#i mean probably the answer is travel with comrades who can help with these issues but that is frequently not feasible

[deermouth]

i understand the absolute correctness of not bringing your phone to protests etc for info/opsec reasons. but. real talk: how do i deal with being ~directionally challenged~ and needing it for transit app reasons if I'm getting there independently (don't drive), yk?

[lazycatmeowsalot]

of instincts and desires

summary: aether didn't know about the difference in gender in teyvat. paimon never told him about it (she probably didn’t know as well, being a genderless being), so imagine his surprise when he found out from an argument from rather protective xiao about his supposed gender.

background: omegaverse AU, xiao x aether main pairing, zhongli x childe background pairing 

free talk: listen, i just read a great omegaverse yaoi manga about an omega having a child and finding an alpha that treats him so well and the story is just awesome! i just cannot not write an omegaverse with aether and xiao! so without further more, the story begins!

Of all the people Aether encountered in his long journey, Xiao was the most reluctant and unwilling to accept his help. “I don’t need your help!” Xiao would always shout when he held his hand out and the emphasis was not lost to the traveler.

He sometimes wondered if it was asking someone for help that bothered the adeptus or if it was because Aether, in particular, was the one who wanted to help.

He had asked Zhongli about it one time, but the god in a mortal’s skin told him that it was probably Xiao’s instincts aching up. There was no additional explanation and Childe immediately followed the statement with saying that he understood where Aether was coming from. 

“We’re in the same boat, comrade! This guy,” the eleventh harbinger put his shoulders on the retired archon’s, who didn’t even flinch at the sudden closeness. “He’s so overprotective as well despite knowing how strong I am!”

Aether didn’t get what Childe meant until it was forcefully on him.

The day started off nicely and the traveler found no issues with his daily commissions. He had even managed to get more info on how to finally travel to Inazuma.

Then, Aether suddenly experienced an extreme fever on his way to Wangshu Inn for errand. Paimon would have suggested to let him rest, but he left his pixie-like companion with Xiangling because he thought that it would be a quick errand.

He certainly didn’t expect to get sick on his way.

“It’s just a couple of miles away,” he muttered to himself in encourage. In all honestly, he could have chosen to rest instead of continuing on but the sun’s almost setting and he already saw the inn. He might as well have it done already.

The traveler dragged his burning body to the top without realizing how the people below glanced at him in concern and worry, seeing his symptoms. “Miss Verr—“ just as he was about to greet the owner of the inn, he felt faint and his eyes blurred.

Aether prepared himself for the pain of collapsing at that moment but it never came. Instead, strong arms managed to break his fall and steadied him. He blinked in confusion, the fever still in his system.

“You,” the familiar growl made him realize who saved him from his fall and golden eyes tried to focus on the angry adeptus holding him tightly. “What are you doing here?”

“Xiao...?” Aether managed to say before his body burned up again. He felt the other stiffen in respond and suddenly, aware of their position, he tried to push Xiao away. “I’m sorry...I’m feeling sick today. My errand...I’m supposed to bring these goods here.”

“Just...a minute...I’ll go home and rest after...”

“Go home alone with your heat? Are you stupid or what?! Do you want to be attacked that badly?!” 

There’s a different kind of anger in the adeptus’ voice and Aether felt quite small for angering Xiao further, but he really didn’t mean to get sick.

Wait, what did he mean by heat—

“Heat? Attacked? What are—”

“You’re a stupid omega if you think that you can take on any alpha in your heat! No matter how strong you are, do you think that you can stop them?” Xiao didn’t seem to notice his confusion, still very much angry at his apparent heat—whatever that was. 

The adeptus put his hands around him and his eyes glowed in intensity and hunger that almost drowned Aether. “You can’t even stop me!” he spat so consumed with the words he uttered and the traveler realized that it was out of protectiveness and restraint. “If my instinct had gone against my reason, I would have taken you and you wouldn’t have been able to stop me.”

Something in Xiao changed as if the strings attached to him broke and left him broken. Like how he resigned himself from his mission and duties, the adeptus accepted that he would probably be a “danger” to Aether.

Aether didn’t know why but his heart ached at this.

“Would you just listen to me?! I don’t know why you’re acting this way!” the traveler didn’t snap often because he needed to be the calm one in most situations. He wanted to help and being angry never helped, but he didn’t want Xiao like this. He didn’t want the adeptus suffering emotionally like this.

“I don’t understand why you and everyone thinks that you have this instinct to act like this! I don’t know why having a fever will make any difference in fighting when I’ll be resting it away! I have no idea what you mean by heat or anything like that! I’m confused and frustrated!”

“I’m not a mind reader! I won’t know what you expect me to do if you don’t say anything!”

Silence answered to his rant and he felt pairs of eyes stare at him. He stubbornly looked down in shame at his outburst. He thought himself better than this. Xiao didn’t need to get yelled nor should the other have yelled at him. They should be having a conversation, not this shouting contest.

“Traveler,” Verr Goldet broke the silence with a serious and grave tone and he straightened up, seeing the seriousness in the owner and the guilt in Xiao. “Do you not your gender?”

“You’re an omega, a rare male omega and they’re usually the submissive partner of an alpha.”

[s-creations]

Lost Inhibitions

Prompt found from @dead-bird-studios-cut-footage.

“Hello, Darling!” “No.” “What?” “No.” “No what?” “No you aren’t allowed to smile like that. It makes me feel things.”

Fandom: A Hat in Time Rating: General Audience Relationships/Pairings: The ConductorXDJ Grooves (Pre-Relationship) Warnings: Drinking, Forced Truth, Poor Attempt at Writing an Accent.

Mafia Town may be a bit of a journey, but their bartender makes the best mixed drinks. Better than anyone else on this pecking planet. So, it was honestly worth the treck, because some days straight whiskey just wouldn’t cut it. Amos cut his way through the crowd as he entered the bar proper and claimed the stool furthest from the door. He only waited for a few moments before being greeted with a cheer of joy.

“Conductor comrade! Mafia is very happy to see favorite customer. Hard day?” 

“Aye, ye can say that.” Amos huffed, tossing his hat aside. 

“Is Grooves or is Grooves?”

“Yes ta both,” they shared a laugh as the bartender gather his needed supplies, “What have ye got for me taday?”

 “New shipment for new drink! Very exciting. Special little liquid that lowers all care.”

“I’ll take it.”

Amos cringed slightly at the color being created in the tall glass. The vividness of it reminding him of Grooves’ new on screen outfit. Which the Conductor didn’t want to think about. With how flattering and perfect of a fit it was on the Moon Penguin. Peck it all, Amos wasn’t that great with emotions. Especially not of the romantic interest variety. 

He was broken out of his stupor when the drink was placed before him. The Mafia bartender looking very proud at his newest creation. 

“Color ain’t that, uh...pleasin’ ta the eyes.” 

“Very true. But you won’t care soon enough. Mafia promise.” 

Amos gave a shrug, a tip to the bartender with the glass, and took his first drink. He wasn’t ashamed of the shiver that visibly traveled through him. It was sweet, almost too much, but the punch of alcohol that followed after more than made up for it. He felt his body respond in kind by leaning over the bar. 

“Oof, ya really weren’t kiddin’ about that effect.” 

“Conductor feeling better already.” The bartender smirked when the owl laughed in response. The Mafia pulled out a glass to clean, leaning over to give the Conductor his full attention. “So, still have emotional constipation issues, ya? Mafia still does not understand why not explain situation to penguin.” 

“Too many years o’ aggression,” Amos answered simply, “Can’t simply be pushed away because o’ some feelings. Askin’ a rival to forget all o’ that… ‘e probably doesn’t even like me. …Just tolerates.” 

Mafia bartender winced slightly as Amos downed the rest of the drink in one go. The Conductor placed the empty glass down and tapped the counter. A silent ask for another. “Mafia understand your worries. But, Mafia will be asking Conductor to take this slow. As a friend. Is a very hefty drink.” 

“Ya know better than anyone I can tolerate more than the average...anyone. Keep them comin’ ‘til I can’t stand.” 

“Very well. Mafia will do as requested. Doesn’t mean Mafia is not concerned for possible outcome from this.”

Amos decided it wasn’t worth his time to respond. Between the alcohol itself and the new ‘mysterious’ liquid the bartender has acquired, the Conductor was more than happy to just sit there and, quite literally, drink his cares away. 

______________________

“Peckin’...headache.” Amos grumbled as the train pulled into the station. He should have probably figured that anything that gave that much of a carefree experience would have heavy repercussions. One being a hangover. A hard one. The other holding the feeling as if he was floating on a cloud. As if he still wasn’t supposed to care but did. This was hard to put into words. It was almost like all Amos wanted to do was talk even though he wanted nothing more than crawl into bed.

Hand still pressing against his temple, Amos descended from the train and joined the large crowd heading towards the studio. He kept his attention towards the ground as he was in no condition to hold a conversation with anyone. Not that the universe would allow the owl that luxury. 

He’d just entered the front lobby when the double door on the right side of the room burst open and DJ Grooves walked in. Already in the needed on screen outfit that was driving Amos crazy. No one was allowed to look that good in just a pecking awful color. Who made that color? 

The Conductor was shuffling towards his side of the studio, keeping his head down as he approached the reception desk. The penguin’s bright attitude making the owl’s own sour one so much worse. How could anyone be that happy so early in the morning? If Amos didn’t have just a pain drumming in his head, he would take the time to admire how well Grooves lit up the room. But he wasn’t in the mood to be so vulnerable before the second rate director. His second desire to slink past the other without being noticed, however, was not fulfilled either as the other director called out. 

“Hello, Darling!” Grooves leaned against the reception desk, full attention on the pained owl. That smile...it was too bright and was making the Conductor’s stomach do weird things that didn’t have to do with the hangover. 

Amos didn’t give the other a chance to continue before turning to Grooves and growling. “No.” 

“...What?”

“No.”

Grooves raised a brow, his smile slipping into something more worried. “No, what?”

“No, ya aren’t allowed ta smile like that. It’s makin’ me feel things.”

What. Did he. Just say.

If the quiet around the lobby was anything to go by, Amos did, just in fact, let slip something damaging. Grooves’ smile had completely fallen away. A look of absolute shock replacing it. Amos, on his part, felt his face heat up as all attention that was directed at him. His feathers, even being ruffled from the hard sleep he had, were puffed out in embarrassment.  He also became painfully aware of how furious his heart was beating in his chest. 

Was he dying? It felt like he was dying. He needed to throw up.

“What...What was that Darling?” Grooves broke the strained silence. 

Amos responded by slamming his hand down on the counter and marching over to his doors, face burning red. It felt like something was clawing at his throat. Another thing that wanted to be said that the Conductor knew would ruin things even further. He knew if he stuck around for too much longer, the words would spill from him. Which was the last thing he wanted. 

He placed a hand over his mouth as he made his way through his side of the studio. The owls that had already made it in and missed the disaster that was Amos’ life gave a smile to their approaching director. Did they not see how angry he was? 

“What the peck do you have to be so happy about!” Amos swallowed hard as the smiles fell away to tensed expressions. He’s not mad at them. He’s actually not sure who he’s mad at. Why did he just say that? 

“Good morning sir.” One owl hesitantly offered. 

“I was ‘til I opened my mouth to flatter Grooves.” Amos clicked his beak closed, becoming more flustered as his actors stared at him. 

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I can’t keep me mouth shut for some reason and ‘m sayin’ things I don’t want to.” The Conductor quickly turned and headed straight for his office. Leaving confused owls behind him. “No one get me unless the studio is on fire!” 

He felt less better when the door to his office was closed. He may have been alone, but Amos still had no idea what was wrong with him. Now he was alone with his racing thoughts as to what the actual peck was happening. Clutching his throat, he attempted to calm his frazzled mind to try and solve his current problem. Taking stock of his situation came down to a few things being realized. One: he still felt as if he was in a drunken stupor. Two: that special liquor had some prolonged side effects. Three: Amos had lost his filter and possibly couldn’t lie. 

“Test, need a test.” His attention perked up seeing a blue pen resting on his desk. Picking it up, Amos held it out, glaring it down as if this was his last life line. “This pen is r- blue.” 

He growled darkly, leaning closer to the writing tool. “This pen. It’s re- blue. Peck it all! It’s r- blue! PECK!” 

Frustration reaching its peak, Amos threw the pen, watching it with minimal satisfaction as it hit the wall and clattered to the floor. He dropped into his chair. Holding his head in his hands, Amos swallowed hard in trying to keep him quiet. 

“All I ‘ave ta do is stay in my office until the studio closes. Then, I march to the Mafia and tell them to get rid of that blasted drink and then-” Amos’ rant was cut short at the gentle knock on his door. Fear rose that he turned into anger. “I said I didn’t want ta be bothered!” 

Another knock. 

“I said-”

Amos stood and backed as far away from the door he could get as Grooves walked in. The fear was back in full as the owl attempted to merge with his wardrobe. There was a sharp snap as the door was closed and the penguin regarded the other with worry. Which was something the owl didn’t want to deal with. He didn’t need pity, he needed peace!

“I said ta not bother me.” 

“Well, when your crew comes over to my side with worries about you, I feel as if I need to ignore your sudden request. Were you planning on staying in your office the entire day?” 

“Aye, that was the original idea.” Amos growled. 

“Now I’m even more concerned. Why are you willing to lose a day of filming?  What is going on with you today?”

“What’s it to you, ya peckneck! I thought ya would have liked havin’ a day up on me when it came ta filmin’. What do ya care if I’m havin’ a bit o’ an off day? It’s not my fault da Mafia has a new drink that apparently forces the drinker to tell the truth. Or spill their secrets. And it’s even more unfair that ya walk into my office with that outfit on! One that I ‘aven’t been able to get out o’ my mind because it’s just so perfect on ya! Ya’re not helping this confused thought about ya at all!” 

Silence fell over the two once again. Amos, realizing what he’s just said, turns his back to the penguin with hands keeping his mouth clamped as he hides his face in a wool jacket. He was shaking, if the rattling of the nearby hangers were any indications. He felt so sick. His stomach was now churning with fear. This was the absolute worst, how could this be happening? Did he just confess? That wasn’t supposed to happen. 

Amos flinched feeling arms wrap around him. He was pulled from the half created cocoon of clothing and into the comforting hold of Grooves. The penguin in question leaned over to place his chin on Amos’ shoulder. 

“I believe I have a good grasp on the situation right now,” Groove spoke softly as to not startle the owl, “Between your rather flattering words and the outburst just now, we have a few things to discuss once you’re feeling better. But for now, I do think it’s in your best interest, and you planned this already,  to stay here for today.” 

“I need ta work…”

Grooves laughed gently at the response. “So your plan is an issue if I suggest it? You are not working in this condition. It may not seem like much, but you’ve clearly already said things you’ve regretted saying. Let’s not put your actors through too much stress. But if you’re that worried about it, you can start working on your next blockbuster script.” 

Amos smirked at that. “So, ya sayin’ I’m the better director?”

“Someone has to like your work, I suppose.”

The Conductor laughed, allowing himself to fully relax into the embrace. He was startled, feeling something run through the feather’s on the back of his neck. “...Grooves?”

“Thank you for flattering my new look. If I’d known you were a fan of this style, I would have planned more like it.”

“Ya know I wouldn’t have told you under normal circumstances.” Amos let out a startled chirp as something nipped at his neck. He broke away to turn and give a hard glare to Grooves’ smug look. “Don’t be so proud of yourself.” 

“Too late.” Was the flippant response, Grooves already heading for the door. “I have my own movie to worry about, so I’ll be taking my leave. Do you wish to talk tonight?”

“...Yes, I would. If you’re willin’ ta listen.” 

Grooves gave a sincere smile as he opened the door. “Of course Darling. As I said, we have a few things to discuss. You’re not the only one who’s been holding back a few secrets of their own. Til this evening, dear Conductor.”

Amos gave a nod as the penguin left, the door closing gently and Grooves’ footsteps fell away. The Conductor shuffled his way back over to his chair. Dropping into it once more, he felt better than he did when he previously hid himself away in his office.But he was rather dumbstruck with how well it all actually turned out. 

“Right...better call that peckin’ Mafia first before gettin’ to work. No one else needs to go through this. Ever.”

[littlemisssquiggles]

Hey Squiggles, I just remembered Weiss said that without a projected aura, the cold of Solitas can kill you in a matter of hours. Solitas is where Oscar ended up, right? Also his aura winked out, right?.....Do you think this could be a problem? Thanks!

‘Sup Niji. Yup youare correct and I did wonder about that.

I mean according to Oz, magic doesn’t require the need foraura. So in the event that Oscar gets swarmed by Grimm in his travels, he couldalways make use of his newfound magical powers. But in regards to defendinghimself against the cold temperatures of Solitas, he might not make it. Notunless he finds shelter somewhere where he and Oz can spend the time torecuperate. In the Little Prince story, after the Prince first departed from hishome planet, he visited six asteroids (325, 326, 327, 328, 329 and 330) at thebeginning of the journey. This was before the Prince ultimately met the Fox andthe Pilot.

If I had to guess, I’m assuming that before Oscar can reunitewith his friends, he’ll probably go through something similar to his storybookcounterpart. He’ll probably encounter six individuals inspired by the peoplethe Prince met in his travels:

On the first asteroid the prince visited, he met a King who claimed to reign over every starin the universe but in reality, he always tailored his orders to fit theactions of the person he commands. On the second asteroid, the prince met a vain man who wanted the prince to tellhim that he was the most intelligent, good-looking and wealthy man on the plantdespite being its only inhabitant. On the third planet, the prince met a drunkard who drank to forget his shameover his alcoholism.

On the fourth planet, the prince met a businessman who counted the stars since he had claimed ownership ofthem. On the fifth planet, the prince encounters a lamplighter who is under orders to extinguish his lamp during theday and light it at night; frantically putting the lamp out and turning it backon since a new day occurs on his planet every minute. And finally on the sixthplanet, the prince meets a man who wrote books---a geographer as he explained to the Prince proclaiming that he was ascholar who knew the location of all the seas, mountains, cities and desertsdespite knowing nothing about the Prince’s home planet when asked of it.

So in terms of survival and where the season left himoff---I’m assuming that Oscar will probably try and find shelter where helanded since with his aura broken he wouldn’t last in the cold of Solitas forvery long. It’d be interesting if, much like the Prince, Oscar will probablyhave to pass through six different locations---villages or otherwise--- in thetundra of Solitas before making his way back to the remains of Mantle Kingdom.

Mantle is probably going to be where he has to go especiallyif he wishes to stand a chance of reuniting with his comrades. With the waythings were left off, my key theory still remains that our heroes will probablywind up taking refuge down in Mantle Kingdom with the Happy Huntress. With Atlascapturing both Qrow and Robyn, I expect our heroes to team up with Robyn’stropes. Not to mention that in V7CH7, it was mentioned that the Huntresses havea hidden hideout. So it wouldn’t surprise me if this is where JNR_RWBY willwind up taking shelter with Penny, Pietro and Maria for the time being. There’sno way they’ll be able to go to Pietro’s Workshop in Mantle. Not when the AtlasMilitary has its drones and knights. And it wouldn’t surprise me if word of ourheroes’ arrest made it as far as the Atlesian Military troops down in Mantle.Let’s not forget that as issued by Ironwood, our heroes are wanted fugitives byAtlas.

I’m expecting that the Atlas Military forces will be lookingfor the rest of our heroes down there. All the more reason why I’m hoping thatit’s the remaining Happy Huntresses who take them in. As of now, Fiona Thyme isthe closest thing to a Lil John character within Robyn’s faction. She’sprobably her second in command with how close she and Robyn seem to be. So ifour heroes need help, Fiona will probably be the Huntress in charge to take ourheroes into the group’s hideout where they could figure out a way to get Robynand Qrow out of prison.

It would come of no surprise either if the Huntresses werealready aware of Robyn’s capture. Overall, I’m expecting these two to worktogether for V8. So while our heroes are with the Huntresses in Mantle, Oscarand Oz will be far, far away somewhere trying to make the long journey acrossSolitas to Mantle. That’s my hunch.

Whoknows? Wherever Oscar ends up taking shelter in Solitas may just bewhere he meets the first character on his Little Prince journey. The King Character. I’m curious to see whowill be Oscar’s versions of the King,the Vain Man, the Drunkard, the Businessman, the Lamplighterand finally the Geographer. Whatwould actually be pretty interesting is if Oscar’s Geographer is the author ofthe Man with Two Souls. But that’s probably a stretch.

Either way, I’m interested to see how Oscar’s Little PrinceTravels goes. It’d also be cool if Oscar’s travels give us a bigger look at Solitas. I know we gotto see Mantle and parts of Atlas but I’m assuming that Solitas is just like anyother continent in Remnant---with smaller village settlements outside of themain two kingdoms. So following Oscar and Oz provides a golden opportunity forthe audience to see more of the Solitas landscape beyond Mantle. And with morelocations means more Grimm. I’d love to see Oscar surviving his way through thetundra of Solitas with only Oz there to provide him guidance and companionship.

It’s a chance for Oscar to hone his magical skills. V7sparked the awakening of Oscar’s magical powers. For me, it even kind of teasedthe probability of Oscar having his ownmagic outside of what he inherited from Ozma. I can’t help but feel thatway after Ozpin’s “you saved us” comment. Not to mention Oscar summoning magicto help him land without the need to use the cane again as a conduit to channelhis magic.

We’ve only seen the Wizards (Ozma included) use the LongMemory to channel Ozma’s magic. Yet Oscar used his freehand. He didn’t use the cane to conjure the magic bubble. Hedid it on his own; on his first try too. I dunno. I might be overthinking herebut I strongly feel like there might be some significance to that---Oscarwielding magic without the Long Memory.

Anyways, as I was saying---Oscar being on his own with Oz isa chance to finally see these two souls bond with one another especially givenhow rocky their relationship started and trailed off last season. It’s a chancefor Oscar and Oz to learn to coexist inharmony with one another which can lend to their inevitable Merge. It’dalmost be like the Prince’s time with the Pilot in the deserts. Only instead ofhot desert sand, it’ll be a cold frozen tundra. So yeah, that’s my take onthat.

However, if Oscar is going to be traversing through nothingbut snow and colder weather, I’mhoping he gets a small outfit upgrade for better adaptability for the Solitasweather since according to Weiss and that one racist guy in V7CH1---it’s much colder out in Solitas than it isin the kingdoms. Even with aura and even with magic not requiring aura, I’massuming that the cold of Solitas, based on in canon descriptions, is nothingcompared to that of Northern Anima. If Oscar is going to be journeying on hisown, he’ll probably need to do what he can to preserve his aura. It’ll probablyhelp him preserve aura if he had warmer clothing to keep him snuggy.

Y’know give him a nice little winter variant to his Little Prince-inspired huntsman gear. Ory’know…give him a neat little scarf tocover his neck and draw over his face like a hood when walking throughblistering blizzard winds. If Weiss Schnee can unnecessarily have a scarf for V6, then Oscar can have one too forV8 and unlike Weiss, he can actually make use of his scarf for keeping him warmand preserving aura for future battles and travels. Plus, Oscar having a scarfcould be another neat little nod to his fairy tale counterpart. I refuse to letthis Pinehead headcanon go. 

Give Oscar a scarf for V8 please! Anice little red scarf with gold accents to complement his princely attire.

 That’s all this squiggly Pinehead isasking for. Well that and a full seasonof Oscar and Ozpin bonding out in the cold of Solitas.

Anyways I hope I actually answered your question Niji XD

~LittleMissSquiggles(2020)

[chameleon-of-the-fandom]

Brothers In Arms: Pt 2

Words: 2375 Part 1

Magnum bends over, his ribs aching from the swim. Once he manages to get the pain under control, he stands back up and looks at the man still handcuffed to him. "What next?" He looks around, but there is nothing in sight. He doesn’t understand why these men just jumped into the ocean and dragged him onto this uninhabitable island. Kaho'olawe. With the amount of unexploded ordinance on this island, this trip was going to be interesting.

"Now, we load onto the ATVs stashed a mile in, and we get what we brought you along for." Great, just like Hannah's gold all over again. At least this time he was on land. Despite injuries, Magnum made it to the men's ATVs. Black shirt unlocked the handcuff on Green shirt's wrist and moved it to Magnum's open wrist. "You do anything stupid, like try to jump off the ATV, and he'll," Black shirt nodded at Buzz Cut," shoot you. We might need you for obtaining our treasure, but afterwards? Not so much, SEAL. Now get on with Jack, here." Ah, so Jack was the man in the green shirt.  

Thomas nods. "You got it. Causing no trouble."

"Good." With that, they started up their ATVs and headed into the trees. While riding, Thomas couldn't help but hope his brothers were doing okay. He was planning on doing everything he could to get back to them. At least they weren't here.  Before he knew it, the ATVs were rumbling to a stop. He looked around for a landmark to help identify where they were on the island. Unfortunately, it seemed they were nestled between two ridges. The only thing he could positively identify is the distance from the ocean, roughly a klick. They were stopped on the hill and he recognized one of the nearby gulches swimming in. Black shirt crawled off his ATV and picked his way over to Magnum. "Here we are." Buzz Cut lifted his gun out of the holster to a resting position. As Black shirt undid his cuffs, Magnum held his hands up. "Your objective is to retrieve this box." Black Shirt pulled up a picture on his phone to show the box, then slid right to reveal a map. "It's about 165 yards off this trail to the right. You bring that back to us, and we'll take you back to Oahu and you can go home safe and sound. Understood?"

"Can I know what is in there?" Thomas asks, more out of curiosity than anything else.  

"No. You find out, and we'll leave you here."

"Okay, okay. No looking in the box, grab it, bring it back to you, and I go home safe. How long do I get?"

"We'll be generous and give you 30 minutes."

Thomas nodded and started towards the direction Black Shirt had given him. Since they weren't going to follow him in, he knew he was gonna look in the box despite their warning. They had kidnapped him, he wasn't going to do whatever they wanted simply because they promised him safe passage home.  

About 10 minutes of carefully picking his path while looking for explosive ordinance, and he finally noticed a wooden box, that almost resembled his footlocker at home. He knelt down in front of it, and cautiously opened the box.  

"Holy-" He cut himself off. Rough estimate, there was a million dollars in this box. There was absolutely no way he was taking this back to them. They could use the money to disappear or worse. But, they know where it is. "Screw this, guess I'm not going home." He picks it up, and travels farther into the trees. All this moving is exasperating his injuries but now, he has no choice but to push through the pain. He carries it a couple hundred yards before realizing that if he's careful, he can deposit it on the island and get back to the boat before the kidnappers. They'd be left here with no way off.  Mind made up, he puts the box down and covers it loosely with some dirt. He then spots the beach they arrived on and quickly, yet carefully makes his way towards it.  

Magnum is breathing hard by the time he makes it to the beach, and his ribs are twinging with every breath. He looks back to see if the men have made it down here yet, but doesn’t quite hear them. Deciding to not wait to see where they're at, he runs into the water to start heading for the boat that's anchored about half a mile from the shore.

Rick is steadily pacing, as well as Higgins, TC, and Kumu. His phone rings.  

"It's an unknown number." Kumu shoots him a look.  

"Well? Answer it." She looks back to the phone. He taps the answer button and puts it on speaker.  

"Rick Wright."

"Rick." Thomas' voice comes over the line. "Good to hear your voice."

"Brother, it's good to hear yours. Where are you at?" TC speaks up.

"Currently, I'm sitting on a Coast Guard Vessel about 40 klicks from Lanai Lookout."

Everyone looks at the phone. "Thomas. Why are you with the Coast Guard?" Higgins asks.  

"Um. Long story. Please tell Katsumoto he can call off the search though." He doesn’t think Higgins or Kumu can hear the pain in Tommy's voice but by the slight flinch TC gives off, Rick knows he can hear it too.

"Brother, Katsumoto doesn’t have the case anymore. Five-O took it."   "Okay," Usually, Thomas would crack a joke about Steve, but when he doesn't make it, Rick knows either the pain is really bad, or Magnum's brain is running away. "Would you please let him know he can call off the search dogs?"

"Of course. What can we do?" Kumu asks again.

"N-nothing at the moment." Both TC and Rick catch the stutter from the pain. "I'll have someone drop me off at the Nest when I'm finished giving my statement." Rick catches the unsaid and after I get checked out. Not for the first time since the call, Rick wonders how bad shape Magnum is in, especially to get checked out.  

"We'll see you when you get here, man." TC states with fondness. The line goes dead pretty quickly after that.  Rick looks at his friend. "Orville, we'd better get things ready." Rick agrees. Higgins looks between the two men.

"What does that mean?" she questions.  

A look passes between the two men. "Ladies, it may not be best for you to be around when he gets back."

Kumu reads between the lines and agrees. Higgins still wants the information, so she waits until the older lady leaves before asking again.

"Higgy, look you know you're part of our little family, but Magnum is gonna be fighting some demons when he gets back. Trust us, as much as you want to be here, it might be better if you weren't. It's gonna get pretty dark. You think the Hannah issue was bad? This is gonna be worse." Rick looks at TC, a wordless conversation passing between the two. "But, if you want, you can stay until he gets here."

"I can work with that. Thank you, gents." She accepts.

My fault. My fault. Stop, please. Please. No. Don't touch them. No. I will do whatever you want. Just please don't touch them. It’s my fault. I am sorry. So sorry. The words spin and rattle in Magnum's head.  

"Lieutenant Magnum, I'm Master Chief Smith. Commander Steve McGarrett is picking you up from the dock to take you home as well as take your statement. Paramedics are also waiting to check you out." Magnum nodded at the woman who gave him the information.  

"Thank you, ma'am."   "Of course, Lieutenant." He tugs his arm a little closer to his side as they hit a wave that hurts.  

When they finally arrive back at the port, Magnum makes his way over to the paramedics, who inform him that he probably has a couple broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and to monitor the small nicks and cuts for any sign of infection. His next stop is the black Camaro parked two spaces over.  

"Hey, Steve." "Thomas. You sure know how to take a few years off a man's life." The SEAL grins, relieved to see his comrade alive.

"Yeah, I've had some time to perfect my technique since I saw you last."  

"Hello." Danny speaks up from behind his partner.

"Detective Williams." Magnum greets respectfully.

"Hey, Danny works for me. Nice to meet you Lieutenant Magnum."

"Please, just Thomas."

"Wanna walk us through what happened?" Steve chimes in again.

"I was driving, on my way to see a prospective client, when an SUV pulled in front of me. I slowed down, and couldn't pass it, but it stopped. Three men climbed out, one with a Glock 9mil, the other two with ARs. They had me climb into their vehicle. One of them punched me and the next thing I know, I'm waking up in an abandoned warehouse. They pushed me around a bit, questioned me about the Rosalita."

"Questioned how?" Danny asks, and glares at the look his partner shot him.

"Pushed around, knocked around." Magnum keeps the answers vague. Danny nods in response, sensing Magnum's reluctance to talk about it.  

"They didn't like the way I phrased some of my responses, so they cracked a couple ribs. We were there for about 3 or 4 hours. After that, they got me back into the SUV and we drove to a dock. We loaded into that boat and drove over to just off Kaho'olawe. There was a box full of money they wanted me to retrieve. Unfortunately, once I saw it, I took off in their boat."

Steve nearly jerks backward, only his training keeping him from moving. Kaho'olawe was known, well known even, for being covered in unexploded ordinance.  

"I know how you feel about your clients, Magnum. But I gotta ask, is it possible they were targeting you?" Steve asked.  

"Possibly. I'd hate to put a client in that position, but it's very possible that they set me up. All one would have to do to find my past is search my name on Google." Magnum looks at his friend. "After our escape, we were very... well-known. We even did a press conference. "

Danno looked thoughtful at this new avenue of information, "I think we have all we need. Steve?" He turns to his partner.  

"I think you're right, brah. Magnum, we'll keep you updated and informed of any new information. Just don't do anything stupid." The man in question simply nods in response, more than happy to just go home and see his brothers.  

As Steve pulls into the Nest, he sees some of the blinds in the guesthouse fluttered, and knows Magnum's friends were waiting on him. Once he has the car in park, he turns to the SEAL in the backseat. "We're here. Seems like TC and Rick are waiting."

"Yeah." Thomas takes a second to shore up against his nerves. The words my fault have yet to leave his head.  He knew TC and Rick would help him get rid of the words, but he feels like he deserves the pain they cause. He opens the Camaro door, and thank Steve and Danno for the ride. He knows he is stalling, but he isn't sure he wanted to go in, to have his burden alleviated. It feels like it's his burden to bear, not something he deserves help with. He listens to the car tires crunching gravel as he makes his way to his home.  

As soon as Thomas walks in the door, Rick and TC jump up off the couch to greet him. As they walk up to him, Magnum nods, letting them know it was okay to hug him, something they hadn't done since their time in hell. They pull him between them and fold him into a hug, where he sags, happy to be home and relieved that he made it.  

Rick is ecstatic his brother has made it back to them, but he can see the torment in Tommy's eyes. A look that he's seen very little since they made it back from Afghanistan, one that was present when Nuzo died, and when Higgins got injured helping them solve a case. Dread sinks like a pit in Rick's stomach at that look, and he shoots a glance at TC, hoping the other man had seen it. When TC barely moves his head, Rick knows the pilot had seen the same thing he had. "You're here, you're okay." Rick starts to murmur, knowing Magnum is fighting not to visit a flashback. "This isn't your fault." Those words are going to make an appearance at some point today, so it's best to get a jump on fighting those thoughts off.  

Juliet had stuck to her word and as soon Magnum had walked through the door, she'd been gone. But now that she was sitting in her study, she was horrified. His shoulder was a lovely shade of bruising, and the way he was walking- well, she knows that walk well. His ribs were, at the least, cracked, if not broken. But, the thing about him that scared her the most was his look of fear, and self-recrimination. Like he was blaming himself for the entire situation. Which, knowing him, she reasoned, is probably very true at the moment. Now she understands why Rick hadn't wanted her and Kumu there when he arrived. He looked miserable. Hopefully his brothers can help pull him out of the pit he's digging himself, and quickly.

TC knows it's gonna be a long evening, when Rick murmurs that it's not Tommy's fault, and he flinches at the words as if fighting their effect on him. Both uninjured men guide Magnum to the couch, and help him gingerly sit. They take their place on either side of him and put gently pressure on his arms, cognizant of the damage done to his shoulder and the extensive bruising coloring it. It's not the first time they've helped him heal this way, it's probably not the last. Unfortunately, TC thinks.

The End (for all)

Thanks to those who read this! I appreciate it. Let me know what you think, even if you think it sucked. I feed off the comments! Thank you!  

[peachblossomss]

Hearth- a Naruto Fanfic (CH 2)

Hi, I don’t own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13035782/2/Hearth

Two

SASU

“Strip down here.” Sakura ordered. From my place just inside her household door, I could not help but immediately halt. I could feel my jaw drop. Sighing and quickly looking away, she elaborated. “Sasuke. You look like shit. You are a mess. You’re full of mud, stinky, and to top it all off, I just cleaned my house last night. So please. Take off those filthy rags, and I’ll show you to your room.” The tips of her ears were dusted in a light rose, as were her cheeks. Was it because she was upset, or because of the implications that her telling me to strip could provoke, had she not elaborated? “I’m sure all your clothes are dirty, I think I might have something sitting around that’ll fit you…” she trailed off, or I stopped listening. “Hn.” was all I could manage to say. If I opened my mouth further, I could not guarantee that I wouldn't be harsh with her. Who’s clothing would I be wearing what man would she-, no, what man would DARE to stay in her home? Her home is off limits. Sakura is off limits. I would have to have a little chat with whoever decided to stay here. I’ll have to somehow get her to tell me who was here last. Almost as if she was reading my mind, the next words out of her mouth answered my questions.

“...Naruto was here about a week or so ago” she smiled slightly, and my previous rage and determination to beat the man who stayed in her home to a pulp was slightly forgotten. The dobe was in for a beating. Didn’t he have his own place to stay?? More importantly, I was stuck wondering about the fact that her small, wistful smile affected me so much. Gods, what is happening to me? Tuning back in from my inner ramblings, she continued on with her little anecdote. “Hinata had just left for a diplomatic mission to Suna, and he claimed the “house was too empty without her warmth”, and he didn’t want to stay there alone...he was soo mopey. It was kind of cute, actually.” She giggled, and with that, it was back to Serious Sakura. “Leave your pack by the door, I’ll get your laundry started. You know where the bathroom is. There should be towels and washcloths in the cabinet next to the sink. Your room is the first left in the hallway, there’s fresh linens and everything. I’ll leave Naruto’s clothes outside of the door, for when you’re done. After that, we’re having tea. Did you eat already? Well...we don’t have to have tea, I’m sure you’re tired and all, since you’ve been travelling so long…” She trailed off, looking slightly unsure. The entire time she was talking, I was just staring. It was quite amusing, how quick she could go from rambling about Naruto, to bossing me around like a wife would to her husband, to being shy and unsure. I didn’t like that Sakura, the one without confidence. It reminded me of the times in which I had made her think she was anything less than strong and important. I didn’t understand what she could be unsure about, though. Of course I want to spend time with her.

Without a thought, I found myself raising my hand to poke her forehead. “Sakura...thank you”. As I walked away, I wasn’t sure if i could hear a slight gasp, or if it was just my imagination hoping so. On my way down the hall to the bathroom, I stopped in front of the room that was to be mine for the next couple of days/weeks/months. How many men has she helped? Does she boss them around like she did with me? Does she demand that they have tea together, and then become shy after? Does she was their laundry as well?  I hoped these small little things were only for me, but I could not be mad at her if they werent. Sakura is a caring and affectionate person by nature, and she would never turn down a comrade in need of help.

SAKU

It was hard to believe that Sasuke was here in the flesh, I mean, he had been gone only for 5-ish months, but he never told me when he would be back, or really if he planned on coming back. It crushed me. When he left, he did say he would take me with him next time he came to the village, however, he was extremely vague on when that would be. Knowing him, it could have been years before he returned. Then again, he proved me wrong by returning here. On top of that he returned to me before seeing anyone else. Why did he come to my house rather than seeing Kakashi sensei? Perhaps he needed healing of some form.

 “Sakura.” a deep voice broke my internal musings, making me drop the mug I was grabbing from the cupboard.

“OH! Sasuke, I didn’t realize you were already out of the shower, what kind of tea would you like? I have camomile with lavender, irish breakfast tea, or jasmine. I can run out and get a different kind if none of these are to your liking…” UGH why does this always happen to me around him? I am always a nervous blubbering fool and it drives me crazy. He must think I’m insane.

“Tch, you’re a kunoichi, you should be more aware of your surroundings, Sakura. Camomile is fine.” Sasuke reprimanded as he walked further into my tiny little alcove of a kitchen.

“Are you sure? I know you like matcha the best. I’m fresh out, actually….” Nervously I began rummaging through my fridge. “As for food, I have some rice, some fruits, and I know for a fact that I have some dried cuttlefish somewhere. Are you hungry, Sasuke-kun? I don’t have much- today is my grocery day.”

“...Sakura, how can such a renowned healer only have leftover rice and dried fish in her house? We’ll go shopping. At the very least, I can cook in return for your letting me stay here.”  

I couldn't help but stop dead in my tracks. Not only was he teasingly reprimanding me, but he also was offering to cook for me, too? Run my errands with me? Before I even had time to respond, I felt Sasuke’s presence right behind me. “Annoying girl, do you even eat?” Leaning over my crouched form into my fridge he picked up an old soggy looking stalk of celery and tossed it on the kitchen counter. “Lets go, we’ll go shopping now.”

In a sudden bit of clarity, I could only see two issues with our little outing. “Sasuke-kun, what about letting Kakashi know you’re here? And Naruto? If he finds out from someone that you’re here, he won’t shut up for daaaays. I mean it! When I left for a mission without saying goodbye he cold shouldered me for two weeks after I got back. Of course, he came burling into my house the moment I returned. I suspect he just wanted to know I was okay.” I said with a light giggle. “He then turned up his nose and stormed out of the door he just threw open. Didn’t even say a word!!”

“Hn. The dobe can come to me if he has an issue with my being here. I’m not his boyfriend. I don’t have to come to him right away any time I step foot in this village. As for the old man, I suppose we’ll stop on the way to the market. The guards probably told him I’m back the thirty seconds after I stepped through the gates.”

In the short hour and a half that Sasuke has been back, I’ve noticed a change in him. What happened in those months he was gone? I can almost feel the lighter aura coming from him, when once, in his presence, all I could feel was his self loathing and bitterness towards the world. Maybe he found love on his travels? Oh my god...maybe he has a girlfriend and she’s helping him restore the clan? Or maybe he found out he is terminally ill and decided to live his life to the fullest??? One thing I know for certain, I would not take this new, lighter Sasuke for granted. I mean, for the most part he has always been more open with me, but today, it’s like he has let down all of his walls with me. A slight poke on my arm snapped me out of my ramblings. “Sakura, what’s going on with you today? You’re out of it. You should see Tsunade.”

“I’m fine, Sasuke-kun. I guess I’m still processing the fact that you’re, well, here. I expected you to be away much longer than this...I missed you.” I said, gathering my cardigan, wallet, and my keys. We should get a move on, the market will be getting busier this time of day, and we want the best options. Tally-ho!!” And with that, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him out of my little slice of heaven and into the bright midday sun of a calm Spring day. Instead of taking his hand out of my grasp like I expected him to, he grabbed my own and gave it a light squeeze before dropping it to my side. The blush that adorned my face was out of my control. Why is it that the simplest gestures caused me to spiral into a mess of emotions? We walked lazily to the Hokage tower, soaking in the first real day of sunshine and temperatures above 45° that Konoha has seen in about three months. Sasuke’s shoulder would occasionally brush mine as we avoided the bustling citizens wandering the streets. It might have been because Sasuke was here at my side,walking close enough that our hands were touching, but I felt as though everyone and their mother was out today, and they were all staring at us.

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The trip to see Kakashi-sensei wasn’t as momentous as I had thought it would be. As Sasuke said, Kakashi already knew of his return.

“Ah Sakura! My favorite student! To what do I owe this visit?! And Sasuke too?” His eyes crinkled up above his ever present face mask. “Is there some love advice you two are in need of? I can lend you a copy of my Icha Icha books!”

With a glint in my eye I was about ready to throw one of the many stacks of papers on his desk to the ground. “Actually, Sensei,” I said with a sarcastic sneer, “Sasuke just stopped by to let you know he has returned to the village for the time being.”

“Ah yes, I knew the minute he walked past the gates. As you know, we just got new and improved security systems that can help detect chakra signatures from 5 miles away!! Although I am happy to see you two...I was getting a bit bored with all the paperwork here. Heh. Are you sure you don’t need those books? Could you maybe tell Shizune that you need them anyway? If you don’t I can take them off your hands...please? Sakura, my favorite! I need just a tiny tiny break from all of this dreadful Hokage business, and she’s taken that one escape away from me! She trusts you! She’d tell you where she’s hidden them in a heartbeat!”

“Sasuke,” I whispered, “We need to leave. Now. It’ll only get worse from here…”

“Some Hokage you are, old man. Lets go, Sakura.”

“No! Don’t go! Unless...are you going to get my books?!?!”

As we quickly made our way out of the Hokage Tower I made sure to stop by Shizune’s office.

“He’s getting worse, Shizune. He’s up to his neck in paperwork. Maybe offer Icha Icha Paradise as a reward for getting some of his work done?”

“Sakura! Sasuke-san! Was it that bad? When I left him about twenty minutes ago he was doing alright….” The poor girl...she got stuck with two Hokages who hated paperwork. One who had a drinking problem, and the newest one who had an addiction to his porn books. I could see the wrinkles from stress forming on her forehead. I sure dodged a bullet with that one, as Kakashi asked me to be his assistant when he first got elected into office.

“Yeah, Shizune, it was that bad. Anyway, we’re off. Lots of things to do, places to be, horny Hokages to avoid….you know, the usual!” with that I dragged a stunned Sasuke out of the doors and into the crowded streets. Sasuke stopped in his tracks, and stared at me with wide onyx eyes.

“What the fuck just happened?”

“Honestly Sasuke, I’m not too sure myself. He’s usually not this bad. Shizune always takes his books away for a little bit to try to goad him into working. He sets up elaborate schemes to get them from her. It kinda feels like we stepped into an alternate dimension for a bit, right?” I said, tiredly. “Let’s get to the market. I could really use a quick cup of coffee and maybe a light snack while we shop. And to forget about whatever that was.

SASU

As we walked through the village together, I couldn’t help but glance at the pink haired girl--no, woman, next to me. The years have been kind to her, and although we are still young, we have all been through so much. The young woman next to me is far different from the girl I knew before I left. Once upon a time, she was a tall, gangly little thing with bright green eyes, and a forehead too big for her face. Now, at almost 20, she’s grown into that forehead, her eyes still that bright, spring green despite all that she has seen.

“Sakura, you’re short.” I stated. She used to be taller than me. Now, she only comes up to my neck.

With widened eyes and a flustered expression, Sakura responded a little too quickly to hide her shock at my observation.  “Wha?! No I’m not! I’m average height, thank you very much! You-you’re too tall!”

“Hn.” I said, looking away. “It’s cute though..” I muttered into the breeze without a thought. I could feel the tips of my ears burning. Why is it that these thoughts come so easily to my brain? With a sigh, I couldn't help but wish that I was able to suppress them more.

“HUH? What was that Sasuke-kun? Do you care to repeat it? I am not short! Hey! Are you listening to me?”

“Sakura. Shut up.” I said, ruffling her hair, a slight smirk forming at the corners of my mouth. With a pout, she stomped off in the direction of the coffee shop closest to the market. “Annoying” I muttered to myself more than anyone. With a headstart to the little cafe ahead of us, I had to jog a bit to catch up. The place must have been newly built after Pein’s invasion. As the old Konoha had hardly any cafes. The only one being an old teahouse that hardly had any visitors. This place, however, had a new, yet homey feel to it, with large glass windows allowing the bright sun in, little tables inside of a delicate white fence surrounding the small patio, and green plants hanging everywhere. I could see Sakura spending her time here when she wasn’t working at the hospital, training, or reining in Naruto’s crazy antics.

I just got to her in time for us to order our drinks. Sakura ordering a chai tea with extra cinnamon, and a raspberry danish was no surprise to me. The girl had an insatiable sweet tooth, which was one thing that never changed throughout our childhood.

“Sasuke-kun, did you want anything? My treat!” Her previous annoyance with me seemed to be forgotten.

“I’ll take an iced coffee, no sugar, and room for cream. I’ll find us somewhere to sit.”

“Hm, okay! Somewhere by a window, please!”

For some reason, I felt light today. The biggest part due to Sakura’s presence. She made me feel calm, despite all of the worries floating in my head. I knew the moment I decided to come back to the village that I would ask her to leave with me, but I didn’t know how she would answer. Perhaps she has decided that she’s needed in the village, working at the hospital. She mentioned, one brisque fall evening before I left, that she wanted to open up a mental health ward for orphaned children. It was one of those nights where I found myself unable to leave her presence, although I couldn’t place why. Now, after months of being away I could finally realize it. Her presence was something I could no longer be without for more than necessary. Her smile was something I wished to see every day. The way she blushed and looked away smiling when she caught me staring, like just now, was something that comforted me on my travels. Sakura Haruno had loved me for a long time. I came to realize I’ve loved her just as long. The avenger in me shoved those feelings so far into the recesses of my soul for most of my life. The darkness shrouded so much love from my precious people, and I was blinded. Sakura deserves better than me, but I made an unspoken promise to her, and to myself that day five months ago. I promised to be a man worthy of the love she has curated for years. To be worthy of her. However, that didn't stop me from wondering, did she still want to travel with me? Did she still love me the way she did, all those years ago? My mind was heavy with the thoughts that she may not want that, or me, any longer. After all, I have left her behind so many times before.

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“Sasuke-kun!! What should we make for lunch? I was thinking some sukiyaki? Or we could keep it simple and do miso soup and rice?”

“Sukiyaki sounds nice, lets go check Mr. Yuashi’s stand for the vegetables. He always has the best selection.”

  “Ah, Sasuke, he’s in the hospital currently...nothing to serious! Just a simple case of pneumonia...but I don’t think his wife was able to run the stand alone. Mrs. Uzuko however, has a nice stand as well. She grows all of her vegetables in a little garden outside of the village! That’s where I usually get your tomatoes from. She actually gave me a small cherry tomato plant since I was constantly buying them.”

“Hn, let’s go there then. It seems as though more is changing in the village since i’ve been gone. What else is new, besides the coffee shop?”

“Well, since the war ended, we were able to hire contractors from other villages to help us get back on our feet after the invasion. Beforehand, we didn’t have the manpower to spare anyone for those projects, and we couldn't ask anyone from other smaller villages for help, since they were all trying to stay safe from Madara and all that was happening. There has been an influx of small shops opening up now since we have more space. It’s been really cool, actually. Civilians from other villages have been moving here to try and expand their businesses, and it’s greatly improved our trade with different nations. Just recently, I found a new plant shop that opened up near the old Uchiha district. His name is Sechi and he’s from Suna. Oh my gods, Sasuke! He has some amazing herbs and plants that can only grow in the hot desert environment! I made a really cool salve that can help with sunstroke. The leafs can also be used to cure vomiting and heartburn. He also-sorry, am I rambling? I’m rambling. Anyway, the village always seems to be growing these days. It makes me happy.”

Sakura could talk for hours, and when that used to annoy me, I now found myself being pulled in by every word she said. I realized I hadn’t said anything since she stopped talking 45 seconds ago. She would probably take that as me not wanting to talk, solidifying her thought that I would presumably be annoyed by her ramblings. “The relationships between Hidden Villages and smaller ones alike seem to be strengthening. Change within the shinobi world is changing. That gives me hope. Thank you, Sakura, for telling me.I would like to see that shop sometime, but for now... Let’s get our ingredients and go home, I’m getting hungry.” With that, I grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the small line in front of the produce stand so we could finally get back to the solace of her small apartment.

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SAKU

Never in my life did I expect Sasuke to be such a proficient chef. The minute we arrived back to my house, he was a tornado of efficiency in the kitchen. Somehow, he managed to find everything he needed without any help.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“No.”

“Not even cutting the vegetables?”

“No, Sakura, just go do whatever. I’ll call you when the food is ready.”

. . .

“Actually, do you have any sake? I didn’t see any in your cabinets. That would go well with this dish.”

“Hah! You’re really asking me, the Fifth Hokage's apprentice, if I have any sake? Of course I do! You don’t train under Tsunade-shishou and not learn to have sake on deck, just in case. That woman would tear my house apart looking for some if Shizune even took it away from her for more than two days.”

“Off you go, then.”

With that, I was dismissed from the kitchen. Sasuke really seemed different, like there was a burden lifted off his chest. My earlier thought of him having a woman outside of the village floated through my mind, but I decided that he wouldn’t have held my hand earlier if he had someone else. I know with my heart that Sasuke is loyal to those he considers his precious people through and through. Although his past actions may contradict that, he isn’t leading a path of redemption for no reason. While Sasuke was busy cooking our lunch, I got to organizing a box of old pictures that my mother had dropped of the day before. As I was shuffling through them, I came across a picture of Team Seven in the Land of Waves. A picture I completely forgot taking. It was our first big mission, and we didn’t even know it at that point. It’s crazy how time has passed, how each of us has persevered against all odds. Although we don’t always get to see each other at the same time, what with Sasuke traveling, Naruto being with Hinata, and Kakashi being the Hokage, that family tie will forever be there. Those are my boys and they always will be. Lost in my reminiscing, I didn't hear Sasuke come up behind me until he was crouched down behind me, looking at the picture in my hand, his breath warm on my ear.

“We were such spring babies then. We had no clue how big of an opponent we would be facing with Zabuza and Haku. We didn’t know of the trails we would all have to face in the coming years.”

Gasping, I dropped the picture. “Geeze, Sasuke-kun, can’t you make some noise when you’re walking around?? But yeah, we had no clue then...I remember you being so unwilling to take that picture. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen it. After that mission, I didn’t even bring my camera with me anymore. I completely forgot about it. My mom must have developed the pictures for me...I would have liked to have this when you were gone.”

“Why’s that?

“So I could look back on times that were simpler. Times when you were still here. I now understand why you left, however I still don’t think it was the right choice. Part of me is greatful, still. Without your leaving, I think I would have stayed stuck in my old ways. Relying on you and Naruto to protect me…”

“I’m sorry Sakura. You deserved better than that. But I’m glad you’re stronger because of it.The food is ready. Let’s go eat.” he said as he pulled on a lock of my hair. “It’s grown out a bit, I like it at this length. It suits you well.”

With a slight blush, I made to get up, but not before Sasuke held out his sole hand to help me up from my position on the floor.

“Thank you. For being here, and for making lunch. Sasuke...if you don’t mind me asking...how’d you cut the vegetables and tofu with one hand?”

“Simple, I summoned a hand made from my susanoo.”

“Sasuke-kun, you’re ridiculous. I would have helped, you know.”

“Hn. Too bad.” he said with the slight smile he’s only shown in my presence.

--

The food was better than I expected. Not only was he confident in the battle field, but he was in the kitchen as well. Was this man skilled in every aspect of life? My imagination got the best of me as I imagined coming home from a long day to a shirtless Sasuke, adorned with the lemon printed apron I keep hanging up in the kitchen, inviting me to the bedroom...in this fantasy, he cooked me a lavish breakfast in bed, and he was the dessert. The blush that covered my face was impossible to hide.

“Sakura, is everything alright? You’re flushed.”

“Ha! Haa..yeah, I’m fine! Must be the sake getting to me. Although I know how to handle my alcohol, it doesn’t stop me from getting blushed really easily!!!!!!” I lied through a sip of said sake. “This is amazing, Sasuke. Is there anything you can’t do?” I let my inner thought slip out, despite my wish to keep those thoughts strictly to myself. Perhaps the alcohol was getting to me more than usual.

“Hn, you’ll just have to find out.” Voiced the smirking Uchiha from behind his own cup of sake, the somehow deeper vibrato of his voice cascading across the table. What exactly that meant, I wasn’t sure of, and I couldn’t help the shiver of a n t i c i p a t i o n that went down my spine.

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

AUTHORS NOTE:

Helllooo lovely readers! I hope you like the newest installment of Hearth. I’m sorry I’ve been inactive for so long! I am hoping to update more frequently, however I am a super busy person and this is more of a passtime for me. I’m trying to keep this as cannon as possible, so pleeeease let me know if the characters seem too OOC (especially Sasuke). I want to show that through his short time on his travels, he has begun to change. That doesn’t mean his demons are gone and he is no longer the brooding Sasuke we all know. ANYWHO, please review/like etc. Thank you all so much! ***Pls see the authors note on my ff.web page for more in depth info about when this takes place and such.*** 

[kirilisms]

ooh, are you still taking drabble requests? might i request a therius drabble that takes place post-therion's chapter 3? :)

adfkdsjgs this is probably going to be more pre-Therius, a lot of character monologuing and Therion trying to sort out things (his mental state at the end of CH3 isn’t the best, considering he’s just come to terms with his own trust issues and is about to go kill his murderer), but still…..Therius :3c

To the other people I still owe drabbles, I think I’ve mentioned this to y’all one-on-one but I got motivation and they’re getting really long so I’m working them into oneshots orz This one is short and sweet, like a drabble should be!

(callout post: 1,282 words is not a drabble.)

Spoilers for Therion’s CH3, obviously! (I would also like to say that what Cyrus describes in battle is literally what happened to my party and I cried a lot).

Therion feels like an idiot, to say the least. Cordelia exceeds every expectation he’s ever had of her, and he’s a thief. Preconceived notions and conclusion-jumping isn’t supposed to be in his job description.

And yet here he is, making every mistake a rookie knows not to.

He wonders who else he’s mistaken, how many people he’s created a persona around that doesn’t fit who they are. Ophilia? Probably. Primrose? Most likely. Cyrus?

“I see you’ve run away from us yet again.”

Apparently.

He glances up at the other from where he’s sitting underneath an apple tree, taking in the studious gaze he’s being given and returning it with a bored stare. Everyone else has left him alone, for the most part; they know that, whenever he checks in with his handlers, he wants some time to himself, and after the fight with Gareth - and the encounter with that man, whose name he doesn’t even want to think about at the moment - that applies doubly so. Cyrus, though, is different, always barging in, checking to see if he’s ‘quite all right’ (the scholar’s words, verbatim) or just watching to make sure the thief doesn’t do anything stupid.

Therion isn’t sure if it’s annoying or heartwarming, but he hopes for his own sake that it’s the former.

“I haven’t run away,” he replies coolly. “What would be the point, when you’re all so willing to fight my battles for me?” It’s all hot air, and they both know it, but he wants to see if Cyrus reacts.

The scholar takes the bait, almost too easily. “You speak as though you haven’t been plotting your dramatic escape from us for weeks now.” He sounds irritated, and if Therion imagines hard enough, he can see them sitting in a classroom, Cyrus clicking his tongue irritably as though he’s just interrupted a lecture. It’s amusing, to say the least. “The truth is that you’re afraid to pull us into your battles, but you refuse to understand that we put ourselves there.”

Therion is quiet for almost too long a moment, if the way Cyrus quirks an eyebrow is anything to go by. Finally, he responds. “I still don’t get why. Is there something you want from me? Nobody just works for free.”

It’s almost the truth; Alfyn works for free, but he’s an idiot, so he doesn’t count. The others, though, they each have something to gain, and Therion doesn’t overlook the fact that they’re stronger in numbers. Just like the nobles who flock together for money and riches, they’re all adventurers who flock together for protection and strength. It’s common knowledge.

However, Cyrus looks surprisingly…..well, surprised at his question. “Is companionship not enough of an answer?” Therion wonders briefly if Cyrus ever thinks about fixing his brain-to-mouth filter, but decides against asking aloud. “We could be asking the same of you, mind. When Tressa was fighting against Gareth, and you…..”

He trails off, but Therion knows exactly what he’s talking about. The force of the blow to his skull was too strong for him to forget so easily. Alfyn patched him up soon after, and Tressa apologized ten times over for almost getting him killed, but it all ended well enough. Nobody had mentioned - at the time, at least - that it was Therion who had jumped out in front of her to catch the attack, rather than Gareth leaping at Therion himself, but he’s pretty sure that’s what Cyrus is talking about.

Cyrus’s eyes dart away from Therion for a moment, making him wonder if something else specifically is on his mind, but there’s no room in the conversation for him to ask before Cyrus is speaking again. “What I mean to say is, you’re not the type of person to sacrifice yourself for somebody you don’t care about.”

“All right.” It’s not an agreement, nor a dissent, just a statement. Regardless of what he says, though, Cyrus is right. “So you’re saying I care about you. Collectively.” The group, he wants to clarify further, but there’s no need so he holds his tongue. 

“Yes, but also too ignorant to tell us this yourself.” Cyrus pauses. “Or perhaps too scared.”

That was a nail on the head if Therion ever heard one. “You don’t say, professor.”

It’s sarcasm, but Cyrus takes it for face value. “I do. You want to accompany us, and treat us as comrades and friends, but you hide it behind a mask of disinterest. You feign that mutual benefit and sharp wit is all that drives you to continue traveling with us, and to keep yourself distant, you mistakenly persuade yourself that our feelings are the same.”

Gods, Cyrus can read him like any multitude of the books he’s devoured, and Therion almost hates it. Almost, because he can’t quite find it in himself to hate the one person who’s taken the initiative to analyze him so thoroughly. “And they say you’re obtuse,” he drawls instead, once again feigning the sharp wit that he knows Cyrus hates. “What are you going to do about it, though?”

Cyrus’s response surprises him more than anything else in the conversation has so far. “I’m going to convince you.” It’s a promise, judging by the conviction in Cyrus’s voice, one that won’t go unfulfilled if he has anything to say about it- and with his track record, Therion almost believes him over his own denial. “Every day, until our paths diverge and perhaps even beyond that, I promise that I will make you realize that this trust we share does not have to be built on business transactions.”

“Good luck.” Therion snorts, but his confidence is already waning. It’s such a Cyrus thing to do, to speak in a way that forces him to let down his guard and let the scholar trick him into thinking things he shouldn’t think.

Apparently, Cyrus takes that as an approval to begin.

“We’re not going to betray you.” His voice is warm but holds another quality that Therion is scared to think too much about. It’s one that leads to attachment, and he’s barely starting to recover from the first wound over his heart. With his life hanging as precariously as it is - he already lost once, he won’t be an idiot and promise a victory he doesn’t know he can achieve - he doesn’t want to be the cause of another.

Still, he replies. “I know.” Because he does know. They haven’t betrayed each other ever since their first step, and now isn’t the time for the tides to change. No matter how many times Therion rationalizes this blind trust in his comrades as something more sinister, he knows it isn’t the truth. They’ve all found a home in each other, and whether he likes it or not, that’s not a bond so easily broken.

“You can trust me.”

Cyrus reaches his hand out to pull him up, and for once…..Therion accepts it. His hand is almost soft, barely calloused from waving his staff around rather than a sword or spear, and Therion can feel every small cut and bruise that has yet to heal from the battle with Gareth. How many will there be, he wonders, after they’re done with Darius? Enough to last a lifetime, he knows Cyrus would say if he asks him. But for you, each would be worth it. He looks at Cyrus’s hand again, replaying everything the scholar has sacrificed - his time, his morals, his own health - to help Therion on his own journey, and wonders.

Even when he’s up on his own two feet, he almost doesn’t want to let go.

“I know.”

[tinyfierce]

What about an evfra/ryder sickfic? The one who gets cared for is up to you haha

[Prompts from thispost. Still open!]

“Urgh.”

Evfra turned as the human on his sofastirred, the sound coming from her mouth unsurprising considering thecircumstances.

“Pathfinder,” he called dryly. “Youlive.”

She frowned, but made no motion to situp. “Where am I?”

“You are currently in the ResistanceHeadquarters, Pathfinder.” The voice of her AI hummed out of hercommunicator, a courtesy Evfra assumed was for his sake. “Themedicine you received rendered you unconscious for the past twohours.”

“Medicine.” She squinted at theceiling for a moment, and the Angara watched as the memory hit her.“Oh f- the fruit.”

Heturned back to his work, scrolling through the latest intel onHavarl. “Your doctor called. Said that you should sleep it off. Shedidn’t sound pleased.” Ryder grumbled something unintelligible tohis translator in response. “Maarva fruit is grown here, for ourrace. What possessed you to do something so idiotic as to eat it?”

“It was offered to me,” shemumbled. “I didn’t want to seem rude. Bad diplomacy.”

Evfra snorted. “It’s worse‘diplomacy’ for the Angara if the human pathfinder dies on ourhomeworld.”

“Yeah,that’s fair.” After a moment, she continued. “Why am I here,though? Why you?”

It was the same question Evfra hadbeen asking himself since she’d been deposited in his office.

“Our healers are busy,” he informedher, “and you’re not sick, just stupid.” A message beeped on hisscreen. “Your abilities make you too dangerous to be left withanyone unarmed, and here I can continue to work, if you cooperate.Also, Jaal would tear me apartif I let anything happen to you. Satisfied?”

“Roger.”His translator hadsince learned that the name was also a call sign, a way to say‘understood,’ and no sooner had he returned his full attention to themessage than his peripheral vision caught Ryder attempting to adjustposition and consequently sliding half onto the floor.

Cursing, Evfra crossed the room anddropped his screen on the table, freeing both hands to pull her legsback onto the cushions. “For my sake and yours, stay still,”he commanded, squatting by her side. “If you fall onto the flooragain, I’ll leave you there and take my chances with Jaal.”

Shesmiled drowsily, and before he could react, she reached for him. Herfingers, soft and pliable and ungloved, found the edge of his largestscar and traced it down the length of his face. He stiffened; she hadcaught him off-guard, even in her weakened state.

“Howdid you get these,” she murmured, eyes following the path of herfingertips.

Evfrarumbled a low discomfort in his throat. He wasn’t ashamed of hisscars – no freedom fighter should be – but the stealth of hermovement and the warmth of her touch was unsettling in a way hecouldn’t quite place.

“Istouching another race’s face and asking them personal questions partof your ‘diplomacy,'” he snapped, and Ryder’s datapad beeped tolife behind him.

“Pathfinder,”it called. “Until the effects of the foreign substance have leftyour system, your cognitive and motor capacities may be diminished.Please exercise caution.”

If hedidn’t know better, Evfra would have thought that the thing wassubtly pleading with her to shut up.

“Listento your AI,” he said. “Talk to it instead of me.”

Sheignored him. “How long, SAM?”

“Giventhe amount, my estimate places your complete recovery between threeto four hours.”

Meaning,Evfra realized as Ryder let out a frustrated sigh, that he would bestuck with a lethal fighter with little control of her mouth or limbsuntil then. With a frown, he picked up his screen and moved to theother end of the sofa.

“Move,”he issued, and Ryder obligingly drew back her feet enough for him tosit. If he was going to get any work done, he would have to have herwithin arm’s reach in case she decided to move again.

A fewminutes of blessed silence passed, and he managed to get throughthree more pieces of correspondence uninterrupted before Ryder openedher mouth again.

“Hey, Evfra?”

“What,” he answered, not lookingup.

“Do you like rough sex?”

He started, and the screen he’d beenholding dropped into his lap.

“What?”

“Likechoking,” she explained casually, “or biting, probably flat-outsparring -”“No, why are you asking methis?”“I don’t know,you just seem the type.”

Hegroaned, leaning forward and pressing his face into his hands.

“Goback to the scar question,” he muttered. “I prefer that.”

Hefelt her feet press against his thigh as she shifted, and heinstinctively reached out the closest arm to steady her against thecushions’ edge.

“Wasit Kett?”

“No,”he answered. “Roekaar.” He draped his arms over his knees,staring absently at the far wall as the memory resurfaced. “It wasjust after Akksul had struck off, and as soon as he had the numbers,he wanted to make a show of power. Rigged a Resistance supply dropwith explosives. Jaal and I were scouts at the time, assigned to thepickup. By the time I saw the fuse, it was too late.” Sympatheticburns heated the old injury, though he made no show of pain. “Managedto pull him out of the way, but caught a chunk of shrapnel to theface. Even though we’re both soldiers and I kept my eye, Jaalalways blamed himself.”

“Becauseyou saved him,” Ryder said, and Evfra inclined his head.

“Yes.”

Hegroaned inwardly as he felt the cushions lift beside him and he knewshe was trying to sit up. “I thought I told you to sit still.”

“Want to see mine,” she offered asshe reached for the hem of her shirt.

“No.”But it was too late –the shirt was off, and he was greeted with a wide expanse of baremidsection. The colorful language he’d been about to loose in herdirection disappeared when he saw what she’d intended to display.What looked like regular, even hatchmarks of raised skin covered theentire right side of her torso from her waist upwards. It disappearedunder the fabric of the undergarment she wore across her chest, andwas gone where it ended.

“Emergency mesh,” she said. “Fromwhen I took a hit for Jaal on Eos and the impact knocked me off acliff. Whole side of my chest basically collapsed. I ran onadrenaline and SAM’s help until we got back to transport and theycould slap this on me.”

As she spoke, his gaze traveled overthe damaged skin. Humans were building a reputation for resilience;the damage must have been severe. And from the way Jaal spoke of hisadmiration for the Pathfinder, Evfra could only imagine his reactionto knowing the extent of her sacrifice.

“I assume Jaal badgered you intorecovery,” he said, and Ryder shrugged.

“He doesn’t know how bad it was,”she said. “And he hasn’t seen this. It might heal up, it might not.If it doesn’t, I’ll tell him if he asks. He… takes everythingpretty hard, as you probably know.”

Evfra murmured his assent, intrigued bythe implication of her words. That Jaal hadn’t seen her undressedmeant that he hadn’t yet tried to bed the human. His own intel wasnever wrong, but something was clearly hindering his comrade’sadvances. Interesting.

“Why did you ask?” He turned toface her, draping one arm over the back of the sofa. “You’refighting a war. You’ve seen worse.”

She stretched, and the way hermusculature moved beneath her undergarments caught his eye. “Athought I had once. I wondered if someone could feel them when theykissed you.”

Nofilter, he tried toremind himself as instinct kicked words into his mouth.

“Irrelevant.And what does that imply about yours, when someone puts their mouthon your -”He cut himself off, cursing under his breath. No,he was stopping that there. He could only hope that the Pathfinderwas too out of it to notice the innuendo. It had been such a longtime - his flirting was clumsy, if this could be called that.Not that he’d ever really been good at it.

“Put your shirt back on,” he toldher. “No. I’m uncomfortable and I’m warm.”“Thisis my office.”“And I’m the human Pathfinder, so Ihave diplomatic immunity.”

He frowned, trying to make sense ofthat last part. “I - am I supposed to argue with nonsense?”

She snickered and leaned back againstthe armrest, leaning her head against the back of the sofa to smileat him. “That’s my favorite part of debriefing with you, thearguing.”“You’re bizarre.”

Her smile only widened, and Evfra sethis jaw against how disarming it was.

“Might be hard to believe, but Igenuinely like you.” She dug her toes under his thigh, settling herfeet as her eyes began to close. “We should spend time togetherwhen we’re not fighting for our lives.”

He snorted, but said nothing inresponse. When her breathing evened and he was confident that she wasasleep, he reached for his screen but remained in place beside her.

He wondered if all humans were thisridiculous.

[redcurrents]

On Revolutionary Discipline

Nestor Makhno

Pictured; The Revolutionary Military Soviet of the RIAU.

The following (very) short piece was written by Makhno in December 1925 and published in Dyelo Truda (Workers Cause), a Russian language anarchist magazine published in France.

In Makhnos typical style it is a no nonsense calling out of the erratic, incoherent nature of the common 'practice' of anarchism that is far more influenced by liberal and bourgeois ideas than revolutionary practicality.

For context; Makhno was born of a peasant family, had been a long time member of the Guilay Polye Anarcho-Communist Group, was a foundry worker, union leader, chairman of a local soviet, and spent many years in jail for revolutionary activity. But is most famously known as partisan fighter and commander in the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of the Ukraine.

The influence of anarchists in the development in the Ukrainian struggle, as compared to the Russian is not insignificant. In many cities the Anarchists were the most popular political force. For example, in the Ekaterinoslav Province the 'Nabat' (The Ukranian Anarchist Federation) even shared the same building as the Bolsheviks, with their offices next door. Perhaps one key to the influence of the Anarchists in the Ukraine is they had overcome one of the key theoretical weaknesses of the broader movement - they had already seen the need for a specifically anarchist organisation to influence events and co-ordinate efforts.

The Nabat was to play a significant role in the Ukraine, helping co-ordinate unions, the building of schools and hosptials, and running in conjunction with Maximalists and Left SRs the cultural section of the RIAU. However, the Nabat was what we would now call a 'synthesist' organisation, meaning libertarians of disparate tendencies tried to co-operate in the one political organisation. This is probably even less coherent than having Trotsyists and dedicated 'Stalinists' in the same party, and was to have severe limitations. It was in reaction to this political quagmire and general ineffectiveness of the broader Russian anarchist movement that Makhno, Arshinov and Ida Mett wrote 'The Platform', in an attempt to theoretically clarify the mistakes they had seen. Part of that obviously, to someone as dedicated a revolutionary as Makhno, who wore the scars of a revolution, (his nurse in the 1930s described his body as 'a cocoon of scar tissue') was to address questions of what makes for genuine revolutionary activity, and not just revolutionary posturing.

None of the issues addressed by Makhno, Arshinov and Mett have been fully answered today, though certain Platformist and Especifist currents around the world have made significant developments.

In a personal capacity, I would add that I feel the concept (or lack thereof) of revolutionary discipline is a plague upon the house of anarchism. In Australia today, anarchism does not play even a minor role. It is utterly insignificant. The ghosts of past political and theoretical mistakes still haunt us. Individualism, lifestyle politics and immature 'insurrectionism' predominate rather than the tendencies which have had actual historical significance (anarcho-communism and syndicalist strategy). I don't claim to be above this and in my time in anarchist organisations have made grave mistakes in the lack of discipline. I would also reflect that the broader milieu rubs off on any individual who has coherent politics, and that organisations who attempt to build something serious can be dragged down by the complaints of individuals and the general swamp of the 'anarchist scene' with no stake in organisation.

That our society is at once so individualised and that the majority of libertarian organisations draw their membership from universities (students lives are in direct contrast to the working class whos responsibilities and life being disciplined by the demands of capital make inherently for a much more serious and practical revolutionary politics) is not insignificant either. The material realities of society dictate what is possible, and shape the implementation of our ideas. However organisation and depth of theory and practice can overcome something of this shortcoming.

Breaking through this barrier will be an uphill battle, but escaping from anarchisms ghettoised form and restoring the social vector of anarchism will mean addressing the practical needs of Australias exploited classes. In turn this will help us move back towards effective conceptions of anarchist revolution and organisation.

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

"Some comrades have put the following question to me: how do I perceive revolutionary discipline? Let me answer that.

I take revolutionary discipline to mean the self-discipline of the individual, set in the context of a strictly prescribed collective activity equally incumbent upon all. This should be the responsible policy line of the members of that collective, leading to strict congruence between practice and theory.

Without discipline inside the organisation, there is no way of undertaking any consequential revolutionary activity at all. In the absence of discipline, the Revolutionary vanguard [note: 'Vanguard' was a commonly used term by anarchists in this period, it has different theoretical connotations in anarchism to Leninism] cannot exist, for in that case it would find itself in utter disarray in its practice and would be incapable of identifying the tasks of the moment or of living up to the initiator role the masses expect of it.

I envisage this question against the backdrop of observation and experience of consistent revolutionary practice. For my part, I take as my basis the experience of the Russian revolution, which bore within it a content that was essentially libertarian in many respects.

Had anarchists been closely connected in organisational terms and had they in their actions abided strictly by a well-defined discipline, they would never have suffered such a rout. But, because the anarchists "of all persuasions and tendencies" did not represent (not even in their specific groups) a homogeneous collective with a well defined policy of action, for that reason, these anarchists were unable to withstand the political and strategic scrutiny which revolutionary circumstances imposed upon them. Disorganisation reduced them to political impotence, separating them into two categories:

The first made up of those who hurled themselves into the systematic occupation of bourgeoise properties, where they set up house and lived in comfort. These are the one I term 'tourists', the various anarchists who beetled around from town to town in hope of stumbling across a place to live for a time along the way, taking their leisure and hanging around as long as possible to live in comfort and ease. [Note; isn't this ironically reminiscent of todays lifestyle anarchists and their obsession with squatting! Rather than organise side by side with the mass of workers in renters unions or tenant assosciations, they seperate themselves by bizzare lifestyle choices. The irony today being 'revolutionary' squatters rarely live in comfort, they would rather take up insecure housing in decrepit shitholes than paying rent and getting a job where they can organise.]

The other category was made up of those who severed all real connections with anarchism (although a few of them inside the USSR are now passing themselves off as the sole representatives of revolutionary anarchism) and fairly swooped upon the positions offered them by the Bolsheviks, even when the authorities were shooting anarchists who remained true to their revolutionary credentials by denouncing the Boksheviks treachery. [Note: while hardly a betrayal of the same magnitude, this is reminiscent of a certain trend in Australian anarchism of more organisationally minded anarchists to join The Greens or various socialist parties because of vague arguments around 'access to resources' or the 'absence of anarchist organisations' rather than struggle to build one.]

In light of these facts, it will be readily understood why I cannot remain indifferent to the nonchalance and negligence currently to be encountered in our circles.

For one thing, it prevents the establishment of a coherent libertarian collective that would allow anarchists to assume their rightful place in the revolution, and for another, it leads to a situation where we make do with fine words and grand ideas, whilst fading away when the time comes for action.

That is why I am speaking about a libertarian organisation that rests upon the principle of fraternal discipline. Such an organisation would lead to the crucial understanding between all of the living forces of revolutionary anarchists and would assist in its taking its rightful place in the struggle of labour against capital.

In this fashion, libertarian ideas can only gain a mass following, and not be impoverished. Only empty-headed irresponsible chatter boxes could balk at such an organisational set up.

Organisational responsibility and discipline should not be contraversial; they are the travelling companions of the practice of social anarchism."

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Bonus content!

Makhno met with Durruti and Ascaso before the Spanish revolution. After their meeting they returned to Spain where they politics took a very obvious turn from insurrectionist-bank robber types to much more sober revolutionaries who would have siginficant impact upon the Spanish revolution. I have my suspicions that Makhnos ideas greatly influenced the two Spanish libertarians, and I believe this quote from Durruti on revolutionary discipline illustrates that well;

"I believe, as I always have, in freedom. The freedom which rests on the sense of responsibility. I consider discipline indispensable, but it must be inner discipline, motivated by a common purpose and a strong feeling of comradeship."

[thefandomships-imagines]

Ship

hi. ❤️ could i get a avengers, x men and suicide squad ship? 5'9, inverted triangle body shape, brown hair with bangs, heterochromia ( blue eyes, left one’s mixed with hazel ), baby face, dimples. slytherin. isfj. bi-curious. at first, i’m shy, quiet and reserved. usually playful, dirty minded and fun around friends. a perfectionist, control freak, slight clean freak. stubborn, jealous, emotional, punctual, impulsive, selfish, socially awkward. if i’m annoyed or impatient, i can say something mean or witty which later on i may regret. i put on a mask of confidence, but i’m really not due to my body insecurities and the small gap between my front teeth. when i’m hurt, i turn petty and may complain. when i’m nervous, i talk a lot. hate crying in front of people. don’t like to be forced into stuff or being compared to somebody. i don’t like to ask people for help. i can’t fall asleep without music. dislike romance. i stress over little things, like - make a big deal out of nothing. nervous whenever i do something out of my comfort zone. hopefully, one day i’ll find my true calling, but right now i’m thinking about becoming an actress. motherly towards kids. fashion is my passion, as well as reading and role playing on tumblr. after finishing high school, i want to travel the world. overprotective over my mom and lil’ sis, knowing my mom is a single parent. daddy issues. bad at cooking. spontaneous road trips with loud music on is life. prefers tea over coffee. dress to impress. thank you so much!

Note: Gifs or characters are not mine! I just get them off of tumblr or google, if you see one that’s yours and isnt credited, please contact me and i’ll fix that :)

Hello lovely! 

Avengers:

I ship you with Bruce Banner!

You strike me as a person that spends a lot of time in their ‘shell’, and isn’t very comfortably with others very quickly due to your reserved nature and said ‘ mask’ you tend to wear in front of people you don’t know very well.  It takes some time in order to get comfortable with others and that’s okay, and if there’s someone that understands that it’s Bruce, the only one who could see trough the confident banter next to Wanda Maximoff. It’s one of the things that made him interested in you from the moment he met you.  He is not the most extraverted person himself, not really going with playful conversation like the rest of the group tries to do.  It wasn’t until you two had both stayed behin while the rest went out into town that you realised that you had more in common than you thought. You got into conversation and somehow he immediately felt comfortable around you and started opening up to you bit by bit. This encouraged you to, unawarely, do the same. He kind of dragged you out of your shell and you started hanging out together more and more, which your friend Wanda did not take long to notice.  How you got together: Stupidly, Bruce had confided in his friend Tony about talking to you and about how comfortable you made him feel. Big mistake. Because if Tony smells drama, a way to draw his friend out of his comfort zone or both, he loooves to exploit it. One of the things bruce told him was that he did not understand how insecure you felt sometimes. When Tony asked why, the answer was that he found you absolutely breathtaking. You were beautiful, unique and you made him feel accepted and made him laugh. You’re honest, protective and smart. In short : he sounded like a lovesick puppy.  And since Tony knew Wanda was your friend, he went to her. Turned out she shipped it too and together, the unusual duo concocted a plan…… Bruce would NEVER hurt you, or make you feel small in a bad way. He respects you immensly and understands about 9/10 of the time. You’re the only one allowed completely into his mind, and hopes you trust him excactly the same. You’re also the only one allowed to tease him. Ever. 

X-men:

I ship you with Havoc!

Alex seems like a real asshole at first, and he probably was when he was younger. Tough from the moment that Charles and Erik went to fetch him out of jail, he changed completely. When you joined the group, it took time to get used to him . A LOT of time. Actually, he used to think of you as a little rude, and had trouble reading you so he didn’t usually make contact with you. This was the biggest problem in the beginning, not being able to get a read off each other causes a lot of fights and snarky comments, making the rest of the group unhappy with you seeming like enemies more than comrades. He began to feel more like understanding what you were about after spotting you in your free time. The way you were with your little sister, the bond you had reminded him of his own little brother. He saw how protective you were over her, for example when you got in trouble with a couple of jerks and you got them to fuck off. It made him want to be a better person for his own family.

When you got back, he acted completely differently than how he had seen you with your family. Your wall was back up and that was something he did understand. After all, he was the one that tore everything apart, landed in jail, all because he acted differenly, to not be vulnerable. He kept notincing more layers of yours after that. The way you spoke so indifferently and playfully to Raven and Banshee, wheres you were much more considerate of ‘Bozo’ aka Hank. The way ‘the claws’ came out when you were pissed, and the way you sat by yourself, buried in a book pretending to read while half-sulking later.  He started admiring you, though you never picked up on that and just kept doing so until Hank, while annoyed wih Alex,  uncharacteristically told him ‘to stop being a little bitch and do something other than swooning from afar, if he’s so tough’. So thats what he did. At first you really didnt understand why the hell he was interested in you and you actually thought it was a joke. Luckily that didn’t last very long. Alex is now the most attentive and protective guy you could wish for, though you’d never even thought of him being an option. 

Suicide Squad:

I ship you with Rick Flag! 

Rick, after all that happened was broken, lightly said. He didn’t know what to do with himself after the battle. Sure, he’d go home, shower, eat and sleep, but his visions of the world and of right and wrong were twisted up. Almost as if he’d lost his purpose. Good guys had turned out to be bad and a firebreathing-god gangster had sacrificed himself to save the rest, his family he had called it. So he just pretended to have moved on. The baddies went back to jail and he went back to work.

Rick and you hadn’t been on good or bad terms. You just accepted the fact that you co-existed. Sometimes you dares joke with each other. You see, Rick automatically hated criminals and didn’t hate figures associated with the law in a good way. The thing is, you were neither.  Well, you didn’t have a record, though your reputation was…..interesting. Which is why you got in the team, you were granted full immunity for the future. To be honest you would have done it for free, since you kinda do live on this planet and rather not have it detroyed. You weren’t as overpowered as your late friend El Diablo or as crazy as Harley, but damnit if you weren’t a badass.  Knives were your thing, and at your thing, you were the best. Granted, being about 5 times as agile and 3 times as fast as the average human also helped. And all while looking slayin’. Yeah, let’s pass the spandex. So, after the battle you simply returned to your old life as well, occasionally standing by on a A.R.G.U.S. mission, which is, after a couple of months, where you saw Rick again.  When you saw him, you almost flinched. He seemed so lost. Dark bags under his eyes, abviously thinner, paler than ever and he barely opened his mouth. Mr. gruffypants certainly didn’t deserve this.  When Rick saw you after a couple of months, his reaction was more the opposite of yours. He was slowly recovering from all his emotional damage, and now, he felt guilty. Very guilty as he looked at you. He was moving on but he felt wrong looking at another person, and finding that he enjoyed watching the way their outfit hugged their curves. He did not speak to you that night. 

Fastforward three weeks. A group of agents  were chasing an installment of the Triads. Yay, which meant you were called out of your comfy bed again since annoying you was easier that getting Boomerang, who would try to escape….. In the meanwhile, the guilt had been another factor combined in crushing Rick’s mental condition. The chase was going nowehere, well, apart from four killed and two wounded at your side, It was safe to say it was a shitty night.  When your team lost track of said Triads at 3 o’clock in the moring shit hit the fan. You had to call it in to Walker, who was not amused. Ambulances and coroners where called in an you were making sure everyone that needed it got help. You were not that much of a villain. All were accounted for, except your brusque Captain. Damnit.  When you finally did find him, you did not know excacty what to do. He was huddled against the wall of an abandoned building, your silly little superiour.  Slowly, you approached him, sliding against the wall next to him.  You didn’t say anything. Neither did he. 

You awoke to a car honking. Great, you thought. Six in the moring, in an abandoned builing, half asleep with Flags’ head on my lap…. FLAGS’ HEAD ON MY LAP. Shit. He did look cute, relaxed.  After about an hour he started to stir.  ‘I haven’t slept this long since months.’ he smiled.  ‘Great.’ you deadpanned. ‘I’m oficially functional as a plushie.’ 

You might be an odd couple, and you might not have been a ‘good guy’, but you were Captain Rick Flag’s salvation. And now, whichever idiot tries to mess with you  hasn’t just got a knife-wielding superhuman after them, but also a very pissed of Rick Flag.  The rest of the squad loved to tease you guys about it all. And that’s all fun and games until there’s another knife stuck in the wall at A.R.G.U.S. headquarters, which, lightly said, makes Walker, not amused.

Hope ya liked them all :3

WELL THAT WAS ONE HELL OF A RIDE. 1560 WORDS HELP.  Extra elaborate because IM OFICCIALLY BACK *cheers*. Let’s just hope i wont have any forced hiatusus anytime soon again (@.@) Also, thanks for sending me a message and being so sweet! 

I might be a lil rusty so if you find any silly errors made by me please send in something so le me can fix it :D

[littlemisssquiggles]

Pinehead Headcanons: Oscar Goes Missing...Again

This headcanon was sparked by @jealouscartoonist​’s illustration for Day 2 of Rosegarden Week. In their image they depicted the concept of what if…Oscar is sent to Atlas Academy on his own while teams RWBY and JNR are off doing their own thing---meaning missions on behalf of Ironwood and the military and what not. I guess you can consider this somewhat my response to that or at least my way of expanding on the thought. As soon as I saw it, it made me wonder a very curious scenario.

Imagine if…Ironwood attempts to separate Oscar from the others through the use of the Academy? 

Technically he is the man with the authority to commit such an act undetected considering that he is both in charge of the huntsmen academy and the Atlesian Military while also having two seats on the ruling council of the kingdom. 

Here’s what I’m thinking. I know jealouscartoonist may not like this idea but I can see Oscar attending Atlas separately from RWBY and JNR a possibility. Technically…wouldn’t Oscar be the equivalent of a first year huntsman student given his current lack of training while the others are pretty much second or third years by now. I know JNR_RWBY haven’t trained under an academy since Beacon but I’d like to think they’d all have advanced to another year of school by this timeline in the story since the plot has progressed over a period of several months to nearly a year since Vale.

 I guess what I’m trying to imply is that if Ironwood wanted to keep Oscar under his firm watch while also tethering his bond with his fellow huntsman comrades, this is one way I can see him doing so within the law, I guess. By having Oscar attend the academy as a beginner student with a different school curriculum than his friends who would be his upperclassman.

In the RWBY V7 Trailer, we glimpsed the RWBY girls dive-bombing from an Atlesian airship down to what I’d assume is a school training mission---Atlas-style, much similar to their first training mission in the Emerald Forest and Forever Fall back in V1.

So perhaps Ironwood would keep RWBY and JNR busy with training missions while Oscar will be off doing his own thing since he wouldn’t be able to join his friends on their missions. It’d be the equivalent of how things were between RWBY and CFVY since they were their second year colleagues.

And if I’m going off of using CFVY’s experience as an example, I guess off-campus training missions to help real life victims is part of the second year of training at the huntsman academies. So what we saw for JNR and RWBY during the V7 trailer, with what appeared to be them going on a training mission to a dust mine---that’s probably part of their training as second year students. Maybe. It’s a hunch at best.

Either way, even if JNR_RWBY and Oscar went to Atlas together, I don’t think they’ll be able to see each other on the same beat like how it was during their travels. I wouldn’t be shocked if their respective times at the academy does create distance between the older huntsmen and Oscar. Sure JNR_RWBY will all be together since they’re all around the same year academically. But Oscar, he might just be on his own or rather segregated from his friends and given special treatment from the General.

I wouldn’t even be surprised if we get a moment where JNR_RWBY are on break in a cafeteria scene and all the while Ruby is scouping out the room in the hopes of spotting a familiar freckled face. But unfortunately Oscar isn’t around. He’s never around and this soon becomes an issue.

I wouldn’t be surprised if, due to Oscar’s predicament with Oz being gone, Ironwood would vouch that Oscar stay close to him all the times so that the two can figure out a way to bring the old soul out of his solitude. 

Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ironwood convinced Oscar to sadly lie to the others about joining them at Atlas Academy when the reality is that it’s all a ruse to hide the fact that Ironwood has been experimenting on Oscar and his aura.

Or…maybe Oscar doesn’t even get to join the others at the academy. Perhaps unlike Ozpin who was willing to bend the rules to allow a 15-year-old huntress to attend his school ahead of her time, I doubt Ironwood would do the same for Oscar regardless of him being a successor to Oz. 

I’m more inclined to believe that James would keep Oscar under his surveillance so that they may figure out a way to bring Oz back or something along those means. One or the other, I suppose.

The overall theory is  to have Ironwood keep Oscar separated from JNR_RWBY. I feel like that is a plot point that could come to fruition canonically.

And y’know what? Is it weird that I actually wouldn’t mind something like this happening. Not just because it can potentially lead into my Pinehead headcanon about Ironwood betraying the heroes by using Oscar as a martyr in his scheme to stop Salem but partially cause, I’d like to think a subplot like this could lend to the golden opportunity to show Ruby strongly missing Oscar.

I think it’d be kind of adorable if as Oscar’s time spent with JNR_RWBY becomes scarce due to Ironwood, this kind of sparks Ruby’s inner mother hen and protectiveness of Oscar to go into overdrive. 

Picture a moments with JNR_RWBY hanging out together, laughing only for Ruby to frown sadly when she noticed the lone empty seat across from her between Ren and Nora where Oscar should be.

Picture Ruby trying to get in contact with Oscar constantly---perhaps our farm boy will finally get his own Scroll while he’s in Atlas prompting moments of Ruby ringing him up or leaving many messages on the hope the two could talk only for her attempts at communicating going to waste. Oscar never answers her. As a matter of fact, it’s like he wasn’t even there anymore (a nice allegory for the threat of the Merge if you will). 

Picture Ruby being teased by the members of FNKI---like Neon Katt for example, who mistake her protectiveness of her friend for an unspoken crush.

Like I’m just imagining Ruby trying to call Oscar for the umpteenth time in about a week of not seeing or hearing from him. Oscar has just ghosted himself from the group and it gets to the point where it starts to really worry Ruby. 

She of course, expresses her concern for her missing freckled farm boy to everyone---JNR, WBY as well as FNKI too--- only for Neon to bluntly ask Ruby if Oscar was her boyfriend (or someone she liked that way) since the red rose’s earnest behaviour reminded the cat Faunus of a love-struck girl hung up over not seeing her partner in some time.

This of course riles Ruby up and we get a hilarious bit where a flustered Ruby tries to awkwardly explain that she and Oscar are ‘just friends’. It’d be even more hilarious if the others joined in on questioning Ruby’s true feelings toward Oscar considering she’s only known him shortly yet acts so caring and defensive toward him.

I know there is no real necessity for the series to have Ruby justify on-screen why she cares so much for Oscar. Then again, this squiggle meister of course wouldn’t mind seeing something like that done if possible.

My hunch has always been that Ruby cares for the Oscar the way she does because she relates a lot to him. Unlike anyone else (besides probably Jaune), she knows what it’s like to be in his shoes---to be the youngest in the presence of older more experienced and possibly better huntsmen than her and have to work harder to prove yourself and show that you have a  right to be there.

 At least in Ruby’s case, she was fortunate to have Yang joining her at Beacon to look out for her and help her open up to others.

But with Oscar, he doesn’t have that luxury. He doesn’t have any immediate family to turn to or watch over him. He doesn’t even have Ozpin anymore. 

Oscar is all alone now so Ruby cares because she wanted to at least let him know that he still had someone there for him. 

That he didn’t just have to depend on Ozpin or Ironwood or handle things on his own all the time. He also had her on her side, looking out for him and standing by him no matter what.

I like the idea of Ruby voicing why she cares so much for Oscar since I can see it sparking JNR forming their own interest in looking out for Oscar. After all, it’s not just Ruby who has been in Oscar’s shoes. All three of them share this. I can see Ruby’s protectiveness of Oscar resonating with Jaune since it might remind me of how Pyrhha used to look out for him too. 

In a way, Ruby is technically Oscar’s version of Pyrhha and this realization could make Jaune see that he’s been where Oscar is as well as an underdog.

The same can be said for Ren and Nora. It was the same for them too. They wouldn’t be where they are currently if they didn’t have each other having their back through thick and thin.

I just think hearing Ruby say why she cares to much for Oscar would be an interesting way to sort of inspire JNR taking an interest in joining Ruby in looking out for the freckled farm boy too since in their own way, they’ve all been where he currently stands and understands the importance of having someone by your side as you go.

Personally I really need the Writers to do better on showing that Oscar is meant to be part of the team on his own bearings outside of Ozpin’s influence while supposedly emphasizing that the others care about him too.

No offense but each attempt they’ve done so far just makes me as the viewer watching feel like all of this is only being done because the Writers write it to be so for the purpose of the plot and not because the plot itself surrounding the relationship between these said group of characters that they’ve built upon thus far supports this development; y’know what I’m saying.

Take V6 C9 for example. I know folksl have heard me rip into this episode many times before and I apologize for doing it again here but…as a Pinehead and someone who’s favourite RWBY character is Oscar, I can’t look past how much the Writers mishandled him for that episode.

The writing decisions for Oscar’s part of that episode’s narrative still bothers me even now that we’re on the brink of V7’s premiere.

I understand that V6 C9 was meant to sort of express that Oscar is officially part of the group and everyone values him in that light and all that jazz, but I’m so sorry guys. That bit felt forced to me (like so many things about that one episode). I didn’t buy into Jaune’s sudden change in attitude towards Oscar or any of his remarks acknowledging him as part of the team since we didn’t really get to see him bond with Oscar in that manner. Hence my eternal disappointment of the CRWBY Writers not killing two birds with one stone by having Jaune and Oscar reunite and reconcile at the Pyrhha statue.

All of my gripes for this episode would immediately disappear if the Pyrhha leaf had led Jaune to finding Oscar standing at the foot of the statue of his former fallen teammate. That to me would’ve been more poetic.

But nah, I guess Jaune meeting the red-haired woman who might as well have been a ghost (since she vanishes immediately out of the story as quickly as she appeared) was a better, more fitting idea given how this subplot started.

 Yep, I guess revealing Oscar’s new huntsman gear in a rather contrived way was far more important than showing him and Jaune actually sharing a genuine heart to heart to help properly discuss and shed any previous animosity and misunderstanding left behind by their previous tense scuff. Yep. Good shit.

But that aside, what I’m mostly trying to say is, if we get another subplot for V7 where Oscar suddenly goes missing again prompting JNR_RWBY to go find him, I hope a better job is done to show how much the others care about Oscar.

If not the whole team then at least, show how much Oscar means to the members of his Golden Circle: Team RNJR. I still stand by my theory that Ruby, Jaune, Nora and Ren are destined to be Oscar’s closest confidants, particular Ruby Rose.

I do think a ‘Missing Oscar Part II’ story is possible to happen for V7 only this time, he’d probably been abducted by the Atlesian military and used as lab rat in Ironwood’s desperate attempt at saving the world pitting our heroes against the General and his forces as betrayal is in motion. And when it goes down, I’m hoping these four---RNJR--- are at the forefront of getting Oscar back---

Ruby as Oscar’s potential best friend (and love interest if romance is in the cards) and JNR as Oscar’s potential huntsmen team and surrogate family.

That’s my theory at least. Besides, if Oscar suddenly disappears again then I’m definitely banking on someone (probably Nora)  making the meta joke about Oscar going shopping. 

‘We need to find Oscar. He’s missing and he could be in danger!’ ‘...You sure he didn’t go shopping again.’

I think that bit is mandatory if we do get that story for V7. But as always, these are just my thoughts, theories and ideas.

~LittleMissSquiggles (2019)