#i gotta figure out how to draw the skeletons its hard

[spiderdotexe]

secrets with the skeletons

[3-aem]

hey if it isn’t any trouble…as a fellow artist could you please give a little anatomy tutorial/ back tutorial? I always struggle with drawing detailed backs like how u do lol💖

i thought i had a full back but ig not.

2 fold: one practice via studies of real references, and also get urself an anatomy guide to deepen ur understanding of what muscles are interacting and why. anatomy for sculptors is a good basis because to sculp you actually need an insanely good understanding of skeletal muscular interactions.

im ngl theres just a lot but a good example is me freaking out learning that ur shoulder blades move, crying bc theres a skeleton in all of us, and then going okay ya that makes sense based on all the back pics Ive seen so far.

the book also helps you with these ‘lets identify’ bits that help you learn what to look for and build that mental model.

the repetition loop of: is what im drawing correct, no-why, correct it x 10000 is actually how u learn ig or is at least how private art classes work (where a teacher steps in and tells ur lines are wack) and u gotta figure out how to do that for urself. there is literally no other way to get better. you don’t just magically stop doing something bad without first learning what you’re doing is wrong as obvious as that sounds. (i assume ur coming to me for realism bc otherwise id say fk h8rs, follow ur heart)

as for skin, idk how to give this tutorial at all. i don’t do anything special to my knowledge. and its kind of hard to break down in my head what you might like: color, lighting, texture, something else ;-;

but at the very least for texture its just my brush (i use oil brushes)

[theshypinkflower]

🎃 Kinktober ~ Nosebleed/Bloodplay

🐺Vincent (Day 3)

Bloodplay, broken noses, non-con, scratching, dead dove do not eat, knotting (cmon, Vincent has a knotted cock like Ren)

You hated being stuck in that damn bunker, lord knows you tried to get out, but that’s kinda hard to do when you’re up against someone twice your size and strength. Vincent gripped your hair harshly by its root, his breathing rugged and uneven. “You little shit,” he growled. In your defense, biting his cock was a good idea, but now you were starting to wonder if it was worth it. After all, you didn’t want to end up like the skull you found in his closet. Talk about skeletons in the closet.

“Let me go, damn it!” You protested as you tried prying his calloused fingers from your hair. It was scary how strong he was, he was practically lifting you off the ground just by your scalp. And that was worse for you since there was so much weight on your poor hair. Vincent knitted his brows together and scowled, showing those oddly sharp fangs. There was something off about him, but you couldn’t figure out what. From his oddly long (at least longer than any other guy like him would have) and sharp nails to his weirdly shaped cock.

“Like hell I will! You bit my dick!” Vincent shouted at you. Vincent wasn't just mad, he was pissed. You could nearly see steam come out of his ears he was so mad. A large noticeable vein pulsed on the arm that held you. “Ya know, I gotta give you credit,” Vincent said with a smirk as his southern drawl coated his words smoothly, “takes a lot of balls to try n' bite my own.”

Vincent chuckled before he delivered a swift kick to your stomach. You curled over in pain as best as you could while an audible groan was heard from you. His steel toed boot was more of a powerful weapon than you thought. The pain of your stomach was enough to divert your attention from Vincent's next plan of action.

With a violent force, Vincent slammed your head into the ground. You let out a painful scream as the crunch of your nose rang throughout your ears. Blood pooled out onto the cold floor, in all fairness it seemed like too much blood for your nose to produce. Vincent slowly lifted your head up, tears streamed down your face and blood had not only flooded down your nose but also smeared a bit.

“Well ain't that a sight..” Vincent said with a suggestive grin. Despite how you bit harshly on his cock earlier, he was still stiff. Vincent held your face closer, dragging his tongue along your face and getting a healthy dose of your blood. The crimson color coated his lips and tongue, and what was so off putting is that he seemed to enjoy it. Gross.

Vincent eventually would sit down on the ground and straddle you onto his lap. The weight of your hips pressed his leaky cock to his stomach. His sharp nails (more like claws really) dug into the soft flesh of your hips, which caused you to let out a painful hiss.

Vincent haphazardly ripped your clothes from your body, “Wait- stop!” You shrieked as the fabric was discarded to the floor.

“Shut up,” Vincent griped as he shoved his length into, no lube or anything. It was painful to say the least as he bottomed out. Lord knows taking his knot was gonna be the worst part of your day. “Fuck, that's the stuff,” he groaned while his claws dug into your skin.

Because his claws were so deep, it began to draw blood on your hips. Vincent gave a toothy grin at the sight of blood coating your hips and his nails. He began to rut inside you roughly, oddly enough more focused on scratching you. He dug his nails into your arm, your chest, your ass, anywhere he could.

As blood seeped out the scratches he left, he happily lapped them up as if he was a dog. The saliva from his tongue was painful to your tender scratches as he latched onto your scars. “Shit, you taste way too good,” he moaned as his tongue started across his lips to savor your taste.

It was metallic and acidic on his tongue, yet he somehow needed more. The taste of the smooth liquid somehow fueled his lust for you. With each lap, his thrusts would become sloppier and messier. Vincent didn't care if you were horny for him or not, he needed a personal chew toy for the time being.

His eyes rolled into the back of his head while you whined and squirmed on his lap. You tried to get away, but his nails seemed to dig deeper as his orgasm approached. His knot swelled and it was becoming painful to manage for your poor captor. It wasn't long before he forced you down onto the thick knot with a loud moan, of course for you it was a painful yelp you let out.

His warm cum filled you full, you swore you saw your stomach bulge a bit as he deposited all he had. You sighed, it was over. You tried to get off only for Vincent to shove you back down, “I wouldn't get off if I were you, you gon’ tear somethin’,” he said as you rolled your eyes and laid on his chest.

Nothing like being stuck with a broken nose and a cock buried deep inside you amiright?

[erismourn]

also. do you have any advice on how you draw exos. specifically when it comes to like breaking down their form in a 3d space. chewing on them /pos

ok so my 3 biggest tips for drawing exos:

USE A REFERENCE. the reason I can make my exos passable to look at is because I reference heavily. 3d models are best of course, but half the time I don't care to open up blender and look at them.

PRACTICE. do some exercises to get better at 3d shapes. trace some images of exos! tracing is a really good way to learn.

LOOK AT THE WAY OTHER ARTISTS DRAW EXOS. some artists I like are lavenderarts, rivaldi22, ninthriven, trialsofsaint14, monstyra, sylenth-l, and fmab. i look at what they simplify and what they don't, how they shade, and so on, and try to implement their tricks into my own style

this is one of my fav exercises that has helped me get better at understanding 3d shapes. it's smth I really struggle with - my brain doesn't picture objects in 3d space well, which makes driving a car very interesting. but this has helped.

this exercise just gives you an idea of volume and form that I really like. I'll fill up a whole sketchbook page with just these blobs for a warmup. it's great!

with that said I'll try to take you through my process of drawing an exo but please take it with a grain of salt as I'm still learning

some things to note:

despite being robots, exos are humanoid in shape. familiarizing yourself with human anatomy, ESPECIALLY the skeleton as exos have no skin, is really important

exos generally have the same shapes underneath their external plating, approximately the shape of a human skull (open a 3d model of an exo and remove its external face plating and you'll see what I mean)

the mouth on an exo is generally higher up than it would be on a human face. they don't have a nose to get in the way of the mouth, so the mouths are a little higher up

you can do whatever you want forever. there's a lot of stuff that I simplify when I draw exos - for example, I have very little patience for figuring out what the struts and supports inside the cheek/jaw area look like so I usually just draw them all the same unless I'm going really hard at it

when I'm drawing exos I try to focus on how the features relate to each other. I know where the eyes are supposed to go on a human face (about halfway down the cranium), so I know where they go on an exo. from there, it's about relating things to the position of the eyes.

I try to take note of important characteristics on an exo's face. I don't necessarily get as detailed as taking notes like in the image below, but this is a good start it you want to get familiar with exo features. I grabbed these two pics off destinypedia as an example

it's also important to remember that exos are very angular and have facial planes versus the smooth transitions we typically see with human skin. you don't need to necessarily draw them super precise - just a line hinting at the change of plane works wonders for making it look 3d.

these are very sloppy because I did them in like 2 minutes each but I hope it comes across how I've implemented what I said???

I hope this is helpful. you just gotta practice a lot, and if anyone faults you for your robot anatomy being off slightly they can go fuck themselves lol. everyone who draws knows that robots are hard to draw and shouldn't dunk on you for making mistakes. godspeed brave soldier

[skelemoonz]

Have you ever wondered when you are drawing transformers or the artists drawing transformers do you have to draw the inside of a transformer's body?

This's such a stupid question I'm so sorry- 🤧🤧⁉️⁉️

This is one I had to think about for a moment lol but if I’m understanding right you are wondering if I ever thought about how the transformers are internally built?

If so, yes absolutely I have, I frequently think about it actually, trying to figure out how they transform, how their body structure can change so drastically (more specifically talking about the live action movies tbh, like Kightverse) it has always fascinated me

To put it simply, I imagine they are built very similar to that of animatronics, if you want to get a visual. The frame/skeleton, the wire’s surrounding it, the plating put above that to act as a base for the shell or muscles of sorts.

More explanation, specifically for my personal au, under the cut. Warning there will be images of animatronics without their..skin? Ig? It can be freaky looking

So, for Cybertronians I imagine that their internal structure is incredibly complex, with their ability to transform an all, but in my au Cyebrtronians have the most complex transformation out of any of the other colonies in turn giving them the most complex internal structure. This isn’t even talking about if a bot has an experimental T-cog lol

While yes the general structure would be the same as I explained before, similar to this, the wires, the plastic plating acting as muscles or as an extra skeleton of sorts

I also imagine that the skeletal structure looks as if it can just be taken apart with ease, because it can.

A Cybertronians skeleton in their transformation will end up forming the skeleton of the vehicle they turn into.

To try giving a visual, ROTB Jackie turns into a VW Van with the back seats taken out, or in other words, hollow inside. Now all that robot jazz gotta go somewhere right? So his skeleton would transform out, pushing the armor out at well to make the shape of the van

to get a good idea of what pose he would be doing for this transformation, look at the ss and mainline figurine, kinda a mix between those. Transformation can be changed with Cybertronains though.

Now, all of this compared to say, Eukarians in my au is very complex. With Eukarians being half organic an all, they have the simplest transformation out of any colony. If they tried transforming like a Cybertronian does, their bones would shatter and they would most definitely die, it’d be like you getting folded and squished into a ball shape, very bad.

While Cybertronians are close to animatronics, I’d say that Eukarians would be more like crustaceans, or actually..maybe like a Pangolin, hard shell outside, organs an all that soft stuff inside (including the half metal half bone skeleton in their case). While a Cybertronians skeleton can come apart, a Eukarians cannot..

Picture of Pangolin to show what it is, show it has armor, this is like a Eukarian, and just look at them I love them

Other colonies tend to be more similar to Cybertron, like Velocitron and Gigantion. Generally speaking these two can transform in the same way that Cyebrtronians can, the only difference is their sizes, Velocitronians are fairly small, not tiny but…lets say (these are not the real heights) that Cybertronains are 20-50ft tall, Velocitronians would be 20-30ft tall, then you got the Titans, they can turn into cities 👍

Ofc this height difference and what they do in day to day life will change their internal and external body structure, Velocitronians are built for speed, their cooling system, sharp points and light frames are meant to make them easily fly and cut through the air while they drive like its nothing. Hell even their transformation is quicker than usual. They’re like land jets

Then theres Caminus and Junkion, these two don’t transform, they have T-cogs but they rarely ever use them to do big transformations, for Camians it was to reserve energy (they are also the smallest colony in size) and Junkonians found no use for it. So yes over the centuries these colonies have lost their ability to do complex transformations, meaning their skeleton is similar to Eukarians, can’t come apart, but it’s very flexible.

I imagine they’re more similar to this underneath all that armor. At least Camian’s..Junkonians are very messy tbh

Anywho, man I rambled…a lot..yeesh..my bad lol, I don’t get to talk about this stuff a lot

[problematicfavesareproblematic]

I Wish I Could Leave This Alone (I Know How Much You Want Me To)

Babe Heffron x Reader (plus guest) One Shot

Summary: Babe’s birthday gift to you has an unexpected party crasher

Warnings: smut, angst, infidelity (?), reader overthinking while getting dicked down, I wrote this and immediately posted it so it will be edited at some point

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Babe’s kiss was soft, but his touch was not.

 You couldn’t help the groan that escaped from the back of your throat as one of his hands gripped tightly at your hip, and when he smiled against your lips you couldn’t help but feel like you’d had done something to amuse him.

 “What?” you pant, leaning back at the waist to break the kiss and frowning at his smirk. 

 He chuckled warmly as he walked you backward towards your bed, the hand at your hip finding its way under your shirt and up against your sternum.

 “Where’d you go, Gorgeous?” he asked playfully, and you immediately felt guilty. 

He was right, you’d gone somewhere else for a while. That wasn’t fair to him, and you knew that. And while he was quick to call you out on it, he never seemed to truly take offense to it. You weren't sure what that said about him. Or you, for that matter.

You shake your head and bring your hands to the hem of his t-shirt, lightly tracing your nails across the sensitive skin of his lower stomach. “Started getting a bit ahead of myself, that’s all.” 

 Pressing a kiss to the hinge of his jaw, you use your position to slide your hand down the front of his trousers and cup him through his boxers.

“You forgot to breathe,” he mumbles, his voice slow and distracted. “Can’t have you blacking out and embarrassing yourself like that—Woah.” 

 A smile of your own breaking across your face, you nose at him until he brings his mouth to yours again, making a show of inhaling sharply as the backs of your knees hit the bed.

 “Good note,” you say breathily as you pull his shirt up his back, giggling idiotically as he intentionally gives you a hard time of it. Your shirt doesn’t last long either, and with a practiced ease, you have each other stripped and bare in the blueish darkness of your barrack.

 He isn’t gentle when his hands grip your bare skin, his movements excited and rough as he settles against the headboard and pulls you up to straddle his lap.

 “I remembered, by the way.”

 Taking his face in your hands, you hold him away to study him, confusion marring your constantly furrowed brow. “Remembered…?”

 His eyes are aglow in the dark, so amber and warm that they reminded you of the spiced ciders your family would make during the holidays back home. A wicked smile crosses his face, and he chuckles quietly.

 “I told you what knowing my middle name would cost you when you asked me last month, and the information I wanted in return. And I told you I wouldn’t forget…”

The cogs clicked in your head, and you made a sound of upset when you figured out what he was talking about. 

 Detail for detail, that’s the deal, Sweetcheeks.

 “Happy Birthday, Sargent Y/N.” He waggled his eyebrows, and you booed him quietly.

 “What are the odds a blowjob will make you forget about it?” you ask with a wince, gasping when he playfully rolled his hips up to meet yours. Feeling how hard he was made your blood begin to run hotter.

 “Hmm,” he hummed, leaning forward to suck a kiss on the delicate skin beneath your collarbone. “Somewhere between none and slim.”

 With an annoyed hum, you lean your head forward to rest atop his head and let him mouth at you, your hand coming up to pull at his hair only when you knew he was intentionally trying to leave a mark. 

 “And do you remember what I said I wanted to give you for your birthday?”

 Feeling the blood rush to your cheeks, you realized that you could only sit in hot embarrassment as he laughed at you again.

 “Such a prim and proper lady, scandalized by the idea of riding my face—”

 “Edward!” you hissed, hands that once held his face now pushing it away. “Don’t say it like that, come on—”

 The auburn-haired man laughed, catching your wrists and pulling you into his chest. you grunted with frustration, your face now pressed against the hollow of his throat.

 “It’s not like my mouth hasn’t been down there before, you know.”

 Sighing, you let yourself sag into him slightly, trying not to lose yourself in his lighthearted tone.

 “Yeah, but not like that, when I’m just…you know.”

 “Oh I see, you like it better when I do all the work and you get to take the princess position, huh?”

 “Jesus Christ, Babe” you sit up again with a huff, attempting to pull your wrists back from his unyielding grip. “I try to be serious for one fucking second….”

 Rolling his eyes, he surges up and kisses you sweetly, and for a minute you feel yourself begin to slip out of your body again.

But he brings you back. He always brings you back to him and here and now.

 “C’mon, Sweet Thing…” he croons shamelessly against your lips, rough hands releasing your wrists and sliding teasingly up and down your thighs. The touch has you trembling in his lap, and he’s kissing you before you can be too embarrassed. “If you hate it, I’ll stop and you can fucking edge me until I blackout, I swear to god. You gotta let me see you like this, Y/N. Please, Gorgeous…?”

Good GOD he was shameless, literally begging you to allow him the chance to make you feel good, to show you how good he can make you feel- how much he wanted to be the one to do it to you first.

 Anticipation was knotted in your throat as you smashed your lips to his, a flutter of heady resolve resting in your belly. As if he could taste what you were thinking, he wrapped his arms around you and hummed against your mouth.

 “God, you’re so perfect...” he pulled you into him, rolling his hips in a way that seemed to remind you of the urgency you both had felt before. 

When he pulls back this time he’s grinning at you like a complete idiot, happier than any man should be at the prospect of cunnilingus, in your opinion.

 But Edward Heffron was nothing if not enthusiastic in his pursuits.

 “Hands on the windowsill,” he said breathlessly, his cheeks turning pink and making you want to kiss him again. When you didn’t follow his request quickly enough he guided your hands there himself and folded your fingers around the frame of the open window. 

 You quirked an eyebrow at him. “Do I want to know how long you’ve been thinking about this, or will I be insulted?”

 He smacks your thigh lightly, drawing a surprised yelp from your lungs that melts into a hum of amusement as he kneads the reddening flesh.

 “How about we err on the side of caution and say….. just within the past few months?”

 “And you held me in the highest regard before that- right, Private?”

 He says nothing for a moment, and when he does agree to your proposed question he mumbles it into the valley between your breasts.

 “Hmph. You’re a terrible liar. This had better be worth it.”

 Seemingly satisfied with your ability to keep your hands where he set them, Babe encourages you to rise up to your knees so you’re no longer flush in his lap. Immediately, his eyes flick down to your sex, and you cannot help the way your thighs start to shake

 He says something under his breath that you can’t quite catch before he looks back at your face and his expression softens for a second.

 “Remember what I said earlier? I mean it, you know I mean it—”

 You’re nodding before he can finish the sentiment, letting a soft smile play at the corners of your kiss-swollen lips. “You’ll be the first to know if I want to stop. Promise.”

 With one more biting kiss to the middle of your chest he brings his assault downwards with hands, lips, and teeth- his touch just the right amount of hard and teasing to send your head swimming long before you finally feel his breath on the overly-sensitive skin of your inner thighs.

 “Oh fuck,” he sounds far away, but maybe that’s just because you’re feeling too big for your own body at the moment. “Could die happy here…”

God, he’s such a whore.

 The first touch of his tongue has you pitching yourself forward, eyes squeezed shut as you let your face poke out the window enough to feel the breeze on your clammy face. 

 Shit, he was good at that- it felt so good. If you didn't have your own goddamn skeletons in your proverbial closet you may have even been jealous to think of all the other women who had been privy to this most spectacular consideration. Babe was kissing you down there just as sweetly as he had ever kissed your lips, and it made you briefly wonder if anyone else from your past could have made you feel as high as he was making you feel right now.

 Bowing your head to look down at him, your breath catching at the sight of him looking up at you from between your thighs, his arms folded around your hips to control the small jumps you couldn’t seem to get a handle on.

 “Fuck, Babe!” you bite out, the idea of him looking up your body and watching you squirm threatening to overwhelm you. “Can’t fucking do that, ‘s gross angle for me…”

 “Oh?” he said, the sound and feeling of his voice running up your body in the most sinful way. “I beg to differ...”

 Knowing that watching him watch you would ultimately be too much, you shake your head to clear your thoughts and lift your head to look back out the window into the night air.

 Only to come face to face with Ronald Speirs.

 A sound of surprise, shock, embarrassment, and panic got caught in your throat alongside your cresting moan and resulted in the most depraved cry that seemed to surprise all three of you.

 Your blood boiled as it froze in your veins as you made eye contact with Speirs, mortification and utter shock leaving your mouth hanging open in a silent shriek of horror.

 You had no idea how long the other man had been standing there, but if the look in his eyes was any indication it had been long enough to know exactly what was happening on the other side of the wall, just below the window frame. A cigarette hung forgotten between his lips as he openly stared at you, Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed silently.

 When Babe’s hand came up to squeeze your breast enticingly, you nearly jumped out the window. 

 Oh my God This can’t be happening right now I have to stop him Oh fucking hell….

 Your head whipped down and he looked up at you with heavy-lidded eyes, mouth red and damp as he panted wickedly up at you. “You okay, Gorgeous?”

 A crushing realization fell onto you in that very moment: there was no way you could tell him what was happening- who was there watching your shared private moment outside. Because that would mean that you’d have to explain that Ron always did this, that every night he would smoke near wherever you were sleeping that night and keep watch like a possessive and protective shadow. 

 And the only way you could explain that was by telling Babe about what you and Ron had once had- no, almost had. He rejected you, you reminded yourself harshly. He made his stance on you abundantly clear when he’d had you transferred into Easy Company. The fact that Speirs still behaved as if he was somehow responsible for you was not your problem.

 Besides, you had Babe. You wanted Babe. Even if the ache in your heart tried to tell you differently.

 You made your peace with Ron Speirs’ rejection a long time ago.

 Not trusting your voice, you nod vehemently and hope what is happening outside isn’t clearly written on your face. 

 A smug grin stretches across his face. “Good, ‘cause you taste better than I imagined…..”

 You curse as he pulls you back down to his mouth, your head flashing back up to see that Ron has gotten rid of his cigarette and shucked off his heavy coat and gun. His dark eyes look downright predatory, and if you had any sense in your sex-dumb head you would stop this debauchery and transfer somewhere far away from the both of them.

 You open your mouth to do something, anything to save yourself some dignity in this fucking exhibitionist nightmare, but Speirs’s finger flies up to his lips, the command clear even through the darkness.

 You knew this would happen eventually something in his gaze seemed to accuse. Did you really believe you could forget who you’re wishing was beneath you?

 But as you watch him tilt his head, something else is conveyed: he’s asking for permission. 

 He didn’t intend to leave. He wanted to watch.

But he would, if you wanted him to.

 It was cruel of him, and something in the way he worked his jaw told you that he knew it too, but like you he was too far gone to stop it. 

 You both know better, each of you having your own reasons for not wanting to inevitably hurt the other and cross that line. Your own sick, backwards ways of self-protection and showing affection for the other seemed to be twisting and becoming more complex as time went on. 

The more involved you became with Babe….Ron suddenly wanted to be your friend again just after you had first slept with Babe.

 You immediately understood that you and Ron were nearing your final days of dancing around each other, that you would have to be the one to stop it. Because Edward Heffron was too good and too kind to be fucked with like this. Eventually, you would have to stop being so selfish.

 In a final show of weakness, you nod silently to Ron, your breath coming in quick bursts as your lover has patiently worked you up and up to the crest of your crescendo, none the wiser to the wicked thoughts and realizations spinning around in your head. 

 I really am a monster.

 But you couldn’t focus on that right now, not as Ron stalked right up to the window with such confidence that you thought you had gravely misread the situation and he was going to announce himself to Babe. 

 You had just begun to make a hush of protest when his cold hands gripped yours and he knelt down so he was nose to nose with you, his hot glare turning it into another embarrassing sound of pleasure.

 “Shit!” You whimpered, your body trembling more violently as the coil in your belly began to constrict. Ron’s thumbs rubbed the back of your knuckles in a soothing motion as he made a sound of pity low in his throat, the clucking of his tongue quiet enough that it disappeared in the sounds of the forest surrounding them. 

When you get a better look at his face you can see his look of empathy is almost mocking, and you briefly wonder if you would ever have sex with someone who didn’t like to antagonize you the whole time.

 As you try to pull your hands out from under his, he shakes his head sternly before wrestling them into his grip, the action pulling you slightly further out the window and making you gasp.

Babe chuckles and grips your ass to control the speed in which your hips rocked, a nibble on your clit nearly making you scream.

 You’re a terrible person. You’re the worst kind of woman. you hate yourself for this.

 Ron’s brows furrow and his face goes soft, eyes a warm burn rather than a vengeful inferno. You don’t realize you have begun crying until he brushes the tears from your cheeks with quick fingers.

You press your forehead against his as your body bows in warning, your orgasm approaching with unforgiving intensity. 

 Ron doesn’t kiss you and you don’t kiss him. You never had and after this long, you don't think you ever will. You hate how much you wished you could though.

Especially with another man’s tongue working you into a frenzy at the same fucking time.

 “Please, I want you...” you said pathetically, and Ron had the grace to look down in shame. Guilty fingers intertwined with yours and with a sad grimace he kissed the backs of your hands.

 “I know you do, I’m so sorry,” he breathes across your knuckles, tongue darting out to wet the chilling skin where he kissed, kissing your hand as he had wished to kiss your mouth each and every day since he had met you. 

 But you couldn’t, he couldn’t. And he wouldn’t let you ever try.

 You came with a silent cry, only the whispered reminder from both of the men you loved to breathe saved you from falling apart in the most critical moment.

 Because you are cruel you take one hand from Ron, the one he wasn’t kissing, and pull it back. 

 Babe’s overgrown hair is soft and damp as you reach down to rake your fingers through it, quickly finding his hand on your hip and clinging to his fingers with painful desperation as you quake above him.

Pulling you impossibly close to his mouth, Babe holds you as you tremble through the last of your pleasure, suckling once, twice more before noisily pulling away from you. 

 The sound was so lewd even Ron had to close his eyes and grit his teeth in order to stay quiet.

your hair clung to your face, and after sliding his fingers from yours Ron brushes the sweaty strands around your hairline.

 As you begin to catch your breath, you remember who you are, who all you’re with, and all that’s brought each of you to this point. You remember that Ron Speirs has to go, will always have to go. 

 He didn’t want you to be his,  wasn’t interested in sharing his barracks or you asking him about his past or remembering your birthday. You didn’t matter, none of this did. 

 All that mattered to him was the fight. The big picture. “We’re all already dead. Why bother acting like this is anything other than a distraction?”

 “Y/N,” Babe’s gentle kisses land on your hips and you realize that the time for your decision is coming sooner than she had anticipated. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

 You take a few more shuddering breaths with Ron, and from the way he tightened his jaw you knew he knew that you were going to have to let one of them go. And, because he’s just as selfish as you are, he doesn’t want you to choose Babe. 

 He’d rather keep you like a lark he can turn to for reassurance and comfort. Like a bird in a cage.

 With a final sniffle, you look down, away from Ron, and give all of your attention to the beautiful, sex-mussed man who was looking up at you so sweetly and with such a clear desire for approval that you almost started crying all over again.

 Ron lets you slip your fingers from his and takes a silent step back as you return your attention to your lover. You let him disappear into the night.

 “Nothing at all, Babe,” you reassure him with a sigh, moving shakily down his body so you can kiss him as deeply as you can, sealing your body to his as you hold his face between your hands. “I just forgot where I was for a second there.”

 Nipping at your bottom lip, he waits until you pull back before smiling stupidly at you.

“That good, huh?”

 Shaking your head, you scoff and flick his chest. As he starts to chuckle, you roll yourself off of him enough to scratch your nails lightly across his stomach.

 “I’ll give you a full review after round two, how about that?” You smirk as his eyebrows shoot up, sitting up and swinging your leg over his hips to straddle him. “But right now, how about I reward the idiot I love for remembering my birthday?”

 If he’s surprised by your sudden proclamation of affection, he makes no show of it. And somehow that makes the moment all the sweeter.

~ ~

(HELLO SO SORRY FOR THE LATE FIC I LOVE YALL COVID IS A BITCH! I’M CURRENTLY WORKING ON THREE FICS SO HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY! OKAY BYE BYE MY GORGEOUS GEODUCKS!)

taglist: @mrseasycompany​ @itswormtrain @mrsalwayswrite​ @happyveday​ @sunsetmando @ricksmorty @now-im-a-belieber​ @tvserie-s-world​

[decks-writing-blog]

Skeleton, Shade, and Slime Chapter One: Spooky Scary Skeleton

When thinking about what kind of Halloween fic I wanted to do for Dead Cells or Hollow Knight I remembered I'd intended to continue Mute Buddies and how one of my ideas for that included how they'd react to to each other's 'deaths'; Beheaded to Ghost's Shade, and Ghost to the reveal that Beheaded is actually a ball of slime. And I figure that's pretty Halloween appropriate. And then I decided to add in this chapter because I realized Ghost, being a bug from a land full of bugs, probably has never encountered a being with an internal skeleton before and thus might be curious about it which is for sure Halloweeny. Also initially I had Ghost thinking of Beheaded as 'Friend' as a placeholder until I could come up with a better nickname Ghost might decide to refer to them as since they can't exactly introduce themselves (and Ghost doesn't even actually have a name) so they gotta come up with nicknames for each other. But then I decided I liked it like this so I kept it.

~

Just when the wanderer had been thinking perhaps that the island was at least somewhat friendly, they were proven wrong. Unlike their new friend, these beings had attacked them without hesitation, warning or seemingly real reason. Blood and other fluids now oozed from their broken bodies, much of it quickly washed away by the ceaseless rain.

Not having had time to properly study their attackers before the fight or really during it either, Wanderer took time to do so now. A few of them looked similar to Friend but differently coloured. They hadn’t moved the same though but far more clumsily. There was a big beast with a lantern of some sort that Friend had gone out of their way to target and take out immediately, indicating it had been dangerous. Wanderer would’ve liked to see in what way but whatever.

They walked over and sat on the ground by one of the monsters that looked like Friend. Its fog head and shining eye – or at least it seemed to be an eye of some sort – had gone out, leaving nothing but something stringy looking hanging out from the neck. Not really interested in that, Wanderer turned their attention to the thing’s arm. They pulled it out straight and stabbed their nail hard down into its forearm.

Yep,there was something hard in there. Confirming what they thought they’d felt while poking Friend earlier and while slicing into these monsters during the fight. Typically, soft beings were soft all the way through. Unlike a proper carapace, being inside, it didn’t offer much protection from blades and whatnot so what was the point? … Well it did stop the wanderer’s nail fairly well as they continued to press down on it, even rocking it back and forth a bit. So cutting off a limb would be difficult but drawing blood was still far too easy.

Curious to see it, Wanderer adjusted their grip on their nail and began slicing. Seemingly partially rotted – though it couldn’t be yet could it? It had just died – the flesh came away easy as did the layers of muscle and other tissues underneath. The rain washed away the blood and other fluids as they worked, quickly allowing them a good view of the ‘inner-carapace’. It was white and separated into two rods that likely merged back together past where the wanderer had revealed. They scrapped it with it with nail some more; despite the shared colour it didn’t seem to be made of the same material as their mask. That was probably about all they could glean from it though so…

As they put the arm down, Friend crouched down in front of them on the other side of it. They pointed at it and lifted their hands, making forward facing fists, holding them together and then lifting one while lowering the other in a quick sharp movement. Miming breaking something? Only one thing they could mean by that.

Wanderer was still curious so they nodded before standing to step back to give Friend more room.

Friend straightened in one fluid motion. They then hovered a foot over the exposed part of the arm before lifting it high and stomping their heel down hard, making an almost wet sounding crack. They weren’t satisfied yet though and stomped once more before stepping back.

Wanderer moved back in to bend down and pick up the hand part, turning it so they could see the jagged break. The ‘inner-carapace’ wasn’t solid all the way through but instead filled in with an almost sponge like structure. A quick look revealed that the part still attached to the main body had that same structure as well. Thus presumably all the of ‘inner-carapace’ stuff did too. What the purpose of that was, Wanderer had no way of knowing. Nor did they really care beyond the oddity of the thing as a whole.

These beings that inhabited this island definitely weren’t bugs but instead something entirely different and thus new to Wanderer. That was pretty cool. Worth the horridly long sea voyage to see? … Perhaps. Going back or moving onward was going to still suck though. That was for future them to worry about though.

So, satisfied with their examination for now, they put the hand back down and looked up at Friend, still watching them. Possibly just as curious as Wanderer was about them and the island and it’s inhabitants or perhaps not. Much like Wanderer themself, they could form no readable expression, making it hard to know what they were feeling. Which, coupled with them also being unable to speak, was why Wanderer had taken an immediate liking to them. Never before had they met someone who shared both those traits… not that they could remember anyway.

Regardless, Wanderer gave them a nod in thanks for their help in assuaging their curiosity somewhat before turning and continuing down the shore. The big building down there would hopefully have its roof be at least partially intact, allowing for a break from this endless rain. Friend could and would continue to follow or not as they chose.

[aca-4]

I know Halloween is still a week away, shh

This entire thing was really just an excuse to find costumes I think the group would wear and draw them. Plus a little comic for fun. Additional explanations below:

Mettaton: Vampire

‘Cause they tend to be interpreted looking very stylishly and it’s not the first time he’s out for human blood XD

Undyne and Alphys: Shirayuki and Zen from Snow White with the Red Hair

Obviously a couple cosplay for our anime fans. Wasn’t sure wich couple at first, but then I remembered this show, how the protagonist has red hair and thought it was a perfect fit. Think that was also one of the very first (if not the first) animes I’ve ever watched, so that’s nice.

Papyrus: Royal Guardsman

Updated his costume we already see him wear. He looks just like a royal guard now! And I was only getting slightly frustrated with how the hell I should draw his helmet!

Sans: Skeleton

An obvious and simple choice as he explains himself. Turns out ribcages are hard to draw, though; even with reference pics. Which you don’t even see much of in the end result because of his jacket...

Frisk: Conveniently Shaped Lamp

Joining Sans in humor. Also something simpler and kinda last minute as they were the one working very hard on Flowey’s costume! Speaking of...

Flowey: The evil plant from Little Shop of Horrors

Pretty self-explanatory. Just don’t feed him!

Toriel: Angel

Figured she’d go with something harmless and keep it simple. She doesn’t want to scare kids away, after all!

Asgore: Santa Claus??

I know what you’re thinking and I admit this was more intended as a joke. I probably should have given him something classic like a zombie or a mummy costume, but I just thought it would be hilarious if he got his human holidays mixed up or forgot to buy a new costume. I really gotta work on how I draw him, though. Sorry, goat dad :(

----

UNDERTALE and its characters belong to Toby Fox

[fandom-sheep]

Fundy 28 APR 21

Delayed Liveblog Vault Hunters Part 1/1

Our favorite fox is damp. And apparently can’t get his hair to sit right.

He’s already having to raise the redemption price. It’s been 5 seconds.

I don’t even quite get Vault Hunters I know Hbomb did it last season and that it.

Charm. Lovely.

Is the bottom right a confetti cannon?

Oh no we have to fight? We can’t be trusted.

We are the sort of people to purposefully lose the fight.

Don’t get me wrong. We love Fundy and will cry on command. But also we are rather mean to him.

Mystic Tomato. I don’t know what it is but I love it.

I was saving up Chanel points for water and ads. But now I gotta save for those and the little fun reward pack things.

Oh no. Did we hit 100 subs already? That’s what it says over his name?

Confetti canon?

5up! Hooray!

HBomb humoring Fundy with the emotes.

Fight fight fight!

So close. We tried out best to fight the giant.

Alright chat. We need another arena. Everyone get him.

Everyone in chat yelling about Phil doing stuff in OSMP. Wrong server y’all. We can deal with that later.

Ooo are we doing VC?

Everything is so chaotic already.

Tubbo and Fundy trying to figure everything out.

You know things are confusing when the original people are like “the what?”

There was a how to play meeting? And somehow these boys are still confused.

Tubbo at least has an excuse to be confused.

I love skill trees in games. They just look so pretty.

“I see a melon!” -Fundy

5up our beloved.

My streamer is being beat up with a boomerang.

Fundy doesn’t know what’s happening, but he’s rich so it works.

Tubbo is just saying every name in hopes he says the right one.

Pizza!

We attack!

WE WIN!

We did it! We’re a good chat!

Is 5ups skin still cog champ themed? Maybe not. Maybe my brain is being goofy.

Is Fundy complaining about his hair? I’m not actually paying attention. What is chat on about.

That’s one thing that can be said about all the chats. They like it when their streamers have fluffy hair.

Chat really is just crying aren’t they. Fundy’s chat has a skill of crying at everything.

Hooray 5up is active! Fundy go say hi for us!

Hooray friends!

Super good item! I don’t get it, but super good item!

ITS THE BEING!

Arena arena. We’re almost to the arena!

Aww. I missed the bets.

ARENA TIME!

Beat em up chat!

Oh no. He’s hitting hard.

WE DIDS IT!

ARENA TIME!

Oh were getting hit hard.

But we did it!

Good Job Wolf! Awesome Millionaire!

No arena box for winning. Rude.

Chat can’t even remember how many fights we’ve won.

Stupid full inventory.

Temporary base on the hill.

Pretty chest!

All the gifted subs. Such a popular streamer.

That looks so cool! I missed what it did but it looks cool!

Ooo all sorts of cool things.

Look at chat go

SHULKER SHELLS!

Look at everyone giving Fundy things.

It’s neato that they use peoples skins. That you can see the people who donated.

Shulker crates! Nice! That’ll be good for transporting things.

We’re so fancy.

Ooo sorting. The most complicated thing.

Chats over here spoiling our streamer.

Wool?

ARENA TIME!

We got this!

Beat em up subs!

WE WON!

Looting 2 noice.

Mods bribing chat to stop barking with Scooby snacks. I love them so much.

Wolf my dear you have done nothing wrong.

Oh cloud9 has a fox skin!

Ooo create mod. We know about that.

A lovely little base.

Cake is being stolen all over the place.

Stab stab the dragon.

Hooray follow goal! Music time!

Oh... that was it. Alrighty we’ll take what we can get.

Time to win an arena subs. We want music.

Our boy is confused.

Fundy just read the chat. They are telling you.

I got to get this time! The subs will destroy everyone!

Happy Halloween?

Gasp! Mega gift!

Pretty skin!

We love the Fundy mods dearly. They are so chill and nice.

The water well has run dry.

The streamer has escaped. It’s just us, the mods, and the chair.

Oh a Schlatt plush! Neato!

Schlushy I agree with that name.

“Not the hat the other one.” LOL.

Chat go Glatt

Went to get water the. Forgot to drink it.

Subs can modify emotes left and right.

Viper good job! Good book!

Fundy doing his game at middle of the night o’clock.

Streamer... please sleep. Please eat meals.

We’re almost at the Arena!

Sleep 8 hours... just at the wrong time.

Chat fully admitting to thinking our streamer is dumb enough to fall in lava.

We have learned to balance our expectations Fundy.

Oh this is going to be a long stream. A really long stream. I’ll probably need to take a break and do some work.

Arena Time! Beat em up subs!

Good job subs!! You did it!

Let’s see what we get for the arena.

So many Wolf!

Diamond!!!

Putting the winners on their boxes. Nice.

I have so much work to do, but I just want to watch the funky Fox.

Villagers? We love villagers.

PIANO!

Oh we’re switching screens it’s serious piano.

So lovely. I love listening to music people do their things.

I love the fact the subs keep shouting FundyJam!

I swear improv music should not sound this lovely

Spooky sounding tune. Sounds like a boss fight in a haunted castle.

Awesome piano!

Poor boy so annoyed by his hair. Bless his heart.

For anyone who doesn’t touch Twitter. The Fundy Updates Twitter is fabulous and amazing. They are just always so upbeat over everything.

Trying to nether portal. You go fox friend.

Wow Just portal to the center do a lava lake. Under soul sand.

You go 5up! You get that bastion.

Rip 5up.

Poor Fundy doing his best.

How’s the VC crew doing?

MENDING GOLD PANTS!!!

The drip is back!

Also I voted no in the will he burn pole. I have faith in my streamers.

We’re calling Fundy emo now. And he’s trying to deny having an emo phase, and failing.

I don’t know what’s happening half the time in this chat.

Fire Fox!

We’re still calling Fundy emo. Chat spoils the streamer and chat bullies the streamer.

Oh are we trending emo Fundy? Nice. I’m conveniently scrolling on Twitter.

Look at us bully our streamer.

The two people in chat. Those saying emo Fundy. Those going “his hair is nice stfu”. The duality of chat.

Sounds of suffering coming from the nether.

Fundy has taken responsibility for enderpearls.

We cursed Fundy? I look away for 10 seconds.

Pixel has turned on Fundy.

Fight that ghast.

Fundy’s going to get all the endermen.

Piglin goes smack.

We’re wearing the drip. Nice.

Everyone gets rich so fast here.

Well. We’ll just leave the corpse there.

Sizzle.

The people who bet on him dying are so rich in channel points now.

*sad fox noises*

Surely not. Fundy we have lost all hope in you.

Pixel doing everything they can to do anti emo Fundy.

Aww. I missed the prediction. I bet he won’t die. I believe in him.

Fundy being scared by his own body. Cant wait to see that clip everywhere on YouTube.

Back to attacking the endermen.

Tubbo is such a villain. He’s so willing to kill HBomb.

Fundy just getting back to work.

I’m sorry corpses become skeletons. That’s horrid.

Off to get the dragon. The dragon the dragon.

Tubbo was smote.

HBomb and Fundy fully ready to be that person that steals the temple.

Hbomb shaped chest. That is great.

Everyone bullying HBomb.

Almost Arena time.

Betting yes on the arena. The subs are strong and they’ve got this.

My twitch app is being stupid. This might be my signal to take a break and do my school work.

8k boosters and the chat goes nuts.

Chat from where I am is just a bunch of booster packs. I think I need to close and reopen the app.

There we go. There is the lovely chat.

Arena time!

Aww. My bet disappeared when I moved the app.

No! He’s cheating! The subs are doing their best!

Good job subs!

I mean it’s a diamond sword. It’s not diamonds but it’ll do.

I heard a du du du du?

I’ve got to go. Time to be productive with my life and time.

Let me know if I miss anything especially stupid or funny.

Alright it’s been 2 and a half hours but I’m back.

Looks like I missed a lot, and the boy has been going 5 hours.

Still on Vault Hunters? How is he not tired of this yet good gracious.

We’re enchantin’

I don’t know what’s happening but I’m watching.

Who stole all the luck from the boy?

Good that he’s drinking plenty of water

Good that he’s taking a break for foods.

What is with the lightening sounds? I don’t like it.

Spare the soup pet.

Sadness. No 3rd cow.

Yes! One more arena!

Lure da cows.

No that’s the Fundy Cow!

Nooooo. That’s worse than killing it!

Did we win our other arenas? I only say the first 5 or so.

Lightening Cow. Lovely.

Noooo the cowwww!

For once Fundy isn’t the one thriving.

He tunneled the cow out. Wow.

Bye 5up! Good luck!

Hi Crumb. The cow was snatched.

Noooo. Quit stealing our cows!

What he jumps like Superman and steals our cows.

Cow bunker.

These cows will get snatched. I just know it.

No. No taking da cows.

Our cows must be protected.

Enchanting is not on our fox’s side

Oh so they did beat the enderdragon. Good for them.

All sorts of neato elytra.

I must go again. I am called to dinner.

Good job getting you diamond sir.

30 minutes later I am back and we are chatting with HBomb.

Sharp boomerang.

Saw a bit of cat maid peaking out there.

5up judging Fundy for just sitting and mining.

Oh the facecam is off. I’m just noticing.

I guess it probably goofed up and froze.

Everyone in chat talking about how much to make the magic packs. I like the people saying 6.9k just for the funnies.

I’m voting 6.9k in the pole just for the funny.

I know it won’t win but I’m doing my part.

Goblins? What the squeak did I miss?

What. We stab the goblins. And they give us emeralds?

This mans has been going for 6 hours and a while. I hope he doesn’t forget to look after himself. He was talking about eating an hour ago.

I love all the product minions. All the donators just chilling on their chests.

Why are all the minions black and white? I missed that one?

Oh they run out. They ran out of stuff and out of color.

Wealth in the chest, since we don’t have a mouth.

Angel or Fairy? Is that even a question? (Chat chose fairy)

Fairy Fox. I want to draw that but have negative amounts of art skills.

We’re killing time until we hit 7 hours.

We’re meeting up with 5up! Nice!

Oh HBomb left and thought Fundy hadn’t done anything in 20 minutes but jump around his castle. LOL.

We hit 7 hours and dipped.

7 hours and almost a thousand subs. Look at us go.

Hello Puffy Raiders! You’re a bit late but hello!

Oh no. He’s panicking and not ending.

Please someone who feels like being annoying remind the mans to eat.

Raffle? Oh donators! They go through a raffle thingy! Nice!

Hooray OSMP but also Fundy please sleep and such.

Not even raffling. Just opening and closing.

Nice spin noises.

WOLF! Wolf earned to win the raffle.

Wait wait wait? Fundy go get some food and go to bed!

Hey look there is our streamer!

This is the max post size lol. 5up raid let’s go! Hello 5up! We are here! But now I’m going to bed. Oh nevermind. I hear the fox. Ah that’s smart 5up. Anyway. I’m gone now.

[argentdandelion]

Memories of the Surface Chapter 3: Special Attack

Rain pattered in the distance. It wasn’t a real, fresh-smelling rain, Gerson knew, but good enough.

A brook babbled behind him. It wasn’t a real, sun-warmed brook brimming with life, but it was good enough.

The stars glittered above him. Not real. But...beautiful. The ceiling never changed, as if its ‘stars’ of shining stones were frozen in time. Sunrise never came. Constellations never shifted with the seasons.

Gerson stopped on the path close to the star-stones and turned his face up. His eyes leaped from constellation to constellation, before finally settling on one cluster of seven vertical stars.

“The Bunny’s Ears.”

Someone had told him about that constellation before...Harrold, that was his name. His old war buddy, the timid bunny monster. A faint smile cracked open Gerson’s face.

Yes, those unchanging stars embedded in a cave weren’t real. But they were good enou—

Gerson crouched, his opponent sailing over him. In an instant, his war hammer blinked into existence from his inventory with a disorienting spark. His hammer-shaped bullets manifested several paces before him as he rose to his knees, his neck raised, his hammer lifted…

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite hero-in-training! You’re getting faster and faster! You sure are lucky you don’t sound like a human, or you’d already be down.”

Undyne’s blue spear disappeared. “How’d you dodge my attack? I was ‘strat-ee-gic’ this time!”

“Well, it’s ‘cause of your battle cry! You don’t give your opponents warning!”

Undyne looked to the side and frowned. “Well, uh...you’re Gerson! I need to give you some warning! It’s honorable! And...um…” Undyne looked sheepish. “I don’t have any humans to practice on.”

Gerson sat down by the ledge with a subtle wave towards the fish girl. “Be thankful you don’t, kiddo.”

Undyne sat by him, aimlessly kicking her legs. “But when they show up...I’ll fight them.” Undyne said, the steely determination at odds with her fidgeting.

“Hopefully when you’re older and better at fighting.” Gerson replied, staring into the distance.

“That’s the problem!” Undyne exclaimed. “Gerson—I’m nearly eleven and still haven’t found my special attack! Everyone in my class has found their special attack months ago! If...If I can’t find my special attack...I…”

“Don’t worry about being a late bloomer, kiddo. The ol’ Hammer of Justice was a late bloomer too.”

Undyne’s eyes went wide. “Really?! You?!”

“Wahaha! Yeah, really. I figured out my special attack when I was much, much older than you! In fact, I learned it very late in the war...the First War of Humans and Monsters…”

---

Gerson woke up to another tense, quiet morning in the camp by that old pasture-turned-battlefield.

Harrold wasn’t on his mat at the other end of the tent. Must have woken up early...probably to go see that dragon woman of his in her tent across camp. His journal opened, he picked up a quill and wrote: Nice day today. He paused. Probably won’t get slaughtered. Fluffybuns is still negotiating surrender.

Something poked out of the journal, and Gerson’s hand flipped though the pages.

A map---a coarse piece of paper, a bit faded, a bit water-stained.

A bear and a skeleton packed up the monster market. Things weren’t bustling like they used to…

“Take it.” A brown-haired human girl (woman?) said, handing him the map. “One of my aunts lives in that town. She’s nice to monsters.” The girl tensed. “Just...tell her Abelai loves you.”

Abelai, that was her name! How could I forget the name of my old childhood friend?

Because I don’t see a lot of humans anymore...at least, ones worth talking to.

Gerson carefully slid the map back into place. It was mere months ago...feels like years.

She sure acted odd that day...Gerson thought. Like Harrold and his girlfriend. He laughed out loud. Oh, an old childhood friend, crushing on a forbidden monster love? Isn’t that the perfect fairy tale?

Gerson shook his head. Didn’t matter, did it?

--

“Gerson! That’s not about the special attack!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll skip ahead.”

----

“Good to see you, Harrold. Didn’t see you at breakfast. Gone off to find a private bush for relieve yourself?”

“N...no.” Harrold replied distractedly. “It’s Samrel. I haven’t….seen her lately.”

The silence stretched on. No birds chirping. No frogs peeping. Not even the breeze made a sound as it gently fluttered clothes and hair. Only the intermittent clank of armor being dropped into the carts for later salvaging split that awful quiet.

Harrold paused in his picking. “I don’t know where she is.”

The idea was left unspoken, and yet he could hear it, loud and clear...those faceless piles of dust blended together so much…

They carried on in silence for what felt like hours.

Gerson lifted up a promising chest piece...one with no big hole in the back.

Just my luck! Not one outfit that could fit a shell!

But at least I’m still wearing my clothes. Dust can’t wear anything. Gerson snorted. “It’s sometimes hard to tell what belongs to what,” Harrold began, as Gerson outright chuckled. “the wind keeps tossing the dust away from their uniforms.”

“Look on the bright side, Harrold,” Gerson said, holding back laughter. “Maybe…wa...hah....you’ll see your girlfriend...without her clothes.”

Harrold’s face darkened in disdain. “How can you laugh like this!?”

“Gotta keep up some cheer in times like these. And it was at least worth a smile.”

 Nose wrinkling, Harrold walked away in a huff.

  Without her clothes without her clothes.

All those bodiless clothes in the sack…

He couldn’t stop laughing. He couldn’t stop laughing, not even when the shame flooded up inside him, boiling him. He couldn’t stop laughing...until he choked on the dust on the wind.

---

“It was not a good joke,” Gerson said.

“Yeah!” Undyne said. “Monsters don’t wear clothes all the time!”

“Where was I…? Eh, you’ve waited long enough. I’ll just skip to the good part...the part where I learned my special attack.”

----

Two humans, their hands on strange objects.

Harrold, distracted. Stuck in one spot, not noticing them.

“Harrold was in a tough spot...somehow, two humans had shown up on the field...”

Two humans. Radiating menace. Their hands on the objects...weapons. Drawing them—ranged weapons!

Harrold. Still distracted by his tears.

Gerson raised his hammer…

“But my old tactics wouldn’t work. They were too far! And I couldn’t hit both…”

The smell of ozone wafted through the air. Gerson’s magic glowed, manifesting into the world…

“And so I drew upon a power I had never known before….”

Manifested into his hammer.

Thunk.

Twang.

“And I split my hammer in twain!”

Two huge, ghostly images of his hammer flew away on impact---

And struck both humans dead.

“Those humans had no idea what was coming! They were down in an instant!”

For an instant, the humans just stared at him in shock...then they fell like cut trees. Their breaths rattled as Gerson knelt before Harrold.

“Harrold. Harrold!”

Harrold slowly turned his head to Gerson, his eyes wide.

“And, oh, Harrold was so grateful I had rushed in to save him, had discovered my special attack at just the right time! Real surprised, he was! We had a big ol’ hug!”

Gerson rushed in to embrace him. “You’re alive! You’re—”

“Haa…”

Two arrows stuck out from Harrold’s other flank. They went right in through his armor.

“Haa...haa...” He shuddered just like the humans on the field. “Haa...haa...”

“Haha, right! You...you get the joke…” Gerson said quietly.

----

“We were friends to the end, Harrold and I.”

Gerson sat down from his dramatic telling, setting his hammer down on the stone floor. He put a thoughtful hand to his face as he stared intently at Undyne.

“You remind me of him, actually.”

“Was he brave?” Undyne said, her mouth slightly apart in excitement.

His face crumpling in fear.

“Nope.”

“Was he strong?” Undyne’s lips moving.

His arm reaching weakly to Gerson. A sudden crack in the air.

“Nah.”

“Then why am I so much like him?” Undyne set her mouth into a frustrated scowl.

Harrold giving one last, big, toothy smile.

“It’s your big buck teeth, of course!” Gerson guffawed, and then leaned over and patted Undyne on the head.

“Now remember: if it took that long for the Hammer of Justice to find his special attack, then you’ve got nothing to worry about! Now go out there and show the world all you have to offer!”

And Undyne ran off, her normal blue spear attack summoned, shouting at imaginary enemies.

Harrold’s body dissipating with a hiss. His arms...burdened with a hideous lightness.

And he never even saw what the human SOULs looked like before they shattered to pieces.

Gerson shrugged. He slowly rose from his spot.

And the imitation stars kept shining in the most beautiful spot in the Underground.

[whatcouldgowrong-ohthat]

We Do This to Live Ch. 5

Chapter Five

Summary: On Earth-198742, there are no heroes. There’s humans. There’s mutants. There are even some that fall somewhere between. But when Boliver Trask manages to get the Sentinel program signed, it’s up to a thief and her brilliant sister to find those that still believe in something more - something good. And maybe, along the way, they’ll get the chance to save mutant kind.

Pairings: Rogue x Remy, Marie x Shuri (eventually), Geneva x Bucky (eventually)

Word Count: 3475 words

Warnings: Violence? Cussing? That sort of thing?

Masterlist to OCs - Masterlist to Other Works 

Previous Chapter

---

“Y’the only t’ief crazy ‘nough t’steal more than is asked o’ya.”

Geneva shrugged from her spot on Marie’s bed. She had come home only a handful of hours ago and while she knew she should rest, her powers were matching her emotions. A constant hum was in the back of her ears and her nerves felt particularly prickly. Until she found out what all of this new information meant, she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep. “T’anks for takin’ a look.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Marie was impressed that in the last twenty-four hours, Geneva had not only caught Jean-Luc up on everything that had happened, but she’d duplicated the contents of the flash drive. It was sneaky…underhanded…and absolutely something Marie was proud of. “Don’t t’ank moi yet.” She clicked on a file. Lab results, videos, photos – everything one could ever hope to find – popped up over the multiple screens. Marie raised a brow, finding a particularly interesting piece of information. “This project was terminated ‘cause the mutant escaped.”

Geneva bit her lip, taking in the x-rays that showed a metal skeleton. A shiver ran down her spine. “What was his name?”

Marie glanced back at the redhead. She knew Geneva had always been hesitant to learn about more of her kind, but it seemed like she was shedding that fear as she got older. “Uh…” She looked back at the information, eyes flitting from each piece of the puzzle until she pulled up the patient’s name. There was a small photo with it. “James Logan Howlett.” Shock washed over her as she told Geneva, “He was military. Part o’that Cap��n America’s Howling Commandos.” A couple lines further down and she realized why this guy was so important. “His mutation was enhanced healin’. No way o’knowin’ ‘ow old the homme really is.”

The familiar creak of her bed let Marie know that Geneva had moved, no doubt standing behind her. The two stared at the sleeping face. A patient used for experimentation and yet…he looked so peaceful in that single image. Who knew what drugs were in his system?

“Ca va,” Geneva muttered, resting her arms on the back of Marie’s chair. “What else?”

Marie exited out of the Weapon X file. “T’ought y’said there were five files.” She glanced at Geneva. “There’s only four.”

“One o’them needed voice recognition t’even move the damn t’ing,” Geneva admitted, running a hand through her hair. “Was called the Sentinel Program.”

Marie’s nose scrunched. “Weird.” She clicked on the Avenger file. Scrolling through the files, her eyes widened. “Oh, mon dieu.”

“What?”

“Shush.” Marie kept scrolling, utterly amazed at the amount of information Geneva had gotten her hands on. “Gen, y’managed t’get the file on all the Avengers and what happened to ‘em. Not the bullshit the media gave us. The real story.”

“Sonovabitch…” Geneva’s eyes sparked a little brighter, excitement coursing through her at the idea of such important information. And she was the one who found it.

A knock came from the door, earning two sets of curious eyes as it opened. Rogue peeked her head inside, leaning against the doorframe. If she had opened it even half a second earlier, she would have caught sight of all the information the pair had been looking at.

Instead, she saw the inner workings of Essex Industries.

Closing her eyes, Rogue took a slow breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Marie…”

“Technically not a government organization.” The excuse tumbled from Marie’s lips effortlessly, as if well practiced and thought out.

They had a deal. Marie could hack away to her heart’s content – but she had to stay out of government business. It wasn’t that Rogue and Remy weren’t proud of her capabilities. They just didn’t want to bring unwanted attention their way.

Rogue forced her shoulders to relax as she looked at the girls. “Just be careful.”

Marie threw a thumb’s up her way as Rogue stepped inside. Geneva, ruffling the tween’s hair, looked at her mom. “Somethin’ up, Mama?”

“Your grandfather told Rem and I how your first mission went. Wanted to congratulate ya.”

Geneva grinned, her powers shimmering under her cheekbones. “Merci.”

Rogue chuckled as she sat on the foot of Marie’s bed. “He also told us how Marie helped.”

Marie tensed, looking over her shoulder. It wasn’t a secret that Geneva and Marie hadn’t been seeing eye to eye. If she didn’t know better, Rogue would comment about how much she loved to see them spending time together once again.

But Rogue was a very smart woman. She knew to keep her mouth shut. At least regarding their mended friendship.

“I wanted to talk to you two ‘bout that,” Rogue told them, bouncing her leg as Marie spun in her chair. “Your dad knows that you’re talented, Gen. We’re not doubtin’ that,” she assured her daughter. Just like she had been at Geneva’s age, the teenager was still self-conscious about her own talents. “But where ya might not think everythin’ through, Marie does.”

Marie shrugged. “What’s your point? ‘M a phone call away. She’ll be fine.”

“We don’t want it to have to be a phone call, Marie.” Rogue sighed, looking between the girls before settling her gaze back on Marie. “I know bein’ a part of the Guild isn’t what ya want. And I don’t blame ya at all. This won’t require you to do anythin’ you don’t already. But when Geneva goes on assignments, we’d like it if ya worked together. Someone needs to have Gen’s back and know what to look for.”

Silence fell in the room. Rogue knew it was a hard sell and understood why. With what had happened to Henri, Marie didn’t trust Jean-Luc or the Guilds. She hardly trusted her uncle, Remy.

But…

“I don’t want anyt’in’ t’happen t’Gen. If my ‘elp can benefit ‘er then…” Marie shrugged. “Ca va. ‘M in.”

Rogue looked at her daughter. Geneva simply shrugged. “Sounds like fun t’moi.”

--

That night, the two were in Geneva’s small house. Her projector illuminated a blank wall, showing them the videos she had stolen.

There was Dr. Strange’s arrest. The Eye of Agamotto had been glowing so brightly against his chest, refusing to leave its owner. They took his cloak though, no matter how feisty it had tried to be.

Charles Xavier’s students being arrested, despite their age. The school being shut down. Xavier being injected with so many needles, so much medicine, that he looked like a husk of the brilliant telepath he had been.

There was a clip of Natasha standing trial, being asked questions she refused to answer.

Another with Stark in the same predicament except…he spoke too much. His confidence screamed arrogance to those deciding his fate. They couldn’t trust him.

Both walked out in cuffs.

Geneva remembered learning about them in school. Photos of the infamous Black Widow and Ironman, teachings of how they were traitors to humans.

“We should show this to Pere ‘n’ Mama,” she whispered, absentmindedly drawing circles on her inner knee.

Marie looked back at her. Her cousin, the mutant, looked so terrified. Curled against the wall as if everything she had been taught was a lie. The media had told so many stories about the evils of mutant-kind. Of the Avengers. It was easy to lose track of what you were supposed to believe. Marie remembered a time where Geneva refused to believe heroes even existed. As far as she knew, the redhead still clung to that belief. To her, the only ones that were good were her own parents.

“We can’t, Genny,” Marie told her, smiling at the annoyance that flashed across her face. It was better than the fear. “Y’pere wouldn’t let y’go on more missions. Y’know that.” Pausing the clips, Marie turned to face her entirely. Geneva’s eyes, staring so intently at the pale images, finally looked at Marie. “’M gonna be helpin’ now. Y’know that too. This way, we can keep learnin’ the truth. If we get enough, we can stop SHIELD.” She took Geneva’s hand in her own, not bothered by the slight shock that tingled her palm. “We gonna do this toget’er. Y’not alone.”

Geneva blinked, her eyes finding their hands. “’M not a hero, petite. Not tryin’ t’be one eit’er.”

Marie nodded. “I know.” She gently squeezed her hand. “And y’don’t ‘ave t’be. Just gotta promise that we do this together. Just us.”

--

Bringing Marie in to help Geneva provided an almost-guarantee that their daughter was going to be safe. Where Geneva didn’t naturally over-think, Marie did. She knew the security guards’ schedules. She anticipated changes whether they occurred or not. While Geneva was smart in her abilities, there were cracks that Marie managed to fill in.

They worked well together. Naturally performing like a well-oiled machine.

Knowing and seeing that, Jean-Luc sent Geneva on more missions. Bigger and higher stakes that made stealing a few files look like nothing. Not that Jean-Luc believed so. A single promise to Marie had Geneva gathering as much information as she could, sidelining it and keeping it under wraps from the man in charge of it all.

He had no idea that any inkling of HYDRA existed.

Or that he kept sending her in the middle of it.

“This ‘as t’be the stupidest idea,” Geneva muttered, knowing Marie was listening on the comm.

“Jeez, tell moi ‘ow y’really feel.”

Geneva snorted as she stepped into the service elevator, janitorial clothes hanging loosely off her figure. Her hair, tucked behind her ears and hidden well under the company hat, was kept out of sight and mind. It was a fair enough disguise. People were leaving to go home at about this hour. It meant less disturbances. On paper? It totally made sense.

In person? Dressing as a janitor to slip in and out of Pym Technologies? It was slightly more terrifying. A single ding came from above and she stepped out. Just ahead, two workers were hanging a new sign.

Trask Industries.

Nodding to the boys, she kept walking until she came across the janitorial closet. The ID card deftly slipped between her fingers as she asked, subtle accent perfectly intact, “Didn’t think to tell me Trask bought this place?”

Silence.

Geneva opened the door as she asked, “Marie?”

“I didn’t know.”

She hesitated, barely able to gather any sense before she was tugging that blasted janitorial cart out of the closet and down the hall. Her nerves were going haywire as she trudged along. This hadn’t been a part of the plan. Breaking into Pym’s was one thing, but Trask? Alexander Pierce’s best friend?

“Breathe, Genny. It’s gonna be okay.”

Geneva snorted. “Easy for you to say.” She visibly relaxed when that sign was finally out of sight. From here, she could at least pretend it didn’t exist. She could act as if she wasn’t walking into a warzone entirely unprepared.

The doors opened with a hiss. She slipped inside, the doors closing behind her. Metal walls surrounded her, long labs stretching here and there. A quick glance to the last specialist was enough for Geneva to focus on taking out the trash.

“T’ink this is the most I’ve seen y’clean after someone else.”

Geneva wanted to snap at that, but she knew better. Each table had a small trash can next to it and by the time she had gotten to the fourth, the dweeby scientist was finally leaving. She set the bin down. As she looked up, a loose strand of hair fell free. She was alone.

Well, sort of.

“What’s the passcode,” she asked as she walked to the back of the room. There was a second door made of heavy metal. A keypad too. On the other side, something that might help them with sneaking just a little bit more. Geneva glanced through the window. No doubt it was thick glass. Probably bullet-proof.

“135081965.”

The keypad beeped with every input, followed by a much longer one as the door unlocked itself. “Any tricks I should know ‘bout?”

“Shouldn’t be, non. The glass’ll be thick, but y’powers should be able to handle that.”

Geneva chuckled as she took the hat off, shoving it in one of her many pockets. “Should bein’ th’key word, right,” she muttered, almost closing the door before stepping further inside.

The room was massive, bigger than the one before. It made no sense to her. The glass bubble, thick glass secured by metal, was the only thing in the room. And its contents were the smallest thing she’d ever seen.

“There’s no way that’s an actual suit.” Geneva circled the glass.

“It’s called the Yellow Jacket.”

Geneva looked up, bright eyes sparking a little brighter. But... Who the hell? There was no one in the room. “Marie? T’ought y’said no tricks.”

“I got nothin’.”

“Oh! Sorry. Uh…give me a second.”

Geneva’s jaw ticked, fingers crackling with electricity. A static filled the air and prickled her skin before a figure appeared in front of her. A red suit, silver helmet and red lenses, and…was he just small?

“I’m Ant-man.”

“What’s happenin’, Genny?”

Geneva didn’t say anything to Marie. This was the first time she had ever really crossed paths with someone that wasn’t…normal. “I – I’m Geneva.”

“Gen, what’s goin’ on?”

He tilted his head. “That’s your alter-ego name?”

Geneva’s brow furrowed. She shook her head. “Not exactly.”

“Oh!” He pressed a button and Geneva curled her fist. She couldn’t help it. It was simply instinct. But seeing the helmet disappear, she was met with a…surprisingly kind face. Well, there was no way the guy was a thief or assassin. “I’m Scott.”

Definitely not an assassin.

“Geneva, be careful. You don’t – “

“Guessing we’re after the same thing?” He pointed to the suit between them. Something so small and so protected. Just how powerful was the thing?

Geneva took the comm out of her ear. She could hardly think with that thing in her ear. Shoving it in her pocket, she dropped the fake accent and told Scott, “’Fraid y’not the one that’s goin’ t’walk away with it.”

Scott huffed. “Look, we’re both thieves, right?”

She shrugged. “Eh. Maybe not on the same level.”

And with that – the lights flickered off.

Geneva’s eyes lit up, glowing in the new darkness. She recognized the whizz that came from Scott’s helmet, but paid him little attention. He wasn’t where her focus was needed. Fingers brushing against the glass, she watched it tremble.

But before it could shatter – something small and heavy hit her stomach.

Geneva’s back slammed into the wall. Fluorescents shattered above as Scott reappeared. Now – between her and her prize.

A hand pressed to her abdomen, she asked, “Were y’just petite?”

“Did you do that?” Scott’s hand pointed to the ceiling.

It seemed to dawn on them at the same time. Maybe this wasn’t going to be an easy assignment for either of them.

Geneva dropped low. Her staff extended. Swiping at his legs, she smirked when he landed on his ass.

Scott groaned. “You’re not a normal janitor, are you?”

“What clued y’in?” Her eyes sparked a little brighter and her staff lit up, crackling with her powers.

She swung for his head. He rolled, shrinking down to an impossibly small size. Geneva hopped to her feet. “Where the fuck…?” She looked around, desperate to catch sight of any sort of movement.

Something.

Anything.

She felt the tug at her wrist. A twist and jerk forced her hand behind her back. Pinned between her shoulders. Geneva hissed. She stumbled towards the wall, her hand pressing against the metal before her jaw could.

“Sonova…” She growled. Electricity shimmered over her hair, flying towards the lights. They burned ever so bright.

“Ah, fuck!”

There he was.

Her power surged through her pinned arm and –

ZzZzAP

Scott flew through the air. She spun, watching a small dent appear in the metal protecting the yellowjacket’s case. He grew in size, twitching here and there. The sparks of electricity still dancing on his suit zapped through the air, seeping once more into her skin.

Her veins and scars lit up as she threw a punch. There was too much going wrong with this assignment. She needed to wrap it up. Marie’s warning now long forgotten, Geneva aimed for his head. He dropped, vanishing once more as her fist, and her powers, shattered the metal and glass.

An alarm rang.

Scott reappeared behind her as the door swung shut. Locked.

With no way out.

“Ya sonova – “ Geneva turned towards him, eyes wide and panicked as Scott’s helmet vanished.

“I didn’t do it! You did!”

“Y’coulda let moi hit ya!”

Scott huffed, crossing his arms as if waiting for her to realize how ridiculous that sounded.

“I know ‘ow it sounds and ‘m not takin’ it back.” She turned away from him. Pressing a hand to the door, she focused on her abilities.

That was when the room’s light went red.

“Whoa.”

Geneva looked over her shoulder. Scott’s attention was still focused on her, staring at her appearance. “What?”

“Well, when the lights went red, it…” He pointed to her skin.

Geneva followed his gaze. Her skin, once glowing brilliantly, looked as normal as it possibly could. Her brow furrowed. The familiar buzz in her ears…the tingle to her skin…Those things she had grown so used to…

It was all gone.

She stumbled then, exhaustion tugging at the corners of her eyes. Scott stepped forward, offering her a hand. “Hey, careful.” He helped her lean against the wall, oblivious to the gas that was appearing through skinny vents. “Are you okay?”

Geneva blinked slowly, looking around. Her comm link. She needed – Her eyes drifted to the gas. Squeezing his hand, she nodded towards it. Their fight forgotten, survival seemed far more important. “’M powers make moi so…”

“It’s okay. I understand. You’re a little battery, aren’t you?” It was a lighthearted joke, something to make her laugh and hopefully wake her up a bit. He glanced at the gas, noticing how it started to fill the room. His helmet appeared, a barrier for him though he couldn’t do anything for her.

“Y’should…” She coughed, resting her head against the wall. “Go. S’meone is bound t’show up and there’s…” Another cough, this time followed by a yawn. “No point in us both getting’ caught.”

“You were ready to kick my ass a minute ago.”

Geneva shrugged, offering a weak smile. She saw his eyes through those weird red lenses. He was concerned and she appreciated it. “That was a minute ago. Sil vous plait, go.”

Another minute passed. A part of Scott didn’t want to leave her. It seemed inhumane. If this was still Hank’s building, he might consider it, but the whole reason he was here was because of Trask. The man was changing everything. He had a plan. He had power. And he had had enough of both to push Hank out of his own company.

But if he stayed…what would happen to Cassie?

“I’m sorry. I – “

She shook her head, pushing his hand away. It was then he noticed how green her eyes were. Like pretty jewels. “Don’t. Jus’ go.”

Scott took a step back, shrinking just in time for the door to open. He stumbled back, feet brushing against the vent just as the door opened. Geneva seemed to be drifting between consciousness and sleep, eyes barely able to stay open. With one last apology, Scott stepped through the vent, making his escape.

Geneva allowed herself to smile, relieved that at least both of them wouldn’t be caught. Competition was one thing, but prison? No, she wouldn’t wish that on anyone. She looked up, nodding slightly as masked guards came in. And right behind them, someone much smaller stepped inside.

Trask.

She grinned. “Y’lot shorter than I ‘magined.”

“And you,” he told her, voice muffled by his own mask. “Were almost smarter than I anticipated.”

--

Marie sat in her chair, curled up to look as small as possible. The shouting down the hall did nothing to ease the tears slipping down her cheeks. Sniffling, she wiped her nose on her sleeve and looked to the News.

“After apprehending a mutant thief, Boliver Trask has looked to SHIELD in hopes of fast-tracking his newest creation. With long-time friend Alexander Pierce holding office as Secretary of SHIELD, it appears this mutant’s actions were all that was needed to fast track what they are now calling the Sentinel Program. SHIELD officials have plans to introduce these creations to our larger cities first and - ”

She turned the screen off. Head hitting the chair behind her, Marie listened to Remy and Rogue screaming at each other. Shouting blame. Shouting worries.

Another sniffle as Marie stared at the ceiling.

What was going to happen to them now?

 --

Permanent Tags:

@butcherofblackwater​

[firehedgehog]

Undertale choose your Adventure

A Crack Story, Originally written and posted on Wattpad. Dream was on a walk.. and then it went weird.

So originally as said, was posted on Wattpad where at the end of each chapter there was a set of Votes. The Story finally finished but you can still find the original stuff on Watt. Here is the completed version minus the votes. If you want to join in future Adventures, please keep an eye on my wattpad account under the same name.

It was a beautiful day in the multiverse, singing flowers blooming birds... no they actually were.

Its not a misprint.

And a Skeleton was making there way through the area.

Dream Thought it was a beautiful day.

No battles.

His brother wasn't causing issues, and Ink for once wasn't driving him up the wall.

Nothing could make this day go badly.

Then he saw someone ahead.

Standing there was Error, The Destroyer.

Ink rival..

Dream was on his own, and his attacks would only do so much.

So... what if he changed what he did.

Taking a deep breath Dream walked towards the destroyer, who was apparently snacking on chocolate.

"Hey good looking," Dream said with an easy grin.

Error blinked and looked at the gold garbed skeleton.

"What are you on Dream?" Error asked.

"Who said I was on anything," he purred back.

Error glitched a bit more then usual.

"What's Inky's plan now," he growled.

"Just my plans," Dream said leaning up.

 Chu

Error fell down with a thud as Dream kissed him.

"Um..." Dream said as Error started rebooting.

"Get away from him Dream!" a voice growled.

And there was Nighty, looking as evil and goopy as always.

"Aw come on, he might be evil but at least he's cute and has a soul. Why do you always stop be from getting a boyfriend!" Dream pouted stamping his foot.

"Because your an immature idiot and think Ink for brains is a good choice half the time," Nightmare replied smugly.

Meanwhile Error had rebooted and hid in the bushes.

"No way! He just wants me for emotions! So let em have Error!" Dream cried.

"No way! Do you know how hard it was to get to the friend zone! I have to make it to the boyfriend zone next!" Nightmare snarled.

"So we both want him!" Dream said drawing his bow and arrows.

Error ate popcorn in the bushes.

It was nice to be wanted.

"We'll decide in a battle!" Nightmare called.

They leapt forward, attack on attack...

And somehow created a pentagram shape.

And activated it.

And Blinked.

"Blue?" Dream asked bewildered, as the other star sans seemed to appear in the pentagram.

"Wasn't I just making Tacos?" Blue said looking around a tray of food in his hands.

"I knew it!" Nightmare cried pointing at Blue.

"Knew what?" Dream asked.

"I knew Blue had to be secretly evil!" Nightmare yelled dramatically.

Error fell over laughing in the bushes, scattering his popcorn everywhere.

"Its is something I'm wearing?" Blue asked looking down at his clothing.

"EVIL!" Nightmare hissed.

"Brother... I'm sure this is a misunderstanding," Dream sighed, trying not to think of the weird thing Blue did.

"EVIL!" Nightmare cried.

"Can you guys send me home, the ovens still on," Blue asked with a sigh.

"He has to be evil, because he made friends with Error!" Nightmare protested, Blues eye twitched.

"That's jut the power of friendship, after all your Error's friend," Dream pointed out smugly.

"EVIL!" Nightmare ylled which was starting to get annoying.

"SEND ME HOME NOOOOOW!" Blue said in a warped voice an Error symbol appearing in one eye, the twins eeped and hugged each other.

When no return summon had happened, Blue got mad.

"So your just going to cry like babies," he said, voice still warped.

"Run you fools," Error said from his spot.

"Ha ha ah, I'm sure we'll be alright.. were friends right?"Dream asked nervously.

"We're going to die," Nightmare shivered.

"I'm sure it will be fine, after all Blue.. was the most innocent one right?" Dream said shivering.

Right?

Multiverse...

Stars darn it.. why did the multiverse only 4th wall break for Blue.

"Well then... I'm guessing you both need punishment," Blue giggled a bit insanely, voice glitching even more.

White bones shifted, Errors appeared around his body.

"Why aren't you running yet?" Blueberror smiled, voice fully glitched like Error now.

Only for a Taco to land in his hands.

Nightmare and Dream stared.

It was a fully cooked fresh taco.

"Oh! A Taco!" Blueberror said, and ate the Taco.

Magically he seemed to turn back into normal Blue.

"Your just not you when your hungry Blue," Error said, putting away his 'In case of Blueberror box' back into its magical hiatus.

"Thanks Error," Blue said all smiled and sparkles.

"Evil..." Nightmare whimpered.

"Soo... whats going on?" Blue asked putting his tray into magical space.

"Wait a minute," Blue said, eye lights blazing "Were you asking out my Error on a date!"

"Your Error?" Dream said faintly.

Nightmare looked ready to have an Error type crash.

"Of Course! We've been dating for years," Blue said happily.

"You did get the wedding invites right?" Error asked confused as he stood beside Blue.

"Wedding..." Dream said wild eyed.

"Invitations!" Nightmare squeaked.

"After all I don't share, Error's mine," Blue said with a wicked grin.

Error smiled happily.

Ink sulked in the bushes, everyone was having so much fun.

And they hadn't even invited him!

Him.. the Creator!

Why hadn't he gotten an invite to this drama yet, or even the wedding.

"Um... you got invited," a voice said.

"Don't I have any friends," he sniffed.

"Hello?" the voice said.

"He's totally not paying attention," a second voice said.

"Time to forth wall break!" the first said gleefully.

"We're already breaking it!" the second said.

"Time to join the party!" GumdropWolfYT gleefully shouted, as he picked up and Ink and threw him towards the other four skeletons.

ObsessiveFangorl facepalmed and dragged the other away, quickly closing the forth wall behind them.

"Ahhhhhh!" Ink shouted as he went flying

Crash

Fate held up a scoreboard with a 9 out of ten.

Error, Blue, Nightmare and Dream had slammed across the area from Ink who had suddenly bowled them over.

It was clearly a Ten Fate.

Fate?

Fine ignore me.

Hmph...

"Owwww," Blue said, he quickly got up and rushed to Error to press the 'Yes to Reboot' button.

"I see starrrs," Dream giggled clearly knocked over silly.

"I'm sooo done!" Nightmare said, opened a portal and left.

"Wait.. where did Ink go?" Blue said, looking for the resident soulless skeleton.

And Blinked when he spotted him.

"This.. is hilarious!" Reaper laughed taking pictures with his camera phone, he hadn't expected to come across Ink boi embedded into a hill side in a skeleton made crater.

Seconds made a dying sound.

"Hello Reaper!" Blue said happily, from beside the downed Error and Dream.

"Hey Blue, I see the moron was being a  moron again," Reaper said.

"Nah, just a badly patched forth breaking," Blue said cheerfully.

"So normal as usual then," Reaper cackled.

Suddenly Reaper paused, and stared.

“Is everything alright Error?” Blue asked, Error groaned and slowly got up.

“Geno..” Reaper whispered.

“Whoever Geno is, can take a number after this migraine,” Error said rubbing his skull.

“No, your Geno!” Reaper said shocked, his mate had vanished eons ago.

One minute there, the next nope.. cya later reality.

“I think I’d know if I was someone else,” Error said, after all Fate had said they’d created them from the anti-void.

Meanwhile Fate was trying to hide from Destiny’s glare.

“Yeah... you know what,” Reaper said with a smile.

“What what?” Blue asked bewildered.

Who was Geno?

“See ya, sorry you’ll have to cancel the wedding as I have I waifu to claim!” Reaper grinned, suddenly beside Error. He grabbed the destroyer who crashed, then both vanished.

“Get back with my Error!” Blue screamed going super sai.... I mean Blueberror and vanishing also.

Dream twitched.

Ink blinked and looked around wondering where everyone went.

If Reaper was anyone else, he’d be biting his fingers in frustration.

He’d found his Geno.

Geno so changed.

Geno.. who clearly didn’t remember him.

Yet... his soul pulsed, he could feel the link between them as soulmates.

What had broken Geno, his wonderful stubborn Geno.

Geno and himself, who had been discussing if they wanted children.

“Can you stop staring at me,” Error said grumpily, they were in Reapertale in Reapers home. Why Error hadn’t left yet, Reaper had bribed him with chocolate.

One of the things that apparently not changed between Error and his past self.

“Sorry... it’s just, I never figured out I’d find you this way,” Reaper said unhappily, after all how did one react to ones mate becoming the destroyer.

“As far as I know, Fate created me as Ink’s counterpart. I’m linked heavily to the Anti-void. If I’m gone to long, I’m pulled back. I don’t know how I can be your Geno,” Error said sipping a giant chocolate milkshake.

“Anyway, you can prove it?” another voice said, Reaper and Error blinked as suddenly as Blue was there eating a Taco at the table.

“How did you get here!” Reaper said shocked, only he himself and Grim should have been able to enter without an invite.

“Technically I’m an error a glitch in the system,” Blue chirped, his form shifting to his other self then back.

Right... Geno use to walk through security like it wasn’t there also.

“And what do you plan to do if you find out he is my waifu?” Reaper asked.

“Well Share him of course, Error is the only one I ever wanted. And at least your cute too, my glitchy error codes would protect me too,” Blue said wickedly.

Reaper and Error blushed heavily.

“Right,” Reaper said shakily... we have a few ways to do this.

“And?” Error asked, interested either way.

“TIME TRAVEL!” TK!Sans shouted appearing in a flash of time travel.

“Out! When I find out how you keep getting in with time magic this better stop!” Reaper said annoyed, stupid time kids.

“Oh! Look at the time. Gotta go!” the time tot said and vanished, leaving Reaper grumbling.

“You were saying?” Blue said giggling.

“I have a gem that sends us back in time, out of phase so no one can see us and we can’t change anything,” Reaper replied. “We go back, tag Geno as he’s taken and follow!”

“Why didn’t you use it in the past?” Error asked.

“You need three people to use it, and every time I get someone to agree they start arguing on where they should go first,” Reaper said dryly.

“Lets do this!” Blue cheered.

“Welp. Lets do this,” Reaper said, pulling a weird grey gem from a shelf.

“How does it work?” Error asked.

“Oh, were already there,” Reaper cackled, and all three of them faded away.

Fate sputtered as her toy vanished.

OoOoO

Three figures appeared with a Zomp sound.

Yes, a Zomp sound.

No were not going to describe it more.

Anyway...

“The world looks grey,” Error said looking around.

“And there is Geno, the day he vanished!” Reaper said pointing to a bloody glitchy skeleton.

“Does this have a speed up option?” Blue asked as Reaper tagged Geno.

“Sure,” Reaper said and slammed the gem into a tree.

“Cool!” Blue chirped as the world sped up.

Suddenly strings zoomed out of nowhere like a lasso yeeted Geno out of the area.

“Not my strings,” Error said, “looks like fates.”

“Right, lets follow!” Blue said, and they quickly followed the tag on Geno.

“The Anti-void!” Error said as they appeared in endless white.

“And there is Geno!” Reaper smirked.

“Hey you, Glitchy boi!” a voice yelled in the voice.

“Yeah you!” the voice yelled as Geno pointed at himself.

“I need a destroyer, you’ll do,” the voice said.

“That’s fate...” Error said dryly.

“Um.. no thanks, I kinda have to tell Reaper something important,” Geno said.

“Who said you got to say no?” Fate asked.

 Womp!

A giant hammer fell from nowhere and hit Geno, covering the area with a cloud somehow.

“Um...” Reaper said at the scene.

“...” Error said as the dust cleared.

“Now my minion! Do your job!” Fate cackled.

“Riiight... lets go home,” Blue said sweatdropping.

 BOIIIING

“What’s with the weird sounds it makes?” Blue asked.

“No clue,” Reaper said.

“...” Error said.

“Error honey?” Blue asked in concern.

And crashed and rebooted.

“That’s new,” Blue said as the reboot stopped at 99% with a new choice.

‘Download and install Original Data YES/NO’

Blue quickly pressed yes.

“Thank you for choosing The Origination Reincarnation Station, please sit back and relax” a gentle female voice said, then Error exploded.

“What the stars!” Reaper said as they were knocked back.

“Error!” Blue cried.

“And welcome back the migraine,” a voice said, a non glitchy voice.

“Geno babe!” Reaper said happily.

“I need to sit down,” Error.. no Geno said getting up, Reaper quickly helped his spouse to a chair.

“Are.. you still Error?” Blue asked worriedly.

“Yes...” Geno said.

“Good, just because you got your old body isn’t stopping my wedding to you two!” Blue said smugly, the married couple blushed.

“You had news for me... when you vanished,” Reaper asked softly.

“Ah..” Geno said blushing heavier.

“Ohhhh.....” Blue said giggling suddenly.

“I... was kind of pregnant when Fate grabbed me... and still am, now that this body was freed,” Geno said summoning his ecto body, which was quiet far along.

“How did we not notice!” Reaper said in shock.

 “            Well... I never summon my ecto body, and my glitched state hid any                  signs. Also.. I’m half dead and your Death,” Geno said dryly.      

Meanwhile Blue started having millions of baby thoughts, Error/Geno was a beautiful Skeleton in both forms. And the three of them would make adorable children, he wondered how long it would take to talk Reaper to get him knocked up too.

“Heh heh heh... Blue said lost in his own head.

“I’m sorry...” Geno whispered holding Reapers hand.

“For what, your alive,” Reaper gently said, he leaned forward and touched there foreheads together.

“But... I cheated on you as Error,” Geno cried.

 “Shhh... that doesn’t matter. You had no clue you were anything but what Fate said love. And I can see you truly love Blue too.. he’s not bad, and if that’s the price I pay for you I’ll pay it a million times,”            Reaper promised to his teary eyed love.      

 “It won’t be easy, I’m stil            l                   th                  e                   Destroyer. The Error,”                  Geno said.      

 “And I’m Death, Death and Destruction go together,”            Reaper smirked.      

“Idiot,” Geno said.

“And Blue can be the Chaos,” Reaper giggled.

“Crap...” Geno suddenly said.

“Whats wrong?” Blue asked, coming out of his daydreams.

“Well... Its time, guess the baby got tired of waiting eons to be born,” Geno said wincing.

 Thump

Reaper had left the building.

Okay fainted.

“Gahhh.... oh my stars!” Blue panicked and ran around like a headless chicken.

 Pow

And there was Blue meeting the wall.

 “            Why...” he cried through the pain.      

OoOoO

The sound of crying.

 “Take it easy, your magic will b            e                   over stressed for th                  e                   next few weeks,” a voice said, yes.. Sci’s voice.      

 “            I will, thank you for allowing me here,” Genos voice came.      

“No problem, was hilarious to see you rushing in using magic to carry Blue and Reaper,” Sci cackled.

 “The Baby!”            Reaper said coming fully awake.      

“Over here,” Geno said amused.

Apparently there were in at a hospital, Blue was just coming too.

“Reaper.. meet our son,” Geno said happily, held in his arms was a tiny Skeleton with one eye light typical to a sans type.

“He’s perfect,” he said raspy voiced in awe.

“What’s his name?” Blue asked wide eyed.

“I think his proud papa should choose,” Geno said.

“Goth, taking parts of both our names,” Reaper said happily, here he was gettinga happy ending.

Death and his glitch.

Death and Destruction.

With Chaos at the side.

“Hey Geno, next kids mine,” Blue smirked.

Geno sputtered.

Reaper laughed.

“You have quiet the future kiddo,” Reaper told the newborn.

He couldn’t wait to see it.

END

[wildshadowtamer]

Home & Thunder (Reader)

Thanks to @thunderstruck-edgelord for the idea of a thunderstorm and reader fanfic! (Gotta say, i’m a bit obsessed with this blog)

Warnings: Mentions of Bitty Abandonment and off-screen character death

Notes: The Reader character is androgynous, that’s why everyone says “Them” (just so it makes it easier for you to imagine yourself)

Characters: Lamia bitties belong to @vex-bittys, ‘Beta’ belongs to Luna #MLT #ACT on UTAU Amino.

You were heading home in a horrible late-night thunderstorm, rain pouring down harshly and the wind stinging your eyes, you pulled your jacket closer to you as you run through the horrid weather when you suddenly stop.

A sharp whining hit your ears and you look around to see where it came from “Hello?” You asked worried, wondering if someone or something was crying for help, the whining got louder, whatever it was must have heard you.

It came from an alleyway, dark and dusty, you decided to approach carefully, despite the horrible conditions. Lightning struck, and a high-pitched scream came from a soaked through cardboard box labelled ‘FRAGILE’, Something alive was under it.

“Oh...You poor thing...” You mutter under your breathe as you approached, another flash of white and loud crack hit the air, making the creature under the box scream in fright again. “It’s alright, just...come out, I’ve got you.” You told it in a calm, quiet tone.

You soon realize it can’t lift the pathetic box it was hiding under, so you carefully lift it enough to look underneath and- ...its four tiny skeletons, about 8 inches tall.

“What…What are you doing here?” You asked, reaching your hand out cautiously towards them, the smallest quickly latched onto your hand and cried, to which you quickly put your hand to your chest and hold him calmly, your free hand once again reaching out to the other three.

“…I don’t trust you.” One of them spoke, crossing its arms angrily but another strike of lightning quickly changed its mind as it grabbed the remaining two skeletons and got onto your hand, so you could safely put them in your fluffy jacket, now soaked in water.

“Let’s get you four home.” You spoke to them silently, getting up and running at a slower pace than before back to your apartment, after about 20 minutes you arrived at the apartment block you lived in and unlocked the metal door, sighing as it closed with a dull thud.

The sound of rain echoed through the empty hallways as you hurried upstairs and opened your door “Here we are, you three.” You mutter to the tiny skeletons hidden in your jacket, which you now unzipped once reaching the Livingroom. You laid them down on the couch and realized only one had legs, the other three had beautiful snake tails:

One had a striking orange and red tail, the second had a beautiful black and white tail and the last, smallest one had a striped red and yellow tail.

“Oh…wow those ar-“ You got cut off by lightning and another scream from the smallest, who latched onto the orange tailed one quickly, Orange, as you promptly named him, hushed Stripe and stroked his skull, coiling around him protectively from the storm.

You decided to try your best at muffling the storm, drawing the blinds and curtains over the Livingroom window, holding the small skeletons close to your chest as you laid on the couch and put a lullaby CD into the old radio on your coffee table.

“Shhh, close your eyes and goodnight~” You sung quietly along with the music, the storm seemed to drown out quickly as the ball of skeletons on your chest purred softly, you draped a fluffy pink blanket over all of you before sleep claimed you all.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

When you awoke, you saw the four tiny skeletons still laying on your chest, snoring. It was cute, to say the least, so sat up and adjusted them carefully.

“Oh, hello.” Stripe, as you named him, lifted his head and tried to smile but ended up stifling a sob, holding his hands to his face. “I-I’m not crying, s-shut up!” He hissed before you could even speak, seems like he didn’t like people seeing him upset.

“The storms gone, its okay.” You hushed the shaking skeleton, stroking him with two fingers, scared to hurt him on accident.

“I-I don’t care! Its not like it cared me…or anything.” He mumbled angrily, wiping the tears from his eyes quickly and jumped as Orange awoke.

“Huh? Oh, hello human!” Orange sat up quickly, grinning and propping both arms on his hips “I’m very thankful you saved us last night, your very kind!” Orange blush dusted his cheeks, hugged the happy skeletons side as soon as Orange awoke.

“Um, I don’t mean to be rude but why were you four under a box?” You questioned carefully, scared one of them might bite, they were snakes after all. “Well…” Orange began, keeping eye contact while rubbing circles into Stripe’s back “I’m not too sure about the others but from what Beta and the Krait had told me, most of us either got abandoned or lost.” He looked away, his smile fading.

“Oh…you poor-“ You stopped, realizing you had no idea what they were. “Lamia Bitties, except for Beta…She isn’t a Lamia” Orange helpfully explained, you took a mental note of researching these Bitties.

“Right. How horrible…” You frowned, stroking Orange’s tail with your fingers softly “Its alright! I know my owners name, so you can bring me right back him once we’re feeling better!” He beamed happily, Stripe whined at the mention of an owner which made Orange flinch slightly.

“H-Huh? Oh, h-h-hi!” The one Orange referred to as ‘Krait’ woke up and waved shyly, his eyes already filled with tears “I-I-I’m…” He trailed off, pulling the tiny scarf he had wrapped around his neck to his mouth “Most of us don’t have names, Beta’s the only one who had an owner who named her.” Orange once again helpfully added in softly, you already fixed that issue

“Well, I already kinda figured out names, if you want them.” You smiled, Orange and Krait’s eyes lit up with different emotions: Orange had excitement and Krait had hope.

“Really!? Well, go ahead!” Orange quickly cheered you on, bouncing with excitement “Alright then um…” You scanned the three lamias’, you already knew what to call Orange and Stripe, obviously but Krait was harder.

“Orange,” You pointed to him, he giggled happily “Stripe,” He grumbled and nodded “and Kayra” You smiled at Kayra, who teared up and squeaked before hugging you frantically “Thank you thank you thank you!” He kept repeating, shaking from crying and joy.

“Aw…it okay little…Kayra” The realization that you didn’t know their gender hit you, as they were skeletons, you just presumed they were all guys…oops.

“Umm, what…gender are you guys…?” You mumble awkwardly, Orange chuckled and grinned “Me and Stripe are guys, Beta and Kayra are girls. Don’t worry, I know its hard to tell” He reassured you, coiled around Stripe on your lap. Kayra was still shaking and hugging you, your damp jacket still on.

 “Oh, hah, good. Nearly misgendered ya, Kayra!” you joked, you felt Kayra shakily chuckle and then suddenly jump away when you sneezed “Oh…oops, sorry Kayra” You were quick to apologies, but she just seemed a bit shocked if anything.

“Ugh…I shouldn’t have slept in wet clothes…” You muttered, picking them up and putting them on the couch as you got up, a shiver ran down your spine from the cold you have, and Orange snickered behind you “I’ll be right back” You told them as you walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Orange’s POV]

The human walked off to what I presumed to be the shower, as soon as she was out of sight, the newly named Stripe spoke up “Their….nice, actually.” I Nodded in agreement, smiling “Mhm! Not everyone would rescue Bitties they don’t know!” I smiled at Stripe, who blushed slightly and looked away nervously “Hah…y-yeah.”

“I Wonder If they’ll keep us…” Kayra mumbled quietly, I turned to her and put my hand on her shoulder comfortingly “Don’t worry! I’m sure she’ll keep you three, I have an owner after all. If she doesn’t, I’m sure she’ll bring you to a nice home where you’ll be loved!”

Kayra smiled and fidgeted with her sweater sleeves, nodding shyly “Y-yeah, that sounds good.” She agreed, coiling around the still sleeping Beta “Is…she gonna wake up ooor?” I asked in a joking way, but it did seem she was fast asleep, I didn’t blame her, it was a bad night after all.

“Alright, I’m back!” The Human called, a towel wrapped around their body and hair, which was making it hard to tell what they were aside from human “Oh! Human, we forgot to do formal introductions!” I slither forward to the edge of the couch where the Human knelt, I held out a hand “Hello! I’m Orange, its very nice to meet you!” I grinned when the human took my small hand and bowed “Hey, I’m Y/N, very nice to meet you oh great Orange!” They joked happily, acting like I was a king, which I didn’t mind at all.

Stripe snickered at the sight and red blush dusted his cheeks, I couldn’t help but blush too and laugh, which sent Y/N into a laughing fit too. By the time we had settled down, all our ribs hurt, and we were struggling to catch our breathe

“Wow Haha…I haven’t had company like you three for a while!” Y/N sighed happily, still giggling a bit “So, do you know your Owners number?” She asked, looking at me since I was the one to mention knowing my Owners name, thankfully, I did. “Here, I’ll put it in your phone!” I gestured for the phone laying on the coffee table next to the radio “Oh yeah, forgot I left it here.” I heard Y/N mutter under their breathe, passing it to me carefully, I tapped in the number and started to text my Owner

???: Hey, it’s your Papython, got lost last night and a human helped me!

It took a few minutes of idle chatting between Me and Y/N for him to answer

Owner: Thank god Paps! I was so worried you got hurt in that thunderstorm! I’ll come pick you up!

I looked up from the phone and cocked my head at Y/N, quickly asking what the address was and texting it to my Owner, as well as Y/N’s name.

Owner: Right, be over there on my motorbike in half an hour, I know how much you love riding in the sidecar!

“Okay, he’ll be over in a half hour!” I told Y/N happily, they nodded, and I carried Stripe, Beta and Kayra to the floor to talk easier

“So, what’d you do with your owner?” Y/N asked quickly, I shuffled closer “Well I actually go on long rides with him on his motorbike and do woodcarving with him some days! We’ve gone paintballing and mountain climbing, we even went snorkeling a few times!”

I talked about all the cool things we’ve done for the half hour until the apartment door knocked and I heard my owners muffled voice “HI!” I yelled, making Stripe and Kayra flinch. Y/N got up and opened the door, to which I followed them.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Regular POV]

You open the door to see a young blonde teen with beautiful blue eyes in black biker gear, he held out his free hand, the other holding his helmet under his arm.

“Nice to meet you sweetheart, I’m Owen, I presume you’re the one with my Papython?” He asked as you took his hand and nodded “Yup! I kinda gave him a nickname, actually.” You mentioned, putting your hands on your hips, not realizing you still were in a towel.

“Oh? I’ve been meaning to name him, actually. What’d you choose?” He asked, not even mentioning the towel “Orange, I thought it suited him!” You blush and laugh, shuffling to the side when you feel Orange nudge your leg “Speak a’ the devil”

“Hi Owen!” He grinned “Y/N’s been super nice to me!” Owen knelt down and picked him up, to which Orange sat on his shoulder “That’s great bud, hey,” He focused his attention on you “Thanks. It means a lot to me that someone would take him in like that.” You felt your face going red “Oh it’s no problem! Nothing I can’t handle” You laugh nervously, giving Orange a thumbs up.

“Anywho, we got a motorbike waiting, don’t we bud?” Owen glanced at Orange, who lit up and nodded excitedly, You two say your goodbyes and you close the door, clothing realization finally settling in.

“…oh my god Hes gonna think I’m so weird.” You shook your head, in disbelief that you just did that. “Pff- nice job.” Stripe snickered from the couch, you turned around, face as red as his tail, and quickly walk off to your bedroom to get dressed.

[scaryscarecrows]

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

AN: Dove Marquis is mine-she's essentially Penguin's PA (keeps track of his passwords, lawyers' numbers, alibis...). If there's a genuinely nice person in Gotham, it's her. This all takes place six, seven months before the legendary Tire Jacking incident. Title from the Lorde cover of the Tears for Fears song.

TW: vague-yet-hard-to-miss warnings of child prostitution. Nothing graphic, but they're there.

Jason’s cold.

He’s been cold, and wet, for most of the day, s’just that now it’s dark and the bricks he’d huddled up to have long since lost their heat.

He buries his hands in his pockets, fingering the holes there, and stifles a cough. His head hurts.

He watches people scurry by on the sidewalk, dodging the alley opening like a monster might reach out and pull them in. It starts to rain again and he ducks behind the sort-of shelter of a nearby dumpster, the smell threatening to make him sick.

And then the door opens.

The door’s never opened before. But it’s open now, soft light spilling onto the dirt and cardboard. An umbrella appears first, small and black, followed by a lady all dressed up in lace ‘n velvet and heels.

The door closes as quickly as it opened, but the lady stays nearby, umbrella propped against her shoulder while she lights a cigarette.

Jason’s not gonna say anythin’, just gonna wait right here ‘til she goes back in.

That’s the plan. The safe plan, the one that’ll let him stay here where it’s mostly outta the rain. And then he ruins it by sneezing. Violently. And like five times in a row.

Maybe she didn’t-

“Hello?”

Shit.

Freeze or flee? If he doesn’t make any more noise, maybe she won’t notice him and just think it was someone on the sidewalk.

“Someone here?”

Nope, no one, finish your smoke break and go back inside, please…

Heels click over to him and the next thing he knows, the drizzles have stopped because she’s kneeling in front of him, umbrella tilted just enough to cover him, too.

“Hey, there, honey.” He blinks at her, wonders if he can squeeze by and make a run for it. “What’re you doin’ out here?”

“Don’t got an umbrella. You got a problem with that?”

He doesn’t like the look she’s giving him. Straight-up pity, like he’s a drowned puppy. Bullshit.

“It’s cold out here,” is all she says. “Don’t you want to come inside?”

Um…

She’s not…she doesn’t…look. There’s a certain type of people that…ask that…and she doesn’t look the type. Who’s he to know, but…

“No,” he mumbles, eyeing the gap between her and the sidewalk. He could probably fend her off long enough to find a safer alley, use those heels against her. “No, I’m just gonna…”

He sneezes again and his head swims. A lace-covered hand reaches out and brushes against his forehead. He pulls away, shivering.

“Oh, honey.” Pity. So much pity, he fucking hates it. “Come on, let’s get you dried off, get you somethin’ to eat.”

“I don’t want-”

“Trust me, nothing’s going to happen to you.” He doesn’t believe her. “Would you rather me bring you somethin’ out here?”

He doesn’t want anything, could be drugged or somethin’.

He shakes his head-mistake, big mistake-and draws as far away from her as possible, even though it means sacrificing the umbrella.

“Come on.” She stands up and moves just enough that his exit is that much harder to get to. “It’s just going to get worse, and we’ve got a skeleton crew right now. I promise nothing is going to happen to you.”

He struggles up, intending to make a run for it, and the resulting light-headedness has him nearly falling back down. The lady grabs his arm to steady him and apparently he doesn’t have a choice.

Hopefully the food’s drugged.

He lets her tug him to the door and again the soft light spills into the alleyway. S’bright, hurts his head. The lady furls the umbrella and sets it in a stand.

“Come on, let’s get you some dry clothes. Probably won’t fit you, but it’ll be better than being wet.”

Huh?

“Oi, Dove, whatcha got?” a man, tattoos visible thanks to rolled sleeves, shouts across the room. Jason swallows and tries not to pull away.

“Let him be, Olli, he’s just a kid.” The lady-Dove?-gives him a nudge. “Come on.”

The room’s big and everything in it looks like it costs more than the whole building. It’s all purple and gold and plush. There’s a stage on one wall and a bar on the other and just behind the bar is a little staircase. Dove leads him there.

“Up here. A lot of us keep spare clothes, ‘cuz of the weather.”

This room’s smaller but no less nice-it’s blue, though, and sure enough, there’s a wardrobe and a couple’a chests and a big mirror.

“Let me see…uh…” She looks him up and down. “Think you’ll have to borrow from me, everyone else is huge.”

“I-I don’t need-”

“Kiddo, you look like a drowned rat. And you sound like shit.” She rifles through a chest and comes up with black sweats and a t-shirt that says Stay sexy, don’t get murdered! “Here. Put these on, just throw what you’ve got over the rail there. Come on down when you’re ready and we’ll see about food, huh?”

And with that, she leaves him in the blue room. There’s no window to sneak out through, and the stairs only went here.

The shirt’s soft, he finds when he picks it up. Too big for him, but soft. He ends up tying a knot so it doesn’t turn into a dress. The sweats have to be rolled (and rolled, and rolled), but he eventually gets them so he won’t trip and die. They’re warm. And dry. And soft, real soft.

He doesn’t wanna go downstairs.

He goes anyway, in case they come up here instead.

There’s not a lot of people in here-six or seven, maybe. Most of ‘em don’t even notice him, or don’t care. He wonders what they’re doing. Construction, he can see that, but like, last-minute construction. Upholstery and things.

Dove’s across the room, arguing with a man about ‘boss said’. Boss? So she’s not in charge here? What’s goin’ on?

He sneezes-damn-and starts to cough. Dove’s kneeling in front of him in a flash.

“A little dryer?” He manages a nod. “Okay, let’s see…kitchen’s not stocked, but there might be some hot chocolate back there. Wanna start with that?” He shrugs. It doesn’t matter. “Come on. You can watch me make it.” Huh? “If I come out here and find you raiding that liquor cabinet, I will rat you out!”

This last is directed at Olli, who laughs.

“Just a drop, Dove?”

“You wanna explain to Penguin that we’re out of booze before we even open?”

“Fuck no.”

“Then no.”

Penguin? As in, the guy that used to be a crime boss, then the mayor, and then went back to crime?

Shit. He’s gonna die. He’s seen too much and forget knock-out drugs, the hot chocolate’s gonna be poisoned.

“I’m actually okay, so…”

Nature hates him. He’s just about to start inching towards the door when there’s a crack and a BOOOOOOOM outside, loud enough to feel in his bones.

“You’re not going back out in this. Come on.”

She steers him towards a pair of swinging doors. The kitchen’s cold, empty and steel. Some of the cabinets are half-open, and Dove frowns and smacks them shut, muttering about ‘raised by wolves’ and ‘take an eye out’.

“I swear, if we’re out, they’re going out to get me more, that was my box-here we are!” She pulls a blue box out of a cupboard. “I always have to hide it, because they ruin it with cheap whiskey.”

He doesn’t say anything. Outside, there’s another BOOM of thunder.

The kitchen floor is cold against his toes and that, more than anything, reminds him that running isn’t worth it. They’ll catch him, easy, and that’ll be the end of that.

Dove fills a kettle with water from the tap, plunks it on the stove, and turns on the gas.

“We gotta wait a bit, this stove takes its sweet time boiling water. Just water. Everything else is fine, but water? You could take over Gotham while you wait.”

“Like that’s hard,” he mumbles involuntarily. She snorts and pulls down mugs.

“And there’s that Crime Alley sass. Thought you had some in there.” Clunk, clunk, go the mugs against the counter. “I mean what I said. Nothing is going to happen to you tonight.”

Yeah, he’s heard that one before.

He sneezes again-ow-and wraps his arms around himself. He’s confused. There’s a lotta ways this should be going, but it’s…not.

“You got a name, kiddo?”

“Jason,” he mutters.

“Good to meet you. I’m Dove.”

Yeah. He figured.

She tears the envelopes open, one by one, and dumps the brown powder into the mugs. Nothing else follows. Maybe they’re not gonna poison him for seeing things. Like there’s anything to see, but he knows how crime lords work. No witnesses.

“I didn’t see nothin’,” he says anyway, just in case. Dove snorts again and shakes her head.

“Boss is out of town, and he’s not the type to murder kids. He’s bad with them, though. God, he visited a school once…I never thought I’d be so glad to see him go back to crime.”

“What happened?”

“His advice for dealing with bullies was ‘push them down the stairs’.”

Oh.

That’s…that’s…it probably works, but still.

The kettle screeches and he flinches. Dove pours the water into the mugs, the glug-glug-glug loud in the open space. Nothing else follows the water-no hidden vial or envelope or anything. In the main room, something thuds and there’s swearing.

“Stay here. Spoons are in the right-hand drawer, if you wanna mix that up.”

Click-clack, click-clack.

He tugs the drawer open, steel like ice against his fingers. Sure enough, there’s spoons, all piled in a little basket.

“The hell’d you do?”

“It’s fine, I got it.”

“If I have to tell the boss that you idiots broke things, I will be naming names.”

“Aw, c’mon…”

“I know it was you that ate my damn leftovers, don’t even test me.”

“That was last week!”

Jason grins despite himself and leans up. The powder’s mostly settled in a little hill at the bottom of the mugs, but there’s some floating at the top. Looks normal. Smells normal. Probably not ‘special crime lord poison hot chocolate’, then.

“Just be careful, okay? I have bigger shit to worry about than you breaking the sound system.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

Dove comes back in, rolling her eyes. Jason steps away from the counter and eyes the swinging doors.

“Life lesson-padlock your leftovers,” she grumbles. “All set? Lemme see if there’s food.”

He wraps his hands around the mug, soaking up the warmth. A little voice in the back of his mind says it’s too hot, but his numb fingers refuse to let go. It’s the warmest thing he’s felt in days and like hell is he giving that up.

“Uh…how’s pizza sound?”

“I’m good…”

“Well, they have to eat, I have to eat, you may as well eat with us. C’mon.” They go back into the main room. “Calling pizza, who wants what?”

Jason’s never seen such a swarm of noise, not from adults. They all teleport across the room, bickering over pineapple (‘fuck, don’t go ruining the art, man!’ ‘I’m not, and stop swearing in front of the kid!’ ‘fudge you!’).

* * *

By the time dinner’s over, Jason’s hot chocolate is gone. He’s warm (ish) and more sleepy than anything else. The men have long since stopped even pretending to work and are sprawled on the stage, arguing about the lyrics to ‘Dr. Feelgood’. He’s sitting up against the wall, wishing the lights wouldn’t make everything seem so blurry and wondering when they’ll throw him out.

He yawns and shakes his head to try and wake himself up a little more. It doesn’t work, but it makes everything that much blurrier…but that could be the headache.

“I’m tellin’ ya, it’s ‘come play with cock’, clear as fuckin’ day.”

“Stop swearing in front of the kid, dummy! And no it’s not.”

“V’heard worse,” he says. “You don’t have to watch it around me.”

“You’re like nine, I don’t swear around kids younger than thirteen.”

“Ten!”

All that does is make them laugh and the one-the ‘don’t swear’ one-reaches over to ruffle his hair. He pulls away and swats half-heartedly at the scarred hand.

“Still younger than thirteen. So stop swearing, ipshit-day.”

“I know what you said.”

They laugh harder. Jason scowls and wraps his arms around his knees.

Eventually the conversation quiets down, turning to spouses and kids, and Jason yawns again, winces when it turns into a nasty hacking. Dove gets up and vanishes into the kitchen. Should he follow? She didn’t say to follow, and nobody else is paying any attention to him, but…

The coughing doesn’t want to stop and he doesn’t notice, at first, that the conversation’s stopped. Not until Dove’s crouching in front of him again, holding out a glass of water. The others are looking over with that same pity she had before and he refuses to make eye contact with any of them.

“Gettin’ tired?” He shakes his head, knowing that ‘tired’ means ‘time to go home’ which means ‘get out now’. From the look of her, she doesn’t believe him. “You sure? It’s awfully late.”

He’s had later nights.

“M’fine.”

“Well, at least come sit with me, huh? Test out the booths, make sure they’re all good for the customers.”

That’s the flimsiest lie he’s ever heard, but he gets up anyway and scrunches into a plush booth near the bar. It’s purple and velvet and soft and he doesn’t even try to stop rubbing his fingers over it.

“I gotta go supervise, okay? If you want anything, just yell.”

Once she’s not looking, he curls up on his side, looking out at the other tables. It feels good to lie down on something that’s not cardboard or otherwise rescued from a dumpster. Feels even better to close his eyes to the blurriness. Just for a minute, that’s all.

A minute turns into ten turns into twenty, and the next thing he knows, someone’s draping a coat over him.

“Mm…”

“Shh.” No Swearing Guy. “Go back to sleep, buddy.”

S’just a coat. And it’s warm, real warm.

He wasn’t sleeping, but he’ll close his eyes again if it means he gets to keep the coat for a bit.

No Swearing Guy walks away and Jason burrows under the heavy fabric. After a few minutes, he makes a few adjustments so’s the sleeves are bunched up to make a pillow. If he’s gonna be here, he may as well be comfy, right?

Just for a little bit. Tha’s all, just for a little bit, then he’ll get up and let himself out.

Few more minutes.

Jus’ a few more minutes…

Zzz.

THE END

[doodly-doods]

Valentine’s Day PT I

Ketchup dipped water sausages.

That’s what Frisk came up with for Valentine’s day. She crossed her arms glaring down at her concoction slumped on the cutting board. There was no cute way to package it. It felt like a prank from Sans, himself. Too bad she couldn’t blame her lack of creativity on him.

She released a deep sigh, unaware she was holding. Frisk picked up a small white, draw-string baggy she purchased from a hobby shop and looked it over. She brushed her finger over the suede red heart she stitched on the center. Frisk smiled softly. Despite how silly her gift felt, it was important he receive it.

Somehow, Frisk needed to keep the sloshy ketchup juices in the bag, and make sure the cut up wieners didn’t become soggy — he’d actually want it doused, soaking in ketchup.

Under the shade of the darkened living room, Chara watched his twin from afar. He tilted his head curiously, and briefly glanced his phone’s lock screen. Ah, that’s right. A perk to his lips, he sauntered into the kitchen and belted out, “Greetings!” startling his younger-by-five-minutes sibling. In her fright, she tossed the bag filled with the savories into the air with a squeak.

“Chara!” Frisk swiped at her brother who dodged her slap easily. “Don’t make me get the frying pan!”

Chara hunched forward in a mock-cower, “Not the paaaaaan~!” He straightened looking up at the ketchup stained ceiling. “If you’re gonna grab a pan, get a sauce one. I like my chocolate freshly melted, thanks lil’ sis.”

Frisk growled and caught his stare upwards. She jumped. “Look what you did! It’s ruined!”

“Silly Frisk. I wasn’t the one pitching food at the ceiling. Which,” his eyes narrowed with disdain, “I might add, food that should’ve been pitched into the trash. What were you thinking, Frisk? Trying a new diet?”

Frisk puffed out her cheeks, “dummy! It’s not for me! It’s not…something I’D eat… either way it’s not going in anyone’s stomach from up there!”

“Pfft. Perhaps a Muffet would, but I think they have working tastebuds.” Chara scoffed, bored of teasing his sister looking at the cutting board. In their argument, he failed to notice, the small, now stained, drawstring bag discarded by the sink in its descent.

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“Monster kid.” Frisk cursed inwardly realizing how quickly she answered. Chara’s eyes narrowed. “That runt likes,” he paused to sniff the air, “hot dogs that much to receive it as a gift for Valentine’s day?” He watched her smugly as she snatched up her bag from the countertop, rinsing residual condiment stains from the fabric.

“He might.” Frisk flushed at her pathetic reply. Did her brother know about her now-obvious crush on Sans? “Shouldn’t you be emptying grocery bags in hopes to fill it with chocolates from your fan club?”

Chara scoffed, “the only thing I hope is for my darling baby sister to make me some chocolate pie from that recipe Miss Toriel taught her a month ago.” He reached over and pinched Frisk’s cheek. “I don’t see any cake boxes lounging around, so where are they hiding?”

She swatted his hand away, successfully slapping his hand to his surprise. She frowned at him and haughtily shrugged her shoulders, “there aren’t any! Go away, Chara, I’m busy.” She turned around, facing her cutting board collecting the tarnished slices of water sausage. She went to her pot that had been filled with extra, uncut wieners and scooped them up with her ladle she left beside it – for times like these where she messed up.

At his sister’s dismissal, Chara faced away from Frisk. He made his way to the living room, casting a last glance over his shoulder. His eyelids lowered, seconds ticking by.

“I’ll give yours tomorrow, after history class.”

Chara snorted. Forever forgiving, she was.

Frisk barely kept her eyes open. She stayed up most of the previous night, packaging Chara’s chocolate pie, a cute little tail-sock for Monster Kid, Papyrus’s spaghetti scarf (which she might add was a challenge! She never crocheted in her life!), and of course, Sans’s Valentine. She sat in her first class ticking off her tasks of the night before with a sense of relief. All four of those guys were very precious to her – one of whom had a gaze that bored onto her from the seat beside her.

“dogged night?”

Her ears perked, unsure if she heard right. Glancing towards her skeletal classmate, her face etched in confusion.

“sorry, i meant ruff night?”

Her eyes lit up in understanding, though her tiredness delayed her reaction further. She bit her lip to prevent a snort from escaping. She nodded, hyper-aware of how, in-the middle-of-class they were, conversing. Frisk’s heart raced. The entire morning she made sure not to see Sans around campus until she was ready. Frisk shooed Chara off to school, so she could change her routine. She luckily made it to class with four minutes to spare, with even Sans’s absence appearing to be a blessing.

She also griped at the idea that he had stayed home from school. Various thoughts bounced in her head. It weighed heavily due to her lack of sleep, and anxiety of finally giving her gift to Sans.

Frisk didn’t realize Sans came to class today until he started speaking. As if he teleported at the very last minute.

Breaking out of her reflection, Frisk nodded to Sans, idly flipping the page in her textbook to appear she was listening to the teacher. After confirming her teacher turned her back to the class she whispered, “yeah. Math is not my strongest suit. So it took me all night to figure out this one, little equation.”

Sans eyelights dimmed from its usual intensity, or so Frisk may have imagined. “could’ve called me. would’ve helped ya find the square-root of your problems.” He shot her a wink, before facing front as soon as the teacher returned her attention to the class.

They both played diligent students until once again, their teacher returned to the chalkboard and scrawled a sentence.

“I can’t do that Sans. I gotta figure it out for myself sooner or later. I don’t think the nation needs a codependent ambassador.”

Sans chuckled softly, “determined to save the world on your own, but not enough to give your ol’ pal a call when ya need a lil’ help?”

Frisk grinned, “who says you have to wait for me to call when you need a lil’ somethin’?”

She watched his entire body jolt and if she focused hard enough, powder blue bloomed on his cheekbones.

Frisk blinked her sleep-dried eyes; no sign of color but white on his face.

Just her imagination.

After class, Frisk and Sans made a beeline for her next subject. Both blessing and curse, she and Sans did not share this period together. She could definitely use this time to regroup and strategize.

“Ah, smiley-trashbag. So nice of you to drop my sister off. You are free to return to the school dumpster, now.”

Unfortunately, she shared history and literature with Chara.

Sans sniffed, “sure thing. just as soon as you climb back into your hole.”

Chara chortled, “feeble comeback for a comedian. What even kind of hole?”

“jerry’s ass–”

“Sans, Chara, that will be enough.” Heat radiated from the history classroom’s doorway. “Hello, Frisk, dear.” As soon as the goat monstress’s eyes set on the young human teen, the swelter magically dissipated.

Miss Toriel.

“Good morning, Miss Toriel. Ah, I’ll see you later, Sans.” Frisk darted into the class, but not before thrusting a thumb behind her, “come on, Chara.” Toriel followed after her, but not before shooting a warning glare at the boys in her doorway.

Without turning his head, Chara plastered an empty smile and trained his eyes on the skeleton before him. “Be there in a sec, sis.” His eyelids lowered; his blinks were measured. “I just want to give you a tip: whatever you’ll plan to give to Frisk for White Day will quickly end up in the garbage where it rightfully belongs. That is all.” Chara swiveled and barely took a step forward before catching Sans’s baffled expression.

“whaddya mean? white day gift? isn’t she supposed to give me something to be repaid? are the rules different now?”

Chara’s face blanked. He stared off but before inwardly smirking. “What’s this? Did she not give you anything for today? Oh, pity. I apologize. I figured if she had given something to your manchild brother and even Monster Kid, she would’ve given you a sock or a twig. My mistake. She made me a lovely mini-chocolate pie. It was exquisite.” Without saying anything further, Chara slid the classroom door closed in San’s face. Leaving Sans to recollect on the implications of Frisk’s gifts – or lack thereof.

NEXT

[takadasaiko]

Breathe Again Beneath the Flames: Chapter Twelve

FFN II AO3

Summary: Solomon finds some trouble while Tom and Ressler go looking for Liz.

Chapter Twelve

Donald Ressler stood frozen in place, glock aimed at the man that had broken into his home. Tom Keen's grin was looking a little more strained with each passing moment that Ressler wasn't lowering his weapon and finally he cleared his throat. "Listen, man, I'm really trying to limit the number of holes people are putting in me lately, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't shoot me."

"Is that supposed to be funny?" the ginger agent managed to croak out, shock drying his throat. He finally lowered his weapon, but only so he wouldn't shoot his partner's husband. He felt the simmering anger double into rage at the thought of Liz and her broken, grief-filled expression before she had left. That hadn't been faked. That couldn't have been faked, no matter how good she was. That had been a woman mourning the loss of the man she loved, but there that same man stood in Ressler's apartment, ordering pizza and drinking his beer like they were buddies. He was quickly bypassing rage and he needed answers right then or he was going to really kill the arrogant bastard. "You better give a damn good explanation as to why Liz thinks you're dead, pal."

He watched the dark haired man's amusement fade entirely, replaced by something that might have been guilt. "You might want to grab the stuff from the hall," he said, motioning beyond him to where the takeout and travel bag were halfway visible. "It's not a short story."

Ressler nodded, finally holstering his weapon and moving to grab his things and close the door. He watched Tom circled back around to the couch and he took a heavy seat on it, popping the cap off the beer and reaching for a slice of pizza. It looked like it was from Ressler's usual place and he wondered if he should check his bill. He took a seat across from Tom. "Okay. Let's hear it."

The other man took a long drink from the beer he had thieved from Ressler's fridge and when he set it down he started in. Ressler thought he had heard just about everything in his line of work, but as he listened to Tom talk about a body double that was good enough to fool Harold Cooper, an experimental drug - developed by the same Halcyon scientist that had cracked quantum computing - that had brought him back and kept him alive after they had all watched him flatline after the brutal stabbing, and the months and months in recovery that - if Ressler trusted his own instincts, which he did - didn't look like they were quite done yet. He saw the dark circles under Tom's eyes, the exhausted expression, and the way his hands shook ever so slightly as he reached for the drink again. He looked great for a dead man, but there was no doubt the last year and handful of months had left a lasting mark.

"I didn't know Liz was awake until a couple of months ago," he said, meeting Ressler's gaze. "Nez came to DC to make sure she knew I'm alive, but-"

"She was already gone," Ressler murmured. "Yeah, she just ghosted. No real warning, no goodbyes. We found found out through Reddington and got the impression the only reason she told him was to make sure he didn't follow. We all assumed she had Agnes with her…"

Tom shook his head. "Scottie got custody. In hindsight, probably to keep me distracted."

Ressler winced a little. "You two have some really screwed up parents."

"You're telling me."

"But," Ressler said slowly, drawing his attention, "can't knock the results. I mean… we all went to your funeral. We gave you a wake once Liz was awake…."

Tom smirked. "You say nice things about me, Ressler?"

The other man glared in response, refusing to be swayed from the serious conversation, even if it might have been easier to poke fun rather talk about what had happened to Liz. "She took it hard, so I guess we were really surprised when she left." He paused for a moment. "If you're here to find out where she went, I don't know."

"I do. She's in Alaska. Middle of nowhere."

Ressler reached for a slice of pizza. "Then what are you here for?"

Tom's gaze shifted away from Ressler's and he ran his hand along the top of his dark hair, causing it to stand on end and looking a little uncomfortable. "Help," he said at last, his dark blue eyes flickering to meet a lighter shade. "I need your help."

"Okay, but why me?" Ressler pressed. "You've got Halcyon-"

"Scottie and Howard lied to me about Liz being awake, by omission if nothing else."

"What about your team? Nez and Dumont?"

"I need eyes and ears there to make sure Agnes is safe."

That made sense. He wasn't sure how comfortable he was with Tom leaving his and Liz's kid with a criminal like Nez Rowan, but that wasn't his call to make. It wasn't like she hadn't been with Reddington while Liz was unconscious. "What about Reddington then? I mean, you know he's gotta be itching to find Liz."

"No," Tom all but growled, immediately halting that line of questioning. "That's not an option."

"Okay, then even someone else out of the Task Force. Cooper or Samar or-"

"Listen, man, if you don't want to help just say so."

Ressler pushed a long breath out of his nose. "I just need a reason, Tom. You can't just showed up in my home after being dead for nearly a year and a half and expect me not to need answers."

Tom flashed him a grin. "Don't trust me?"

"No, not particularly."

The grin didn't fade. "Smart man." He tilted his head thoughtfully and the disingenuous expression eased a little. "I know who attacked Liz and me. Whose men put her in a coma and who just about murdered me."

Ressler leaned forward, elbows against his bent knees and Tom had his full attention. "You know who Damascus is?"

The covert operative blinked. "Damascus?"

"That's what Liz called him. It's the… the knife that he used on you. It was a Damascus knife."

He watched Tom's expression darken and he thought he saw a subtle grimace at that. "Right."

"Who is he?"

That pulled the other man's attention back around and his gaze was intense. "A cop."

Ressler straightened at that. "A cop tried to kill you? Why?"

"Because he was after something that Reddington had. That's all I know."

The ginger nodded, leaning back in the chair again, but not not quite relaxing. "So you want my help with a dirty cop?"

"I want your help getting to Liz so that we can all go after a dirty cop. I figured if anyone would be willing it'd be you… with your dad and all."

Ressler shook his head, a mirthless laugh escaping him. "Hell, man."

"Is that a yes or a no?"

His lips thinned out, not quite quirking up. This was something Liz needed to know. Not just that Tom was alive, but a direction that they could go to find healing from everything that happened. Finally he loosed a long breath, meeting Tom's gaze. "Well, I've got a couple of days off. Let's go find Liz."

They said that patience was a virtue, and while Solomon had never claimed to be overly virtuous, it did appear that it had paid off for him this time. He'd played his part of the Nash Syndicate and their supply lines that had been tossed into the air were coming back around. He'd spoken once with the supplier out of Iraq, but it had taken nearly three months to get to Garvey. It wasn't his only in, but it had been his best bet, and the one that he was most pleased had worked out.

He stood with Li Zhao on the docks, the ever present art of waiting something he was coming to master. The sun was high overhead and everyone but her people had been cleared out, and even they were a skeleton crew. It wasn't surprising that Garvey didn't want curious eyes on him.

"He does not like to meet in person," Zhao said in her native language.

"So you've said."

She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully before motioning to the car that was making its way towards them. The driver pulled up, but made no move to get out.

Solomon glanced at her once before starting forward and he heard the locks come undone as he approached the passenger door. He reached out for the handle, but the back door opened and a man unfolded from it, waving at him to step back.

He did so, standing remarkably still as the other man's hands roamed up and down to check for weapons and pulled his gun from its holster. Solomon offered him a wink that made him take a step back before he reached back out to the door.

The man that had frisked him didn't follow, but as Solomon slipped in he did, thankfully, find Ian Garvey in the driver's seat. "It's good to finally meet you. I'm-"

"I know who Zhao says that you are," Garvey cut him off. "The man that corrected our supply lines. I also know who you've been, Mr Solomon."

Solomon let his gaze sweep over the heavyset man for a moment. His hands hadn't left the steering wheel and he could see that the vehicle was still in gear. He'd walked right into a set up.

"Let's go for a drive, shall we?"

"Why not," the newly captured man managed, keeping his voice smooth and even even as the locks shifted back into place.

She was furious, that much he knew. It would have been a difficult thing to miss with the way she was shouting at him, all of her cool demeanour put away for the red hot rage that he'd rarely seen her put on display quite so openly. Howard Hargrave stood where he was, amused, and that only seemed to fuel the flames. "You think this is funny?" his wife asked dangerously. "You knew, didn't you? You knew he was going and you let him. What? To get back at me for bringing Agnes, because you thought it was a power play? This is his life, Howard, and-"

"Breathe." Scottie looked ready to hit him and Howard had to shake off the uncomfortable realization that he had never quite gotten over her magnetic draw, even now. He held his hands up, palms outward, and waited until he was relatively sure she wouldn't try to break his nose if he stepped closer. "No, I didn't know he was going, but it shouldn't be a surprise to either of us. My guess is that Agnes tipped him off." He shot her a knowing look and watched her expression seal off. "We can play the blame game all day long, but that won't protect him. He knows Liz is awake and there wouldn't have been any stopping him anyway. All we can do now is provide him the back up that he'll need."

He watched Scottie stop her pacing, but this time her expression fell and he knew that she saw it too. They were both damn good at setting the game the way they wanted to play it, but sometimes they were dealt a bad hand. That didn't immediately mean a loss, just a set back, and they had to think quick, and as much as he hated it, it meant that they had to make sure they were moving with a united front. He didn't trust her and she didn't trust him, but they had to find a way forward for their son's sake.

Scottie sank into a chair, massaging the bridge of her nose. "Nez and Dumont would have been his only contacts able to help him and they're still at the base."

"Likely to keep an eye on his daughter."

Dark eyes flickered to look at him. "Do you think he thinks we'd hurt her?"

"I don't know what he thinks, Scottie. He probably doesn't know what he thinks. All he knows for sure is that we've been lying to him."

She set her jaw. "They want to help him in any way that they can. To get them to help us we need to enable them to do that."

There she was with that clever, quick mind that he knew so well. "I agree."

"Opening up full Halcyon resources requires us to at least take it to the Grey Matters level and that will open it up to any security leaks that we may have."

"I had Dumont do a full security overhaul right before you came back in."

"I've noticed. A second wouldn't be out of the question."

"Hmm," he agreed, nodding with the sound.

"Howard." Her voice drew his full attention. "We have to approach this together."

He saw the look he was giving him and he held it for a long moment, letting her words batter around in his mind for a moment and running through possible responses. He didn't have a chance to voice any of them, though, as he saw Scottie's gaze flicker behind him and he turned to find Nez standing there.

"I'm aware that you probably have a few things to say about the thing with Tom-"

"We were just discussing that," Scottie cut in. "We understand that-"

"I'm sorry, but this can't wait."

Howard straightened. "What's happened?"

"Solomon set off his distress signal."

Tom filled Ressler in on Garvey as the other man unpacked and re-packed his bag for the flight that had already been scheduled. They would fly from D.C. to Seattle, Seattle to Juneau, and from there, as long as they hadn't been followed, they'd make arrangements to get down to the little town in the middle of nowhere that Liz had hidden herself away in. It was a simple enough plan, and Tom was happily surprised that their resident Boy Scout didn't fight him on it once he laid everything out. He did, however, side-eye him on the falsified documents that Tom handed over to the TSA agent along with a charming smile and a compliment about her hair. She didn't look awake enough for the five AM flight to react as she scanned his ticket and sent him through.

"Not sure what you expected," Tom said as he slipped his feet back into his boots and threaded his belt through the loops on his jeans, finally clear of the security. "I mean, I'm guessing that a death certificate might raise a few red flags in an airport."

"You've got a few of those going now, don't you?" Ressler asked as he stuffed his wallet back into his pocket.

Tom tilted his head a little. "One under my birth name, pretty sure that someone probably added one to the name I was raised under…. they thought I was dead a few years ago after Liz shot me, but there was never any official documents for that."

"Could be because it was a fake name," Ressler said pointedly.

Dark blue eyes flickered down either direction of the terminal. "It's the one I like best."

He heard the other man snort, but if he had planned to push the subject the thought was cut short as his cell phone began to buzz. Tom watched the ginger agent fish it out of his pocket, glare at the caller ID like he might hit the reject button, but then thought better of it. "Sorry," he mumbled, and pulled the phone up to his ear. "Now's not a good time."

Ressler put a few steps between them as they walked towards their gate, but there wasn't anywhere to take a private call in the airport that they were sharing with business men and women trying to catch flights early enough to make it to meetings all over the country. Tom kept his gaze fixed ahead, but his focus was on what he could hear.

"That's not possible. I'm leaving DC this morning." There was a pause and Tom could hear the agitation in the other man's voice as he all but growled out his response to whatever had been said. "I'm not your gopher."

That was interesting. It certainly wasn't Cooper on the other end of the line. Ressler had a nauseating respect for the chain of command. Reddington, maybe? Tom hoped not. The Concierge of Crime may have been in his rebuilding phase when Garvey had attacked, but he would have spent the last year and some months strengthening that. Even being out and about risked one of Reddington's little spies spotting him. The best thing he had going for him right then was that there was no reason to look for a dead man.

"I'm well aware of the arrangement," Ressler bit out. "You've made it abundantly clear. I'll be in touch when I get back." He ended the call and shoved his phone back in his pocket.

Tom quirked an eyebrow. "Was that Reddington still giving you hell?"

There was a beat of confusion before Ressler nodded. "Yeah."

Interesting. Not Reddington, then. not that a whole lot of other scenarios made sense. "Everything okay?" he ventured carefully.

"Listen, Keen, let's keep our focus where it needs to be," he snapped.

Tom raised a hand, signalling his concession and Ressler's expression eased a little, his shoulders dropping a little. "He can just be a real bastard sometimes."

Their flight was called over the overhead and Tom readjusted his bag on his shoulder. He wasn't sure what Ressler had gotten himself into, but the man was right. They needed to focus. First they needed to find Liz and everything else was secondary. It would come though. It had to.

It had been over an hour since Garvey had said a word. The further they went out of the city, the lower his chances of surviving this were dropping, and Solomon wasn't ready to die yet. He'd set his beacon off at the first opportunity, begrudgingly thankful that Scottie and Nez had double-teamed him to push the option on him. This should have gone off without a hitch. He did well to fly under the radar at all times, and precious few people really could recognize him on sight. There was something else going on. Something he hadn't pieced together yet.

Dark eyes glanced at the driver. "Tell me, exactly what is it that you think you know about me?"

Garvey loosed a low, throaty chuckle. "Your reputation precedes you, Mr Solomon."

"It really doesn't. Not where I don't want it to."

"You were a CIA asset for some years running in Africa until they disavowed you. From there you were a free agent, shifted allegiances to the so-called Cabal, and then eventually to Scottie Hargrave when she ran her husband out of Halcyon Aegis."

The landscape sped by. "And now I'm working for Li Zhao. I fail to see the problem."

"The problem is that Scottie Hargrave has been publicly reinstated as the co-head of Halcyon and I have to wonder what an intelligence firm is doing sending in an operative into the Nash Syndicate to find me."

"I don't do this work for the kicks, I do it for the cash. Working for Scottie Hargrave isn't nearly as lucrative as it once was now that Howard holds half of the purse strings."

"I don't believe you."

The car they were in pulled around, stopping off the beaten path. There was nothing around them save the car that had driven with them. It pulled up behind them and Solomon saw a burly redhead step out, ready for a fight. The others that flanked him were visibly armed. "Get out," Garvey instructed.

"And if I don't?"

"Then I have to get the car detailed to remove what's left of you," he said, waving his gun at the younger man.

Solomon snorted, a lazy smile tilting his lips as he did what he was told. He'd been watching terrain on the drive in. They had wound their way up a hill, the drop now on the opposites side of the car. Garvey was getting out, his gun in his hand, and the red headed giant and his thugs came around. "And who might you be?"

He recognized him now that he saw him face on. He'd been in the files linked to Keen's supposed death. Bobby Navarro. He was tightly bound to the Syndicate, and while the cops had interviewed him after the attack, nothing had stuck. Shocking, considering he had a US Marshall on his side.

The man on Navarro's left rushed Solomon first, coming around and telegraphing his movements. Solomon only had to make minor adjustment to his stance to avoid the swing, ducking down and around, using his bob and momentum to swing up and he slammed the heel of his hand into the man's jaw, ripping his head to the side and sending him reeling.

The second was on him in an instant, but Solomon squatted down, half avoiding a blow and half going for the knife hidden away under his pants leg. He swung out, the blade skidding across the surprised man's throat and leaving a line of red in its wake as he kicked out, slamming him hard into the car.

He caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned, ready to take on whoever it was that was fool enough to come at him next, but the shot rang out. Solomon felt the telltale sign of a bullet burning through flesh. It didn't hurt, not at first, but then slowly the pain started to catch up with the shock. He staggered, the knife slipping from his fingers and he reached out to catch himself on the side of the sedan, his other hand going to the source of the slowly realized pain.

Garvey leveled his gun. "I think it's time we had a talk, Matias."

Notes: Well I had a less that pleasant reaction to the finale. I had such mixed emotions about seeing Tom again. If they were going to make us relive his death all over again, I feel like the least they could have done was given us a goodbye kiss between them. I really think it boils down to just never being okay with them killing him, and wow... I had to do some scrambling on this story. It was both a blessing and curse to be writing as far ahead as I've been writing because I had to really readjust for Liz's reaction to finding out Red's secret. I had just finished writing the big Keen2 reunion chapter when the finale aired and had to do some serious thinking about how I was going to adjust the story and how the Keens were approaching this. I think I've got it all evened out now, though, so that's the good news.

Even better news: Tessler. XD I've had so much fun working with these two nerds again and being able to make AU gif sets for them over on Tumblr. I hope you guys are enjoying to the ride as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Much more to come!

Next Time: Tom and Ressler make it to Alaska and search for Liz and an injured Solomon uncovers a terrifying truth about Ian Garvey's loyalties.