Your sergeant is a lucky guy. How’d your secret project got by the way?”

Before you could reply, a shout got both of your attention.

“We’re ready! I love it!”

You turned to the sound of Omega’s voice, and you grinned as you saw her delighted expression. It had been a while since Kamino and Omega had definitely grown so it was about time she had something that fit with that, and she did now. She had grey bottoms and a red top which was worn underneath a light blue layer, and she had red fabric wrapped around her right wrist. The hat was a cute touch as well. The rest of your squad also looked pretty good. It was odd though, seeing them in colours that weren’t the signature ones they used wear and any insignia illustrating them being Clone Force 99 being gone.

Lyra clapped her hands together. “I truly outdid myself! You guys look fabulous!”

“Yeah, you guys look great!” You added.

Wrecker and Omega beamed, whilst Tech and Echo merely gave small nods.

“You look great too!” Omega said as she walked over to you.

“Yeah, Hunter’s got colours like that too. You guys’ll look good!” Wrecker added.

You smiled and rolled your eyes. “Speaking of that, where is our fearless leader?” You asked.

“He wanted to rearrange the scarf.” Echo replied.

“Scarf?” You repeated, your throat going dry. You looked over to Lyra.

She shrugged. “I like accessories. Sue me.”

You turned your head over to the sound of Hunter coming back into the main area and it took everything in you not to stare at him for an abnormal amount of time. His armour, like the rest of theirs had maintained most of its original structure-minus the codpiece- and his colours were indeed similar to the ones you had. He had the more civilian looking clothes underneath with the rest of his armour donning a mix of black, white, and turquoise. He had the same bit of orange running down the centre of his chest plate like his brothers had and his helmet still had half of it painted white to match the skull tattoo on his face. The red wrappings around his wrists mirrored the one Omega had and the red scarf… well the scarf was definitely a nice added feature.

Hunter nearly did a double take as he saw you. You looked… well you looked powerful, capable. Not that you didn’t look like that already but there was something about seeing you with actual armour that accentuated that part of you. Plus, the fact he was wearing colours that matched with yours was an added bonus.

“Well, my work here is done!” Lyra said cheerily as she bent down to grab the now empty case.

Hunter tore his eyes away from you and nodded his thanks to her before he saw that you were still looking at him. “What?” He asked as he joined the others and grabbed a drink. He brought his cup to his lips.

“Nothing. Looks good.” You said casually, turning away to follow Lyra out. Just thinking of all the things a scarf can do that a bandana can’t.

The choked splutter that followed had you smirking to yourself as you walked out the door.

--

“You sure we don’t owe you anything for this?” You double checked as you both stood outside the entrance to Cid’s.

Lyra shook her head. “You guys helped me out when I was being harassed by Marco and his goons. We’re even now.”

“Yeah, but getting to beat up Marco and Co is fun.” You said lightly. “You don’t need to repay us for that.”

“I wanted to. Besides, it was actually kinda fun. I haven’t had a project like that to work on in a while. Just point people in my direction if they ask who did this fabulous work and we’re all good.”

You huffed out a laugh. “You got it. I’ll see you around, Lyra. Thank you.”

“Yeah, see you around!” She grabbed her stuff and walked away.

You fished the necklace out your pocket and studied the small symbol on the end of the black leather cord.  It wouldn’t be noticeable under his clothes and armour. You just hoped he would like it.

--

You and Hunter seemed to find any excuse to gravitate towards one another and touch each other, even if it was nothing more than a simple touch that lasted a matter of seconds. Yes, you’d started it with your comment about the scarf, but he really wasn’t helping with things. The air between the two of you had been charged ever since you’d walked back down those steps and now every touch sent warmth flooding through you, and you were sure it was the same for him. To the others, the hand wrapped around your shoulder seemed completely innocent since you were all engaged in casual conversations, but it sent a thrumming through your veins you couldn’t control. And, judging by the way he’d tensed up when you’d laid your hand on his thigh, you weren’t the only one. You all had shed your armour since Cid didn’t have a mission so that definitely wasn’t making things any easier for you.

It felt like a test. Who was going to be the one to give in first? You really didn’t want it to be you and you think you had a way to do that. As Wrecker and Omega got up to go play a game of Dejarik, with Tech and Echo going to watch, you turned to face him. “Can I talk to you outside?”

Hunter looked at you quizzically but nodded and followed you as you stood up.

You made your way to the exit.

“Where are you going?” Omega asked as she waited for Wrecker to make his move.

“We’ll be back.” You replied.

--

“Everything okay?” Hunter asked as you began to pace in front of him.

“Yes. I just- Look I’m- What I’m trying-.” You stopped with an aggravated huff. You’d rehearsed this countless times in your head, and it wasn’t a big deal, worst he could say was no.

“Sweetheart.” Hunter grabbed your wrist to get you to stop walking. “Take a breath, look at me.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “Don’t call me that.”

Hunter tilted his head. “Why not? You usually don’t mind it. In fact, you tend to quite enjoy it.” He added with a smirk.

You shot him a playful glare and removed his hand which had worked its way to your waist. “Yes, exactly. You’re distracting me and I have a plan here. You’re not going to ruin it with your-” You didn’t finish your sentence, you just gestured to him.

Hunter held his hands up in mock surrender and leaned against the edge of the entry way.

You inhaled deeply and started pacing again. “I consider myself a pretty independent person, you know? Not one to be dependent on much, certainly not a man in my life. But then you come along, and suddenly I’m finding particular things I thought I would hate, quite, well, quite attractive. Take this for example.” You pointed to the half skull on your top. “I was convinced I would hate it, but I don’t. I don’t mind the message it sends.” You stopped and faced him. “However, I can’t just be what this suggests. You’re a part of me, the whole squad is, but I don’t want to be seen as someone whose only purpose is to belong to you.”

Hunter straightened up as he addressed you. “I know that. If I’ve given you reason to believe otherwise, I’m sorry. I’m sure Lyra could change it. I didn’t mean-”

“Hunter, I know.” You reassured him. “That’s not what I’m saying. I only mean I thought it would be nice if you maybe had something that- uh.” You broke off with an awkward cough before you continued, “Represented me.”  You brought the necklace out and handed it to him.

“Where’d you make that?” Hunter asked quietly as he studied the necklace which had attached to it a tiny metallic symbol. A symbol he’d seen many times during the Clone Wars. It was the symbol for the Jedi Order.

“Lyra gave me access to her stuff. Don’t worry, she didn’t know exactly what I was doing.” You added quickly as you saw the concern that flashed across his face. You looked down at the ground and scuffed the toe of your boot through the dirt. “Do you like it? I know it’s a bit risky but figured you could conceal it easily enough and I-” The strong hands on your waist that guided you backwards to the wall cut you off. You glanced up but before you could take your next breath, Hunter’s lips met yours and what little resistance you had left crumbled, but hey, technically he kissed you first, so you counted it as a win. You let him press his body tight to yours and you kissed him eagerly. You like it then?

Hunter didn’t answer directly. He just kissed along your jaw and nipped the skin by the spot behind your ear that he knew would elicit a moan from you and you didn’t disappoint. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” He said, still out of breath and his voice even lower than what it usually was.

You released a sigh and your head fell back against the wall as he continued to leave marks on the skin of your neck. I have a pretty good idea.

“I’m serious.” He slid his hand on your cheek, so you were forced to look at him and he very nearly lost it. Your eyes were wide, and your breathing was still uneven, and he wanted nothing more than to continue but he needed to say this first. “From the minute you showed up on Devaron to help, I was enthralled by you. You took out a line of droids with nothing more than a slightly longer vibroblade on your back and acted like it was a regular day. Sure, later on we discovered there was a bit more reason behind that.”

You smiled slightly but your eyes dipped down as a wave of guilt washed over you at the memory of your dishonesty.

“Hey.” Hunter said softly as he saw your mind leave the current moment. He tucked his finger under your chin and angled your face back up. “That’s not why I brought it up. Don’t go back there. Stick with me here cause there’s a point to all this, I promise.”

You sighed and nodded.

Hunter breathed deeply. “You were incredible and there was no hesitation from me, or the others quite frankly, when it came to offering a place with us. I just underestimated the impact you were going to have on my life. It didn’t take long for my brothers to start giving me a hard time, but I was too stubborn to listen.”

Join the club.

He smiled at you before he continued. “Remember, when there was that stampede of Reeks and I got hurt. It was about two months after you’d joined us?” When he saw you nod, he carried on, “You remember how I got injured?”

“The last dregs of the Separatist droids sent a final charge our way. The blast meant I slipped and fell into the cavern where they were running. You came after me and pushed me out the way.” You said softly.

“Yeah, I did. I- I was in love with you then.”

“Well, then we were on very similar timelines.” You revealed with a smile.

Hunter huffed out a laugh. “So, fast forward to now. You’re wearing something that ties you to me and I don’t think you realise exactly the effect that has on me. And then I come out to see I’m wearing the same the colours you are. And to top it off, you’re asking me to wear something that ties me to you? I can say with no hesitation that you’re a part of me too.” With that, he looped it over his neck.

You took a shaky breath as you watched him put it on and you understood why the half skull on your top had meant so much to him. “You think the colours thing only mattered to you? Why do you think I had to give it to you now?” You murmured. “You were killing me in there.”

Hunter nuzzled into your neck. “That why you dragged me out here? Couldn’t wait?” He muttered into your skin and began to place light kisses on your neck, altering what side had his attention.   

“That why you followed me out here?” You countered as you struggled to keep your composure. 

“I thought you wanted to talk.” Hunter replied, his eyes lifting to yours, an unspoken challenge behind them. 

“I-I did talk.” You maintained. 

“And now?”

“And now I’m done.” You grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him with fervour. And I’m counting this as a win. You broke first.  

Hunter chuckled and moved so his lips brushed against your jawline again as his hand trailed from your cheek down to your neck where it stopped for a moment before he continued, and his palm came to rest on the left side of your chest. Your heartbeat pounded beneath his fingertips.

You didn’t let him linger there too long. Wrapping your hands around the back of his neck, you pulled him in even closer and bucked your hips forward into him in an attempt to banish the remaining space between the two of you. As you did so Hunter let out a moan into the crook of your neck and the resulting vibrations sent your mind to mush. Your hands frantically grabbed at his shirt, the fabric bunching in between your fingers as you tried to bring him even closer. You let out a frustrated moan, you felt like he was holding back, and you were losing patience. 

Hunter let out a soft chuckle and you could feel his smile against your skin, genuine and unfiltered. “Relax.”  he whispered into your ear. “I’m right here.” 

Your hands slid from his waist up the length of his back, his muscles rigid but warm against your palm. You nipped at his ear, your hips still bucking into him, and you’d never been more thankful that Lyra had gotten rid of the cod pieces, but it also meant you became more and more desperate.  

“I need you closer.” Your voice came out strained as you looked up at him and you made no attempt to disguise your desire as you continued to press yourself against him.   

“That can be arranged.” 

The lights in the alleyway were dim but you could have sworn you saw a glimmer form in his eyes, the kind that only appeared when the two of you were alone. Upon seeing that, all sensible thoughts about the risks of doing this in public left your head completely. 

Bending down ever so slightly he brought both his hands to the back of your thighs lifting you up against the wall in one swift movement. Instinctively, you wrapped your legs around his waist as he held you in position against the wall. Your fingers found themselves wrapped up in Hunter’s hair which you used to gently tug his face away from where he was placing deep kisses along your collarbone. He let out a deep sigh which caught in his throat and resembled something close to a growl. As you held his head there you allowed yourself a moment to admire the way his eyes had grown darker, and his chest and shoulders heaved as he caught his breath. His lips remained parted as he patiently waited for instructions from you. Removing your hand from his hair you brought it back to caress his tattooed cheek, this time allowing your thumb to softly trail his lower lip.

He drew you into a deep kiss, the kind that left your lips raw and your lungs begging for oxygen that you swore you could definitely live without - but eventually you had to give into your reflex and come up for air. 

Hunter broke away first, bringing his forehead to rest tenderly against yours. His hands reached under your top; his gloved hands caressed your skin. “You sure about doing this here? I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop once-”  

Yes. You nodded eagerly but before you were able to continue, a horrified shout got both of your attention. 

“Ugh are you kidding me! You two really couldn’t wait?! Ugh my eyes!” Wrecker complained as he instantly turned away from the scene in front of him.

Hunter quickly let you down and he was sure your mortified expression matched his and you both turned to face the backs of Wrecker and Echo. 

“Oh, uh, hey boys. What, eh, what brings you out here?” You winced out as you adjusted your top.

At the sound of your feet hitting the ground, Echo turned to face you both and gave a disapproving stare. “Omega is about to play Tech and wanted to see if any of you wanted the next round so, we came out to ask. She nearly left to ask herself, but I figured based on past experience-”

“Okay.” Hunter interrupted him before he went any further.

You can turn around, Wrecker.

Wrecker took you at your word. “What happened to talking?”

“I mean… we did talk. Just got a bit carried away.” Your eyes focused on fiddling with the end of your sleeve.

“I’ll say.” Wrecker griped. 

“That’s the third time this month. We’ve talked about this. It was bad enough when Tech interrupted you guys in the cockpit.” Echo chastised you both.

Hunter couldn’t find any words. He just kept his eyes on the ground. 

“Hey, you didn’t have to listen to the lecture he gave afterwards on the importance of hygiene and sanitation.” You grumbled. 

“You’ve been lucky it hasn’t been Omega yet.” Echo continued, paying little attention to your words.

You knew he was right. The two of you had been pretty reckless lately and the very fact Omega hadn’t been one of the unfortunates to witness said reckless moments is something you thanked the Force for. “I’m sorry, we’ll be better.”

“Yeah, sorry boys. It won’t happen again.” Hunter said firmly.

A few beats of uncomfortable silence passed.

“You guys aren’t coming back down any time soon, are you?” Echo asked reluctantly as he nodded to where both of your hands were.

The two of you hadn’t noticed the new places your hands had found themselves in. Your fingers were lightly tracing up and down Hunter’s arm whilst his had found itself around your waist again and his thumb rubbed up and down your side. Upon hearing Echo’s words, you both glanced at each other. Tell Omega I owe her a game. We’ll be back later tonight. You said in a way of reply, your brain slowly starting to block the presence of the other two out.

Echo sighed tiredly. “Just get out of here. Come on, Wrecker. We probably don’t want to linger here much longer.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Wrecker hastily turned on his heels and walked back down the steps to Cid’s, with Echo following close behind.

“Well… that could’ve been worse.” You mumbled into his shoulder after they left before you trailed a line of kisses along his neck, your teeth lightly grazed his skin.

“I can’t say I can see how. That was- that was pretty awkward.” Hunter managed to stammer out.

“I could’ve been in a more compromising position.” You purred as your hand trailed down his chest and you made to kneel in front of him. You knew he was feeling more sensible, and you definitely knew it was better to head back to the Marauder but that didn’t mean you couldn’t have your fun.

He swiftly tugged you back up and shook his head at you as he saw the cat-like grin on your face. “Careful, or I’ll have to continue this here anyway.” Hunter groaned as you slowly ground your hips against him.

“Promises, promises.” You whispered back, tugging his lip between your teeth and you took pleasure in the low moan that left him. Your hands kept a tangled grip in the scarf as you kissed him and tugged him to you.

Before he really did get too carried away, Hunter pulled away, but he still kept you tight to him. “I believe you had some thoughts for the use of this scarf? I got some ideas.” Hunter rasped.

“Hmm, I’m much more of a practical learner.” You hummed against his lips.

Stifling a groan, Hunter kissed you once more before he wrapped an arm around your waist and the two of you hustled away to the Marauder.

Masterlist

Tagging@ @noeasyisnoisy, @tpwkcalli, @fuckoffthanos, @arctrooper69, @graciexmarvel, @flyingkangaroo, @nightmonkeysstuff, @a-streakofazure​, @ladytano420​, @dragonrider9905​, @keep-calm-and-drink-caf​, @yyourmotherr​, @xxeiraxx​ 

[wannaeatramyeon]

need more writing of taehoon asap!!!!

how about reader and taehoon go a simple date together, going to a cute cafe, and then them hanging out around his room?? 🩷

(add some teasing and suggestive things 🫥🫥)

-ps, can i be 🍫 anon?

Hi Anon! Thank you for requesting! Spoiler alert - you don't make it back to his room. Oof!! Edited to add of course you can be 🍫anon!!

Seong Taehoon x Reader: Two menaces walk into an arcade...

'cute' date with your boyfriend

Taehoon bites his tongue, and it's no easy feat.

He cannot cause a scene before you've even arrived.

Still. The girls seated at the next table must have a deathwish if they point their finger and giggle in his direction one more time.

In his periphery, he sees more staring... and a finger wagging at him yet again. He snaps.

"Fuck you looking at?"

Frustratingly, their giggles get louder and Taehoon wants to tear his hair out.

The braver one of the group, or stupidest - depending on how you look at it, approaches him. Sashaying over, confident and cocky, she holds out her phone. "Can I have your number?"

Taehoon scowls, leg twitching at her audacity. Just as he's about to tell her to piss off and maybe throw a kick her way to emphasise his point, he feels an arm around his shoulder.

"This one's taken. Fuck off." Tone saccharine and syrupy with a smile to match, even as you flip her off with your other hand.

"Excuse me?" she reels, aghast with your language and attitude.

"You're excused," You pull the chair out from under her, taking a seat as she stumbles out the way. "Now go."

As a last ditch attempt, the girl looks at Taehoon. Like he's the knight in shining armour that would save her.

Taehoon pulls out an expression that is usually reserved for you but he knows not many can resist. The one that walks the line between seductive and arrogance.

He arches a brow and lazily peers at her from beneath his long lashes, he smirks when he sees her gulp as his bad boy charm takes hold.

A last little bit of false hope before he lands the finishing blow.

"You heard my girlfriend. Now fuck off."

.

.

Really, he only had himself to blame when you plastered yourself to his back, finding the milky white skin of his neck far more fascinating. He doesn't move at all feeling your body pressed against him, distracted with unleashing a combo of moves.

"Quit it." Taehoon snaps as you nip at his neck, eyes still fixed firmly on the screen.

Afterwards, Taehoon had grabbed your wrist and dragged you to the arcade. A quick detour he had said, before you continue on your evening with him.

You were the one that suggested the cafe, both finding out once the food arrived that it was more suited for pretty social media pictures, the meal itself being tasteless and overpriced.

Reluctantly, you gave in. A truce for your shitty choice and his shitty encounter.

...There was nothing quick about it.

The detour turned into an hour of you hovering around, having circled the entire place five times, trying and failing to win yourself a plushie on the claw machine (which totally should be Taehoon's job, by the way), and now attempting to entertain yourself by watching your boyfriend knock out his opponent.

Yawn. You are very much not entertained.

Until now.

You go in for another bite.

"Seriously!" He shoves your head away with far less force than you deserve, then hand returning to its position on the joystick, not missing a beat.

You huff as he resumes his button mashing, but your patience and penchant for terrorising your boyfriend is almost on par with how much of a terror Taehoon is to everyone else.

Third time's the charm when you latch on, sucking away at a particularly tender spot. Taehoon's eyes flutter shut, the sound of his groan is drowned out by the game announcing 'K.O!", ruining his chain of victories.

Oops.

The computerised voice registers and suddenly you find yourself looking into the eyes of your very pissed off boyfriend.

"Do you want to die?"

You give him the smile of yours that you know he finds adorable but he continues to glare daggers. The vein throbbing on his temple does not subside. He will not be manipulated.

"Taehoon~" you try, your sugary sweet tone from earlier returning.

"No."

"No?"

He scans the arcade and your eyes follow.

Ah, you should have noticed that it had emptied out, not a body in sight.

The general public - usually your last wall of defence. Taehoon normally at least toning it down and somewhat behaving himself for your sake, caring about your propriety.

If no one is around though, that's a whole other story.

Taehoon fiddles with the hem of your skirt. You had thought it was particularly cute when you put it on this morning, and now you regret your hubris.

He looks at you, fangs bared and you gulp.

Shit.

A resounding SMACK lands on your asscheek, the sting causing you to yelp and your eyes to water.

Your hand immediately moves to cover your ass from any further assault, but Taehoon captures them both and holds them steady.

The bastard smiles. "Here's the attention you deserve."

Even through the pain, you feel a thrill of excitement as your mind wanders, thinking about what he would do to you in this empty arcade.

Taehoon all but abandons the game, focusing now entirely on you.

[lisbeth-kk]

Sherlock fandom.

Was it all for nothing?

Mycroft had warned him. Countless times. But Sherlock was stubborn. Besides, John was different he’d thought. John would never lose his faith in him. Or would he? He’d sounded quite convincing when he talked to John from the roof of Barts two years ago. But at Sherlock’s grave John had asked him for a miracle.

Don’t be dead. For me.

So, Sherlock was at a loss, and the blood froze in its veins when Mycroft told him that John had moved out of 221B. Moved on with his life.

“What life? I’ve been away,” Sherlock had spat at his brother.

The look Mycroft gave him then, brought Sherlock back to his childhood. When he’d misunderstood the simplest things regarding social behaviour. The look of pity.

“Well, at least you can count on your family to have your back,” Mycroft told him.

John used to be all the family I needed, Sherlock thought.

“Spare me the-blood-is-thicker-than-water speech,” Sherlock scoffed.

***

After all those months abroad wearing various disguises, it was a relief to once again have his armour on. A bespoke shirt and suit, newly polished shoes, a cashmere scarf and his beloved Belstaff. Its weight comforted him. He had to get his befuddled mind under control, though.

John gone from Baker Street. Seeing a nurse from work. Mary Morstan. American. A too perfect CV. John was going to propose to her tonight. John, his best friend. The one he’d sacrificed everything for. Would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant he would be safe.

He had hoped that John would’ve waited for him. A stupid thought. John believed Sherlock was dead. There was nothing to wait for. How could he have expected John to wait for a dead man? Stupid!

Sherlock was tempted to leave it that way. To hop on the next plane to whichever part of the world. But he craved to see John again. One last time, if it came to that. John would probably be angry with him. Livid. Definitely livid. John was never pleased when Sherlock left him out of the loop.

He should make a plan but couldn’t come up with anything. Sherlock was tired of it, after almost two years of planning every second of the day. 

Do what feels right in the moment.

***

John had grown a moustache. He looked old with that caterpillar on his face. Sherlock preferred him clean shaven. He considered going over to him, asking if he was keeping it.

A bit not good, Sherlock.

John’s voice was loud and clear in his head. The left corner of his lip lifted slightly. He stood perfectly still for a moment drinking in the sight of the man he’d missed more than oxygen. A sudden jostle to his back made him cry out in pain. His wounds were still fresh. He could feel blood trickle down his spine.

“Sorry,” a man told him and hurried in the direction of the rest rooms.

Sherlock breathed hard through his nose, tried to get control over the intense pain. His eyes were closed and when he opened them, John stood in front of him.

“Sherlock,” he whispered.

“John.”

He closed his eyes again, gritted his teeth, and steadied himself on the column he’d been hiding behind.

“You’re hurt,” John stated, the doctor personae automatically surfacing.

Sherlock couldn’t speak. He was overwhelmed by the pain and John’s presence. The scent of him and his proximity calmed Sherlock considerably. John’s arm was on Sherlock’s wrist, checking his pulse while his eyes took in the rest of him.

 “Torture?” John inquired with a trembling voice, indicating the marks on Sherlock’s wrist and his back.

The blood had apparently soaked through his coat.

Sherlock nodded and prepared himself to leave when he saw Mary approaching. Just one look at her and the word radiating from her was “liar”.

“Always the doctor, John,” she cooed, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Sherlock that John almost cringed at the statement.

“Goodbye, John,” Sherlock said and walked out of the restaurant as quickly as he could manage.

***

John had seemed all professional and detached, and that was even worse than his fury would’ve been. Was it all for nothing? Did John want him in his life now when he had Mary? It didn’t seem like a match made in heaven to Sherlock, but then again what did he know about such matters.

He carefully removes his shirt in the bathroom. It’s stained with a red flower-like mark. The wound in question is the one just out of reach. He must call Mycroft to get someone to rinse it and change the bandages. Not tonight, though. Sherlock needs to gather himself and catalogue his thoughts before he meets his flesh and blood again. 

He hears footsteps on the stairs. Mrs. Hudson can’t be allowed to see him like this, but then he listens more intently. It’s not her. Her hip and age forbid her to take the steps two at a time. Besides, he knows those steps.

John.

Before Sherlock has the time to cover his torso, John is standing in the doorway with a grim look on his face. Murderous more like. Sherlock prepares for the blow he knows is coming. It never comes. Instead, warm and steady hands explore, careful not to inflict pain.

“The ones responsible for this?” he asks through gritted teeth.

“Dead,” Sherlock tells him.

John nods satisfied, manhandles Sherlock to sit and gets to work. Sherlock tries not to wince when the wound stings. When John’s finished, and Sherlock stands, John buries his face into Sherlock’s chest.

“Don’t you dare leave me again,” he murmurs.

“I promise,” Sherlock says. “Never again.”

@flashfictionfridayofficial @keirgreeneyes @totallysilvergirl @@calaisreno @a-victorian-girl @safedistancefrombeingsmart @phoenix27884 @topsyturvy-turtely @gregorovitchworld @peanitbear @helloliriels

[marveylovely]

SUITS | 2.02

He doesn't want to force Mike to do something he doesn't want to. Harvey is too in love with that. But it was the right decision. Mike won't be able to build a relationship with someone who doesn't know about his secret. He doesn't know how to lie to those he loves. Therefore, all that remains for Harvey is to pat the newcomer on the back, gently touching the edge of hair growth and invite him to drink.

Now is the time for this. And if Mike falls asleep upset and drunk on Harvey's couch, continuing to cuddle under someone else's hands, then who is Harvey to deny a puppy a roof over his head? He has no malicious intent. Of course not. It's just that Harvey was the first to light stars in cornflower blue eyes, and he's going to be the only one. All he needs is to remove a sweet and kind assistant from the field of view of his equally sweet and kind assistant.

And if Harvey looks happier than usual the next day, you can sue him. Be prepared that he will rip you off like a stick, even though all this is the pure truth.

"So", Donna enters without asking, as usual, and looks piercingly, as if she already has the answers … as usual.

Harvey just arches an expressive eyebrow. The first rule if you are brought in for questioning is to close your mouth, you are not obliged to say anything.

Donna repeats his gesture and folds her arms over her chest, looking at him with a slight condescension. The prosecution went on the attack!

"Okay", Donna snorts and unceremoniously sits down on the chair in front of him.

"Yesterday you gave Mike a lecture about relationships, then took him out for a drink, and today you look too pleased for a man who was tormented by guilt because his assistant is a golden retriever who suffers for a girl. There's something wrong here", Donna doesn't ask—she claims.

"I still don't hear the question," Harvey shrugs.

Donna stares intently into his eyes and suddenly gasps. Her face lights up with an epiphany, and her gaze becomes predatory and dangerous. The blood is already in the water, and the shark can smell the victim.

"There was no guilt', Donna leans back in her chair.

Only she manages to sit on these uncomfortable chairs as if she is a queen who has condescended to receive servants. This woman is gorgeous.

"You didn't want him to date her because you only wanted him for yourself".

She's not asking again.

"It was the right choice, and I want to remind you that you agreed with him," Harvey shrugs.

It's a trap.

"Yes, but you didn't deny it".

"What's the point if you've already decided everything?" — counteroffensive.

"Oh, Harvey, it won't work on me — expected failure".

" What do you want to hear?", Harvey looks at her wearily. "I said what I had to say. Did I know that this would lead to certain consequences when…"

"Will the puppy be vulnerable, and will you be able to pick him up? Donna chuckles".

Harvey rolls his eyes.

"Call it what you want".

"Harvey," Donna's tone suddenly becomes serious. "If you started this game, then don't hurt him. Mike doesn't deserve this".

"Who do you take me for?", Harvey winces because Donna is unconsciously voicing his fears.

"For a man who does not know how to show emotions, and who hides any affection behind a thick—skinned armour", her answer is honest and ruthless as always. "Mike is all emotions, Harvey".

"And because of that, we have so many problems," he says.

"And that's why you like working with him so much. Think about it".

"I'm trying, okay?"

Donna stands up and straightens the folds of her dress.

"Do it or leave Rachel's boyfriend".

She leaves, clicking her heels loudly on purpose, looking so much like a proud lioness. Mike flies in after him, carrying folders. Tired and sleepless, but collected. Harvey looks him in the eye and thinks trying would be an insult.

Harvey will just do it. As always.

[miapcain]

are the outfits in VDtWOF inspired by anything in particular or generic in a way?

Thank you for the ask! I love getting these :p

I had the opportunity to borrow a historian's rare book on 14th century bohemian clothing after he heavily criticized the last game I had a big hand in, Rhythm of Triverz, for period inaccuracies. That gave me a convenient ceiling for the most advanced gowns and armour you could expect in the region at the time. Resources on this are extant online but many don't cite their sources and most good ones are maintained on individual german historians' websites, so I need to do more research on this in general, but here are my basic rules for designing their clothes:

Everyone wears long gowns. Hose were pretty rare in this period. Women might have slightly longer dresses

Everyone wears a plain "shift," a garment that's worn under the main article of clothing. This is the one that gets washed

Garments, even rich ones, are unicolour. Mixed fabrics and colours appear later.

There's very little embroidery or detailwork on regular clothing

A garment will be worn with a belt, which might be longer the higher a person's status, and a pouch carrying an eating knife and other personal items

Most people will wear a head covering. Married women will always cover their hair outdoors, other women might do so too, and all women and girls cover their hair in church. Most common hats should be bundhauben or gugel.

A garment can be worn with a contrasting cloak (blue/red is a common one)

Jewellery is occasionally ok, but no piercings (?)

Shoes as we know them are more 14th/15 century; no big boots. Most shoes will be more like pointed leather socks or for ladies silk slippers. Poor people might wear wooden clogs.

No or very few fancy cuts. Later on you see tunics and gugel with with triangular or even fancier hems; This possibly exists very rarely in a limited capacity on things like a noblewoman's 'Kruseler' veil at this time, but that's probably it.

No black. No one depicted in this comic would be rich enough to waste money on black dye. Nuns and so on wear undyed or brown wool.

Military clothing is more "primitive" than might be expected. Not really any fancy visor helmets or big articulated suits of armour yet, most men-at-arms and even knights wear a mail shirt and a surcoat

As I understand, and I'm more than happy to be corrected on any of this, this applies almost universally. Peasants working in the field will wear dyed colourful garments, not plain rags. If it's hot, you don't take the outer garment off, you tuck the front hem of it in your belt to expose the shift. Masons will climb ladders and haul stone in this stuff. Some labourers or craftspeople will wear an apron and other specialized clothing like a toolbelt, too.

Note how Vesna wears a plain linen shift under her nicer yellow dress. I usually draw her with the sleeves all the way at the wrist, which would be the appropriate way to wear them, but she has it folded back here to make the composition nicer.

Bonus: Amusing pictures of King Václav IV slaying (150 years after when Vesna is set) and the "work uniform" of a bathhouse maid

[rubypasha1]

Click or Treat! 🦝

I suppose treat?

Here’s the first little bit I’ve written for the next chapter of my fic “Make Art, Not War”

“-As I said before, all your work must be submitted before you leave,” the light grey and yellow mech standing in front of you and the other two dozen others under his management, “You will all be shipped directly to your new workplaces and provided residency at Iaconian-workforce buildings. The new owners of your contracts pay for it and have the right to move you wherever is required.”

Several groans and silent curses were released among your colleagues, you yourself had your face in your hands. The rhythmic, fast tapping of your heel against the metal beneath it filled the little silence there was, leg bouncing uncontrollably as the room slowly descended into silence.

“Any questions?” Finelense places the datapad he was reading from down, the podium atop the small stage in the meeting area while all of you sat on flimsy benches below. They dipped beneath your weight, bending and grounding as everyone shifted uncomfortably. He looked down at you all with a board frown, eyes half open as if resisting falling into recharge.

6h-D was the one to speak up first, “Yeah, I knows the younger models are staying behind but why the change?” She was part of the last generation getting their contracts sold, you’d say you felt sorry for her if she wasn’t going to Velocitron.

The planet of speedsters, an endless dessert where the fastest racers entirely dedicated to their passion spent all day going up and down complicated obstacle courses or the flattest dessert they could find. She’d excitedly informed everyone that, because she was the fastest among her generation, she was being shipped off to record personal interviews of racers there and be in charge of taking photos throughout the more important races.

She’d gone completely silent after catching sight of you.

Finelense settles her with a stare that said he wasn’t paid enough for his job, this wasn't in his contract, and if he could he would quit.

“It is unfortunate,” he didn’t sound the slightest bit sad, “However outdated models haven’t been bringing in the quality of work that is desired. The newer generations will pick up their work and improve the name of our foundation.”

At that even more shouts of protest rise up. All the younger bots had been led to some sort of new orientation. They were getting an increase, apparently, further fueling the anger of the many sparks about to be paid even less. Back struts and joints strained as some stood up, vox’s cutting out in static. The three boxes resting between your legs gave no warmth or reassurance, they only aided in reminding you of how pointless your life felt.

You dared to shift your visor towards the side, a single bot standing by the only exit. Tall with sharp armour, all curved in ways only a speedster could be naturally forged with. An armour of primarily metallic white stood out against the dark frames of bare metal. The accents of red and blue were sharp and clean, small lines along certain pieces - completely symmetrical - with a matching gun held between two arms.

Blue optics scanned the crowd, face set in a stern line while the gun was shifted within her grasp. She was smaller than all of you - even the newer models who were desized in order for ‘optimum efficiency’. Her optics caught your gaze, narrowing as that frown dipped deeper into a scowl. Her back straightened, gun held high and tighter with those blazing blue optics daring you to step a foot out of line.

Your gaze fell to the floor.

“All of you have been kindly relocated,” several barks of laughter interrupted Finelense, “With jobs suited to you best. Now, everyone except 4St and 78h-D leave to depart for your transport.”

Complaints and mumbled curses passed by, shadows and metal passed by on the floor yet with every single one not a whisper was passed by you. Their gazes were heavy, their fields mixing with a sick combination of relief and sorrow. All too soon the silence returned, your bouncing leg grown slower but still moving.

The soft set of quick footsteps was the only reason you looked up, Finelense looked unchanged, “Sit, 78-D.” The soft creak of the bench beside you announced the younger bot, field vibrating with pure excitement.

Finelense looked directly into your visor, “You are the only ones going to Kaon. Shipment will take place on the cargo train we’re sending in the next groon. Both of you will be escorted there immediately and if I hear that one datapad is missing both of you are scrap.”

[alien-hybreed]

LIZARD BRAIN

A lab experiment gone horribly wrong, a man transformed into a reptilian monster, has Earth's mightiest hero finally met her match? In a way... yes, she will...

In her attempt to subdue the reptilian monster trashing Downtown, it is instead Captain Meteor who finds herself subdued. Awaking in the creature's nest, she finds herself at it's mercy as her body starts to change and her mind begins to break...

The fractures spreading across the glass containment window let out a low hiss, the thick, bright green goo on the other side pressing against it with unnatural force. The lone lab technician was too slow to react, not hearing it until the glass began to creak and shift. He turned around, opening his mouth to scream. But it all happened so fast.

With an ear-splitting snap and crash, the windows gave way. The thick gunge it had contained rolled forwards with the speed and force of a tidal wave. With no time to react, he was engulfed. Thick goo poured down his gaping mouth, pressed against him from every angle. He couldn't scream, couldn't move, hapless as he was swept away.

When the wave of goo finally ran its course, the lab was drenched. Walls and tables splattered with it, the floor was ankle deep in the pulsating fluid that glowed with an unnatural bio-luminesence. Amidst the sea of gunge lay the lab tech, coughing, hacking and convulsing as the slime spread through his entire body. His eyes rolled and his breath wheezed as he began to glow from within. Fingers twitched as they lengthened into enormous claws, diamond-hard talons erupting from his finger tips as his fingernails and skin peeled away.

He gurgled and wretched as he fought to expel the slime from his stomach and throat but to no avail. His insides felt like they were in a blender as his muscles began to rapidly expand. Slowly pulling himself up onto his knees, he rasped as his teeth began falling from his open mouth. His tongue writhed and squirmed as it grew longer, dancing across the rows of fangs sprouting from his gums.

It was all happening so fast, he could hardly think. His mind raced and yet he couldn't remember his name, where he was, how this happened. He was confused and alone, so alone. With a howl of despair, he clawed at his chest, pulling ragged chunks of flesh and clothing aside to reveal bright green reptilian skin taking its place. His howl turned to a roar as he threw his head back and let his new voice go as loud as it good, his cool blue eyes shifting to bright yellow with vertical slits for irises. He was so alone and that had to change...

* * *

"Mayday, mayday! This is Paladin to all supers, calling all supers! We've got a category 3 monster on the loose in Downtown! Calling all -"

Paladin was abruptly cut off as the creature's enormous tail whipped through the air and flung him aside. Paladin heard the shop windows crash as his world tumbled around. His visor blinked on and off as his suit struggled to maintain power through multiple impacts. He was almost certainly concussed as he struggled out from under the jumble of shelves and clothing racks. Several screaming shoppers fled past him towards the exits. His armour whirred and screeched in protest, at least several major connections and servos were damaged or jamming - prompting dozens of lights to blink on his HUD as they highlighted his damages.

"I-I say again, all supers, please respond. Beware, our Dino Destroyer hits worse than a fucking truck, jeezus" he continued as he broke into a run.

"Language, Paladin!" Chirped his plucky side kick as they rolled under a wide sweep of the creature's talons.

"This could be a baby for all you know. And here you are teaching it bad habits"

Paladin didn't like it when Turbo started to crack jokes. Not because they were terribly lame, but because it meant they were panicking. Their super speed meant that at first they were doing an excellent job of dodging the giant reptile's strikes. Much better than Paladin who had evidently placed too much faith in his silver exo-suit. However Turbo lacked the strength to effectively counter the creature. And with a superhuman speed and metabolism like theirs, Paladin knew they had about a minute before the young hero would become exhausted, start slipping up and would likely be torn apart.

Paladin fired his rocket boots and launched into a high speed, flying kick that caught the beast in the side of its head. With a shriek, the creature sailed into a parked car, crushing it on impact. Paladin hadn't banked on the creature having next to no pain response. It was already back on its feet, its arm swinging through the air to punch Paladin square in the chest. He dropped to the ground with a loud clang, more armour cracking and straining. Turbo tried to intercept as the beast swung its fists down at Paladin, yet at the last minute, the creature changed directions and instead slashed at the speedster.

Impossible! It can't be as fast as me! Thought turbo as the Claw tips tore through their bodysuit and sliced their thigh open, sending them head over heels as they skidded along the street before crashing in a heap. All hope seemed lost.

Then, a meteor blazed across the midday sky before arcing down towards the creature. She was here now and he almost pitied their foe.

* * *

Hayley arrived just in time to see the Godzilla looking thing take out Turbo. Everybody's favourite junior vigilante, crashing in a heap and bleeding out. She wasn't about to stand for this rampage anyway, but hurting Paladin's sidekick? Now it was personal for Captain Meteor.

Flames wreathed her elbow length black gloves as she dove towards the creature like a professional swimmer. Her piwerful, athletic body cutting through the air as she flew effortlessly down towards them. Despite what her glossy, black bathing suit and thigh high boots would suggest, she was anything but delicate. Imbued with cosmic powers from a fallen star, her body was impervious to harm and stronger than any other hero in the world. Behind her black masquerade mask, her eyes blazed with golden light as her energy powers charged to their full potential.

"OPEN WIDE!" cried the noble hero as she crashed into the bipedal lizard with a resounding boom. An explosion erupted around them as she punched the creature with enough force to knock a hole through it's muscular chest.

The beast stumbled back, keeling over as it rasped its surprise and dismay. Captain Meteor made a wry smile for those hanging around the fight as she playfully dusted her shoulders. It was always important to maintain her daring, playful facade. Internally, Hayley was panicking for Turbo's sake.

"How's our superstar, Paladin?" She called out as she began strutting towards them before hopping to glide faster through the air. Keep it together Hayley. Grace under pressure, Captain Meteor is nothing but grace under pressure. She thought to herself. To her relief, Paladin was already at Turbo's side, staunching the bleeding with one of his suit's many gadgets.

"You know us ma'am, takes more than that to put us down"

Where she could see his exposed mouth beneath his visor, his smile looked painfully forced.

"You sure about that, Robocop?" She teased with a nervous chuckle, keeping the act going.

"Thanks to you Cap. If you didn't get here when you did-"

Hayley never heard the rest of what the Tech Genius tried to say. Her world was spinning as she whizzed through the air, ground rushing up to meet her and an agonised screech bellowing in her ear. While she'd had her attention elsewhere,  she hadn't seen the reptile's chest rapidly stitch itself back together. Or the creature swiftly pull itself upright and bound towards her.

The ground around them ruptured as it slaved her onto the ground with a pile driver that would have shattered every bone in a human body. But Hayley was barely human these days.

With a defiant cry and a sharp kick at its head, she was back on her feet, fists raised like the skilful boxer she was. The creature lurched forwards, knocking her back a couple of feet as it connected with her. Quickly recovering, she lunged back towards it, fists swinging in a flurry of jabs. Swiftly stepping back, the creature dodged all but two blows that caught it in chest and shoulder. It hissed loudly as bones crunched before it lashed out at her in the middle of her strike.

Claws raked across her costume as it spun, it's tail whipping down at her from overhead. Captain Meteor caught the tail mid swing and with a combination of her super strength and an expert judo throw, launched the creature down the length of the street. Wasting no time, she flew after it, a Sonic boom cracking as she went from stationary to breaking the sound barrier in an instant. Hitting the creature mid air, she sent it flying further down the street. They'd almost crossed the length of downtown when she came to a stop, hovering in the air above the creature.

It lay still beneath her as her eyes scoured it, taking in every last detail of the creature. Besides its dinosaur-like face and its huge tail, it's chest and limbs almost seemed... human. Looking closer, she could see an enormous human cock and balls between its legs, blushing as she tried not to stare. Though, oddly, she could have sworn the creature wasn't much bigger than Paladin when she first hit it. Now it was almost the size of a car...

"We done now?" she teased at the motionless brute, flames flickering into life around her clenched fists "or do you want some more of this?"

"Mooooore... want... more... thissss" rasped the creature.

Captain Meteor raised an eyebrow as well as a Fist, threatening to strike. What on earth is this thing's deal? Thought Hayley. It can talk? If this was some sort of lab experiment gone wrong, could it be part human?

"You really don't." She snarled, the flames around her fist beginning to glow white hot as she attempted to threaten the beast into submission. The creature looked up at her, its amber eyes blazing with an animalistic intensity. There was need, hunger... want.

"Your funeral" mumbled the heroine with a nonchalant shrug. As she went to swing, the creature planted its feet firmly in the ground, arched its back and lowered its jaws. She raced towards it, fist first, when a great gout of fluoro green slime vomited forth, spraying her head and body. With a muffled shriek, Captain Meteor tumbled to the ground, stumbling forward as she struggled to pull the sticky ooze from her face.

Pain lanced through her neck as fangs pierced her suit and skin. Impossible! She thought as a cold wave of numbness washes through her. Spreading out from the bite, all sensation seemed to be abandoning her as her arms went limp. Her mouth hung agape, choking and sputtering on the slime as if it were actually trying to flow down her throat. Her knees went weak and as her world went dark, she felt a pair of talons close around her midriff, picking her up with ease...

* * *

Hayley was vaguely aware of her surroundings as her eyes flickered open. They were somewhere dark. All around her she could hear the echo of thick droplets of slime and a sickly wet sloshing. Her arms and legs felt like lead as she struggled to get any feeling in her fingers and toes.

Instead, the first thing she could feel was cool air on her exposed skin and hot breath against her crotch. Two enormous, taloned hands firmly gripped her by the waist as something long and warm flicked against her mons. She tried to cry out, but all that came from her throat was a low whimper as the tongue roamed gently between her folds. Despite how groggy she was, she was keenly aware what was happening to her. With a huff of warm air, the reptile sharply exhaled as it tasted her. It's talons gripping a little tighter as it slowly began working its tongue deeper as it slid back and forth. Hayley wanted to scream, she wanted to cry. Most of all she wanted to fight. Yet, every inch of her felt so heavy and unresponsive. Everything but her vagina which seemed to loosen and quiver with anticipation despite her own revulsion.

This continued for several minutes as the long, warm tongue gently lolled back and forth inside her. Hot drool dripped across her crotch from the creature's maw as it salivated profusely. Hayley shuddered as it probed against her inner walls, arching up towards her clit before plunging back down. Had its bite paralysed her like this? Or was it the slime she'd ingested when it spat at her? Whichever it was, it had left her feeble like nothing she had ever known. She couldn't even muster a spark of energy no matter how hard she tried to. The creature's affection was not helping either. The longer it licked, the closer it was straying towards her g-spot, eliciting involuntary grunts and moans from the stricken superheroine. This seemed to only encourage the beast as its grip on her grew tighter and its tongue began press solely against her clit.

Hayley wanted to scream, to spurn and reject the creature, if anything just to hear herself say she didn't want this. She needed to hear herself say this was wrong. Instead, an involuntary sigh escaped her as she began to arch her back. The only movement she could muster and it had to be this? She closed her eyes and tried to think of anything else, the other supers would rescue her soon... surely. Yet, her mind kept drifting back to the tongue. Her jaw quivered as it continued to work its vile magic against her insides. There was no denying the sensation building in her loins, the quickening of her heart, the shallowness of her breaths. Orgasm. It was building her up, making her cum.

She tried to shake her head. To focus on literally anything else. But the rough tongue dragging against her... the warmth... how slick she was with its drool and her own juices. It was too much and the creature knew it. It's grip tightened even more, it tongue began working faster as Hayley began to pant and moan.

"N..nnnn.... ungh. No. Nooo..." She rasped as the organs peaked. A terrible wave of pleasure rolled through her as she felt the creature's tongue take her to a dizzying, forbidden high. It's hands released her, its tongue slid free and yet she continued to gasp and shudder as her nerves were racked with pleasurable sensation. Yet she was still completely immobile, her limbs partly submerged and great clumps of fluorescent ooze.

As her breath began to slow, she opened her eyes to see the creature looming directly above her. Those hungry amber eyes boring into hers as it stared intently. It's taloned hand gently slid around her waist while the other pulled the crotch her suit to the side once again. She could see its massive cock had swollen, erect, throbbing, dripping with fluorescent slime. The horrifying realisation of how it produced the gooey nest she was trapped it in, began to dawn on Hayley as it rested the tip of its cock against her vulva and pushed...

* * * He loved her. Already he loved her, would do anything for her. Anything to please her, to satisfy her.

"N... nooo... s-s-top..." mewed Captain Meteor as his cock effortlessly slid into her warm, soft depths. Anything but that. She didn't understand. Not yet. But she would. Then she would love him. He didn't know how, but he knew this was fact. He growled softly as he slowly pulled his hips back.

"Ah.. ah... ahhh..." she gasped as the bumps and ribbing along his shaft tugged at her insides, her hips bucking up a little as if to try and keep him inside her. That simple little action made his heart swell. With a low snarl, he pressed back into her. Again and again, rocking back and forth as her moans and sighs turned to louder and louder groans.

Releasing his fingers from her suit, he traced the tips of his claws along her cheek and neck. Gently caressing her soft, pale skin as he rutted against her. She squirmed within her bonds, trying desperately to move. It made her breasts strain against the shiny black material of her suit in a manner he found utterly captivating. Leaning down, he ran his tongue over the sleek curve of her bosom. Again, she subconsciously bucked up towards him, sticking her chest out as if to offer her luscious mounds to him.

He growled and gently dragged his teeth against her right breast until he felt the suit snag and tear. Captain Meteor gasped and made a guttural sound as if to plead. Beg him to stop or to absolutely keep doing that? He loved her and she would love him if she didn't already... with that in mind, he slithered his tongue into the tear and began exploring her breast with it.

Captain Meteor whimpered as his tongue slid across the fleshy mound. He delighted St the sensation of her warm, smooth skin against the roughness of his tongue. He salivated, dripping thick strands of slime that his tongue used as lubricant, allowing it to glide and squeeze. All the while, his cock pistoned back and forth against her with gradually increasing speed and force. She sharply inhaled when his tongue found her nipple. He liked the way her face contorted into an ecstatic gasp when he did that. So he did it again and again until she was shaking her head from side to side, groaning softly. He could see a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as her eyebrows began to raise.

Her mouth wide open, gasping as her eyes began to widen. He had her again. She was orgasming from his actions, exactly like his instincts had compelled him to. Her shoulders tensed as her back arched, her hips slapping against his as she gyrated against her will. With a toothy, lipless smile he released her tit and grinned at her. Taking a moment to pause his own thrusting, he savoured the way her cunt clutched at his pulsating member. He felt his shaft lengthening inside her as his muscles began to swell. He was still growing, still changing. It was as if her pleasure was spurring him on, hastening his evolution so that he might be a better mate.

He closed his eyes and roared as he felt a line of bones begin sprouting from his spine. Captain Meteor collapsed, sinking into her gooey surroundings as he pulled his cock free from her. She gasped as the enormous pulsing cock slid out with a wet squelch. She stared at it with morbid fascination as thick trails of bright green cum dribbled from its tip.

"Wwwwant some mmmmore...?" he snarled "Unnn. Ugh... mmmmhm" moaned Captain Meteor with a wry smile "hehe.. cummmm..." she whispered. With a hiss, he obliged. Thick ropes of bright green cum surged from his cock, spraying across the fallen heroine like a fire hose. Without even realising, she ley her mouth hang open, gulping at the mysterious substance as she slipped into unconsciousness.

With a happy snort, he began to stoke her face and body as he eagerly awaited her recovery...

* * *

Hayley felt her insides churn as her eyes slowly fluttered open. Everything felt hazy, off-balance. Her vision was spinning as if she was massively drunk. A sensation she hadn't felt since her college days, since the crater, the comet and the night she became...what was it she called herself again? Looking down at herself, her forehead creased as she frowned and groaned. Her nightmare had been all too real.

Her black body suit was streaked with thick, green ooze that glowed and pulsed as if it had a heartbeat. The same slime seemed to have caked her forearms and shins to hold her in place. Her right breast protruded awkwardly from a great rip in her suit and the crotch of the shiny, single-piece outfit was still pulled to the side, exposing her vagina completely.

Fear and anger welled up inside her as she again failed to budge her arms or conjure even the tiniest spark.of energy. Her head lolled from side to side as she murmured to herself.

"Noooo... no... can't be real... can't be happennn"

At that, a large taloned finger caressed her chin, tilting her head up to meet the Gaze of her captor. Her heart began to thud rapidly in her chest. As her gaze was steered from his waist to his face, she couldn't help but notice how much he'd changed. He was bigger again, broader, longer in the arms, thicker in the legs. His tail thrashed behind him almost twice as long now. Curiously, his cock and balls had almost completely retracted into a large bulge on his crotch that she caught herself trying to stare at. Was that bigger too? She thought to herself, recalling the reluctant pleasure she'd basked in not long ago. She was trying so hard to collect her thoughts, to steady herself, yet the cool air blowing across her exposed skin made her keenly aware of how empty her pussy felt without that thing inside of it. The more she tried not to dwell on it, the more vividly she recalled its warmth, its movement, how filling and pleasing it had felt at the height of her climax...

The creature made a low humming sound as it nuzzled her cheek. Hayley barely noticed she'd started to drool, her eyes glazing over.

"W-www... want..." she whispered through her quivering lips. The creature looked down at their bodies, tracing her stare back to its crotch. It's other hand moved to caress her thigh, gently tugging it across to spread her legs. Hayley coughed and swayed, involuntarily grinning like an idiot as she watched the bulge split open. The creature's cock was slithering out, bumpier, longer than before. As was the second cock below it. Hayley's eyes widened.

"Ohhh no. Not like that. Nnnot... no... t-t-too m-much..." she stammered as the creature held her hips in place, gently guiding her vulva to the tips of the throbbing cocks. Hayley shuddered and drooled as they bega writhing their way into her slit. Had been long since it first fucked her? She still felt moist, slick, eager.

"Oohhh... uhh uhhh unnh..." she grunted as the cocks prised her apart and pressed into her.

"Mmmm maybe... mmm be wwwant..." she slurred ad she felt the euphoric haze gripping her once again. Stronger this time, drowning out every other thought or need. She couldn't remember why she was resisting, it felt glorious, she wanted nothing else but to climax her way through the strange brain fog clouding her mind.

Slowly at first, her hips rolled back and forth, gyrating against the reptilian cocks embedded in her. She breathed out  heavily as the creature slid its tongue over and around her neck. Leaning into it, she rested her head against the creature's snout. Puffing and panting, she watched the creature's body undulating as it relentlessly pounded her snatch. The way it's abdominal muscles flexed, it's thighs bulged, it's movements so firm and steady with each stroke. It was captivating, transfixing even.

"Cu... cu... mmmmm... mmm" she crooned softly as she watched the cocks pulsing inside her. She shivered as she felt them stretching her inner walls, straining her physical limits as they pushed deep and grew harder, thicker. Her upper body quivered as the creature slid down to suck her tit once more.

"Mmm... cummmm..." she groaned as she let her head flop backwards. The squelching sound of her hair pressing into her gooey surroundings made her chuckle as the creature flicked its tongue across her exposed nipple. One of its hands was massaging her left boob, slowly clawing its way through the suit on that side. She couldn't help but smile.

"Mmmm... mm yeah, yeah that's... unnnh" she felt like she was listening to someone else as she murmured her encouragement to her captor. Surely she didn't really want this did she? The creature seemed to be bigger again, its bony spine longer, its skin darker as it began to violently slam its hips against her. Hayley pushed back as hard as she could. She shrieked as she felt her insides squeezing at the monster's cocks. She howled with ecstasy as they pulled free, spewing torrents of bright green cum across her once again. She cackled like a mad woman as she leaned forward to catch it in her mouth. Her long, luscious auburn hair hanging in matted clumps from her head, her face streaked with inhuman cum as her eyes rolled back into her head. Her body shuddered and she fell back in an exhausted heap.

Several moments passed and Hayley began to feel her headache subsiding as her post-orgasm rush began to clear. Her vision was steadying, her limbs were still numb, but she could think, she could remember...

"Oh... ohhh oh God!?" She exclaimed in horror as the realisation sank in that she'd willingly fucked her captor this time.

"God, oh jesus, shit. Fuck!? What have you done to me!?" She gasped as she recoiled from the sight of her torn up costume and its extensive coating of gooey cum. If she could pull away from the giant reptile, she would have. Instead she was trapped with its arms around her waist as it nuzzled her neck. "Wannnnt..." it hissed in a low, almost loving whisper.

"Want!? What do you want with me!?!?" Cried the defiant superhero. She noticed it's eye seemed to stare intently at her hand as it gently pressed its snout to her neck as if to kiss her.

Hayley looked at her hand protruding from the ooze. Her shiny black gloves had torn at the fingertips, exposing her long fingers covered in bright green scales and the long claws extending from them. With all her might, Hayley screamed.

* * *

It hurt him to see his love so confused and agonised. Her wails and sobbing cries were distressing, he needed to help her. She needed to be pleased, to be satisfied. Otherwise her transformation would be a needlessly painful process if it was like this the whole time.

Cupping her cheeks in his enormous palms, he tilted her head back and pressed his mouth to hers. She gagged and wretched at first, trying to use her tongue to keep him out of her mouth. Ultimately it was futile. His longer organ was too powerful for her as it whipped around inside her mouth. He could see her new claws flexing and twitching as she slowly submitted to his will, the taste of his saliva making her eyes glaze over as she began to stop squirming.

Groans of protest became groans of pleasure once again as his hands began exploring her body, caressing her sides, squeezing her tits. When he finally broke away to take a deep breath, she was puffing and panting like an animal in heat. The rise and fall of her chest, the strain in her biceps and thighs, it was a beautiful thing to behold. Her skin was even more pasty white than before, covered in beads of cold sweat. The thought of seeing this body covered in scales, her muscles swollen and extended like his. It would have made him blush and sweat if he was able to.

"Mmm mooore..." purred Captain Meteor with the hint of a snarl in her voice. She was staring at his rapidly swelling cocks as they grew erect at the thought of her impending transformation.

"Yessss..." she rasped as he stood tall, bringing his cocks close to her face.

"Cummmm... mmmmorecu-cum..." she continued. Her left eye had already lightened from brown to yellow, faint hits of scales poking at her cheek. He smiled, knowing in his heart she truly wanted this like he did. As if daring her to prove it, he reverently laid his cocks against her lips.

Captain Meteor inhaled deeply, clearly drinking in his scent. She drooled as she laid inert, her jaw quivering. Sensing that she needed his encouragement, he gently placed a clawed hand on the back of her head and pushed. She moaned as his lower cock slid down her throat. What followed was nothing short of primal as she hungrily licked, sucked and deep-throated the large, ribbed shaft. Slowly at first, but within minutes the disgraced heroine was enthusiastically bobbing back and forth while her captor beamed down at her, his fangs bared in a toothy smile.

As if recalling something from his past, the reptile felt compelled to grip his upper punishment, gently stroking his palm up and down its shaft. Captain Meteor seemed to enjoy that, moaning with glee at the sight of her captor touching himself like that for her. Seeing how it pleased his love, the reptile stroked with greater vigour. He hissed with glee at the sight of her tits bouncing as she stuck her chest out. With a delighted rasp, he could feel more of his slimy cum building up in both cocks, any minute now he would cum again.

"Wannnnnt..." he hissed and snarled "waaaa-" he was cut off as he gasped for air, both cocks spasmed and convulsed as a fresh stream of cum broke free. He watched with rapturous intensity as his love greedily sucked on his cock, closing her eyes as his upper cock sprayed her face with the viscous liquid.

Skin was peeling from her arms and thighs as scales began to surface, smoother and finer than his, yet unmistakable. Her shoulders were already wider, her boots cracking open to reveal her swollen, clawed feet. As he pulled his cock from her mouth, she hissed and moaned, writhing in her position as his cum washed over her. When she opened her eyes, two bright yellow reptilian orbs stared back at him with a barely contained carnal desire. Captain Meteor was gone, she was something else entirely now...

* * *

Hayley snarled as yet another tooth wriggled free, a long fang jutting from her gum in its place. She hissed as she leaned back, straining her arms and legs as she writhed and squirmed. Her back was in agony. Her head was pounding. She had to get out. Had to be free. Her lover had been gone too long and she hadn't stopped thinking of his cocks since she'd sucked on them. She needed to taste his cum, to have him fill her, to feel that rush. She needed... escape.

Roaring and snarling she felt her spine clicking and crunching. New vertebrae were forming to elongate her torso and she'd heard her costume rip at least twice. She remembered watching spines grow from her lover's back while he came on her and she growled at the thought. Was it a happy growl? One of desire? Or was some part of her still trying to resist. She wanted this didn't she? Isn't that why she gave herself to him so eagerly? So completely?

She hissed as her arms grew longer, thicker. Her claws were as big as his now. Her feet were longer, slimmer but still sported tremendous claws. She bucked her hips against the air as she fantasised about having his cocks pounding in there one again. Her vulva had swollen, becoming scaly, its inside full of thick ridges that would interlock with the bumps on her lover's cocks. Next time, he would stay in her for as long as she desired. So why did looking at her crotch make her feel so... conflicted? Why couldn't she shake the feeling it was supposed to be different? That she was supposed to be different?

Hayley huffed and growled as her eyelids fluttered, she was feeling weak again. The exertion of trying to break free was almost too much on top of her rapidly transforming body. With a frustrated rasp, she collapses back into her slimy surroundings to rest. Her chest rising and falling with each deep breath she took.

The tears in what remained of her suit were getting bigger as her body continued to grow. Every inch of her itched as her pale skin quickly peeled away to reveal more of her scaly hide. Thick bristles were sprouting from her head and forearms while clumps of hair fell out and disappeared into the pulsing mass of slime. She growled low and long as she gritted her teeth through each click and snap of her bones. Her jaws hung open as her chin and nose slowly extended into a reptilian snout, her mask tumbling to the ground after wiggling free from her monstrous face.

"Cummmmm" she snarled, hungrily licking her lipless maw. She needed him. To taste him, to feel him. Nothing else mattered.

"Cu-cummmm... wannnnt" she hissed as she pulled her arms. To her surprise, her new muscles were responsive, her arms slowly tearing free from their bonds with a wet slop. One foot in front of the other, she pulled her legs free, wobbling on them at first. Gingerly, she stepped forward, her toes splaying outwards to support her as she found her balance. Hunched over and trembling at first, she sighed with relief as the tattered costume of Captain Meteor slid from her reptilian body. Arching her spine, she threw her head back and roared with triumph. A proud declaration to the world of what she was as well as plea to her lover wherever he might be...

* * *

He came bounding back to the basement as soon as he heard her. When she slept, he took the opportunity to further prepare their nest. Tipping over shelves and desks in the office to bar the doors and creating mounds from chairs and similar items for him and his lover to nestle in. But her roar, her summons, oh what sweet music that was to him. He had never heard a more wonderful sound. He couldn't wait to behold her glorious new form.

Sure enough, he felt his stomach and his heart quicken when he laid eyes upon her. She was enormous, easily twice her original height. Her arms and legs were lithe, slender, yet her muscles rippled with each movement, their definition impossibly sharp. Without a tail like his, yet her spines seemed longer, more pronounced and pulsing with amber light. Her teeth bared as her tongue flicked the air, her hands flexing their talons as she sized him up.

A flicker of energy sparked and crackled around her arms as she cautiously began to circle him. The long quills that had taken the place of her hair flared out in a warning display as she hissed. Her chest was moving rapidly, her breaths were shallow anxious. Her transformation wasn't yet complete, a final defiant sliver of her old self remained, trying to wrest control of her consciousness. She needed to be shown that he was her love, to be reminded she wanted this.

Slowly, he moved onto all fours, carefully circling her as he bowed his head. As they orbited one another, he gradually crept closer, closing the gap between them. Realising this, she hissed and snarled at him, the energy around her hands erupting into golden flames as she snapped her jaws and growled. Her eyes roamed his body and her breathing seemed to steady as she took in the sight of her lover. Cautiously she stepped forward. The flames around her hands sputtering out as she reached out to lay her hands on his shoulders.

With a low purr, he rose to his feet, his left hand cupping her cheek while his right rested on the rump of her ass. Her hands crossed behind his neck as their eyes met. There were no words, they had little need of them. In one another's eyes they saw everything they needed to see. Love. Adoration. Trust.

Need.

With a snarl, she leapt up to put her legs around his thighs. His mouth went to her throat and his cocks ploughed straight into her slit. They both roared and howled as they began to rut, their claws groping one another with savage, wanton need. Their jaws playfully snapped at one another, their long tongues tracing lines of green drool across the grooves in the scales on one another's bodies. She roared with glee as her hips slammed against his while he clutched at her ass, all but impaling her on his twin cocks.

Growling with excitement, he dropped to the ground, slamming her onto her back with a gleeful roar. Hissing with delight as gravity took him deeper into her, she stretched out across the ground, basking in her lover's affection as he gently nipped at her neck and squeezed her tits. She groaned happily as she bucked her hips back and forth, her vagina squeezing at his cocks with an inhuman level of strength and vigour. With a gasp, his right claw clutched at the ground beneath while he pressed her close to his body with his left. The sensation of her enveloping him, draining him, it was pure ecstasy.

She braced her claws against his shoulders as her legs clasped around his waist, crossing behind his back. It was his turn to completely submit to instinct now. It was like a switch in his brain had flipped, dropping him into a near-catatonic state. As the walls of his lover's vagina throbbed around his cocks, he felt his mind numbing, all thought and awareness left his brain until there was only the need for release and the blissful sensation of fucking. The irises of his eyes widened, his breathing becoming shallow and ragged as he became slaved to the sensation. As if hypnotised, his shoulders relaxed as his hips settled into a near mechanical rhythm, tongue lolling from his drooling mouth.

Beneath him, she smiled and growled, willing her pussy to squeeze tighter. She would keep him here like this a while longer, she would extract every ounce of pleasure she could before she would drain him of his precious load. In his trance-like state, he was powerless to do anything but serve her. For several long minutes he rocked back and forth inside her, his mind blank and his body unrelenting.

* * *

Hayley traced her claws along his jaw as she took him, moaning with delight as both his cocks reached as deep as they could. Her insides were squirming with delight as her mind began to grow hazy like that of her lover. She wanted control, to keep him like this. But she needed to cum, she needed it more than anything. Slowly her body began to tense as she felt her mind giving way to instinct once more.

Until now, she had been squeezing his cocks so tight that it had prevented him from cumming inside her sooner. But as her mind began slipping into blissful numbness, she felt her hold on him relax just enough to permit him his climax. She was too deep in her own lustful stupor to want or think of anything but draining him. It was as if every cell, every chemical rush in her reptilian body yearned for it as if it were air. She growled and thrashed beneath him as her senses overwhelmed her. Her spines glowed bright yellow as did her eyes, flames flickered around them both as her colossal enetgy powers began to uncontrollably vent.

Gasping and squealing, she slammed her pussy up against his shafts, her entire abdomen undulating as her body compelled her to drain him. To take his seed. To bear his young. He chittered and screeched, his back arching as his spines glowed bright green. With a final ecstatic grunt, she felt him, all of him, pouring into her. He roared with grpund-shaking force as he felt his cum releasing inside her. Snapping out of his hypnotic daze, he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tightly as he groped at her back.

Hayley threw her head back and howled with delight as her body continued its undulating, grinding movements. She could feel it all so keenly. The warmth, the movement, the fluids flowing into her womb and how rapidly it was filling. Her eyes blazed white hot as she let out a final shriek, her body going limp as the cocks continued to pulse and pump. For what felt like an hour, she lay there, motionless and moaning softly as her lover continued to pump an impossible amount of cum into her while they both drifted off into the most blissful slumber either of them had ever known...

* * *

Sureshot squinted as she tried to make out anything further down the stairwell. Her shortbow held in front of her, arrow knocked and ready.

"Still no queen on the chessboard, Paladin" she whispered into the mic on the collar of her purple lycra suit.

"Keep sweeping the area, this building is the last place anyone saw our reptilian friend and he was carrying Cap." Replied a dour Paladin over the comm. Sureshot knew he blamed himself for letting Captain Meteor try to 1v1 what the 6pm news was calling "The Riptor". Sureshot had tried to assure Paladin that losing the Captain and Turbo being hospitalised was beyond his control. Paladin however, couldn't let it go. Wouldn't let it go, not until he knew Earth's mightiest protector was safe.

"Yeah honestly, only a matter of time until she solo'd the wrong villain..." muttered Sureshot off-mic.

"Y'know she's invulnerable right?" Quipped the archer extraordinare as she descended the stairs to the basement. Paladin replied, but she didn't register what he said. She was too busy gawping at what she found at the bottom of the stairs. Dotted around the room, wreathed in trails of glowing green ooze were dozens of enormous, translucent eggs. Each of them was nearly as long as Sureshot's leg. Inside, she could see reptilian shapes rapidly growing as they writhed and squirmed.

"Paladin... there's... it's a full-blown nest." She stammered into the mic. "I need urgent backup, Paladin. It's about to be a goddam Jurassic Park in here"

"What? How? We'd only seen the one, how'd he manage that?"

Cursed Paladin. As if on cue, Sureshot saw how. Slowly stepping out from a pile of eggs, her shapely hips swaying with her stride... was what could only be described as a big, dinosaur woman. Nearly 18ft tall as she pulled herself upright, her body covered in smooth green scales. Her face completely inhuman, yet her body was slender, busty, almost human save for the scales and the glowing spines jutting from her back. With an angry hiss, her hands burst into bright yellow flames and Sureshot's terrible realisation became so much worse.

"Cap..? H-Hayley?" She stammered, tears welling up in her eyes as she took in the enormity of her best friend's new form. "My god, what did it do to you?" Cried the archer, reluctantly lowering her bow.

There was a terrible snarl behind Sureshot and she barely had a chance to turn around before the screaming began...

[mylifeisactuallyamess]

Chapter 12: Recovery

A/N: I finished sitting this so I decided to get it out, because in true ADHD fashion I can’t keep it to myself.

Warnings: Incorrect medical talk (probably.) lots of feels, so much touching in this chapter omg. Probably more ND behaviour (definitely). Erm…feelings *insert Crowley gif here.*

Word Count: 5.4k+

You lost track of the days. Hours shifted, blending into one long continuous run of you worrying about Tech. Tesama stepped right into the breach with Beetoo, the pair of them running the medcentre while you watched monitors and ever changing numbers.

Tech had contracted an infection. It was inevitable really, performing such a drastic surgery in the ship rather than back here where it was clean and sterile. He needed more blood which Hunter and Wrecker seemed more than willing to provide, but you put a stop to that when Hunter accidentally gave too much and nearly passed out in the chair.

They visited whenever they could, checking on you and Tech, usually Omega stayed behind when the others went on missions; her knowledge was invaluable when it came to the clones.

You were stretched. Pushing your own knowledge and experience to the absolute limit even when it came so naturally. You had taken to sleeping on a cot in Tech’s room, your senses attuned to any changes in his breathing or heart rate even without the machines you had him hooked up to.

Right now you were staring at him, wishing he would just open his eyes and look at you with those haloed irises you missed so much. It was late, the medcentre was quiet from the daily hustle and bustle that had become your background noise. The space was lit via the blue screens that showed you everything you needed to know about your patient and how he was doing.

Gently you took his limp hand, wrapping his large fingers around your own and imagining him giving it a squeeze. You could feel how hot he was, but he wasn’t as blazing with a fever as he was a few days ago, it was slowly retreating. Just not quick enough for your liking.

You had kept him in a coma, the life support machine a constant noise in his room and probably the only thing that kept you tethered to this reality. But the fever had dipped and he didn’t need to be in an induced coma anymore, so you could move him to the bacta tank.

He needed to wake up though. Perching your hip on his bed your eyes travelled over all the things that belonged to Tech; his goggles, his tools, his belt hung off the chair, his pack and helmet sat in the corner with the rest of his armour. Hunter had got him a new body suit and armour padding which you’d folded up nicely and stacked next to his pack.

It wasn’t right. None of this was. You squeezed his slack hand and wiped some stray tears off your cheek. You had been walking a fine line before this had happened and now it felt like a tightrope; taught under your feet, cutting into your soles with each step. Your balance was slipping, dragging you one way and then the other, neither ending promising to be happy.

Absently you played with his fingers, putting them against your own and comparing sizes. You loved Tech’s hands, knowing how nimble and sure they were with everything he did; whether it be adjusting the fine circuits in a droid or tapping away on his datapad. You missed hearing his voice, the random facts he loved to share and the calming effect he had on you.

“You know,” your voice cracked from lack of use. “Omega said you need a shave.” She wasn’t wrong, his stubble was growing, casting a dark shadow over his face. “I’ll ask Hunter tomorrow because he needs one too. He’s so worried about you, they’re all worried about you.” You glanced up at him, watching the forced breath in his chest as the life support machine did its job, wishing the life you saw wasn’t artificial. “I wish you’d come back,” you whispered, sucking your lips into your mouth to stop them trembling and looking up at the wall. “I miss you, Tech. No one sees me like you do and I…I need you.”

You searched his expression for a sign, a flicker, anything but got nothing. You fixed your gaze on the screen, noticing his brain activity was still there, the EEG was reading a positive output.

Closing your eyes, you dipped into that well of yourself you’d been avoiding, the one that felt like infinity was at your fingertips. It stretched and flowed, taunting and calling you to fall into it once again. You wouldn’t ever forget the rush it gave you, the exhilaration that this power offered but it scared you senseless. You didn’t consciously know what you were doing with it. It was like someone handing you a fathier and telling you to ride it when you’d never seen one before.

And yet, you delved into it now. It had always been there, slipping into your instincts without you even knowing what was happening. Surging through your hands when you needed it to save someone…anyone but yourself.

Putting your hand over Tech’s you closed your eyes and breathed. You remembered that moment in the Marauder with the Purrgil, the lights that shimmered over you both, Tech’s closeness and his excitement at finally seeing something that fascinated him so much.

You got lost in the muted rhythm of his body, the flow of his blood, the knock of his heart and the billow of his lungs. It was calming, as though you were communicating with him in the only way you knew how.

You put his hand down, withdrawing completely and making your way over to your cot. A sigh was pushed from your body as you looked at the ceiling, drifting a hand over your tired eyes.

Maybe tomorrow would be the day he wakes up.

When you woke, the first thing you sensed was someone else was in the room. Slowly you opened your eyes to find Hunter slumped in the chair beside his brother, chin in the palm of his hand as he dozed. Quietly you got up but it wasn’t quiet enough, his eyes snapped open and you froze.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“I wasn’t asleep.” You checked the monitors, seeing there was no change in Tech’s condition and disappointment filled your chest. So you did the only thing you could do and go through the motions.

“Hi Tech,” you said, forcing a cheery tone into the words. “Hunter is here to see you this morning…” you glanced at him for confirmation and he nodded. “Yes, morning.” You flicked the torch across his eyes, noting a consistent response from his pupils. “No doubt the others will be along later. Echo has been trying fix Beetoo’s charging problems but he can’t find anything in the diagnostic.” Turning the bottom of the cover you exposed Tech’s feet and ran a finger along the sole of his foot, pleased with the toe movement as you did. “Nerves are healing nicely,” you murmured.

“Stitch…” in one word Hunter had asked a thousand questions that had all been asked before.

“We could try today.”

“Yeah?” You caught the look of hope on his face, split between the light and dark of his tattoo and it tugged at your tired heart.

“He needs to wake up so we can get him in the tank. Don’t tell the others.” His gaze dipped, the fall of his mouth spoke disappointment, nonetheless he nodded in agreement.

“They’re taking Omega on a supply run today anyway.”

“If you want to join them I can let you know how it goes?” But Hunter shook his head, eyes on his brother’s prone body as he leaned back in the chair.

“I want to be here when he wakes up.” You couldn’t argue with that.

You let Tesama and Beetoo know you were going to be totally unavailable today and sealed yourself in the room with Hunter and Tech. You turned down the sedation drug and settled yourself in for a wait. These things took time and you were prepared for the wait. Still, you couldn’t just sit, so you walked slowly round the room with your datapad; catching up on the reports and payments from the last few days.

Hunter sat quietly in the chair, his eyes tracking your movement while his fingers toyed with his knife. You heard the movement, the quiet scrape when he unsheathed it and the slight sing in the air as he twirled it amongst his fingers, never dropping it. It was distracting and you could feel yourself getting annoyed, so the next time you walked past him you plucked it easily from his grip.

His hand was still held up in surprise at your swift movement, brown eyes falling on the blade that was now caught between two of your fingers. “Now where did you learn to do that?” His gravelly voice laced with curiosity.

“I can hear it…whistling. If you need to fidget I could find you something to do.” You held out the hilt for him to take and he slipped back into his vambrace with a well practised move.

“We haven’t started your training,” he mused. “That would keep us both entertained.”

“Nice try. Not in here.” He hummed and slumped back in the seat with his arms crossed.

“We could talk. Shouldn’t Tech hear us?” You nodded, your gaze once again on the datapad.

“Ok, how is Omega after the last mission?” You waited for a response but the silence continued on too long and you glanced up to see him frowning at his knees. “That bad, huh?”

“She won’t talk to us,” he admitted.

“She’s been through and seen a lot,” you told him as you carried on your slow walk round the room. “I can try if you’d like?”

“You can try.” The monitor beeped and you stepped up to the bed, pulling the screen to face you.

“He’s waking up! Move!” You’d never snapped at Hunter before and he rose up, dragging the chair at the same time to get out of your way.

You worked on pulling out Tech’s ventilation tube, easing it from his throat and setting it to the side. The alarms rang, such a high pitched whining noise and you felt Hunter approach. Tech choked, his throat had been held open all this time, his body had forgotten how to breathe on its own, he needed to relearn. And fast.

Hunter was behind you, his eyes trained on the screen over your shoulder. You could sense his apprehension, the tightening in his chest at the flatline that traveled across the screen but amidst all that, was trust. He was standing here, not saying a word while his brother seemingly died before his eyes because he trusted you.

At the first faint bleep you both let out a sigh of relief. His vitals began to rise and his chest expanded on its own. Your laugh was almost hysterical, you were on the verge of exploding into action to save this clones life and now you didn’t need to.

Your laughs quickly became sobs as you gripped Tech’s hand. The tension you’d felt since they came home had come to a head and you were letting it out in the only way you knew how.

“He’s going to be ok,” Hunter murmured, his fingers reaching for you in the vain hope you’d let him comfort you.

“I’m e-exhausted,” you managed to get out between the shuddering breaths, moving out of his reach. “I’m not done yet.” Pulling yourself together you coughed, wiping your face and blinking your eyes wide. “He needs to be monitored, he’s still on the painkillers but he’s—he’s breathing on his own. Good heartbeat, brain activity…” you bent over Tech and shone the torch in his eyes, pleased to see a reaction and some resistance to your touch. “Talk to him.” Your voice was still too watery, you didn’t want Tech to wake up seeing you a complete mess.

“Tech? It’s Hunter.” He seemed lost for something else to say and shrugged a little when you looked up at him.

“Talk about the weather, what the time is, where the others are.”

“Right. Well Echo is sick of maintaining the ship by himself. Omega is bored and has memorised everything you’ve given her so far, Wrecker dropped Gonky the other day when he was lifting him. Now the droid is more defective than ever.” Taking a deep breath you swiped at your face, tugging on the tunic you’d worn for, you don’t know how long, and stepped up beside the bed.

“Tech. It’s Stitch.” You saw some activity on his face, a little frown followed by the lightest groan. “Can you squeeze my hand?” You gripped him firmly and waited. Then it came, the flex of his fingers and you nearly cried again. “Good.”

“Yeah?”

“Means he can hear us and he has cognitive function,” you told Hunter. “Which is good, very good.”

“Tech, brother…” for the first time you heard the worry come through in Hunter’s words as he dipped his head. “You had us worried.” As he continued to talk in a low voice you backed against the wall. Using the corner to wedge in like you used to do with Gonky on the ship, squeezing yourself in there tightly and dropping so you could hug your knees close.

More tears fell, you managed to hold back the sobs, just letting the moisture cascade down your face as you listened to Hunter talk to his brother.

“Stitch, his eyes. He opened his eyes.” Thank the Maker.

“That’s good. That’s really good.” Hunter stood up and looked at you over the bed, understanding filling his gaze as soon as he saw you on the floor.

Your heart jumped when a sound came from the bed, a hard groan of someone waking up after a very long sleep. You clocked the movement of his foot, the sharp inhale when he stretched for the first time in days and the flick of his fingers.

“Hunter…” he recognised Hunter. Another thing checked off the list. “I can’t see.” If you weren’t so emotionally ripped up you probably would have laughed. Tech’s immediate reaction was he couldn’t see without his goggles was such a Tech thing, it made you hug yourself tighter.

You watched as Hunter put them on for him, carefully adjusting them so they were just right on his brothers face and sitting the bed up slightly.

“My leg…” Tech moaned.

“Easy now, Tech.” Now you had to move, hoping your face didn’t betray the fact you’d been crying as you wiped it clear of tears. You couldn’t look at him, even as you stood on his injured side with Hunter just behind your shoulder. You took your time updating his records, his eyes tracking your movement as you clicked on the screen and added the details to your datapad. Hinter have him some water and you noted his breathing was a little rushed, he felt apprehensive and you could feel his burning need to know how he was.

“Do you want to know what happened?” You asked quietly, watching his hand fidget with the blanket.

“Yes.” You hesitated, allowing yourself a moment to fall behind your medic mask before you flipped a section of the blanket back to reveal the leg you’d operated on.

“You sustained extensive damage to the break, it was a closed fracture on the femoral shaft that needed to be reduced and fixed in place with metal rods and bolts. When they finally got you to me I had cut open your leg and relieve the hematoma, Hunter and Wrecker both gave you blood at the time as the loss was…a lot.” Your fingers clenched, still the sticky residue tortured your senses. “I managed to reattach blood vessels and nerves and you should regain the full use of your leg. Recovery will be long.” Now you glanced up, to see a grim expression on his face, one that told you he understood everything you’d said and what it meant. “We need to strengthen your muscle, and we’re looking at you being here at minimum, 4 to 5 months.” Hunter puffed out breath, scratching at the stubble on his cheek as he let your words sink in.

“I’m not sure Tech can sit still for that long.”

“Only at first and then I don’t see why he can’t fly the ship for easy missions,” you stressed, pushing a finger into Hunters chestplate before moving away. “I’ll get the tank set up and bring it in.”

Tech had installed repulsors on the tank so you were able to move it on your own. Once you’d set the programme you left Hunter to help Tech get into the tank. You’d picked up on his nervous energy and the way he kept glancing at you out the corner of his eyes, so you suggested you take a break and Hunter agreed.

Your room felt alien. It had only been a few days but it no longer felt familiar and you tried not to dwell on it stepping straight into the refresher. Letting the hot water cascade over your body you tried to empty your mind but all you could think about was Tech’s rehabilitation plan.

You weren’t done yet.

Very quickly your private patient room became Tech’s bedroom. He was building himself a leg brace and you didn’t have it in you to tell him no. It did him good to still use his hands, exercise his mind and it kept him busy.

It was time for his submersion into the tank. He went in every morning for a couple of hours and then you did your obs and checked on his leg. Routine, you always did it in the same order so he didn’t have surprises. Even now you were stood outside his room, waiting for the time to tick over the last minute.

It concerned you how much his body reacted your presence, you put it down to nerves about going in the tank. You had to touch him, help him and you wouldn’t have found it comfortable if you were in his position.

The door opened and you breezed in finding him sat on the edge of the bed as he waited for you. Instantly you noticed the way his hand jerked away from his thigh, planting on the bed and fisting on the covers as he glared at the wall. He was stripped down, ready for immersion into the bacta.

“Good morning,” you said, eyeing the screen beside his bed. No temp, good heart rhythm, nothing worrying at all. “Are you ready?” You pressed the buttons on the tank, turning to glance at him over your shoulder.

“Yes,” he replied stiffly. As you approached the monitor beeped to alert you to a change in his heartbeat and he stared at it like it had betrayed him. “I am still not accustomed to being touched in such a way.”

“I am just your medic, Tech.”

“You are more to me than just a medic.” Oh.

“I can get Tesama…”

“No. I would rather it was you.” You weren’t sure what to do with what he’d just told you. Putting down the datapad you relied on all you had left, routine. Slipping your arm around his bare body, feeling his arm over your shoulder as you wrapped your fingers against the curve of his side and you felt his inhale; desperately trying not to flinch away from you.

He hopped on one leg, grimacing as he did, little grunts of pain falling from between his clenched teeth until he slipped into the warm bacta. His relief was palpable when you stopped touching him, going to retrieve his breathing mask.

“Two hours and I’ll be back.” He nodded, handing you his goggles, eyes going wide as his vision deteriorated instantly. You wanted to comfort him, seeing the way his hands were moving in the fluid as he tried to find something to fiddle with. “Oh!” He glanced at you watching as you fished around in the pocket of your tunic and pulled out a puzzle box. “Omega found this on a supply run and she asked me to give it to you but I kept forgetting. It should keep you busy in the tank.” You tapped the screen. “I see you don’t sleep.”

“I find it hard to make my brain relax in such an environment. My mental knowledge, regretfully, only stretches so far and I have recounted everything I know at least 10 times already.” His fingers flexed, grateful to have something to do.

“Let’s get this on,” you encouraged gently. His eyes went even wide as you leaned in, settling the mask in place and pressurising it to his face with a soft hiss. “Two hours.”

As you were closing his door Tesama peered round the corner. She looked slightly concerned and you tilted your head. “Out with it.”

“Well, there’s another one of those clones here. He won’t let me near him, demanding you.”

“Which one?” You asked checking the readings from Tech’s tank one final time before heading to the bays.

“He says his name is Echo.” Your steps hurried. Echo hardly ever came in here and he was the one who if anything went wrong, it could be catastrophic. “He’s in your office.” She dropped away as you entered, seeing Echo on the bench in your office. He seemed all in one piece, just a scowl adoring his brow, his sense of agitation was making your skin tingle and you gently put the datapad down.

“Echo.” He flinched at the sound of your voice. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s…” the scowl deepened and he looked away from you. The feeling from him changed subtly and that’s when you discovered, he was embarrassed.

“Take your time,” you said gently. “I know this must be difficult for you.” He huffed, his pale gold eyes finally shifting in your direction.

“I feel like a di’kut.” You sat in the chair, turning it round to face him as you waited for an explanation. You could sense he was in good health, the rhythm of his blood was steady, the sense of his aura was strong and not flickering. “I have sand,” he blurted out.

“Sand?” You queried, that was the last thing you’d excepted.

“Sand. In places I don’t want sand.” It took you a few moments to understand what he was saying and you looked down at his scomp. He tried to spin it only for it to get stuck after a couple of rotations.

“Anywhere else?” He gestured with his hand, encompassing his back and legs.

“I can feel it in all the—sockets. I didn’t know where else to go,” he confessed quietly, a blush rising on his pale cheeks.

“Stay here.”

“Oh don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” he grumpily mumbled, crossing his arms. You went outside and collared Beetoo.

“If you had sand in your joints would an oil bath get rid of it?” You asked her quietly.

“For a droid, an oil bath is the best form of ridding debris.”

“Thanks Bee.” You busied yourself in the storage room, trying to find a container that would hold enough oil for Echo to bathe his legs. Finally you found one, activating the portable repulsers so you could drift it back to your office once you filled it up. You also grabbed a load of brushes and other tools not really sure how you were going to get the rest of the sand out of him.

He eyed you suspiciously when you guided the small tank in, scowling so deeply you wondered if the lines were going to become permanent.

“What’s all this?”

“You asked for my help,” you stated. He leaned back on one leg as you moved the bench away from the wall and putting it in the middle of the room. The repulsers switched off and you adjusted it all to where you thought it should be. “Ok. Strip off.”

“Strip?!” He looked so shocked you nearly giggled.

“Echo. I need to access the ports so I can clean them out. You need to immerse your legs in the oil and your scomp. It’s going to be uncomfortable but there is no other way.” You understood his hesitation, he hated anything thing like this and you were demanding he bare all the things he hated about himself to you. To be touched, meddled with, to be explored in ways he never wanted to again.

“This is the only way?”

“I’m afraid so. If you don’t want me to do it I could ask Beetoo…”

“No!” His hand and scomp went up, his pulse throbbed and you stopped talking. “No droids.”

“Let me know when you’re ready and we can begin.” You picked up the datapad, turning your body away so weren’t watching him. You checked on Tech, happy to see his numbers were more relaxed this time, the puzzle box clearly helping him settle. You heard Echo remove his kama, the utility belt dropping and the griptions loosening as he shed his armour. He looked hopefully at you but you gave him a slow shake of your head, you needed his padding off and he knew it. The sigh was resigned, if you could have seen it you were sure it would have been like a durasteel weight leaving him but he began to take it off anyway.

“Now what?” His voice wavered slightly and you made your face expressionless. You’d never seen Echo so bare before and the true nature of his remaking became apparent. It was barbaric. If only you’d been there when he’d been freed…the devastation would have been less.

“Step into the tank, and sit down. I will warn you about any moves I make and if anything feels uncomfortable or wrong, please tell me.” He gave you a curt nod. His eyes were dull, trying to hide his discomfort but it was coming off of him in suffocating waves. As soon as he was settled you approached him some tools and you saw him recoil a little. “I’m going to work on your scomp first, then we can bathe that too. Ok?”

“Mmhmm.” You were gentle as you reached for him. Echo turned his face away, closing his eyes as tremors of apprehension rippled through his feelings, the worry that you would be repulsed from him followed by surprise when you didn’t flinch.

You ran a practised eye over his cybernetics, seeing where the problems were and you got to work on trying to dig out the grains. It was gruelling, and you stayed tapped into his feelings as you worked; making sure you weren’t hurting him. Sand worked free from some of the mechanism and you asked him to spin it, seeing the movement was much freer. You asked him to submerge the scomp in the oil before moving round behind him.

His entire back tensed as you looked at what had been done to him. Black sockets ran down his spine and you felt a wave of rage that someone thought they had the right to do this to another living thing.

“Are you ok with me touching you, Echo? I need to brush these out.”

“Got no choice,” he muttered gruffly. “Just do it.” He was hunched over, holding his head in his hands as you started. The brush did wonders for dislodging the looser grains, hearing it hiss free was so satisfactory.

“I’m going to blow, on it,” you warned him quietly.

“Mmm.” His entire body tensed, muscles bulging as you carefully blew across his skin and swept away any stray grains before moving onto the next socket. By the time you’d reached the back of his neck your arms were protesting but you needed to finish. In this time he had relaxed, arm lowered and his face not so tortured as he got used to the contact. Still you communicated with him, letting him know everything you were doing in a calming voice that he listened to. His feelings settled, they weren’t so volatile anymore and you raised an eyebrow when you blew across his pale skin, sensing a change in his demeanour.

“Was that ok?” You asked. “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” He refused to elaborate with a jut of his chin, fixing his glare on the wall so you decided not to probe any further. Tenderly you dusted your fingers over the spread of his shoulders, noticing the hitch his breath as you did.

“I’ve done what I can, a quick shower should rid you of any stray bits. Let’s check your scomp.” He lifted it free of the oil and you wiped it clean. Echo gave it a spin, his face breaking out in a hopeful smile as it moved without hindrance. “Standup, legs next.” He leaned on you, his hand clutching at yours as you took some of his weight until he was free of the oil bath. You went to wipe down his legs but he grabbed the cloth, making you look up at him.

“I-I can do it.” He refused to look at your face, the telltale blush once again rising on his cheeks and you backed up. Turning round you grabbed the datapad.

“Echo, I need to get Tech out of the tank.”

“I’ll be ok,” he told you a sense of relief injecting into his words.

“Be back in a bit. Then you can visit him.” From one clone who didn’t like being touched to another who panicked when you entered the room. Tech had already opened the top of the tank and was sitting up as he waited for you. “I’m sorry! Echo came in with an issue.”

“Echo? What is the issue?” You grabbed a towel, letting Tech lean on you as the bacta dropped off his chiselled body. Quickly you wrapped him up, stopping him from shivering as you ran your hand up and down his arms. “Stitch?”

“Oh,” your thoughts dissipated and you looked up him, seeing the way his gaze dilated when your eyes locked for a second before he broke the connection. “Yeah, Echo is ok. He said he’ll come and visit you when you’re ready.” Tech hobbled over to the bed with your help, the pain much less this time. “Do you want me to towel dry your hair?”

“Yes.” You didn’t think much of it as you reached for a smaller towel, but when you started your senses heightened. He smelled like the bacta, fresh and healing; the heat of his body came through the material and you slowed your hands to really make sure his rich chestnut locks were dry. You tapped into his feelings, noticing the way his heart rate was accelerating once again. It made you sad that he was so anxious from your touch even though you understood. Most of the time you couldn’t bare the idea but here, now, with Tech; you wanted nothing more than to feel him.

It hurt. Withdrawing yourself you quickly finished, absently drawing your fingers through his hair. Even damp you appreciated the softness of it, catching the stray stands and nudging them back to how he liked it. The colour was glorious, almost fiery in some lights, a deep rich hue in others. In all lights he shone for you. The rush of emotion you felt for him almost caught you off guard, sweeping around you like a soft embrace and you worked quickly to untangle yourself from it.

So wrapped up in what you thought were your own emotions you missed the way Tech’s eyes widened dramatically at the feel of your fingers in his hair as he looked at his covered knees. “There. That’s the best I can do.” You announced, stepping back. You rolled the wet towel up and placed his clothes and goggles on the bed next to him. You were about open the door when he called your name.

“Hmm?” He looked a little flustered, his eyes darting about as he adjusted his goggles with his graceful fingers and you fixated on the motion.

“I appreciate…you. You are good at your job.” You hitched up a smile but it didn’t reach your eyes.

“It helps you’re such an easy patient. Get dressed and then you can catch up with Echo.” The door opened and then slid closed behind you.

Ducking into your room for a moment you closed your eyes and let out a shaky breath. You had no idea why Tech’s words had made your stomach twist back on itself; maybe because you hoped he was going to say something else? It was ridiculous really, no one could force someone to have feelings and his clearly didn’t reach the level that yours did.

[thewatercolours]

King's Quest Ficlet: "Candlelit Chat"

Ken found the new queen beneath the table in the great hall.

It took him a good while before he spotted her. Naturally, it was the tabletop that struck him first, littered with so much brik-a-brak it looked like a museum display case. Which wouldn’t have been terrible – Ken had once considered museum work before he took up the old armour and polish – but in this case it looked more like a display case after a hurricane and earthquake combination.

He sniffed disapprovingly. A dozen mismatched candles assaulted his nose with scents more confused than the Hobblepots’ shop. With so many, you wouldn’t have believed there was any need for twisting candelabras as well, but they had their place too, so many they felt more like watchfires than ambient lighting. Was this the reason while all the wall sconces had been doused dark? The tallest and twistiest dripped wax onto a stack of well-thumbed books. Inkwells of different colours were scattered here and there. One seemed to have upset, judging by the pile of napkins, still wet with green.  And as for papers – well, they were reason enough for Valanice to have chosen the grand table rather than her own desk. Loose, stacked, overlapping. Blank, blank except for a line or two, one full page scratched out. Doodles galore, and one paper with circles and spirals whirled all over it. Several with bullet lists. And many, many crumpled and spilling onto the plush red carpet.

Looking down at them was what made the guard notice the purple slippers sticking out from under the table.

Ken cleared his throat. “Madam?” Fully aware that she could probably see little more than his toes, he gave a sharp salute stamp with an ankle turn. Plausibly, it was the most visible way to show respect. More accurately, it was a chance to stamp at the queen for turning the throne room into the aftermath of a toddlers’ craft day.

“Oh!” came an embarrassed voice, followed by an overwrought giggle. The slippers slid out of view beneath the tablecloth. “Um, don’t mind me, guard. Just doing a project. Chasing inspiration, as you do. Sometimes it takes you strange places.”

“Everything shipshape down there?” Ken asked stiffly.

“Oh, more or less,” said the queen, a mite too cheerily.

“Can I be of assistance?”

“Oh, no, no! I’m fine! Peachy!”

He waited, but she said nothing more. “Very good, madam,” he said, and clamped his lip firmly shut to avoid adding a comment about the mess. He turned on his heel. Then he heard a hiccup and a loud, messy sniff.

Was Valanice crying? Ken crouched (always a tricky business in steel greaves) and lifted the edge of the tablecloth to peer beneath.

The queen sat wrapped in a yellow dressing gown, with her red hair tumbling over her hugged knees. She met his gaze with a grin and rolled her eyes. “Welcome to my cave.”

“Are well? Your eyes are rather red.”

She shrugged. “It’s only that I’ve been up late every night.”

“You are quite certain you’ve not been crying?”

Valanice hid her hands in her sleeves and began drumming her fingers nervously against each other through the fabric. “Actually I stopped crying at least half an hour ago. It’s just… not my coziest night since I arrived in Daventry.”

“Should I fetch the king?”

“No. No,” she said hurriedly. “He’s up to his ears in work tonight. And I’ve already been whining to him and he’s been lovely about it. And I don’t want to let him in for another round of it.”

Privately Ken doubted Graham prefer his bride hiding under furniture and weeping to simply talking it out again, but Valanice didn’t stop to let him interject.

“It’s not even anything big. It’s just. I’m sorry – do you want a seat? Plenty of chairs to choose from.” She wiped her misty eyes with her sleeve.

Ken shook his head. “I’d prefer to stand, if it’s all the same.”

“I might have known. Suit yourself.”

He wound the end of the cloth round a chair spindle, so he could see her without holding it up, and stood a little farther back so they were better in each other’s line of sight. Inside his helmet, Ken chewed his moustache. Though he didn’t think of himself as heartless, he sincerely hoped the tears would not return. What was the protocol on something like this? Probably he’d just get Graham whether she wanted him or not.

He had never quite been able to make heads or tails of how he ought to interact with this new addition to the royal household. It wasn’t because she was a woman, he felt certain. He got along like a house on fire with Roberta and the other female guards, as well as the townswomen. Nor were her manners alien. If anything, she sometimes seemed like a redheaded clone of Pockets, with her wild longing for adventure, her starry-eyed bouts of enthusiasm, and her awkward genuineness.

Perhaps it had more to do with how Queen Maylie’s reign alongside King Edward still felt so vividly recent to Ken. Never mind the twenty years since her death, give or take. He’d always had an amber memory. It had taken him years to default to thinking of Graham as king. He suspected it might take even longer to convince his reflexes that this dewy girl was really queen, however he might know it intellectually. And until those reflexes learned their way, he suspected chats with her were going to be a little cumbersome.

“The worst of it is that I know I’m being silly,” she murmured, “and know exactly how I ought to be handling it – but doesn’t quite translate. I’m not even sad, properly speaking. I just had a million things to get done on a short time frame and… Well, it’s just one of those days when I’ve missed a lot of sleep, and my mind mistakes it for sadness. Then it tries to figure out why I might be sad.”

Ken nodded. “And let me guess. It tries everything even remotely sad in your life on for size, even things that aren’t a problem right now, and suddenly – “

“Just so. Suddenly it’s all about all of them.” Valnice interrupted with a wan smile. “How did you know?”

He shrugged. “I have had similar conversations with the king on occasion.”

That got a laugh from her. “Of course you have. Well, watch out, I may be about to spill everything.”

Remembering those discussions with Graham put Ken in mind (thank the shining stars!) of something he might say to suit the situation. “Since exploring all of them is only making it worse right now, what’s bothering you most right now?”

For the first time, she seemed hesitant. For all her assertions that she was being silly, she had seemed eager to talk until now. She took a deep breath. “Um. I’m frustrated because I don’t seem to be able to… um… be very creative right now.”

Again, a good thing he was wearing his helmet. None of this was coming naturally to Ken, and now this. He had expected something like the silly things that fretted her husband: overanalyzing an interaction, self doubt over ability to rule, nightmares. If lack of creativity was the worst of her  problems, he could only say she’d had it very easy indeed. But he couldn’t say that, of course.

“I know what you must be thinking.” She nearly blushed to match the carpet. “She could get through being kidnapped and imprisoned by a witch, and she’s crying about this? And I know that intellectually. But right now my mind has decided that the reason I’m off-kilter is because I haven’t written to my mother in months. It’s not so much that I feel guilty as that I keep trying, and I can’t seem to put my mind to it. I sat at that table for literal hours. Everyone always tells me I write incredible letters. I don’t just tell my news. I age the paper, and make sketches in invisible ink, and have all these different characters who are responsible for telling different parts of the letter. And I just can’t do it right now. I’m so exhausted. And I’ve been so tired for months, it sometimes feels like. I mean it’s been wonderful! I haven’t been unhappy! In fact I don’t think I’ve been unhappy till just now. I’m so, so happy with Graham, and I love Daventry, and being married, and all the newness, and I’m being so, so stupid.”

Valanice’s words poured out faster and faster. She wasn’t looking at him, but alternately looking at her own lacing and interlacing fingers and some space far off in the distance.  “And, and it’s not just the letters. I used to be a pretty good painter. I know you saw the avocado one. Don’t judge me on that one. I’ve actually done some that people really loved. And sometimes I compose for the lute, and all this has always been a huge part of who I am.” Her volume rose, and now the tears were certainly back. “And when I’m feeling down, what they always tell me is, ‘But you’re so creative!’ And I haven’t been in ages, and I feel like a fake. And I thought, ‘Don’t be down on yourself – you’ve just been busy with the wedding and settling in and everything! Everything that’s filling your life right now is so good, and you should be grateful, and soon you’ll have time again, and the creativity will come back!’ And probably it will, but every time I make time for it, it won’t come, and I just end up wasting time on things I don’t even really enjoy! I just love making beautiful things. I enjoy it. And I feel like I’ve lost that part of myself by not prioritizing it, and – I’ve been talking a long time and getting very loud, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Ken nodded, and nodded again. What was he to say after all that? Strangely, there was something that felt relatable in all of it, though he felt sure that had not got a creative bone in his body. Where was the relatability? He wasn’t sure, and heaven knew, he wouldn’t be able to place it before the silence grew too long. And that might be disastrous in her current state. So he went with the next best option. “And you told Graham about all this?”

She nodded. “He understood. And I felt better after we talked.” She was clearly trying hard to get her calm, even tone back. “Which is why this feels so ridiculous. I’ve already talked it out. But I’m still stringing it out. Maybe I just want to be miserable deep down, and I pull everyone else into it.”

Suddenly, he knew what to do. Ken found himself leaving his self-appointed post, and pulling a chair from the side of the table, close to the mouth of the “cave.” He leant over and placed a hand on her shoulder, as gently as he could in gauntlets. “I don’t pretend to know what to say, but Your Majesty, but I want you to know it doesn’t bother me that you’re telling me about it.”

Valanice met his gaze surprisingly well, considering she presumably couldn’t see his eyes. “You don’t seem very comfortable, and I don’t blame you.”

“I’m not comfortable. Because I want to say the right thing, and I don’t know what it is. But I am your sworn guard, madam. I find purpose in being there for Daventry’s royalty whenever they need me. In all honesty, Guard Number Two likely would know better how to be here for you in this particular situation, but I am here, and he is not. And -” (Did he really just say that? He gritted his teeth. Good stars above, but he was bungling this.)

She smirked. “It’s all right. I don’t quite know how to dig myself out of everything I just told you, and you don’t have to dig yourself out of that. We’re really not very good at this, either of us.”

“I should say not.” (Zards, zards, he was bungling this!)

They sat for some time in silence. A few of the tea lights doused themselves in hot wax. At last Valanice crawled out. She regarded the tabletop gravely. “Can we – can I take care of this in the morning?”

Ordinarily he would say no, but how could he under the circumstances? “Of course, madam.” He bowed.

“Thank you.” Before he could stand up straight from the bow, she closed the distance between them, and planted a kiss on the crown of his helmet. “Thank you, guard. I can’t believe how much that helped.”

What? Helped? That?

“I’m going to find Graham now. I am feeling a lot better now. Good night.” Valanice hurried from the room, pulling her dressing gown close about her.

He wasn’t sure Valanice even knew for certain which guard she had been talking to. And he really didn’t believe he had said the right things at all. But somehow, it had helped anyhow?

Ken began blowing out the candles.

[symphonic-scream]

I can't help it I'm giving y'all more of the heroes au

Makoto and Haru study at the same school! Makoto is a very studious law student, glasses, collared shirts and crew neck sweaters, the full nerdy look. Haru is a business major, appears to be all kindness and smiles, wearing bright colours and fluffy clothes

Queen is a total punk. Loud, follows her truth, doesn't back down. Her main suit is dark blue, based on her dad's old one from his time as a Prime Age hero (spandex, bleh). To modernize it and give it a spin more towards her tastes, she wears big, spiked combat boots, dark sliced up jeans, double studded belts, fingerless gloves, a choker, and of course, a leather jacket. Her mask is metal and the top is spiked upwards like a crown. Her jacket has a lesbian flag patch on the front, near the breast pocket! She's known for being a lady-killer during interviews

Noire is teasing smiles, flirty words laced with distraction, slipping past through the night. Her signature is the dark hat she wears with the indigo feather. At each scene she visited as a vigilante, a perfumed feather would be left behind. The light pink collared shirt, the tall purple gloves, her indigo slacks and maroon boots, they all scream musketeer. Her purple lipstick is another icon of her appearance, under the standard black domino mask she wears.

(Queen becomes accustomed to trying to wipe said lipstick off of herself before reuniting with her team)

Makoto and Sae have a stilted relationship. Sae blames the Iron Will power for their father's death, and resents Makoto for "choosing it over her, just like dad"

Haru has a hideout! It's an attic above the barely used arts building at the University. Since it's more of an academics based school, no one really spends too long there. The garden on the roof above the attic gave Haru the perfect excuse to visit, however

Okay some power notes for everyone

Joker has his Wildcard deck. It's a 52 card deck of 52 different powers! He received them from a higher spirit (Lavenza) who chose him to be her chosen hero, bestowing unto him her deck of powers and. A companion. [psst that's Morgana]. The deck resides in a pocket dimension unless he calls upon it, and with practice he's able to pull just one card rather than the deck, making it easier to just draw his random power

Ryuji was struck by lightning. Yup that's it. Now he's like a walking static charge! His hair stands on end from his natural charge, and now (with practice) he can hold back from shocking people randomly. He finds it best to use a metal bat to channel his power

Ann is rather hot (pun intended!), thanks to her flames. It's an inherited power, it skipped a generation. Her grandfather was a hero back in Europe! Her pigtails end in flames when her power is active, and she can form flames in her hands, though she's working on mastering control over the temperature and shit

Yusuke is from the 1800's, he was frozen and thawed in this age and he's. Still a bit odd. His body temperature is always lower, and the frost tends to crawl from his touch

Futaba can speak with machines, like when she touches them she "hears" what they're all about. That's all I have to say she's a nerd. Her mom had the same thing lmao

The Niijima Iron Will is, well, manifesting strong metal around themselves. Makoto tends to pull forth metal fisticuffs, aka brass knuckles, for punches and shit, though she can also bring up personal shields and minor bits of armour

And Haru!! She has the classic Psychic stuff. Telekinesis and all that. An unofficial power of hers is being really good at flustering miss Queen wink wink

TALK TO ME ABOUT THIS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT TJIS PLEASE