#i know they probably just found a weird map and rolled w it without a second thought but humor me

[chasing-chimeras]

what’s up with that map in 6x16?

has anyone done some sort of meta post about the world state in tw? i think we see a couple maps (a few town maps and one of where bh actually is in 6x6 but idk if the surrounding towns are real?) but the one that’s so strange to me is in 6x16 that shows the location of the other nemetons.

it’s weird bc it’s a normal map w all the countries (up to date at the time too bc it has south sudan) but then the oceans and lakes are just wild. i don’t have a screenshot but most of n+s america looks normal aside from a few extra lakes in the western us/sw canada. but then if you look at west asia, north+west+east africa, and central+east europe it’s like……there’s just lakes. so many fucking lakes and bays and rising sea levels but not bc most low lying areas are normal (netherlands, florida, etc). places that’re already hit hard by climate change like bangladesh seem fine but then mountainous areas like central turkey are just under wanter. and the lakes? i need someone to explain the lakes or at least make something up bc i can’t stop trying to figure out how they stuck this thing to the wall and no one thought it looked a little funky? idk man i gotta go to sleep

[cegantheayugipi]

a glitch in the matrix - or crack(heads) in the abyss

A Genshin Crack Fic (Genshin x fem!reader x2)

Note: I have nothing to say, except for a sincere apology those who actually read this.

Lost? Here's the Masterlist.

Summary: This is a product of my insanity... I started a comedy fic, but decided that it wasn't comedic enough so I wrote this. It's a crack-SAGAU double female reader-insert with A/N and B/N instead of Y/N for the names. I know a lot of people hate reading in third person but how the heck else am I gonna write two readers in one story (I'm sorry).

Pairings: Zhongli x A/N, a Childe x hateful!B/N I guess.

About the characters:

A/N is a massive Zhongli simp. Her life revolves around Zhongli. She is pretty much a Genshin addict and has been playing for a couple of years.

B/N is relatively new to Genshin Impact. She's a little... weird. Definitely was a crackhead in a previous life. Totally no hatred for Childe going on. Definitely no hilichurl sympathy going on.

“Thank fuck we got that over with!” B/N exclaimed into the voice call, mashing buttons to aimlessly jump around the snow of dragonspine as Diluc.

“Yeah, dragonspine is always a pain.” A/N responded, her voice crackling across the call thanks to poor internet connection. 

“Is your brother streaming something again?” B/N asked, “You sound like a robot.”

“Probably.” A/N shrugged, although nobody could see it through the call. “Where to next?”

A familiar yet deep voice startled both girls as it came from behind them.

“You normally lead the way without asking.”

Both girls blinked at the same time. 

Why were they suddenly standing? 

And why was it so cold? 

And why was Zhongli standing right behind them?

“Oh my god.” A/N gawked as she stared up at the literal man of her dreams.

“Geo Daddy?” B/N murmured, frozen in place.

“Shut up, this is my moment!” A/N exclaimed, racing to hug the tall Archon.

“You two look different than I expected.” Diluc’s voice came from behind B/N. Her mouth dropped open, as she slowly turned around to see the famous redhead.

“Are we-”

“In this world?” Zhongli asked. “It appears so.” He looked down at A/N whose face was buried in his chest, and a light pink dusted his cheeks. “Is this a normal way to greet people in your world?”

His question went unanswered.

“Holy shit.” B/N blurted out. “I’m going to inazuma! Where’s my map?” She felt around her body, not used to these strange clothes she appeared in.

“If we’re going to Inazuma, we’re bringing Zhongli!” A/N responded cheerfully, still hugging her precious geo Archon.

B/N finally found the map, pulling it open. “Aha, Oni abs here I come!” Her eyes scanned across the paper and its lit up teleporters, and she realized that the entire region of Inzauma was dark.

“W-we were co-oping on my world.” B/N murmured.

“Yeah, because you’re still new.” A/N responded, finally turning her head away from Zhongli’s chest. “You’d literally die in my world.”

“We can’t teleport to Inazuma yet.” B/N added, her voice weak.

“We just have to take a boat then.” A/N shrugged, her hands still holding Zhongli’s shirt tight.

“M-my Oni abs.” B/N let go of the map, and it disappeared in a cloud of golden glitter. Her face was blank, evidently devastated by the fact that she couldn’t just teleport to Inazuma. She fell to her knees dramatically, then curled up into a ball on the freezing cold and snowy ground of dragonspine.

“Come on, B/N!” A/N exclaimed, “You’re gonna freeze to death if you stay like that.”

“No.” The stubborn weeb responded. “Just send me back home.”

A/N could see the sheer cold bar increasing on her friend, so she left Zhongli’s side to grab B/N’s arm.

“Come on, let’s get to this lantern over here to warm you up!” A/N urged.

“No.” B/N remained curled up on the ground. “If I die, maybe I’ll go back home.” A/N rolled her eyes and began to drag her friend through the snow towards the lantern, but it was really difficult.

“Hey. Can one of you guys help me?!” A/N shouted, struggling to drag B/N towards the heat source.

“I’ve got her.” Diluc spoke calmly, bending down to hook his arm around her torso and lift her up on his shoulder.

“You should be careful as well, A/N.” Zhongli spoke up, noting her status bar as well.

“Oh hahaha, yeah.” A/N picked up the pace to reach the lantern faster. The three of them warmed up by the lantern, B/N still hanging limp over Diluc’s shoulder.

“So, have you decided where you’ll go next?” Zhongli asked, and A/N sighed.

“I’m not sure.” She responded.

“I just wanna go home.” B/N mumbled. 

“How about you come to Liyue harbor?” Zhongli suggested. “It’s a beautiful place.”

“I would absolutely LOVE to!” A/N squealed, grabbing onto Zhongli’s sleeve. “Will you show me around to all the good places?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

“I have some work to catch up on at the winery.” Diluc spoke. “What should I do about this one?” He gestured to the depressed B/N.

“Oh, there’s no way I’m leaving her alone here.” A/N responded quickly. “She can come with me and my hu- I mean me and Zhongli.”

A/N could hear B/N’s muffled scoff from where her face was buried in Diluc’s back. “Okay, I’ll go with you. Now let me down, fireboy.”

Diluc’s face went pink at B/N’s nickname for him, not that she could notice from where she was hanging off his shoulder. He slowly set her back onto her feet, hesitating for a second in case she decided to just curl up in a ball on the ground again.

“Okay, let’s teleport.” A/N spoke, finding her own map.

“I’m not sure if you can-” Zhongli spoke, his voice falling off as A/N tried touching the teleporter in liyue harbor and nothing happened.

“How do you use these things?” She asked.

“I don’t think they work for you two anymore.” Diluc commented. 

“WHAT?!” A/N exclaimed. “So we have to WALK to Liyue harbor?!” 

“Actually, there’s a small harbor by the cliffs to the east of Dragonspine.” Zhongli explained. “We can take a boat after we descend the mountain.”

“This can’t be real.” B/N murmured, falling back onto her knees to curl up into a ball.

“Girl, come on!” A/N grabbed B/N’s arm once again, trying to pull her back upright.

“I give up.” B/N added, her tone completely dejected.

“Diluc, Zhongli, help me!” A/N exclaimed.

~~~

The two girls and the Geo Archon were finally on the boat headed for Liyue harbor. Diluc had to carry B/N down the mountainside of Dragonspine, but now that she was sitting on the boat headed for Liyue harbor, she finally began to cheer up. 

“Do you think the food is good in this world?” B/N asked.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me. Of course it���s gonna be good!” A/N responded, rolling her eyes.

The boat trip went faster than expected, only lasting a couple of hours. Before they knew it , the two girls were stepping out onto the docks of Liyue harbor.

“Okay, I’m starving!” B/N exclaimed. “First thing’s first, let’s get some food!” 

“We haven’t even gone anywhere yet, and you’re already thinking about food?” A/N questioned in disbelief.

“I know a place we can go.” Zhongli spoke.

“Third round knockout?” A/N and B/N both asked in unison. 

“How did you know?” He asked, mildly surprised. B/N and A/N exchanged glances. “Oh…” Zhongli spoke, understanding that you two were quite literally a part of him previously.

The two girls gazed around the beautiful Liyue harbor as Zhongli led them to his favorite restaurant. Well, technically they could have gone on their own, since they had seen the city so many times before.

“It’s so much prettier than through a screen!” A/N exclaimed.

“Oh my god, I want to start a business now.” B/N added.

“Wait, what?” A/N paused, looking at B/N in confusion.

“I feel like I should get rich.” She shrugged. “But I agree. This is way better than looking at my computer screen. Can we actually go inside the buildings now?” 

“I recommend keeping your origins a secret.” Zhongli spoke, his voice quieter than usual. “There’s no telling what might happen if the public found out about you.”

“Oh yeah, that’s a good idea.” A/N responded, smiling up at Zhongli.

The three finally arrived at third round knockout, and Zhongli asked for a table indoors this time. B/N and A/N exchanged excited glances at the chance to eat indoors in a restaurant in Liyue. In Liyue, in Genshin Impact!

Almost as soon as the three of them sat down, a tall ginger sat down in the fourth seat. Both B/N and A/N instantly recognized the man – Childe, the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger. Otherwise known as water boy, or sometimes referred to as the “menace” by B/N when doing domains.

“Xiansheng, who are these pretty ladies you’ve brought with you?” He gave a dashing smile, undoubtedly in an effort to both flirt and to sweeten up the conversation to find out more information. 

B/N and A/N exchanged glances. B/N looked like she was holding something in, and everyone at the table immediately found out what it was as she burst into uncontrollable laughter. A/N was quick to follow, as Childe had a confused and mildly horrified expression on his face.

“Childe.” Zhongli spoke through the roaring laughter. “These are two… companions of mine.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow, and A/N immediately stopped laughing to correct Zhongli.

“He means friends! We’re friends! Nothing more than that!” Her cheeks grew red as she waved her hands in front of her.

B/N paused her laughter for just long enough to cut in with a “not yet,” raising her eyebrows at A/N suggestively. They both immediately continued laughing even harder.

“I can’t with you!” A/N exclaimed.

“You never can!” B/N shouted back. 

It took a while for the table to calm down, and Childe finally began to get the conversation he was aiming for once the waiter came by and Zhongli ordered the food for everyone.

“So, what brings you two here?” Childe asked.

“Apparently, issues with my compu-” B/N paused, realizing she had messed up. “My competition.” She coughed. “I’m a competitive eater. But I haven’t been doing well.”

“Oh, a tiny thing like you, being a competitive eater?” Childe smirked.

“Watch it, water boy. She can eat.” A/N was quick to back B/N up. 

“Water boy?” Childe raised his eyebrows. B/N gave A/N a glare for mentioning his vision when they were meant to know nothing about him yet.

“Yeah, you make it kinda obvious you carry a hydro vision.”

“Oh, how observant of you.” He gave a fake smile, as gears began to turn inside his head. “Do you two have visions, perhaps?”

“Hah!” B/N chortled. “Bold of you to assume we have visions.”

A/N leaned over to whisper in B/N’s ear. “Do we have visions?”

“I think we’d know if we did.” B/N whispered back.

The stress Zhongli was experiencing was getting worse and worse as the conversation continued. Thankfully, however, the waiter appeared with the food. Zhongli had also ordered wine, and a second server came to pour glasses for everyone.

Zhongli took one sip of the wine, and began to say his classic line.

“Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remembe-”

“But where are those who share the memory?” A/N and B/N responded in unison. 

“I-” Zhongli didn’t know what to say.

“You say that a lot.” A/N explained.

“Yeah. Don’t you have more stuff to say?” B/N added.

Childe didn’t utter a single word, only took a long sip from his glass of wine. Zhongli followed, taking another large sip.

“Um, we’re both a bit of a lightweight.” A/N spoke. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to…” She trailed off, watching B/N take a long sip from her glass as well.

“Damn, that wine is pretty good after all.” B/N shrugged, taking a second sip.

“Be careful, girl!” A/N responded, laughing. “You don’t want to end up in a gutter tonight.”

“I wouldn’t let that happen.” Childe responded.

“That would be even worse.” A/N’s smile disappeared as she spoke those words with a completely straight face.

A/N took a sip from the wine, but it definitely went straight to her head. She leaned backwards a little, and almost fell off of the stool. Zhongli’s arm was around her in an instant, making sure that she wouldn’t fall.

“T-thank you.” A/N murmured, looking up at Zhongli who looked down at her with a caring gaze. A/N’s heart pounded in her chest, and she didn’t know if it was from Zhongli’s arm around her or if it was from the alcohol. At the same time, B/N couldn’t tell if A/N was blushing from the wine or from her interaction with Zhongli.

“Are you alright?” Zhongli asked.

“Yeah, I’m just not very good with alcohol. I prefer Osmanthus tea, actually.” She responded.

“I’ll have the waiter bring some for you, then.” Zhongli responded quickly.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that…” A/N responded, looking down.

“Girl, you and alcohol really don’t mix.” B/N responded. “You should have the tea instead.”

“I could say the same about you.” A/N retorted, “Your face is bright red.”

“Hey. If you insult my natural complexion one more time,” B/N began jokingly, and A/N began to laugh. Zhongli smiled at the two of you having fun. There was a strange feeling that filled his chest, like he was finally seeing something that he was missing from his life.

The four continued to eat and drink into the late hours of the evening. Eventually, however, everyone began to get tired and agreed to go home for the night.

“Where are you two staying? I can walk you back.” Childe spoke once he was finished paying for the dinner.

“Bold of you to assume I have a place to stay.” B/N instantly retorted, evidently drunk.

“Y-yeah, we only arrived at Liyue harbor today.” A/N was quick to cut in. It was the truth, technically.

“You are always welcome at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.” Zhongli offered politely. “After all, Childe is staying with us there at the moment.”

“Wait, you guys sleep in a MORGUE?!?” B/N exclaimed.

“NO!” A/N shouted back. “It’s a funeral parlor, where they plan funerals!”

“A/N is correct, we only arrange funeral rites.” Zhongli added. 

“So no dead bodies?” B/N asked.

“No, I definitely wouldn’t be staying there if they dealt with dead people.” Childe spoke jovially, his face also a little red from the wine.

“Can we stay with you tonight?” A/N asked as she grabbed onto Zhongli’s sleeve.

“Of course you may.” Zhongli responded as he gave her a gentle smile. A/N looked into his eyes and felt like she could faint. How was she still going so crazy for this man?

The four arrived at Wangsheng funeral parlor after a brief walk. The doors were shut, and the lights inside were off, since it was well past business hours. Zhongli opened the door and allowed everyone inside.

“What have you been up to, old man?” A/N and B/N instantly recognized Hu Tao’s voice.

“Ah!” Childe exclaimed, jumping. The lights went on, and everyone turned around to see Hu Tao standing by the door, her hand on top of the light switch.

“Hu Tao, it’s past your bedtime.” Zhongli spoke, crossing his arms over his chest.

“You’ve been out all day, and with these two strange ladies. Even Ginger came around looking for you and couldn’t find you anywhere!” Hu Tao gave Childe a menacing glare, and he gave a weak and awkward laugh in response.

“You’re even cuter in real life!” B/N squealed, reaching out to pinch Hu Tao’s cheeks.

“Um, yeah, she’s cuter in person, because Zhongli told us about his boss,” A/N began to ramble. “And he talked about what she looked like, so we’re only seeing what she really looks like now, and that’s why B/N is saying she looks even cuter now that she’s seeing Hu Tao-”

A/N was cut off by Zhongli who placed a hand on her shoulder.

“How about we all head to sleep?” He spoke calmly in his deep voice. “It is quite late, after all.”

“Yeah. I’m really tired.” B/N yawned.

“Did you think this through, old man?” Hu Tao cut in. “We only have one spare bedroom, which Childe is using.”

“I assumed I would sleep on the couch.” Zhongli spoke as he began to lead everyone upstairs.

“N-no, I wouldn’t make you do that!” A/N cut in. 

“You are guests,” Zhongli added. “You should be taken care of.” Zhongli gave a glance at Childe, as if the harbinger should be saying something to support his statement. The guest bedroom was the same size as Zhongli’s, after all, and Childe had been staying at the parlor for so long that he might as well be a permanent resident.

Something finally clicked in Childe’s head, and he raised his eyebrows.

“Oh,” He spoke. “I would gladly share a bed with one of you fine ladies.” 

“No thanks.” B/N and A/N spoke in unison. Zhongli laughed.

“Okay guys I’m going to sleep. Don’t bother me until morning.” Hu Tao spoke as she walked down the hall to her own room.

Zhongli got to his room, and opened the door. A/N and B/N exchanged glances, as if they were communicating psychically. Something was decided between the two, because B/N turned around and walked towards Childe.

“Actually, I’ll take you up on that offer.” B/N spoke boldly.

“Oh, really?” Childe smirked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” B/N nodded. “But you take the couch.” 

Childe laughed awkwardly, as A/N began to speak up.

“Uh… um… Zhongli,” She looked down at the floor, nervous. “Would you like to share the bed with me tonight? Together?”

“Are you sure?” Zhongli asked. “I wouldn’t want to put you in an inappropriate position.”

“Yes, yes I’m very sure!” A/N added.

“Is sharing a bed so soon after meeting a normal custom where you are from?” He asked softly.

“Yes it is, now just agree to it already!” B/N exclaimed as she walked away. A/N felt like she was dying inside thanks to her friend. Childe seemed to notice what Zhongli was asking about, and wondered where the two girls could be from.

As Zhongli opened his bedroom door and let A/N in, Childe led B/N down the hall to the guest bedroom. 

The room was plain, apart from a few decorations that gave it a signature Liyue feel. There was a couch by the left wall, and a dresser on the right. A bed was placed against the far wall, with a wooden nightstand stood beside it. The bed looked only large enough for one person, and B/N knew that person was going to be herself. 

Childe smiled to himself as he stepped into the guest room. As the ginger Fatui Harbinger led B/N in, he began to underhandedly interrogate her.

“Are there many things that are different where you come from?” Childe asked as he walked towards the dresser. He took off the mask tied to the side of his head and began to unbutton his shirt. B/N didn’t know how her clothes worked since she just appeared in them that morning, and the alcohol was definitely getting to her head so she simply kicked her shoes off and flopped onto her back onto the bed. 

“I guess so.” B/N responded.

“Where exactly are you from, anyway?” a shirtless Childe asked, as he turned away from the dresser and began to walk towards the bed.

“Isn’t there a couch right there with your name on it?” B/N pointed to the couch across the room as Childe stood at the edge of the bed.

“But isn’t it normal-”

“Couch, now!” B/N raised her foot and put it on Childe’s bare chest, pushing him back away from the bed. 

“Okay, okay.” Childe sighed, turning around and walking back to the bed.

~~~

Meanwhile, in Zhongli’s room, A/N was blushing like crazy. There was zero alcohol in her system at this point, but the mere sight of Zhongli taking the hair clip out of his hair had her entire brain going haywire. He placed it on the ornate vanity, and turned towards A/N who was standing beside his rather large bed.

“Are you sure you are okay with this?” Zhongli asked.

“Yes, please!” A/N yelped, staring up at the tall brunette.

Zhongli nodded, his hands traveling to the buttons of his jacket. A/N simply stared at him as she finally got to see his toned and perfect chest. There was practically drool coming out of her mouth as she took in Zhongli’s bare torso. Any thoughts or feelings about being teleported into another world left her head as her only thoughts became about the gorgeous Geo Archon.

 Zhongli turned to look at A/N, and she immediately realized she should be getting ready for bed herself. She began to fumble with the buttons on her complicated cape, but the clothes were confusing and much too complicated.

“Do you need help?” Zhongli asked.

“U-uh…” A/N trailed off, her face bright red as she looked down at her clothing. “I don’t know how my clothes work.”

“What do you mean?” Zhongli asked, raising his eyebrows.

“I just showed up in them today…” A/N explained, “clothes where I’m from are much more simple.”

“Oh, I see.” Zhongli asked, then he paused for a moment. A/N looked up at him, and tilted her head to the side as she tried to figure out what was going on in Zhongli’s head. “May I…” He trailed off, lifting a hand towards the buttons of her overcoat. 

“Oh,” A/N began to blush even more. “Y-yes…” 

As Zhongli’s fingers worked dexterously and gently, more and more blood began rushing to A/N’s head. Zhongli, the Geo Archon, the man of her dreams, was undressing her.

As Zhongli began to slip the cloak over her shoulders revealing her dress underneath, A/N began to feel dizzy from all the blood rushing to her head.

“Are you alright?” Zhongli caught her shoulders as she swayed.

“Yeah, I think I’m just tired.” A/N spoke.

“You’ve become quite red…” Zhongli noted.

“Y-yeah, that’s normal, all things considered.” A/N explained.

“Perhaps you should lay down,” He responded.

“Yeah.” A/N nodded, moving to sit down on the bed. Everything seemed so unreal as she watched Zhongli sit down beside her. The two of them slowly laid down on the bed next to each other, not touching each other. The two of them stared at the ceiling for a couple of moments, in an awkward silence.

“Uh, can I…” A/N spoke up once again. “Can I use you as a pillow?”

“Of course.” Zhongli spoke, and A/N slowly wrapped her arms around Zhongli and moved her head to rest on his bare chest.

Oh man, was A/N in heaven.

The two settled into a comfortable silence, and were fast asleep.

~~~

Read Part 2 here.

[navegandoaciegas]

I love my baby to death

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader 

Warnings: fluff, friends to lovers, tiniest bit of angst but really tiny I promise, 3.5k words, set after Endgame

Summary:  “Say, hypothetically, there’s a 100 year old fossil who’s a bit confused most of the time but he’s got the spirit, right?, and he’s outside with a packed duffle bag, what would you do?”

You were supposed to enjoy a solo roadtrip after years of Avenging, but Bucky invites himself along and you can’t say no to his happy face.

A/N: I haven’t slept in a week because of nightmares and I just needed something to cheer me up, I guess. Reader took Steve’s side in CA:CW and spent two years with him as a nomad. You can choose to see her and Natasha as a platonic relationship or a romantic one, it’s up to you.

masterlist

Read the sequel to this here

“They’re just so fuckin’ gross I don’t understand how you can eat them.”

Bucky sends you his best death glare as he continues digging in his soggy cardboard In-N-Out fries.

“We could have literally stopped by Arby’s three miles west of here” you continue, “they have the best fries. We’re missing out, clearly.” you deadpan eyeing his food skeptically. 

“The curly ones? God no, they’re so spicy. I don’t know why you like your food to hurt but I don’t.”

“Okay, first of all they’re not spicy at all, I don’t know where you got that from. And second, they have a taste at least, unlike these.” You reiterate your point by swinging one the fries in his face. Bucky just grabs your hand and bites the fry, almost biting your fingers off too.

“Yeah, like that god-awful spicy chicken you forced on me the other day? No thank you, ma’am, I’ll stand by my own food choices.” 

You snort. “Not my fault your post-Depression ass can’t handle anything other than salt and black pepper. But sure, go ‘head and enjoy your sorry excuse of a meal, Buck.”

“People from your generation sure love complaining, huh? Back in my days you ate what your mama made you and never bitched about it, or else you went to bed hungry.” 

God, he’s such a grampa. You make a show of rolling your eyes and huffing in annoyance. He likes his senior citizen card a bit too much. He tries to stifle a laugh when he sees the look on your face and just shakes his head at you. 

California (and Bucky Barnes) has stolen your heart and you’ve loved this road trip so much you often wonder why it took you being snapped and facing the end of the world twice to retire from the avenging business. 

Fresno is interesting, to say the least. 

He wanted to stop by, saying something about wanting to see “an old pal from the war” ’s hometown for himself, and you’ve been dreaming about exploring Yosemite for as long as you can remember.

-

Online pictures of Yosemite National Park were stunning but the real thing is just breathtaking. 

You never thought camping would become your thing and you never imagined you’d enjoy stargazing so much. In five months you’ve discovered how big of a nerd Bucky really is and he’s been trying to teach you the names of all the stars and constellations. 

He sees Big Dipper, Orion, Ursa Major and Minor; you see pretty twinkling lights and the occasional shooting star. Nevertheless you sit through hours and hours of explanations, because when he speaks of the things he’s passionate about, Bucky is the most beautiful thing in the world.

“You know, the stars are one of the things I missed the most.” he says softy, furrowing his brows as he does when he remembers something from the past. “Stevie and I used to do that as kids sometimes. We’d sneak out of our houses and go on the roof of this abandoned building to watch the stars. Now there’s so much goddamn light everywhere, you can’t even see them anymore.”

Sometimes when you stop and think about it, really think, you can’t imagine how hard it must have been for them, having everything, even the night sky taken away from them. 

“Steve never told me.” 

“He probably missed the stars too.”

You eye him looking for clues on how he might feel, but you only see a sad smile on his face. “You miss him, don’t you?”

“Every damn day.” his voice cracks and you hold him closer.

“I know Buck, I miss him too. I miss him so much that sometimes I feel like my life has no direction without my Captain.” You’re barely holding back your own tears at this point, “But we’ve got Sam if we need orders, yes?” but you still try to make him smile. You’re always going to try for him.

Your attempt works and he snorts. Always bring Sam up to cheer Bucky.

“I hope he was happy, you know.” he says, “I hope he made the right choice and never regretted a thing. I hope that now he looks back and thinks he wouldn’t have had it any other way. His happiness is all I could ever ask for.”

You cling to each other that night and cry until the early morning. It feels good to let it all out, to let Steve go and look at the future. You’ve lost too much but tonight you only have hope.

-----

New York

Five months before

“Words on the street is you’re retiring your crusty old ass from the field.” 

Sam is leaning on the door of your hotel room with his arms folded and a pleased look on his face.

“Rumors travel fast in this post-apocalyptic word, I see.” you say as you continue stuffing a duffle bag with all the clothes you have left.

“How are you?” Sam asks, with his newly found Captain voice. You wonder if it’s something in that damn shield that gives them that stern commanding tone.

“Tryina analize me, Sammy? I’m not one of your guys at the VA.”

It’s not like you’re pissed at Sam, you love him with all your heart, you’re just angry at the world and Sam’s the one standing in your way right now.

You hear him sigh, “I know what you’re feeling right now, I understand why you would think that-” “Don’t” you interrupt him, “Don’t give me that speech, Fury did that for you already. I’m not running away from my problems.”

“I’m not saying that-” you really don’t want him to talk today, so you stop him again “No but you’re thinking it.”

“I know what it’s like.” he says raising his voice “To lose who you care the most in the world. We all lost someone important but you lost Natasha and I know, trust me I know what you feel right now, because it’s what I felt when I lost Riley.” 

You stop and swallow the tight lump in your throat.

Your eyes well up with tears as you turn to look at him. You’ve been so blinded by your own pain and anger you didn’t stop for a moment to think about others. “I’m sorry Sam, I shouldn’t have treated you like that.” you say sobbing.

Why did she have to leave you?

Stupid, stupid Natasha. Why did she have to sacrifice herself for the world?

Why her?

He hugs you tight and rocks you back and forth. “I understand why you’re leaving and I’m not here to stop you, I promise. Just keep in touch, yes? Text me everyday so I’m not tempted to track you down and fly wherever you are to see if you’re good.”

You smile for the first time in a long time.

“Don’t worry Sam, you’ll get tired of all the selfies I’ll send you, eventually.” 

“You know I’ll never get tired of this pretty face.” he says raising his eyebrows suggestively, making you laugh. “Good, that’s my girl. I missed this laugh so much.”

You stay in his arms a while longer until it’s time for you to leave.

“This is not the only reason I’m here.” he says and clears his throat, “Say, hypothetically, there’s a 100 year old fossil who’s a bit confused most of the time but he’s got the spirit, right?, and he’s outside with a packed duffle bag, what would you do?”

“What?” you manage to stammer out. “Bucky just... wants to...tag along?” 

You are now as confused as Bucky is most of the time.

Sam shrugs. “I guess? You know he’s weird like that.”

What he really means is he’s just like you, lost and confused and in desperate need to live a little, but he doesn’t say it out loud. There’s no need to.

“So, would you mind if he came too?”

You see Bucky standing outside, leaning on your SUV. He’s cut his hair short and he looks hotter than you would like to. He turns around and waves at you with a big smile on his face. Like Sam often says, you too like his energy.

“No, I wouldn’t mind at all.”

----

Denver, Colorado

It’s a long way from New York to Colorado and if you’re honest, you’ve loved every minute of it and you’re glad Bucky came along with you. He’s witty, laid back, snarky, smart and overall a fun guy for someone who was a prisoner to nazis for 70 years.

“Look all I’m saying is I think Edward is a fuckin’ creep. Would you like it if someone stood in your room and looked at you while you sleep?”

“But is that someone a hot vampire, Bucky?”

“It literally doesn’t even matter.”

“Stop saying literally Buck, you’re a 100 year old man, not a valley girl.”

-

“Are we there yet?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Lemme check a map.”

“Bucky it’s on the screen there, Google says we have 20 minutes left.”

“But can we trust this Google guy?”

-

“All I’m saying is if you made and enjoyed congealed salads you probably don’t deserve your right to vote for the future of this country.”

“I mean...fair enough?”

-

“Do we count blipped years or not?”

“At this point it, it barely makes a difference in my case, doll.”

“Honestly you’ve got a point, old man.”

-

“How are you so calm right now?”

“My standards are so low it’s practically impossible to piss me off.”

“But you aren’t even a little bothered?”

“Chill, it’s just a flat tire, it’s gonna take 10 minutes to fix.”

“Buck we talked about the things that are unacceptable. ‘Chill’ coming out of your mouth is one of those.”

It’s your second week in Denver already, and you’re having the time of your life. 

Bucky is spooning you like he usually does. You think back to the first time you’ve shared a bed and you almost giggle at the memory. 

“Uh, Buck?”

“Yes?”

“We might have a problem.”

He enters the room after you and his eyes widen when he sees it.

There’s a bed in the room.

A single bed.

You weren’t expecting much from this place that gives you ‘Bates Motel’ vibes, but you thought you’d have two beds, or at least a couch.

“I’ll just sleep on the floor, don’t worry about it.”

“What?” you shriek “Absolutely not, I’m not letting you suffer all night. We’re going to share.”

“But I-”

“No buts, you know how many times I slept with Steve? I’m used to you supersoldier men by now, I’m no longer affected by your kicks.”

He stays silent. “You and Steve used to…?”

Only then you realize you could have phrased it better.

“God no, I meant just, ya know, share bed.”

He smiles and nods. Why does he look relieved?

Now he clings to you every night, and most times he’s the little spoon because he likes to be held. You used to hate sleeping tangled with someone else until you woke up on top of Bucky, his hands caressing your back, and he told you he had the best night of sleep he’s had in decades.

There’s a lot of things you do just because they make him happy, actually.

But how could you not?

There’s no point in denying your feelings.

----

Salt Lake City, Utah

God, you love Utah.

You drive through immense stretches of red desert whilst Bucky blasts Nicki Minaj like his life depends on it; that’s how it always ends up when he rides shotgun.

He insisted on visiting Monument Valley despite it being out of your way, but you can never find it in yourself to refuse him anything, so you drove 9 hours straight from Denver to the southern border of Utah just so he could see a place that looks a lot like the ones in those Western cowboy movies from the 50s and 60s he loves so much.

“Yasha would have hated it here so much.” you say as you pull over the Airbnb you’ve rented for a couple of days in Salt Lake City.

He snorts, “Yeah, I bet she would have.”

You thought time would heal all wounds and that someday you might stop feeling the void in your life when you think of her, but now you know you’ll never stop hurting. She was such a big part of your life for so long that your heart will never stop aching for her. 

Sometimes you think how she never got to see you again after you were snapped. 

You wonder if she ever stopped missing you.

You know you’ll never not miss her.

-

You’ve driven for more than humanly possible in two days, but he’s a supersoldier and you’re really stubborn, and now you can’t wait to sleep in a nice bed for the first time in a long while. Usually you just make do with motels, but tonight you wanted to treat yourselves.

You enter the place and notice immediately the two queen size beds. 

You should be relieved, and if it was 4 months ago when you first shared a bed you would probably be, but now you’re so used to his warm body next to yours, his flesh arm over you and his face resting in the crook of your neck that you don’t know if you’ll ever be able to fall asleep without him.

“I’ll go shower first if you don’t mind.” you say as you mentally berate yourself for your thoughts. 

Your goal to not fall in love with Bucky Barnes flew out the window somewhere in the green fields of Western Iowa, but at this point you’re just treading a dangerous path and you know you’re going to get hurt.

There’s no way Bucky feels the same about you, right?

You get out the shower, put on a t-shirt you’ve stolen from Steve ages ago and get out of the bathroom, only to stop when you see Bucky on the bed you claimed as yours.

“Sorry, I hope you don’t mind but I feel better when I sleep with you.”

Maybe he does.

----

Nevada

Technically it takes roughly 43 hours to get from New York to Sacramento by car. It took you almost five months.

You’ve been covering Interstate 80, stopping and visiting towns, cities and parks along the way as you pleased, sleeping in seedy motels, your SUV or that fancy ass tent Bucky bought somewhere in Ohio. You’ve begged Bucky to drive from Salt Lake City straight to Sacramento, stopping only when it’s absolutely necessary; you’ll be visiting Nevada after California anyways, so for now you’re just enjoying the scenic drive, with the windows rolled down and the air messing up your hair.

“What’s that song called?” Bucky asks and raises the radio’s volume.

“That’s Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers.” you answer absentmindedly, distracted by the seemingly endless stretch of black asphalt and yellowish nothingness around it.

She’s lover, baby and a fighter

Shoulda seen it coming when I got a little brighter

Bucky sings along and smiles glancing your way.

“I like this.” he exclaims when the song ends “Can we listen to it again, please?”

You smile softly and play it again. If there’s one thing Bucky is capable of is listening to the same song on repeat multiple times until you’re so sick of it you don’t ever want to hear it again.

 Who knew the other side of you

Who knew what others died to prove

You never thought Bucky would be like this, or that you’d be privileged enought to see this side of him.

There’s a big smile on his face and the orange hues of the sky reflect in his clear eyes. He’s got one hand on the steering wheel and the vibranium one resting on the car’s door and he looks so different from the man haunted by his past and loneliness you met in Budapest all those years ago. He looks so carefree and relaxed now, so happy. 

You are proud of him.

California rest in peace

Simultaneous release

California show your teeth

She’s my priestess and I’m your priest

I love my baby to death

------

San Diego, California 

You’ve hiked the hills of southern Cali and gone parapending in Torrey Pines. You landed on a breathtaking beach with beautiful dark sand and soon found out, much to Bucky’s dismay and utter disgust, that it was a nudist beach.

He grumbled something about ‘hygiene’ and ‘decor’ and you just laughed at his flustered state.

“First time seeing a naked woman, old man?” you asked in between fits of laughter.

You didn’t notice the sea lion swimming next to you in La Jolla and not even Thanos’ creepy gang could have scared you as much when you turned around and looked him dead in the eyes. Bucky got his revenge filming you as you shot out the ocean with a shrill, covered in algae and terrified. 

You are loving the San Diego area so far. Minus the sea lions.

“Hey I- uh- do you mind if I take the car? I wanted to go do some shopping.” Bucky tells you.

He’s really embarrassed for some reason.

You shrug and mumble a ‘sure’ before going back to basking in the sun by the pool of the hotel you’re staying at.

“Okay, I-I guess I’ll g-go then, I’ll come pick you up at 5.30 for dinner.” he stutters out.

Weird, you think, but you don’t give it too much thought. Bucky is like that.

-

Dinner time rolls around and as promised Bucky comes pick you up on time.

You’re wearing a short green dress with white daisies printed on it and a pair of strappy white sandals. You look good and you know it; Bucky knows it too, judging from the glances he tries to sneak your way.

“So, uhm-” he clears his voice, “I know it’s going to sound weird but I promise it’s not. Can I- Can I blindfold you?”

Can he...what? You could split me in half and I’d be glad about it, you’d like to say.

“Kinky. You could at least buy me differ first, tho.” you settle for something safer instead.

He blushes three shades darker than his usual color and you take the black scarf he’s handing you, barely concealing a teasing smile.

He drives around for a while. When you get to your destination the first thing you hear is the waves beating on the shore and the smell of the ocean. He helps you get out and guides you somewhere.

“Wait here.” 

You hear him park the car in reverse, open the trunk and fiddle with something. He comes up behind you and removes the blindfold. You feel his hot breath on your neck and it sends tingles down your spine straight to your pu- “You can look now.”

When you open your eyes you are stunned for a moment. You turn around with a big smile that turns even bigger when you notice the blankets and the little picnic he’s assembled in the trunk.

“Buck, this is- I can’t believe you remembered.”

Somewhere in Colorado you mentioned how romantic you thought Sunset Cliffs were, and how much you wished you could do something like this. It was a fleeting moment, a thought uttered out loud absentmindedly over a couple of drinks in some bar. You were tipsy and you were running your mouth about all the things you’d want in a partner to some random girl who became your best friends for the night.

You realize you’re tearing up when his fingers grace your cheeks.

It feels nice to be cared about so much. It’s been too long since someone took such good care of you.

“I thought I’d do something special for you.” he says with an adorable blush.

“Thank you Bucky, I love this.” you hug him tightly and bury your face in his chest, inhaling his scent.

“Anything for my girl.”

“When did I become your girl, huh?” you ask teasingly.

“Probably when I invited myself on this trip.”

You both laugh at that.

You swallow hard when you see the look on his face. God, how did you miss the signs? You were always a better sniper than a spy, Yasha always told you.

Your heart is beating out of your chest in anticipation as he leans down slowly and your lips brush lightly. His hands are on your waist and yours on his broad shoulders. He kisses you timidly at first, and more passionately as he gains confidence. 

“I wanted to do this since Bucharest.” he confesses after your lips part.

“Took you long enough, Sarge.”

But it was worth the wait.

-

Tonight’s sunset will be burned in the back of your mind permanently. 

You kiss and laugh some more, and feed eachother seedless grapes because they’re the only ones you eat. He’s brought strawberries, white wine because you don’t drink red, hummus and pita and an assortment of cheese and crackers.

You kiss and talk, cuddle, laugh and kiss some more all night.

You’ve accepted long ago that you’ll never fill the gaping hole in your lives, but that night when you make love to eachother the void in your hearts that Steve and Natasha left behind doesn’t seem as encompassing as it usually is.

---

Thank you for reading! If you liked it, please reblog and comment, feedback is always appreciated 🥺🤲 might fuck around and write Bucky’s POV too.

[myherowritings]

The Pizza Delivery Guy

— overview: your roommate orders a pizza with the special instructions, “send your cutest delivery boy ;)” and you’re left in complete awe when it actually works. — pairing: kirishima eijirou x reader — word count: 1,597 — genre: pizza delivery au, college au, fluff — author’s note: this is my first kiri fic so hopefully i did him justice! he was super fun to write for and i loved this au omg hope you enjoy it as well xx sofia

“They’re talking about me.”

“Yeah, right. They obviously mean me!”

“Dude, do you need glasses or something? The instructions clearly say the cutest delivery guy. Not the delivery guy most likely to eat a slice of your pizza during the drive.”

Kaminari folded his arms across his chest with a snort. He took a freshly warmed pizza out of the oven and placed it in a box, adding yellow peppers and garlic sauce on the side.

“It was one time!” he defended under his breath. “Damn, with the way you and Toyomitsu-san reacted, you would’ve thought I caused the end of the world…”

Rolling his eyes, Kirishima took the box from his friend and placed in a black carrier bag. “It was three times--and you’re lucky that green-haired kid was so forgiving each time.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Now if you’re done being stubborn,” Eijirou said with a cheeky grin, “the cutest delivery guy is about to bring the lovely customer their pizza.”

- - - - -

“That is definitely not what the ‘special instructions’ box is meant for!” you said, mouth gaping open as you reviewed what Mina had ordered under your name while you were in the bathroom.

“What do you mean?” She pouted. “What other special instructions could one possibly give?”

“Enter through the back entrance? The side gate is the one that leads to the proper parking for the apartment complex?” you suggested. “Plenty of things other than ‘send your cutest delivery guy, winky face’!”

Ashido laughed at your frantic tone, bumping your shoulder with hers. She shook her head when she saw your anxious frown.

“Stop worrying, Y/N,” she said. “It’ll give you premature wrinkles. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen anyway?”

You narrowed your gaze at her. “What if they send us the short, creepy guy with the weird purple hair that we had to file a complaint against? Simply to spite our obnoxious request?!”

“Pfft. I’m sure they’ve fired him by now.” But she didn’t look very convinced herself.

“If you say so.”

With a huff, you glanced down at the delivery tracker map on your phone and got a message saying your pizza would be arriving shortly. And if you knew anything about delivery services, “shortly” could mean anything from 30 minutes up to 2 hours--nothing less.

But, apparently, you did not know as much about delivery services as you thought you did because in less than 10 minutes, the doorbell rang.

You and Ashido stared at each other.

“There’s no way that’s the pizza,” you said.

“Nope,” she deadpanned. “My stomach usually growls about three times, then feels like it’s going to cave in all before the food typically arrives.”

You tilted your head, slightly questioning her system of measurement.

There was an unsure knock at the door but neither of you made a notion to move.

“Aren’t you going to get the pizza you ordered?” you asked with a nudge.

She gave you a look, standing up to walk down the hallway. “I would, but I really have to pee! Can you get it?”

Without waiting for you to respond, Mina dashed to the bathroom. You stared at the place her back once was, speechless.

“You just don’t want to pay for it, huh?!” you called after her, grumbling as you fished your wallet out of your bag. “And they said living with a roommate would be cheaper...”

You swung the door open to face the pizza deliverer in front of you, expecting to find a short, slightly creepy looking dude akin to the purple-haired worker you saw about a month ago. But you could not be more wrong.

Instead of a creep, you found yourself staring into the startling red eyes of a handsome guy with a smile on his face.

His grin was so bright it could light up a room, you thought, utterly speechless for the second time this night.

“Hi,” you said breathlessly, internally cursing yourself for how idiotic you probably sounded.

He held back a noise of laughter. “Hi. I-- Ah… I have a large pizza for Y/L/N Y/N?”

“Yeah, that’s me!” you chirped, grimacing at the overly excited voice that came out of your mouth.

He smoothly unzipped the delivery bag and held the pizza with one hand, drawing attention to his tanned, muscular forearms.

“Damn, they really succeeded in following the special instructions,” you couldn’t help but mumbler under your breath, gaze trailing the subtle trace of veins on his arms, then glancing at the name tag on his chest. Kirishima.

The only signal that he heard you with the faint blush on his cheeks, but he made no comment.

“That’ll be ¥2,600,” Kirishima said as he handed you the pizza. “But be careful! The bottom is a bit hot still. I kind of got here faster than anticipated.”

You smiled at the sheepish look on his face as you pulled out some cash from your wallet. “You did get here rather quickly. Especially for a pizza delivery guy.”

“Hey! At Fatgum’s Pizzeria we take customer satisfaction very seriously,” he protested, a twinkle in his eye to let you know he wasn’t actually offended.

You thought of the note Mina added in the special instructions box and then glanced at the man in front of you. “You guys sure do a good job in that department.”

As you handed him the cash for the pizza, along with a couple extra yen for his tip, you heard your roommate running down the hallway.

“Did I miss him?!” she cried. “Was the pizza delivery guy cute?”

Both you and the worker stared at her with wide eyes.

“Um, Mina…” you hissed.

Her gazed snapped towards the direction of the door and her jaw dropped.

“You’re the cutest delivery guy they have?” Ashido deadpanned.

“Mina!”

“What?!”

“Nice to see you too, Ashido,” said Kirishima with a laugh.

She hummed. “I didn’t expect to see you here, but hi Kirishima.”

Looking back and forth between the two of them, you blinked slowly. “The two of you know each other?”

“We had the same physics class our second year of university,” he supplied, adjusting the cap on his head.

Mina hadn’t told you much about her physics class--other than how boring it was--but one thing you did remember her mentioning was the cute red-head she thought you would love. But there was no way this was the same guy…

“I’ve told you about him before, Y/N,” she said happily, skipping over to the door and taking the pizza from your hands, opening the box with a whiff before turning back to you. “He’s the one I tried setting you up with that one time, but you flaked!”

Well, apparently it was the same guy.

You only vaguely remembered that moment, but the thought was enough to cause the heat to rise to your cheeks. Even Kirishima stifled an awkward cough, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Did I?” you managed to choke out, money still resting on the palm of your hand.

“Yup!”

“Ah, so you’re the infamous roommate Ashido wouldn’t stop talking about,” he piped up, grinning despite his pinkened face. “Aw-- Now that I’ve seen you in person, I’m even more bummed you didn’t show.”

Though his tone was teasing, there was sincerity in his voice. You bit your lower lip sheepishly.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I definitely regretted flaking to study for some dumb test,” you said with a laugh. “I pretty much failed that exam anyway.”

“Karma for not showing up,” claimed Mina.

You stuck your tongue out at her.

“Well, if you regret not going out with me that first time, we could always have a redo,” Kirishima suggested with a cheeky grin on his face.

Unsure if you heard him correctly, you stared at him blankly and said the most coherence sentence you could muster. “W-What?”

“A redo date,” he repeated. “Say…tomorrow around six?”

“Are you asking me out?”

“I am. Are you rejecting me?”

“Of course not!” you blurted, eyes growing wide as you realized what you had said. More quietly this time, you continued, “I’d be an idiot not to go on a date with you.”

A look of surprise crossed Kirishima’s features--almost as if he didn’t expect you to actually agree. Oddly enough, as much as you liked his outgoing personality, you found the uncertain expression on his face to be rather cute. Your stomach flipped at the thought.

“Really?” he asked. You nodded in response and his cheek dimpled as he smiled. “Maybe this time, you won’t flake on me.”

You playfully rolled your eyes at his teasing. “I plan not to. Who in their right mind would miss their chance with the cutest delivery guy the pizzeria has to offer?”

“And no one would dare to miss their shot with the cutest person in the whole apartment building.”

From behind you, you heard Mina make an indignant noise of protest, but didn’t say anything. Instead, she continued munching on the crust of her pizza slice as she stared at the two of you intently.

Just then, Kirishima’s phone buzzed, signally another order was ready for delivery.

“I would love to stay and chat, but duty calls,” he said apologetically, placing the pizza carrier back on his shoulders. “Don’t forgot about our date, though, Y/L/N!”

“I won’t. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kirishima!” you called, peering out of the door and down the hall as you waved goodbye.

He gave you one last glance with a foolish grin on his face. “Looking forward to it, cutie!”

[monochromemedic]

The amount it took me to write this while my mind was blanking is astonishing.  So take this shit story.

Ever since a strange accident involving the Black Dragon, an artifact called the Shatter Dagger and me; I’ve been shoved into the hell that was the world of kombat. I’ve been training with Earthrealm forces, trying to save my world from all sorts of bullshit I couldn’t imagine in my wildest dreams. Not to mention my own personal struggles dealing with the fact that if I wanted too I could create that Omen scene with the glass pane at anytime on anyone. Sure it was cool but it hasn’t been exactly easy to say the least. Hell, It’s been down right torturous at times. But even then I’ve manage to crawl out of bed every day, work my ass off with people 10 times more talented and experienced then me, and go back to sleep just to do the same thing in the morning. I mean that weird dagger chose me to be a warrior for some reason... so either that thing was wrong and the placebo effect is real  or there really is something more to me then a shy, chubby idiot that can barely talk to a cashier. Not like I could go back to normal life now, my life was different. I was sought after for what was in me, what I could do. If I didn’t learn to fight, everyone I knew and loved would be killed at the hands of anyone that wanted to get what was inside of me. And there happened was a lot of those as of late. But I had to admit, even through all the weird shit that i’d been through, I didn’t expect being at the filming of a new movie to be a ‘strategic move’. I mean that’s what Sonya called it, but I think she just wanted someone to look after Johnny while he was away. Not that anyone would go after him but, it never hurt to be cautious now adays. Outworld was getting bolder, looking for openings to take down the people they saw as threats and weirdly enough, Johnny was one of them. Just one at the bottom of the list. A low priority target. So why not send a low priority person just incase shit hit the fan. Hell if something did happen back at home, two people that weren’t much of a threat in the enemies eyes wouldn’t be a total lost. They still had hard hitters to protect what was important. I would’ve been more heartbroken knowing I was basically a crisp 5 bucks on Outworld’s most wanted list, but I was 20 feet away from like 4 major celebrities, and sitting in one of those fancy actor chairs with Johnny’s name stitched in it. I wasn’t too torn. “Excuse me, miss. Who are you?” One of the runner’s asked, a nervous look on his face. “People don’t seem to recognize you, and I just want to make sure you’re suppose to be here.” I paused, panic beginning to rise in me before remembering what Johnny told me to say. “I’m Mr. Cage’s plus one.” I dug in one of my pockets and pulled out a belt buckle with Johnny’s last name on it. “He said this should be proof enough.” “Ah... yeah.” He took a pause, observing the very gaudy engraved buckle, “ I’ll inform security then. They were getting a bit antsy.” The runner stumbled off without another word towards a large, menacing man blocking a door, whispering something to him before being called elsewhere on set. The large security man rolled his neck and nodded towards my direction, picking up his walkie-talkie to talk to presumably, the other security members. I turned back around, sinking into the rather uncomfortable chair. So glad to know that I was just mere inches away from being beaten to death by security and the only thing that made them stop was some belt buckle worth more then my life. “How’s my favorite Glass Slipper handling Hollywood?” A familiar voice rang out from the dark corner of the set. I turned my head and watched as a rather oiled up, shirtless Cage bounded over, a half drunken cup of iced coffee in hand. “Did you show them the belt?” “Yeah they were 2 minutes away from throwing me out so... “ I paused, staring at his chest for a few seconds. “You... look like someone dipped you in a fast food grease trap.” “Yeah, the audience goes crazy for oiled up guys. When the lights hit your body and the camera catches the glare just right? Cinema gold baby. You don’t wanna know how many fancams are just me drenched in baby oil and fake blood.” He gave a flex of his bicep before grinning wide. “Hell you seem like the type to make those things. You a secret fan?” I raised an eyebrow as I got up from the chair, cheeks staining pink. “No, I’ve probably only seen about 3 or 4 of your movies.” “Makes sense why your not freaking out more. You’re in the lap of luxury! Do you know how many people would kill to be where you are? Not the glass stuff... I mean here on a movie set, next to me, next to other actors! You’re gonna be watching the next big blockbuster in the flesh!” “I... I mean I am freaking out. This is alot I’m just not fangirling. I’m more just... alert.” I muttered, beginning to trail off as Johnny grabbed the script from under his chair, muttering to himself softly about ‘not respecting the art’ or something akin. Johnny was interesting to say the least. An actor turned fighter for Earthrealm all because of a misunderstanding. Even when he found out that it was a fight between realms and not just some fighting tournament that was way too into roleplaying, he stayed, finding out in the process that he had been from a long line of warriors with powers. And even though all of that happened he was still... him. Cocky, rude, arrogant. You’d think that something that life changing would... well change you but not Johnny. Ever since, everyone’s just sort of put up with him and his antics, even though I could see how close they were to decking him the face when he spoke. Most of the time, I was one of them but other times I could see something else in him, something more besides the douchebag he presented himself as. How suddenly nice he could get, how protective, serious. But those moments were few and far in between, especially when they were paired with moments like this. “Can you hand me a highlighter? Just over by the food table.”  I nodded, getting up and avoiding people with large bulky equipment that would easily put me into debt if I even thought of scratching it. I came back, handing the highlighter to the man. “Here you go Mr. Cage.” He raised an eyebrow as he grabbed the highlighter, a small laugh leaving his lips. “Mr. Cage? What are you my agent? You can call me Handsome, Sexy... really any adjective to describe a really good looking guy, Adonis maybe?” I could feel my cheeks get brighter, unsure if he was flirting with me or just trying to boost his own ego. What was I talking about, he wouldn’t flirt with someone like me. It was just him being an ass!  I turned my face away from him, beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable the longer I stood there. “Oh come on, that was funny! Don’t get your panties in a twist.” “A...are you serious? My panties in a twist? I’m not going to call you those things, especially here, someplace I’m not comfortable in!” I hissed under my breath as a passerby gave us a questionable look. ”Why? I’ve been called way dirtier things on and off the stage. These people are all use to it! I think that boom operator has even seen me get hot and heavy with a few actresses between takes. Honestly, I’m just trying to help you out, make you fit in with the crowd instead of looking like a little lost puppy like you always do, Hon.” He huffed, lowering the script on to his lap to highlight a few of his lines. His eyes didn’t meet mine once as he spoke, more focused on the movie then the insults and remarks he was slinging at me. “W-What the hell is wrong with you! Do you talk to everyone this way or just the people you see lower then yourself?”  “Trust me you aren’t as special as you think you are.” I felt a pin drop in my stomach as he spoke, a rage boiling deep inside of me that I had suppressed for far too long. I was never confrontational, always avoided verbal arguments if I could but having to deal with seeing him do this to everyone, to do it to me when I saw something in him. In a place surrounded by celebrities, by people who worked for him, in a place I felt like I didn’t belong. It felt like one straw too many for the camel’s back.  ”I can’t believe I ever saw something deeper to you then some shallow fuckboy with an ego the size of Mt. Everest!” I snapped, my voice echoing around the suddenly still sound stage. Even with the rest of the crews eyes now on us, Cage didn’t look up. Didn’t even flinch from what he was doing. His only response was a slow lowering of the marker in his hand as the eyes of hundreds of workers bore into my soul.  I couldn’t stand it. I dipped my head away, walking past the security guard that blocked the sound stage door to the outside. No one tried to stop me, to slow me down. Even before I reached the door I could hear them all return to what they were doing, like it was a normal occurrence there. I suppose it probably was when it came to people like him. Didn’t make it hurt any less though, to find out I was just another person on the long list of people he upset. I paced in circles outside the door, tears pricking the corners of my eyes. If I went back in there I knew I’d be stared down, both by Johnny and the movie crew, but if I stayed out here it could be just as bad. Besides wasn’t I suppose to be watching him? Suppose to have his back in case of any danger? Hell even if I hated his guts I wasn’t so petty to leave the guy in a dangerous situation where he could get killed. Or I could get killed. Not like I had a ride, I’d be walking the streets of Hollywood like an idiot. No map, no money. It was dog eat dog world out here even if there wasn’t dangerous mercenaries wanting to rip me to shreds. As I turned around for the umpteenth time, my eyes caught something at the other end of the building, something familiar slipping through the door frame before being blocked by the large metal door. I stopped in my tracks, face furrowing as I tried to piece together where I remembered that kinda clothing, that face. Big boots, something like knives strapped to his body, shaved head. I felt a chill run down my body as it finally clicked, the words of Sonya echoing in my head. ‘See this guy? I’ve been tracking this piece of human garbage for a while. He goes by the name Kano, and he’s the head of the Black Dragons, the same ones that brought that artifact to Earthrealm that changed you. If you ever see him, run. He plays dirty and even if you think you have a chance, you aren’t because he’s got a squadron of goons not far behind.’ “Johnny...” Without thinking I ripped the door open, sprinting into the sound stage only to be confronted with my worse fear. The crimson spray of blood from Cage’s mouth splattered across his body, droplets falling to the floor as Kano readied another punch.  “Johnny! No!” My voice was shrill, and harsh, as I ran towards the enemy, the one I was told to run away from. All to save some ass I told not 10 minutes ago that I saw no good in. As I closed in, I readied a punch, aiming for the cybernetic eye to hopefully bash in with a single decisive strike. I didn’t need to beat him, I didn’t need to win. All I needed was a small advantage for me to get Cage out of danger. My fist was stopped by Johnny’s hand, his face frantic as he stepped into my sight. “ACTING. ACTING, WE’RE ACTORS. LITERALLY ON A SOUND STAGE. DON’T DECK THE GUY TRYING TO GET A PAY CHECK!” “W-what? No that’s- your-” “Blood capsules. Fake blood.” He hissed, letting go of his tight grip on my hand to wipe the red dye from his face. “And that guy, isn’t Kano. He’s a guy I made the director add to movie BASED on Kano.” I felt my hand fall to my waist, turning to face the surprised actor I was mere seconds away from decking. My embarrassment flooded my body, stumbling back a few steps before the director began to scream from off set. “What the hell is going on?! This crazy broad walking on set, nearly hitting my stars, Johnny, baby, what the hell are you bringing to my set? Ya know I thought this bitch would be way more calm the the usual models you bring here but at least those don’t do this shit!”  The older man got up from his chair, megaphone in hand as he approached the actor. The rage emanating from him was palpable, making the air heavy and thick. I moved closer to Johnny, shamefully looking to the actor for guidance. I saw his eyes flicker down to me before giving a cocky look to the old man. “Excuse me? Are you... questioning the people I bring here? Me. Johnny FREAKING Cage? Award winning actor, multi box office record setting STAR... of who he brings on the set? Do you WANT a goddamn strike?” The director’s tone completely flipped at the boisterous words, slinking back into the shadows of the set. “Johnny, baby please-” he began. “Don’t you BABY me. You know my name!” “M..mr. Cage.” “That’s right. And you will address me as such as long as you wanna keep feeding that family of yours with this fat paycheck your getting from working with ME. So you keep your mouth shut about whoever the hell I bring here. I’ll bring a fucking live tiger if I damn well please and you just point your stupid little megaphone, give a big bright smile, and play along. GOT IT?” “Y...yes sir, Mr. Cage. Of course.” Johnny flashed a smile to the rest of the crew as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pushing me into his chest. “Now how about you all give my friend Jenna, a great big ‘Sorry’ and we can get back to working huh? Come on don’t be shy! ‘Sorry~ ‘come on, SAY IT!” He screamed, face turning red as the sound stage went hush. Slowly but surely a wave of monotone, ‘Sorry, Jenna’ erupted from the darkness of the sound set, culminating in the most unenthusiastic, forced apology from a group of grown ups I’d ever heard. It if wasn’t for the fact I could see them, I could of sworn that these were elementary school kids being yelled at by a principal for being too loud at lunch time. Johnny’s arm gave me a small reaffirming shake as he turned me toward him, a lip curled in smug pride. “There, ain’t that just the best medicine?” “What are you doing?” I whispered, hand going to touch his still oily chest. “It’s called acting. I figured if I’m the asshole, no one will shift the blame on you and the fact you just tried to bitch slap a B-list actor. After all if I’m a prick, might as well play the part.” He whispered back, giving a quick wink toward me as he patted my back. “Also, you called me Johnny. I gotta admit, that’s got a nice ring to it.” He placed another small pat to the small of my back and led me back toward his chair, giving the stink eye to a few people that glanced in our direction. “So. How bout we take it from square one huh? Come on, let’s get going people, hustle hustle, hustle! I ain’t getting any prettier! ” He began to clap his hands feverously causing the others to begin to run around for another take of the scene. As I reclined in the chair, watching the chaos beginning to start up, I couldn’t help but overhear people begin to bitch under their breath about how much of an ass Johnny was, completely forgetting about what just happened with me. At least Johnny was right about what would happen, making himself the target to absorb the hate. Who would care about some no name when everyone could tell their friends and family how shitty a guy Cage was for bringing the girl in the first place and acting like it was no big deal after all? He wasn’t an idiot, he used his arrogant nature to play people like a fiddle and people were none the wiser. All except for me, who saw the kindness break through the mask. Maybe I was too cruel, or maybe he was just doing it to prove he wasn’t a complete jackass to me. Either way, I was grateful. He didn’t need to do that, but he still did, much like most of things that happened with him.  I watched a makeup artist clean the blood off of Johnny’s chest, reapplying any patches of oil or foundation that had been ruined by the fake blood. Our eyes met from across the stage and with a cocky grin he flexed an arm, throwing a finger gun at me before barking an order at the makeup artist to further reassure his status of a dick. Jeopardizing his status in his inner circle all to make me feel better. What a guy.

[jq37]

so...... thoughts on the first ep?

**spoilers for start spreading the news**

What is UP you guys? The new season of Dimension 20 is out and your girl is back (implies I left, which is false) with only the hottest of takes.

Usually I vomit up my opinions with little rhyme or reason and, don't worry, I'm not changing that format any time soon. But, because of the structure of the episode, I think it'll be easier to use headings and go through each character/element of this. So let's do this y'all!

The Setting

I think the best thing you can do as a writer or a creative person in general is the make something that only you could make, you know? Like, make the thing that only someone with your specific life experiences and weird brain could have come up with. And I really think that this is that for Brennan. I already talked about this in other posts, but the version of NYC that Brennan created for this game is that to me. Like, magical NY has been done, but the specific details? Who else could have written, "The annual SantaCon is actually Santa dumping all of his defective clones into NYC where the magic barrier that keeps normals from seeing magic will disguise them and the protectors of the city will be able to deal with them"? That's so specific and so wild and so New York and so Brennan.

And I haven't lived in NY for so long but I've had one winter here and the way he describes what it's like to walk down the street during winter in the city is so real. Like smelling garbage then laundry detergent then sugared nuts from those corner stands and you're freezing and then baking in the subway in your coat. That was so so real. (I will be saying this phrase a lot so get used to it now)

And I like that he didn't make the obvious choices, you know? Like we've had three, like, magical figureheads across D20 and those are usually classic old, white, possibly British roles, you know? Like a Gandalf or a Dumbledore. But he had Aguefort in FH and now Esther and Alejandro in TUS. I just think it's cool that we're getting some different archetypes to fill these roles instead of the same dude c.p'd in again, you know?

Also, the fantasy NYC map is so dope. I wanna go back and try to read everything on it when I have the chance. 

Pete

Ally is a DRUG DEALER. I thought Pete was gonna be a stripper but he's a DRUG DEALER. Honestly, I could have figured this out sooner if I'd just checked Urban Dictionary like I did just now and found out that "plug" means "someone who is a resource for obtaining something valuable that would otherwise be difficult to obtain" or, more simply, "drug dealer". But I'm glad I didn't because it was much more fun to find out in real time.

Ally makes some character choices sometimes that are too specific to not be rooted in life experience and that whole microwave cheese monologue was one of them.

Pete's official diagnosis is that he has "a lot going on."

Ally almost won MVP line of the episode with, "Shot my tits off." Murph losing it in the background killed me almost more than the actual line.

I really, really want Pete's doctor to be a recurring character because he is wild in how wild he isn't. He has so much wild stuff happening around him and he is in a wild line of work but he seems like a relatively stable guy. I love him. Also, the completely wrong cadence he used to say, "lgbt ally" was gold.

Is Ally ever gonna have a character with a good relationship with their parents? One time? Ever?

I literally don't even know how to begin to address the wild magic trip Pete went on. Like, I don't think Ally knew what they were doing when they decided to be a wild magic sorcerer. I don't think they knew what kind of challenge they were issuing to Brennan. And after seeing the wild nonsense Brennan consistently came up with for Jer'ih'meh in Bloodkeep, I can't want to see the insanity he spits out for Pete.

"You're the one who they they wanted to play a wild magic sorcerer."

Also, Brennan just using lyrics from "New York, New York" for whatever dream demon or whatever was going on in that trip was, like, equal parts clever and hilarious. Sidenote, do you think all the ep titles are gonna be from songs about NY? I mean, there are enough songs I bet.

Pete has this thing where he constantly lands on the exact wrong part of the situation to focus on. Like later when he gets stuffed in the magic closet at the hospital and he's like, "Hospitals are so advanced, also go much is this gonna cost?" Ally's comic timing on that is always perfect.

WILD that that was the first intro. Like, way to kick off the new season with a bang.  I really wonder what this episode would have felt like if this was the last intro or if the intro for the two normal people hadn’t been right at the top. Actually now that I’m editing, I feel like we almost got the intros from least experienced w/ this stuff to most experienced. Because Pete is a total noob. Sophia is also a noob but she has met Kugrash at least once. Then you have Ricky who’s only been in this for about a year. Then Kingston who probably has more experience than Kug by years but Kug has been a rat man his whole life (presumably). Finally Misty who is probably like a BS amount of years old and steeped in this stuff. Honestly,  if I was DM’ing, I might have fudged the die rolls to look exactly like how it turned out. 

Sophia

Emily describing her character and slipping into her character voice gradually as she went on was so pro.

"Like if Fran Dresher went on an Amy Winehouse bender." I love her.

"Did you not want baby bangs?"

"She's a WHOO-OAR."

I'm gonna die if Brennan make than woman an actual succubus because of an offhanded comment.

My favorite thing is when Emily is saying some nonsense and she can barely even get through it without breaking. Also, Murph is so visibly amused by Emily's entire intro. It's great.

I love that both of the "normal" characters spent most of this episode intoxicated in one way or another.

So Emily absolutely won the episode in my eyes for coming up with one of the sickest burns I've heard and in real time. A dude tells her to read his dick and she, after only a momentary pause, says, "No I'm not gonna read your dick (beat) because I don't read short stories!" Brennan doesn't even make her roll. He just narrates her success. The table goes wild. The bar she's at goes wild. Zac specifically is cracking up. Like, I feel like this is gonna be a little bit of a deep cut reference but did any of you ever play the Monkey Island games and do the insult swordfighting? That's what that scene was. Amazing.

Murph's, like, entire posture and expression (@ 1:24ish) when Emily is saying Sophia thinks she saw a giant rat man who gave her an egg sandwich and Gatorade is total gold.

"Gotta kill some brain cells to kill the ones with the memory of Dale in them."

OK so funny story (funny to me at least) at the Fantasy High live show, I was talking to some other girls who were there and we ended up talking about how the small of a woman's back is basically the worst place you can casually touch them outside of the really bad places and how viscerally terrible it is so when Brennan said one of the trolls touched one of the girls there and Sophie/Emily was like BIG NOPE, I had a That's So Raven flashback to that conversation immediately.

Emily leaps into action...and rolls a nat 1 to fight a bunch of trolls. She actually does really well in the rest of the fight though so that's good.  

Oh, also Siobhan made everyone dope themed dice boxes!

Ricky

I hope Dimension 20 runs for the next 10 years and I hope Zac plays a good, big, doofus in every single season.

"He's basically like Superman if Superman were Japanese." Love.

Also, I love the distinction that he's 5' 8" but buff.

Ricky surrounded by a raging fire: First of all, that's a cool bear.

I like the way that Brennan skinned the cleric and paladin powers for this game so they're more about values than deities. I was wondering how it was gonna work in this setting and I think this was such a cool way to handle it.  

I really think Brennan has a great handle of presenting certain things in such a way that it's interesting for the players as well as the audience. Like, when Ricky is trying to escape the burning apartment, he puts an obstacle in his way that forces him to use his Paladin powers (to create water specifically). It's not really a hard "puzzle" or something he has to roll for, but it introduces to the audiences that he's not just a firefighter. I just think it's really cool that he's able to pull off narrative things like that without actually controlling the characters. (And, props to the players too, of course, for being so consistently entertaining).

"Mr. March."

Ricky in the middle of the winter: I'm not as tan as I used to be.

Ricky rooftop runs like a freaking superhero.

OK, this is barely related to what I'm talking about right now but it's important to me that you all know this. I commented in an earlier post that Ricky clearly had circus music playing in his head at all times and then I was like, "Hmm, I wonder what that one circus song is called." You know, the song that you think about immediately when you hear the phrase "circus music" so I looked it up and APPARENTLY it is a CZECH MILITARY MARCH known alternately as (brace yourselves) ENTRY OF THE GLADIATORS and THUNDER AND BLAZES. I kid you not. That's actually what that song is called. I called my brother and told him immediately. OK, back on topic.

Is a questing blade a thing? I feel like it's a Thing from legend or fairy tales or something but, when I Google it, I come up with basically nothing.

Does Ricky have a thing for Esther or is he just a super awkward texter and nice guy who does not want to be set up by his sister for a different reason?

I need Brennan to explain how the Santa Question works in this world. The question being, "Why don't parents freak about the gifts they're not buying?" and, side question, "Why don't poor kids get presents?" My go-to answers are always, "He Jedi Mind Tricks into thinking they bought them," and, "He has to work within each family's socio-economic means in order to not be obvious." So there are def plausible answers. But, like, this is something I like to see addressed when we're doing the "Santa is real," thing.  

"I grew up with twins and one of them was worse than the others so that makes sense."

"Is Santa good?"/"The ethics of it are alarming, I won't lie."

So, my paranoid thought for this episode is I'm a little Concerned that someone down the line (maybe Esther, but hopefully not) is going to take advantage of Ricky's Big Dumb energy and his "It's the right thing to do," mentality and manipulate him into doing something Not Great. Like, it's not based on anything besides mainlining a ton of media over the past 24 years but I'm just gonna keep an eye out.

Re the Santa/Peppermint Zombification: Hey Brennan, turn your location on. I just wanna talk.

I have to say, from the bottom of my heart, what the hell?

That creeped me out in the same way that episode of Adventure time where Princess Bubblegum (infused with the primal elemental candy energy or whatever) turned everyone into Candy people and everyone started singing Let Me Call You Sweetheart. What a weirdly specific body horror thing for me to encounter more than once. That one peppermint tooth thing is gonna haunt me. 

Kingston

I gotta say, props to Lou for pulling a complete 180 on the kind of character he picked this time around. He went from playing this super extra rich pretty boy to this salt of the Earth quasi patriarch and he's just as comfortable with it. Kingston is so real. I went to church with like 50 guys like him back home.

Why are you fighting so hard about free food Kingston? Take the free homecooked food Kingston!

The intensity of his, "I will be here until I die," was hysterical.

Mentioned this before but I love the flavoring of the cleric class where instead of being attuned to a deity Kingston is basically attuned to the entire city. Also, the perks are excellent. Bus service anywhere for free. Sign me up.

I like that Ricky's sister works at the hospital. It's a really cool potential connection for later.

"We're gonna take the thing outchyo butt. We're not gonna deny you medical services."

"Aint nothing wrong with being a freak." --Kingston Brown

Fantasy creatures having to deal with updated tech (like the Toll bridge trolls talking about EZ-passes) is one of my fave urban fantasy tropes.

"I've got a really sweet smelling man here!"

"Yeah, my tooth fell out and now it's a candy. Hey, how much is this gonna cost?" This is what I’m talking about. Priorities my dude.

I love that Kingston knows Pete's weird mob doctor. It seems like part of his deal is that he just knows everything about everyone in the city (within whatever parameters).

Pete says, in quick succession about Ricky, "I feel like he would bully me," and, "He seems like a golden retriever," which I feel are almost mutually exclusive statements.

Kugrash

Well, I asked what kind of druid nonsense was happening in Central Park and the answer is Murph apparently.

I really wish I could have been there when Murph announced he wanted to play a literal rat.

"I am the shit that feeds the flies. A dumpster druid."

"Wherever you are rat Jesus, I love you." You're killing me Brennan.

Aww Kugrash goes around feeding the homeless and stuff. He's like this grumpy ass rat man who really cares about the community.

"Santa you fucking bum." --Kugrash

"I'm sorry are you a rat?"

The idea of a roach with a hobo sack pisses me off because it's adorable but roaches are the worst.

"Is Santa dead?"/"I don't know. I'm not religious."

"Santa Claus is real and he's DEAD."

Brennan loves to use the modifiers "full" and "fully" and I have picked it up irl and in my writing.

"Let's get a little fucked up and go see if Santa's dead!"

Just that whole squirrel interaction.

The sixth borough huh? Interesting. I see you Brennan.

Also, the detail that Kug's clothes are made from old MTA vests is great.

Misty

Siobahn is playing basically exactly the character I thought she'd be playing but she's doing it so much better and more extra than I could have imagined.

"A lady would never say her age, so I won't."

Is her pianist magic or something too? I have my suspicions.

So Misty gets some kind of bard and/or fairy high from praise and adoration which is interesting.

What kind of weird, morally dubious and/or unpleasant fae thing is Misty gonna have to do soonish? It's not gonna be good. Fae stuff never is.

DON CONFETTI

"I don't study magic. I just *am* magic."

So many of these intro vignettes end with, "You don't know that...but you do know who does." Like I said before, I really love the weaving together of all the story threads to get everyone in the same place at the same time in an organic feeling way.

Also he makes all these transitions sound cinematic, like he's writing the description parts of a movie script and not narrating in person.

Public Library! I knew we'd end up here eventually but I didn't know it'd be pretty much immediately. Like, if you're going w/ the "NY is magic" premise, the library has to figure in, you know?

Emily immediately having Sophia recognize Ricky as Mr. March was such a funny and on point character decision. I love how one-off, spur of the moment lines end up being running jokes because other players pick on them and drop them an hour later.

"Are you a rat?"/"Yeah, I'm a rat man!"/"I'm sorry if that was rude."

Brennan: The lions are alive and they're boyfriends.

Misty and Siobhan both are genre savvy enough to want to nip a knights/knave door puzzle situation in the bud.

Ricky on escape rooms: I'm not very good at them but I can definitely try my hardest. (Guys, I love him so much.)

Love me some MC Escher steps.

Underrated Misty line: It's all infernal to me.

Misty's little, "Ugh" at learning they have to go to Times Square is the real NY experience.

Is this Alejandro dude gonna die? What's the over under on this dude eating it very soon?

Misty encouraging Pete to shoot Alejandro is so needlessly chaotic which is a common fae trait and I really hope this escalates.

I dunno what Murph rolled for initiative but he looks like he just shamed his entire family line.

And we’re fighting an army of crazed Santa clones next week! We have literally just started and we are already fully off the rails.  I cannot *wait* to see where we go from here if this is the *starting point*. 

[fairyshuuu]

Redamancy Jongin End

.summary. You’ve lived your whole life with your best friend by your side, the Neverland sun on your skin. Sadly, people grow up. What happens to your favorite person when you do? .word count.  2.3k .pairing. jongin x reader x baekhyun .genre. fluff

pt1.  pt2.  pt3.  pt4.  pt5.  pt6.  pt7.  pt8.  pt9.  pt10.  jongin pov.  pt11.  pt12.   pt13.  pt14.  jongin end.  baekhyun end.

You breathe in deeply, and look out over the waves. They swirl calmly out far, crashing down with a bouldering noise against the black rocks. The sun brushes your shoulders, and you take a deep breath. As you cross your arms over your belly, you smile. Your wound, though deep, has healed fine with the help of Mama. It has only left a scar, but you’re kind of glad it has. Now you’ll always be able to remember that you fought an army of pirates, and lived to tell. Barely, but still.

As you think that, soft footsteps sound behind you. You don’t have to turn to know who it is, and so you close your eyes to enjoy the sunlight just a little longer. The sound of the grass whipping back and forward. A small pout comes to your lips. You’ll miss this place. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to, you know.” The voice behind you softly mumbles. You turn, and come face to face with deep brown eyes, and fluffy brown hair that is going every direction because of the breeze. You smile, and tangle your fingers with his, stepping closer.

“I know.” You sigh. You rest your face against his chest, listening to the heartbeat that thumps steadily against his ribs. “I know, and I still want to. It’s just a little strange, saying goodbye. Again.” You giggle, and feel Jongin wrap his strong arm around your waist. He presses a kiss to your temple, and hums. “What about you?” You pull back to look at him.

“It is definitely strange.” Jongin admits. “But I’ve been waiting for a long time now. I want to see what the world looks like now, have for a long time.” He smiles, and squeezes your hand gently. “And that I get to do it with you, is even more strange.”

“If you think you can just kiss me like that, and get away, you’ve got another thing coming, mister.” You smile, starting to walk back to the house.

Jongin gives you a startled look, before breaking out in a big smile. “Not like that. I just mean, I can barely believe that you like me too.” His thumb brushes over the back of your hand gently. “I’ve loved you for so long now that I kind of… assumed that it would always be that way. You know, with Baekhyun and all. I don’t know, I wasn’t sure if- W-What made you change your mind?”

You look at him for a few seconds, before looking away with a smile. “Nothing. Someone once told me that if you love someone, you’ll know. And I knew, with you. I love Baekhyun, of course. But something felt off ever since I came back, maybe even before that. I never knew what it was and it made me feel confused. That was why I kept pulling back from you. It was like a part of my heart was beating faster than the rest, if that makes sense. I didn’t know what it was, and wanted to cling to what was safe. However, you seemed determined not to let me.

And I’m glad you didn’t, because I slowly started to realize something. You can love a person, without being in love with them. I love Baekhyun, but I’m not in love with him anymore. We’ve both grown so much as people that it was to be expected, really. And as I realized that, I was slowly ridding myself of the guilt I felt. And finally ready to admit that the reason my heart felt so heavy, was because of you. You made my heart feel full, in a good way. Like… something you didn’t know was missing, until you finally got a hold of it?” You nod to yourself, and let Jongin pull you into his side more. “I’m really, really in love with you. It’s weird, that I only realized it so late into the game. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Jongin smiles, “I was prepared to have this one-sided feeling for the end of time.” You two make your way back towards the houses slowly, feeling some nerves slip in. Jongin notices and gives you little smile.

“What do you say, sis?” Sehun grins, poking your side teasingly.

You break out laughing. “Not in a million years, Oh Sehun. Go dance with Kyungsoo instead.” Sehun pouts though, and takes your hand anyway, making you squeak in protest. Jongin just grins when you try to get him to save you, and allows you to be dragged into the middle of the field, between the groups of people dancing.

Sehun pulls you close to his chest with the widest smile you’ve ever seen him have, and sways you around gently, keeping you so close you can’t escape. You roll your eyes but give in, and wrap your arms back around him. As you look around, you can see that Kyungsoo is dancing with Mama, and Baekhyun with Minseok, who looks entirely unamused, and it is such a ridiculous sight that you break out laughing. Sehun joins in too. After while of moving around in silence, he clears his throat. “It’s going to be weird without you.” When you glance up, his eyes carry some sadness in them. “I want you to go, really. But I’ve just gotten used to you again, is all.”

You squeeze him a little tighter, and lay your hand on his cheek. “You can always come visit, Hun. You know that you’re more than welcome to. And with Tink’s help I’ll come ‘round every once in a while. I wouldn’t want that one to get homesick.” You cock your head at Jongin from a far, smiling at him. Sehun hums. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

The tall man debates for a second, before smiling. “I think all of us are going to join Chanyeol and Jongdae in the village. Through all of this we’ve learned that they aren’t anywhere near as secluded as we used to think. And then we have the case of Minseok over there.” Sehun beams, throwing a glance at Minseok who sits next to Jongin, downing his glass at once. “We’re all going to live together. And with Mama’s help, we’ll get rid of the spell.”

“Isn’t it going to be weird going back to being a boy, now you know what being an adult feels like?”

Sehun gives you a little look, and nods. “Totally. But I’ll be glad to be back. Being an adult is so… ugh.”

You giggle, and hug him tight. “You don’t have to tell me.” You two dance in silence for what feels lie hours, until someone taps your shoulder. Baekhyun stands with his hand out to you, a proud smile on his face.

“Can I have this dance?” He doesn’t even let you think about it, or he’s snatched you away from a scowling Sehun, and pulled you into his arms. He whirls you around for a few times, getting the hint and calming down a bit when you slap his chest. His cheeks are a bright pink, smile out for the world to see, and hair a messy fluff that lays to almost cover his eyes. Suddenly, your heart aches a little, knowing that tomorrow, you’ll be gone. Gone from this place, gone from their lives. And they out of yours.

You swallow, and frown. “I’ll really miss you guys.”

Baekhyun pauses for a bit, before smiling in agreement, and taking hold of your fingers. “I know. I’ll miss you too, and I’m sure that that counts for everyone here. But,” Baekhyun nods, “we’ll always be right here when you need us. You don’t have to see us to know that we’re here, right?” He puts his free hand on your chest. “I’ve always been in there, and I’m not leaving any time soon.” You nod, and send him a grateful smile.

“I heard that you’re all going back in time after I leave.”

Baekhyun giggles softly, and nods, looking around at the world around him. “Neverland can’t be Neverland without Peter Pan, right?” His eyes find yours then. “I’m not going all the way back. I’ve found that sixteen is a great age for me. The others, I’m not sure. Minseok probably doesn’t want to stay gray. Mama is going to break the spell.”

You pout at him. “How though?”

“Magic, Y/N.” Baekhyun winks. He rests his hands on your hips once more. “She cast a spell on Hook too. He won’t be coming around Neverland anymore.” His bright eyes flick from yours, to the floor. “I’m still sorry about what happened, you know.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Baekhyun. Though I do wish you’d have told me. You always do that, you idiot. Hiding things because you want to protect people. But sometimes it’s not up to you to decide.” You brush some of his hair out of his face. Baekhyun mumbles a defeated ‘I know.’ “It was really weird. When Sehun and I went to save Minseok, I figured out that Hook must have been causing you guys to age. He had tons of papers full of spells, and a map that showed him going all the way to Siren Island. And then, I felt so drawn to that one sword, even though I didn’t know it yet.”

Baekhyun nods. “When you cast a spell, you have to have one item you cast it on. With Hook it was the sword. With me, it was you. I mean… I never did it on purpose. Before we left the first time, I visited Mama. I asked her to craft me a protection spell, and she did. I didn’t know until much later that when you use a protection spell, it uses the person you love most to cling onto. I only know now because Hook figured it out right when I did. Still though, I’m sorry. Because of me he came after you in the fight.”

“Ah, that’s why. He needed to break the spell first, huh?” Baekhyun nods cutely. You smile, and rest your chin on his shoulder, looking at Jongin. “You’ll come visit me sometime, right, Baek?”

Baekhyun grins widely when he pulls back, and presses a kiss to your forehead. “I wouldn’t miss it for all the money in the world.” His hands tangle in yours. “Don’t forget me.”

“Never.”

Your eyes are heavy when you lift them from the letters sprawled over the paper, to the room you’re sat in. The space is covered in a golden glow from the nightlight beside you. With a deep sigh, you put your book to the side and rest your hands on your belly. It makes a smile slip on, feeling the warm skin underneath your fingertips. A couple of months and you’ll have a freaking baby. The thought is foreign, but incredibly exciting. You can hear Jongin walk around downstairs, and smile even wider. You hope the baby has his eyes.

Right when you move to join your husband downstairs, something bumps into the window. You turn in surprise, walking over to the frosted glass to look out into the winter weather. It stays quiet outside, so you shrug and move to walk away. But from the corner of your eye, you can see a single line being drawn into the ice on the window. And very slowly, another, like someone is spelling something out by writing it on the window with their finger. You bite your bottom lip gently, eyes flicking between the glass and the peaceful outside every few seconds.

When he’s done, you run your hand under your eyes quickly, brushing away some wetness that sits there, and smile. ‘Congratulations!’ is messily written on the window. You can’t see your Baekhyunnie, but still send him a flying kiss. And you swear you can hear his melodic laugh from behind the window. You stay like that until goosebumps break out over your arms, tracing the letters with your fingertips.

A soft hum breaks you out of your little trance. “What are you doing by the window, love?” Jongin asks, sending you the sweetest smile. He walks over to wrap his long arms around your body, and presses a gentle kiss to your cheek. You hum and look back at where the letters were, a few seconds prior, and shrug.

“It’s a nice night, that’s all.”

Jongin nods, and rests his chin on your shoulder, hands finding your belly. His hands are cold, and you yelp slightly, breaking out in giggles. Jongin breaks out laughing too, and presses his lips to your shoulder, mumbling a faint ‘sorry’. When he pulls back, he turns you around to face him, and presses his lips to yours. “I ordered dinner. I hope that’s okay. I just really didn’t feel like making food right now.”

“It’s okay.” You nod, catching his lips again. “You have no idea how much takeout I used to eat back when I lived alone. Though, I feel a little bad for the little one in here.” At the mention of the baby, Jongin’s face lights up. He looks so cute with his flushed cheeks and adorable smile that lights up the room.

“Now you mention this little one,” he bends, talking to your stomach excitedly, “I have a present for them.” A little skeptically, you send him a smile and watch as he stuffs his hand into his pocket. “Well, you can’t play with it just yet but when you’re a little bit older…” He holds open his hand for you to see. A shimmery, almost glass like pearl lays in his hand, reflecting vibrant pinks and blues on it’s surface. You smile at your husband, and take his hand in his.

“I’m sure they’ll love it.” A ring downstairs makes the both of you look over.

Jongin excitedly tangles his fingers with yours. “Let’s go eat, I’m starving.” You hum, and follow him out, but not before sending the window a last little wave.

Adults sadly can’t see Peter Pan. But you know he is out there, and you loved him.

The end! The actual end. I’m sad, but also happy. I hope you liked this series as much as I did. As always, any thoughts you can leave in my ask box or in the comments.

@baekfanapleintemps @yeollieollie @kookiie-bear @very-important-army @shesdreaminginoverdose @rissa-is-a-nerd @honeybhive @i-love-my-exhoes

[boneybabbles]

A book I will never write: Project 1

The air smelled of ale, greasy burgers, overcooked onion rings, and fumes. The thin, swinging wooden doors that led straight to the tavern next door did not keep out the rowdy noise of the crowd within. As glass shattered, shouts got louder, and the sound of bone on bone drifted from beyond the doors and thin walls, Andromeda looked out of the grimy window at the cloudless, dark purple sky. In all the hours she had been stuck in this stuffy, stinky store, kept away from the gorgeous open sky; there had only been one customer. 

A too chirpy vacationing couple that used this rotting store as a quick pit stop.

 “Have you ever taken the summer to roadtrip to all the planets?” they said.  

“Do you know if any of the Great Attractions are good along the way?” Inquired the tall male with a spiked hair and the common opalescent skin. 

The female next to him, equally tall but instead with rough, red skin and black rope like hair had the gall to ask 

“What kind of girl is stuck here for the summer, instead of being out with her friends?”. Andromeda begrudgingly replied politely to all their questions as they paid for their snacks, drinks, and a map. Even though all she wanted to do was snap back at them, she had a paycheck that she desperately wanted. 

Once the couple climbed into their rounded ship and glided away, there had been not a soul since. Unless you count the usual brutes in the tavern as customers.

Andromeda sighed what was probably the longest and heaviest sigh in history. The sigh was so long that by the end of it, her lungs burned and she might as well have been spitting fire. She turned from the pathetic and grimy window to the clock that sat above the squeaky glass door. Tick.. Tick… Tick…. The seconds seemed to taunt her, letting her know she still had two miserable hours left of her horrid shift in this disgusting fuel-stop shop. Andromeda would much rather spend these slow hours at home with Horus. 

She looked around the small, cluttered, dusty, repulsive fuel-stop store. It's a wonder this place is still open she thought while she leaned onto the front counter. The cluttered aisles were pushed too close together. The floor was more dirt, grime and gods knows what than actual flooring. And usually dead rodents could be found in the corners around the store!

 The only source of income were the nasty freighters that stopped by once or twice a week depending on their shipping routes. The freighters were more strongly built beasts, then civilized beings. They all smelled, they all had dirty, foul mouths (not that Andromeda was much better) and she doubted any of them knew what manners even were. Still, they mostly only came for the tavern next door and the freighter parking where they could park to get a few hours of sleep before they were off again. 

At last, Andromeda’s shift was over! She was already out the door before the next employee even crossed the nasty store’s threshold. She ran for where her hoverboard was tucked behind the back of the store, a long sleek oval of metal that could zoom a few feet above the ground because of Aristaeus strong magnetic core. Without hesitation Andromeda jumped on her board and zoomed out of the lot, the desert terrain of the planet's surface whizzing under her as she raced home under the forever purple sky. 

The ride home was filled with wind, dust, and the endless starway beneath her. As soon as Andromeda glided into the sandy grounds of her family's home, she ditched her board near the stucco house and ran straight for the matching barn. 

The barn had a feed room, tack room, a loft, and ten stalls. Only seven used for mytaugh. Mytaugh were horse like creatures that might be the outcome if someone were to mix a draft horse with a plant that sprouted from starlight. They were beautiful creatures that came in infinite colors and patterns with personalities just as unique. Mytaugh are esteemed beings because they choose only one person to bond and ride with forever. It is an honor to be chosen by a mytaugh. 

When Andromeda reached the plain rock barn, she went straight to Horus. He whipped his large powerful head around and let out a small, happy screech when the oblivious mytaugh finally realized his person was home. 

Andromeda slipped into Horus's stall and began petting the large mytaugh. The two were complete opposites. Night and day, dusk and dawn, water and fire, air and earth. 

Horus was tall with a dark blue coat, so dark it was almost black. He had small specks of lilac on his rump and sock-like markings on his ankle in the same light shade. He was built more like his ancient ancestors, the stocky draft horse, than the wispy, dainty, lithe creatures they were mixed with. Andromeda, on the other hand, was short with light skin. She was so short, she often had to look up at everyone even though she was fully grown, just like them. She had an extremely light opalescent skin shade that was light even for Aristaeus’ standards. Furthermore, she had no interesting markings or traits. And her build was lean and fast, almost like she should play the sports she was oh so bad at. 

Andromeda stood there just petting Horus for a while. Finally she vaulted her way onto his back ditching her harness, leaving it in the tack room. Horus walked toward the stall door and turned, allowing Andromeda to unlock it and swing it open. Just like that the two were off, racing out the barn and across the front grounds of their home. They ran and ran and ran until they peaked the top of a very tall hill that led to a wide open plain. 

The two went to plain almost daily. Its right behind their family's house after climbing the large hill that hides it from sight. Horus slowed at Andromeda's command and the two stood there looking down on the great stretch of land below. The sassy mytaugh stamped his leg and in an instant his voice was in Andromeda's mind. 

"You're not the one standing. Aka doing all the work! Might want to correct that thought of yours."

She rolled her eyes at his outburst. Ok, so they weren't standing on the ridge looking down at the plain. Horus was standing proudly on the ridge while Andromeda sat on his back looking over the plain. He could be so sassy and passive aggressive at times. It was quite funny. Andromeda thought. 

With one more thought directed towards Horus, the two were off loping down the hill, moving as one. The hill was tall and steep so Horus had to zigzag down it. 

When they reached the base of the hill and the large, sandy, rocky plain, Horus and Andromeda paused.  The pair paused there, breathing deeply, feeling each others hearts beat, listening to both of their silent minds. Just like that, as one, they took off like a bullet. They raced across the flat land, eating up the ground before them. Andromeda moved flawlessly with Horus's natural movements. They moved as one. One body, one heart, one mind. Horus let out a thunderous screech of delight. 

After hours of running, jumping and playing, Andromeda was left lying on the ground. Horus was behind her laying down also. Andromeda had her head resting on his side like he was a pillow. She was looking up at the sky as it faded into the universe's natural state. Soon it would be covered in stars that would light up Aristaeus surface with a faint blue glow.  

Andromeda laid there thinking. She thought about her job, her summer break, and her non existent friends. She also thought about her family. This brought with it, feelings of anger, sadness, and worry. All of a sudden there was a voice inside her head that made her jump. It was Horus. 

"You know," he said "just because I wiggle my way into your mind doesn't mean I dont feel your emotions too. Honestly you should know this. We are bonded after all, I chose you."

Andromeda made a humming noise agreeing that yes, sadly he could feel her emotions too. Horus continued,

"So it would be nice if you would not worry so much. I'm ready to throw up already! How are you not sick from all that worrying you're doing?"

"You're not funny and I am sick from it." Andromeda grumbled. 

She got up and sat on Horus's back then laid down so her head was resting on his rump as she continued to keep looking up at the sky. 

"Come on," She thought to the mytaugh. "Let's go home." 

Horus walked straight into his stall with Andromeda still on him. Andromeda slid off Horus’s tall form. She slowly made her way to the stall door and right before she closed it a familiar voice filled her head. Horus had been quiet on the short ride home but apparently now he had something to say. 

“It will be ok,” His mind's voice said “Whatever it is, it will be ok in the end.” 

Andromeda stared at him in shock, the stall door still half open in her hands. 

“W-what?” She stuttered “Don't you already know what it is? You're always in my head listening to me.”

“I'm always in your head but i'm not always listening. That would be so rude! Can you imagine if I was listening to you all these years! I probably would've died from your overactive imagination when we were younger.” The mytaugh ranted. 

He had a point. Horus was a yearling and Andromeda was six when he chose her. At that time in her life she was a very weird nurseling and most of the time her mind would run rampant. That was over a decade ago. But right now she was still shocked that he didn't know what she was stressing about. 

“Oh.. well.. Thank you.”  She grumbled 

Andromeda closed the stall door and meandered from the barn towards her family's house in the dark of night. Sleepily she picked up her hoverboard to carry into her room. 

She climbed up the dark wooden stairs that lead to the low front porch. The front porch was covered with a roof that was made of the same dark wood that made up the stairs and floor of the porch. The house itself was a white stucco single story dwelling, modeled after the architecture of the ancient worlds. It had many square windows all along the house to let in the light from Aten during the day and glowed yellow from light within at night. The front door was a very dark wood, almost black looking. It had beautiful carvings in it telling different stories in different landscapes. Stories lost long, long ago in the ancient world. Andromeda touched the gold colored handle and the door swung open into the house. It revealed a shouting match in the living room. 

Calypso and Vega, Andromeda’s sisters, were screaming and hitting each other with pillows from the couch. At the sound of the door, Andromeda's twin looked up from his position on the couch. It looked like he’d been watching the two while they raged on.  

Andromeda ignored her sisters shouts as she walked to the hallway on her right that led to her room. She stopped in her room to prop her hoverboard against the wall and grab one other thing. 

By the time she came back out to living room, the burgundy couch Atlas had been sitting on was turned over, pillows all over the floor, the mustard colored chair closest to their fake fire holder, was in two; and the other burgundy couch that was closest to Andromeda was now a wrestling ring for her sisters. 

Andromeda walked in front of the whole scene to get a better vantage point. It turns out, Atlas was still on the turned over couch reading as if nothing happened. Contrary, Calypso was now on top of Vega trying to do, honestly, gods knows what. 

Andromeda took the stick out of little ball she was holding, threw it near her sisters, and covered her ears. 

The small ball let out a loud piercing noise that hurt everyone's eardrums. The sound was deafening and shrill. It was so loud the whole planet could probably hear it. At the sound, Calypso fell off of Vega and the couch while covering her ears. Vega just gave Andromeda a hateful glare while covering her ears. 

The small noise grenade died off seconds later. Now it was time for Andromeda to make noise. She stared at her siblings from where she stood at the front of this mess. 

“Where are mum and dad?” Andromeda started off with. 

“They are out tending a sick Caw somewhere at some farm.” Atlas replied half interested. He didn't even bother looking at her as he said it. A Caw was a large air animal that somehow flew despite its awkward wings. They also produced milk that was drank throughout most planets. 

“Do we know how long they are going to be gone?” She continued.  

This time Vega answered her with venom in her tone. “They may be gone all night. The Caw is sick and expecting a babe.” 

Andromeda sighed at that. Sometimes their parents chose the wrong times to be amazing vets. 

“Ok,” Andromeda drawled. “Then why were you two fighting?” She said while jerking her chin at her sisters. 

Calypso was still on the ground glaring at Andromeda like she was ready to kill her. Andromeda stare her eldest sister down waiting for an answer. Atlas sighed from the other side of the room as he picked up a pillow. He threw it at Calypso as he walked out of the room towards the kitchen. It hit the side of her head and she blinked. At that, Calypso caved and said, “Vega said that ancient humans were smart and most likely intellectual creatures,” Calypso looked towards Vega. “even though our scientist proved they were all as good as pigs! So I started a debate with her to show her how stupid she was being.”  

“So you two had to start killing each other!?” Andromeda's voice was so loud it was almost screaming but she quieted down for her next reaction. “You two are brilliant but yet you choose to fight!? You debate the creature that's undoing was violence, yet you practice the same thing? Honestly you two should be appalled at yourselves and I shouldn't have to even say this to you! Why can’t you two go debate peacefully without hitting each other, just stick to yelling.”  She fumed at both of her  sisters. Vega and Calypso were both older than herself yet sometimes she was the only one that could think straight. 

“We may fight like humans but at least we don't work at a fuel stop like some heathen.” Vega seethed at Andromeda. “We also have friends and we all know when it comes to school, Cal and I excel while you… flounder at best.”

Andromeda grit her teeth and clenched her jaw. She could play dirty with them if she wanted to. Instead, “Just stop hitting each other. Fight and debate if you wish, I don't care.” She snarled before stomping to the kitchen to the left of her. 

Andromeda passed through the arch made of dark brown wood, into the kitchen. It’s warm yellow walls were adorned with pictures and paintings. The large round table in front of the windows, was painted black and made to look like their solar system with a beautiful and bright Aten in the middle. The countertops and cabinets were sleek and sterile, made of some kind of dark metal Andromeda did not understand. Despite the harshness of the metal, Andromeda loved this room the most because it felt the most warm and inviting. Not that the rest of the house wasn't. Cherika, Andromeda’s mother, loved ancient looking things so she decorated the family home like an ancient human home. It was inviting and plush. Made for comfort, not practicality. This happened to be one of the things Andromeda’s father, Loni, loved about Cherika and made him fall for her. 

Atlas was sitting on top of the island in the middle of the kitchen, eating a bright green and yellow fruit. He acknowledged her presence but said nothing. The two might be twins but you'd never know it by the way they looked and acted. Most of the time Atlas pretended Andromeda didn't exist. Andromeda made her way to the freezing box to grab leftovers from the night before. She heated the food up making enough for 2 people. Throwing it on plates, Andromeda walked to the gorgeous table to start eating. On the way to the table, Andromeda shoved one of the plates at her brother who begrudgingly took it and followed her to the table.  

They ate in silence. Andromeda kept to her own thoughts thinking about different things. She started to wish Horus could reach her mind all the way in the house. If he could they'd be talking right now. Instead Andromeda and Atlas sat in suffocating silence. Atlas finished his plate and as he got up to put it away, he said “Vega is right you know. I don't get why you work at that abomination of a fuel station or why your grades are so low. I mean you remember stuff but yet you still get fails in almost every class. So really, if you are that bad you shouldn't be appalled at them. At least they are doing something with their lives.”

With that Atlas left probably going to his room. Andromeda sat there with wet eyes just staring at the bright yellow Aten on the table. 

The room was suddenly colder and it seemed like the lights dimmed even though they did not. Staring down at Aten, her food completely forgotten, Andromeda looked at its bright yellow and orange and red flames. The middle was a yellow and orange circle that had a pleasant and inviting face on it. Off of the circle was Aten’s magnificent rays of light. All of them were wavy and came to a point but each one was different shade of orange or yellow with the occasional red. All around the edge of the table were the nine planets that made up our solar system. Balder, The planet of dreamers. Bragi, The planet of scholars and writings. Isis, The planet of the Seers and healers. Ptah, The planet full of inventors and scientists. Aristaeus, The planet of agriculture and animal husbandry. Pallas, The planet of Military Associations.  Kanaloa, The planet that distributes water throughout planets and nurtures all aquatic beings; Also the planet that is most like the ancient homeland, Earth. Uli, The planet of Philosophy and wisdom. Lastly, The planet the galaxy depends on most, Themis. The planet of Law and Justice.  

Andromeda always wanted to visit the other eight planets but knew she probably never would. That never stopped her from dreaming though. Late at night when Andromeda was laying in bed or when she would ride with Horus, She would wonder about which planet she would belong on most. Most people in her galaxy would spend about a year traveling the planets to see where they fit in most to continue their lives doing what they love. Statistics from Ptah show, that for every person that leaves their home planet, there were two that stay. Not because the person couldn't get off of their planet but because that was truly what they loved and had no interest in pursuing anything else. Andromeda knew that her sisters would probably go to Ptah and Uli. She also knew that her brother would probably go to Pallas or stay here on Aristaeus. What Andromeda didn't know though, was where she was going to go. 

She felt something wet fall on her hand. Andromeda looked down at the water droplets on her hand in surprise. She hadn't realized she was crying.  She hadn't even realised she was sad. That was because andromeda was not sad but in fact furious. The tear of rage quickly sizzled off her hot, enraged skin with a quick hiss.  How dare Atlas say that about her! At least she was doing something with her life! And she was just as capable of school projects as the three of them. Andromeda just happened to not particularly care about them. And if she ever wanted to admit it, which she would but probably never out loud, She was probably better than all three of her siblings. As Andromeda thought these things, her blood was practically boiling. She stood up so fast from the lovely table that the dark wooden chair fell backwards. Andromeda grabbed her plate and threw it into the sink with more force than needed before stomping off across house. She stalked and stomped through the odd kitchen of her home, through the half wrecked yet still beautiful living room, through the dark hallway covered in pictures and paintings, all the way to her room. Andromeda entered her room and slammed the door to the point of it almost coming off of its magnetic hinges.  Upon entering her room Andromeda looked around at the soft purple walls that matched Horus’s markings. She looked at her hoverboard that she had painted and drawn on so it would really seem like hers and not just a scrap of metal. She looked at her scale of their galaxy hanging in the corner of her room that she used to fall asleep watching every night. She looked at the pictures on top of the set of drawers that stood in front of her sleep pod. The hologram pictures that constantly blinked between art pieces she loved, her friends, and Horus. That was when her raging fire calmed down. Andromeda slumped against her room's door and sat there thinking about how to fix this. 

Andromeda hastily jumped up and practically ran to her tall armoire. She grabbed her black satchel and hastily filled it. Andromeda paused in front of her hoverboard and looked at her Epikoi checking the time. It was 2400  which meant she had half of a standard galactic hour left. Andromeda grabbed the board and silently bolted to the barn with her bag on her left shoulder. 

Upon reaching the barn doors, Andromeda propped her hoverboard against one and plunked her satchel next to it. She deftly opened the other barn door and crept through the semi darkness to Horus’s stall. The brilliant mytaugh was illuminated by the blue tinted light from the billion of stars that made Aristaeus glow at night. Andromeda crept into the stall and started to pet the mytaugh until he roused seconds later. She lovingly grabbed Horus’s large head as his voice filled her mind. 

“What could you possibly want at this ungodly hour, human. I am trying to get my beauty sleep.” If mytaugh were capable of facial expressions like smiling, Andromeda had no doubt the creature would be smirking. 

“Well,” she started whispering while stroking Horus’s long nose. “I just wanted to tell you that: once I can, I will send for you. But until then, please just wait and don't bite anyone's arm off when you get prissy.” she winked. With that, Andromeda wriggled out of the stall not waiting for a response and back out into the open night. She didn't hesitate as she slung the satchel over her body and hopped on her hoverboard zooming off of her family’s ground, onto the seemly endless starway, retracing the path she took earlier. 

When Andromeda reached the dusty fuel-stop parking area where there were about two dozen freighter ships parked, she hopped off of her board and began to look around. When she finally found the green and orange ship she was looking for, she tucked her board behind it where it would be hidden and ran off to the nasty tavern that had yellow light streaming from its ever dirty windows. 

The tavern was almost as bad as the store she worked in next door. The only reason it was better was because the wooden floor was washed clean from the puddles of spilled ale on it and the smell of fried foods almost hid the unworldly smell of the nasty freighters. The bell above the door rang as Andromeda entered but either no one in the large crowd heard or cared. The bar at the back was packed with brutes twice her size, half of them them singing an off key bawdy tune obviously intoxicated. To her left some tables had been pushed together and a large drunken card game was going on around what seemed to be two players fighting probably for losing to one another. And to her right were various dimly lit booths and tables with different freighters seated at them drinking, eating, talking, or sleeping. The tavern itself was modern enough but the wooden panels lining each wall suggested this place was originally built to feel old. 

Andromeda searched the tables and booths for one specific mass of muscle. She cut across the dingy tavern and slid down in the booth right across from him. In the yellow tinted light Andromeda looked over the man’s bright opalescent skin, that was taking on the same tint as the lighting above. He wore dark clothing contrasting his flawless skin but matching his styled hair. When Andromeda finally looked up he was smirking at her and had a mischievous look in his eyes. 

“Hello Elon” Andromeda purred and smiled. 

Elon was still smirking as his rich baritone filled her ears. “What do I owe this visit to, dear?” 

Andromeda scoffed and sat back. “Can I not visit my favorite brute without there being a reason?” She said. “But while we are on the subject I need a favor.” 

Andromeda was taking a gamble but she knew that out of any freighter she had ever seen stop here, Elon was the one most likely to help her. He was only about two years older than her and already found his job. They met on his first run to Pallas from Ptah. The young man had stopped in the freighter lot not knowing it was huge mistake.  He had walked into the store to buy a soda but after talking to Andromeda, who was behind the counter that day, he decided against it. A wise choice. That had been a year ago and since then, Elon would stop at the tavern and store whenever he could. The two had become something like friends in his stops and messaging when he was away. 

Elon chuckled at that. “I knew there had to be a reason for you to show your beautiful face.” 

“Alright Elon, stop flirting.” At this his posture changed. He sat up straight and was no longer smirking as Andromeda continued, her voice not a lovely, devious, tone anymore. “I'm trying to fix a problem I have and I was wondering if you let me ride with you to your next stop.” 

Elon sat back in his chair and studied her. His face unreadable. He was watching her so long she was about to squirm when he finally said, “Kanaloa is my stop then back up to Ptah.” 

“That's fine.” Andromeda replied probably too quickly. 

Elon nodded but was obviously still thinking things through. Yet all he said in reply was, “Why.” Andromeda don't know what seemed liked the blow she felt. Was it the question itself? Was it his deep baritone laced with curiosity and worry in a way that made it seem soft but harsh at the same time? Or maybe it was him staring so intently at her. Andromeda didn't know but despite herself she just stared at him. 

“I have a problem. I am trying to fix that problem and the way to fix it is to get away from it.” she said keeping her words short and frank. 

Elon sighed seeming exhausted still staring at her. Andromeda stared back at him and realized that in this moment he somehow seemed older. More burdened maybe. Definitely older in some way. He slid out the chair while saying “We leave early. Now.” and then walking away. Andromeda trailed Elon out of the tavern the cool night air hitting her face the moment the pair pushed through the Taverns front doors. Elon led  Andromeda to his green and orange freighter ship. She grabbed her Hover board and pack, throwing them into the back and then hauling herself into the front of the large ship next to Elon. Elon glanced at her as he started up the ship but kept his eyes ahead as they flew onto the endless starway. The only thing illuminating the two and the starway was the gorgeously cold blue light from the stars high above. 

The starway was...

-Boney

[umbraastaff]

I Saw Seven Bounties

CHAPTER 9: THE DEAL II: FACES

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[Ao3]

[Thank you to fivebrights (AO3/Tumblr) for beta reading!]

***

Barry keeps picking through the abandoned buildings, flipping through his notebook, and being generally weird. Kravitz watches with mild interest, trying to understand why he keeps a pair of work gloves but leaves the boots, why he clicks every pen to decide whether to take it without ever testing the writability. Maybe his notebook is actually a shopping--er, scavenging--list.

While the lich is trying hard to open a crate without going overboard with the force used, Kravitz speaks up. “It’s, er, been nearly an hour, now. Have you made any progress towards the bell?”

“Oh, shoot!” Barry waves a hand with a spell gesture Kravitz doesn’t recognize. “I-I got distracted. Didn’t mean to, uh, t-to make you wait.”

Kravitz just shrugs. “It’s only one day; I’ll survive a little boredom.” Especially if he gets Barry’s soul at the end of it. He almost regrets reminding Barry of the objective, but he isn’t one to play dirty. “What was that spell, just now?”

“Huh? O-Oh, uh, this?” Barry repeats the hand movement, and Kravitz nods. “It’s just Timer, a-a cantrip. I did the--I set it for, uh, twenty-three hours.”

The reaper tilts his head. “Odd. I don’t imagine myself to be out of touch with modern magic, but I don’t think I’ve heard of it.”

“Really? I wouldn’t--I mean, it’s not very new, but…” he thinks for a moment. “Oh, oh, shoot! Right. It’s not f-from around here. It’s… I think we made that one, actually.”

“You… make spells?” Kravitz makes a mental note to add another goddamn discipline to Barry Bluejeans’ ever-growing list of masteries.

“Oh, I mean…” Barry twiddles his thumbs. “N-Not well enough to have--to make a job of it, or a-anything. Just, uh, some little spells t-to fill niches. It’s fun to figure them out.”

“Impressive.” Kravitz means it.

Barry looks surprised. “I-I mean, it’s just a cantrip. You could even--I can teach it to you, uh, if you’d like. If you can do wizard spells…?”

“I’m afraid what magic I have that isn’t granted by the Raven Queen is done through music.”

“Oh, bardic magic?” Barry brightens up. “I used to--I’ve dabbled in that. Maybe I can figure something out for it. I-I’ll get back to you.”

“Alright, then,” Kravitz says skeptically. Barry can do plenty of things, but he wonders how much skill the lich has in music.

Barry scribbles something else in his notebook--a reminder, perhaps--and then snaps it shut. “O-Okay! So! First place I’m checking is, uh, just a bit east of Neverwinter. I found--I got wind of some, uh, questionable activities there.”

“Well, I doubt you’ll do well with my method of teleportation, and I’m not letting you port me,” Kravitz says, “So how about we just meet at the east gate?”

Barry gives him a thumbs up and vanishes in a flash of red light. Kravitz sighs, draws his scythe, and presses it into the space between planes. He dips briefly into the Astral Plane before pulling back into the Material, just in time to see a flash of red lightning at the east gate of Neverwinter, coalescing into the brightly-colored silhouette of Barry Bluejeans.

Barry’s face is halfway skeletal when he appears, but his illusory skin is already rapidly regenerating. Whatever illusion he’s using must operate similarly to a ‘concentration’ spell, or else his teleportation wouldn’t interrupt it.

“I don’t see why you don’t just use Disguise Self,” Kravitz remarks as Barry leads him away from the city. “Seems like it would be easier.”

Barry raises an eyebrow. “I--Well, it doesn’t really--I mean, d-do you use Disguise Self for your face--your body? Does that work?” He sounds skeptical, but the question is genuine enough.

“No,” Kravitz admits. “The Raven Queen grants me the power for this form, among other things. It isn’t a spell with a name. But you… Well, it just seems overly complicated for you to use some other magic when Disguise Self is such a simple spell.”

“Hm… Here, I-I’ll just show you how the--show you what Disguise Self does.” Barry snaps his fingers, and a ripple of magic crosses his face. His expression abruptly turns rigid and neutral, eyes staring emptily into space. When he speaks again, his mouth doesn’t move.

“This spell m-maps the body’s movements--links them to the illusion. Which is also why y-you can only look like creatures with the same, uh, same basic form. So, actual movements w-work fine,” he wiggles his fingers to demonstrate, “but my face is j-just a skull. There isn’t any--there’s no movement to take hold of for the spell.”

“I see,” Kravitz says, nodding. “That must be why so few liches put on faces.”

Barry laughs a little as he snaps his fingers again, restoring the proper illusion to his face. “I mean… th-the skull face also adds to the, uh, the edgy aesthetic.”

“Of course,” Kravitz rolls his eyes. “A mockery of the symbols of the Raven Queen’s domain, for nothing but a little spookiness.”

“O-Oh, come on,” Barry crosses his arms. “She may have reign over when people die, b-but the right to be--to mock the concept of death, that’s--I’d say it belongs to people who actually will die.” He hesitates. “And... in a sense, have died.”

“Oh? And how do you expect to die, Barry, with your soul modified so?”

“You, obviously.” Barry gives Kravitz a flat look. “Eventually. B-But even without that, really, a lich is just a s-spliced up version of something mortal. Y-You can’t act like any of us would last as long as a god. I-I’d fade long before the-the entire concept of death fades as a godly domain.”

Kravitz blinks. He has no response to that; he’s used to liches acting as though they’ll last for an eternity. Instead, after a bit of a pause, he says, “Hmm. You said the Bell is out here?”

“Ah, yeah,” Barry perks up again. “Phoebe lives near here. Sh-she’s… If she has it, she’d probably b-be making really good use of it. In-in a bad way.”

“Phoebe…?”

“Uh, Phoebe Tipper?” Barry says, but Kravitz stays confused. “She’s been cycling souls in and out of th-the Astral Plane f-for--for years, almost weekly.”

Kravitz squints. That does sound vaguely familiar. “Dead Ends?”

“That’s--Oh, yeah. That’s her... business name, I-I guess? Pretty d-dramatic, right?”

“You know where Dead Ends lives?”

“I, uh. I know where a lot of people live,” Barry says, picking through the increasingly-dense trees and brush, “On account of not t-trying to, uh, murder them.”

Kravitz keeps following him. If this isn’t a ruse, then this whole deal might not end up a waste after all. Dead Ends doesn’t really fit the bill for who they think was in possession of the Animus Bell, but she’ll be quite a catch even without it.

Eventually, Barry stops and peers through the trees. “There’s Phoebe’s place. C-can you see it?”

Kravitz leans near Barry to follow his apparent line of sight, but he can’t see anything besides regular forest. And he can’t sense any other necrotic energy, either. “Not with your lich magic stuffing up my senses.”

Barry laughs a little. “M-My bad. It’s p-probably boxed, too, though.”

“Boxed?”

“O-Oh, slang, sorry. It means, uh, there’s a shield k-keeping radiant energy out, like agents of gods. You. I can get rid of it, though.”

“So… you’re able to remove it? And you’re willing to remove it?”

“Yep,” Barry says, and although Kravitz leaves the space for it, he offers no further explanation. Instead, his hands start moving in a practiced pattern, with bones showing through the illusory skin every time he makes a quicker motion. Kravitz can feel the energy as he cuts through the air, and he takes a step back to give it room.

Once he’s done, the lich points through the trees again. “S-See it now?”

The area looks blurry, now. Kravitz blinks hard a few times, and it clarifies into a house, as though it had been there the entire time. It blends in well with the forest, sure, but it’s not exactly missable. “Wow.”

“Yeah, p-pretty impressive how she stretched th-that spell over the entire house,”

Kravitz nods, still staring at the building. It’s half taken over by the plants and vines around it, and he has to wonder if that was intentionally invoked by magic, or if the house really is that ancient.

“Okay, w-well, she probably does--probably checks security, uh, regularly, so… N-Now or never.” He’s twitching, just slightly, in that way he does when he’s having strong feelings.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m--yeah.” It comes out tense.

Kravitz starts to take a step forward, but hesitates again. “Barry. This isn’t… you’re not trying to trick me, are you?” His eyes widen as he realizes. “If I leave your side, it could technically be in violation of our contract…”

Barry looks genuinely surprised. “Uh, I-I guess? I wasn’t--I didn’t mean to trick you, though. I’m telling you where I th-think the Bell is. Of course you need to--need time to check it out. I mean…” he shrugs. “If you don’t go, a-and it turns out the Bell was there, then--then you’d be breaking the terms, right?”

Kravitz frowns. “I suppose…”

“Look, th-the whole contract got way--absurdly contrived. I-I promise you I’m not trying to pull one over on ya.”

Kravitz takes a long look at his face, which is decidedly less twitchy, and nods. “As much as I hate to admit it, I trust you, to this small extent.” He looks back towards the house, ignoring a glimpse of Barry’s face brightening up.

He surveys the house carefully as he steps between the trees. Staying on the side that their shadows are pointed, he’s nearly invisible. He sheds his skin and wills his steps silent, approaching the front door.

Kravitz sinks into darkness and slips under the front door, feeling the sickening aura of necrotic energy intensifying every second. He can’t feel any wards, though, and most skilled evildoers have them aplenty; Barry must have really been thorough with dismantling them. He stands up inside the house and looks around.

It’s a nice place, if a little cluttered and a lot evil. Candles and chalk line the shelves alongside more conspicuous ritual supplies. Magical artifacts are among them, but he doesn’t feel the power of a grand relic within this home. He does, however, feel the presence of a soul that’s been on his bounty list for a few months now.

Surprisingly, following the presence takes him away from the passive necrotic magic in the basement--she must be making bodies. He heads up the stairs and down a hall, ignoring the few framed photos along the walls. They aren’t his business, and would only serve to make this difficult. Finally, slowly, Kravitz turns the doorknob that he knows his target is waiting behind. He has the advantage here.

So of course he’s startled when he’s tackled the instant he opens the door. She dodges his alarmed scythe swing and his back hits the ground. Phoebe is barely recognizable as human, but up close, Kravitz can see that she’s made of human pieces. There are too many eyes and arms in all the wrong places, but they’re all human. And so is her soul: a hellish amalgam of other humans’ lives, stolen from the Astral Plane for her own power. He’d be impressed if he wasn’t disgusted.

Kravitz kicks her off with an undignified yelp, feeling soul magic turned abrasive burning him where they made contact. Jumping up, he extends his power through the room, turning the dim atmosphere to darkness and willing it to encroach on the monstrous figure. Wisely, she backs up towards the lightest part of the room: the window.

“Phoebe Tipper,” Kravitz says, voice thick with his work accent, “You’ve been a tricky one, ‘aven’t ya?”

Phoebe shakily looks out the window, then back to Kravitz. Instead of panic, he sees a grin made of far too many teeth. “Reaper,” she rasps in several voices at once, “You’re outnumbered.” And then she kicks off from the floor and crashes through the second-story window.

Kravitz rushes forward and looks through the shattered glass. The monster is rushing down the path in front of the house, towards a hooded figure clad in bright red. He’s waving to Phoebe, beckoning her.

Kravitz curses--Barry, Phoebe, his own foolishness. Why would Barry do this? Why give him someone’s location only to save her? Did Barry suddenly realize she didn’t have the Bell, and decide to sabotage him? Is this a trap?

He leaps out the window anyway, breaking his fall on soft shadows and running towards his runaway catch, though he’s sure Barry will have her gone within seconds.

Surprise slows Kravitz down when he gets close enough to see Barry meeting his eyes, giving him a strange look. The hand he’s waving with abruptly clenches into a fist, and there’s a bolt of red lightning that shoots up from the ground and overtakes Phoebe. She collapses, stunned but not dead, and screeches profane curses of traitorousness.

Kravitz stops altogether. Barry looks at him. “H-Hey, uh, are you gonna do your job? I c--I can’t hold this for long--”

Snapping out of it, Kravitz crosses the remaining distance with a few short strides. Barry steps back as he pulls out his scythe, tearing Phoebe’s many souls out of this Plane with a clean slice. It’s the easiest that’s been in a while.

Then he stares at Barry. “I didn’t expect you to actively help.”

“Oh, c-come on,” Barry says. “She--she killed people! A-And used their--she took their souls and powered herself with innocent--used people who weren’t even willing, and even if th-they were, I’d question it--”

“So you do have morals,” Kravitz says, with half-feigned surprise.

Barry isn’t amused. “I don’t kill people, Kravitz! I just--the only soul I’ve e-ever tampered with is mine, a-and I really--I only use bodies that are already dead, wh-when I need to.”

“Shame,” Kravitz rolls his eyes. “If you had just stayed away from your soul, I wouldn’t have had to hunt you.”

“A-And we wouldn’t have met,” Barry shrugs. “You don’t--I mean, you’re a pretty okay guy when yo-you’re not trying to kill me.”

Before Kravitz can respond, Barry continues, “So is the Animus Bell in there?”

“Ah, no. Can’t feel anything on par with Grand Relic power here.”

“That’s too bad,” Barry says, in a tone that leans towards sympathy. As though he’s more bummed out for Kravitz’s sake than his own. He pulls out his notebook again and starts flipping through it.

“I wonder what gave them so much power,” Kravitz says idly.

“They’re m-made of the same thing--same stuff that made the omniverse,” Barry says without missing a beat. “The, uh, inspiration for o-our existence, in an… abstract sense. That’s why, uh, why they have--why people want to use ‘em so bad.”

“What? What makes you so sure?”

Barry doesn’t appear to have heard him, and instead says, “So, hey, w-where’s the line? I mean, on what’s… unacceptable? Liches are bad, Phoebe’s body-hopping is bad, but you--I could’ve sworn that-that you said zombies are fine, before.”

“Right,” Kravitz says. “Animated corpses--zombies, as you say--have no soul. They are, I would say, disrespectful to the dead, but not illegal. They don’t disrupt the balance of life and death. But, well, moving your soul--or others’ souls--out of your body, modifying them, or stealing them from the Astral Plane… any of those things serve to extend a life beyond its natural course. It creates an imbalance.”

“But we all--everything dies anyway, though, right? Even liches w-would decay eventually. Who cares if I’m around a little longer?”

Kravitz sighs. “The balance of the world isn’t just about death, it’s about the natural order of fate. Fate is married to Death, and altering either can mess with the process of the other. You know, the same reason time travel is generally considered to be extremely dangerous.”

“For the sake o-of conversation, and, uh, a little curiosity,” Barry says, “What d-does it--what exactly does it mess up? What does balance being out of whack a-actually do?”

“It’s…” Kravitz falters briefly. “It isn’t mortal business, Barry. Not our business. It has to do with my superior’s work, not my own.”

“She isn’t…” Barry frowns. “Well, nevermind.”

“Oh, no, I’d like to hear this.”

“It wouldn’t be good of m-me to… I mean, I don’t know a whole l-lot about her. But I-I do know that gods, i-in a, uh, strictly general sense, a-aren’t infallible,” Barry says, choosing his words delicately, without even the decency to sound arrogant. “But I shouldn’t… it’s n-not my place to say.”

There’s a hint of a wry laugh in his voice as he adds, “I-I can’t justifiably c-comment on the, uh, the balance of this world when we d-did such a big--” he freezes. “Uh, I mean, when I’m a lich! Th-the source of, er, th-that sort of imbalance.”

Kravitz starts to respond, but Barry continues before he can. “And the Raven Queen did l-let me channel her m-magic to save you, i-instead of taking the opportunity to, uh, smite me, or something? So that was pretty good. From my semi-mortal perspective, at least.”

Kravitz frowns, indignant arguments and confused questions melting from his mind in favor of startlement. “You did what?”

“You d-don’t remember…?” Barry looks surprised, too. “Uh, it was on that train, a bit o-over a year ago? When you did a--when you beefed it hitting the tunnel wall. I d-did that thing warlocks and clerics do, to ask for power…”

“Warlocks and clerics?” Kravitz stares at him. “Those are… very different magical professions.”

“N-Not really,” Barry says. “They’re pretty similar. Warlocks c-can just do weirder stunts, usually, since they’re bound to, uh, weirder… less conventional entities.”

“If you put it that way, I suppose…”

“So the Raven Queen l-let me channel her magic f-for, uh--to heal you, because I’m garbage at it, a-and you got portal-warped away.”

Kravitz finds he’s less surprised than he thought that Barry would save him. He did tell him to duck just before he was hit, after all. “You’d think, with such a skill for moving life energy around, that one would be good at healing.”

Barry laughs. “Yeah! But, well, m-most of what necromancy does is, uh, pretty temporary. And I-I also thought that sort of magic might be, er, bad for you? Being what you are? So…”

“Huh,” Kravitz says. “Well, I do appreciate you taking the precaution. You weren’t too off the mark with that thought.” He regrets voicing that last bit when Barry starts scribbling something down in his notebook again.

Barry flips a few pages. “There’s a c-coven of sorts, uh, down south…”

Down south, there is indeed a coven: a trio of witches who have been exploiting a leak between the Astral and Material planes to steal souls. Kravitz hasn’t been able to find its exact location before; some clever shielding has thrown him off at each attempt, so he’s been waiting for a better shot.

“How ‘bout I go in first this time?” Barry asks when they arrive, and Kravitz lets him. He’s getting the vague sense of being tricked, of this slow-building trust being a ruse, but he hasn’t been disappointed so far.

Within minutes, Kravitz feels the nearby enchantments thin out, and his sense of the nearby necrotic energy sharpens. Barry walks into his field of vision surrounded by three darker cloaked figures.

“Weird, right?” Barry is saying as they walk. “A-And if you apply that to, uh, Shillelagh, you can actually--it’s possible to cast it on y-your own hand. It does get st-stuck as a fist, though. Haven’t figured out how to, uh, circumvent that one.”

Kravitz starts stepping through shadows, sneaking around behind them.

One of the witches perks up. “I feel somethin’, Bluejeans. What the hell did you--”

And then there’s a flash of fire that burns away all the plants on the ground, guided by Barry’s subtle hand movements. On a whim, Kravitz takes on the flames and shapes it into a molten golem around himself. The witches screech as Barry shapes the remaining fire into a ring enclosing them all.

“Witches of Goldmire Coven,” comes Kravitz’s voice, crackling and rasping, dripping with lava that becomes black stones on the ground before him. “I am pleased to inform you that your rift has been located, and you’ve won a free vacation to the Eternal Stockade.”

He takes them in one swing.

“You know,” Barry says as he puts out the fire and Kravitz sheds the golem, “Without m-my fire ring, they could--they would’ve escaped d-during that speech.”

“You underestimate me,” Kravitz says. With good reason, he doesn’t add. “But the risk is worth some flair, Barry.”

Barry laughs. “You’d like Lup and Taako.” Then, with a look Kravitz can’t quite discern, he adds, “H-He’d like you too.”

It’s three more bounties and nearly ten hours later when Kravitz finally asks, “You already knew the Bell wasn’t with any of these people, didn’t you?”

Barry sighs. “Y-Yeah. But it helped you out, right?”

“Immensely,” Kravitz admits. “But it doesn’t mean… Barry, you’re not hoping for a reduction on your sentence, are you? Because I can’t really--”

“N-No, no, I know,” Barry says quickly. “It’s--those people were all, uh, really awful. And I would--I think I’d have someone disappointed i-in me if I didn’t take such a good o-opportunity to, uh, get ‘em caught.” He leafs through his notebook a bit more. “That’s all.”

“So, then,” Kravitz says, “Would it be too much to hope that you don’t really know where the Grand Relic is?”

“It would,” Barry offers him a wry smile and tears a page out of his notebook. “M-Might as well go ahead w-with it now, when I can--when there’s still a good a-amount of time on the clock.”

He folds the paper over and hands it to Kravitz. “Th-those are coordinates. In the middle of the, uh, Felicity Wilds. The Animus Bell a-and both of its current holders are all--they’re within a one-hundred-foot radius of, uh, that location, so… y-you’ll definitely be able to tell if you’re in r-range.”

“The Felicity Wilds…” Kravitz looks at the coordinates, trying to recall anything he’s found there before.

“It’s called Wonderland. I-I’m not coming with you on this one, and I think--I mean, I swear I’m not being patronizing when I s-say this, but y-you shouldn’t go after it either.”

“And why’s that?”

“Th-they do this weird thing… uh, they’re liches wh-who use the Bell as a s-sort of lure, and they manage to--they utilize other people’s emotions for power i-instead of just their own. They’ve generated a-a whole building designed for, for misery, and it’s i-incredibly dangerous.”

Barry must be able to tell from Kravitz’s face that he’s not convinced, because he continues with, “B-But if you’re going there anyway, I-I… Okay. Th-they’re probably, uh, anchored to each other, being siblings. Word has it they started Wonderland when they lost someone. I-if you manage to, uh, get one of them, they other should destabilize.”

Kravitz nods. “Well, thank you for the help--”

“Oh, and their n-names are, uh… Lydia and Edward.”

Kravitz’s blood turns icier than usual, and he faces away from Barry. “Good to know.” He looks down at the coordinates. “I think I’ll take your advice for the time being, then, and regroup. I appreciate the assistance.”

“Yeah,” Barry says, awkward confusion evident in his voice. “No worries. O-Oh, and, about our deal--”

“It’s done. Both ends have been completed. You’re back on my list in…” Kravitz thinks for a moment, “eleven hours and fourteen minutes.”

Barry nods slowly, and they both stand there for a moment. “Do you want… to get lunch?”

“Neither of us eats.”

“Right, right, right,” Barry nods. “Well. Good luck with, uh, stuff. S-See you around, buddy.”

So once again, in a flash of light, Barry Bluejeans is gone. And for the first time, Kravitz doesn’t have to worry about where Barry’s gone or what the hell he’s doing.

He’ll deal with it later.

[crimsoncobaltblue]

A Single Touch: Part 2 - Debbigail

(Sorry I took so long for the second part. For the record, never live on a farm unless you like working all the time for whatever reason. Anyways, if you haven’t read the first part then you might want to. Enjoy my horrible writing!!)

Read the other parts!  Part 1 | Part 3

———————-

“I can’t believe that was your best plan!” Louie complained. I just ignored him, knowing that’s just kinda what Louie does.

My sides were burning now. Just hot enough for it to be uncomfortable. I felt anxious but I didn’t feel like a hospital visit was needed. The warmth... it reminds me almost of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at the same time..? Weird, I know. The coziness and calm the night of Christmas Eve, and the exhilaration and borderline anxiety on Christmas Day to see what you got from Santa seemed to be all wrapped up together where the soulmate imprints were on my sides. I couldn’t focus on it for too long though. I moved on from that thinking as quickly as possible, as if I were being pushed by something invisible telling me to hurry up.

Thanks, I’ll get right on that.

And I did. I flung the door open while declaring loudly, “Come on guys!” I grinned mischeviously at them. “Let’s go touch some expensive stuff.” Was the last thing I said before a rope of some sort wrapped around me and lifted me away!

Maybe I screamed, maybe I didn’t. I won’t tell.

I heard my brothers yell after me before they were captured as well.

———————-

After an extremely short amount of time, we found ourselves hanging upside and with a spotlight on us. The rest of the room was dark so we had no clue who attacked us. I couldn’t help but feel fear build up inside me, not quite even with the soulmate marks but definitely up there. I started wiggling around in the ropes to get free but they were just too tight. By now my soulmate marks were so hot it was really hurting and I’m honestly surprised the rope didn’t catch on fire.

“I’ll put the marbles back!! I swear!!!” I whined. If it was Mrs. Beakley and she thought they stole from Uncle Scrooge then I hoped she would be less likely to hurt us if we gave away information freely.

“Who sent you?!” The voice snapped at us and I felt a jolt race down my spine. It wasn’t from fear though, that much I knew. “Ma Beagle? Glomgold?! Answer me?!”The menacing voice said from the shadows and all I could do was stare in the direction of the mysterious voice. As weird as it was, it was like my body was crying out in anguish, despite the fact that I was unharmed.

Tied upside down and interrogated, but unharmed.

“UNCLE SCROOOOOGE!!!” Louie cried and I would’ve gotten really furious with the voice if it weren’t for my fear and intrigue.

“Uncle Scrooge?” The voice questioned, having gone from threatening to curious quicker than a lightening strike. “OH MY GOSH!!! THE NEPHEWS!!!” The voice screamed and while I felt my brothers flinch from the sudden noise, I managed to remain still. The next thing I knew I saw a cute little girl with a pink bow in her hair clap the lights on.

My face flushed and it wasn’t because of the blood rushing to my head from being upside down. A girl captured and carried us here and tied us up and made Louie cry in under a two minutes? I didn’t know whether to be intimidated or amazed so I decided both was good.

I noticed the palms of her hands had her soulmate marks. Which was incredibly common but these looked so familiar and... they looked as if they were almost shining a little bit.

“Wait, you know us?” Louie said as she ran up to us, her chin-length hair bouncing all the while, and I smiled without even meaning to. She stood on a nearby rolly-chair carefully and grabbed a knife that had been stabbed into a map. She sliced the rope expertly so me and my brothers hit the wooden floor with a thud.

She got down from the chair and stood next to it while we checked ourselves for anything bruised or broken. “Of course! Researching Mr. McDuck and his family is kind of my hobby.” She explained excitedly, halfway resting her head on her hand which still held the knife.

“W-Wha?” Louie questioned weakly, still really freaked out I’m guessing. And... Maybe I just hit my head too hard but everything this girl did seemed to be really kind of endearing.

As I was starting to get up, the girl immediately plucked a hair from Louie’s head, threw the knife behind her and asked “What are your blood types?” All in the same second.

That was when I froze.

I knew what was going to happen and this, let me tell ya, is probably the most thrilling thing I have ever felt.

“What’s Donald really-“ She started and cut herself off as she slipped her hands around my sides.

Right where the imprints of her hands belonged.

“-like?” She finished but clearly she had focused on other things. The burning heat that the imprints had given me vanished and was replaced by the coziest, happiest feeling I had ever experienced as I stared at the girl who was my soulmate. I stared at her in amazement before my brain started to function again and naturally made me remember nearly every daydream I’d had about meeting my soulmate.

Particularly every embarrassing one that made me wish I had something to cover my now flushed face.

“I-uh... I-I-I...” I tried but nothing came out. All I could do was stare and stutter until she smiled and I definitely did not melt at the sight of such cute expression...

Okay, that was a lie.

“I like hamburgers!” She yelled suddenly and I winced from being so close to the noise. Then she opened her beak again. “I really don’t know why I just told you that.”

I was about to answer before she continued. “Or why I paused like that. That was weird. And I mentioned it. Why did I bring it back up?” She kept rambling anxiously and I just smiled at this sweet girl that was apparently my perfect match. My other half.

I saw Louie out of the corner of my eye shake his head and growl a little bit. We all turned to look at him as he took some money out of his pocket gave it to a still shocked Huey. “Dang it. Can’t believe I lost.” Louie groaned and Huey shook his head too before looking pretty smug. I simply ignored them and looked back towards the girl and realized that I had yet to ask her name.

“So, um, what...what’s your name?” I asked and winced, mentally kicking myself. Come on, Dewey! Where’s that dashing, debonair Dewey Duck from earlier?

The girl straightened and blinked before replying with a grin. “Oh, hi! I’m Webby. It’s nice to meet ya.” She said brightly while seeming just the tiniest bit shy.

Turns out dashing, debonair Dewey Duck is on vacation away from awkward, dorky Dewey Duck.

“I’m Dewey.” I just barely got out, feeling my face flush.

“I know.” Webby said and before I could ask, she explained for me. “I like researching Mr. McDuck’s family..” She explained and I smiled.

“Yep, I definitely remember you telling me that a while ago.” I said and she laughed a bit. My heart probably would’ve burst by then if it weren’t for Louie.

“Ew, are they gonna kiss or something?”

As soon as I heard it I realized that her arms were still on my sides and my arms holding her shoulders. I think she realized the same thing right as I did because we both jumped away from the other at the same time.

“NO!” We both yelled indignantly. Louie’s question and laughter really did not help me at all to focus on being smooth.

Of course, my mind naturally floods with visions of me and Webby going on dates, watching movies together, hopefully adventuring, maybe just some kissing... I quickly shook my head, my face rivaling the red of a tomato.

Webby was looking around and seemed nearly as embarrassed as me before she gasped. “Oh wait, I need to add all this to my board!!” She exclaimed before pulling out some ancient Polaroid camera and taking one picture of me and my brothers and one picture of me on my own. Both pictures were very bad. Of course, I didn’t tell her that.

“Tell me everything about you guys.” She said excitedly as she pinned the pictures to the bottom of her board before turning to us.

“Uh... We live with our uncle.” Louie offered uncertainly.

“On a boat..?” I said and I mentally slapped myself for not being able to think of anything useful. I blame Louie. It’s his fault my brain wants to keep thinking about Webby and how... she looks really adorable when she’s focused and listening.

“Go on.” Webby said, mainly looking at my brothers but I was glad to notice she would glance my way every few seconds.

“Kinda it. We’re just a normal, boring family. Well, for the most part...” Huey added and looked to me with a smirk.

Apparently, embarrassment does not go away if your siblings do everything to keep it there.

Webby completely ignored that last part, thankfully. “Normal? Boring? Ha!” She laughed before allowing the thing covering her board to roll up.

I am unashamed to say my jaw dropped.

It was basically an entire diagram board concerning my family’s history.

I stared at Webby, wanting to say something. Anything. I’d even be willing to even embarrass myself as long as it showed how impressed I was but nothing came out.

“Huey, Dewey, and Louie Duck.” She explained as she attached a random string around the pin holding up our poorly taken photo. Aw man! I had my eyes closed! “Scrooge McDuck’s great nephews on his sister Hortense’s side side, with Quackmore Duck twice removed.” She explained, practically bursting with untapped energy. I was curious if she ever ran out of energy.

I looked at the board more closely and right at the bottom right corner I saw a couple drawings scribbled in pieces of notebook paper.

“I’m guessing this is you.” I said, motioning towards the pink person-like figure on the picture.

“Oh, I’m Webby Vanderquack. My granny’s the housekeeper.” She explained to me, smiling. I smiled back and tried not to let my daydreams take over my mind again... Me and Webby around Christmas, her probably wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, looking as adorable as ever... Me and Webby under the mistletoe... ‘NO! Bad Dewey! Stop that! You’ve only just met her!’ I scolded myself but I’m a rebel so I talked back. To myself. ‘But it’s almost like you’ve known her forever.’

Ugh, I’m not dealing with this. Shut up brain.

“So, uh, what are we?” Webby inquired, sounding unsure.

I wanted to say something smooth to that. I used every bit of concentration and suaveness I had (which was quite a bit normally, but today I was pretty distracted).

“In love, I hope.” I said with a wink and my most charming grin.

Boy, and I had thought my face was red before.

Webby’s hands flew up to her face as if to hide the crimson that was quickly traveling all over her face. I took a couple steps toward her, unsure of where this confidence was coming from. I was about a foot away from her before I stopped.

Webby clearly was struggling to function and I grinned proudly, glad that I wasn’t the only one affected by my soulmate here. Webby moved her hands from her face and opened her beak. Then closed it only to open it again and say, “Cuddling releases natural painkillers!” Before she turned around and started writing on her board frantically.

She attached one string from her picture to the picture with me and my brothers and wrote “friends” in big, red marker. I felt a little hurt by that but I was still unsure of how to answer her random fact. Until she attached a little red string from her picture to the one that just had me and underneath the string she wrote “soulmates.” I grinned at her even though she was staring at the board intently, as if she planned to interrogate it.

“She’s right by the way,” Huey spoke up and we all turned to look at him. “It says here in the Junior Woodchuck Guidebook that, according to scientific studies, cuddling and/or snuggling are a natural pain reliever.

Louie smirked. “Well then, I need to be cuddled immediately ‘cause I’ve been in pain most of the day.” Louie said snarkily and I would’ve gotten mad if it weren’t for Webby.

“Why? Did you hurt yourself?” She asked, clearly confused. She looked at me then Huey and Louie, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

I saw Louie started to snicker and Huey was definitely trying to hide his amused grin behind his JWG. Webby stared at me, bewildered. “Never mind, Webby. I’ll have tell ya later.” I said and she continued to look confused.

“So, friend,” Louie started, motioning to the board where Webby wrote ‘friends.’ “What do you do for fun around here?”

“Oh. I’m the best at fun.” She said but it didn’t really sound like she meant it. She looked around for a second before she kicked open a vent and started to crawl through.

I grinned. Now, this was my kind of fun. Adventure!

I followed right behind her. I looked back at my brothers who were following behind me. “I sure am glad we ditched that Marble Room.”

———————-

We were crawling through the vents, enjoying exploring as Webby explained where we were.

I somehow ended up in the back because I was trying to remember exactly how to get anywhere in the maze.

“I have enough excitement caring for Webby.” The housekeeper, Mrs. Beakley, said below. She was talking to Uncle Scrooge, who looked like he was in some sort of weird deep sea diving suit. “Perhaps you should spend some time with your own family.”

“Oh, aye? Hang up my spats? Become the dotering old relic everyone thinks I am, spinning yarns to those loudmothed young’uns about the man I used to be?” Uncle Scrooge argued back and I did feel a bit guilty about watching them but... It was just too interesting.

“You have avoided them for ten years!” Mrs. Beakley argues and I’m guessing she was talking about us.

“Because,” Uncle Scrooge started, his voice slowly rising. “Family is nothing but TROUBLE!!!” He roared in his thick Scottish accent, turning towards Mrs. Beakley. Today was going so well until that moment. Honestly, I’m glad he’s avoided us if he thought of like that anyways. I hardened my face and kept moving, hoping to catch up with the others.

———————-

I managed to catch up to my brothers and Webby pretty quickly after that little scene I saw. It just made me feel really... upset, I guess, that some part of my family, even if we weren’t close, didn’t even like us at all. I get me and my brothers can be tough to deal with but to basically just to say you hate us? I tried to move those thoughts away and focus on happier things.

“-a bit over-protective.” I just heard Webby mid-sentence as I crawled out of the vent and landed in the floor. She seemed too lost in thought to notice that I caught up.

“She trains me to be ready for anything,” She said while going into a fighting stance. I’m guessing she meant her granny. “But then she says that I’ve got everything I need in here.” She paused and looked down sadly. I felt bad for her. Our Uncle Donald did the exact same thing but me and my brothers always rebelled. Webby’s too kind and innocent and sweet to try and do anything like that.

“But one day... I’m gonna see the world. I’m gonna be and EXPLORER! I’m gonna eat a hamburger.” She said seriously, while pointing in front of her dramatically. She glanced my way quickly before refocusing.

“We could bring you a hamburger.” Huey offered, him and Louie looking amused.

“You guys really are my best friends.” She stated gratefully as Huey and Louie walked off to explore the room. I leaned against the wall for a second as Webby watched my brothers walk away.

She turned towards me and smiled brightly. I had to force myself to not just smile and stare creepily. “Hamburgers are pretty good.”

She nodded. “That’s what I’ve heard! But come on, we can talk about hamburgers and their magical properties later.” She said excitedly before grabbing hold of my hand and leading me toward the door my brothers were staring at.

“Welcome to the Wing of Secrets!” Webby said mysteriously as she opened the door to the dark room.

Webby rushed in with Huey and Louie right behind. I stayed back, my mind still kept dwelling on why Uncle Scrooge seemingly hated us. I don’t think I did anything wrong other than just doing normal kid things like asking a bajillion questions at once.

There were so many things in here. Bones of dinosaurs and other unnameable creatures. A portrait of Scrooge standing over a naked bear. “I knew it!” Huey stated proudly as Louie poked at a small stone statue of Scrooge. “Dewey check it out!” Louie said with a smile while pointing at the statue.

“Yeah, whatever.” I said before walking off.

Okay, I did feel a little bad doing that but Uncle Scrooge’s words just kept coming back and making me angry and a little sad too. Why does he dislike us so much?

I heard Webby explain something to Huey as I wandered around the wing, looking at all the things Uncle Scrooge collected. All the things he was so busy getting, he didn’t even take time to tell us we’re related to him! I clenched my fists. I felt like punching something!

“Hi.” I heard from above. I immediately relaxed as soon as I heard the voice. Webby jumped off an enormous crate, did a flip in mid-air, and landed safely on her feet. She stood up straight and tilted her head to the side, looking worried. “Are you alright, Dewey?”

For a second, I didn’t answer because I was in awe of her. How on earth did I get someone this amazing as my soulmate?! I cleared my throat. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just...” I paused unsure of whether to tell her.

———————-

(Okay, I’ve gotta make a third part cuz I’m like only a part of the way through the story. I’m basically just following the script of the first episode lol. @cartoonlover233 here’s the second part! I’ll be working on the third part and it’ll probably be coming out soon! Oh and I’d like to thank @thatssweetnessdream for making the fan art of Debbigail that helped me get unstuck on this second part! :3)

[daniellarsson89]

Valheim

Warning! Spoilers of game included ahead. If you wish to experience Valheim without knowing much about it read no further. If you have played Valheim before and/or want to know my journey in the game continue reading.

So I did not know much about this game when I started. I looked on some streams to see what kind of game it was. Then I noticed my friend was inside the game on Discord and I wrote to him about it and the game was really starting to grow on him. Few days later I bought the game and me and my friend took the journey to Valheim together.

We got left of by some Valkyries or whatever the angel-like or so thing that dropped us off in the world is called. Then I think you could pickup stuff and that way got stone and some wood and you could do your first axe and/or stick. Cant remember exactly was sometime ago. A bird helped out by telling us about things in this strange world we had entered. Then we picked some berries and ate them for the stamina and health buffs you get from them. We continued hacking on wood and then it was time to find shelter because it got cold during the evening. We made a campfire and got roof on it and repaired our equipment. When the night was over we continued hacking on the nearby trees and scouted out a location for our base. 

After building the base I think we went to the location of trophy and there we found our first stone Vegviser(I think it was called that) marked the location of the first boss. Yes you read right, we got bosses in this survival game! We continued farming the nearby woods and fixed food, gear and staying away from skeletons in the black forest that we also encountered this early on. Damn they hit hard! We then thought it would be best to go to the first boss because we had been farming quite sometime. My friend had already found the spawn location which was on another spot then the marked we had on map. We went to the spawn location and I got to check what was needed to spawn the boss. The stone was marked with a deer so I thought, maybe a deer trophy and I tested it and it worked. Cant remember really if I spawned him without help from friend or not but we both was ready to fight the boss. And Boy it was a big deer that spawned. So I stayed a bit far off trying to learn its attack pattern. My friend just stood there or near him. Here comes the sad part. Appears you can just block the attacks. So that was what my friend was doing, when learning that I entered the fray as well and blocked attacks. Hit. Blocked. Hit. Checked what way he was turning and then hit again. Basically that was it until the boss died. Which was quite lame first boss, but hey its a boss at least. We got the trophy from boss and took it to the trophy stones so we got a power Eikthyr that was really nice to have during long runs and/or climbs on mountains later on.

We then started our journey into the black forest and met some skeletons and trolls. The trolls was big and nasty. The first troll we met held a tree in his right hand and made large swings with it that I couldn't avoid. I think it was a one shot. On me that is. We then went into our first Burial Chamber. Here there was a lot of cramped space and you had to check twice before entering any of the rooms inside because they could be swarmed with skeletons. By swarm I mean like 2-3 but it felt like a swarm. We found some nice loot that we could then build some things in our base. We got back and built portal I think and some other stuff, then we continued on in the black forest and mined a lot of ore that we upgraded our weapons and axes with. Cant remember exactly when we found the Vegviser or whatever it was called that marked the location on the map. Appears the boss was on another island! By now we could build our first boat so my friend made that and then I got to steer the boat on our first boat journey. 

Turns out steering the boat was a nice system. You can turn left and right with A and D and a indicator on how much you turn is shown in the game UI so you don't have to hold down the button to steer a lot which is nice. You can set speed in four steps I think. Back, paddle(one), two or three. That number is how much the sail is curled up or let loose. With three being full sail. Hard to explain but something along those lines. Okay so we went east and were out on water and then we came to a river that we wanted to try sail through because the second boss was on other side of a landmass so we tried. We hit some stones but all in all it went good and we got through. Then it got interesting. We continued and saw some new areas and we heard a strange sound. All of a sudden my friend just said on Discord “I died” and I was like “but how?” Then I saw a large mosquito flying hitting the boat, apparently it had one-shot my friend just because he was standing up in the boat. I tried my best to survive and get as far away I could from the bug. I was stressed out but I made it. Then I turned around and got most of my friends loot. I had to turn back and forth again three times until I got the important stuff because my inventory got cluttered with less valuable things. Then we decided I had to go opposite direction of boss to try rendezvous with my friend and so this journey continued. I got past some new scary looking areas and some black forest then appeared. I got hit by something big and scary though and after awhile the boat just got destroyed. I was in black forest and quite long away from our main base but I moved towards that location at least. During this time my friend was going in another boat to the west instead of east that we took before. I came to a Meadows(first biome) area and there I build a portal. My friend got the boat near me and we relaxed some. Then we continued the journey to the second boss. We got there finally after quite along boat trip.

Time for the second boss. So, Yeah. I got the job to figure out what spawned the boss so I tried all kind of stuff. Trophies, food and other stuff. Then I was about to give up when I asked my friend for advice. He had done it on other character. But I asked if the things on top of the pillars was a clue and he said that it was. I got back to base and then I noticed the things on the pillar resembled an item we had in our base. So I went back to the summoning place and tried it and it worked with the Ancient seeds. A huge tree spawned and we were in trouble. I held my distance trying to read what the boss did. Noticed he spawned many arms, tree arms that I didn't know what they did. But I got it when I closed on them that they hit hard. So tried to avoid those whilst getting closer to the boss. I did bad in the start and had to use healing potion. Then after sometime I got closer to him easier and got some hits in. We continued fighting and then he got down, without any of us two dying so that was nice. Got trophy and went back to trophy stones, his power was quite lame though. Faster/better woodcutting, hello? that is so situational. The one from first boss is so much better and versatile at least between those two.

We could then go into the next area which was a swamp, and boy it was so lame. We managed but it was so hard for me at least, my friend was bit better at knowing what the enemies did. I hate the poison blobs and it was annoying with the Draugr archers, especially the star marked ones hit so freaking hard. So we got a swamp key from second boss and we used that to enter some Swamp ruins and mined from ooze that contained leather scraps and ore. We then made few runs back and forth with that, but it wasn´t a major spot we was at. We then found our way to another swamp and built a base there, where we upgraded most of our gear from I think if I remember right. We also found the way to the third boss which was in another swamp, so we had to get there. We travelled and built a outpost with portal and then headed for the boss. There I had to try figure out again what it was and the hint from the runestone at the summon said something about “Burn its remains” or so and I tried with skeletal fragments and skeleton trophy which didn't work, also tried other things I had on me. I then went back to base and  checked for something “bony” and found Withered bone, which I returned with and that worked. This fatty was so hard though. Around the location of the boss was a lot of water. So when the boss spawned minions and also spit out gas we were in trouble. The gas itself wasn't an issue cause we had resistance potions for that but in combination with the water that limited our movement and the adds and the boss itself it got quite hard to recover. The boss itself was probably not hard but all this in combination made it super hard. Also. A Wraith joined the party and I died. Then ran back, and my friend died too and ran back and I think we then took the boss after we died each one time. That sucked, because it should probably have been easier with more land around the boss. We got the trophy from the boss, which we turned in at trophy stones for physical damage resistance buff,  and also some weird magical bone.

The weird magical bone could be equipped and the bird told us we could find silver with it so on to the mountains it was. It was so cold up there you had to use frost resistance potion or you would freeze and take damage. So we got some potions and ran up. Met some wolves that we killed and De big Dragons also which we shot down with arrows. The dragons hit hard with their attacks but when I learned that you could roll away on them it was quite easy to dodge when you saw them and you were ready. Which wasn´t all the time of course. We went over the first mountain. No way to boss. No silver. We then went to the second mountain. Same thing. No silver. No way to boss. We then took our boat on a journey and found another larger mountain, where we finally found silver. We then shipped that back to nearest base and smelt some and made weapons and upgrades. We then went ahead and found another new mountain where we found not one but two silver veins and one of those was big as hell. There we mined it all and was like “Do we really need this much?” my friend said second vein was the biggest vein he had seen also which was quite nice. We saved all the silver there and then went another way with the boat. There in the horizon we saw it. A huge mountain appeared an we were like “This have to be the boss mountain” when we climbed it. We got all the way to the top and scouted. This is a shot I took.

No silver vein. We saw no structures. So we moved to another top and then there it was. My friend saw it. A structure! I said “Where?” “Over there” he said. “Where I shoot my arrow” And I saw nothing, turns out it didn't render until I was bit closer. Inside that structure was the pin pointer to the next boss. We took the boat and went on our way. To the mountain. And boy was it a big mountain. Pretty much the same as the one before and it took sometime to get to the top. During this time and when we mined silver we had found some dragon eggs and both me and my friend thought that this had to be what you summoned the next boss with and when we got to the altar it seemed that both of us was correct. But. You needed three eggs! damn son. That was annoying but we had one egg with us and two of the other we could take on this mountain we was at so that was okay. We then spawned the big Mother dragon and fought. We had to shoot it when it was flying and it shot ice down on us that we had to roll out from. I rolled twice when my friend rolled one big roll but I thought it was safer to roll twice. We also ate frost resistance potions here. With our capes we had built from silver we didn't take cold damage from the weather though which I forgot to say until now. Back to the boss, we shot arrows on it when it was in the air and when it got down it bugged out sometimes. Its attack pathing was weird when I and my friend was on opposite sides of the dragon attacking it, it ��spazzed” out. Jerked its head back and forth basically. But with that said it got dark and we had adds and I died from a star wolf and a werewolf that wanted to join in on the fun. We had the boss at 20% when this happened and that led to my friend dying too. All seemed lost. We thought the boss would de-spawn. But it didn't. so we got back and got our corpses and took frost resistance potions and fought on and the dragon finally died. We got trophy and turned that in at the stones, the power we got was that we could have tail wind on sails when sailing, which is quite nice on long sea journeys. We then built some upgrades and continued on to next biome.

We had already found the next biome before so we just went to a base with plains nearby and explored from there. The Deathsquitos(Mosquitos) was deadly but they didn't one shot us this time. Which was nice. We also met some furry large creatures that we killed, we could block these so that helped. They also dropped large meat that we could grill and get quite nice food buffs from. We also met a lot of goblins that hit quite hard too but without stars they was quite easy. You pretty much blocked at the right time so they got staggered, then you hit them few times and then blocked again. I was so bad at this but I am starting to learn. You also sometimes cannot block attacks from one or two star marked mobs, which is annoying. This depends on how strong your shield is I think. The ones with stars hit a lot. Suddenly I heard my friend. We were in luck. My friend saw the stone that pointed to the boss and apparently it turns out the boss was on the same island we were at! in the same area we now were in. Look at that! So we continued in that zone. We went ahead to the boss area and we think that we will spawn it with some totems. On the ritual altar there seems to be five slots available so we think you will need five totems to spawn him so we will try to gather that. We then went to a nearby village and tried to hunt some. Damn was it hard. A star marked berserker were going at my friend so we were out of luck, but my friend didn't die. I then died out of nowhere to a two star marked goblin that one shot me. So I ran back with full food buffs and rested and got my gear. You get a corpse run de-buff when you get your corpse that makes you almost invincible so I just spammed attacks on the berserker which then went down. Bam! Hurray for corpse run buff. We then went back to our Outpost 4, yeah did I mention we have 7 Outposts?. And we thought that we should build another base inside the plains so that we could sow some seeds on the new stuff we found, I think it was called Barley. At least the things we could make with the new ingredients were so huge so it would be worth it to have a supply of those materials inside plains. Other thing was fish that also gave pretty good buff so I did some fishing when my friend was expanding the base some. I think I finally got 20 something fish, but man it was boring in this game. Sometimes the fish wouldn't hook so it took ages and/or I had to move position and the fishing minigame wasn't that fun I think. You didn't have to do much but it was so slow and if you sent out the line to far the fish might escape, yeah I just didn't like it. But back to the plains, we were in our Outpost 4 base and prepared things to expand and make a Outpost near the fifth boss. But it got quite late so we were going to bed for the night.

We begun thinking we want a base in plains too so we would be close to the boss and also so that we could grow some barley. So we started building. When we had a shell my friend said “Wouldn't it be better to have it closer to the sea” and I could just agree. So we moved it closer to the sea and begun building. Which took quite sometime. We had stone walls and tree for roof. We also deconstructed Outpost 4 and went with all the mats to Plains base. Boy was it rough. You cannot teleport with some materials in this game, so we had to go by cart. And the cart gets stuck in terrain sometimes so you have to clear the area and sometimes go another way to be able to go forward. So yeah it was rough and after dying sometimes we got to the Plains base, phew! We then farmed some more totems and head for the boss cause we wanted to try it. I told my friend we should have fire resistance potions with us so we had that. Then when we were about to spawn the boss I didn't have full food buffs yet, but he said that I could eat during the fight so we spawned the boss. And Boy was it a boss. A large skeleton appeared that only had his torso and up I think. We began trying to fight. I was far off and he shot out a fire beam which from him and I rolled off, then he made a move with his hand and all of a sudden I took damage from no where. He had shot down meteors from the sky! My friend died from that or other damage. I went in for a hit, but he made area fire damage too sometimes, but apparently that did not tick for much damage so you could just stand in it my friend said. We continued trying to fight and he got his corpse and I died and we rotated like that, then we noticed the boss healed too and we just said. No. We wouldn't be able to take him like this. So we tried to get our corpses and then ran off to base. Seems the boss tried to follow us so we ported to our main base. I hope the boss doesn't ruin our plains base, but we have to see during our next gaming session.

So we started playing again and talked about what to do, the boss hadn't ruined our base, but he started following us when we went to it so it was hard to be there. We decided to build a little farm elsewhere so we set out with the boat. We built a farm some distance away from our main base. We did not see any Sea Serpents on our way over there. So we decided to go further west toward the end of the world, and soon we saw a Serpent and we killed it. It just dropped some meat, turns out you could make some pretty good food out of it, but nothing more. Then we went to try check out Mistlands which we had seen before and I was wondering what it could be. I thought it was a sea area only, and suddenly we had a area that was called Ashland. We went ashore and then built a outpost and started exploring, it was just small Surtlings there. Then we found a deposit that we mined of Flaming metal, that we wanted to see if it gave something new that we could build. So we began a journey to try to find a swamp with Iron in it, turn out the island we were at didn't have any swamp on it. We went with boat to any swamp we could find and set ashore there. My friend found some green things on tree that was glowing and tried to shoot on them, but it didn't do any damage. I tried to make a stair to it and hit with sword but no luck, a bit later he did the same thing but with axe and it worked. Turns out you could build a bow from it so we farmed some more and did that. We didn't see any Sunken Crypt here with Iron in it though, so we went to another swamp. That took sometime to find but finally we were there and my friend found a Crypt pretty fast that we made a small outpost outside and farmed some Scrap Iron. We did a smelter for the iron and I stood stomping there waiting for the 10 Iron to be smelted and then made a Blast Furnace. When I took up the smelted Fire Metal I was sad, it didn't give any new recipes..so sad. So next time we will probably try to cheese the fifth boss with bow and arrow, lets see how that goes.

We did a short session, where we took the iron back to base. We both had the Mother buff that change wind on the sails so that went quite smooth. We then upgraded some gear and grew some Barley for our food supply. My friend farmed some Lox for their meat also. Soon it was time to go to bed, so we decided to stop there without doing much more. 

Today we farmed more food to prepare for the boss fight, and my friend fished some and I got some more Lox meat. Together with Barley we now had three large buffs, Lox meat pie, Blood pudding and Fish wraps I think. After thinking about it we then went to the boss, because with 300 frost arrows each we should probably be able to take down the boss by range. So we started the fight and drank a fire resistance potion each. We then fired arrows when we could and as soon as the boss raised its hand we knew the meteors would come down so then you could run in another direction with sprint and it was fine. Even though I was slow sometimes so one or two meteors hit me, at least it wasn´t lethal. My friend got most of the beams that he did, probably because he mostly was closer to the boss. We continued firing arrows from a distance and my friend went in for some melee hits here and there, thus also triggering the AOE effect that the boss did when you was close. I also went in for some hits with sword and it seems he was vulnerable to that kind of damage, or at least we though so. I mostly did damage with bow though. All of a sudden my friend said “Is that poison arrows?” because he saw a green trail from my arrow. I was like, “oh it probably is”. Seems the game took that automatically instead of my frost arrows when a stack was depleted. It was kind of funny. So we continued to hit the boss and even though it regenerates, we had the continued damage so in the end he got down. We did not die a single time during this try, which was very satisfying.

We now have roughly 80 hours in Valheim together, damn that went by fast. All in all it is a good game even though it is only in early access, so I hope that the team developing the game will be able to create a greater experience now when they have the resources to increase the team if they want to because of the many units sold. I had a blast. Some smaller things may be annoying, like enemies being inside rocks, which makes it harder to hit them. Or inventory equipment showing as grey bar instead of white fully repaired in certain slots. But that only happened once though. And as the game is in early access I can ignore the little faults and see the greater picture and still have a good time.

With that I want to end the post with a screenshot from the fifth bosses trophy. Enjoy!

[altalemur]

We Have No Idea What We're Doing, But We'll Try Our Best

Cross posted on my Ao3. For @madamekoosdisco

Summary: Link and Sidon get intimate

Shit to expect: Two virgins awkwardly groping each other. Top Link. Bottom Sidon. Accurate marine biology.

"How do Hylians usually start?" Sidon was looking at Link, like he expected the Hylian to lead him to Enlightenment.

Link fidgeted with his hands, starting and abandoning his sentence a few times. "I... we... how do Zora usually start?"

"I'm not sure if much of Zora courtship would... translate well with an Hylian."

They were both blushing and fidgeting in Sidon's bedroom.

Link bit his lip, looking at Sidon's uncertainty. "Same," he signed between their gazes.

"And we're both new to this," Sidon said, and saw Link bashfully nod as well.

"Okay.... so... we'll just explain what each of us would like to do without judgement, ok? And then we can find some middle ground and work our way from there," Sidon said, gaining some of his usual bravado back. Acting brave when he needed to be strong for others was something Sidon knew how to do.

Link snorted a laugh, shaking his head in the negative. Sidon's spirits sunk before Link finished signing. "No masks, right? It's just us and truth in here. We promised."

Sidon chuckled nervously and ducked his head.

"Old habits, huh? I know how to tackle problems with a smile and diplomacy."

"We're not a problem. This is for fun. For both of us."

Sidon nodded. He gently sat next to the Hylian on the water bed, making sure not to send Link flying off the bed with displaced water, like the first time.... They'd already had a lot of things come up with platonic physical things. Could they really move on to... sex? Would it even be possible.

Link brought him out of his brooding when he scooted closer and held Sidon's hand. Hand holding was something they had in common. Sidon's was a lot bigger, but Link still found a way to entwine their fingers, wrapping Sidon's fingers around Links like a shell over a hermit crab.

Link pointed to their joined hands, calmly signing as well as he could with one hand. "This is a good start."

Link leaned against Sidon's side, where they held hands. This was what they usually did when alone, if they wanted to enjoy the silence. Sidon enjoyed this - they both did - but he had been hoping for more to happen tonight. Maybe Sidon's inexperience and awkwardness were obvious to Link, and he was putting it off for Sidon's sake! Before Sidon could start worrying about whether or not they would ever move beyond good friends, Link moved Sidon's hand to wrap around his small, clothed waist, to free both of his hands for signing.

"Cuddling is something else Hylians do. And making out." Link saw Sidon's confused face and explained. "Like... holding each other. Laying beside each other in bed. Kissing. Uh... massages. That's... 'first base' for Hylians. We do a lot of.... foreplay. Preparation. Learning the other's body until both are ready for sex. Some people take one day. Some people take years," Link's explained slowly before Sidon shouted in surprise.

"YEARS?!"

"I mean... maybe? If you're not ready to go to the next step - we take it slow. How long is Zora uh... courtship foreplay stuff?"

Sidon breathed deeply, trying to banish his anxiety. Link was just doing what Sidon had asked earlier. They can find common ground and then have a sexual courtship.

"Well... Usually one or both of them sing to each other... but it's usually the one doing the pursuing. But... I skipped that. I didn't think you'd appreciate a serenade." Link laughed, briefly signed 'Maybe later' before Sidon continued. "We do usually start physical intimacy with our hands. We do put our mouths on each other but more... um... That is... not on the other's mouth. On the other's neck and.... shoulders. And we. Bite." Sidon waved his free hand in the air dismissively. "Not that I expect to bite you! Or you to bite me! Obviously that's not something compatible between our species!"

Link stood up on his knees. Sidon's arm automatically held at Link's waist to keep him stable on the water bed. The small Hylian gently kissed Sidon's chest, just below the cravat.

"Let's start with our hands. And taking clothes off." Link stood up from the bed and started removing his Hylian clothes and light armor. Sidon started removing his own clothing and jewelry - symbols of his title. It was mesmerizing to see Link without his clothes. He was used to seeing his fellow Zora without clothes, but this was nothing like that. It was weird and exotic to see Hylians wrapped up in thick textiles. But seeing Link undress was... beautiful. Fascinating. Sidon's hands reached up to touch Link's naked chest. So supple compared to Zora skin, neither armor nor tough scales; nor was there slime that protected a Hylian's skin.

Link gasped when Sidon's nail accidentally scratched his nipples. Sidon's hand jerked away, apologizing quickly.

"Touch is good. No scratching," Link signed, "At least... not yet." Then Link took Sidon's hands, kissed the fingertips, and put them gently over his chest.

Encouraged, Sidon continued his exploration of Link's skin. Nipples were also strange, but seemed to be sensitive. He massaged his hands over them, feeling the strange pinch of the skin and the strong muscles underneath. Another strange and beautiful thing about Link.

Link climbed into Sidon's lap, straddling it. Sidon held Link's hips, balancing on the edge of the water bed.

Link enthusiastically reached up to try to kiss Sidon's mouth, which forced the other to catch them both as the water bed sunk suddenly. Link paused, then pointed higher on the bed. "You should lie down. "

Sidon smirked, "Oh really? I should be the one lying down?"

Sidon really had no excuse. It might have been spur of the moment excitement over the idea of lying in bed with Link. Or maybe he wanted to be playful and roll them so he was on top of Link. It was a good, sexy, intention. But somehow the water bed did not move as Sidon expected - he had pulled too hard on Link, or Link had over compensated for balance. They both yelped in surprise and pain, with Link now on the floor and Sidon kneed in the gills.

They both rubbed at their new injuries. Sidon held at his right gills, trying to catch his breath through gritting teeth. That would probably bruise. Looking over at Link, it seemed he had fallen awkwardly on his back. After a moment of silence, they began laughed at the situation.

It was hard not to find this all a bit silly. "Please join me back on the bed. I promise not to throw you this time."

Arms akimbo, Link playfully looked at Sidon with a doubtful expression. Sidon held up his hands in surrender, and laid back fully on the bed. Showing his teeth for once, Link grinned as he carefully made his way across the water bed, straddling Sidon's waist. Seated, Link slowly pushed his hands from Sidon's abs, across his chest, up his arms... he hesitated a moment at Sidon's wrists, quirking a playful eyebrow, before entwining their hands together.

Link had to scoot up further, and was being careful not to knee Sidon in the gills again. Link kissed Sidon's mouth, the edge of his smile, his face, and his neck. Sidon relaxed with Link's mouth on his neck. It felt good. He pulled back enough for Sidon to look at his hands, but had to snap his fingers to get Sidon's attention.

"Tell me where to touch you."

"Ah... neck and shoulders are good. And along here," his large hand moved across his forehead, wider and more prominent than most Zora. Then his hands gently traced the line of sensitive skin on the sides of his head fin, outside his arms, and his legs. Sidon's lateral line was a lot more prominent and sensitive than most zora. "But, ah... gently. Don't bite there."

Link kissed Sidon's neck again, before making his way up to the zora's forehead and head fin. He started exploring it with his hands and his mouth. It was a little warmer than the rest of Sidon's body. And when Link pressed a little harder, feeling something underneath, Sidon gasped.

"Not directly on it. Ah, massage around it..."

Link kissed the spot in apology, then massaged around the line, tracing it back down to Sidon's neck. The prince had said that zora bit each other on the shoulders and neck. He'd probably enjoy a hickie. Link kissed along the long curved line of Sidon's neck and shoulders. He could feel and hear Sidon gasp softly. Link focused on the spots that Sidon gave the most reaction, then began sucking and nibbling, to give Sidon a hickie.

The door was closed, Sidon remembered. The walls were thick. It was just the two of them. Sidon didn't have to worry about how others would see him. He was sharing this part of himself with Link alone. Something running along inside his body relaxed, and Sidon heard himself moaning and arching into Link.

Sidon's hands were mapping the lean muscle around Link's back and shoulders. Now his hands flew to where Link would have lateral lines on a head fin. His hands tangled in Link's hair and rubbed against Link's long Hylian ears.

The ear massage was clumsy, but felt very good. Link bit down where he was trying to give Sidon a hickie, where his deltoid dipped to meet the rest of the body. His own groan was muffled against Sidon's body.

Sidon suddenly bucked. The water bed shifted under both of them. Link had to catch both arms on either side of Sidon's head, and Sidon had to move his hands off Link to do the same. When the water bed stopped moving, they both sheepishly laughed at the moment.

"Hylian beds are safer, I think," Link signed.

"Well Zora don't really have sex on beds. This is safer for you than having sex under water." Sidon grinned broadly at Link. His hands idly rubbed Link's side, where gills would be if he were a Zora.

Link scoffed and rolled his eyes. Perhaps they would move to a better location next time. For now they could just take things slow. Link scooted down closer to Sidon's waist. He went back to exploring Sidon's lateral line. His hands massaged their way down Sidon's arms.

There wasn't a strong line on his sides, but it became more prominent again on Sidon's thighs. Looking down at the Prince's body, a lot longer than his, Link decided to improvise.

"Keep talking to me. Tell me how it feels and what you want," Link signed quickly. Then he shifted, straddling Sidon the opposite way, now facing Sidon's lower half. He could feel Sidon grab his hips again to keep him steady on top. Link half-turned, grinning. "And touch my butt."

Sidon's stunned look was lost on Link when he turned around. The zora looked between his hands. Link did have a very finely shaped butt. From what Sidon could tell, it was needed for all the rock climbing he did. Not to mention his thighs and back. Sidon just never had such a good perspective to observe Link's body.

Link was already massaging the sensitive parts of Sidon's thighs. It felt very good. Sidon could already feel one of his dicks growing firmer and warmer. Knowing that Link could see it, Sidon blushed deeply. But Link had wanted him to keep talking. They both wanted to talk each other through their first time.

"Yes, the massaging is good." His voice was deeper. Fuck, he could not control himself. But being exposed like this to his love felt like going with the flow of a gentle river.

Sidon's hands massaged where he could touch around Link's lower back, his hips, his thighs. There was no lateral line here to guide him to Link's sensitive spots. Sidon tried massaging Link's butt, like he had said. Link hummed appreciatively.

Link's hands shifted to the inside of Sidon's thighs, where Sidon didn't have as much sensitivity - until Link drifted closer to Sidon's dicks. Sidon made a keening, desperate noise when Link began massaging Both bases.

"Ah! Only one at a time!" Sidon threw his head back, trying not to buck Link off of him. Link's hands had stopped. "Touch the one that's getting stiff." Link's hand flew away from Sidon's flaccid dick. He sighed in relief. Trying to stimulate the flaccid one when the other dick was already erect was an uncomfortable sort of overstimulation.

It was a good sort of overstimulation when Link began stroking Sidon's dick with both of his smooth, Hylian hands. Sidon writhed but didn't buck too hard against Link.

Sidon reached around and massaged Link's inner thighs, like the Hylian had done to him before. Link moaned in appreciation, and tried spreading his legs further - a difficult task since he was already straddling Sidon's waist. Sidon met his hands over Link's dick and began exploring the Hylian as Link was exploring him.

Sidon knew basic Hylian anatomy. He knew that what was inside for Zora was outside for male Hylians - the gonads, or "balls." Actually touching them, and hearing Link's reaction to the gentle explorations, was a different matter entirely. His dick was different too, but just as hot and sensitive as Sidon's.

Sidon only needed one hand to cover Link's dick and begin pumping it. His other hand was free to massage at Link's thighs, venturing inward to cup and grope Link's balls.

Link began using both his hands to pump Sidon - it was big enough that the entire length wasn't quite covered by both Link's hands, especially now that it was erect and hot in Link's grip. The Prince's moans were more unsteady, more desperate.

"Link! If you keep doing that I'll come now," Sidon warned. Promised. Whichever. Link looked over his shoulder into Sidon's gaze. He smiled and nodded. His hands stroked Sidon's dick faster and firmer.

Sidon picked up the pace on Link's cock as well - stroking the length and massaging the tip. Link was hot and a little slick in his hands. Sidon wanted to wait until Link was closer. But he was at such a disadvantage to the Hylian, with Link's beautiful backside and ass in Sidon's view, and Link's smooth hands working faster on Sidon's dick. Not wanting to hurt the Hylian, Sidon gripped hard at Link's thighs.

Sidon shouted something that might have been Link's name, or might have been a Zoran curse. He came loudly, splattering over Link's face and chest, trickling down to coat both of their abs.

Link gave Sidon a moment to recover his breath, and stared in fascination at the softening cock and their semen splattered bodies.

"Link..." Sidon groaned more coherently this time. His hands started working on Link again. "Link, love. I want to see your face. I want you closer."

Sidon relaxed his hands as Link shifted, straddling Sidon. The prince chuckled, and wipes some semen that was dangerously close to Link's eyes.

"You're incredible. I feel blessed to look at you."

Sidon's hands traced Link's torso and went back to Link's dick. It was slicker work with Sidon's semen coating the Hylian's smooth skin.

"Tell me what you want, love. Tell me what your body craves."

The hunger that was paused while Sidon recovered was back at full boil. Link knew what he wanted. He shifted Sidon's hold onto his back, and the grip on his dick also shifted. Link had the length of his body over Sidon's torso, with only one of Sidon's hands between them. The other arm wrapped around Link's back, a comforting weight, holding him close. Link pumped his dick into Sidon's hand.

Link looked up at Sidon, their faces not far apart now. The prince was looking at Link - sweaty and covered in semen, panting and blushing with exertion - with wonder. Link couldn't possibly last long after all this. Link shouted, cumming over Sidon's hand and chest.

Sidon held Link closer as he recovered. He sniffed at Link's semen on his hand briefly before wrapping that arm to join the other around Link's back. He rubbed up and down Link's back.

They both needed to regain their breaths. They both basked in their pleasure, not wanting to move and somehow disturb the feeling. Eventually, Link did stir. He kissed Sidon's chest, getting his attention. Sidon had nearly started to drift off to sleep.

"Turn to the side? My legs are tired," Link signed.

"Ah! Certainly!" Slowly, so not to disturb the water bed with sudden movement, Sidon turned them both on their side. Link turned over again so his back was against Sidon's chest and abs. It felt like a good position to rest in. Sidon's body curled and wrapped around the Link's body. Sidon nuzzled at Link's hair, breathing deeply their mixed scents. This was bliss.

The End

[doctor--idiot]

Men of Fortune – Ch. 1

A retelling of Uncharted 4 A Thief’s End. [AO3]

Sam had been joking earlier when he had asked Nate if he was going to faint, but Nate still felt shaky and vaguely like he was either going to collapse of throw up. Seeing his brother again after so many years had rattled him. He was in complete emotional turmoil, his mind entirely unsure how to process that the death of the person who had meant most to him in the entire world had not actually happened.

Instead, Sam had spent a decade and a half in a Central American prison for a crime he technically hadn’t even committed. And Rafe and Nate had gotten away. It was difficult not to allow the survivor’s guilt to cripple him anew. The first few years after Sam’s apparent death, Nate had been nothing short of a mess. He still had no idea how his friends and his now-wife had put up with him at all.

He was randomly throwing clothes into his suitcase, not even thinking too much about it, because the only thing on his mind right now was Sam. Lying to Elena about where he was going to go had come naturally, he hadn’t even thought twice about it. All that mattered was that Sam needed his help and that Nate would do anything to get him out of his debt to Alcazar.

I am not losing you again. I won’t.

He had barely been able to take his eyes off Sam long enough to make it to his car, drive home, and pack his stuff. Sam had laughed at him for it.

“Just go, Nathan, I’m not going to disappear on you,” he’d said, amused, but the words had hit too close to home for Nate’s comfort. It was exactly what he was afraid of. The miracle that Sam was even alive and here was so huge that Nate was sure he’d used up his allowance of luck in the universe all in once and he didn’t want to let go of his brother for even a second, in case anything were to happen when he least expected it.

He was drunk on happiness and sick with fear of losing his brother again. He was glad he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast or it would have been on its way up his esophagus right about now.

“Hey, you in a hurry?” Elena had appeared in the door to their bedroom without Nate noticing. He jumped at her voice.

“Yeah. I mean no.” He threw her a smile. “Just excited. Sorry I gotta leave you.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, hip leaning against the wooden door frame. “I told you to go, didn’t I? It’ll be good for you.”

Guilt crept up inside of Nate’s throat, making his voice sound hoarse. “Yeah.” He closed the suitcase and looked around.

Elena asked, “Good to go?” She was smiling and Nate hated that he had to lie to her but he didn’t have time to explain and he didn’t want to make things harder for Sam than they had to be. They didn’t know how much Alcazar knew, whether he was watching them, and there was no way he would drag Elena into that with him. He wanted her here in New Orleans, unworried, and out of harm’s way.

“I love you,” he told her on his way out as if it would make up for betraying her. She kissed him goodbye and he tried not to pull away too early, his stomach clenched tight.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back.” That wasn’t a lie, at least. “Could be a couple of weeks, could be longer than that.”

Elena nodded, her smile dimming slightly. “I know. Just … watch yourself, okay?”

He squeezed her hip before turning away to jog down the driveway, lugging his suitcase behind him.

Sam had speed-booked their tickets and he was waiting for Nate at the airport when Nate got out of the taxi. He had showered, his hair still damp, and dressed in simple jeans and a T-shirt despite the chilly temperatures. Of course, he was smoking a cigarette. Nate hadn’t expected fifteen years in prison to rid him of that habit. If anything, it had probably made it worse.

“Ready to go?” Sam asked him and it struck Nate again that his voice was deeper than he remembered it being. He had first noticed it when he had talked to Sam at the dock. Maybe it was the smoking, maybe he had simply gotten older.

It was strange how he didn’t look that much older. The last time Nate had seen him, they had both still been in their twenties. He realized that last year must have been Sam’s fortieth birthday.

God, they had lost so much time.

He wanted to hug Sam again, hold on to him and not ever let go. Instead, he clapped his brother on the shoulder and nudged him toward the terminals. “Let’s go.”

Flying wasn’t something that had ever bothered Nate but he did get restless on long flights. Six hours in, Sam’s hand came down on his knee and he flinched in surprise. “Settle down. Go to sleep.”

Nate shook his head. He was too wired to even think about sleep. He felt like he had had five cups of coffee and then downed two more energy drinks on top. Sam’s hand on his leg kept him from jiggling it with nervous energy and the warmth of his brother’s palm seeping through the denim of his jeans helped a little with his restlessness. Sam kept it there for the next hour until he got up to pee and Nate instantly missed the contact.

One and half hours later they landed in London und Nate tried to work the crick out of his neck. His stomach was growling after not having eating for an entire day and they grabbed breakfast at a nearby Costa. Their connection flight was delayed by half an hour, so they hung around a while longer, sipping piping hot coffee.

“If we get the cross,” Nate started, “What do you think is in it? A map to the treasure’s location?”

Sam grinned at him over the rim of his paper cup. “Wouldn’t that be nice? Somehow I don’t think it’ll be that easy.”

“Suppose not.”

They fell silent until they had finished their coffees. Nate tapped the back of Sam’s hand. “So how much time you got left?”

Sam chewed his lips, an uncharacteristically shy action. Although, after fifteen years, Nate had to admit that he might not know what was characteristic of his brother anymore.

“‘bout ten weeks. Took me a moment to get my bearings and find you.”

Nate nodded. “That’s not too bad, we can do ten weeks.”

Sam looked up at him with a half-smile. It didn’t reach his eyes. “Nathan, we don’t even know if there is a treasure. We could be on a wild goose chase for all we know. I didn’t–” He scowls down at his hands, lips curling sardonically, “I was an idiot to talk about it at all. I just–I guess I didn’t think I’d ever get outta there, is all. It was just a fantasy, something to keep me occupied.”

Nate couldn’t say anything, his chest feeling too tight to speak. He only realized his hand had still been lying on top of Sam’s when Sam pulled away and stood up.

“Let’s catch our plane, come on.”

The last stretch to Italy took less than three hours and Nate slept for almost all of the way. He woke once when the stewardess came by with inquiries about coffee, and then for a second time when the pilot announced the landing descent. In his sleep, Nate had dropped against his older brother’s side like a magnet, his body’s natural reaction to Sam’s presence even after all this time. He rolled his cheek against Sam’s shoulder, trying to shake himself into wakefulness.

“Hey there, Sleeping Beauty.”

Nate dug his elbow into his brother’s side, earning a soft grunt. “Shut up.”

He noticed Sam subtly flexing his fingers after Nate had sat back upright, so his arm had probably fallen asleep with Nate leaning against him. Nate couldn’t feel bad about it, after all Sam could have woken him. The fact that he hadn’t despite his own discomfort made something warm bloom inside of Nate.

They were both stiff and a little cranky by the time they had claimed their luggage. Twelve plus hours cramped in economy class were no joke and Nate didn’t care if he looked weird stretching in the middle of the airport terminal.

They hauled a taxi to drive them to the hotel they had booked for the next two nights. It wasn’t the Hilton or anything but Nate didn’t mind simple accommodation. Preferred it actually. It meant more privacy and fewer questions asked. To save money, they had only rented one room – another thing that Nate didn’t mind.

He and his brother had always shared on their explorations. It was cheaper and it made it easier to throw ideas around and plan their next steps if they were in the same room. They had both been sound sleepers, not bothered by noise thanks to growing up in an orphanage, crowded into one room with ten older boys.

In a way, having one room for the two of them was already a luxury. Maybe that was why he had moved in with Elena so quickly, entirely unused to sleeping alone. He had found it too quiet, too strange not to be able to hear other people’s breathing, giving him a sense of security.

Now, the two of them gathered at the small, round table to lay out their plans for the evening. Sully had left a pair of monkey suits for the party and a set of worker overalls for them for the climb in. The Rossi Estate would be carefully patrolled and they wouldn’t get in without an invitation. Inside, Sully would be waiting for them. After that, they would probably have to wing it since they didn’t really know what to expect. They would have to find a way into storage and who knows what the security system was like. Sully had e-mailed them blueprints of the place but there was always a chance that, for an exclusive auction like this, enhanced security measures were in place. People tended to be on higher alert and they would have to be more careful.

It wasn’t anything they hadn’t managed to pull off before.

Nate had to admit that his brother looked exceptionally good in a tux. They had had to play dress-up for jobs before but back then, both of them had been scrawnier and if not anything else, prison had definitely had a positive effect on Sam’s physique. Nate had always liked exercising to stay in shape but his brother was all muscle now, his broad shoulders filling out the tuxedo almost obscenely.

“Come here for a minute,” he said when he caught Nate staring at him. Quickly, Nate shook himself out of his trance and shrugged into the jacket.

“Help me with this, will ya?” Sam held out his arms, biceps bulging under the crisp-white fabric, motioning for Nate to insert the cufflinks for him. Nate pinched the stiff fabric between his fingers, turning the cufflinks over in his hand. They weren’t anything fancy, simple silver and black, and Nate had completely missed them on the table.

Sam shook out his arms after Nate had finished, adjusting the collar of the shirt. “I hate these things. So restricting.”

Nate had to grin at this brother’s uncomfortable grimace. “The sooner we’re in and outta there, the sooner you can take it off.”

He hadn’t meant for it to sound suggestive, and to Sam it probably hadn’t, but Nate still winced slightly. With the way he had been staring at his brother before, he couldn’t keep his brain from making the non-PG connection.

“Anyway,” he turned around, “We got everything?”

Sam laughed, a low and warm sound that made Nate turn back around. “Not so fast, little brother.” He looped the strip of the bowtie around Nate’s neck, playfully tugging him closer. Nate stumbled a little, surprised, and reflexively steadied himself on Sam’s shoulders.

“Warn a guy,” he says, voice too hoarse. Sam scoffed and pulled tie tight against Nate’s Adam’s apple. His fingers brushed Nate’s chin as he worked and Nate tilted his head back to escape the contact. His hands were slightly shaky and he didn’t even know why.

Sam’s presence was still too foreign to him, still too unreal and so fragile, as if he could vanish into thin air at any moment. Nate was still afraid that he wouldn’t be allowed to keep him.

“All right,” Sam patted him on the chest, “Lookin’ good. Let’s go.”

They quickly hopped into their overalls and hoofed it to a lookout by the Rossi Estate. The climb in went off without a hitch and it was exhilarating to be doing this again, together with his brother. Nate had always had a love for dangerous situations, nurtured by Sam after setting the initial example. They had always worked well together, silent communication, sensing the other’s position without looking, and it had made them nearly infallible as a team.

Until that day in Panama, where they had been surprised by Rafe’s diversion from the original plan and the sheer number of armed guards that had come after them. The memory was a little too hazy now to recall correctly because it had been too devastating to think about, and now it was crumpled, unavailable to Nate, who had spent the last two days trying to figure out what he had missed. How could he not have known that his brother was still alive?

Fresh grief for all the time they had been robbed of, Nate sank to the cushioned chaise in the room in which Sully had been waiting for them. Sam, who had walked ahead of him, stopped, turned. “Everything okay? You didn’t hurt yourself climbing, did you?”

Nate shook his head. “Nah, just glad we made it.” He meant it in every sense of the words and Sam returned his small smile.

“Boys,” Sully interrupted, “There’s time for you to flirt later, we gotta get a move on.”

Sam guffawed a laugh while heat shot into Nate’s face. He pressed into the shadow by the door on their way out, hoping it would hide his blush.

Of course, their stint didn’t go over without complications but all three of them were masters at improvisation by now and they managed to scrape by just so. Hurtling out of the driveway in a stolen limousine, Nate thought about Rafe and what it had felt like to hear his name again, to know he had been here, too, so close to Sam and Sully, and even closer to thwarting their little operation. He was the one who should have rotted in prison for fifteen years, not Sam.

Only, that wasn’t exactly fair. None of them would have deserved to land in prison back then, or maybe all of them would have deserved it, Nate didn’t know. What he did know was that he was furious, angry beyond measure that Sam had been dealt the bad hand instead of Rafe, who had grown up to be even more of an asshole than he had been fifteen years ago.

Sam grabbed his elbow, shouting “We did it!” over the roar of the engine and the howl of the wind. He was dangling Saint Dismas in front of Nate’s eyes but all Nate could see was the white-toothed grin nearly splitting his brother’s face in two.

[beefybuffybucky]

The Light Behind Your Eyes (Pt.4)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x female!Reader - HYDRA x Reader - Avengers x Reader

Summary: Bucky and the other members of the Avengers have been searching for you for nearly two months, but to no avail. It’s not until the news breaks of an attack on Boston leads them to you, but what they find is something none of them will ever forget.

Warnings: angst - violence - a teensy bit of language

Word Count: 3.5K

A/N: Oh boy ya’ll, it’s a bit of a long one. After this, there will be at least one or two more parts. I apologize for the length, but once I started, I just couldn’t stop, and I couldn’t decide on a good cut-off point, so...here we are, part four! Hope ya’ll like it!

Y/N - your name

Y/H/C - your hair color

Y/E/C - your eye color

Part One // Part Two // Part Three

Bucky’s P.O.V.

It’s been two months.

Two months without Y/N.

Sixty-three days have passed since I’ve seen her smile, heard her gorgeous, contagious laugh, or even pranked Sam. We would drink coffee and watch an episode of a show every morning - we were on the last episode of the newest House of Cards season before we left for the mission. Now I can barely force myself out of bed to even make coffee, let alone bring myself to finish the season without her. My biggest regret besides not being able to keep her safe from the very thing that haunts me is not telling her how much I care about her...how much I need her...how much I love her. An empty ache grows in my chest with each passing day, consuming my thoughts - nothing has been the same without her. Every night, a new nightmare of what could be happening to her tortures my mind. Even when I’m completely exhausted, I can’t trust myself falling asleep. These nightmares are just as bad as the ones that haunted me when I first came to the team and still dreamt about HYDRA. This time around, it’s the same situations, but it’s not me that they’re controlling and manipulating into their own personal weapon of destruction, it’s Y/N.

Steve’s probably the most worried about me. At least twice a week, he pops his head in my doorway with that weird “worried mom” look plastered on his face. And every time, I tell him that I’m fine, even though but we both know that I’m not. Everyone’s treating me like some lost puppy, and it’s kind of starting to piss me off. It feels like the rest of the team is spending more time worrying about me than they are trying to find Y/N.

When I couldn’t save her, my whole world came crashing down around me. I don’t remember much after the phone call with Steve, but Clint told me I was a fucking mess when they found me. Nat wouldn’t admit it to my face, but I could see it in her eyes. They tried to track the tires in the snow, but they lost it after a mile when the winds had picked up and snow started to move in, covering the tracks and forcing us to return back to the compound. The tracks were the only hope I had to bring her back home.  

Tony has been helping Steve and I search for possible locations of where they might be holding her. The rest of the team has been on other missions, but chip in their efforts whenever they can. At this point, we think HYDRA targeted her as a way to bait me. We have poured countless hours into scouring maps, GPS coordinates, possible HYDRA hideouts and movements...anything we could possibly get our hands on, just to get a possible lead on where she could be. We’ve gone to six different locations, trying to follow possible leads, but each search has turned up nothing.

So far, we’ve come up completely empty handed...I’ve never felt this helpless in my entire life. I can’t believe she slipped through my hands so easily…

A quiet knock on the door alerts me of Steve’s presence.

“Hey, Buck,” he whispers caringly, leaning against the door frame. His “mom” face is back.

“Hey,” my voice is hoarse from crying during the night. Steve pushes off the frame and saunters over to where I was sitting on the bed.

“You okay?” Does it fucking look like I’m okay?

“Could be better,” I mumble. He sits next to me, the mattress sinking under his weight. A few moments pass in a heavy silence. I can sense that he’s keeping something from me.

“We have a new lead,” Steve breaks the silence. A flick of hope ignites in my head, but a rain cloud of doubt threatens to put out the weak flame.

“What is it?” I look at Steve. He wears an expression of something I can’t really place. It’s like concern mixed with a look of slight disbelief. Maybe even heartbreak. My stomach churns at the thought of what he might say. “Is Y/N…i-is she…,” a lump in my throat cuts off my sentence.

“She’s alive, Buck. But I’m not sure if you’re ready for this...I don’t think any of us are,” a muscle in Steve’s jaw twitches. He’s nervous.

“What do you mean?” The fact that she’s alive sends a wave of excitement crashing through my body, but the way Steve held his body and the melancholy laced in his expression quickly floods out the excitement.

The sound of chatter and voices from the T.V. carries into the hall. I follow Steve into the main common room. Most of the team are either sitting on the couches or standing, talking amongst themselves. Tony and Banner were missing from the group. Natasha turns her head in our direction, breaking off from her conversation with Sam and Clint, and gravely saunters over to us, the usual pep in her walk nonexistent, her arms hugging her chest. A light shade of red runs along the bottoms of her eyes, and I knew she had been crying. She gently places her hand on my arm and her lip quivers.

“I’m so sorry, Barnes...We’re going to do everything we can to get her back,” her voice shakes. What is she talking about? 

I look over her at the large plasma T.V. that’s partially blocked by the members of the team that are standing. “BREAKING NEWS” flashes on the screen and reveals glimpses of destruction flashing across the screen. A rolling strip of text runs across the bottom of the screen, and her name - Y/N’s name - is in it. My heart stops, and the chattering in the air turns into a persistent buzzing. My feet move against my will as I shove my way past the standing bodies, stopping in front of the T.V.

Y/N’s picture is in the top right corner of the screen. The reporter’s lips are moving, but I can’t hear a single word he’s saying. Her picture switches into a video. I-It’s her…

She’s dressed head to toe in a black, form-fitting suit, carrying a large machine gun in her gloved hands. Dirt cakes one of her cheeks and thin lines of black paint stream down her face from her eyes, but instead of her brilliant Y/E/C that I can lose myself in for hours, there’s only black. Her hair has been shaved to a buzz cut, her Y/H/C hair speckled with dirt. It’s almost like they sucked every last bit of light from her, and all that remains is pure, unforgiving nothingness. They somehow managed to steal the light from behind her eyes that I never thought would leave. My stomach churns as I breathlessly watch a wave of dark, swirling energy burst from her palms, effortlessly hurling a car out of her way, landing somewhere out of the frame. The power that shot out of her looks exactly like Wanda’s. Something tugs on my sleeve and I warily turn my head in the direction of the tugging.

Wanda stands next to me, silent tears creeping down her pale cheeks. She brings a delicate hand to my face, wiping away tears I didn’t even know had been shed. My gaze returns to the screen, becoming completely and utterly captivated by the events unfolding before me.

More footage shows a small group of HYDRA agents and operatives following her lead, some shooting at targets far out of frame, others holding their guns, ready to attack at any given moment. The video switches to a higher aerial view of their procession and I stare in horror as an agent hands Y/N a new weapon. She loads it, and drops it into her other hand, taking aim at a building. It launches a black, compact object and demolishes an entire building, the explosion sending debris flying into the air and shooting in every direction. If I had actually eaten anything this morning, I’m sure it would’ve come up by now. My nightmares were coming true, and I was so entranced by the raw, grave reality of all of it that I couldn’t even move a muscle.

Another hand touches my shoulder. Through my blurry vision I can see Steve, his face scared and ashen. He’s wearing his combat suit.

“We’re flying out in ten minutes,” he tells me, his voice muffled by something I can’t see.

“What?” I blink away warm tears. “W-who’s flying out?” The heavy blanket blocking out the rest of the world begins to lift off of my shoulders. I drag my leg and face him. Moving my head, I see Natasha, Wanda, and Tony standing near the elevator, Natasha and Wanda both wearing their gear while Tony was still in a t-shirt and jeans.  

“I need you to stay here, Buck,” Steve whispers and I snap my head towards him. “I promise we’re going to bring her back.”

“No,” I choke. “I’m coming with.”

Steve rolls his head and breathes out a deep sigh from his nose, dropping his gaze to the ground.

“I know how much she means to you, Bucky,” he mutters, voice low. “But you’re not fit to do this right now,” he gestures to the screen flashing clips of unearthly destruction. “You haven’t slept in days, let alone eaten, and this mission would require you to be-”

“I can do this, Stevie,” I whisper, desperation tainting my voice. “Please, I-I need to do this. I’m the one who lost her, I need to be the one to bring her back.” I do my best to stop my eyes from spilling any more tears. I need to fucking do this.

Steve searches my eyes for a few seconds, then looks back at Tony. Tony slightly nods his head a few times and drops his gaze to his feet.

“Suit up, Barnes,” he says, bringing his head up. “We leave in five.”

The news reports all say that Y/N is in Boston. We take the fastest jet Tony has on the compound, and reach the city within an hour. Flying above it, Y/N’s path of destruction is clear as day.

Whole blocks of buildings lie in ruins, their materials and contents scattered everywhere. The only people patrolling the areas of destruction are members of the National Guard and some police forces, digging through the rubble, searching for people in need of help.

“Over there,” Wanda points out the window towards a large dome of black, flickering energy. A chill slowly trickles down my spine at the sight of it. Tony steers the jet in the direction of the energy, managing to land the jet in a large area of dirt where a parking structure and multiple buildings once stood a couple of blocks away from the dome of static energy. I would know - the area was in the news coverage earlier.  

The back of the jet opens and the team starts to file out. I grab a machine gun from the shelves of weaponry and load it, grabbing a few extra knives and another smaller handgun. As I turn to leave, I see Steve waiting for me by the exit.

“You ready?” He hands me an earpiece.

“Let’s bring her home.” We walk out of the jet and join the rest of the group.

Steve breaks off and stands in front of the team, Tony by his side.

“Alright let’s keep this brief, people,” Tony calls out over the sirens and a loud, far away rumbling sound. “Our goal is to secure Y/N and shut down whatever’s happening under that dome. Banner will be in the skies, surveying the area deploying whatever methods necessary in order to contain her in one area. If it comes down to it, the jet is equipped with five long-range darts of strong tranquilizers, ready to fire at any moment,” he pauses. “We’re going to get her, no matter what.” A few people nod. “Alright, let’s get moving.”

Up close, the swirling energy creates a strong breeze. The rumbling we heard when the jet landed was roaring like an angry ocean in my ears now. The inky haze camouflages the building the Y/N had shot at during the news coverage. The dome covered an area of about a block. We had split off into smaller groups of people. I was with Steve and Wanda. Tony, Rhodes, Clint, and Nat started to walk to the other side. Vision and Sam had taken to the skies while Banner went up in the jet.

I walk up to the dome, the intense breeze blowing strands of hair into my face. Slowly, I move my palm closer to the dome, a light tingle pricking at my fingertips. I push my palm against it, the energy making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. The energy is hard like a wall, making it impossible to pass through.

“There’s no way to pass through that thing,” I shout over the noises of popping electricity and the rumbling.

“Alright, Vision. Light it up,” Tony’s voice rings through the comms.

A blinding line of buzzing energy cuts through the dome, slicing it from the bottom up, sending black particles slashing into the air.

“Let’s go!” Steve calls out over the deafening commotion. We run through the opening, jumping over piles of rubble and debris. I watch as the wall of energy slowly falls away, disappearing into the warm air. Glass from the blown out windows of the crumbling building ahead of us crunches under my boots. A figure stands near the entrance of the building, gun in hand, arms raised. We continue to run, pounding on towards the figure, and my chest tightens in fear at the list of endless outcomes cramming into my thoughts. At this point, nothing was certain, but anything could happen.

Agents begin to rush towards us and the firing of bullets fills my ears. From above, Tony, Rhodes, Vision, and Clint work to strike down as many agents as possible.

As we close-in on the building, the number of agents drastically dwindles, the details of the figure become clear.

It’s Y/N. Her arms are pointed straight out, a handgun at the ready, her face drained of all emotion.

A shot rings through the air, zipping past my ear. With her background, if she wanted to kill me, she could’ve easily made that shot. I turn around and see Nat cradling her arm.

Natasha makes eye contact with me. “Behind you!” She hollers.

Y/N drops the handgun. It clatters to the ground, and she thrusts her palms outwards, sending a billowing cloud of thick, dark energy rushing in our direction.

“Wanda!” I call out above the roaring.

“On it!” A wall of red energy forms out of thin air right in front of us, stopping as in our tracks. The inky energy slams into the red and Wanda grunts as she pushes more power into it. The black races up the wall, dispersing into the air above us, the wind circling around the barricade. As the air clears, Y/N marches through the twirling black, a machine gun with an attached grenade launcher resting in her hands. She stops, raises the gun, aims, and pulls back on the trigger. Fire explodes over Wanda’s energy as the ground beneath our feet vibrates, and she falls to her knees, crying out in anguish over the amount of energy she’s supplying into the barricade. Y/N walks closer, this time stopping about five yards away from us. She’s so close now, it feels like I could just reach out and pull her into my arms. My heart begins to ache.

She swings the weapon up to her face, taking aim once again.

“Banner!” Steve calls out. “We could really use only of those tranquilizers right now!”

Wanda’s still on the ground, her face twisted in pain and frustration. The wall separating us from Y/N gradually begins to degrade as Wanda loses more of her strength. The thinning barricade threatens to disappear as Y/N shifts her feet, steadying her body, preparing to brace herself against the recoil of the gun.  

Time slows around me. Y/N’s finger reaches for the trigger, ready to kill. Then out of the corner of my eye, something fast strikes her shoulder, throwing off her aim, sending another grenade flying to the far left. A large dart juts out from her left shoulder and she stumbles a bit to the side, dropping her weapon as she absorbs the velocity of the impact. She bends over, her hands on her knees as she gently sways. Shaking her head, she snaps her body upwards, grabbing the needle and yanking it out of her arm. She tosses it to the side, thrusting out her left palm, but nothing happens. A look of confusion quickly flashes across her face, her black eyes widening. Her jaw clenches. With a grunt, she thrusts out her palm again, only a few wisps of energy sputtering out. Her chest rises and falls heavily, and she quickly goes to grab her gun when Tony shoots a beam of light in between her and the weapon.

“Not so fast,” he speaks through the suit. He lands a few feet in front of me, blowing up some dust from the boosters in his suit. “This ends now.” Rhodes and Vision land behind me, and Steve is crouching beside Wanda. Clint was back by Natasha, tentatively tending to her wound. Sam was standing in front of Steve, creating a barrier between the fighting and Wanda.

Y/N stands in front of us, her glare darting from one face to another. I can feel her stare linger on me, even through the never-ending darkness of her eyes.

“Bucky,” a gentle voice whispers in my mind. It sounds like...Y/N. But...how?

“Y/N?” I mutter. Her face contorts in frustration and she shakes her head again.

“No!” She screams, more to herself than us. I look up at the jet circling above us.

“Banner, hit her with another dart,” I breathe into the comms.

“But she hasn’t done anyth -”

“Do it!” I yell at him, staring at Y/N.

“Barnes, what are you -,” Tony begins to question me, then stops as he seems to understand what I’m trying to do. “Banner, the tranquilizer brings her back. Hit her again!”

Y/N snarls and sprints in our direction, yelping out in pain as another dart strikes her in the back. She tumbles to the ground, landing face down. A low groan rumbles from her as she shakily pushes herself up, kneeling on all fours. She drags her head up, breathing heavily. The pitch black that had invaded her eyes was gone, and her beautiful Y/E/C eyes squinted at me.

“B...Bucky?” Her voice was fragile and quiet.

“Y/N,” I rush towards her, brushing passed Tony, ignoring his protests, and almost reach her when out of nowhere, black crawls up the thin veins in her face, and the color of her eyes is hungrily consumed by darkness. All of a sudden, it feels like a pair of hands are strangling my neck and the air catches in my throat. I choke as the pressure strengthens and feel my body being lifted into the air. The energy swirls around me, and dark dots dart across my vision. My lungs are screaming for air, but the tension only grows. I can see Y/N a few feet ahead, standing below my dangling body.

“My name is Ангел,” her voice rings clear in my mind as a cruel, wild smirk spreads across her face. “And you’re my mission.”

The lack of oxygen makes my head pound and it feels like it’s going to explode at any second. One second I’m on the verge of passing out, and the next, my body drops to the ground like a ragdoll while Y/N cries out. Lying on my back, I hoarsely gasp for air as my throat opens up again. Turning my head, I see Y/N passed out on her back, her hand a few inches from mine. I manage to pull myself into a sitting position through the heavy dizziness invading my stability. Steve jogs over to me and extends his arm. I reach up and he clamps his hand in mine, pulling me up from the ground.

“You okay, Buck?” He questions breathlessly. I rub at my neck, kneading out the ghostly pain.

“I will be,” I groan. Looking down, Y/N still remains motionless on the ground, her limbs completely limp. Staggering over to her, I check for a pulse in her neck. It’s weak, but there. I scoop up her legs, then slide my arm under her back, easily lifting her up from the debris. I turn around and find everyone’s eyes glued to me.

“Let’s go home,” I breathe. I start walking in the direction of where the jet will land, ignoring the glares from the rest of the team.

“Banner, I need to do a scan of the building to clear -” I carefully lift my arm cradling Y/N’s leg to my ear, pulling out the piece from my ear, cutting out Tony’s voice from my conscience. I leave it behind in the dust. A wave of calmness washes over me as I carry Y/N towards the jet as it lands a few blocks away, the words she had spoken in my mind still ringing in my ears.

Ангел - angel

Part Five

Tags: @randyortontattoos @buckyisloved  @awinterloveuniverse  @dcandmarvelimagines @isaxhorror @hollycornish @superwholockian5ever @frostbyte-horan @theraputicwritings  @queendarkmuffin

[49scribes-a]

Starters From Shit Said In Gaming Streams:

Some NSFW and potentially triggering content

“Yeah sometimes those big zombies just don't take the hint and then half their bodies come after me.”

“Stop throwing up zombies. Its unsanitary.”

“Thigh highs fit for any _____.”

“BARREL ROLL.”

“Stop keeping quotes about the shit I say when I'm _________.”

“OH, RAPID FIRE. RAPID FIRE. LOOK AT THAT.”

“...whatever the fuck that shit is.”

*sarcastically* “Oh nooo... an ambush. Like, whatever will I do.”

“Y'know I would've fallen from whatever height that was and I would've gotten up.”

“OYNO. Where is it? KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT.”

“Ew it popped.”

“____lord disapproves.”

“Rocking that [name]licious scarf.”

“SHIT ITS BOY/GIRLFRIEND IS COMING.”

“Oh, shit, that's a lot.”

“Of course half of them had to live.”

“Oh did you die finally? Thanks for the money! Even if you only had ___.”

“You made people suffer enough when you were alive. Can't you, y'know, give it a rest?”

“I'm little red riding hood~”

" 'Just got [name]'d'. WOW. You really gonna go there?”

“Already went there.”

“Okay I'm bored. I'm gonna leave it. I'm gonna leave it alone.”

“Op she's vomitting zombies.”

“Deeeeaaaaaath.”

“[name]licious used Swift! Its super effective!”

“Please stop.”

“Whoa that star kinda freaked out.”

“Pop goes the zombubble.”

“Y'know whenever people say [ran him through with a sword] I think of someone like literally running and PLUNGING their sword through someone.”

“If ur sword-running game ain't as strong as Season 2 Suzaku's y'ain't doin it right.”

“We don't talk about that ending. That still hurts me.”

“OF COURSE WE DO. You know what we REALLY don't talk about?"

“WE DON’T TALK ABOUT _____.”

“The goat people!!! And the trees...”

“We've got demonic goat people, I think some frogs... yep, definitely a frog.”

“This house is on fire but it wasn't me.”

“Ooooo legendary shoulders.”

“Oh great, they explode.”

“Biiiirb. Birb birb birb birb. Caw caw motherclucker. BIIIIIRB.”

“I'm going to name this bird ______, and it will be the best ______.”

“Did you just name that ____ after [name]?”

“[name]licious and [name]. Nice(tm).”

“You could've lived if you just stayed still like a good tree.”

“Swift Game Intensifies.”

“Cat Fight!”

“Long time no dick shot.”

"[NAME] YOU ARE BANNED.”

“Holy shit that was a trip.”

“The sweet sound of projectile evisceration.”

“Anybody alive on this side? Okay good I don't need that kind of drama in my life.”

“I COULDN'T STOP PUNCHING HIM.”

“Story of my life.”

“I love how you got literally blown away.”

“Fuck your _____-- SHIT, FUCK--”

“We forgot to start a swear count.”

“Explode, explode, explode-- yyeeaaaaa.”

“I HATE LIFE WHAT IS THAT HOW DID I MISS”

“RIPPERONI SWISS CHEESE”

“Don't you give me your patronizing pats I don't need them.”

“See if I ever give you sympathy pats again.”

“I'm still keeping quotes just fyi.”

“Fucking gasp.”

“BLOWUP BLOWUP BLOWUP BLOWUP.”

“STOP TAKING QUOTES, [NAME] oh my god--”

“I need to take that guy over there with that freaking shotgun Hell nya.”

“YOINK.”

“Eeeeew he ragdolled...”

“Uuuh what did you guys see-- actually nope no I take it back I don't wanna know I don't wanna know what you guys saw.”

“2 much swear 4 utube.”

“I... read that as [do you know how many brain dead dick heads I've hung in my life] and I was like... since when did you kill people?”

“If I killed people you would know because I wouldn't be able to keep my disgusting disection pictures to my fucking self.”

"[CHECK OUT THIS ORGAN LOOK HOW WEIRD IT IS].”

“I was going to laugh if you pole-vaulted to your doom.”

“Well, no, you can swing across. Me? I'm gonna get fUCKED.”

“HIS LEG WORK.”

“I'M IN ATUAL TEARS.”

“I'm like... expecting something to blow up at this poi-- aaand there it is.”

“I don't know what you're reaching for cuz God ain't gonna help you.”

“Wouldn't it be funny if he hit the window and he just... didn't go through it. Just hit the window with a loud THUNK like a bird hitting glass.”

“That rocket launcher is gonna become my best friend.”

“YOU STILL FUCKING SURVIVED THAT SHIT? YOU TOOK IT TO THE /FACE/.”

“Fuck off, I don't want what you're selling-- I DON'T WANT WHAT YOU'RE SELLING.”

“Fuck your turret gun.”

“Fuck it.”

“YEAA-- NOOOOO.”

“How did that not just shove his nose into his skull?”

“I wouldn't have gotten back up, I would've been down. I would've probably been knocked out or... winded... and crying.”

“Yea fuck you _______ I don't like you either.”

“Her name is _____ lady and _____ lady it shall stay.”

“I can't wait to-- Oh look another fucking _______.”

“MAN, HE TWIRLLLED.”

“When I die, I want to ragdoll.”

“Why ragdoll like an Uncharted NPC when you can ragdoll like a Skyrim character leaping off the top of the Throat of the World on the back of a horse.”

“The music is so nice when you don't pay attention to the destruction around you.”

“I want to glitch through the ground, stretching for miles across the land while twitching enough to unnerve the most bad ass fucker before flipping off into space like a goddamn hyper speed rubber band.”

“You want the weirdest things...”

“But they are simple things.”

“How is her makeup still straight. Eye liner still on point.”

“HEY LOOK ITS YOU-- I'm just kidding.”

“You hurt my feelings, that IS totally me.”

“Worship me and my big blue ball.”

“Oh that werewolf fucker. Fucking closet furry.”

“Manicure my _____ nails.”

“I know, I have to fix your ass because all your shit is where its not supposed to be.”

“WELL ITS NOT FUN IF I MAKE IT EASY.”

“DO U THINK I WANT PEOPLE IN HERE TOUCHING ALL MY SECRET SHIT.”

“I GOT PORN MAGS IN HERE.”

“You know I just kinda realized how weird of a pose that is.”

“Tbh -- its taking a huge shit.”

“For some reason I forgot the water drains and thought the statue's loin cloth lifts to reveal a doorway between its legs.”

“God damn it, tired of your bullshit. Have to keep fixing your stuff. Keep fixing your ______...”

“This isn't a dagger. Its a _____. But I'd still stab someone with it.”

*Opens my chastity belt.*

“You know its actually kinda romantic down here---no its not.”

“I transcended the ban like a boss.”

“YOU'RE STILL BANNED, [NAME].”

“GET VORED BY THE STATUE.”

“WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS.”

“I really hope I get that job so I can buy that shirt that says [_______] I've been wanting.”

“No, the part with the ice caves, before you meet Furry McFuckgoat.”

“While that is a very metal fucking way to die -- it also seems extremely uncomfortable.”

“I was surprised there wasn't anything supernatural... or weird. I mean besides the exploding mummies.”

“WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THOSE GOLEM POSERS.”

“What a dick! Making me throw that grenade without meaning to!”

“You know I just shot him... a clip full... in the dick. I didn't mean to but... it happened.” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

“Have a grenade.”

“Yeah you're not allowed up here. You have a ______. We don't serve your kind here.”

“New user -- who dis”

“I might regret this decision later.”

“[Name], please, stop playing peek-a-boo.”

“That dead guy just... waves goodbye as he ragdolls.”

“I HAVE REGRETS.”

“You know what, just as well. I have regrets. I didn't mean to throw that grenade.”

“PANICKING. PANICKING.”

“THINK YOU'RE FUCKING FANCY WITH YOUR ROLLING?”

“Okay that guy was defying gravity for a while there, that was kinda weird.”

“YOU'RE NOT FANCY-- Oh my god he twirled.”

“I FOUND WHAT I WANT.” *runs*

“REGRETS. Aaaah, regrets. A lot of regrets.”

“That death twitch... as seen on Twitch TV.”

“Little man, compensating much.”

“Right in the Shnoz.”

“ZIG ZAG, ZIG ZAG.”

“I DON'T THINK ZIG ZAG WORKS WITH MILITARY RPGS.”

“Make-up still on point. Hair still flawless.”

“LAMINATE YOUR FUCKING MAP. ITS RAINING. IS THAT MAP EVEN RELIABLE AT THIS POINT.”

“Where would you laminate a map in ______? What do you think there's a Kinkos around the corner?

“GOD IDK, BUT PUT IT IN SOMETHING MORE WATERPROOF THAN YOUR ASS POCKET.”

“Oh man that is the best twirl I have ever seen.”

“Fab. He practiced.”

“I just had to process Impressed because I heard it as Imp Breasts.”

“Drama queen. Fucking clutching his chest to die. Just ragdoll like everyone else.”

“Hey, what has more brains than the gunmen right now? The wall behind them.”

"[that didn't attract too much attention] YOU RAN A TRAIN THROUGH A BUILDING.”

“I am just a soggy man.”

“I have water logged fingers.”

“Yeah. YEAH. I forgot about these actually. Ah... ha ha... I forgot about these...” *cries*

“Her tits are always bigger from the side. The fuck is with that. They never the same size either. Watch. Watch them titties grow.”

“All Aboard the Pain Train.”

“Push your ass off the train-- BYE.”

“REALLY. YOU-- who has the strength of a shit ton of fucking monkeys... can't kick that through?”

“My heart just did A Thing at being called [they].”

“I never actually see the scenery on this train because I'm always dying.”

“BANE OF MY EXISTENCE RIGHT HERE. Guess my streak of Not Dying is gonna end right here.”

“AAH I ALMOST DIED-- I almost died there too.”

“SPLAT.”

“Railroaded.”

“Oh, I'm gonna have to fight a big guy. I really-- please don't make me fight a big guy.”

“Damn he thicc.”

“Here, its a present~” *throws a grenade*

“I think they want a receipt for their present so they can return it.”

“Bye-- I think that was a dick shot.”

“I love the sound of glass breaking.”

“I missed...” *tsk* “That's a problem.”

“Hey. For stress relief, fling yourself. Right there. To the left.”

“LAAAAAAAAUNCH.”

“Just fucking launch into oblivion for stress relief.”

“I just ate someone else’s half eaten burger like the trash goblin I am.”

“I am both mildly disgusted with myself and yet satisfied because it was a good burger.”

“Oblivion is to the left. Just launch into it. Embrace it. Fly like the majestic fucking eagle you are.”

*singing* “Life... hates me. I hate life.”

“Did he just die crab walking.”

“Died doing what he loved. Being a crab. Snip snap.”

“Am I the only one here who sees perfect opportunities to fling myself off a cliff and actually does it?”

*whimpers* “WELLIguessitwasallfornothingbecausenowIhavetodiebecausethisasshole--”

“That's the sound of when you get your ass shredded.”

“Good lord--”

“Shredded Wheat [name]s.”

“I hope if I ever die by gun, its to one of those. I wanna look and feel like swiss cheese.”

“You gonna one-punch fuck me like jason borne?”

“ONE PAAAUUUUUUUUNCH.”

“FUCK I got stuck in the wall...”

“HOW THICK THAT DUDES ARMS ARE.”

“STAY AWAY FROM ME I was trying to get away from you.”

“That cat is looking at me like [Why are you yelling so much?]”

“Man you eat more bullets than dogs in Resident Evil.”

“Fuck my life, Terminator.”

“That's not his liver...”

“That's totally his liver.”

“Well that's what you get for not paying for your train ticket.”

“Train stops here.”

“Guess they got... sidetracked.”

“You could say he's got a one-track mind.”

“You could say its been derailed.”

“I don't think this is the best train of thought for this situation.”

"I think I can, I think I can...”

“YOU'RE AN ASSHOLE, SNEAKING UP ON ME LIKE THAT.”

“I hope I took them out wiTH MY DEATH.”

“Fucking gave him a sliding icy nut shot.”

“Packed some powder onto those donut holes.”

“I didn't say I was coming naked to this place.”

“Just barrel roll over a fucking corpse it coo'l.”

“Where do these fuckers get grenades at like... they need to shove their grenades up their ass.”

“I don't know what the fuck you think you saw but it wasn't me.”

*Hands you voreos*

“Get out of here with your voreos.”

[teddyylou]

Lance’s Birthday 2017!!!

Read on Ao3 xx

______________________

Keith sat hunched over on his bed, legs swung over the side bouncing up and down in anticipation and frustration as he thought, writing down and scribbling out idea after idea into a purple note book given to him by the Blade on one of his most recent visits. He sighed in defeat as he completed yet another page of crappy, dead end ideas that were just not good enough. Now people had called Keith a perfectionist in the past; whether it be at the Garrisons or in training on the ship even back when he was a kid and he was the only one bothering to colour in the lines and with the right colours. But nothing, nothing ever, had come close to how hard he was trying right now. He needed the perfect gift for Lance this time. Better than perfect; one that showed lance exactly how much he cared about the boy, which was a lot. 

Keith and Lance had been dating for just over a month now. After ages of admittedly embarrassing pining and awkward flirting, a near death experience during battle had sent feelings flying everywhere between the two rivals and it was a match made in heaven. Every single day since then had been bliss for Keith and seeing Lance get homesick often or space out and grow quiet, or worst of all when he overcompensated and grew too loud, hating on himself for it later hurt Keith to witness and he wanted nothing more then to help his boyfriend feel better and know he was loved; by everyone on the ship but especially him. 

Keith began to crinkle the sides of the paper he was writing on due to his tightening grip on his notebook. None of these ideas were good enough and his brain was practically fried. Lance’s birthday was two days from now and he had nothing. What kind of a boyfriend was he? Keith attempted to have another crack at writing some more ideas, trying to pull them out of the paper with his intense stare as he re-read over his work, but he was completely blank. 

The sound of the automatic metal doors to their shared room opening made Keith jump, quickly stashing his notebook under his pillow, still in his hands, pretending that he had fallen asleep on top of the blankets fully clothed again, hoping that Lance didn’t see what he had been doing. Lance would find it weird, that he was trying to hard. Or maybe want to see what he had come up with and think that Keith didn’t know him at all. Keith knew everything about Lance, he had made it his goal ever since they went to space after learning that he was a lot deeper of a person then he came across as. That boy had so many layers and Keith wanted to see all of them and love all of them. He knew Lance and he knew he could find the perfect thing for him, he just hadn’t found it yet.

Lance walked up to Keith without a word, stopping for a second to see if Keith was asleep. Keith couldn’t tell if Lance thought he was asleep or not but continued to flop right on top of him either way. The Blue Paladin tangled his legs with the squished boy under him, wrapping his arms around him as Keith let out a groan. 

“I’m sleepy.” he yawned as he cuddled his head into Keith’s back, making himself comfortable. “So was I, if you didn’t notice, I was asleep.” Keith lied as he let go of the notebook under his pillow, attempting to throw his boyfriend off him, and succeeding. He pushed his notebook back behind his bed while he watched Lance tumble to the floor, landing with his face on the floor and his butt in the air.

“Always a class act, you are!” Keith said with a smirk, sitting up with his arms crossed, proud of his actions. “More elegant them you Mullet.” Lance bantered back flawlessly as he pushed himself up with his hands into a standing position again. “Oh so we are back to Mullet are we?” retorted Keith, beaming at the fluidity of their words, no longer awkward and flustered like when they first got together.

“You didn’t mind last night.” Lance quipped as he moved closer to Keith to has positioned himself back with his feet on the floor, ready to attack back at whatever Lance would say next. “What are you even talking about?” Keith rolled his eyes, wrapping his arms around his boyfriends waist and pulling him close so that his chin was resting on Lance’s stomach, looking up into his massive blue eyes, still breathtaking through the masses of bloodshot veins and deep purple circles. 

“I told you… I’m sleepy.”

“I can see that.” Replied Keith empathetically, they had all been thrown into this war that none of them had started. The fate of the whole universe was on their shoulders. Lance’s back felt tense where Keith soothed it gently, and he felt so fragile under his touch.

“Come to bed, Lance, you need it. Here let me help you.” Lance let Keith take his hand and help him lift his shirt over his head. Keith stripped himself down to his boxers while Lance did the same before they both climbed under the covers of their bed which was probably too small for the both of them but they made it work. 

Keith wrapped his arms around Lance; he may have been slightly taller than Keith but the two always switched when it came to things like spooning and cuddling. Lance rested his head in Keith’s armpit and let out a content sigh, closing his eyes instantly and getting impossibly closer without saying a word. The Red Paladin twas sure that the boy in his arms was asleep after a few minutes of silence but just as Keith began to drift off to Lance began to speak.

“My family would already be setting up for my birthday back on Earth. I never really wanted them to make such a fuss, but they insisted. Could you imagine? No normal people start preparing that early.” He mumbled tiredly. 

Keith was about to make a remark about how he was in disbelief that Lance ever didn’t want the spotlight; but right now he knew that his boyfriend needed to let this out so he hummed in acknowledgement while stroking Lance’s hair, letting him continue to ramble.

“I wonder what they are doing now, you know?” Are they setting up a party? Maybe they are setting up a memorial. Maybe they aren’t doing anything at all.” Keith had to stop him there. When Lance got homesick his insecurities started to show. He would second guess every breath and make profound conclusions like this one, that were detrimental to his mental health.

“Lance… your family love you. I bet they are still searching for you this very moment. They are probably at the Garrison right now, making a big scene, demanding that they bring us all home. No one could ever forget you.” He leaned his head down at an awkward angle to place a kiss on the top of Lances head as he continued to play with his soft hair. He held Lance just a bit tighter, hoping it would make him feel secure and safe. 

Lance looked up at Keith, eyes bright in the dark room, sad, even with the small smile resting on his lips.

“Thanks Keith. But I don’t want them making a big fuss over me this year either. Even though I know it’s impossible, all I want for my birthday is to somehow let them know that I am okay, so they can be at ease and stop searching.” He said sadly.

Keith stopped moving for a second, letting Lances words roll over in his head. As much as he wanted to be the one to give that to Lance, he too knew that it was impossible. “I’m sorry I can’t give that to you.”

“It’s okay. No one can.” 

With that Lance shut his eyes once more and returned to the safety of his boyfriend’s arms. Keith held him tighter than he ever had; even tighter than when the heating had broken in the castle two weeks ago, he thought. 

He listened to Lances heart beat against his ribs, he felt Lances breaths even into a deep sleep out as it blew against his skin. He watched him for ages, just admiring his beauty. How had he ever gotten so lucky to be with Lance; and for Lance to even like him back. It always had amazed him how Lance could make friends with literally anyone. Whether it be on Earth or on any planet they picked randomly on Allura’s map. His usual self was so outgoing and brilliant even if he didn’t think so himself. Keith was in awe of his abilities though. He himself was never able to approach anyone in any sort of social situation and hell would of broken loose if he was ever in charge of keeping the peace. Lance was so good at that. He always saw the best in everyone, he saw the best in Keith. When Keith was around Lance he felt like a better person an he knew that only Lance could have that effect on him. Now he only needed something to show Lance so that he would actually believe it.

Keith found it really hard to sleep that night, ideas pondering in his head, seeming to get somewhere but then missing the target and disappearing into the abyss. He could get something from the Earth store on the swap moon… No, that is too obvious. Maybe he could draw a picture of… nope, terrible.

Keith always found himself circling back to what Lance had said earlier. About what he really wanted. He wanted to go home. You would have to be senseless to not notice that Lance missed Earth. Keith didn’t have anything to go home to, but Lance had everything. He had a home, friends, places to go, a school to attend. Lance has such a bright future on earth. Sure that future would be exploring space, which he was doing, but he would be able to share it all with the people he loved; other then Keith of course. People he loved more than anything.

There was no way he could give lance what he really wanted. Like Lance had said, it was essentially impossible. It was too far away to make a short trip and no wormhole could be made long enough to get a real visit in. What if the castle was attacked while they were down there?

As much as he wanted to grant Lance’s wish, he just couldn’t and he needed to accept that. But Keith was still Keith and he would never in a million light years accept defeat. He would have to find something close to it. Not in distance but something else. He could feel a plan brewing, one that wouldn’t lead to a dead end. It was just what he needed.

By then, Keith’s eyes were drooping, too heavy to keep open any longer. With one last stroke of the brunette’s naturally curly, absolutely gorgeous hair, Keith fell into a well needed and well deserved slumber himself.

_____________________________________

The next morning, Keith woke up barley opening his eyes as the world slowly came back to him. He sat for a moment, willing himself to get up when he noticed that a usual weight was missing from his arms, causing him to open his eyes suddenly and sit up; not taking the time to adjust to the castle’s ‘Daylight’ system before looking around the room. Lance was nowhere to be found and there was no music playing from the bathroom which meant that he wasn’t there either. It would have been no problem for Keith except that Lance almost never woke up earlier than him and if he did he would have woken Keith up too so that he wouldn’t be lonely. 

Keith slowly dragged himself out of bed to track down his missing boyfriend. He found some clean clothes that were probably Lance’s as they felt a bit big but it didn’t matter as all of their clothes were thrown together anyway and they often shared. After fixing himself up so that he could actually see through his bed hair, Keith left the room assuming that Lance had gone to start that early morning training that he had mentioned wanting to do a few weeks back. But after searching the training deck to only find Shiro doing his usual exercises, the hangers and the games room, Keith figured it was time for everyone to be up anyway and that they had probably found him before he did.

Keith’s theory was proven true as he entered the kitchen to see Hunk serving up some interesting looking, purple waffle type thing to a hunched over Blue Paladin on the end of the table. Everyone else seemed to be chatting happily to each other, Coran and Pidge were in an intense looking conversation over a hologram of a rare mineral and Hunk was sliding into the seat across from Allura and the grumpy pilot. Keith stood in the doorway a little longer, trying to figure out what was up before being passed by Shiro who greeted him happily with a pat on the shoulder.

“Morning Keith. You just gonna stand there or you do you feel like being a human today.” He joked at the teen. He wasn’t even the angsty brooding one today; he was going to be in a second though, if he didn’t fix this. Keith let out a small breath like laugh and Shiro went to join Coan and Pidge. Keith returned his gaze back to Lance before deciding that the best way to do this was to be calm and quiet about it.

This proved to be easier said than done when he began to make small movements towards Lance. He knew that it was most likely the whole going back to Earth thing or more lack thereof; but everything in Keith’s head was telling him that it was his fault. Had he not responded the way that Lance wanted him to? Should he have offered Lance some advice or do more to comfort him. 

These thoughts lead Keith all of the way to the head of the table next to Lance where he was greeted by the others along with his own serve of purple waffle things along with a warm smile from Hunk who appeared to be attempting to telepathically send him the message that Lance was not okay and that if it was his fault he would be dinner. Keith just nodded at the Yellow Paladin silently and sat down in his chair.

Keith pulled his chair slightly closer to Lances which caused him to finally look up in realisation that someone had joined them. He offered Keith a half hearted smile before returning his laser stare back to his waffles. Keith lent over and pressed a kiss to the side of Lance’s head, a common sight for the other members of team Voltron which Keith hoped would mean that it wouldn’t turn to many heads. He took this as an opportunity to whisper to Lance in a more incognito fashion.

“You okay babe?” He said under his breath into Lance’s hair. Lance let out a small nod and closed mouth grin as he kept himself up with his arms folded on the table. His facial expression, however, did not fool Keith one bit. “Please tell me, we can  go somewhere else. Is it about last night, should I have said something, should I not have?” He continued in his hushed tone. At hearing this, Lance let his hands drop to his sides as he abruptly turned to look Keith straight in the eyes. He looked like he had had even less sleep than usual. 

He leaned their foreheads together so that they could continue their quiet conversation. “No, you did nothing wrong at all.” Lance spoke softly. He let out a slightly more convincing chuckle as he went on, Keith still wasn’t sure if it was genuine though. “I must just really be feeling this war right now. I’m all good.” He was acting like usual Lance again, all confident in how he said his words but something was up. 

Keith looked to Hunk for help as Lance’s gaze dropped to his feet, hoping that his friend could offer some suggestions or tell him if he was overreacting. Maybe he was pushing it. Maybe Lance really was just tired. He didn’t want to make it worse by making his boyfriend snap. He thanked the universe for his quick minded friend when he turned to get Lance’s attention by changing the subject even though it was probably tried about ten times while Keith was still convincing Blue to tell him where Lance was. 

“Hey Lance, Buddy, your birthday is coming up isn’t it? What flavour would you like your cake to be. I could try chocolate, I mean, it wouldn’t be actual chocolate, but it would taste like it…” Hunk went on. Keith loved his friend but that maybe wasn’t the best topic to choose. Lance looked around a the table of people who had stopped what they were doing to listen in to the party planning at hand. “Oh yeah sounds great, thanks man.” His voice came out a little shaky. “But um, whatever is fine really. I’,m sure it will taste great. Hey Allura, did you try these waffles they are really good too. I mean, if my cake is half as good as this then it will be a good birthday. Did you ever have anything like these on Altea?”

And like that the subject was changed and completely avoided. Lance was seemingly normal, louder than moments ago and smiling wide. Keith could tell that his heart wasn’t into it. Hunk just shrugged at him. He was about to try and interject again but decided against it. He had pushed too much for now. He didn’t need to cause more stress for Lance. 

“Oh I’ve seen that before!” Cried Coran, standing from his chair at his discovery. “Nothing a good old trip to the swap moon couldn’t achieve. It would only be a short distance away from where we are now anyway.” Coran and Pidge shared a fist bump, which had become an official thing for him since Hunk taught him how to do it properly. He loved some of the ‘Crazy Earth Rituals’ as he liked to call them. 

The Space Mall, perfect! Keith still hadn’t gotten anything for Lance and maybe a trip there would inspire him to get the best gift that would knock the sadness right out of the brunette. Keith hid his excitement as he cleared his throat. “Actually Coran, I could use some time out of the Castle, I would be happy to accompany you.” “Great! I love company! Also you might be helpful if we run into any more pirates.” Keith decides to leave it there and not question Coran’s statement. He felt bad for leaving Lance by himself but maybe this exactly what the needed to help Lance. Besides, Hunk and Pidge were there and couldn’t really do anything until they got the mineral or whatever it was so they could just hang with him. 

The ride to the Space Mall was actually slightly longer than Keith had expected which was probably a good thing because it gave him  more time to plan what he would get for Lance while he listened to Coran explain what the mineral would do and where they could find it, a bit about its origins and some old memories from when he was Keith’s age and wanted to buy a space bike from this particular swap moon pirate. To stay it didn’t go well would be fairly accurate.

Soon enough they were standing in the very familiar main entrance of the Space Mall. Okay, so I need to head this was for about thirty or so quintares. Did you want to come with or do you want to look around? We don’t get to come here that often. I did promise Allura something sparkly after all.” He laughed to himself. 

“Um yeah actually. Do you remember where that Earth store was?” He shrugged nervously.

“Quite positively. Just up two floors and right down the end.” he dragged out the emphasis on ‘right’. This was going to be fun. The two team members split ways and after what felt like ages, Keith stepped cautiously into the empty store. “Hi, Welcome! Would you like to try the latest Earth fashions?” He was greeted in a loud booming voice. “Ahh, I, no. I’m just looking around that’s all.” he stuttered out trying to get away from the alien as quickly as possible. Nothing against him, he just needed to take his time and find the right thing, but also hurry and get back to the castle. 

Keith looked through shelves and shelves of old collected Earth things. Eighties pop art posters and picture frames of photos from Earth wars, little toy trains and cassette tapes. Everything was cute and reminded him slightly of what Earth would be like. But there were no beaches no Cuba no Space things. Why would aliens wanting Earth stuff want space stuff. None of the crappy modern pop that Lance like was in stock. Only classical symphonies and country vinyls to be found. Keith would never hear the end of it if he brought those home. Keith thought that maybe if there was like a beach postcard or a small jar of sand, maybe a musical instrument that would remind Lance of his family. Nothing. Everything was rather American or European, which wasn’t bad for a space alien to find but it wasn’t what the needed.

Keith was on the last shelf of the store, right up the back and was beginning to lose hope when his eyes came across a very old, slightly frayed wicker picnic basket, opened to display a full set of picnic ware. For some reason this intrigued Keith. A picnic? Lance never specified if he liked them. He never said he hated them. Why did he seem so drawn to it then? Where would they even go? The castle? It’s not even like they could go picnic on the beach. He didn’t know any planets near them who had beaches like Earth. Even though there must be some, Keith didn’t even know if there were any beaches like on Earth. 

Then it hit him, he might not know about the planets outside of the Milky Way, but he knows two people who have one giant map of the entire universe who would. He grabbed the basket instantly shoving his hand into his pocket to grab some money which he basically threw at the Alien cashier. He tried to get away as quick as he could but not before the alien chucked in a free Elvis bobblehead and one of the country vinyls. 

Keith was sure he looked like a mad man, sprinting down the shopping centre halls, eye’s like moons and his tongue hanging out just a bit in concentration. He almost missed Coran entirely, who was waiting for him at the entrance. “I see you found something. What a good way to store silverware.” He responded casually as they began walking, basket tucked securely under Keith’s arm. “Did you find something for Allura.” Keith reminded Coran. “Yep, magnificent artefact.” He said pulling a candelabra looking thing out of his bag. It was hideous, but it did sparkle. “I bet she will love it.” He said, even though she actually probably would. 

As Keith piloted red back to the Castle, he chatted to Coran in the passenger seat behind him. “I wanted to get him something to do with being at home. You know how he gets.” “Certainly. It’s a shame to see him like that. Always so happy, but then he becomes someone else altogether.” “He wants to see the beach. He wants to go home. I understand. Hey Coran are there many planets with beaches like Earth?” “Oh yeah, plenty. The water probably isn’t water in a great deal of them but there will always be a handful.” “Any around here?” “Maybe. Allura could check for you once we get back. You could take your plate container and give it to him there.”

Once they landed safely back in the hangar, Keith practically ran to his room to stash the basket under his bed next to his notebook which he was yet to pick up. He was worried when he went barging in that Lance would be in there and see, but he remembered that it was still a normal day and he was probably at afternoon training. His next goal was to find Allura and it was as if the universe was on his side as she was right there in the control room, planning out their course. 

“Hey Allura.” Keith made himself known to her as he entered the room. “Oh, hello Keith, you back already. I thought Coran would be bargaining up a storm for hours.” “He was very well behaved this time.” He joked. “Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me. I’m planning something for Lance’s birthday tomorrow-” “Oh yes! Hunk and I have been putting together plans all day. I hope this cheers him up!” 

Keith smiled at the thought of Lance having a proper party like at home. “Hunk was explaining the basics of a human party to me earlier. It’s going to be very human.” She tried. Keith let out a chuckle at her attempt to describe the party. “I was wondering if maybe in the evening, I could take him out of the castle, just the two of us. Are there any planets I could fly to from here with beaches like Earth?” He asked hopefully. 

“Allura scrunched up her mouth and tapped her chin in thought. Her eyes lit up as she threw her hand upwards signalling her computer to open the map. She began scrolling around slowly as she spoke. “I think there is one over in the Minkus Nebula. The water will be slightly tealer than on Earth and there are three suns, but you can swim and there is what you essentially would call sand. There are trees similar to Earth and if you left at about noon you would have about two hours before the sunset to spend how you please.” She stopped her finger on a point on the map zooming in. it really did look like Earth. 

“Thank you so much Allura!” Keith said, almost running to hug her. Almost, but not quite.

“No problem, Keith! Lance will be back to happiness and efficiency in no time! Plus the only thing inhabiting the planet are small fish so you won’t be eaten by giant bugs or mole people.”

“Thanks.” he said again, slightly calmer. “Good to know.”

Keith went to a late training session that night to make up for his day away with Coran and it was almost midnight when he got back. He expected Lance to be asleep already but instead found him on the floor with the blanket from their bed pulled of it and wrapped around him. He sat and stared at the picture of his family that they had hung on the wall. 

Keith wanted to say something but he seemed so distant it felt wrong to bring him back. He silently walked past Lance into their bathroom to wash away the day. By the time he got out and was dressed he checked his watch to find that it was only three minutes to midnight. He sat down next to Lance, leaning against the bed, Lance instantly wrapped the quilt around him too and cuddled into Keith’s neck without a word. Keith kept an eye on his watch counting down the seconds until it beeped. Lance looked up at the sound and then smiled up at Keith. “Happy Birthday Baby.” Keith whispered.

______________________________________________

Early the next morning Keith’s watch alarm went off sending a vibration against his stomach. He did this so it would only wake up him and not Lance. It may have if Lance had been laying in his arms or vice versa but Lance really hadn’t been himself and was not in the mood for cuddling last night. Keith knew it wasn’t anything he had specifically done wrong, Lance just needed space, he understood completely. He was homesick and his birthday reminded him too much of his family. Maybe he didn’t understand completely as he had never had a family to miss other then Shiro, but he understood Lance enough to know what he needed. 

He slipped out of bed, careful not to wake the birthday boy who was sleeping peacefully against the wall. He dressed quickly, deciding upon a messy ponytail instead of attempting to battle his bed hair before going to help with the rest of the team with the party. When he got down to the control room the team already had the task of decorating in full swing and Keith happily went to help Pidge who was struggling to stand on a stool while hanging some streamers from the roof, even if he himself wasn’t that much taller.

“We literally can turn the gravity off, why aren’t we doing that?” Complained the Green Paladin.

“Do you want to scrape the cake off the roof? Because I don’t.” Chipped in Hunk who was on the floor surrounded by balloons from the Earth shop. 

Keith helped Shiro and Coran bring in all of Lance’s favourite foods and desserts that they had all tried to recreate as best they could before he decided that it was probably best to get Lance before he woke up himself and ruined the surprise. “Are you sure you guys will finish before we get back?” He questioned the team. “Yes, we only have the finishing touches before we can go and hide.” Chirped Allura, clapping her hands in excitement. 

With that Keith left the room on a mission to collect his boyfriend. He made his way back to their room and shuffled in quietly, sure to not wake Lance. He let go of the breath he was holding as the door shut itself behind him without disturbing the sleeping beauty. He went over to the bed and kneeled on the end of it, leaning over just enough that he could gently shake Lance. Lance slowly fluttered his eyes open with a tired groan. A smile was still perched on his face as he noticed his waker, he seemed to be much happier after a decent sleep. Maybe he had forgotten what day it was. 

“Wake up Birthday Boy.” Keith smiled, taking a chance, hoping that it didn’t make Lance upset again. His smile didn’t falter so Keith moved closer to give him a hug. They laid in a comfortable, happy silence, just enjoying each others company. Lance rolled over to be facing Keith smile still resting on his face easily, like it was glad to be back. “What a good wake up.” Lance mumbled tiredly, much like two nights ago before Lance was sad, the kind of tired mumble that Keith found adorable and irresistible. “I like your hair like that too.” He added, patting the back of Keith’s head gently with his fingers. “Come on, we need to get up, I have to show you something.” Keith said beginning to get up but Lance grabbed his wrist. “No, stay, we can go later.” He closed his eyes again and pulled Keith back onto the mattress. “Laaance…” He drawled out. 

He ended up resorting to dragging his boyfriend out of bed. Lance didn’t even bother getting into proper clothes as he had slept in sweat pants and a baggy shirt anyway, so he let Keith lead him by the hand all the way to just before the door to the control room would sense them and open. “Ok Lance, ready for your surprise?” He asked and Lance nodded so he stepped behind his taller boyfriend having to get on his toes to cover his eyes and lead him forward. 

He stopped right when Lance was in the middle of the room. He looked around first before he letting Lance see and he was truly impressed. There was small lions hanging from the ceiling and the present table may have only held a small amount but it was so bright and colourful and he knew it was perfect. He also took the time to notice that Allura truly had gone all out recreating an ‘Earth style’ party, but may have gotten somethings lost in translation after spotting homemade versions of pin the tail on the donkey and twister.

He could barely keep the smile off his face as he took his hands away and everyone jumped out from their spots.

“SURPRISE LANCE!” they all shouted in unison, except for Pidge who leaped out next to Lance with a party blower, sounding it very loudly over the shouts. Lance was speechless for a moment, looking around at every detail, laughing and smiling, eyes lighting up at every new part.

“You guys did this all for me?” He asked, pointing to his chest. “Of course we did,” replied Keith, taking Lances hand in his own. “You missed home so much and we wanted to give you the best home like birthday we could even though we couldn’t actually go there.” “You guys are the best friends I could ever ask for. Thanks so much!” He said, so overwhelmed that Keith thought he was about to cry.

Lance didn’t get much time after that to get emotional as he was dragged straight into the party and it took off. They told stories from the garrison and listened to Lance talk about his family. Allura and Coran crushed it at musical statues and were really getting into these Earth games until someone let it slip that they weren’t often played at teenagers parties unless there was a certain level of alcoholic beverages involved. 

“What! Why didn’t anyone tell me!” Allura cried. “No it’s fine, it reminds me of my little siblings parties or my nieces and nephews. It was secretly my favourite part anyway, I think everyone could tell though.” Lance assured her.

The team ate, gave Lance his presents and played more games, Shiro almost literally crushing Pidge in an intense game of twister. Everyone was enjoying themselves as they chatted away happily like there wasn’t even a war going on at all and eventually Keith finds Lance and pulls him aside.

“I never got to give you my present.” Whispered Keith thinking back to the picnic basket and towels already loaded into Red’s cockpit. “You didn’t have to get me anything. The party was already enough for me.” He smiled, pulling Keith in towards him by his waist. “Well, I did, let me show you.”

Keith snuck Lance down to the hangars and into Red. “Ooh, are we going somewhere?” Lance bounced excitedly on the balls of his feet before taking a seat. “You’ll see.” Was all Keith replied with as he took hold of Red’s controls and entered in the coordinates to the GPS.

Soon they approached the planet and Keith saw Lance slowly get up with a frown and move to the glass to get a better look at their destination. He looked down at the floor and then to Keith. 

“What planet is that, is that where we are going?”  He asked. “Yeah, Allura helped me find it. It has beaches…” He tried to sell it. He knew that Lance thought that the blue coloured Planet was Earth for a split second but he hoped that once they got down there it would be all better. “Thank you Keith!” He replied before pressing his face back to the glass to observe the dark green landforms that were getting closer and closer to them.

Keith landed Red down right on the sand like beach, which  to be fair, could have fooled anyone.

“Wow, it really is like Earth. I can’t believe this!” Lance yelled like an excited child, crinkling his toes in the sand.

“So you like it?” Asked Keith as he dropped their stuff onto a spot a few meters away from the teal water. “Are you kidding? I love it! It’s been so long since I have seen an actual ocean that wasn’t lava or acid. The trees are like, real trees and the sky is kinda blue. It’s perfect!”

They had landed around what they counted to be about two or three o’clock in the afternoon so after a quick change into their swimmers they spent the afternoon splashing around in the water, sharing a lunch of leftover party food and building a fire as the three suns that burned in the sky sunk lower and lower on the horizon.

The two raced each other back to the shore after one more go in the water before laying down on a towel together to watch the last of the day’s light disappear. Keith laid his head on Lances arm as he watched Lance a little more than the view because the fire dancing off Lance’s tan skin was more ‘once in a lifetime’ to Keith then any sunset. 

“Best birthday ever?” He said as he rubbed circles into Lances hip. “Best birthday ever.”