#i hope i did okay for these i included their weapons(hoping those r the right weapons)

[sundazeing]

Mami Tomoe and Madoka Kaname graphic icons

f2u w/o credit

req by @absolutelymadoka !!!

requests open

[fallingdownhell]

Love your workkk!! ❤️❤️can i get an hc on fem reader taking off their coat revealing toned muscles and abs right before sparring and how childe alhaitham kazuha diluc kaveh will react? Mostly sfw but slight nsfw is okay

Thank you<3 And sure, hope this turned out like you imagined it. Characters Included: Childe; Alhaitham; Kazuha Content: female reader; pre relationship; they are basically simping over you(r form) Word count: 1,1k words

Hope you guys have fun with this one<3

Childe

as our resident fighting maniac, it's no wonder that Childe wants to test and experience the capabilities of any and all agents that get assigned under his command

working under a Harbinger is a great honor, and it helps that Tartaglia seems far more approachable and reasonable than all the others

though you have been warned about his preference for fighting, you still didn't expect him to just straight up demand a sparring fight with you on your first day of duty

you tried giving every excuse in the book, but he kept insisting and in the end, you neither had the energy nor the nerves to deny him any longer

Childe was beaming with excitement on the way to the training grounds, immediately ridding himself of his weapons and getting in the ring, waiting for you to join him

"Come on, it's just a little spar. Nothing too serious~" he continues to coax you with a smirk

you sigh, as you go to take of your coat and other clothing that would just hinder you during the fight, placing your choice of weapon right next to them

when you look up again, you notice Childe staring at you

more specifically, at the muscles that protrude from your upper arms

they weren't really noticable under your clothes before, but it was clear evidence that you did not slack on your training. And now it seemed like Childe was hypnotized by them

in fact, his eyes lit up as he took in your well trained form, no longer hidden under your choice of clothes

the smirk returns to his face and he looks you in the eyes, excited for the, without a doubt, very enjoyable spar that's about to take place

Alhaitham

Alhaitham and you have been well acquainted for a few years now

it's like a sort of friendship that has formed between you two due to circumstances aligning, and after all those years, the friendship has still survived

it's not like you guys were together every single day, it's more like the occaisonal hangout once every (other) week, catching up with each other again, before going back to your own lives again. Then rinse and repeat

you are both aware of each others occupation and hobbies. Like, you knew that Alhaitham was currently under a lot of stress due to temporarily being promoted to Acting Grande Sage, and he likes to read during his free time

as for him, he was aware of your hobby with self defense fighting styles, and that you were teaching some classes from time to time

however, it seems that it never occured to him that thanks to your hobby, you would logically also acquire a figure that would prove that visually

so, when for one of your meet ups, you asked him to meet you at your current training spot, he thought nothing too much of it, making his way there after he was done with all his other responsibilities

when he arrived, you were still invested in your training, and since he didn't want to interrupt you, he planned on sitting down and reading his book while waiting for you

that was his plan... until he snatched a glance at you

seeing you in your work out clothes, toned abs clearly visible now in the daylight, something in him froze up, not letting him take his eyes away from you anymore

he was mesmerized by your form, how your body looked and how well trained and fit you seemed to be. In this moment, he felt like a fool for never realizing what such intense training would do to ones body

and he had to admit... he definitely liked what he saw

after your training was done, he would act respectful and not comment about it, stating that he didn't mind waiting for you. But that doesn't mean that he's not still thinking about what he's seen today..

Kazuha

you haven't really known Kazuha for too long, but you've grown to really like the wandering samurai a lot

his calm, collected way of speaking, along with his kind personality was a breath of fresh air to you, one that you really desperately needed

you enjoyed the time you spend with him, sitting around or walking through Liyue Harbor, listening to the storys he tells you about his travels. You always listen very closely to everything, soaking his storys up

on the other hand, Kazuha really enjoys sharing his experiences with you. He adores the excited glint in your eyes and how you focus on each word that leaves his lips

the more you two got to know each other, the more time you spent together. You began wandering around Liyue, outside the city, exploring the nature and wildlife together

often times, Kazuha would pick you up early in the morning, spending the day hiking up mountains with you, finding a beautiful spot where you can rest and just look up to the sky together

and although this is all nice and everything, that doesn't mean it can't get dangerous along the way

this time, on your way back down from a mountain, you guys got attacked by a swarm of Hilichurls. They got you cornered and surrounded, but Kazuha and you were quick to pull your weapons and fight yourself a way out

though Kazuha's fighting style was much more elegant than yours in your personal opinion, that doesn't neglect the fact that you were very well adapted with your own weapon of choice

however, in the midst of the battle, one of the monsters got a grip of you. You had to sacrifice your favourite coat to it, in order to not get hit by it, but you took it down swiftly afterwards. However, the coat was ruinied

when everything was over and Kazuha went to check up on you, he noticed that your coat was gone, and admittedly, he couldn't help the way his eyes were wandering over your body

he had never seen you without a coat on, seeing as you were always meeting up outside and it was late fall already. And since you were mostly wearing clothes that were on the baggier side, he never would have thought that you had such a well trained body shape

his eyes kept wandering, completely oblivious to the fact that he was staring at you

when you cleared your throat, he snapped out of his trance, focusing back on you, though a blush from the embarrassement of getting caught was evident on his face

"I'm sorry for staring. I just wasn't expecting you to look this stunning under the layers you usually wear."

yeah.. he really has his way with words.

[foxingpeculiar]

FF7 R&R: I am currently hanging out in Rebirth chapter 9, in Gongana. Potential spoilers up to that point.

Okay, I think I left off in Costa del Sol. So picking up from there:

The minigames are fucking insane in this game. There are SO MANY. And some of them--Queen's Blood, for example--are great. Others are ridiculous, but still kind of engaging (the piano--fuck Cinco de Chocobo; I got A's on the three previous pieces but I dunno if I can do this one). But man, some of 'em. The whole pirate shooter thing? Nah, terrible at that. And fuck Run Wild so hard. Like, the base game isn't so bad, but the time-trial thing you have to do as part of the date with Aerith? That took SO MANY tries to get past.

On that note, the whole Johnny subplot took... an interesting turn. How there were 7 of them him for a while. That was a lot to take in. But I did that quest and got his hotel looking all nice and now he's back to being just one person. I think you can get a trophy for getting all the collectibles in the hotel now, but that means S-ranking all the minigames and fuck that. I'm already 48 hours into this thing. Ain't nobody got that kind of time.

In both the Mount Corel region and the Gongana Jungle, I remember being specifically impressed with the music in this game. Might have to crack out that soundtrack CD.

I really like the depiction of Elena here--her snottyness and everything. That she calls Rude when out looking for Dyne demanding ice cream and, the next time we see her in the helicopter, she has a popsicle? Love that for her. There's a point where she just yells "Ugh!" and like, that's her, that's the character.

So we finally get an encounter (not a fight, but an encounter) with a WEAPON, which is pretty cool. That's something I've been wondering--WTF are Emerald and Ruby WEAPONS gonna look like in game 3? Cos like... you can't not include them, right?

Learned a little more about the situation in Wutai from Yuffie here, which is nice. The provisional government for whom she works is a resistance against the leaders that capitulated to Shinra to achieve the ceasefire. That makes sense (and I bet her dad was one of those--they mentioned at some point either earlier in this game or in Intergrade that he's imprisoned, currently).

I get a more detailed sense, also, about the sickness that is slowly becoming more and more of a problem for Cloud as he gets closer to the reunion. It's interesting to me how everyone else--especially Tifa, but everyone--sees it happening too, but no one understands the problem enough to know what to do about it yet.

Find it interesting how they're gatekeeping party selection in different spots and generally managing that balance. There're 7 of us now, at the point I'm at, and I think at least one more is coming (Vincent is in this game, right? He'd have to be. Although I guess they could do like they did with Nanaki in the first one, where he's there but not playable. Cid, I dunno.) But then, for story reasons, they'll have to have to use certain characters in certain encounters and stuff. But even when you have full party selection, everyone's there, even if they're not actively part of the battle--they're still around, you can see and hear them. It's a nice touch.

So, the whole North Corel and Corel Prison sections--the Dyne storyline--was handled pretty well. Barrett's reception in the town worked well, Dyne's madness was both sympathetic and apparent (and that was a helluva boss fight, also--which I remember it being in the original too).

The Gold Saucer was... whoo. Basically what I'd hoped it'd be. Dio was spot-the-fuck-on, and the whole environment was glitzy and neon in exactly the way it was supposed to be. I like the updates they did to certain things--the Speed Square, notably, but also the Mario-Kart-ness of Chocobo racing, etc. I did NOT, however, trigger a play sequence in the Event Square. The date ended up being with Tifa (which I'm fine with--she is my OG, I suppose), and there was a whole scene where she reacts to a poster of Jessie. I wonder if the play is an Aerith-specific event? Or if there's some other way to trigger it? Or if it just doesn't happen in this one.

Cait Sith. Okay. Was really curious how they were gonna handle this character cos he's... weird. But, y'know, it works. I love that he's Scottish, and I'm intrigued that they're not really hiding the fact that he's a Shinra spy (he outright admits it in party dialogue at one point), and pointing pretty clearly at who's actually running him behind the scenes (his model appears on Reeve's desk, the depressed way he reacts to the loss of the dustbowl: "The place it could've been. Tears me up inside"--Reeve runs Urban Planning, remember). I remember that point of the plot being kind of underdeveloped in the original--curious to see how it plays out here. I also love Tifa's reaction on meeting him: "Is... that a cat?"

Palmer is also getting a lot more characterization in this one, and damn, he sucks. That boss fight on the back of the truck was pretty cool, though.

Some of the new/outside characters are interesting too. Glenn shows up again, and the way he's talking to Rufus... I also do not know what it is he truly wants here. Cisseni showing up in Gongana was interesting--never played her game either, but I generally know who she is. (And I like the touch that she and Cait clearly know each other, and she obviously mistakes Cloud for Zack, but she rolls with the cat's encouragement to play along). Gus was kind of fun--the gold teeth were a nice touch. Not sure what I think of "Kid G" yet, but also not done with that quest--he said he'd call me.

Ok, WTF is the deal with Queen's Blood and this Lindehl Balmon business? Who is the Shadow Queen? Why is she killing off card players and what is the game to her? I must know.

As a final note--driving the buggy around the desert, just kind of the physics of it, was giving me serious original Mass Effect vibes. And then I remembered that the buggy in that game was called the Mako, and I suddenly wonder if that's an intentional nod.

[blue-sky-and-sunny-day]

I have a small request for my mutuals and people i follow. I hope u will understand. I request u all to tag posts related to the new n*clear b*mb movie as *ab*

I am now going to tell u why . Before I say anything I want to say i think making and using that weapon of mass destruction is the most heinous crime against humanity and nature.

Couple of days back I was bored to oblivion and tried to look at the world news headlines. I found a post about the movie that said Hindus r upset over a certain scene. I read the details and immediately regretted. It was beyond shocking for someone who grew up in a home with The Holy Bible , The Vedas and The Koran in the same book shelf and a sub-continent with numerous religious communities, people of all shades of skin color and learned at home and school to respect them all while respecting the religion and culture I was born and brought up into.

I am sure C* topher N*lan and the writers/ whoever is responsible for putting that scene in the movie are some of of the most awful, ugly, filthiest minded creatures ever (like rotting sewerage ). HOW DARE they insult Hinduism and Religious Hindus like that ? HOW DARE THEY INSULT HINDUISM IN THE GROSSEST POSSIBLE WAY IMAGINABLE ? WOULD THEY DARE DOING THE SAME TO ANY OTHER MAJOR RELIGION IN THE WORLD ? NO ,THEY WONT . THEY WOULD BE TERRIFIED OF DOING THAT. THEN WHY HINDUISM ?

NO ONE , NO ONE HAS ANY RIGHT TO INSULT OTHER PEOPLE'S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS IN PUBLIC MEDIA. OR MISREPRESENTING THE RELIGION OR SPREADING MISINFORMATION ABOUT THEM .

CREATIVE LICENSE? SERIOUSLY?

Hollywood seems to have a free license to insult and make fun of Hindus and Hinduism in numerous movies and shows . The fashion industry did that too. Pictures of our deities and most sacred religious symbols everywhere on clothes including shorts and shoes . DO THEY EVEN KNOW THE FIRST THING ABOUT HINDUISM ,ITS SCRIPTURES, DEITIES ,THE GITA AND MONOTHEISM ( AS CLEARLY STATED IN THE GITA) ?

NO ,THEY DO NOT . THEY DON'T CARE HOW RELIGIOUS HINDUS FEEL BY THEIR ACTIONS . BECAUSE THEY THINK RELIGIOUS HINDUS ARE SILLY AND POSSIBLY UNEDUCATED AND TOTALLY UNCULTURED, UNABLE TO FOLLOW FASHION OR INTERNATIONAL MEDIA. AND THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY OPINION OR VOICE ABOUT HOW THEIR RELIGION IS PORTRAYED IN MEDIA .

THEY R SO, SO BRAVE WHILE INSULTING AND MAKING DISPARAGING COMMENTS ABOUT HINDUS AND HINDUISM ON INTERNATIONAL MEDIA. BECAUSE ITS EASY AND WORRY FREE !!!!! SO CONVENIENT! LIKE WOW!

I have no problem with atheism . I understand it and I have nothing against people who are atheists. This is not about that . I want to make this clear.

I liked the actors in the movie before reading this news. They do not want/ respect/ care for religious Hindu fans . Okay . Understood. ( This my opinion only)

The Foreign version of the news also stated Indians watched and ' enjoyed' the movie . I have nothing against those people if that really happened. Maybe they are non religious and don't know anything or care about Hinduism or scriptures or Gita . In my extended family there r some people like that . But that is okay . Religion for me is not something that should be forced to learn or practice . As I know and understand there are different ways of practicing Hinduism .

My question is , how difficult is it for people to respect other people's religious beliefs? My family and plenty of people I know personally and millions I do not know are doing it with ease all their lives . Can tolerant Hindus living all over the world not expect this common civility and simple courtesy extended to them ?

[moonbaby26]

(gif from Jason Passaro’s youtube edit here)

Title: One Shitty Friday Night (Part 1)

Pairings: Peter Maximoff x Fem!Reader, Colossus x Shadowcat

Summary: Set after the events of Deadpool 2, you and your boyfriend Peter are on a double date downtown with your fellow X-Men Piotr Rasputin (Colossus) and Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) when Deadpool and Russell arrive unexpectedly. Chaos and violence naturally ensues, including taking down mafia henchmen, dealing with news media and paparazzi who circle in with the action, and a jealous Peter. This will be concluded in Part 2 with the mixed reactions of Logan, Charles, and Erik when you all bring Wade and Russell back home, etc. 😄

Notes: For simplicity’s sake as Piotr R. is normally called “Peter” as well, he’ll just be referred to as Colossus here.

Warnings: Some alcohol use. And it’s Deadpool, so a lot of cursing and irreverent jokes of course. This started out as just crack!fic that became actual fic that had to be split into two parts because it hit post limit. Holy cow.

Peter Maximoff x Reader Masterlist

—————————

Kitty all but snorted, trying to put her drink back down on the table before it could end up fully sideways instead as her laughter left her trembling.

Colossus sighed quietly, but you could still see the warmth in his eyes as he looked down at her before helping dab up some of her errant wine off the table with a thick cloth napkin.

It was late Friday night, and save for your semi disapproving, large and very Russian designated driver, the other three of you were now several drinks deep and a bit too loudly enjoying Peter’s retelling of the Led Zeppelin cover band debacle. You’d been there with him that night, but it never got old the way Peter told it.

“I shit you not, and this guy still keeps hitting on Jean.” Peter continued, his third nearly empty glass of craft beer still in hand. “Scott’s about to fry the dude. They’re playing Immigrant Song, and these lasers start up. All dudebros in the club go wild, and Scott tries to sneak off a warning shot. Freaking air balls it! I have to move like forty people and it still blows a damn hole in the wall. But nobody even noticed! Fake Robert Plant is screaming his heart out and everybody is just eating it up. I swear my Dad could have flown in there, cape billowing and they still would have thought it was part of the show!”

You were at risk of being elbowed in this small restaurant booth, with how animated Peter was as he spoke beside you. But you didn’t mind. The lighting was dim, possibly verging on romantic, the smell of good food from the kitchen reminded you of what was to come, and you were just enjoying time with some of your favorite people.

When Peter did finally drop his hand again though, the not so subtle movements of it then up your thigh also promised something much more personal later tonight. Maybe it was the warmth from the mixed drinks you were also nursing, but you shifted your leg a little, pushing even more into his touch under the table. Your movement just signaled your silent agreement to him that tonight would be a perfect night to be throwing clothes on the floor as soon as you got back to your shared room at the mansion.

It’d been a long, tiring week after all. Helping teach classes during the day and training your ass off in the danger room every night, you didn’t think it was unreasonable to cut loose a bit now.

Even Colossus was chuckling a little at last, but the big guy was always softest around Kitty. You in particular had been one of her biggest supporters when she’d first confessed her attraction towards him. You’d noticed his bashfulness with her as well, and all the little glances he’d given her long before she’d ever worked up the courage to ask him out.

But that seemed so long ago now, it was hard to really remember a time when they weren’t together. Almost as long as you and Peter really.

You glanced up as the waiter came back by to check on you all, saying your food would be out in a few more minutes and asking if anyone needed more drinks.

“Oh gosh, we’re really running up the tab right?” Kitty smiled.

You could see the little bit of relief in Colossus’ expression as she waved the waiter off though, her current wine glass still nearly full. “I’m fine for now, thank you.”

Peter glanced at you and you nodded as well. A buzz was fine, but you didn’t want to be climbing the mansion stairs full on drunk tonight. “I’m good.”

As the waiter left, your conversation got a little more subdued. You leaned into Peter somewhat, hip to hip in the booth as he put his arm around your waist.

Kitty was now talking about a movie she thought you should all go see next weekend if you could. You were just in the process of agreeing as you’d wanted to see it too, when Colossus suddenly went stock still, a look of real surprise on his face.

Kitty evidently noticed as soon as you did, you both staring up at him in unison.

“Do not turn around,” He instructed to you and Peter, eyes locked on something behind you.

Of course when told to do one thing, it would take everything in Peter’s willpower to not do the opposite. But to his credit he actually did hesitate. “Do we need to be dodging something? I mean, I can move us if I need to, man. You just gotta let me know.” Peter stated.

“I don’t think he’s seen us yet. Please do not draw attention.” Colossus responded, still frustratingly vague to the rest of you.

But he hadn’t metaled up yet, his skin still entirely human looking. So on the plus side, it couldn’t be someone he thought an immediate physical threat.

You glanced to Kitty for some hope of explanation as she was seated beside Colossus and facing the same direction. But she was too short in comparison to him, and couldn’t see all the way across the booth dividers as easily as he could. “Well who is it?” Kitty demanded quietly.

But you heard an impatient voice carry over clearly from the nearby restaurant entrance.

“Look, you know he’s here. I know he’s here. Don’t make me leave you guys a bad Yelp review. I will totally Karen that shit up. I’m just here for him.” A pause. “...And some of the cannolis. God, I love those things. You went a little scarce on the filling last time though. Don’t make me add that to the Yelp review.”

You heard the hostess stutter, fear evidently building. “Sir, firearms are not allowed in this restaurant. The owner, he, I...I can’t.”

There was a loud sigh from the man, the distinct sound of a gun cocking, and then all hell broke loose.

“WADE!” Colossus screamed, your entire table flipping as he stood up, metal now encasing him in this even larger form.

Abruptly you were now standing back by the entrance yourself. Peter had one arm around you, and the other around Kitty as he let you both go just as instantly, having just brought you there before he disappeared again.

That little flare up of vertigo from the speed and sudden stop didn’t mix well with the alcohol, and she and you both stood there another moment, queasy as Peter appeared again with an armful of guns.

It would have been comical as he clearly had no idea where to put them now, but everyone else that had still been in the restaurant was already screaming and running for the doors in a panic.

The owner of the multiple guns couldn’t care less about the crowd however, only turning his full focus to the lot of you then in exasperation.

“Oh my God, you anti second amendment, mother fuckers. I’m in the middle of a job here!”

“You can’t just point guns at innocent people, Wade! We have talked about this many times!” Colossus retorted, all seven foot of him now standing over Deadpool with paternal like annoyance.

“For fuck’s sake, it’s called a threat. I wasn’t going to kill her you overprotective, asshat! Now Giovanni is probably holed up in some pussy ass panic room, or he’s already ghosted me out the back door! And yes, I know that is such a stereotypical mob boss name and totally sounds like the Pokemon villain. Fuck him and his always trying to take Pikachu! He had a talking cat the whole time who just wanted his love, but no, got to have the electric rat. Fuck!”

“Language, Wade!” Colossus scolded. “There is still a child present!”

And honestly in all this insanity, that was the first time you actually noticed Russell also still standing there. Everyone else in the room had now fled out into the street.

“I’m fucking fourteen,” The boy replied defiantly. “And yeah, we were working!”

“Daddy and angrier metal daddy are just talking, hon.” Deadpool commented, waving a hand.

There was a small gust of air beside you and you looked to Peter knowingly. Wade’s guns were now all on a table, though intentionally still distant from your current position. “So I just made a couple laps.” Peter spoke up. “The cops are already coming, and there’s still a bunch of guys in the basement. They were opening some crates, probably getting weapons? I didn’t know if we were taking them out yet though. I didn’t touch anything. But is Giovanni like a big dude with gold rings and all?”

“I’m telling you besides the drug and human trafficking, it’s practically more criminal how much he sets back Italian-American stereotypes. They are an honest, manicotti making people goddamn it.” Deadpool answered.

You really were starting to regret the amount of drinks you’d had. If you’d known tonight was going to be anything like this, you would have gladly stuck to water. Your head was already trying to throb a little as you finally spoke. “So, does this guy actually have warrants out on him? If the cops come, they’re all going to end up shooting each other most likely. Can we just defuse this by giving him up to them?”

“I would say we assist to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, if that is the case, yes. I’m sure the Professor would prefer that.” Colossus agreed.

“Freaking goody two shoes, all of you.” Wade sighed. “But he has to get arrested or dead okay? I don’t get paid otherwise.” He paused though, then looking back up to Colossus before suddenly elbowing him. As if he’d even really feel that. “And hello rudeness, are you not going to introduce me to your little girls night out club here before we go bust some heads in a gratuitous X-Force/X-Men hotties crossover?”

“X-Force?” Kitty asked, sounding as already over this as could be.

“Well, we are a little empty on the roster at the moment. Some...unfortunate parachuting incidents. Wind advisory that day. You know how it goes.” Deadpool shrugged.

By her expression, no. She did not know how it went.

But the sooner you started, the sooner this could be over. Colossus motioned to each of you in turn, “Peter, (Y/N), and Kitty. These are my teammates and friends.” He nodded back to Deadpool, “And this is Wade.” And then to the boy. “And Russell.”

Of course you already knew who they both were. It’d been a bit of a scandal really, with the whole Essex House fiasco and the deaths that had occurred there. Fair or not, a lot of the blame had ended up on Juggernaut the second time around though you thought. Which is why Charles hadn’t had to deal with too much bad press in the aftermath.

You could not let this become another Essex House situation for the X-Men though. You were about to speak up about heading to the basement together and Deadpool staying out of your way so you all could neutralize everyone without any fatal hits, when he gasped dramatically, making you freeze again.

“Kitty!? Like an actual girl named Kitty? Oh my God, this whole time I thought you were his cat!” He hit his own leg, laughing. “I’m thinking, holy shit this guy loves his goddamn cat, but who am I to judge you know? I had a dog named Mr. Shuggums. Cutest little fucker.” He took a breath. “I miss him.”

“Wade.” Colossus groaned. “We do not have all night.”

Okay, so there was still something sweet about Colossus gushing about his girlfriend even to this manic mercenary. But no kidding, this show really needed to get on the road here.

“Guys, why don’t we just let Peter disarm them all, Colossus, you grab Giovanni, and Kitty and I deal with anyone who still resists? No one has to get hurt, and then it’s all done, easy.”

“And then we go find somewhere else to eat. Killing me here. I wanted that damn calzone and tiramisu.” Peter sighed, pulling his goggles back down over his eyes again. “More guns coming up.”

He disappeared at once, but when he didn’t return immediately as you were so accustomed to, you and Kitty exchanged a nervous look.

And after only another few seconds, your instincts told you something had definitely gone wrong.

“Is the basement directly beneath us?” You asked Deadpool sharply, already reaching out a hand to Kitty. Your adrenaline was starting, all good feelings gone as it was now time to act.

But you’d worked together long enough now, you didn’t have to explain your plan to her or Colossus.

Yet when the previously mouthy merc had no instant response, just staring at you in thought, it was clear he hadn’t done any recon beforehand at all. He’d literally just walked in here and expected everything to work out.

“Perfect.” Kitty said sarcastically, glancing quickly to Colossus as she took your hand. “You’re our backup, dear, in case our vertical entrance doesn’t work out. Come find us.”

“Always.” He said, already turning, his weight shaking the floor as he ran to look for any stairway downward while you and Kitty dropped straight through the floor.

It was surely a risk of its own to use her phasing ability so blindly as this. You could end up in a too small crawlspace, in underground piping, a sewer system, anything really. She’d make sure not to go solid until it was safe, as to not impale or bury you alive of course. But if Peter were in trouble, there was no time to waste by ending up at a dead end and having to go back up and try again.

You’d held your breath, as there was no way for you to process oxygen either as your lungs and every other part of you shifted through the other matter. It was darkness and insulation, pipes, and conduit that flashed by at first. But in the fractions of seconds that it took to fall, you had already powered up. The white light of your energy field overtaking your body, shielding you both as you did fall into a larger open area.

It was even darker than the restaurant above, all concrete and dampness. The glow from your body was the brightest thing there as much more men than you’d expected all turned in surprise. You saw the glint of multiple gun barrels now, but the thing you wanted to see most was Peter’s silver hair as you’d scanned the area for him instantly.

There was a stairwell in the distance. He was laying near the bottom of it. But you had no time to be shocked or afraid, only anger swelled as you released Kitty’s hand, making you solid again. “I’ll get him.” Was all you said. Letting her know to protect herself as you flew to him. Bullets couldn’t hurt her if she was ready for them. But Peter would be defenseless without one of you now, and by means of your power of flight you were the faster of you and her.

The man closest to Peter had a different kind of gun though you realized. Something you didn’t recognize at all as he aimed at you. You splayed your palms to create an energy shield in front of you as he pulled the trigger.

It didn’t make a sound though. But everything around you instantly distorted as pain exploded through you. You saw five or six of him now, as your feet hit the ground, unable to concentrate enough to fly then. But even as you stumbled, realizing your shielding wasn’t fully stopping whatever that weapon was doing, you were still able to expand your shield rapidly, hitting the man with the force of a car in your pain and sending him flying into a nearby wall, the weapon clattering to the ground lightly against his now limp body.

But you still felt like you were going to puke.

“Kill them you idiots!” Someone screamed.

You dropped yourself, laying over Peter just as quickly, grateful to feel him breathing as you focused through the pain to extend a shield around you both as the gunfire started.

“Bitch!” Another man yelled as Kitty just walked unharmed through all the flying bullets towards you.

“Shadowcat actually,” She said, skilled enough in her powers to choose what was solid and what wasn’t. Just the outside of her fist being all she needed to crush his nose in one punch with a squirt of blood, and only the end of her foot used as she swept her leg after to knock his own right out from under him.

Even among your own team, sometimes people could forget that that petite Jewish girl was about as skilled a martial artist as anyone could be.

“Babe?” You heard against your ear though, glancing back down to Peter. There was real relief even in the chaos as you saw him smile up at you.

He talked back against your ear in the noise as Kitty continued to utterly wreck the guys around you. “I fucked up a little, right? That gun...they already had it going, aimed at the door when I came back, a trap...I think I hit every stair on the way down...I still see like three of you right now.”

“Ditto.” You breathed.

And then there was another even louder noise as the remnants of a door also came flying down the stairs. Colossus barreled in behind it like a stampeding elephant, Deadpool right behind him as they leapt over the both of you and joined the fray.

“We found the basement!” Deadpool announced gleefully, swords swinging. “Don’t think they’d even locked the door back actually, but fuck if big Russki doesn’t love a dramatic entrance!”

For a moment you thought all your words about at least trying not to kill had been for nothing, thinking Deadpool was going to chop these men into literal pieces. But even as blood sprayed left and right, you realized he was just cutting tendons. The men then unable to hold their guns, unable to stand at all as he crippled each he reached in succession.

It was still completely horrific, but hell, how much could you really ask for from someone like him? Especially when you yourself had slammed that one man into a concrete wall as if he were a ragdoll. You glanced over anxiously for a moment, glad to see him shifting a little, but still crumpled exactly where you’d thrown him. He was alive, a small relief at least.

——————————

Obviously the other gunmen hadn’t had a prayer either though once you’d all been down there together.

Colossus already had a still cursing Giovanni slung over one shoulder as you were now helping Peter back up and trying not to step in all the blood as you all walked over to Kitty.

“What a mess...very interesting weapon though,” She spoke of that odd gun that’d been used on you and Peter, it now in her hands as she turned it one way and then another examining it. “I’m bringing this back with us. The police don’t need anything like this. Hank and I can figure out how it works. And how to defend against it hopefully before we run into another one of these out in the field.”

“It seems this Giovanni was more a threat than expected,” Colossus said, giving the still squirming man an unhappy look, before looking back to you all. “Are you alright, Peter?”

“I’m still hungry.” Peter grumbled, an arm over your shoulder to still help stabilize him as his other hand went to his head as if it were pounding. He also had some bruising starting on his face, no doubt from his tumble down the stairs. “I wouldn’t have drank so damn much if I’d known we weren’t going to eat...”

With the speed of his metabolism, that alcohol likely was hitting him pretty hard now on his already empty stomach.

“We should turn this guy over and get out of here.” You agreed. Though you didn’t feel so hot yourself. Still a little nauseous from whatever that weapon did to your senses. But at least you weren’t seeing triple of everything anymore.

“Hold it, girl scouts!” Deadpool piped up, chipper as ever as he grabbed something at Giovanni’s neck before any of you could think to stop him.

The man choked just a moment though, before a piece of metal snapped off into Wade’s hands. It was a necklace, with a symbol of some sort. You saw just a glimpse of it before Deadpool pocketed it. “No proof of finishing the job, no payday for DP. No payday, then no liquor, no coke, no hookers. Am I right?”

It was too difficult to tell when if ever he was serious, and you all chose to ignore his comment, starting back up the stairs. The odd sounds of bullet fragments falling back down the stairwell caught Peter’s attention though as he gave a grossed out look to Wade for a moment.

The now impact deformed bullets were starting to work themselves back out of all the bloody holes in Deadpool’s costume. You knew where you’d seen that before of course, but Peter was the only one that actually said it aloud.

“Damn, you and Logan would be a pair.”

There was a pause, and you could swear even with the mask, you thought you saw Wade’s cheekbones move in a way that signaled he was outright grinning from ear to ear. “At least someone gets it. He still won’t return my calls though. Such a diva lately.”

Once you did get to the top of the stairs, you only found a very agitated Russell standing there, Wade’s guns in his arms. “You took long enough, the cops are outside you know. I’m not going back to jail for you!”

“Cool your tater tots, kid.” Deadpool responded lazily, in no hurry, but grabbing the weapons back to holster them all regardless.

“I could have finished this faster! I would have fried their asses!” Russell argued.

“You would have been shot. Fire does not stop bullets.” Colossus only answered matter of factly.

Russell made a face, but Wade cut him off before he could say any more.

“Now now, listen to metal daddy. No sass. And actually, I think there’s something we should talk about, champ. X-Force is way more badass and all, but we don’t exactly have a training and junior member tier yet. Maybe later. You might want to think about riding home with these guys and checking their setup out. I don’t have any powers myself to relate to you like that, except me being very shootable, devastatingly charming, sexy, smart, and a competitive level Skee-Ball player...”

Deadpool sighed, continuing. “But these guys have a Danger Room. Which is totally not a sex dungeon, yeah I was bummed about that too. But they could let you unleash that school shooter level teenage angst and burn all the shit you wanted until you really figure out your powers.”

Russel bristled. “I’m not a school shooter you prick! And you always said the X-Men were neutered dweebs and-”

Wade coughed loudly, ushering Russell forward suddenly as you all continued to walk. “Hah, kids. Such darlings. Mishear everything don’t they?”

Colossus only answered without offense though. “The offer is still open, Russell. Though you have said no before. The Professor would never turn down a young mutant in need.”

It was Peter who surprised you a little, a smirk on his face as he contributed. “Freaking sweet house too, man. Xavier’s loaded. Big screen TV, a pool, basketball court, your own room, supersonic jet. Bunch of cute girls as well, or cute boys, you know whatever you’re into.”

“I’m not gay.” Russell huffed, but actually looked to be listening now as he didn’t immediately spit back with a sarcastic retort.

Though you gave Peter a weird look and he just grinned. “What? I stayed for you didn’t I, babe? Just saying. I wasn’t exactly on board with the whole team thing before that either. I know where he’s coming from is all.”

“It’s up to you, Russell.” Kitty said more diplomatically, before returning to the matter at hand. “We’re parked at that parking garage two blocks south. Everyone meet back there, Colossus and I will hand this guy over to the cops out front. The rest of you, I’m sure there’s got to be some emergency exit you can sneak out of. Probably better to split up actually. Less attention.”

—————————

Just as Kitty had suggested, Deadpool and Russell went out one way, and you and Peter another. You came out onto another street behind the restaurant. And you’d just finally started to relax again, Peter taking your hand in his own and walking away like an honest to God normal couple for once, just out on the town together before you noticed an oddly placed white van with distinct lettering on it.

Peter saw it too just as the light from a camera hit you both.

“Hell,” You breathed.

“Want to run?” He asked seriously.

“Too late, they’d just film us ditching, and say we had something to hide.”

Your headache was returning in full force you thought as you steeled yourself, seeing the reporter now in a full sprint towards you.

“It’s Quicksilver! And (your codename)! The X-Men are here!” A woman shouted.

As you walked closer to the news van, the camera flashes only increased. It looked like a small group of paparazzi had also camped out here, hoping for this exact result. How did word travel so damn fast?

“Marcia Fletcher, WAFN nightly news!” She introduced herself at once, her camera man there just as quickly, huffing a little from the run as he got you both in focus.

You could see the lights on on his camera as she shoved her microphone in front of you and Peter. “You’re on live coverage of the Ruffiano’s restaurant shootings with WAFN. Is it true that Giovani Marcello was apprehended here tonight by the X-Men? And how did you know he was here when he’s been on Interpol’s most wanted list for four years?”

You knew without looking at him that Peter was happily deferring the speaking role to you now as you tried not to look rattled. You attempted to think of what Charles would and wouldn’t want you to say, even with the pain in your head and lingering nausea. “We didn’t know who was here. We were in the area and saw people running and went to help, that’s all.” You lied.

“But the reports of gunshots, witnesses also said Deadpool had drawn a gun on a restaurant employee and Colossus was seen inside. Is Deadpool now affiliated with the X-Men again? Did he shoot anyone?”

“Deadpool is not affiliated with the X-Men. Colossus was here tonight, but he only would have been defending anyone he thought in danger. Deadpool did not shoot anyone.” You tried to keep to short truths that time.

“But then why was Deadpool there? Should people really believe it would be a coincidence that the X-Men and Deadpool would be at the same incidence at one time if not working together?”

“Well you’re here aren’t you? Are you affiliated with us?” You replied before you could stop yourself, though still restraining the annoyance you really wanted to put into that statement. “Trouble attracts a crowd.”

Peter made a sound, a restrained laugh you knew. But before the reporter could blurt out another question, one of the now growing number of paparazzi called out, “(Your codename), hey look here! Is it true you and Quicksilver are still dating!?”

You knew better than to be baited, humoring any of them just made it worse. They were like piranhas. But Peter couldn’t help it, turning to look as so many cameras flashed. His arm slid around you protectively. “Why wouldn’t we be, dude?” He called back.

“Are you saying the photos of (your codename) and Gambit were before you two reconciling?”

It took every ounce of your self control to not respond, but oh God did you want to. It was the mission in Tanzania. You knew it. You, Storm, and Gambit. Peter had stayed in the U.S. for that one as it’d been the holidays and his Mom had wanted both he and Wanda over for some time together.

After the mission was over, the three of you had ended up on one of the beautiful Tanzanian beaches for a single day. Just a single day to yourselves.

You’d had the audacity to wear a revealing bathing suit though and you and Remy had been photographed together, him shirtless of course because it was a goddamn beach. And laughing and smiling because, surprise, you were friends! And they’d cropped Ororo out in all the closeups for complete loss of context.

It’d been a thing in some of the tabloids for a while, but you really thought that had finally blown over. Of course if anyone asked Remy, he liked to play coy on the whole subject to keep up his God’s gift to all men and women sex symbol status.

“Peter, let’s just go,” You whispered in his ear, sure anything else said would only make things worse.

But you could read him all too well, and when he turned his face to look back at you, you already knew what he was going to do. You didn’t try to stop him, because never would you humiliate him on live television with any type of rejection, but oh, you would never live this one down. Never.

He kissed you hard. And there was nothing fake about it, honestly the kind of kiss usually reserved for your bedroom as you felt heat rising up in you. The camera flashes clicking over and over as you could still taste the alcohol he’d drank before.

When he finally released you again, you gasped a little. He gave the photographers a ‘fuck you’ look, before speaking just to you. “Now we can go.”

“Fly or run?” You breathed.

“Fly please. I’m still about half out of it.” He admitted.

You powered up to some surprised and excited sounds from the crowd. Your whole body glowing white again in the energy you emitted.

“Wait, aren’t you going to stay and talk to the police!?” The reporter shouted.

“They know where to find us if they need us.” You answered, extending your energy field around Peter, before you took off vertically, making sure to get sideways over the rooftops as soon as you could though to breakup their camera angles and finally give you privacy again at last.

You landed gently atop the parking garage only a few moments later, letting him go again as you powered back down.

“Are you mad at me?” He asked, just taking your hand again though.

“No.” You said truthfully. “But, I have no idea what we’ve really just done. We still have to go home...home where the Professor always watches the 10:00 news with his late night tea.”

Peter sighed, only half joking. “We could always go stay with my Mom for a while?”

You just moved in closer, pulling him against you as you laid your head on his shoulder. “We’ll survive, babe. Somehow we always do.”

“I think that says more about you than me though. Pretty sure I’d be face down in a ditch somewhere already if it weren’t for you.”

You chuckled, wrapping your arms around his neck then before raising your head back up to kiss him once more. Much softer this time, and even longer than his jealous little display a few minutes ago.

He made one of his little noises of contentment, hands sliding down to squeeze your butt through the thin pants you were wearing. As he pulled your hips tighter against him, he broke the kiss enough to speak regretfully. “I really was hoping to get lucky tonight...”

“Same.” You smiled. It had been a while. Mostly from you both being so tired by the time you finally got in bed. Passing out on each other had more been the norm the past couple weeks. “We get some food in you, and see where things go?”

“Gross! Get a room!”

You startled at the sudden shouting, having wholly thought yourselves alone up here in the moonlight.

Peter rolled his eyes, yelling back at Russell, “Kid, we have one! And we’d already be back there by now if it wasn’t for your little mafia hunting shenanigans!”

You looked over to see Deadpool and Russell both standing in the doorway to the parking garage stairs.

Wade whistled, leaning back against the doorframe. “Way to take down that Marcia Fletcher a notch! I always found her too uppity to be honest. I think she’s still butt hurt that they didn’t give her the lead anchor spot when Carl Sanderson moved to the early bird morning show. Tanya Meyer on the 5:00 news though, that’s my girl.”

You blinked. “How...how do you know-” It was literally minutes ago, it would have taken them just this long to walk here.

Deadpool lifted up his cell phone. “Facebook live, bitches. Don’t you follow WAFN? The recipes they post from Saturday morning cooking with Pat are always delish.” He looked back down at the phone though, happily reading. “Hah! Peggy Fredrickson from Brewster, New York thinks Marcia’s contouring and drawn on eyebrows are getting worse. Fire your makeup person, Marcia.” He tapped something on the screen. “Like comment! Oh, and Michael Morris from Ridgefield says who wouldn’t do Remy LeBeau. Damn, Michael, all out and proud on main.”

Peter let go of you, taking an annoyed breath. But then looking back to you. “Please let me at least prank Remy, something, anything.”

“But he didn’t do anything.” You replied, though only more stressed now that this was already blowing up on social media.

“Exactly! He should have at least denied it! But no, Mr. cool Cajun can’t admit that you’d actually choose me over him.”

“Hey now, I think you’re looking at this the wrong way, Quickie.” Deadpool interjected. “There’s always the ménage à trois option. I mean he’s French right? And Michael from Ridgefield is just spitting truth. Who wouldn’t want to do Remy LeBeau? He could shuffle my cards anytime.”

“You guys are so fucking weird.” Russell groaned. “Can we go find your damn car now?”

But you didn’t move yet, still looking fully at Peter. “Wade’s just trying to get under your skin. We all know how Remy is. He’d flirt with a piece of cardboard if it suited him. It doesn’t mean anything to him.” You recognized that Gambit was physically attractive of course, you had eyes too after all. But that was the only extent of it. You loved Peter. Not to mention you wouldn’t at all want to get on Rogue’s bad side. She and Gambit were tumultuous enough without someone else being added to the mix.

“This is adorable, really. But I did bring ‘good job team for sending a little girl selling, gentrification funding, pencil dick mob boss to butt fucking federal prison’ cannolis. Want some?” Deadpool offered, lifting up a large takeout box you somehow hadn’t noticed before.

Peter’s shoulders dropped a little, still heavily annoyed though eyeing the box. “So does this mean you’re coming back with us too?”

Wade shrugged, “The kid doesn’t know you guys. What kind of daddy would I be if I didn’t at least go and make sure he actually wanted to stay in your little mutant commune before I ditch him there?”

“You aren’t my damned dad.” Russell said, though almost sounding too tired to argue further at this point. He reached up, taking a cannoli from the box and biting into it as he started to walk back down the stairwell. “What floor is the car on?”

“Just one down from here, you already passed it. Black SUV,” you answered. Colossus and Kitty must not have been here yet if Wade and Russell had made it all the way to the top deck without finding them.

Peter grabbed your hand again, walking with you to the doorway as he grabbed three cannolis out the box begrudgingly with his other hand. He passed one off to you, before biting into the other two in quick succession.

And you only had a moment to see all the thick scarring under Wade’s mask as he lifted it just enough to start eating one himself, before turning to follow you both out and down the stairwell.

———————————

(Concluded in Part 2 here)

[seven-oomen]

Breaking the cycle | How Teen Wolf portrays its traumatized fathers

First of, I would like to say that the following words are my take on this. I am a 29 year old trans man of Caucasian descend who is an domestic violence and abuse survivor. I am diagnosed with ADHD since 12 and diagnosed with CPTSD since this year. I understand trauma and I understand what it does to people. But I am not a professional. I am a fan.

Secondly, the characters I’ll be talking about today are specifically the fathers of some of the main characters in Teen Wolf. Namely Chris Argent, Peter Hale, and Noah Stilinski. 

I realize there are many more traumatized parents who would fit well in this essay and while I thought about including them, I decided that for now, these are the three characters I’m focusing on.

I would love to hear your thoughts about some of the other parents and how their traumatizing pasts might have contributed to the way they raised their children.

Sources are listed under the read more. The gifs I’m using are from Google.

I will be focusing on these characters, discuss what sort of trauma they have, how it affects them and how it affects the way they then raised their children. And why their stories are important for trauma and abuse survivors.

Let’s start with Noah Stilinski.

From Episode 3, Season 6 Sundowning we know the following about Noah’s homelife:

Elias was known for being both emotionally and physically abusive, and on at least one occasion, Noah stepped in to protect his mother from his abuse, causing his father to inadvertently throw him into a glass coffee table; his shoulder was scarred, and tiny fragments of glass remain under the now-healed wound even in the present day.

He even tells Scott: (While talking about a memory of him and Claudia in College.) “The kind of father I wish I had. The kind I... I hope to be."

In the same episode Noah also refers to the incident above as “That time.” Indicating that it wasn’t the first time this happened and it wasn’t the last either.

Piecing all the information together we can conclude that Noah was emotionally, psychologically, and physically abused by his father. We can also conclude that this abuse extended to his mother. Meaning he was also a victim of domestic violence.

There is also evidence in the episode that Elias might have abused Stiles, or at the very least has a very negative opinion of his grandson.  “ That's right! Act like I'm not even here! Go crawling back to your dead wife and loser son!”

This scarred Noah, both physically and mentally. We see evidence of this in episodes where he reacts violently and explosively any time his son is hurt. He immediately blows up and threatens physical violence against the people who hurt his son. 

A part of that is parental protection, but imagine that someone beat the living crap out of you and those you love every day of your life. Once you’re free of that person it leaves a mark and a smoldering fear of seeing the people around you getting hurt. When it happens you get angry, at the people who hurt your loved one, and at yourself. You weren’t there to protect them, you were too late.

Noah blames himself whenever Stiles gets hurt. I believe, based on his childhood home life that Noah corresponds his son getting hurt with failure as a parent. And knowing where he comes from, that’s an extra sore subject for him.

We have basis of it in canon.

We can also see that Noah’s guilt tends to eat at him if he ever has to discipline Stiles or yell at him. As shown in the following scene.

I believe that the abuse Noah endured makes him a very scared individual especially when it comes to raising his son. He’s constantly afraid he’s turning into his father, his afraid of making the same mistakes. He’s afraid he’ll scar and traumatize his own as he was traumatized himself.

The fact that Noah is aware of what he’s doing, that he stops when asked is enough of an indication to tell us, the audience, that he isn’t his father. Once Stiles indicates he’s okay, or simply tells his father to stop, Noah stops immediately. He usually hugs his son or initiates a kind physical contact right after. 

He stops, he reflects, realizes his mistake, and tries to do better.

This is one way to break the cycle. Noah’s not perfect at it, we can see him struggle many times. He insults Stiles or his intelligence without meaning to, passing it off as a joke, he’s constantly working and is not around as much as he should be. And those are valid criticisms of this character.

But deep at his core Noah’s trying to break a cycle of physical and emotional abuse, he’s trying to be there for Stiles. Tells him to go to school, tries to keep an eye on Stiles and tries to talk to him whenever he has the chance to explore Stiles’s wellbeing and feelings.

This is a man who went through hell as a child, became a father, and decided to do better.

Noah is a character who effectively broke a viscous cycle and has a wonderful and strong relationship with his son as a result. It’s not without flaws and Noah’s not perfect. But he’s generally not abusive or an abuser. And that is a step in the right direction.

It also shows us, the audience, that no matter what home life you come from, you can arise above your own traumas and do better for the next generation.

-

Now Chris Argent is an interesting one. I already talked about Chris and trauma in my daddy’s little soldier meta.

Considering the type of person Gerard is, and how he treats several teenagers in the show. I believe Chris is also a victim of emotional, psychological, and physical abuse. We don’t know much about his home life with his mother, so that I can not speculate on.

What we do know is, Gerard has no qualms about hurting children and teenagers. He’s admitted that he would kill his own son if it meant he survived. He’s raised his own son to be a weapon and to compartmentalize his emotions. I shudder to think as to what methods Gerard must have used on Chris. But as we never see them, I can only speculate.

So how did Chris break his cycle of abuse?

By not raising Allison to be a hunter. For the first seventeen years of her life, Allison didn’t know the Supernatural existed. She was kept out of her father’s life until it was no longer possible. She was never raised as a soldier, she wasn’t raised to hide her feelings. If anything, her father encouraged her and nurtured her to the best of his abilities. Chris tried to be there for his daughter. 

He even moved her to France to get her away from their lives. He quit something he was raised to do and did it successfully, just to protect his daughter. He grew up to be everything his father wasn’t.

And while Chris, too, is not perfect at it, he does try and breaks the cycle.

He’s aware of their problems, addresses them, and tries to do better. He even extends this nurturing and protective side to Isaac later down the line. 

Chris, a victim of abuse, sees the signs of abuse in Isaac, and decides; this one, this one I will nurture and protect too. Which he eventually accomplishes by bringing him to France and away from the craziness that is Beacon Hills. (Would have been nice to get a good plot about Chris adopting Isaac, but well, that’s another rant.)

Chris, like Noah, shows that even if you were raised in the worst circumstances, by being aware of your trauma and how that affects others, you can break the cycle and come out on top.

-

And last but not least we have someone who went through an horrific event and possibly emotional abuse from his family, discovered he was a father, and then had to adjust.

I’m talking about Peter Hale.

Now Peter is not a morally good character in general. He has no qualms about killing people who get in his way. From what we know about his childhood Peter also had anger issues as a small child and often broke his toys. 

However, the reason why I’m stating that Peter was most likely emotionally abused (I think by his sister Talia) is because we know that Talia, would not believe Peter about the fire and the Argents and waved his concerns away without considering them. She manipulated multiple of his memories and frequently hid the truth from him. And we know that their relationship from before the fire was strained.

We also know that Peter does care about his family. He cared for Cora in the hospital and he does care about whether Derek lives or dies and tends to keep an eye out for his nephew. In later seasons we also see Peter caring about his only daughter Malia and even express fear for her wellbeing when they go up against the Anuk-Ite. 

His love for Malia is eventually what frees him from the Ghost Riders control and his wish for her to live is what motivates his decisions in Season 6 to try and keep her safe, and when he can’t keep her away from the fight, he joins her and tries to protect her.

Now I believe that the Peter we see in S1,2, 3 and S6B are the real Peter Hale. A traumatized man who believes his only way to stay alive is through manipulation and careful planning. But he does genuinely seem to care about a few people, Cora, Derek, and Malia.

In Season 1 Peter is still coming out of his traumatic event (being burned alive and then being in a coma) and he has to navigate a new world. He kills Laura (or so it is speculated) for her Alpha power and to heal himself. Because to Peter, he is the only one who can avenge his family and resolve the traumatic event he went through.

Revenge, of course, is generally not a good way to resolve trauma and the plan doesn’t work. His trauma is not resolved by killing Kate and he dies that night.

When Peter comes back practically powerless he has to navigate carefully and he does so through manipulating the people around him. To Peter, manipulation is the only way to stay alive and get ahead. This idea of his, had to come from somewhere.

This is where my theory of emotional abuse kicks in. Because if Peter was emotionally abused by his sister (for which there is evidence in canon), he most likely picked up his tactic of manipulation as a survival tactic.

Now out of the list. Peter is the only person who doesn’t fully rise above his past. The past still haunts him as he becomes a protector of Beacon Hills in S6B. But I firmly think that if we got to see more of Peter past this point, we would have seen a man starting his journey to recognizing his toxic traits and trying to do better by them. But that of course, is just speculation.

Peter’s story teaches us that the road to healing and becoming a better person isn’t always linear. It’s not a given that you’ll heal if you aren’t ready to accept it. Or if you’re so focused on getting revenge that healing is impossible, it’s also not going to work. And usually, trying to heal requires a positive presence in your life (Malia), a support system (Malia and the pack), and a willingness to recognize what you’re doing wrong and to better yourself moving forward.

Sources:

Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse - Article written by a psychologist and peer reviewed by a psychiatrist

The cycles of violence - Article written for the WHO by the University of Birmingham

The Teen Wolf Wiki - for all information and episodes of these characters

Teen Wolf - MTV tv show that owns the characters.

[ask-marcus-cally-and-ari]

Only Human

Chapter 15: Ride or Die

The trio had been allowed to wander while the Freaks discussed their next plan. Marcus, for his part, went looking for a cot or a bed. “I’m so f*cking tired.”

“We have a few spare beds in the medical ward,” a nearby intern piped up, looking up as Marcus passed her desk.

“Thanks.”

“My nephew talks about you a lot,” the intern added. “Jackie Ruez?”

“Our small forward. Nice guy,” Marcus smiled, sitting down. “I remember he didn’t know much English when he first started.”

“You and your friends tutored him, right?”

“That was all Cal. I just taught him basketball and Ari taught him how to paint.”

“He’s been painting a lot these days. “He went through 10 packs of watercolors in just three months.”

Marcus chuckled. “I remember swapping his acrylics with finger paint as a joke. He chased me all through school that day. I probably deserved it.”

“So that’s why he came home with paint all over his hands.”

“I had to wash my hair for an hour to get it all out.” Marcus smiled, and then sighed, a look of tiredness no teenager should have had on his face.. “...look, can you just... just tell him I’m okay?”

“Of course.”

“The last time I got in trouble, it was some kids from a nearby school who jumped me. My teammates tracked down each one, took some bats and metal pipes, and put them all in the hospital. In one night. I don’t want them doing anything like that now. They could get hurt, and on my mama, I bet those *ssholes would turn them just to f*ck with me.”

“You know, if you wanted you could ask Colonel Dyson to put them under HECU Protection. It’s like Witness Protection, just with a lot more security.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

The intern nodded and picked up the nearby phone. “Do you want to call him yourself or do you want me to put in the request?”

“I’d like you to do it. I want to call my team.”

“There’s a phone in the break room over there.” The intern gestured down the hall to Marcus’ right.

“Thanks.”

---

“Man, this sucks! Marcus is who-knows-where being hunted and we can’t do sh*t to help!”

A young teen, no more than 14, grumbled sourly to himself while kicking over a box of wood chips in an abandoned warehouse. Another kid, a few years older than him, looked up from their phone.

“I got a lead a few hours ago. From what I can gather, it looks like he was heading to HECU Headquarters. I don’t know if they’ve made it there yet, though.”

“What can we do? These are, like, supervillains! And we’re just teenagers!”

“We could track them. Cally has a bunch of brainiac friends. Get them together and have them start looking for those *ssholes,” a tall boy, likely 17, suggested.

“Maybe we should get some of Ari’s friends, too,” another kid added.

“Yeah. The more, the better.”

The kid with the phone sat up and started briskly typing away. “Guys, you’re not gonna believe this, but it looks like Marcus has some Freaks of his own. You guys know Spyper and Intelligent Heavy, right?”

“I think so. Didn’t Spyper get his head chopped off and put on someone else’s body?”

“Yeah, he got his body swapped around with Sny.”

“Hey, Wilson. Start finding more good Freaks. The more join up, the more chance Marcus has of getting through this. Have the brainiacs help.”

“I think Marcus is way ahead of us. I found some security footage of the road outside HECU Headquarters and just take a look at who’s with him.” Wilson showed the other kids the footage, where a handful of Freaks accompanied the Trio inside, including Count Jester.

“He got the clown with him?” a younger kid piped up.

“Apparently. Now all he needs is us-” 

Ring! Ring!

“Huh? My phone!”

“Who is it, Jackie?”

“Unknown Number. Should I answer it?”

“Answer it, but don’t say anything. If it’s spam, they’ll hang up if they don’t hear anything.”

Jackie did. “Hello?”

“Jackie? It’s Marcus. Are you okay?”

“Marcus!” Jackie gasped. “Are you in HECU? We’ve been looking all over for you!”

“Yeah, I’m at HECU. Your aunt says hi.”

“Aw. How long have you been at HECU?”

“Jester teleported us here about an hour ago. Apparently they were tricked into holding us for the guy who wants to kill us, but that’s been sorted out, and they gave me a pet, so we’re cool now.”

“...I’m sorry, what?” 

“Yeah, everyone trying to kill us is working for one dude.”

“Yeah that doesn’t sound bad at all,” Jackie winced.

“Tell me about it. Anyway. I’m calling to ask you not to do something stupid.”

“Whaaaat? Psh, nah, we’re not gonna do anything stupid. Right, guys?” Jackie said with a snide grin, winking at the rest of his team.

“You worry too much, Quinn. Chill.”

“Yeah. Rest easy, we’re not gonna pull some sh*t.”

“Alright. Stay safe out there. And don’t go near any emo Snipers you see.”

“Sure thing, man.”

Jackie hung up, still grinning. “So. Who’s ready to hunt an emo Sniper?’

“I’ll get the others. Viktor. Does your family still have all those weapons?”

“Yeah. Which ones do we need?”

“As many as you can get. Especially long-range. We did tell Marcus that we wouldn’t approach the f*cker, so sniping is the way to go.”

“There’s nothing quite like exploiting a loophole,” Viktor grinned, heading out of the warehouse.

The other boy nodded and dialed a number. “Hey, Olga? Gather the brainiacs. We know where Marcus, Cally, and Ari are.”

“Wait, really!?”

“Yeah. A buncha Freaks are trying to kill them.”

“WHAT!?”

“Yeah. Apparently”

“Holy sh*t... Alright, what do you need help with?”

“Hacking. We need you to track down as many Freaks as you can.”

“On it.”

“And get Ari’s friends. We need numbers.”

“Gotcha.”

Hanging up that call felt heavy, like the life-changing moment it would be for everyone involved.

“Should we have anyone over at HECU to keep an eye on Marcus?”

“No. Then they’d know what we’re doing and try to stop us. We gotta stay off the radar. Wear masks. Disguise our voices. Make sure nobody can identify us.”

“I had a feeling we’d need these!” another kid shouted from the bottom of the warehouse, pulling along a rack of all black disguises.

“Hey, you’re the theater kid, right? I knew you were useful for something.”

“Yep! I had these costumes ready for awhile but we never needed them. UNTIL NOW!”

“Awesome. Guys, get home. We’ll meet back here tonight.”

“Alright. Nobody die overnight!”

“Don’t jinx it.”

The theater kid knocked on the side of the warehouse on their way out.

---

“Thank you all for coming. As you know, a bunch of superpowered *ssholes have decided to kill our friends, and we, the students of Dade City High, cannot allow this to happen.”

As the student body president spoke, Viktor handed weapons to everyone in attendance. 

“You are being given weapons now. If you do not know how to use them, Viktor will teach you on the way.”

“What’s the current plan of attack?” A younger student piped up among the crowd.

“We go to HECU. Its location is confidential, but our hackers have found it. We also have a van we stole from a junkyard and fixed to be our ride. You know, to make it harder to track.”

“How are we all gonna fit in one van?” Another student called from the back of the crowd.

“Like sardines.” 

“Also, I have a trailer. We can use that for training and extra space,” added a rich kid.

“Couldn’t we just use an old school bus?” One of the engineering students pondered. “Wouldn’t take much to jumpstart it, and nobody would be suspicious of a school bus going through Evo City.”

“From Dade City? That’s two states away,” put in a chess club student.

“What about an activity bus? It’s not uncommon for students to go on field trips that take them across state lines,” another engineering student added.

“That works. You two go steal it. We can take both.”

The engineering students nodded and gathered up their bags before leaving for the school’s parking lot, their bags clinking with metal on the way out.

“Did everyone pack some clothes and supplies?”

“Yeah, but why not electronics?”

The rich kid spoke up again. “I got a cheap phone plan. Everyone gets a phone. This way our parents can’t track us.”

“And they can’t be tracked by anyone else, can they?” a skeptical student inqueried, looking their phone over.

“I was kinda hoping you tech whiz guys could take care of that,” the rich kid replied sheepishly.

The small group of tech students all glanced at each other before sharing a collective nod. “Give us 10 minutes.”

“Good.”

“What do we do once at HECU?”

“Find out where our friends are. By force if necessary.”

“And if any hostile Freaks show up while we’re doing that?”

“Why do you think I’m giving you weapons?” Viktor deadpanned, holding up his own gun.

“Ask a stupid question,” the class clown teased.

“I mean like, one of the really bad ones. Like Painis. I don’t even think our weapons would work against him.”

“Probably run. Or run him over.”

“Let’s pray that Freaks like Nightmare Medic or HOOVYDUNDY aren’t part of this whole thing.”

“Hmm... hey, I just remembered. I have an aunt that works at HECU.”

“Uh... who are you?” the student body president asked.

“Melissa James.”

“Oh no,” the student body gasped in unison.

“...is that bad?”

“Are... are you related to Anita James, by any chance?”

“Yeah! That’s my aunt! She taught me how to build bombs. And tasers.”

“Holy sh*t! You’re related to a mad scientist! THE mad scientist!”

“Yeah, she’s a bit... eccentric. But the point is, she could be our in. And get us better weapons when we get there.”

“Isn’t she under constant surveillance though? I heard she blew up HECU twice in the last three months. That’s not something you just leave unmonitored.”

“In the same three months, she built a weapon that can level cities, a teleportation device, an army of attack microbots, and a shield generator. We could use those against stronger Freaks.”

“Would she even let us use them?”

“She’s a mad scientist who needs her weapons tested, and I hear her boss won’t let her give them to HECU soldiers. I’m not worried.”

“Well…”

“What choice do we have, Todd? Do you want them to kill Ari? Or Marcus? Or Cally? We’re desperate, and beggars can’t be choosers.”

The student sighed. “Alright. Give her a call.”

---

RING! RING!

“Hello?”

“Hey, Aunt Anita.”

“Oh! Hi, Melissa! How are you?”

“Not good. My friends are in danger. I think you may have seen them. Marcus, Cally, and Ari?”

Anita paused, lifting her pen off her notepad. “...yes, they just came in earlier today.”

“Some friends and I are coming to help him out, and we were wondering about using your weapons to do it.”

“Hmm... Come around the back of HECU. I’ll keep the door unlocked for you.”

“Heh... thanks, Aunt Anita. Also, could you maybe not tell those three about this? We told Marcus we wouldn’t do anything crazy, and if he finds out we’re doing this, we’re gonna get our *sses kicked.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Thanks.”

There was a nod, and Anita, the mad doctor who sent people running with a smile and a wave, hung up.

[chromium7sky]

Four eyes/ ObsureD | second shot

A/n: wtf, the second part for four eyes. Still can't believe this. You may follow #damirae and #foureyes

Not long after they were having chat at the kitchen, the alarm suddenly blaring intensely. Damian and Raven jolted and quickly sprint towards the control room.

"What do we got?" Raven looked at the screen as Damian typing on the keyboard looki g at the coordinate where the alarm set off. It seems there's a group of mage call the Riot terrorise at north region of San Francisco city.

"The Riot. Again with their agenda." Damian sighed as he looked at their information. The Riot consist of three ameteur mage who decided to use their power to proven they are worthy. Instead doing good deed they decided to be scoundrel as they wanted to fight the mage based hero like Raven to measure their capacity.

The member of the group are Mimic, Psyche and Mirage. Mimic has the power to copy, Psyche has the power to take over the enemy body while Mirage has the power to project item out of thin air.

Damian still remember where his body controlled by Psyche to do reckless thing such as stealing Raven's cloak or switching both of their cloak. There were the time where both of them body swap which is a very very bad day.

"Ah, the three idiot again? What did they want this time?" Raven stared at the screen with the face of three mischievous rascal.

"A showdown." Damian quickly to his equipment room picking his best weapon and his costume. As soon as he's fully equipped, he went to the launching pad toward the Robin's airbike.

As He flip on the switch and pushed a couple of button, the engine start to hummed and and it start to warm up. Putting his helmet, and twisting the accelerator, the propeller start to spin blowing the debris near by away including it's cloth cover.

The bike has levitate and Damian balanced it by controlling it's handle.

"Arm and ready, Robin." Raven casually sit behind him, riding the air bike.

Damian almost jolted but he manage to calm down and look at her by the shoulder. "Hold on tight." He pressed the valve as the propeller spin more faster. "Lead the way, Raven."

Raven activate her power as her eyes went all white. She held her hand past his shoulder as the purple energy surrounding it. A door, a worm hole like door open, without wasting any time, Robin dive into the portal door with his bike.

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

" Why not we make this road more, alive?" Mirage waving his hand towards the road nearby and suddenly the road turn into gigantic snakes as it began to curled and gliding. People where shouting in fear, some run towards the other street.

Then came a girl with light blue hair, crackled haughtily as she saw people start to get away. " Freeze!" She lift both of her hand, light turquoise line start to come out from her finger and attached to a couple of people. They movement start goes to restriction then froze up. "Sorry, no sorry. Guess you guys are now riled up!"

As she moved her hands, the people who has been attached by her string start to picking up some pipes or wood lying around, start to do vandalizing.

One of the group, a boy just found the lighter. The unwilling victim had been forced to pick it and light up. Before the boy throw the lighter toward a store full of cooking utensils, the lighter has been suspended in mid air with purple aura surrounding it.

Before Psyche, the girl with blue hair, questioning what happen, then came the rain of batarang towards them which makes Mirage forming a shelter out of water from the water supply nearby.

The engine noise start to deafening them along with wild blown debrises that makes them closed their eyes. " What is this??!" Psyche shouted and has lost her concentration towards her puppet victim.

Without their knowing, all three of them has been bind by dark tentacle that come from the floor. Mirage shouted " Mimic! Do it!!"

Mimic smiled as he move his hands, another set of tentacle appeared pulling out the tentacle that bind them. " This is easy."

"Try it again." This time came in a batarang along with hard steel string circling the three amateur mage lower limbs. With a hard pull all three of them stumbled on the ground along with the purple tentacle embracing them, preventing their further movement.

"Shit!" Mimic curses as they have been captured.

"Guess we have gone through Lovecraft alpha plan well, Raven." Damian walked out of nowhere with hooded cloak as he bring his sword.

"I'm surprised it went well," Raven appeared behind the shadow of black bird.The Riot all shudder as they met the two demonic duo hero, Robin and Raven.

"Wrong timing for making a fuss at San Francisco city, Riot." Raven levitate display her eerieness.

"Shit." Mimic cursed under his breath. "Psyche! Use it! Use it now!" He shouted.

The way Mimic shouted makes Raven grew anxious about what about to happen. As Psyche successfully let one of her hand out Raven quickly step in front of Robin.

"Raven! Wha-" before Robin continue his sentences, a bluish flame blasted from Psyche hit the Witch girl.

The fire didn't burn her clothes and her skin but Raven scream as she crouched holding her face.

"Raven!!" Damian try to grab her but Raven went out of control as she unleashed violent shadows as she scream.

Her gem on her forehead glows dangerously red and the shadow whipping through the air. The Riot tried to escape by using the dirty tactic failed as the shadow start to suffocated them.

"H-hel...." Psyche drown in those shadow as she held her hands towards Damian.

Damian without thinking much he hold Raven from behind. "Raven! I'm here!"

Raven still screaming as the pain still burn.

"Raven!" Damian scream as wrapped his arms around her, embracing her. "I'm here. Nothing will hurt you. Not when I'm watching." He cooed her as his whispered.

Raven as if awaken from nightmare slowly landed her head on his shoulder. "R-robin?" Her voice similar to a girl who has been scared by her nightmare.

"That's right. I'm here." As he rub her back up and down. The. He could feel wet sensation on his shoulder. Is she crying?

The shadow slowly start to dissipated freeing those smothering ameteur mage who are now gasping for air.

Before they managed to escape, Damian quickly throwing three set of Bolas towards them, tying them down.

The Riot try to escape with magic but to no avail the Bolas were unaffected as it has been set by Raven to be anti magic properties.

"Raven, look at me." Damian hold on her chin as he cast his eyes on her face. Her eyes are gone!

"Damian." She whispered. "I can't see." She rest her face on his chest, holding onto his shoulder. Damian cursed then look at the Riot.

"Follow my lead. We're going back to the tower." As the young Robin lead the witch towards his Air bike. As he seated her, he glared at the culprit then at Raven and back to them. "Damn it." He cursed.

He walked towards them. "What did you do to her?" He pull out expandable blade from his glove. "Spill it out or your guts will."

The Riot were silent then mumbling each other. After a few exchange look and nod, they look at him. " We were..." The girl swallowed her saliva then proceed. "Stealing from one of the old shop down town." She shown the pendant. The pendant that has the lotus flower shape with each of the petal has eyes.

" We felt some huge energy from this pendant and it seems we have contact to it." Mirage explain. "They say the will help us by offering a pair of two eyes of thy enemy."

"We thought it might be fun prnak but turns out something else." Psyche bit her lips as she recalled what happen.

Damian got nearer as he inspect the pendant. With the blade he pulled the necklace, torn off from the light blue hair girl. "I need to go to the tower to find the book about this. I think I have seen it before." As Damian inspect the cursed artifact. Quickly he pulled the back zipper from his utility belt and put the artifact in it then stored it back on the other side of his belt.

"All three of you better come with me. We need to track down the source and gives the eyes back to Raven." As he pointed towards Raven who is seated, sighed, holding out her hand in front of her face trying to test her vision which to no avail.

"Please have mercy on us." Mimic beg some sympathy for them.

"Not until we solve this mystery or else." Damian walked towards raven who sit on the bike, silent. "Raven."

Raven jolted then turn her head towards them. "Yes?"

"I don't know if this is possible but can you teleport us towards the titans launching pad?"

"Us?"

"I found something that stole your eye sight."

"A curse?"

"Curse artifact I pressume."

"...okay then. I'll try." Raven take a deep breath, gathering her thoughts and concentration. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!"

In a blink of an eye, they were teleport back to the teen titans launching pad along with captured The riot.

Mirage was astounded." What level is this sorcery?"

Raven turned her head to the pressumed direction."Way better than you."

Damian went to the control centre picking up three mysterious devices from the drawer. In a quick move, he threw three of them towards Riot's arm and they quickly wrap around it. "As a safety measure, incase you guys were up to something." Damian pulled the Bolas releasing them.

The mages up on their feet. Mimic as mischievous try to cast a spell but it died before it be able to execute. "The band are anti magic too and..." Damian unfinished his sentences.

Mimic jolted by surge of electricity which made he landed on his knees. " It absorb your magic energy and turn into electricity." Damian continue after the demonstration. Mirage and Psyche look at him with horror.

"You can't do this to us, you bastard!" Psyche screamed at him.

"It's a perfect punishment for three of you." Damian shrugged. "Hope you learn your consequences for doing such damage by banishing my friend's eyes!" He pointed at Raven. "Since you're here with us, it is the time for your atonement by helping us to break thecurse."

"What if we decided not to cooperate?" Mirage raised his eyebrow.

" I tell you, if I didn't stop her, Us and this world would probably end up in hell." Damian glared at him. "Be grateful with your spared life."

The riot shivered. " Okay, we'll do it."

"Good. All we need is a book And a real mage." Damian walked toward his airbike. Raven still there standing as she lost in here thought.

"Hey."

"Damian."

"You okay?"

"It didn't burned anymore but I still can't see." Raven sighed. As Raven tried to walk, she goes wobbled and quickly Damian grab her by the waist.

"Don't get hard on yourself. Come, let me be your eyes." His voice goes soft as he put her arm around his shoulder. "You three, follow me."

"Yes, sir!" All three of them quickly followed Robin and Raven.

[jodiereedus22]

A Shot in the Dark

A/N: I hope you guys enjoy it if there's anyone that still reads my new stuff lol!! As always want to thank @crossbowking for all the support she gives me!!! 

Word Count: 2293

Warnings: Injury

As night started to draw in, everyone was moving to their posts for the fight that was inevitably about to come, except this time, you won't be ambushed in the middle of the woods, you wouldn’t be caught unawares, this time, you were ready.

You all had everything covered, you were never more ready or more prepared for this fight.

With the darkness now fully settled in, the glow of the moon was your only source of light.

Standing on the balcony of the impressive house which towered over Hilltop, overlooking all the people who were going to be fighting by your side and the temporarily changed landscape of the Hilltop courtyard, you felt a presence beside you, watching over the same as you.

“You okay?” Daryl broke the silence.

“Yeah, I just want this to be over is all,” you said with a sigh.

“Me too, it might not end tonight but we’re gonna give them one hell of a fight, we're not gonna lose this war,” Daryl said confidently as he reached for your hand that was dangling over the balcony.

You allowed Daryl's hand to slide into yours, giving it a gentle squeeze as you looked into his eyes with adoration.

In a split second, you let go of his hand only to wrap your arms around his neck, enveloping him into a hug.

You rested your head in the crook of his neck, taking a deep breath in, breathing in his scent and closing your eyes, you basked in him as he wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you tight against him.

“This ain't goodbye,” Daryl spoke suddenly, almost reading your thoughts.

You pulled back, your hands moving from around his neck to rest on his chest and sighed.

“I know, I just wanted to do that before it all happens,” you said, slight worry in your eyes, but love too, if you would die for anyone it would be the man standing right in front of you.

Daryl lent down and gently placed his lips on yours, so soft and soothing, you drank all of him in.

You hoped this wasn’t the last time you would get to have these moments as you would die for Daryl, you would also fight fiercely to keep both of you alive.

“They're coming!” you heard one of the centuries yell.

“Well, I guess it’s time,” you said solemnly, not wanting this small moment to end.

“Be safe (Y/N),” Daryl told you, placing a hand upon your cheek as he pulled your forehead to his.

“You too,” you whispered, placing a hand atop his on your cheek.

You pulled Daryl in for one last kiss before you both broke away to your positions.

When the fight started everything went by in a blur, you knew exactly what you had to do and you did it without thinking, on autopilot.

So far, the fight was going in your favour, with only a few people with minor injuries - cuts and such like.

You were shooting up Saviours when you heard your name being screamed at a distance, clearly meant as a warning as before you could turn, you looked down your body to see an arrow protruding from your abdomen.

In shock, you fell to the ground only to feel weightless seconds after hitting the floor. Looking up you saw Daryl carrying you away from the battlefield.

You were carried into the main house, to one of the master bedrooms, the arrow still in your side and the battle still raging on outside the windows.

Daryl laid you gently on the bed, trying not to cause you any more pain than you were already in when Siddiq came into the room.

You knew the arrow had to come out, but you were not prepared for the searing pain as you squeezed Daryl's hand as hard as you could until nothing but blackness came over you.

You awoke to silence, the gunfire had ceased, and you guessed since you were alive, you had won this battle.

Daryl seeing you awake rose from his chair to sit by your side.

“Hey, yer awake,” Daryl said taking your hand in his.

“Yeah,” you said with a chuckle, immediately regretting it. “I'm still here,” you reassured Daryl with a small smile.

“Doc said you need ta rest okay,” Daryl told you, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on your forehead.

You gazed into his eyes as he pulled back his lips from your forehead, as you snuggled yourself down and let your heavy eyelids close once more.

The next time you awoke was to the hushed voices out in the hallway.

The voices stopped and the door opened to reveal solemn looks on everyone's faces, including Daryl's, who couldn't seem to look at you, instead resorted to staring at the floor.

You looked around everyone's faces one by one, trying to grasp the situation.

“Guys? What's going on?” you asked out to everyone and anyone who would answer you.

Your eyes landed on Rick’s who stepped forward.

“I don’t know how to say this (Y/N) but, the Saviours, they did something to their weapons, everyone who got cut or shot by an arrow, they died and turned. (Y/N), I'm so sorry,” Rick explained.

You laid there dumbfounded, at that moment you knew death was inevitable, and now you knew the reason Daryl couldn’t look at you.

You were lost for words. Unable to speak you simply just nodded your head in understanding.

“We’ll leave you two alone,” Rick said, guiding everyone out until only you and Daryl remained.

Daryl stayed rooted to his spot when you reached out a hand towards him. His head didn’t move, but you saw his eyes shift to your outstretched hand.

“Come here,” you gently beckoned him over.

Taking a second to comply he made his way to your side without lifting his head from the floor as he sat on the bed by your side.

You reached out a hand to his chin, as you guided his eyes to yours.

“It's okay,” you whispered to him.

Daryl’s eyes widened and his grip on your hand tightened.

“How is this okay (Y/N), you’re dying. It wasn’t supposed to end like this,” Daryl said with tears in his eyes.

“It doesn’t have to end; it'll only end if you let it. I will always be with you, I said I’d never leave you, and I can keep my promise if you help me. Love doesn’t die with death Daryl, as long as you keep me in your heart, I’ll never leave you,” you tried to console him, wiping away a tear that had escaped down his cheek.

You gazed lovingly into his eyes as he did the same to you, staying there as long as possible until your eyes once again became heavy.

Daryl watched you sleep, his eyes not leaving you, not because you could die and turn at any moment, but because he wanted to memorise every little detail about you.

The way your eyes gently blinking under closed lids, the steady breathing of your chest rising and falling, the rosy glow in your cheeks.

He also tried to remember your smile, the way your dimples would make you look so cute, the smile that reached your eyes making them sparkle. They would forever be his light in the darkness that he knew was coming.

He remembered your laugh, how he would have liked to have heard it more often, but in a world like this, there wasn’t much cause to, which made every time you did laugh so special.

But most of all, he wanted to remember you for you. The kindness that radiated from you, even in this harsh and unforgiving world, the seeming softness you had about you, but coupled with that, your strength, your will, your determination, you were strong for this world, you could always hold your own, Daryl knew that but that never stopped him from worrying.

He smiled at the memory of you, giving him the classic ‘stop worrying, I’ll be fine’ looks.

He didn’t want this to end, he would do anything to make it not so. But he had to remember, he had to engrave all your memories together in his brain, he wanted you to stay with him, even if it was in spirit.

Hours had passed, you had woken up, sitting up in bed, sharing memories with Daryl as Siddiq checked on you.

Daryl looked over at Siddiq expectantly.

“She's doing fine,” he told Daryl vaguely.

Siddiq left the room, and Daryl heard mumbling behind the door.

Daryl rose for the bed and headed towards the voices. He opened the door to reveal Siddiq talking to Rick.

As soon as the pair spotted Daryl their conversation halted.

“What's goin’ on?” Daryl asked, slightly annoyed and confused.

Siddiq looked at Rick as if seeking permission, Rick nodded to the doctor.

“I've been checking on (Y/N) as you know, and…”

“And wha’” Daryl interrupted a stuttering Siddiq.

“And there's no sign of a fever, I've never seen anyone last this long without symptoms,” Siddiq explained.

“So, she could be a’right?” Daryl asked with a glimmer of hope.

“We don’t know that, maybe the arrow was a dud, or maybe it's taking longer to get in her system. The point is, don’t get your hopes up just yet, it could be early days,” Rick interjected. “That’s why we didn’t want to tell you yet,” Rick continued.

Daryl’s eyes bounced from Rick to Siddiq to your door.

Not saying a word, he reopened the door, entering your room once again to see you sitting there, a smile on your face at his entry.

“Everything okay?” you asked.

“Yeah, it just might be,” Daryl said, causing you to furrow your brows in confusion, but chose to ignore it, carrying on with talking about your time together, giving a few more memories for Daryl to hold on to before you had to leave him.

The more time that went on the more you wanted it to end sooner rather than later, you thought sitting around talking about the life that you have had with Daryl would be cathartic, and it might have been helping Daryl, for he now had a glimmer in his eye whenever you reminisced, but you couldn’t say you felt the same.

All the talking on what you have had, only reminded you that you would never have more, that fate had chosen for you to only have those memories and any new ones.

You just wanted it to be over, to be at peace and not in the seemingly endless torture of the past with no future.

You tried pushing Daryl away, you weren’t quite sure if you were doing it to make all this easier on him, or to make it easier on you, but it was to no avail, Daryl had refused to leave your side, every now and then sneaking off to have somewhat secret conversations with Rick and Siddiq.

You pretended you didn’t know what he was doing, who he was having hushed conversations with, you thought that maybe they were talking funeral arrangements, it would make sense, but when Daryl stepped out again you had had enough, these were your last moments on this earth, you were not going to leave either being angry with Daryl of having secrets from each other.

“What's all of that about?” you asked as soon as Daryl re-entered the room.

“What?” Daryl asked, perplexed.

“The sneaking out, the secret conversations with Rick and Siddiq, I've seen you Daryl, I haven’t heard what you're talking about, but I know you're talking about something you don’t want me knowing about and I refuse to leave this earth with secrets Daryl,” you took a large breath after your long rant.

“That’s the thing (Y/N) …”

“What’s what thing?” you interrupted.

“It might not be your last moments,” you stared at him in shock as Daryl sat on the bed by your side. “Siddiq seems to think you're not gonna die, he said he’s never seen anyone go this long without showing symptoms. They kept it from me because they didn’t want to get my hopes up, and I guess I don’t want you to too just in case but (Y/N), I think you're gonna be alright,” Daryl explained.

“I am?” you said with tears in your eyes.

You weren’t quite sure what you were feeling, happy and relieved of course, but you were so ready, you had mentally prepared yourself to leave Daryl and now you could have a second chance with him.

You hadn’t realised you were crying until Daryl’s warm embrace smothered you with love.

“We’re gonna be a’right (Y/N). we’re gonna be a’ight,” Daryl repeated to you, stroking your hair to comfort you.

A few days passed, you were back on your feet, with no fever and minimal pain in your abdomen. You were left confused as to how this happened, but grateful it did.

“Hey,” you said as you walked up behind a seated Daryl, wrapping your arms around his neck, pecking him on the cheek.

“Hey yourself darlin’,” Daryl said capturing one of your hands in his as he readied some of his stuff.

“You ready?” you asked.

“Ready ta make some new memories darlin’?” Daryl said, rising from his seated position to capture your lips with his.

“I sure am,” you said breathy still recovering from his kiss.

Daryl placed an arm around your shoulder as you placed one around his waist as you walked over to his bike, ready for your next mission and your next memory together and for many more memories to come.

Taglist: @crossbowking @coffee-obsessed-writer @bluesfortheredj @shutupimtryin2write @fearthewalkingbitch @selenedixon @cbarter @cole-winchester @alyisdead @hopplessdreamer @infinitewcr @blogsporadicartist @mtngirlforever @sassi-luna @twdsunshine @momc95 @emo-potato-virgil @sourwolf-sterek32 @tatertot1097 @wilhelmjfink @coffeebooksandfandom @twdeadfanfic @cutiepiemimi13 @kickin-with-dixon @feartheendlesssummer @twdeadlysins @apocalypse-haven @baseballbitch116 @trashcanband4 @mblaqgi @addiction-survivor25 @mel-2a @spaghettyrogers @xxboesefrauxx @sapphire1727 @little-miss-mischief1 @wontlookaway @bunnymother93 @auntiebyn @saintsisterwriter @theunofficialduke @lilo-1988 @imaginecrushes 

[reachexceedinggrasp]

Okay, so for my clannibal people, I have two recs where something very like The Dynamic has recently appeared in media. The first one has far more caveats than the second, but the first one is also the one where the ship is canon and has kissing.

The Method a Russian series from 2015 (it’s on Netflix). It’s about a young ingenue who decides to become a cop because of lingering trauma around an unsolved violent parental death (check), she’s accepted as the protege of an eccentric genius (check) through somewhat shady circumstances with some kind of ulterior motive (check). He, the eccentric genius, is not a serial killer- he’s a detective, but he is an absolute human disaster whose erratic behaviour and extremely questionable morals are tolerated by the police because they can use him as a weapon. He has totally killed people.

‘Byronic Hero’ is a vast understatement.

This show is grim, graphic, and very dark; it takes an extremely dim view of humanity in general and it doesn’t provide the hope or catharsis that Clannibal does- the protagonist does not get to have it all, so be forewarned on that. The implicit worldview and assumed ethical framework of the series is honestly appalling and the main characters are all fairly reprehensible by the end, so if you’re not prepared to deal with a whole lotta ugliness I would say don’t watch it.

The selling point to me is that the characters are interesting and the ship is very compelling. Again, it’s canon, so you will get satisfaction, but the actual romance is somewhat subtextual most of the time. Their connection is the lynchpin of the series, but it’s more about the protagonist’s ‘education’ into his world and an exploration of what that world is than it is focussed on them falling in love. He has no illusions or intentions about having a future (with her or otherwise), he’s trying to pass on his ‘method’ to a worthy successor, so his attitude is heavily informed by that. She is being broken of what idealism she ever had (told you it was grim).

Anyway, their relationship is very fucked up and the series has a legit horrifying (also aggressively stupid) conception of what mental illness is like, but it was very engaging and it was totally unapologetic about the romanticism of the dark love story, so there is a lot there for you if you want to see something like a Clannibal dynamic again. Just don’t expect the positive turn or healing. The ending is not happy or hopeful in any sense. You could make a good argument it’s a full-on tragedy, though I don’t think that’s quite the intent. And the tragedy is Titus Andronicus. If that gives you an indication of how grim we’re talking.

The plot does completely fall apart by the end (it’s like if OUaT were an r-rated crime show, it becomes that much of a mess), but the acting is good and it remains very compelling because of the characters.

Tell Me What You Saw a kdrama from this year. THIS is what I’m talking about. A young ingenue decides to become a cop because of lingering trauma around an unsolved violent parental death (check), she’s accepted as the protege of an eccentric genius (check), through somewhat shady circumstances with some kind of ulterior motive (check). She has to go visit him alone in a giant, creepy old building where he is confined (ooo, new check). He, the eccentric genius, is on the side of the angels and is again not a serial killer lol. He is a legendary criminal profiler and ex-detective who spends most of the series as a somewhat morally ambiguous anti-hero. He’s brilliant, he’s troubled, he broods and plays mind games from on high, and he’s always 17 steps ahead of you. I love him. Also, crucially, he is hot:

The first six episodes have great build-up to a not-totally-unpredictable but still fairly epic twist and then, sadly, the following episode is a bit of an anti-climax from what felt like it should be the jumping off point where the series kicked into high gear but turned out to be a bunch of wandering around aimlessly in very loosely connected episodic plots. There’s narrative justification for this, but I did feel like someone slammed on the breaks and switched gears. It takes a while to regain momentum and is never quite as focussed or well-balanced again.

The pros of the series are its very strong characters played by mostly very strong actors, quality atmosphere, great action, good suspense, and loads and loads of interesting relationships brimming with potential. The one that interests me most being, of course, the one between the protagonist and the profiler. It’s pretty much exactly the clannibal dynamic- he picks her apart and challenges her for his own reasons and then comes to enormously respect her; she is at first intimidated and angry but gives as good as she gets until she reaches a point of growth where she can challenge him in return. And, in the end, he has helped her self-actualise and become who she wanted to be and she helps him heal from his past to the point she can radically alter his outlook on life.

Their relationship is ultimately very positive for both and remains central to the series throughout. There are complicated feelings at play that are given some time in the spotlight, but it is sadly underdeveloped from what it should have been imo. Especially on his side. And there is no romance or explicit attraction, though I think the show supports her at least having a crush on him. If it had ‘gone there’ it would not have shocked anyone, let’s put it that way. They could have gone there. It is one of those flawed canons with good characters super ripe for fic. (Please watch this show and write fic so I can read it, is what I’m saying.)

The cons are that the story ends up being ridiculous on multiple levels and there are some intensely irritating moments of characters being profoundly idiotic and unreasonable just to keep the plot going. Incoherent motivation, mainly for the heroes, is a BIG problem. Apparently rampant police incompetence (including from all the main characters) is the second biggest problem. There is a fantastic female character who is the team leader for our main cops and she gets hit with both of these possibly the worst of anyone. The big reveal about her also makes no fucking sense. There was a maybe cliché but perfectly serviceable route they could have gone instead without changing anything, it seemed like they were setting it up, but they just go with... nothing. And in retrospect this undermines her entire character for the whole series. Which hurts because she was genuinely awesome.

So yeah. There are logic problems and all three ongoing major questions in the overarching story basically have terrible ‘solutions’, but it is extremely well-made in every other respect and the characters remained compelling enough that I couldn’t stop watching. The single-episode mysteries are usually very good with good pacing and satisfying resolutions. It’s consistently entertaining despite the frustration and it manages to pull out a fucking GREAT A+++++ ending right when you’re about to get super pissed off about more deterministic grim teenage nihilism ruining everything. The protagonist got to learn from all her experiences without losing her optimism, rise above adversity and be rewarded for her faith, and it was honestly so nice to get that. So unexpectedly hopeful and uplifting. I love a story that gets dark but never despairs.

If they make a second series with the same cast, I will be there with bells on.

[6rookie-writer0110]

Wolves will take me home

AU Daenerys Targaryen x Female Reader

Request- Dany is an experienced agent who was hired to stop R. R's organization distracts the FBI by attacking President Cersei's huge weapon base and while that's happening R and Jon sets a power down bomb in the WH and FBI building and as Dany is getting information that's when the bombs goes off and the doors are blown off and in walks R and Jon with an army of guys downloading everything off the system including access to project. Dany shoots at R only for R to catch the bullet with her hand

Jon Snow, your friend is in the car next to Agent Daenerys Targaryen, she will be undercover to meet you. He told her everything how to win your trust and she knows what to do.

”You really look different with brown hair,” Jon said.

”She can't know the real me and my color hair” Dany said.

You don't know yet that Jon has been working with the FBI, for a while now.

”Good point,” Jon said.

He takes you to the hideout and Jon introduced you to Dany. You believe the lies he is telling you because, in your mind, he has no reason to betray you.

”How can you help us taken down Cersei?” You asked.

”I can defend myself and I know a little bit about hacking,” Dany said.

Growing up your parents were activists. They taught you everything that they know and how the government can easily hide their crimes. Your father was a sergeant in the army but now he is on the FBI wanted list, for leaking top-secret information to the public. Since then he has disappeared but you know his location.

Your mother helped your father to leak the secrets of the government. She would lead the protests and she is on the FBI wanted list also.

”Okay. Jon let's tell her the plan” You said.

”Let’s start,” Jon said.

You and Jon explain every detail of the plan. You created an organization to take down Cersei. They will take care of the hacking and distracting the bodyguards while you go after Cersei.

But first Jon will need to set the bomb at the FBI headquarters than in the White House.

----

You are alone working on creating the devices to activate the bombs. Dany walked in and she watches you work hard.

”I thought you might be hungry,” Dany said.

She got you a sandwich and a drink. You put the tools and take off the gloves and goggles.

”Thank you,” You said.

”What are you doing?” Dany asked.

She sits next to you.

”The remotes to active the bombs. Why do you want to bring down Cersei?” You said.

”She is the reason why my father is dead. I do want to watch her world burn down” Dany lied.

”It will happen and we will watch her world burn down. I got the blueprints and soon I will have to start making the bombs” You said.

You start to eat the sandwich and you start to tell her why you became like your parents. She is starting to develop a crush on you. She understands why you want to change the world but how you are doing it, is the reason you are on the FBI watch list.

You worked hard making the bombs and the devices to activate the bombs. You and Dany fell asleep on the couch together. You have your head on her chest and she has her arm around you.

✧ ✯ ✧ ✫

The more you work alongside with Dany, her crush on you has gotten stronger. Dany and Jon do report everything to their boss. Jon and Dany met up secretly

”We have to get those plans. I know Y/N always has something else up her sleeve” Jon said.

”Y/N has more on her laptop. She didn't notice that I saw her type in the password. I will keep her distracted while you hack into her laptop” Dany said.

”I will try to do it quick. Go, distract her” Jon said.

Dany nods. You have someone else working at the White House, you gave them the bombs to set up.

Jon opened your laptop and he starts to work. You arrived and Dany is waiting for you. You didn't tell them what you did by adding more bombs to the plan.

”Y/N, I thought we can get something to eat. Since we have been working hard” Dany said.

”Just let me get my laptop” You said.

Dany would get a text from Jon to let her know he did it. But he needs more time, on your laptop, you have zipper folders and images with secret codes in it. It looks like a normal picture but looks deeper then you see the codes and blueprints.

Dany grabbed your hand.

”What?” You asked.

Dany starts to think fast and you wait for her answer. She put her hands on your cheeks and kissed you. You start to kiss her back and she pulls you closer. Jon finished and sent Dany the text.

----

Since that kiss, you and Dany got closer. You and Dany kinda talked about the kiss, but she has kissed you again. She got to know you on a personal level.

”Y/N, let's forget about the plan. You don't have to do this” Dany said.

Her boss has enough evidence to put you behind bars for life. Dany tries to change your mind but you won't change your mind.

”No. I got this far and I won't back down” You said.

Dany sighed and looks away. Dany starts to play with your fingers.

”If you can be anywhere right now, where it will be?” Dany said.

”I want to be live where it can be cold and hot. Somewhere it will snow” You said.

”Have you played in the snow before?” Dany asked.

”No. I want that experience, hopefully,” You said.

She kissed you and her lipstick is on your lips.

✧ ✯ ✧ ✫

Today is the day to stop Cersei, you are ready to stop her. Dany again tried to stop you and change your mind, but you are too stubborn to change your mind. You sneaked in the back of the white house. You see Jon and followed him, but he didn't notice you. He went into the room and sent a signal to your boss. You pressed the gun to his head.

”Tell me, I didn't see you send a code to your boss,” You said.

”I’m sorry, Y/N. I'm an FBI agent also Dany” Jon said.

”I trusted you!” You yelled.

”I’m sorry Y/N but I was doing my job-”

You hit him in the head with the gun and he passed out. You are seeing red, you never felt so angry ever in your life until now. You left and you are breathing hard

---

The FBI starts to disable the bombs but they don't know about the secret bombs. You are in the office and you are glaring at Cersei.

”Do you really think it would be this easy?” Cersei smirked.

You aim your gun at her.

”I don't care if it's easy or not. But I'm still taking you down” You said.

Cersei isn't scared and she glared at you. Then Dany aimed her gun at your head

”Put the gun down, Y/N,” Dany said.

You don't put your gun down.

”I hired, Jon and Dany to spy on you. They told me about your plans and the bombs. Y/N you are pathetic thinking that you won this war” Cersei said.

Dany doesn't want to kill you. But she knocked the gun out of your hand. Now you and Dany start to fight, Cersei is enjoying the show.

”You used me!” You yelled at her.

”I’m sorry, it wasn't supposed to be like that” Dany said.

You tried to grab the gun but she kicked your stomach. Then she kicked the gun away from you and you struggled to get up.

”I fell in love with you,” You said.

Dany didn't know what to say. But she pulled the trigger to distract Cersei so you can escape but you grabbed the bullet with your hand.

”I always have a plan B,” You said.

You take your phone and trigger the bombs. The place starts to collapse and Dany had to get Cersei out. The swat team arrived but you managed to run and escape before they caught you.

✧ ✯ ✧ ✫

{Time Skip}

You went underground and no one saw you since. You moved to a new country and lived a simple life and got a dog named Rhaegal. But behind closed doors, you have files in USB, in it are secrets from every government around the world. It wasn't easy to get it, but you made new friends and they owe you favors.

When you found out that Dany and Jon, we're FBI agents it broke you. You fell madly in love with Dany. But you felt hurt and betrayed, you tried to forget about her.

Once you told Dany where you would go to escape the law and not be caught. Dany went to look for you but you weren't there. She never stopped loving you and she wants to find you. Jon is helping her to find you and she is using her skills to find you. She is in Ireland and she spoke to someone you used to know but he didn't tell Dany anything. Now she is drinking scotch in her hotel room. Jon called Dany

”I got good news,” Jon said.

”I know where Y/N is,” Jon said.

”Where!?” Dany said quickly.

”I’m going send you the file,” Jon said.

”Good,” Dany said.

He ended the call and one minute later she got the files. She starts to read it over and over then she smiled.

---

Dany drove to the house where you live. She stands at the door, she can hear the door braking. She knocked on the door and the barking doesn't stop. You open the door and your eyes opened wide and your heart starts to race.

”Y/N,” Dany said.

You closed the door.

”I’m not going to arrest you, Y/N. I swear. If I was there would have been a swat team knocking down your door. Y/N, I have been looking for you a while now. I'm still in love with you and I was hoping you would love me back” Dany said.

You don't say anything but you did hear what she said. You opened the door and Rhaegal runs to her and starts to lick her hand.

”Usually, he would growl at strangers. But he likes you” You said.

”He is cute. What is his name?” Dany said.

”His name is Rhaegal. So, that's how you look without brown hair,” You said.

She starts to pet him and he wags his tail.

”Yes. This is my real color hair” Dany said.

You invite her to your house and Rhaegal can’t enough of her.

---

”Y/N do you still have feelings for me?” Dany asked.

You sighed and you start to pet Rhaegal.

”I asked myself those questions for a while now. I thought I knew what I would say when I see you but my mind went blank” You said.

”I know I lied. But everything that I told you is true, I wish it was like the movies with easy answers. I have been looking for you and Jon has been helping me” Dany said.

”I know, you have been looking for me,” You said.

”But how?” Dany asked.

”They told me after you threatened them. Now, I owe them favors telling them not to kill you” You said.

She gave you a small smile. You moved closer and kissed her, she put her hand on your cheek and kissed you back.

---

Dany is staying the night, you two have a nice dinner together. She does want to prove that she won't hurt you again but will take time. You and Dany lie in bed together, staring at each other and you put her hair behind her right ear.

”Can we stay like this forever?” Dany asked.

”You can live here with me and Rhaegal,” You said.

”Y/N, do you want to get married?” Dany said.

You and Dany smile at each other. You gave her a peck on the lips.

”That was yes,” You said.

Dany smiled and kissed you.

[lovelyirony]

91. “I only ever thought there were two kinds of love: The kind you would kill for, and the kind you would die for…but you, my darling, you were the kind of love I would live for.” sharon/bucky

As Bucky is running away from government agents trying to snipe him for killing a politician, he supposes Natasha’s argument for him being suicidal might have the tiniest bit evidence behind it, which he previously argued it didn’t. 

As he slides underneath a car, he debates whether or not she’ll find out about this one. He feels a buzz from his phone in his pocket. 

Yeah, she knows. 

He shoots one of the agents, nicking him in the knee. Oof, that’s gonna be a fun story to tell his grandkids about why they can’t climb on his lap. But he needs to get away, and that involves potentially shooting through a car. 

Potentially turns into definitely and there’s enough of a distraction that he can commandeer a car, drive at least ten blocks away, and ditch it to run on foot, calling Natasha. 

“You got my location, right?” 

“Of course, you fucking idiot,” Natasha curses. “You...god I hate you sometimes. The job’s at least done, right?” 

“Yeah. I’ll have to lay low, though. Which sucks because my apartment is right in the city.” 

“I already have a punishment and idea for you in one.” 

“I...what is it?” 

“Sam’s picking you up. Tell you when you get to base. Bye.” 

Bucky groans. 

She must be really pissed at him. 

Sam picks him up in the shittiest economy car in the world. 

“I hate you for picking this one,” Bucky groans. 

“A stupid decision grants a stupid car, that’s why you’re getting picked up in the 1995 Ford Fiesta of shame,” Sam says. “Nat’s real mad. And I also think you’re going to hate your next assignment.” 

Bucky’s not sure what’s gonna happen. He’s hoping he’s not on latrine duty. 

- 

Oh, it’s so much worse. 

“Protection detail?” Bucky asks. “And undercover? All at once? Nat, come on. I bet we don’t even need undercover.” 

"You both are doing undercover because you both fucked up,” Natasha says. “And since apparently you don’t know how to act, maybe this will get you better lessons.” 

“Cold,” Sam hisses. 

“I will legally ask you to shut the fuck up,” Bucky growls out. 

He packs his things. Realizes that Sam got to choose the name so his name is Roger Stevens. Fucking shit. (Steve, of course, approved this. Because Steve is an asshole.) 

“Why does she even need a protector?” Bucky growls out, driving to the house. It’s in suburbia. 

“Because she fucked up and whoever she pissed off might send more than she can handle,” Natasha says. 

“We’re hinging my being here on a ‘maybe’?” 

“And because you got caught by government agents, which would be a rookie move,” Natasha says. “There’s a reason that I can still go my same nail salon for five years and now you have to get your hair cut somewhere else. And why you got a wedding china set and you have a backstory of being married.” 

“I hate you.” 

“A lot of people do, take a number.” 

If it helps (and it mostly doesn’t), Sharon Carter is also not happy. She is in the house with the most dangerous look Bucky has seen. 

“So I’m stuck in this fucking hell house with him?” Sharon asks. 

Maria Hill is her boss. Woman is a scary, competent human. Bucky wouldn’t cross her. 

(Then again, you also shouldn’t cross a certain redhead who could make you disappear within twenty minutes, maybe thirty if it’s a surprise. But he did.) 

“Keys are by the front door, hope you know your address! Bye!” Natasha says. “Don’t kill each other or we lose the deposit!” 

Maria Hill smiles. Of course the only time Bucky’s ever seen her smile is at the suffering of others. How typical. 

So then they are left alone. 

“Let’s read the cover story,” Sharon says. “And I don’t need protection, Maria’s just paranoid.” 

Bucky snorts. 

“Yeah, okay, let’s go with that.” 

Sharon sends him a sharp look. 

They meet while on a cruise. 

Bucky fucking hates his life. 

“A fucking cruise,” he mutters. “As if I would ever step foot onto any of those fucking--” 

“We had a beach wedding?!” Sharon cries out. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it!” 

They are both in a bad mood. 

It’s also awkward because this is a house. They have decorations. They have tea towels. 

And a neighbor comes to visit. 

“Welcome to the neighborhood!” she says brightly. “My name is Karen Tent, so lovely to meet you both!” 

She then invades the house with her Tupperware. Literally speeds past them and it’s not like Sharon judo-chop her throat or anything. 

“What a lovely house you two have!” Karen cheers. “Of course the color palette is a little bit drab, but I’m sure you’ll change that soon enough. When Linda told me we had new neighbors, I could hardly believe it myself, but here you are! Now, how did you two meet? Have you married yet? If not, I hope that you are living apart, you know.” 

“The rings are in boxes,” Sharon answers smoothly, noting that they’ll need to ask Maria where the fuck the rings are. “You know how move-ins are. I’m Melanie Stevens, this is Roger Stevens. How nice to see you so very unexpectedly.” 

“Well, that’s what neighbors are for!” Karen answers, her voice shrill as ever. “I brought over my famous cookie bars. Everyone says they’re good, and I believe they always are. Tell me Melanie, what do you like baking most?” 

“Yes dear, tell her,” Bucky answers, smiling. “I seem to remember...lemon bars?” 

“That’s right,” Sharon says, sending Bucky a smile. “They are really good. Just delightful.” 

“Oh you’ll have to bring some over!” Karen responds. “Now, let me tell you a little bit about the neighborhood...” 

She talks for a fucking hour. Bucky wants to drink. So badly. He saw the wine on the counter. 

Sharon, to her credit, keeps trying to use certain “end” phrases. Karen either knows it and knows she won’t be budging, or will not ever take a hint in her lifetime. 

“And you simply must not ever play loud music in your backyard,” Karen says. “We’ve had a couple of problems with the Richardsons, but nothing a few calls won’t fix.” 

“You called the police?” Sharon asks. 

“Well yes!” 

“Oh my god,” Bucky mutters. 

“I am sure that’s not exactly the measure I would have done,” Sharon says. “But I am tired and don’t want to get into it now,” she says quickly, noticing Karen’s “confused” expression. 

“I say we need some time to rest, today is gonna be a lot of moving,” he says. “So nice of you to stop by, Karen. I’ll return your dish as soon as possible.” 

Karen is ushered out the door, placated with two waves, and they both groan. 

“I’m gonna fucking hate everything after this,” Sharon mutters. “My name is fucking Melanie. Maria knows...” she trails off, facing the very real boxes that were obviously packed with dishes and miscellaneous items. 

Bucky finds four spatulas. He doesn’t know why there are four. 

“What the fuck,” he mutters, noting the incredibly cheesy salt-and-pepper set. 

“Welcome to married life,” Sharon says sarcastically. “We’re gonna have a blast.” 

Dinner is spent with Sharon trying to convince Bucky that she’s “fine” and in “no danger” at all. 

“Who did you piss off?” 

“Sitwell.” 

“Oh my god. You’re screwed.” 

“He’s a lapdog, I’m not screwed.” 

“He’s the lapdog of Pierce. You’re screwed.” 

Sharon thunks her head on the table. 

“Can we at least repaint the bedrooms? They suck.” 

“If you think I’m sleeping in a separate room you’re dead wrong,” Bucky says. “You have a target the size of New York on your back. Uh-uh.” 

“You will sleep on the floor and get out when I shower or change,” Sharon threatens. 

“Of course.” 

“Good. Then it’s settled.” 

Married life is not so bad. Except when Karen and the rest of the neighbors tend to visit or talk to them for about fifteen minutes on the lawn. 

“It’s your turn to cut the grass,” Sharon groans, flopping on the couch. “If I have to hear Kevin tell me one more time that you should be treating me better, I’m going to explode. He’s trying to lecture me on how to cut grass.” 

“On it,” Bucky says. “Your turn to go get groceries, I ran into Karen and her kid last time. I think she wants me to stop buying so much hummus.” 

“Not our fault it’s good,” Sharon mutters. 

- 

And then, of course, avoiding the various assassins that are sent out at random intervals and at public locations (including their own house) while convincing the neighbors that there’s nothing going on. 

This involves pretending an agent of Hydra is their cousin. 

“This is Jen, she’s visiting for the day!” Sharon says, squeezing “Jen’s” wrist hard enough to make her stay quiet. “We have so much to catch up on, you probably won’t see me or--or Roger again for the day! Ha ha!” 

“Well where’s her car?” Linda asks, looking around the neighborhood. “I don’t see anything...” 

“She’s a hippie environmentalist, she walked,” Bucky answers. “Jen, let’s go catch up in the house, yeah?” 

“Yeah,” the agent squeaks out sadly, knowing exactly what is going to happen. 

She’s delivered tied up in rope on the steps of Maria’s office with a note of “please stop this from happening we’re planting azaleas.” 

Maria snorts. 

Bucky starts to think they’re getting too attached to this. It’s been four months. 

He started a garden. They’re growing tomatoes. 

He also notices Sharon a little bit differently. 

Because she drags him out of bed. 

“Legally? You have to go to brunch with me. Illegally? You like the breakfast burrito too much.” 

She’s scarily competent with anything that could be classed as a weapon. Or their groceries. 

“Are you kidding me?” Bucky yells at her as she throws the jar of tomato sauce. “I am not cleaning that up!” 

“Tough shit!” Sharon answers, dodging a bullet. “It wasn’t even the good kind of tomato sauce!” 

“It was fine, sweetheart!” Bucky growls out. 

“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me in the middle of a battle!” Sharon yells. “Strictly after!” 

“You’re the weirdest fucking married couple,” one of the agents wheezes out as Bucky is holding him as a sort of shield. 

“Thanks,” they say in unison, grinning. 

- 

The punishment for them both doesn’t exactly turn out as planned, both Natasha and Maria agree. In fact, it is almost worse. 

They are both reckless, subvert orders, and get along like a house on fire by the end of it. 

“You can still be together, we just need the house back,” Natasha says. 

“Thank god,” Bucky groans. “I get to stop being Roger and I get rid of Karen in one fell swoop.” 

Sharon untenses her shoulders while she’s sitting at the kitchen table. 

“Can I keep the knife set?” 

“No,” Maria says. “I’ll send you a link to where I got it.” 

“Why can’t I keep it if you can get another set?” 

“Steal it,” Bucky stage-whispers. Sharon grins back at him. 

“You have the best ideas, babe.” 

“You are not stealing anything,” Maria scowls. 

“Sure we aren’t,” Bucky says easily. 

“You stole my heart,” Sharon sing-songs, knowing damn well it’s going to make Maria barf. 

“Aw babe...” Bucky says, holding her hand. Natasha fake-retches. 

“I hate you both,” she declares. “And I won’t be there for your actual wedding.” 

“You made us tell people we had a wedding on a beach, were you assuming that you were getting an invitation?” Bucky asks. 

Sharon snickers, getting the last of her bags out into the car. 

“Where to now?” she asks him. 

“I think that there are some apartments we can look at...” 

- 

“We’ve made a collective monster,” Maria decides, blinking. “We Frankensteined this.” 

“We did,” Natasha says, staring at the house. There are still little bits of glass. An unfortunately busted can of beans where someone had been knocked out and they had “conveniently” forgotten to clean it up from yesterday. 

Well. Sharon and Bucky are going to cause havoc on the world. Maria and Natasha just hope they can cover the other while doing so. 

As Bucky is running away from government agents trying to snipe him for killing a politician, he supposes Natasha’s argument for him being suicidal might have the tiniest bit evidence behind it, which he previously argued it didn’t. 

As he slides underneath a car, he debates whether or not she’ll find out about this one. He feels a buzz from his phone in his pocket. 

Yeah, she knows. 

He shoots one of the agents, nicking him in the knee. Oof, that’s gonna be a fun story to tell his grandkids about why they can’t climb on his lap. But he needs to get away, and that involves potentially shooting through a car. 

Potentially turns into definitely and there’s enough of a distraction that he can commandeer a car, drive at least ten blocks away, and ditch it to run on foot, calling Natasha. 

“You got my location, right?” 

“Of course, you fucking idiot,” Natasha curses. “You...god I hate you sometimes. The job’s at least done, right?” 

“Yeah. I’ll have to lay low, though. Which sucks because my apartment is right in the city.” 

“I already have a punishment and idea for you in one.” 

“I...what is it?” 

“Sam’s picking you up. Tell you when you get to base. Bye.” 

Bucky groans. 

She must be really pissed at him. 

Sam picks him up in the shittiest economy car in the world. 

“I hate you for picking this one,” Bucky groans. 

“A stupid decision grants a stupid car, that’s why you’re getting picked up in the 1995 Ford Fiesta of shame,” Sam says. “Nat’s real mad. And I also think you’re going to hate your next assignment.” 

Bucky’s not sure what’s gonna happen. He’s hoping he’s not on latrine duty. 

- 

Oh, it’s so much worse. 

“Protection detail?” Bucky asks. “And undercover? All at once? Nat, come on. I bet we don’t even need undercover.” 

"You both are doing undercover because you both fucked up,” Natasha says. “And since apparently you don’t know how to act, maybe this will get you better lessons.” 

“Cold,” Sam hisses. 

“I will legally ask you to shut the fuck up,” Bucky growls out. 

He packs his things. Realizes that Sam got to choose the name so his name is Roger Stevens. Fucking shit. (Steve, of course, approved this. Because Steve is an asshole.) 

“Why does she even need a protector?” Bucky growls out, driving to the house. It’s in suburbia. 

“Because she fucked up and whoever she pissed off might send more than she can handle,” Natasha says. 

“We’re hinging my being here on a ‘maybe’?” 

“And because you got caught by government agents, which would be a rookie move,” Natasha says. “There’s a reason that I can still go my same nail salon for five years and now you have to get your hair cut somewhere else. And why you got a wedding china set and you have a backstory of being married.” 

“I hate you.” 

“A lot of people do, take a number.” 

If it helps (and it mostly doesn’t), Sharon Carter is also not happy. She is in the house with the most dangerous look Bucky has seen. 

“So I’m stuck in this fucking hell house with him?” Sharon asks. 

Maria Hill is her boss. Woman is a scary, competent human. Bucky wouldn’t cross her. 

(Then again, you also shouldn’t cross a certain redhead who could make you disappear within twenty minutes, maybe thirty if it’s a surprise. But he did.) 

“Keys are by the front door, hope you know your address! Bye!” Natasha says. “Don’t kill each other or we lose the deposit!” 

Maria Hill smiles. Of course the only time Bucky’s ever seen her smile is at the suffering of others. How typical. 

So then they are left alone. 

“Let’s read the cover story,” Sharon says. “And I don’t need protection, Maria’s just paranoid.” 

Bucky snorts. 

“Yeah, okay, let’s go with that.” 

Sharon sends him a sharp look. 

They meet while on a cruise. 

Bucky fucking hates his life. 

“A fucking cruise,” he mutters. “As if I would ever step foot onto any of those fucking--” 

“We had a beach wedding?!” Sharon cries out. “Oh my god, I can’t believe it!” 

They are both in a bad mood. 

It’s also awkward because this is a house. They have decorations. They have tea towels. 

And a neighbor comes to visit. 

“Welcome to the neighborhood!” she says brightly. “My name is Karen Tent, so lovely to meet you both!” 

She then invades the house with her Tupperware. Literally speeds past them and it’s not like Sharon judo-chop her throat or anything. 

“What a lovely house you two have!” Karen cheers. “Of course the color palette is a little bit drab, but I’m sure you’ll change that soon enough. When Linda told me we had new neighbors, I could hardly believe it myself, but here you are! Now, how did you two meet? Have you married yet? If not, I hope that you are living apart, you know.” 

“The rings are in boxes,” Sharon answers smoothly, noting that they’ll need to ask Maria where the fuck the rings are. “You know how move-ins are. I’m Melanie Stevens, this is Roger Stevens. How nice to see you so very unexpectedly.” 

“Well, that’s what neighbors are for!” Karen answers, her voice shrill as ever. “I brought over my famous cookie bars. Everyone says they’re good, and I believe they always are. Tell me Melanie, what do you like baking most?” 

“Yes dear, tell her,” Bucky answers, smiling. “I seem to remember...lemon bars?” 

“That’s right,” Sharon says, sending Bucky a smile. “They are really good. Just delightful.” 

“Oh you’ll have to bring some over!” Karen responds. “Now, let me tell you a little bit about the neighborhood...” 

She talks for a fucking hour. Bucky wants to drink. So badly. He saw the wine on the counter. 

Sharon, to her credit, keeps trying to use certain “end” phrases. Karen either knows it and knows she won’t be budging, or will not ever take a hint in her lifetime. 

“And you simply must not ever play loud music in your backyard,” Karen says. “We’ve had a couple of problems with the Richardsons, but nothing a few calls won’t fix.” 

“You called the police?” Sharon asks. 

“Well yes!” 

“Oh my god,” Bucky mutters. 

“I am sure that’s not exactly the measure I would have done,” Sharon says. “But I am tired and don’t want to get into it now,” she says quickly, noticing Karen’s “confused” expression. 

“I say we need some time to rest, today is gonna be a lot of moving,” he says. “So nice of you to stop by, Karen. I’ll return your dish as soon as possible.” 

Karen is ushered out the door, placated with two waves, and they both groan. 

“I’m gonna fucking hate everything after this,” Sharon mutters. “My name is fucking Melanie. Maria knows...” she trails off, facing the very real boxes that were obviously packed with dishes and miscellaneous items. 

Bucky finds four spatulas. He doesn’t know why there are four. 

“What the fuck,” he mutters, noting the incredibly cheesy salt-and-pepper set. 

“Welcome to married life,” Sharon says sarcastically. “We’re gonna have a blast.” 

Dinner is spent with Sharon trying to convince Bucky that she’s “fine” and in “no danger” at all. 

“Who did you piss off?” 

“Sitwell.” 

“Oh my god. You’re screwed.” 

“He’s a lapdog, I’m not screwed.” 

“He’s the lapdog of Pierce. You’re screwed.” 

Sharon thunks her head on the table. 

“Can we at least repaint the bedrooms? They suck.” 

“If you think I’m sleeping in a separate room you’re dead wrong,” Bucky says. “You have a target the size of New York on your back. Uh-uh.” 

“You will sleep on the floor and get out when I shower or change,” Sharon threatens. 

“Of course.” 

“Good. Then it’s settled.” 

Married life is not so bad. Except when Karen and the rest of the neighbors tend to visit or talk to them for about fifteen minutes on the lawn. 

“It’s your turn to cut the grass,” Sharon groans, flopping on the couch. “If I have to hear Kevin tell me one more time that you should be treating me better, I’m going to explode. He’s trying to lecture me on how to cut grass.” 

“On it,” Bucky says. “Your turn to go get groceries, I ran into Karen and her kid last time. I think she wants me to stop buying so much hummus.” 

“Not our fault it’s good,” Sharon mutters. 

- 

And then, of course, avoiding the various assassins that are sent out at random intervals and at public locations (including their own house) while convincing the neighbors that there’s nothing going on. 

This involves pretending an agent of Hydra is their cousin. 

“This is Jen, she’s visiting for the day!” Sharon says, squeezing “Jen’s” wrist hard enough to make her stay quiet. “We have so much to catch up on, you probably won’t see me or--or Roger again for the day! Ha ha!” 

“Well where’s her car?” Linda asks, looking around the neighborhood. “I don’t see anything...” 

“She’s a hippie environmentalist, she walked,” Bucky answers. “Jen, let’s go catch up in the house, yeah?” 

“Yeah,” the agent squeaks out sadly, knowing exactly what is going to happen. 

She’s delivered tied up in rope on the steps of Maria’s office with a note of “please stop this from happening we’re planting azaleas.” 

Maria snorts. 

Bucky starts to think they’re getting too attached to this. It’s been four months. 

He started a garden. They’re growing tomatoes. 

He also notices Sharon a little bit differently. 

Because she drags him out of bed. 

“Legally? You have to go to brunch with me. Illegally? You like the breakfast burrito too much.” 

She’s scarily competent with anything that could be classed as a weapon. Or their groceries. 

“Are you kidding me?” Bucky yells at her as she throws the jar of tomato sauce. “I am not cleaning that up!” 

“Tough shit!” Sharon answers, dodging a bullet. “It wasn’t even the good kind of tomato sauce!” 

“It was fine, sweetheart!” Bucky growls out. 

“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me in the middle of a battle!” Sharon yells. “Strictly after!” 

“You’re the weirdest fucking married couple,” one of the agents wheezes out as Bucky is holding him as a sort of shield. 

“Thanks,” they say in unison, grinning. 

- 

The punishment for them both doesn’t exactly turn out as planned, both Natasha and Maria agree. In fact, it is almost worse. 

They are both reckless, subvert orders, and get along like a house on fire by the end of it. 

“You can still be together, we just need the house back,” Natasha says. 

“Thank god,” Bucky groans. “I get to stop being Roger and I get rid of Karen in one fell swoop.” 

Sharon untenses her shoulders while she’s sitting at the kitchen table. 

“Can I keep the knife set?” 

“No,” Maria says. “I’ll send you a link to where I got it.” 

“Why can’t I keep it if you can get another set?” 

“Steal it,” Bucky stage-whispers. Sharon grins back at him. 

“You have the best ideas, babe.” 

“You are not stealing anything,” Maria scowls. 

“Sure we aren’t,” Bucky says easily. 

“You stole my heart,” Sharon sing-songs, knowing damn well it’s going to make Maria barf. 

“Aw babe...” Bucky says, holding her hand. Natasha fake-retches. 

“I hate you both,” she declares. “And I won’t be there for your actual wedding.” 

“You made us tell people we had a wedding on a beach, were you assuming that you were getting an invitation?” Bucky asks. 

Sharon snickers, getting the last of her bags out into the car. 

“Where to now?” she asks him. 

“I think that there are some apartments we can look at...” 

- 

“We’ve made a collective monster,” Maria decides, blinking. “We Frankensteined this.” 

“We did,” Natasha says, staring at the house. There are still little bits of glass. An unfortunately busted can of beans where someone had been knocked out and they had “conveniently” forgotten to clean it up from yesterday. 

Well. Sharon and Bucky are going to cause havoc on the world. Maria and Natasha just hope they can cover the other while doing so. 

[hypermanga]

The swordswoman and the Prince (Thorin x reader)

Requested by:  witch-of-letters

Synopsis:  Hello! 😀 Can I request a Thorin one-shot (or mini-series) about him and the Reader being in love with each other since childhood (him being a prince and her being the daughter of the Captain of the Guard). R has always been known as the odd dwarrowdam - smart, incredibly funny, amd no-nonsense woman who prefers learning how to fight with weapons than sew. After Smaug's attack, her and Thorin try to lead their people together - thus earning their respect (as an Oakenshield and a Fireheart).

Word count: 3991

A/N: So...I've taken more time with this that what I initially thought, I should watch The Hobbit again!😂 But yeah, I hope I lived up to your expectations and enjoy it, the only thing I didn't know what to do with is the Fireheart part, but I hope nevertheless you enjoy it❤

Happy reading!❤

~~~ 

The tip of your sword shone with the last rays of the sun as you prepared to spar with your father, as per usual. It was one of the perks of being the captain of the royal guard’s daughter, instead of sewing and become a walking cake with all the layers of dressing and make up, you got to enjoy the adrenaline of close hand to hand combat “Not bad at all” You smiled, but it quickly turned into a sour face as your father swept your feet from the ground “Never lose focus on the enemy, even when they are being nice” Offering a hand, you made the gesture as to stand up, but pulled his hand down and rolled over, the tip of your sword almost touching his nose’s “That’s my lass” He laughed proudly.

Just then, Erebor’s prince made an entrance “Highness” Your father made a reverence, even though he was close with the royal his morals were too strong to just salute him like an old friend “ How many times must I tell you that is not necessary” Thorin chuckled, hugging him “Thorin “ You smiled, embracing him in a hug “Ready to get your rear served on a platter?” “(Y/N)!” “It’s okay dad, he’s quite accustomed to it, aye Thorin?”

As your every day spar started, you unsheathed your swords, now the light of the torches being the sun’s substitute “Ready (Y/N)?” “As I’ll ever be” Swords clashed, sweat covered your bodies, and grunts were heard on both parts, not giving up “Don’t you grow tired?” “Ehm…No, are you?” You smiled wickedly, before trying to sweep his feet, but he was quick enough to dodge “Please, a Durin never flee from a fight” As he finished that you came face to face, swords only between you “I know, but they can be distracted” You made pouty lips, as if to kiss him. Thorin quickly blushed, surprised by that, not noticing your arm quickly stealing his sword “How about that, your Highness?” “That was impressive” He huffed, before he stood up “You are going to make a great captain of the Guard” Now it was your turn to blush, quickly covering it with “Look how late it has gotten! It’s way past dinner time…I’ll head to bed” Bidding a goodbye, you retired in your chambers, leaving the two men in the training room.

Not long after the two men also retired “Thorin!” The prince turned on his heel, his blue eyes shining with the moonlight “I can see the way you look at her. The day I perish, I would like you to protect her” “I will, you have my word” Thorin sworn, earning a sweet smile from your father and leaving him alone in one of the many hallways of the magnificent kingdom, glad to know you were never going to be alone, not with Thorin by your side.

Little did you know, the next day was going to change your life and the one’s around you so much.

Smaug had barged in the mountain before any of the troops could react, the flames engulfing them; it had also taken you by surprise while you were practicing with Dwalin, making you drop your sword immediately to help whomever was still trapped or in any form of danger. Dodging the rocks and people who were rushing out, you checked every room that was still intact, the last one being the treasure room.

There you heard King Thror’s cries of greed, as Thorin tried to drag him away from all the treasures, including the Arkenstone, unbeknownst to you “Thorin, we’ve got to hurry up! This place is crumbling down” You shouted, but your screams were muffled by the dragon’s roar “For Mahal’s sake!” You helped Thorin take the king outside, not so delicately, as there was no time for formalities.

When you made it out of Erebor alive, you let go of Thror, quickly scanning the crowd for any signs of your father “Adad!” Nothing. “Adad!” Nothing. Thorin had also retrieved some guards, who didn’t recall seeing your father in the ruckus “The armoury…” You muttered under your breath, and like that you took off, not caring about Thorin’s pleas to stay “Adad!” Like a mantra you repeated it, hoping the dragon was far “(Y/N)!” Your father was with some other guards, prepared to attack “What are you doing still here?” “We must defend the Kingdom, that’s our job” “Adad…” “It is our duty (Y/N) …” You frowned, looking at the defeated faces of the guards and then at what it had been your home for so many years “This is our Kingdom, this is not Erebor…OUR PEOPLE!” You pointed the nearest window “Our people are the reason why you enrolled in the Guard. Those are Erebor, not this palace” A stoic expression rested on your face as you finished your speech “You, my daughter, are more than ready to become the Captain” With that, your father presented his sword to you, transferring his position “What?” “It is your destiny…You must guide our people to freedom” “I…Don’t know what to say” The ground trembled, Smaug was going towards you “Go! Flee! I’ll entertain the beast!”

After helping everyone out, you started to run for the main entrance, but found yourself face to face with the dragon “Well, well, well, who do we have here?” It spoke, his deep voice sounding more menacing thanks to the echo “The Captain of the Guard, you foul monster” It still felt weird to associate the title with your persona “Such strong words spoken by such a pretty little thing like you” “Let’s see how much of a pretty thing I am when I slay your neck” Your face was bright red “I will keep my promise. I will end with your petty existence” At that, Smaug spit fire, earning a yelp of surprise as well as the raising of your shield.

Thorin couldn’t hear anything from outside his birthplace, beginning to sprint inside to aid you when your father and troops stumbled out, visibly tired from running “Thank Mahal you’re alright” Thorin smiled, but his smile started to turn into a frown as he didn’t see you “Thank (Y/N), she stayed behind to battle the dragon” Your father stated, a sad look in his eyes “What do you mean she’s fighting the drag-“ A huge flare came out of the front door, signalling the closeness of the combat “(Y/N)!” Both men screamed, terrified at what happened”

When the fire ceased, you put down your shield, the sweat cascading down your forehead “No fire will extinguish me, bastard!” “You definitely have something in you, I’ll wait patiently for your return, dwarrowdam” The creature made a gesture that seemed like a smile, and with that it swung its tail, making you jump out of the window at full force because of the impact.

Your presence was known as you were blasted out at full speed, a grunt escaping your mouth “(Y/N)!” Both Thorin and your father started to run to catch you on your landing, being Thorin the “lucky one” to do so, your unconscious body bringing him to the ground, though it rested in his arms preventing you from any further harm “My daughter…” Your father caressed your cheek, Oin quickly running up and checking for the pulse. Thankfully you were alive.

You were unconscious for a month or so, not knowing about the elves abandoning your people or how you’d started the exile. One rainy morning a gasp escaped your throat, alerting Oin of your awakening “Lass…You’re with us again” A grunt of displeasure followed that statement “Oin…Where am I?” It looked like a makeshift doctor consultation “We’re in a village, stopping by before we resume our journey to Moria” The legendary realm…“What about everyone?” “They are at the inn or spread around town…Thorin is at the blacksmith, if you are interested” Trying to stand up, you gazed down at the bandages covering your belly, where the impact had left cuts and bruises, the memories of your brief encounter with the dragon coming back to you “That bastard…” You whispered, while you were helped by Oin. After trying to wobble your way out, failing, the elder dwarf concluded that resting and waiting for Thorin’s return as well as the others would be better than have you collapse in the middle of the street.

The day passed by quite quickly, majorly because all you did was eat, sleep, and contemplate your sword, which rested beside your bed “(Y/N)!” Thorin stumbled, visibly exhausted from working “Hey…” You tried to incorporate, whimpering when you tried to do so “Lass, we’ve gone through this before, do not force yourself” “Sorry…I don’t like feeling so helpless…” “How long will be the recovering” Thorin looked at his friend “About a month or so, she was pretty bruised” “I see…” Thorin looked sadly at your figure “You were so brave there…But you could have died! It was foolish of you to enter Erebor again…Let alone face that creature!” Despite the outcome, Thorin felt guilty of not helping you, having sworn to protect you to your father just a day before “I did what I had to do. A part of our people was inside still, my adad included, I couldn’t let him die…Not if I could do something about it” You frowned, your eyes making contact with his, a silent fight between the two of you “You’re incorrigible” Thorin chuckled, making you smirk “After all this time I still surprise you”

The conversation was cut short by your father entering Oin’s consultation “(Y/N)!” He hugged you tightly “Please Adad, you’re embarrassing me” You chuckled, not noticing Thorin’s gaze upon you. He really admired your sense of justice and stubbornness to do the right thing, it was one of the many things why he knew you were his One. But was it reciprocal? According to your father it was, but who better to know it that…Well you: you were childhood friends, then companions and now the Prince and his Captain of the Guard, but your friendship had endured all kinds of problems, but could there be more?

The recovery went faster than what Oin had expected, and sooner than later you were practicing with your sword and mounting your pony instead of resting onto your father’s, as well as attending anyone who needed something, from curing someone’s wounds to encouraging words, you were ready to help. You had been taking jobs here and there during the day to help continue the journey, just like Thorin and most of the people had been doing, and helped the kids study during the last hours of the day to maintain their education.

The outskirts of Moria could be seen from the hilltop you were standing “What’s that smell?” You scrunched your nose, Dwalin mimicking your action “It smells rotten” Your father commented “I have a feeling we are not alone”. Hiding everyone, you stayed awake for any danger during the night polishing your sword, the only company you had “There’s something called sleep” Thorin’s deep voice interrupted your ministrations, turning to face him “I feel something bad is going to happen. It’s my duty to protect my people. My father had a near-death experience because I wasn’t good enough-““You saved him. He is with us.  Your family is still with us, nobody has perished.” He smiled at you, a tired smile “You should rest, I will take it from here” Your eyes looked red and your features showed exhaustion “At least, wake me up if something bad happens” You trudged to you makeshift bed, trying to rest and shake off the bad sensation the old kingdom exuded.

You didn’t know how much you slept before Thorin shook your torso gently “What is it?” Fully alert, you watched a party of dwarves make their way to the path that was directed to Erebor “We are going to investigate. As the new captain of the guard I figured out you would want to join us” You smiled, preparing your sword and grabbing a quick bite before assuring women and children that everything was going to be fine.

But as soon as you stepped near the entrance, the stench that you’d smelt and the bad sensation morphed into your worst nightmare: the orcs had occupied the old kingdom, claiming is their own “On your positions!” You quickly directed to the guards and commoners “We didn’t expect it. No one did” You gritted your teeth. It was fundamental to rise the spirits and convictions before a battle began “But this is one of our many kingdoms! This is one of our homes, and the homes of our ancestors! And these orcs have taken it as if it was theirs! Are we going to let that happen?” A strong ‘No!’ rumbled in the troops, making you smile in satisfaction “We may have lost Erebor for now, but we are now prepared and united as a kingdom!” Cheers started again, and you waved your sword, leading “Du bekar!” Thorin smiled at you and started to run towards the battle, the orcs quickly catching on and preparing his troops.

It seemed as everything was going to be smooth, well as smooth as a battle could be, but from Moria emerged a big pale orc, like none you’d ever seen before “What the?” Judging from his big weapon and how every orc defended him, it seemed he was the leader. The troops of orcs started their offensive again, this time mor organized, as if the appearance of the menacing creature had given them boost. The battle soon turned out to be a war, with more casualties than the one’s you’d thought. You watched as dwarves fell down dead in front of you, with no time to mourn them because of the constant attacks from the orcs, your sword piercing every single one of them.

Everything was chaotic, a blur, but the next thing you knew was that King Thror was running towards the pale orc and the latter had decapitated him in a matter of seconds. Tears brimmed from your eyes as you heard Thorin’s despair, your heart breaking in the process. You ran after him, intending of stopping the same fate, but he was unreachable. You watched in despair how he faced the orc alone and lost both his sword and shield.

You were being massacred. What had looked like a simple victory had turned into a bloodshed. Defeat loomed upon your kin, and felt partially responsible, for not being good enough.

That's when you saw him, slicing the orc's arm with just an oak branch as a shield. "Thorin" you whispered in bliss, tears of happiness in your life. Seeing him alive and rise as victor seemed to bring power to the remaining dwarves, but that's when you felt it. It was not just a crush that you'd tried to palliate with flirting, but it was futile.

You loved him.

The dwarves formed a troop, Thorin leading in the front this time "Du bekar!" He exclaimed, everyone following him. The line of Durin and its power, you guessed, smiling inside. You fought perfectly back to back to eachother, defending and attacking when needed at perfect timing. It was as if you were the perfect duo.

As the orcs fled the place, taking the pale orc who was bleeding fatally, Thorin walked up one of the hills, sweating and full of dirt, his figure exuding majesticness "There is one I could follow, someone I can call king" Balin whispered for himself, but you couldn't help but smile sadly. It was not his turn to become king, but the events had caused it "(Y/N)" the older dwarf interrupted your train of thought as he signalled your friend. Thorin had extended his hand, looking at you; taking it you stood beside him on the hill. The remaining dwarves bowed down, and later would the people who stayed behind.

In that little moment, Thorin's hand hoveres upon yours, his eyes never leaving the horizon; timidly you grabbed it and shook it gently "We're in this together" You nodded, and him mimicked your actions.

Thorin had lost his grandfather, father, and brother on the same day. As for you, your father was severly injured. That night there weren't many celebrations, for the happiness succumbed to the pain of all the fallen "How is your father?" Thorin asked, while looking at the fire "Fine...Recovering..." You gave him a bowl of stew "You need to eat Thorin. You'll be of no use if not. Our people need you" "But what if I'm not good enough?" He looked uncertain, eyes glassy "You will be. I've grown up with you, and I'd put my hand over fire and swear on my corpse that you're ready. And remember, you have me by your side" Pointing at yourself, he chuckled quietly, making you smile as well.

He looked beautiful, under the pale moonlight, and even though it was not the best moment, your eyes landed on his lips. He gazed you intently, watching your every movement, approaching your features and closing his eyes, and you did the same "(Y/N)!" Oin shouted, making you scoot back "Your father! He is weak!" You ran to his tent, and watched in horror at the blood-covered floor and then at your pale father "Adad" He opened his eyes briefly, closing them instantly "My dear..." "You have to fight! You're strong!" Grabbing his hand, your tears fell "(Y/N), my time has come to join the Valar...It pains me to leave you, but I know that by Thorin's side I couldn't leave you in better hands. You've become a fierce dwarrowdam, (Y/N), and I couldn't be more proud of you" He caressed your face and brushed your tears with his thumb "Now lead our people to freedom, I know you will"

He closed his eyes for the last time, everyone lowering their heads, while you left the tent, crashing into Thorin "He's..." Sobs escaped you, soaking his shirt "I'm sorry (Y/N)..." Now it was his turn to help you cope with the situation. Embracing you in his arms, he rested the top of his head upon yours.

‐---------------

After some months, you arrived at the Blue Mountains, helping everyone get installed thanks to the skills you’d acquired building houses in the villages, dressed as a boy of course. No one said life as the Captain of the Guard was easy, and now with your father gone, it was difficult for you to not get nostalgic, so you tried to entertain yourself by training with your sword for long hours.

You'd sworn to earn vengeance and end with the dragon's life, but now you didn't feel anything, you were numb. Thorin had caught up on your gloomy behaviour, and although he wasn't much better than you, he always went out of his way to help you while he acted as an uncle and parental figure to his nephews Kili and Fili.

Nightmares plagued you of that pale orc coming back and finishing off with the last person you loved. Every night you would wake up sweaty and in tears. Finding there was of no use to go back to your little cottage, you knocked on Thorin's door "Come in" Opening the door, you shufled in silence "(Y/N)?" "Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't sleep" You gazed the maps that were upon his table "I see you cannot either. What are these for?" You smirked "We can’t stay here forever, now can we? I must reclaim Erebor back". As he looked at your puzzled expression, he took out a key that was hidden under his robbes " Do you know Gandalf the Grey?" "The wizard of course" You eyed the key curiously, touching it "He gave me this key a while ago, in a tavern of Bree". You knew of Thorin's constant research of his father, his hope of him being alive "This key will help us retrieve Erebor" He smiled proudly, making you smile as well "How will you do so?" "I must part to reunite with the leaders of the Nine Realms, reunite a strong troop and part to Erebor”

That meant... "When are you going to leave?" "First I want to talk to some of the dwarves that are here, such as Balin, Dwalin..." You crossed your arms, it was almost a year or so from here to Erebor, not to mention the dragon "I'll come with you" You stepped forward "What? No, I don't want to put you in danger" "I'm the Captain of the Guard, a skilled swordswoman and" You emphasized the last word "Your childhood friend"

Thorin was conflicted: he wanted to leave you here, to honor his promise to your father of not exposing you to danger, but he knew that if he did so you'd probably hate him until the end of his days. And truth to be told, he wasn't sure he would be able to complete the journey without you by his side "Fine, you win" He looked at your excited form, as if parting on a journey had made you forget all your worries, the old (Y/N) before the scarring of the battle coming back.

After finishing your little victory dance and scanning the maps, your eyes landed on Thorin, who looked conflicted "What?" Your voice seemed to bring him back from Mahal knows where "Nothing..." "I know when you're worried Thorin and that's now, please tell me" Sitting beside him, Thorin tried to organize his thoughts "Your father, the day before the attack...He asked me to protect you from any harm once he perished" You nodded "And by letting you go in this journey I fear I'd break this promise" "But I've got the last word, don't I? And I'm fully decided" Grabbing his hands, he turned to you completely "Now, please tell me what's the real reason? Because you're a terrible liar" You smirked, as Thorin looked like a deer in headlights "Well...That's it" He shrugged "(Y/N), I've known you all my life, and since I was a child I knew that my heart would belong to you: you're a strong and fearless warrior, an intelligent and compassionate dwarrowdam...And above all, someone I can count on any time. What I'm trying to say is that...I love you, amralime, and I don't want to lose you to any journey"

You gazed upon his sad blue eyes, appalled by his words “Lucky for you, you are not getting rid of me any time soon, amralime” You smiled gently, your lips swiftly caressing his, before he claimed them passionately. 

The next morning you appeared with a braid in your hair and a gleeful smile, while in the night you were with Thorin preparing the reunion as well as...Some other things. In no time you’d gathered everything you needed while you finished talking to those dwarves that you trusted the most, such as Dwalin, Balin, and Thorin’s nephews. 

"So...Thirteen dwarves and a wizard" You smirked, bidding everyone goodbye "An odd Company, to say the least" You looked how the rest did the same you'd done "And did you say we needed a burglar?" You asked Thorin, who shrugged "Gandalf suggested it, and frankly it is a good idea" You nodded, before approaching your people "Dwarves from Erebor! Today we part to retrieve our land. As you know, it will not be an easy journey, with many dangers and adventured ahead, but with our Company and Thorin leading the way don't you fret nor fear, for we will be victorious!"

Everyone cheered, Thorin blushing and smiling proudly "Couldn't have said it better" He looked at you, pecking your lips softly before lifting your hand in his.

With this gesture of victory and force, you parted to the Shire, where a hobbit was to embark into an unexpected journey.

MASTERLIST

Requests are open!

@deepestfirefun @book-boys-are-my-guilty-pleasure @evyiione @youre-gonna-have-dreams @every-jai @schizonephilim @j25m18c24 @fandomgalcentral @leah-halliwell92

[pulaasul]

Rairyu - SAO 3

[lit. Thunder Dragon] Ryuji and Futaba promised to meet in Sword Art Online with Ryuji going in first to scout for suitable grinding areas. However, before Futaba could get into the game, Sojiro stopped her and revealed to her the status of Sword Art Online as a Death Game. [Prologue is an entry for #kissryujiday]

C1 I C2 I C3 I C4 I C5

AO3 I FFN

----------

Ryuji has just arrived at Medai village after partying up with some of the players. He could admit that they were fun to be around.

He had just checked in to the inn when he heard a voice. “Sakamoto!”

Ryuji was immediately on alert when he heard his last name being called. As far as he knew, he didn’t tell anyone his real name and somehow someone was using that to call him.

“Sakamoto, Can you hear me?” The voice asked.

“Who’re you?!” Ryuji asked. “How’d you know my name?!”

“Ryuji relax.” Ryuji heard his best friend’s name.

“R-ren? You logged into the game too?” Ryuji immediately asked. “Where are you now?”

“Relax Ryuji.” Ren repeated. “I’m outside the game.” He answered the question. “We’re using someone’s Persona to communicate with you.”

“Someone can use their Persona in the real world?!” Ryuji uttered out in bewilderment. “That’s… No, I need to ask you one thing.”

“If it’s about me, I’m with Ren.” Futaba immediately replied.

“That’s a relief.” Ryuji slumped on a chair. “How about Mom? Is she okay? Should I…”

“Don’t you dare Ryuji Sakamoto!” Anne immediately cut off Ryuji’s question. “She’s listening to your words now.”

“C-crap!”

“Ryu-kun.” Ryuji heard his mother’s voice. “Would you really leave me?”

“N-no! Ma!” Ryuji sputtered. “I-it’s not wha-what you think.” He tried to reason out. “I-it’s just that I don’t want to be a burden to you anymore than I already am.”

“Ryu-kun, you’re all I have left.” Ryuji’s mother sobbed. “You’re not a burden to me, you never were.”

“I-I… I know that.” Ryuji sighed. “I know that but it doesn’t help that I’ve been giving you problems ever since Pa left us.”

“Ryu-kun, how many times do I have to tell you?” Ryuji’s mother chided gently. “What happened to us, you weren’t at fault at all.” She stated firmly. “Your deadbeat of a father decided to beat you, to beat us. Kamoshida was at fault for leaking personal information and provoking you that resulted in your broken your leg, and now Kayaba is the one at fault for trapping you and 10,000 others in that game.”

“I know but…”

“But nothing.” Ryuji’s mother sniffled.

“You’re already working for three or four jobs already.” Ryuji pointed out. “Hospital bills are crazy expensive.”

“If I may Sakamoto.” The voice from earlier intervened. “I promised your mother that she won’t be paying a single yen for your hospitalization.”

“What’s the catch?” Ryuji immediately questioned.

“It’s admirable that you immediately asked for the ‘catch’ if you will.” The unfamiliar female voice praised. “Being a phantom thief does wonders If I do say so myself.” The mirth in her voice could be heard. “To answer your question, I would like to have your mother work for the hospital you’ll be transferred to.”

“Umm guys, anything I’m missing here?”

“She’s Mitsuru Kirijo, the Kirijo Group’s CEO.” Haru answered. “We are using her Persona abilities to talk to you. Her ability also include scanning us and having Personas somehow revealed our status as Phantom Thieves.”

“Is everyone there?” Ryuji asked.

“Hello Ryuji.” Yusuke greeted. “Yes everyone’s here, including your mother.”

“To answer your question, Kirijo-san has asked your mother to transfer you to a different hospital.” Makoto shared. “On the grounds that you are a Persona-user.”

“The hell?!”

“She also revealed the risk of your unconsciousness being subjected to different experiments if they didn't intervene immediately.”

“Ma, you know I’d understand if…”

“Don’t you dare finish that thought Ryuji Sakamoto!”

Ryuji flinched at the use of his complete name. He was not ignorant of the fact that his mother loved him dearly. The sacrifices she took to raise him as a single mother, the dedication, the work…

He’s not blind.

“I know ma.” Ryuji sighed. “Just…” He gulped.  “Think of yourself first before you think of me, alright?”

“We’ll take care of your mother Ryuji.” Ren promised. “You can count on that.”

“I’ll hold you to that man.” Ryuji smiled. “Convince her to…”

“We’re not going to do that.” Ren dismissed the thought. “Futaba was already distraught when you were trapped in the game alone.”

“Crap.”

“Crap’s a good word for it.” Morgana’s voice was heard.

“Even the cat’s there too?” Ryuji exclaimed. “How?”

“I have my ways.” Ren teased. “In any case Ryuji, we’ll wait how long it takes for you to escape that game.”

“I’m sorry but I have to cut this conversation short. It’s getting late, but let me leave a few words of advice, Sakamoto.” Mitsuru began. “Asking that of your friends and mother won’t bring relief to them. That only brings feelings of inadequacy and sadness to them.”

Ryuji noticed that the Kirijo’s voice held so much more than just the words of an adult telling a child off. He can feel that these words dug up something in her, experience perhaps.

“Ponder on those thoughts Sakamoto.”

Just like that, the link was cut off.

Ryuji sat on the bed for a while before lying on the bed.

He was thinking of the conversation that just happened. He was genuinely relieved that Futaba wasn’t able to log into the game. The one thing that bothered him was how his mother reacted to his thoughts.

Sure, he was the only thing left for her.

But…

But he can’t help but feel that he was burdening her with his situation.

Then there was Kirijo-san’s words.

He can’t help but feel that there was something more to the words she spoke.

“Hello! Anyone home” Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Ryuji prompted. “It’s open.”

A man wearing a cloth headband by his forehead peeked his head through the door.

“Klein!” Ryuji stood as he greeted the man with red hair. “There any changes?”

“Rairyu so-“ The man identified as Klein opened the door and immediately cut himself as soon as he saw tears falling from Ryuji’s eyes. “Hey what’s wrong?”

“Wha- huh?” Ryuji questioned. “W-Why am I crying?” He tried to wipe the tears off of his face.

“H-hey, it’s okay.” Klein immediately got Ryuji in a one-arm hug. “Whatever it is man, it’s going to be okay.”

“N-no, you don’t understand.” Ryuji tried to defend himself, still trying to wipe the tears from his face. “I didn’t mean to cry.”

“You can’t really mask your emotions here Rairyu.” Klein informed. “Found that out when the party was reminiscing on some old memories.” He chuckled as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.”

“For real?!” Ryuji looked at Klein in disbelief. “How convenient.” He remarked sarcastically.

“I don’t think so.” Klein shrugged. “Way I see it, it lets all to be honest with ourselves.” He admitted.

Ryuji continued to wipe the tears from his face as Klein watched it happen.

“Can I ask?”

“I just miss Ma and my friends, is all.” Ryuji sighed as he gave up trying to stop the tears. “I can’t help but feel that this whole situation is going to be a burden to her.” He admitted. “It really makes me wonder why she hadn’t pulled the plug and let my useless ass get fried by the NerveGear.”

“Didn’t know you carried something deep.” Klein’s eyes narrowed in concern. “I know about your reputation about talking to the people who despaired.” He squeezed Ryuji’s shoulder. “Didn’t know you also carried the same baggage around.”

“I see now.” Klein nodded knowingly.

“What do you see?”

“You’re the type of character who’s so loyal to their friends and family and forget about yourself.” Klein answered knowingly. “You’re the type of guy who’d do anything for his friends.”

“Wha- Huh? Where’d you get that?” Ryuji inquired.

“Considering your reputation and your tendency to help children, I’d say my impression of you is on point.”

“There’s nothing special in what I do.” Ryuji denied the praise. “I’m still someone dumb that’s managed to become a burden to his mother once more.”

“That’s where you’re wrong kid.” Klein ruffled Ryuji’s hair. “You inspire people, your words give them hope.”

“Am not a kid.” Ryuji grumbled.

“Really?” Klein chuckled. “I’m sorry if this seems rude, but how old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Still younger than me.” Klein chuckled. “Despite what you may think about yourself, you’re far from useless kid.” He grinned at the young boy. “You’ve helped a lot of children by putting them under the care of a makeshift orphanage and helped a lot of people from taking that drastic action.”

“For real?”

“For real!” Klein affirmed. “That’s not useless kid, that’s heroic.”

“I guess, it’s pretty heroic to stop people from doing that one thing.” Ryuji sheepishly smiled as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Now don’t get your head big with that praise.” Klein teased.

“Thanks Klein.” Ryuji thanked the older man. “I guess I needed to hear that.”

“We all have our ups and downs kid.” Klein assured. “I have my days as well.”

“Did you need something else?” Ryuji asked.

“Right.” Klein nodded. “We’re bailing out on tomorrow’s side quest with you.” He admitted. “One of my party members suddenly got his weapon destroyed and we’re trying to find him a new one.” He added.

“No worries.” Ryuji assured. “You were the one who offered me a spot in your guild in the first place.” He smiled.” I can wait.”

“We’re still not a guild you know.” Klein corrected.

“I know that.” Ryuji nodded. “But I’ve seen people name their parties.” He pointed out. “I think that’s a sign as any that they’re going to form a guild once they reach the third floor.”

“Good point.” Klein nodded. “In any case, are you sure?”

“Yeah man.” Ryuji grinned. “There’s been a side quest that I’ve been meaning to get to for the children back at the Orphanage.”

“The one that gives cream as a reward?” Klein questioned.

“Nah, some of the older kids got that covered.” Ryuji shook his head. “I’m referring to the one with the Mosquito-Pig Boss.” He shared. “The reward was a few pieces of Ragout Rabbit meat.”

“Ugh.” Klein cringed. “That side quest was such a….” He trailed off as he shivered at the memory. “The money we got from selling all of them was worth it tho.” He sighed.

“Really?” Ryuji inquired. “Any tips for me?”

“It starts as a simple escort mission.” Klein shared. “Be prepared for any jump scares.” He shivered at the memory. “That boss almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Huh, when do you think we’ll party again?”

“Depends.” Klein stated as he walked to the room’s door. “We need to make sure that the weapon we buy is sturdy enough to last.”

“You know where to reach me.” Ryuji grinned.

----------

Once Ryuji woke up, he immediately went south of Medai and talk to the quest giver at the edge of town. That was where the infamous Ragout Rabbit meat quest was found.

Ryuji looked around the town’s south gate, and there he found the fearful young man that was the quest giver.

He approached the young man.

“Hello young traveler, can you offer your assistance?” The young man started his spiel. “Father and Mother asked me to fetch some water by the river a few miles from here, however that place is crawling with monsters.”

As the man continued his spiel, Ryuji noticed that the young man was wearing a white long sleeved shirt under an open brown vest, brown pants and boots. The man was your typical poor man in those retro movies Morgana insisted they watched.

“With my mother and father both bedridden, it is up to me to fetch them and our land lord some water.”

A window popped up in front of Ryuji detailing about the quest he had intended to accept.

He was about to accept the quest when someone called out for him to stop.

“Stop!”

Ryuji looked in the direction of the voice, and there was a man with blue hair and wearing in what looks like a knight armor.

“You shouldn’t accept that quest.”

Ryuji raised an eyebrow at the statement.

“Not unless you have a party with you.” The man in armor finished as he made a gesture with his hand.

“Huh?” Ryuji tilted his head.

“It’s because when the rescue mission comes into play one of the party members gets kidnapped as well.” Another man, in the same armor albeit different in color, answered. “Frankly, some people almost died because they didn’t have a party with them.”

Ryuji nodded at the points, but he was still suspicious.

“Why stop me?” Ryuji asked. “I see you already have a party.”

“Why, because you’re Rairyu!” The man who called to him replied. “Frankly morale would go low if you’re killed in the game.”

“Do I really have that much of an impact on the whole game?” Ryuji questioned.

“You have no idea.” The man chuckled. “Some people have been emulating your example in trying to stop people from jumping off of the ledge.”

“They’re just trying to do right thing.” Ryuji denied the praise. “Like what I did.”

“In any case, why don’t you party with us?” The other man asked. “And we could do the quest together.”

“I guess.” Ryuji shrugged. “Just whoever gets whatever owns that alright?”

“Fine by me.”

A second window appeared before Ryuji then pressed the blue circle.

“Diavel, Darien, Shark, Katon?” Ryuji read the names that appeared.

“That’s us.” A man replied as he approached the group. “Shark.” He introduced himself.

“Diavel.” The man with blue hair spoke.

“Darien.” The other man who just arrived and slung his arm over Diavel’s shoulders.

“Katon.” A woman stated after jumping into Ryuji’s view.

“Rairyu.” Ryuji introduced himself. “I guess you already knew that.”

“The Vulgar Blonde Talker.” Katon grinned. “Got to say you’ve quite the name.”

“C’mon you have to agree that nickname sucked.” Ryuji pouted at the mention of his nickname.

Diavel’s party chuckled at Ryuji’s pout. They have an inkling towards the boy’s age and seeing his reaction just proved it.

“No worries.” Shark grinned. “It’s not like we’ll be using them.”

“Still, I would’ve loved something cooler.” Ryuji continued to pout.

“With you in our party, you can accept the side quest.” Diavel spoke.

Ryuji nodded as he pressed the blue circle on the remaining window.

---------

Ryuji’s party, alongside the quest giver, were walking towards the forest that housed a riverbank. The party chatted idly with each other in the party.

“We’re actually trying to find the floor dungeon leading to the floor boss room.” Diavel shared. “Some things changed in the first floor since the beta test.” He sighed. “I just hope our knowledge would be enough to escape the game.”

“You’re a beta tester?” Ryuji questioned. “That’s right, someone’s spreading some rumors back in the town of beginnings about how you guys abandoned newbies like us.” He shared.

“We beta-testers just ignore them.” Diavel shrugged. “We have compiled what we all found during the beta test up until the eleventh floor.” He stated as he retrieved a small book from his pants’ back pocket. “But as I stated earlier, things changed since the beta test.”

“For real?” Ryuji looked at the book with wide eyes. “This was legit?”

“You mean to say you didn’t buy one yourself Rairyu?” Diavel tilted his head in confusion.

“Figured it was some nobody who wanted to make a quick buck.” Ryuji admitted. “Even cautioned Sasha and the kids at the orphanage about it.”

Ryuji’s eyes widened in realization at what he just did.

“Crap!” Ryuji exclaimed. “We need to finish this quest quick I need to inform them about this.”

----------

“We’re nearing the forest.” The quest giver stated. “The open field to the forest doesn’t have any monsters in the area.” He informed the party. “Because nearby lords hire warriors and travelers such as yourselves to clean the open field leading to the forest every other day.”

“That’s why there were no monsters and warriors in the area.” Ryuji observed.

“However, the forest has lots of monsters.” The man shivered. “Most prominent are the Ramoos.” He shared.

“Ramoos?”

“They look like Frenzy Boars.” Katon supplied. “Only difference to the Frenzy Boars is that they’re brown and have larger tusks.” She added. “They’re also higher level than the Frenzy Boars.”

Before any of the other party members could interject the quest giver, the quest giver screamed in fear and ran towards the forest’s entrance.

“Look alive everyone!” Diavel announced. “Enemy encounter.”

Ryuji retrieved his Mace from his back and donned his usual fighting stance.

As soon as one of the Ramoos charged, Ryuji made his move as well. He intercepted the attack by swinging his mace before delivering a kick towards its face and bashed it once more with his weapon.

Ryuji jumped back and put his weapon over his shoulder as it glowed a yellow-ish glow before swinging it into flight, in a spinning manner, which hit a lot of the monsters in the area, including the one he was fighting.

Ryuji raised his hand and caught the flying weapon and proceeded to continue bashing his enemies with it.

Soon after, the party defeated the enemies they encountered.

“Nice throw Rairyu!” Shark complimented.

“How many times did you practice throwing your mace just to catch it by one hand?” Katon asked curiously. “Seriously, while the hammer, axe or mace does return to the owner, no one has been able to catch their weapon when it returns.”

“I never really practiced.” Ryuji admitted. “I’ve been grinding levels since the announcement.”

“On top of helping people and taking care of kids younger than you.” Darien commented.

“I didn’t care about the kids at first,” Ryuji admitted. “But some kids kinda bit off more than they could chew and I had to intervene.”

“Welp we’ve got Rairyu the heru with us!” Shark exclaimed.

“That doesn’t really work Shark.” Diavel shook his head. “Besides it’s He-ro, ro.” He corrected. “Not ru.”

“Awww.” Shark pouted. “You guys have shit taste in jokes.”

“Puns aren’t peak comedy material.” Diavel chuckled.

“Wouldn’t He-ryu have worked?” Ryuji tilted his head in confusion.

“Even Rairyu agrees.” Katon guffawed.

After a few moments of waiting, the party noticed that the quest giver didn’t come out of his hiding spot, merely observing what was happening on the now empty battlefield.

“Don’t worry.” Ryuji announced. “There are no more monsters around in the area.”

The young man hesitantly approached the group then suddenly ran towards Ryuji and hugged him.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! So much!” The quest giver gave Ryuji a smooch on the cheeks in between his expression of gratitude. “I didn’t know what I would’ve done without you travelers around.” He released the mace wielder from the hug. “I am so thankful that I hired you despite the landlord’s insistence not to.”

Ryuji stood stunned at the turn of events.

Sure he listened to the quest giver’s scripted spiel, but the sudden hug and kisses to his cheeks left him unable to process what just happened.

“Don’t overthink it.” Katon whispered. “Apparently this quest’s quest giver’s script is like that after witnessing its escorts defeat the first batch of Ramoos.”

“That was quite unexpected.” Ryuji admitted. “I’d imagine the female players would yell at his actions.”

“The quest giver usually gives out the hugs and kisses treatment to the person who accepted the quest.” Katon responded. “Coincidentally, only male players have been reported to accept the quest.” She added.

“Don’t tell me, none of the male players punched the guy?”

“They were like you, too stunned at what happened.” Darien chuckled. “Even if they did try, their party did stop them.”

“One of the many reasons why a party is needed for this quest.” Diavel shrugged.

----------

The party, alongside the quest giver, continued their trek in the forest towards the river. They encountered a lot more of the Ramoos along the way, and made quick work with them.

“I can see the river!” The quest giver announced as he dashed towards the place.

“H-hey wait!” Ryuji called out.

“Don’t sweat it.” Diavel assured. “The guy always dashes to the river once it’s within his sight.”

“You’ve done this quest before?” Ryuji asked his companions.”

“Around five or so times.” Shark shrugged. “It’s one of the best ways to earn money.” He added. “Once you sell most of the rewards you get for this quest.”

“Ramoos meat would sell for 10 cor.” Katon supplied. “Considering the amount of Ramoos meat we’re getting in this quest, you could basically earn more or less 1,000 cor just by selling it.”

“Granted if we kill all the Ramoos we encounter in this quest.” Diavel added.

“For real?!” Ryuji exclaimed. “I had thought the money came from selling the loot we get from defeating the boss.”

Before anyone could even reply, they heard the quest giver shout in fear.

Ryuji and the rest of the party charged right ahead and there they saw the quest giver surrounded by fifteen Ramoos.

“Part of the quest?” Ryuji questioned.

“Pretty much.” Darien shrugged.

Like before, Ryuji was the first one to attack. He threw his mace at the Ramoos.

All fifteen Ramoos were hit and immediately charged at Ryuji to retaliate. They were intercepted by Diavel’s and Darien’s shields, while Katon threw picks at a few of them.

Shark on the other hand brandished his Cutlass and hit three of the monsters, earning their attention.

Diavel’s and Darien’s shields glowed blue before they slightly moved backwards and gave a mighty push, blowing the other twelve monsters away from the party, effectively dividing the enemies.

“We’ll take three each.” Diavel announced.

“Roger that!” Ryuji voiced as he charged at the three Ramoos that caught his eye.

As the party dealt with their own Ramoos problems, Ryuji was on his own dealing with his own share of monsters.

The Ramoos on the right blew out smoke from its snout before it charged at Ryuji.

The mace wielder used his weapon to catch the monster before throwing it off of himself. He immediately followed up by bashing his mace unto the monster who laid on top of the other then swung it to his left to hit the monster that came charging at him from there.

As the monsters struggled to get back up, Ryuji didn’t relent his attacks. He swung and bashed on the monsters before he pulled his mace and glowed yellow then swung it upwards then downwards, destroying the monsters.

Ryuji’s was about to rush to his party members aid but each of them were delivering their final blows to the last of their enemies.

Diavel with his sword.

Shark with his cutlass.

Katon with her dagger.

Darien with his Hammer.

“Thank you so much!” The quest giver expressed his gratitude.

However, this time, he immediately worked on filling the buckets he had with him with water from the river.

“At least he has his priorities straight.” Ryuji commented.

“That he does.” The other party members chuckled.

---------

Ryuji couldn’t believe his eyes when he witnessed the quest giver carry four buckets with water all by himself.

Sure he was wobbling as he walked but the fact of the matter was that he was carrying them all by himself.

“H-hey, would you like some help?” Ryuji asked the quest giver.

“Oh thank you!” The quest giver thanked Ryuji and gave him two buckets of water to carry. “You’re such sweetheart.” He praised before leading the group outside of the forest.

“You really can’t help yourself, can you Rairyu?” Diavel chuckled. “Helping others is in your nature.” He observed.

“Shaddap!” Ryuji pouted. “It’s the right thing to do.” He reasoned as he blushed

“That it is.” Katon grinned. “Look at him blush.” He chuckled as the rest of the party gave out a hearty laugh at his reactions.

----------

As the party and the quest giver exited the forest they talked idly as they continued their journey back to the town of Medai.

Suddenly, something descended from the sky and targeted the people who were carrying two buckets of water – Ryuji and the quest giver.

As that something descended rapidly, Darien immediately pushed Ryuji out of the way, getting himself and the quest giver captured by that Unidentified Flying Monster.

“Get back here!” Ryuji yelled

The mace wielder grabbed hold of his weapon, activated its skill, and threw it towards the flying monster.

But it fell towards the ground, failing to reach the intended target.

“Come back!” Ryuji growled as he dashed towards his weapon.

“Rairyu!” Diavel called out. “Pull yourself together!”

“Dude! That monster just took Darien with it!” Ryuji exclaimed. “We need to get him back!”

“Calm down.” Katon reiterated Diavel’s order. “Just calm down.”

“It’s part of the quest.” Shark informed. “Remember?”

Katon, Diavel and Shark looked at each other, wondering the extremeness of Ryuji’s reactions.

“P-part of the quest.” Ryuji repeated Shark’s words. “Part of the quest.” He stared once again as he calmed himself down.” Right, part of the quest.”

Ryuji shook his head as he repeated Shark’s words over and over again as he calmed down from his outburst. Somehow, he forgot about everything and his mind went back to when everything was about the Phantom Thieves: Their capture in Kamoshida’s palace, Makoto recklessly turned herself into bait to infiltrate Kaneshiro’s palace, Ren’s capture under Shido’s orders, everything.

His mind even wandered on Zenkichi’s arrest a few months back.

“S-sorry.” Ryuji apologized.” The monster was gunning for me and Darrien took my place.” He bowed before the other three in remorse.

“It’s okay.” Diavel nodded. “It’s one of the reason why we stopped you earlier.” He explained. “This quest really needs a party.”

“It should’ve been me.” Ryuji muttered to himself.

“No, Rairyu.” Katon interjected. “The four of us had done this quest a few times.” She shared. “The four of us have already experienced what it’s like to be captured by the monster.” She admitted. “Like we said, this quest really needed party members to bail both the captured quest giver and party member.”

“If you had gone solo, like others before you, you’d have a hard time defeating the boss.” Diavel added in. “Others before you escaped with more or less 10 hp left, failing the quest, while some were not so fortunate.” He continued somberly.

Ryuji wanted to interject when a rich-looking woman came running towards them.

“Please save my son!” The woman knelt before them. “He was just fetching some water for the family.” She explained.

“Where was your son taken Ma’am?” Diavel inquired.

“I just saw my son on the talons of the Swinebell.” The mother answered. “He’s probably taken to its nest.”

“Swinebell?” Ryuji inquired.

“A high level boss monster found in the first floor.” Shark whispered. “Some have taken to calling it The Mosquito-Pig monster.” He explained. “The boss for this quest.”

“Wait really?” Ryuji managed to blurt out. “We need to get there now!” He exclaimed as he made a mad dash towards a random direction.

“Do you even know where the nest is?” Katon asked.

Ryuji stopped dead on his tracks as he realized that he doesn’t have an answer to the question.

“You’re the reckless type, aren’t you?” Shark shook his head.

“Where do you reckon its nest is located ma’am?” Diavel asked the quest giver’s mother.

“Up on that hill.” The woman pointed at a nearby hill. “Please you just have to save my son!”

As soon as the woman’s spiel was done, a window appeared before Ryuji notifying him that the quest has been updated.

With the update, Ryuji knew of the location of the Swinebell’s nest by way of the mark on his over world map.

“It’s the same location as the first time we did the quest.” Katon pointed out. “This should be a piece of cake.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Shark immediately cut off Katon’s train of thought. “The quest update, also updated our maps and marked out-of-bounds places.” He continued. “Not to mention there seems to be a landslide that occurred on our usual hillside route.” He added.

“Crud.”

“Looks like we’ll be going a new way then.” Diavel shrugged. “Should serve as an experience.” He chuckled.

[captainlordauditor]

300x3, 603

Y’all. I have gotten so much writing done this week. I haven’t even posted all of it, I also have some less than 300 bits I did.

Y’all know the rules, 300 words, 3 times a week. Here’s 1379 words from Earth 988, but a scene completely unrelated to the others I posted this week.

This is a new one for me, writing a conversation in ASL. I hope I did it okay. By the way, did you know that the sign for gay has changed twice since the 80s? I didn’t until I looked it up! I wasn’t originally going to address the evolution of ASL between the two characters’ time periods, but then I realized it gave me opportunity for even more miscommunication, which is what this fic is all about.

Red Hood grins playfully at him and Dick remembers Jason pickpocketing his keys to send Dick on a chase through the manor for them. He drops the mask on the kitchen table and raises his hands and Dick raises his hands back, drops into a fighting stance-

Red Hood doesn’t attack. Instead he raises his eyebrows, points at Dick, pulls his hand back into two fingers crossed over each other, then lifts them to his mouth and closes them against his thumb twice. Dick didn’t think it was possible to be more surprised than he was already but he is because it takes a moment for the signs to register. “You’re Robin?”

Shaking, Dick signs back, “How did you know my name?” He didn’t think anybody outside the Titans knew his name sign. Does Red Hood know the Titans? Why haven’t any of them called him?

“You’re Robin,” Red Hood signs back. “I saw you last night. You’re Robin.”

“No,” Dick signs back, speeding up, frantic, if rusty. “How do you know how to sign my name?”

“Robin is my brother. Why are you not-” he makes a sign that starts as ‘fly’ then turns into ‘night’. 

Dick doesn’t know where to start with that. He chooses the most obvious place. “I don’t know what” - he mimics the sign - “is. I am Robin.”

“Yes!” Red Hood signs back, insistent. “But why not fly-night? You should be fly-night.” - another sign Dick doesn’t know, this one ‘t’ and ‘detective’ - “should be Robin.”

“I don’t know fly-night or t-detective. What are they?”

Red Hood signs them again, frustrated. Dick can only shrug. Red Hood stops and sighs, then looks up brightly again and spells out, “N-I-G-H-T-W-I-N-G”

“N-I-G-H-T-W-I-N-G is fly-night?”

“Yes!” Red Hood looks relieved. “You should be Nightwing. T-I-M should be Robin.”

“He’s -” Dick stops. He doesn’t know if Sparrow has a name sign. “He’s S-P-A-R-R-O-W.”

Red Hood scowls. “No. You should be Nightwing. He should be Robin.”

Dick doesn’t know if he’s more confused or angry. “No. Robin is mine. Tim tried to take it. I took it back. Not his.”

Red Hood’s brow furrows. “You gave him Robin. Became Nightwing.”

“I gave-” Dick stops again. He can’t very well sign ‘you’. He uses Jason’s name instead, the sign for book but with his right hand forming the letter j. “I gave Robin to Jason.”

“I don’t know Jason.”

“Jason,” Dick repeats. “My son.”

“You don’t have a son.” Dick’s blood boils, and it must show on his face because Red Hood waves his hand and frantically corrects himself. “You shouldn’t have a son.”

“Why not? Because I’m gay?” If Dick could shout in sign, he would.

Red Hood squints at him, then signs matter of factly, “I don’t know what gay is. Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just meant I didn’t know you had a son.” He huffs a small sigh. “You can talk, if it’s easier. I can’t.”

A weight is lifted off of Dick’s shoulders. “You read lips?” he asks, still signing. He’ll have to be careful anyway; he knows reading lips isn’t a hundred percent reliable.

Red Hood shrugs noncommittally. “Yes. I can, but I’m not deaf.”

Dick heaves a sigh. He makes a note to brush up on his sign later - this short conversation has proven he needs it badly. “Only mute,” he says out loud. “Same as Joey.”

Red Hood nods.

“Why are you in my apartment?” Given the weapons Red Hood is carrying, and the fact that he killed Redhorn, Dick is pretty sure he knows the answer. He’s stalling; he doesn’t want to fight Red Hood.

God, does he ever not want to fight Red Hood.

“I was going to kill you.” Red Hood looks sheepish. “I didn’t know who you were. Sorry.”

“You were going to kill me because I was Robin, but now that I’m Richard Wayne you’ve changed your mind?” Dick is too tired for this. He wants to order food and collapse into his bed. He still has patrol tonight, and he needs to get Red Hood’s story straight.

Red Hood tilts his head in confusion and starts to sign, “I thought you were-” then stops himself. “Never mind. I was going to kill you because you keep protecting the pigs. Someone called you Robin. I figured you’d stolen it. But you’re you. It’s yours.” His eyes widen. “Are you running an undercover mission? Did I mess it up? I’m sorry. I can help-” He continues, going too fast for Dick to keep up. 

Dick tries to put together what he knows into a coherent narrative, but it’s too much to do while standing here talking to a recolored clone of his dead son, so instead he holds up his hand. “Woah, slow down, slow down. I can’t understand you when you talk that fast.”

Red Hood stops, his face falling. 

“Sorry,” Dick tells him. “I’m trying to keep up. Are you hungry?”

Red Hood considers and nods.

“Okay. I’m going to call for a pizza, and then we’re going to put those” - he points at Red Hood’s weapons - “in my base room, and we’ll try to figure out what’s going on. Deal?”

“As long as there’s extra cheese,” Red Hood signs.

“I’m game as long as you can deal with pineapple,” Dick tells him, and reaches for the phone next to the fridge. He pauses after he picks it up, looking over at the other occupant of the room. “Red Hood? Why isn’t my phone working?”

Red Hood gives him that sheepish expression again and reaches over to plug the phone line back in. “Sorry,” he signs. “When I came in here to kill you I-”

“Didn’t want me calling for help, yeah.” Dick sorts through his drawer to find the number and calls in the order. When he finishes and turns around, the kid’s unholstering the last of his guns and setting them on the kitchen table. “Wait, no, Jason-”

They both freeze. The kid stares at him. Dick stares back. His breath is caught in his throat. 

This isn’t his son. He has to remember that. This isn’t his son.

“I didn’t tell you my name,” the kid signs. Red Hood, his name is Red Hood, not Jason. Red Hood swallows, and then opens his mouth and says one word: “How.”

His voice is hard, hoarse from disuse. Dick takes a deep breath, trying not to cry. “Put the weapons in the base room, and then we’ll talk about this.”

“Want answers.” Red Hood doesn’t move. He stands there, a brick wall, looking like - God. He looks for all the world like Bruce did as Batman. 

“We’ll get answers, but only if nobody sees I’ve got an arsenal of unregistered firearms, including a goddamn sniper rifle, and carts us off to jail.”

Red Hood huffs again and signs, “Where do I put them?”

“In here.” Dick reaches over and undoes the hidden latch that keeps the door to the bedroom he uses as a base closed. He holds the door open for Red Hood. “Those things are loaded?” 

Red Hood nods, reholstering his pistols and picking up the rifle. 

“Unload them when you bring them in here.”

Red Hood sets the rifle down again to sign, “I turned the safety on on all of them.”

“I don’t care.” It’s nice how easily he feels himself slipping back into the role of a parent. He just has to remember this isn’t his son. Red Hood can’t stay. “Guns come into this house, they get unloaded.”

Red Hood looks upset. “It won’t do any good to have them if they’re unloaded!”

Dick is about to ask what he needs them for when he remembers the first month Jason was at the manor. Red Hood doesn’t feel safe here, and frankly he has even less reason to than Jason did when Dick first adopted him. “How many knives do you have, Hood?”

“Six,” he signs immediately.

“And I’m guessing, since you’re carrying that many, that you know how to use them?”

He nods reluctantly. “I’ll unload them.” He picks the rifle up.

“Thank you.” Dick sighs. “Can I ask why you have a sniper rifle with you when you were planning on killing me close quarters?”

[ccwastaken]

Sarge Finds A Monster

Beast!Radley au time babey!!

This was arguably his most dangerous mission yet.

There was a creature, the people claimed, terrorising the caverns near Neapolitown. And not a single person could take it down. Each and every attempt ended in failure and injury.

He had no idea what the creature was, or how he was supposed to take it down. There were rumors though, that it roared loud enough to shake the caverns, that it spat acid and had claws strong enough to dig into the rock. He'd heard it could climb the walls, and could track its prey with little effort, and that it was at least a dozen feet tall. The rumors were just that though; rumors. There were only three things he could confirm.

It was big, it was fast, and it was loud.

Those were also three attributes Sargeant Crushida Pepper had. So he didn't worry. That, and he had a good idea of where the creature had come from.

Or rather, who it had come from.

"Halt." He commanded to the men he'd brought with him. Some of Fort Onion's finest. They stood at the entrance to the caverns. Deadly quiet. "Forward march." They continued inwards.

Each soldier, including Sarge himself, was equipped with a head lamp and one gun. Sarge however, had a second weapon. Pepper bombs.

Just in case.

They continued into the caverns. It was oddly quiet inside. He'd expected to be able to hear the creature walking around.

A sudden movement made Sarge whirl around, grabbing his gun from the holster on his belt in less than a second. He brandished the weapon, pointing it at the source of the movement. A cookie doughman.

Huh. He had no idea those actually existed.

The doughman gasped and moved out from behind the rock he was hiding behind. Sarge lowered the gun as he walked over towards the doughman.

"You're here for it?" The doughman spoke in a hushed tone, full of fear. Sarge nodded.

"What do you know about it?" He asked. "Any and all information helps."

"You should leave," the doughman said. "Nobody can stop it- you'll be killed." Sarge frowned.

"That's not gonna happen." He replied sternly. The doughman looked at him, scared, then sighed.

"Alright, alright," he murmured. "It's fast. You won't be able to outrun it. And I think it can track scents." He glanced up, almost like he was paranoid. "It can climb the walls. I've seen it."

"Is there anywhere it usually stays?" Sarge asked.

"Near Mr Madish's home." The doughman replied. "But- nobody has seen him... we think he's-"

"We'll take care of it." Sarge cut him off abruptly. He stood up and looked over at his soldiers. "Deeper in, men."

The onions nodded and started walking off. Sarge moved to join them, but stopped when his hand was grabbed.

"If it got Radley-" the doughman started. Sarge pulled his hand away.

"Radley is fine." He said sternly, then walked away.

"Wait-!" The doughman followed them. They paused. "I can guide you- his home is hidden away, you see so-" he fiddled with his mittens nervously. "If you'd like."

Sarge stared at him for a few moments, then nodded. "You got a name?" He asked.

The doughman grinned. "Timothy!"

Timothy proved to be a useful guide. He knew the caverns well, and gradually grew to be less nervous. "My poor parents are worried sick with this monster going around," he explained. "My brother Terry- he's a lovely fellow, but can't keep himself out of trouble. He got attacked not too recently, the creature knocked him over. He almost fell halfway down a ravine! He's lucky to be alive!"

"Have many people been attacked by the creature?" Sarge asked.

"Not many- the creature seems a bit disoriented honestly. It does more damage running around than anything else." Timothy murmured. "It's still terrifying though...I really hope we don't run into it."

They stopped suddenly. They'd reached Radley's house. Sarge had never seen it- he and Radley hadn't spoken in over two years. It was...quaint, honestly. It looked cozy.

Or at least, it would be cozy, if it weren't a mess.

The door had been torn off, and lay on the ground a few feet away. A couple of the windows were broken, and a few smashed plant pots lay on the ground. Sarge stared at the disheveled home in shock. What- what happened here...?

Sarge didn't wait to hear Timothy's explanation, if there was one, he quickly walked over to the house. Inside looked how he expected. Once warm and cozy furniture had been tipped over or knocked out of place. Photo frames lay smashed on the ground, and claw marks covered the wall and floor. Panic rose in him.

"No no no no no-"

He moved into another room. The door hung ajar. It looked like a lab. The desk was covered in diagrams, blueprints and schematics. A few things, such as taxidermy snackimals and expensive looking instruments lay on the floor. The room smelled strange. A mix of chemicals, rotting food and sweet pollen.

Where on earth was Radley...?

"Sargent."

He whirled around. He saw a look of unease cross the soldier's face. It wasn't like him to be so openly afraid, not in front of his own men.

"What is it?" He asked, his voice turning firm again. All hints of fear disappeared.

"Would you like us to do a deep search of the house?" The soldier asked. Sarge nodded.

"Y-"

There was a sudden, sharp scream from outside, followed by yelling. Sarge sprinted out of the house. His soldiers held their guns out, pointing them all at one thing. The monster.

It held Timothy by the scarf, growling at the soldiers. The doughman struggled, trying desperately to untie the scarf and get away. But there was no need- the monster dropped him almost immediately when it saw Sarge.

The creature had three red eyes, and was huge. It could probably have eaten Timothy in only two bites, maybe even one. Sarge stared at it. This was it- this was the thing that had- had killed Radley. He wasn't an idiot- it was obvious what had happened to Radley now...this thing- this thing that was probably his creation had killed him.

Sarge shook. Radley had been by his side since he could remember. They grew up together, lived together, had been best friends since school. He remembered a teenage Radley, scared and shaking, hugging him tightly one late night. He remembered a small radish boy giggling next to him on a swing. He remembered a young man smiling at him sheepishly while he tried on a brand new pair of glasses.

Rage filled him.

The creature charged, and without another thought, Sarge did too. The monster roared, but not even that could put him off. He threw himself at it as it reared up onto its hind legs. The monster fell over onto its back, and cried out, struggling beneath him.

He punched the monster, slugging it again and again without a single hint of mercy. His breathing was ragged and shaky, full of rage. The monster thrashed and kicked, and managed to knock the angry soldier off. Sarge groaned as his body hit the ground. There was a dull pain in his fist, probably from hitting the monster too hard.

Speaking of the monster, it roared. The sound of bullets brought Sarge back to reality. "STOP!" He yelled out. "CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE!" He sat up quickly. The soldiers stopped. This creature was his fight, nobody else's. He stood up, glaring at the creature. It whined and backed away.

The monster's face bled red, almost black blood. It trembled.

"How..." Sarge stepped towards it. "How dare you kill him- how dare you take him from me..." His voice was soft and breathy, but full of rage.

"S-shhh- shhhiii-" the creature hissed. It whined again. "Shhhs-s-shhhhiiiiida- shiiidaa-ah." It hissed out.

Sarge froze. It couldn't be-

"Shiiid-ah. Shidaaah."

This thing knew his name, not only that, but his NICKNAME. He stared. The creature seemed to perk up.

"Shiidah! Shid- Shida! Shidaah!"

"What-" he didn't even know how to respond to that. How could he respond to something like that? The monster stared at him, then down at the ground. Shida could only watch as it scratched something into the dirt.

B. Just a simple B. But to him it meant so much more. This creature knew both of their nicknames. It knew who he was, it- it- it was Radley...

The look in the creature's eyes was too aware to be just a feral monster. That was Radley, trapped in this new form. Shida moved closer, trembling.

"R-Radley-?" he murmured. Radley whined and walked over to him. Shida held his face, now covered in thick scruffy fur, in his trembling hands. "Radley..."

"Mmmm." Radley whined back. He closed his eyes as a single tear escaped him.

"What happened to you...?" He asked softly. Radley's whines grew louder, and soon he was crying. Shida blinked away his own tears. He had to be strong- strong for Radley. He had to be calm to help him.

Then Radley reared up onto his hind legs in order to give Shida the best hug he could, covering him in soft, furry warmth. He grit his teeth trying so hard not to cry. "Rad-"

He was cut off by sudden gunshots. Shida gasped and moved away from Radley. He heard a loud, animalistic yell of fear. "CEASE FIRE." He barked again. He held out his arms, blocking Radley from the attacks. He whirled around again and looked at Radley. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.

"Y-yyyeeesss." He hissed. Radley's speech was stuttery and soft, like it was a struggle to talk. Shida nodded and smiled weakly. He reached out and cupped Radley's face in one of his hands, stroking the fur gently. "Mmmmrrrrr..."

"Radley," he pressed his forehead against his friend's. "It's gonna be okay, alright? I'm gonna fix this." He murmured. Radley looked at him.

"Y-yyy-yooooouu w-wi-wiiilllll?" He asked softly. Shida nodded.

"I'll figure something out," he said softly. "I promise."

Radley seemed to hesitate, then looked Shida in the eyes. "I-I- I lo-llllooovvve y-ou-u." He managed to purr out. Shida smiled softly, tears pricking the corners of his eyes again.

"I love you too." He said hoarsely.