#i ran out of steam and died RIP ME

[ac-19]

Secrets - S. Carter (Full Metal)

Summary: you and Full Metal have a secret that almost gets out to the wrong people.

My eyes landed on him the second I stepped into the bar with Stella. I had gone out for a girl's night with Stella, and somehow, we still ended up at the Bulkhead. The Alpha guys and some of the Bravo guys were gathered around a table while Sonny and Clay were shooting darts. 

"What are you drinking?"

I broke eye contact with him and turned towards Stella and shruggred.

"Surprise me. I'm gonna go use the washroom."

She nodded.

"Sure thing." 

I made my way to the bathroom swinging my hips a little more than necessary just because I could feel his eyes burning a hole in my back. 

We had this friends with benefits thing going on for about a year and a half now and I had to admit to myself that I never cut it off because somewhere between the blow off steam after a long mission sex and the you should keep some things at my place I fell in love with him, but we were on the same team so if anybody ever found out we'd be screwed. 

I quickly did my thing in the bathroom and freshened up my makeup best I could with the few products I had in my purse before stepping outside. 

"You shouldn't of wore that dress." 

I smirked to myself as I stopped walking not looking back at him. 

"Why not?" 

"Because all I want to do right now is rip it off you."

I smiled. I knew this dress was his favorite and it was the sole purpose I wore it out tonight hoping to see him because I knew we'd probably end up at Bulkhead. 

"What if I told you I'm not wearing any underwear." 

"You're killing me woman."

"There you are. I thought you died in the bathroom."

I chuckled as I looked over at Stella.

"Just ran into Metal." 

She chuckled.

"Hi Metal. Let's go (Y/N) we gotta go dance." 

I chuckled as I looked back at Scott.

"It was nice to see you Metal." 

Stella grabbed onto my forearm and pulled me away and I gave Scott a wink before I turned around and let Stella drag me towards the makeshift dance floor. 

"I'm surprised you and Metal never hooked up." 

I nervously chuckled as I looked at Stella.

"What?" 

"What are you two doing here?" 

Stella let go of my arm and diverted her attention to Clay and I smiled at my brother. 

"You okay? You look a little flustered." 

I nodded at Sonny. If he ever found about Scott and I, I think he'd lose his mind especially given the 11 year age gap and that he's my team leader. 

"Yeah just had a bit too much to drink." 

Sonny nodded. 

"Ok then. Were heading out."

I nodded. 

"You guys are a bunch of buzzkills." 

Clay chuckled. 

"Yeah maybe you two should leave too." 

We both shook our heads.

"No way." 

"Ok, call us if you need a ride."

I nodded and grabbed Stella's hand as our favorite song came on.

"Let's go dance." 

Stella gave Clay a quick kiss and we headed towards the dance floor. We danced for a while alone until some young green team guys joined us. One guy had a particular interest in me and I technically wasn't taken so I danced with him not paying attention to Scott who was giving the poor kid a death glare. 

There was no way I was leaving with this guy. He was nowhere near my type, and honestly, I was dancing with him mostly to make Scott jealous, which I knew was a dangerous game. 

We danced together for a while and it wasnt until he flipped me around and wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him so my back was flush against his chest that I became uncomfortable. It wasn't only the fact that I actually wasn't wearing underwear but that it felt so wrong to have another guy's arm wrapped around me like that. I noticed out of the corner of my eye, Scott walk to the bar and take his card out. 

"I'm gonna go get myself a drink."

He leaned into my ear and I sucked in a breath.

"Oh come on, we should leave. Go back to my place." 

My heart rate picked up as he tightened his grip on my waist. Stella had went off towards the bathroom and Scott was heading towards the door not paying much attention to me. I ran towards gun fire for a living and I had never felt so vulnerable in my life than in that moment.

"Let go of me."

"Oh come on baby girl, we're just having fun." 

"You heard her. Let go man." 

He turned his head towards his friend and I was thankful for that small distraction.

"Stay out of this Fred." 

I took that opportunity and grabbed onto his arm and bent down slightly and flipped him over my shoulder, his back landing on the hardwood floor with a hard thud. 

"Shit. Go (Y/L/N). That will teach you not to mess with a Tier 1 operator kid." 

I looked back at one of my teammates and smirked. 

"You're a seal?" 

I turned my attention back to the young guy who had propped himself up on his elbows.

"Doesn't matter, you shouldn't be doing that to any girl. You're disgusting." 

I shook my head as I gathered my things, paid for my tab and walked off towards the door hoping to be able to catch Scott outside.

I looked around as I walked out of the Bulkhead and saw Scott making his way down the street. I jogged after him and sighed.

"Scott, wait." 

He didn't stop walking and I sighed. 

"Fulll Metal!" 

That didn't make him stop either. 

"Scott Carter I am in love with you."

Scott stopped walking and I felt my heart pounding in my chest as he turned around to face me. I stopped jogging and took a deep breath.

"You can't say that after you were just in there all over another guy."

"He meant nothing. I was just trying to make you jealous. I so desperately wish that I could do those things with you." 

"We knew what getting together meant. We're on the same team (Y/N). I'm your team leader for god sake. If this would ever get out it would ruin both our careers." 

"Are you saying you want to end this?" 

"No I'm saying I'm in love with you too and it took everything in me not to go kill that guy you were dancing with." 

"So what now?"

Metal shook his head as he took two steps towards me and put his hands on my hips and pulled me to him before he planted his lips on mine. I let myself melt in his touch and brought my hand up to the back of his neck.

"I knew it!"

We quickly pulled away from each other and I turned around to face Stella. 

"You can't tell anyone. Especially not Clay."

"Well maybe you two shouldn't be sucking faces outside the Bulkhead where most of your teammates drink."

I closed my eyes as I heard Clay's voice.

"You alone?"

"Yeah."

"Look I'm not gonna tell anyone, but Sonny is gonna flip out if he ever finds out about this."

I nodded as I opened my eyes and looked up at Scott. 

"Thanks man."

"Never saw anything. Just came to pick up Stella that's all. Let's go babe."

Stella smiled as she walked over to Clay.

"Get it girl."

I smiled as I watched her and Clay walk off. I trusted Clay that he wasn't going to say anything so I wasn't too worried. 

"I'll take you home."

"You know what? I think I'm gonna go back inside and finish my dance."

Scott shook his head as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder. 

"You're my girl, you remember that."

I smiled as I leaned my head against his shoulder as we started walking over to his truck.  

"Maybe you should take me back to your place and show me just how much you mean that."

"You don't have to ask me twice baby. I've wanted to rip that dress off you since you walked into the Bulkhead."

[spicyratcakes]

You Never Saved Me

TW: suicidal thoughts. Generally quite sad and angsty. I refuse to disseminate happiness.

Prologue: Caitlyn Kiramman saved me from Stillwater just after progress day. Except, she didn’t. I never met her, because she died in the explosion my sister caused. I would never know what happened. I would never know none the wiser to the life I could have had. The escape.

November 13th. 5:00pm. The cafeteria. Vi had been in still water since she was fifteen years old. The last sight she had of the outside world was that of her brother's mangled bodies. Her fathers final sacrificial act. Her sister like a newborn lamb, unaware of her impending slaughter. The only thing that kept each day moving was the fantasy that perhaps her sister ran in time. After all, as the chloroform ripped away her consciousness it wiped fragments of her memory. Perhaps she imagined it all? Perhaps Vander still breathed, waking in time to rip Powder to safety?

The illusion played beautiful behind VI’s eyes as she stared into the darkness of her cell. The metal wall served as a canvas to these fantasies. The swaying of her punching bag, a child’s mobile lullaby. She never quite found warmth, but she found a way to move all her senses beyond the physical reality, into her desired one. It wasn’t as if she had no social interaction though. Those little missions she made for herself every time one of Silco’s goons came in kept her from slipping into insanity.

The latest one was a tall beefy man, wrapped up in some shipment scheme. As Vi took her food tray (first devouring the cold carrots and processed peas first), she passed some guards talking about one of the councilor’s daughters, and how she was killed in a progress day bombing. Vi considered asking Silco’s goon about it. Deep in her stomach she felt something about the incident was wrong. Unnatural. A veil over a truth she ought to know, but didn’t have the time to fully think through as she took her metal tray to the guy's face.

December 13th. 11pm. The cell. Confinement. Obviously. She still had her punching bag, but after dinner she became one herself. The guards beat her so badly she threw up her dinner, it’s puddle marinating in the middle of her cell somewhere. The month she was in time out, it got severely cold in Stillwater. They never provided a jacket, so she made due with tucking her arms into her sleeveless tank top. If she could have a jacket, she’d want a leather one. Vi missed the smell of leather. Working out helped with the bite of cold air too, but one could only push themselves so much before giving out.

The steam of her breath reminded her a lot of the lanes. It was comforting. The guards returned the next day, bringing her back to the regular cell block she called home. The entire journey upstairs they gossiped about the lanes becoming a place called Zaun. Apparently a new councilor took a seat while she was in confinement, brokering a peace with Silco. Part of her died then. It was an intimate awareness her people were now beyond saving.

January 13th. 2pm. The yard. Vi kept herself busy the following month. Trying to find out information on Zaun’s independence kept her occupied, as well as her additional tattoo appointments. She was receiving a fresh new piece spanning the entirety of her thigh. It was a sketch of the Last Drop as she remembered it. Looking up at the guard tower she considered how easy it would be to scale that wall. Leaving the island that kept the prison isolated was impossible, otherwise she’d be gone already.

As a teen, she tried a few times to escape, but not success. This time she wasn’t envisioning an escape that brought her back to Powder. This one would bring her to Mylo and Claggor. Perhaps they could rob every selfish Angel in heaven, using every bit of profit to create the Last Drop in hell. She considered it for a month straight, telling herself maybe it was time to go. To let go.

February 13th. 6pm. The escape. Something was happening. These alarms weren’t secluded alerts of the occasional dumb ass run away or riot. No. These red blaring lights were bottled migraines. Vi wasn’t there for it though. She used Mylo’s old tactics to pick her cell lock. It wasn’t hard to climb that wall to the top of the tower. She anticipated a guard would have shot her by now. However, Vi was completely unaware just how occupied they all were with Zaun’s citizens storming to prison to retrieve their loved ones.

Marcus’ corruption came to light by an investigation left behind by that Kiramman girl, taken seriously by the newest councilor as well as her mother. That’s when it became public exactly who was in Stillwater, even if they ought not be. On the rocks below, Vi swore she could see the figure of a woman. Blue hair, tall, slender. She was flipping through a book, some rifle by her side. It had to be an illusion, for the violent waves crashing did not disrupt what looked like this enforcer off duty. The woman looked up to Vi, giving a small smile and wave.

It was just before Vi was about to jump down that she heard a voice behind her say “Vi?” Another feminine voice, this time a whisper in her ear said, “Not your time yet, Violet.” Then a male voice, Claggor, saying “Just a little longer.” Lastly, Mylo’s voice said “don’t be such a pussy.”

As she rounded to find the sources of these words, she only landed on one individual. A woman with long blue hair. Powder. “Can I come home now?” Vi whispered with tears in her eyes. She didn’t believe the sight before her was real.

With an outstretched hand, still covered in Silco’s blood, her sister replied, “About time, huh? Here I was thinking you forgot me!” It was obvious something was different about Powder. Something was different about Vi, too.

“I know the feeling,” Vi chuckled nervously. She looked down one last time, the woman before gone now.

“First order of business, let’s get you real food,” Jinx offered, leading her sister from the edge.

“I’ve been craving cupcakes for three months straight,” Vi admitted, leaving it all behind.

[asmotheavatarofhorny]

hello i saw your requests are open. can we have some simeon/mc fluff? simeon: "why are you staring at me?” mc: “you’re pretty...”

"Because You're Pretty"

🔔

This is adorable!! Thank you so much for requesting!~ I tried my best with this so I hope you enjoy :)

------------Warnings------------

-Romantic

-Simeon x MC

-MC is Gender Neutral

-Slightly suggestive at the very end~ (I had to haha)

-Luke being a precious chihuahua

-Maybe slightly ooc (sorry!)

Today wasn't the best. You didn't really have much of a reason as to why that was, but it was a bad day nonetheless. The day was tainted from the beginning, you supposed. You sighed as you practically tossed your things into your bag, ready to go home and crash-

Well, then again... If you go back to the HoL one of the brothers are sure to come and harass you or disturb your much needed rest. Maybe you could just stay at RAD and nap in the library? No.. Satan is sure to be there among plenty of lesser demons that might try to eat you or something. Staying at RAD is a bust... so..

"MC!" Exclaimed an unmistakable voice that surely belonged to your favorite little angel. Luke ran towards you waving before hugging you tight, almost knocking you down.

"Hey, Luke." You greeted him, already feeling a bit better from the hug.

"Wanna come to Purgatory Hall with me? I'm going to make cookies and I want you to try them when they're done!" He smiled widely. Perfect! Purgatory Hall is sure to be quiet, and no one will bother you there! (Unlike the brothers, the angels are considerate of humans)

"Sure, I'd love that." You replied, with the first semi-genuine smile of the whole day adorning your face.

You watched as the young angel's face practically lit up with excitement at your answer "Good, come on!" He grabbed your hand and dragged you along, almost ripping your arm in two in the process.

You soon arrived at Purgatory Hall (after sprinting the whole way there). He opened the door and let go of your hand, letting you catch your breath before happily skipping over to the kitchen to start baking the cookies.

You smelled the lingering scent of baked goods and let the warmth of Purgatory Hall consume you. You made your way over to the couch in the common room and set your stuff down and listened to the soft sound of a baking show Luke was watching in the other room as you drifted off to sleep.

You opened your eyes groggily a while later to realize your head was on... Someone's lap? You turned your head slightly to investigate and was met with your favorite (adult) angel's warm smile. You could feel your face heating up a little at the sight. "H-Hi," you stammered out.

"Hi." Said the angel almost in a whisper, "If I had known you were coming I would've greeted you sooner."

"Sorry," You apologized, only half serious, before the smell of freshly baked cookies assaulted your senses.

"They're done!" Luke smiled brightly after seemingly appearing out of thin air, carrying a tray of steaming hot cookies.

"Those are-"

"Chocolate chip. Barbatos had the ingredients imported so Luke could make them for you," Simeon assured you. You felt your face flush again at his voice, realizing how close you were to him.

"Try some," Luke encouraged you. They were amazing, just as you had expected. They were warm and chewy-but not too much.. Like the melt in your mouth kind of chewy. The chocolate was still gooey too. You felt like you had died and gone to the Celestial Realm.

With his baking abilities it was hard to believe he was really 10 years old, though you guessed it did make sense considering that he was being taught by the best pastry chef in all three realms.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" And with that, the little angel disappeared as quickly as he had appeared to grab something he had left behind. Leaving you with Simeon (who's lap you were still laying on by the way)

You looked up at the angelic figure who was eating one of the cookies Luke had given him. It was almost like he radiated light and goodness.. Which you supposed made sense considering he was an angel. You carefully studied his face, taking in his deep complexion.

"W-Why are you staring at me?" He stuttered nervously, a light blush dusting his soft taupe skin.

You were a bit shocked by his question, not realizing you were staring. "You're pretty..." You replied bashfully, staring deep into his aquamarine eyes. You watched as his eyes widened, the blush that was previously there noticeably deepening.

"You shouldn't say such things... You may make me do something I'll regret."

[definegodliness]

Henk

Let me tell you about Henk. 

Henk was an accident, a child born a decade after his brothers and sisters. He had this birth defect that slurred his speech, and impeded his movements, making it seem like he was drunk 24/7. This deviation caused Henk’s religiously zealot of a father to never recognize him as a child of his own, but rather as a child of the devil. He divorced his wife over that sentiment when Henk was a boy. And that wife, Henk’s mother; the only person to ever love him, died shortly after. Resulting in him being outcast — no, downright hated — by his brothers and sisters.

Henk grew up to have one friend, my father. They had a lifelong relationship, that, after due consideration, I would not call a pity-friendship. Dad pitied him, make no mistake; there was too much to be pitied, but he treated Henk as human. A friend, at that. 

They met at a youth center my dad ran, called The Monastery — ironically so, but we’ll get to that — and dad got Henk involved in managing things. I guess those were the heydays. Late teens, early twenties.

Henk made other ‘friends’ after that. He was trusting in the good of man. So when he went vacationing, he gave his peers his house-key, asking if they’d feed the dog for a couple of weeks. And when he returned his house was emptied, and the dog was dead.

That was Henk.

Such was the life of Henk.

A social man, banned from society for his slurred speech and impeded movements. Never seen as an equal, but as a disease. And I cannot stress enough how I am not an exception. Picking up the landline, hearing:

“Hel-lo... itss... HENK...”

Rolling my eyes, calling for dad.

One time my sister turned pale as a sheet, running, shouting:

“Dad! Dad! Henk’s drunk chlorine!”

And I rolled my eyes again, a heartless-bastard child. But, in my defence, you have to see I was completely oblivious of suicides at the time, let alone the concept of death. Some people never get to a point of understanding. I have. Hence the guilt. Hence this eulogy of Henk. 

Henk was a man who’d habitually get punished for minding his own business by the conscientious part of humanity. Imagine that. More definingly, he was someone who, by the callous rest, got treated like a big steaming pile of shit. Flies always circled around him to take advantage. Henk attracted human evil, and spent his life searching for proof that he, too, could fit. 

That’s why he always tried.

Then, the benefit of doubt kept killing him.

Henk once gave a big goodbye party. My dad didn’t attend. Afterwards he took some sleeping pills and put a plastic bag over his head, sealing it at his neck with a tie rip. But the sleeping pills didn’t kick in soon enough, and he panicked; tearing the plastic off his face. Henk collapsed and woke up to his place, trashed, because he would have been dead, and people didn’t hesitate to violently celebrate this predicament.

He called dad, afterwards, and dad made me part of the cleanup crew. We drove there on a Sunday. They were making small talk, and were reminiscing The Monastery. Just talking, while teenage-me was put to work; dustpan and brushing the perimeter. Everything was shattered. 

I muttered:

“What a bunch of bastards.”

“I— ... wass G-GOING to-die”, Henk said, apologetically. As if his death was a freebee for all this dumbass destruction. 

“... but you chickened out, didn’t you?”, dad chuckled. And the two of them burst out in a laughter I will never understand. 

“I did, I... DID.”

Henk took to medicine, after that. Which at first didn’t really help him, mentally, but did cause him to shed his literal skin. He got blisters all over his body, and when they peeled, he was smooth as a baby’s butt. 

Henk once, or twice, drove his 60 km/h limited disabled carriage over the highway to meet up with dad. I am only now realizing he wasn’t an idiot, dad was just that important to him. 

He had enough of life after he turned sixty. He wanted to — no, yearned — to go back to his mom. He asked for euthanasia, but, even though it is legal in my country, his GP wouldn’t touch that possibility with a ten-foot pole. Henk was part of the bible belt, you see. 

By that doctor, word got to town. And Henk was flooded with letters from neighbours and other townsmen, who never gave him the light of day, but now wanted to assure his descension to hell by quoting biblical name-colon-numbers. 

No, they did not want to convince him into heaven. They wanted him to be sure to burn for eternity. Henk answered them all, individually:

“I only want to be with mother.”

An answer, unaccepted.

Henk deteriorated further. In slurred speech and impeded movements. He entreated his death-wish to the specialist treating him. That man turned out the key to his freedom. 

He said:

“Henk, we’ve been treating you for seizures for fifteen years. And if you stop taking this particular medicine, it will all be over real quick. Just make sure you’re not in pain.”

Henk calls my dad to take care of his finances. Shares his after-death wish. Then, signs up for a wind-down unit. It’s a nice mansion among nature. Dad visits him the first day after he refrained from taking his medicine. They talk about fucking the system by overdrawing Henk’s bank balance, as they did — goddamn hippies — Second day, Henk’s already pumped full of morphine, and, ultimately, dead.

Years and years of fighting for euthanasia, and all it took was one doctor who said: “Stop taking your meds.”

“Stop fighting God”, for the more religiously inclined. But those were the ones who would’ve kept Henk from his mother’s arms. Those, who dream of death, but fear the choice of death.

Henk was cremated. 

Dad took his ashes to the river banks, where Henk used to play as a kid; before his dad left his mom, and before he was outcasted by his kin. There was a small window of childhood, and innocence; gullible years that kept Henk living for, say, a good sixty years. 

Three months later, we saw that exact spot had sprouted an oak tree. And we left feeling hope for Henk. One year later the municipality had razed and leveled the river banks, and none of us could decide where he could be.

That was Henk.

[capsensislagamoprh]

Christophe listened carefully as Emil listed the rank and file of fey who came and went from the mortal realm. Who had changed forms, who had gained rank, or lost power. They were half way into the delicate discussion of bedlam when a puffing Phichit came running into view. Hands dropping to his knees, he gulped in long breaths until he could stand. Clutching a stitch in his side, he held out a hand, flapping the sticky note stuck firmly to a finger. Plucking it off, Emil looked the note over. With each line he read, his brows disappeared more into his eyebrows.

"Oh..." "Emil?" Christophe said, trying to bring focus back to the video call.

"I, uh... yeah. Yes. It's just..." Emil turned towards the screen, ignoring how Phichit folded himself backwards, straining his midsection up until a loud popping could be heard. Emil swallowed. "We might have a problem."

Christophe felt his nervous system begin to fire in rapid response. Cold seemed to trickle down his neck, trying to caress his spine in a trickling terror he barely recalled. "Tell me."

"You recall the... No, you wouldn't. You were in the dream at that time." Emil ran a hand thrugh his hair, eyes drifting upwards. A puff of breath escaped him as he shook the memories away. "There was a spat of unusual activity back in January. People died. Mortal people." Christophe swallowed. "How many dreamers?"

"Over a hundred." Emil sat forward, the chair seeming to pop as he rested his forearms on his thighs, head low. "The damage was done by a volcano. They should have been able to predict it, but..."

"But?"

"It wasn't the usual things. A rift just... opened. No warning. It was just torn. The lava turned itself in the three cardinal directions. Thousands had to move from the aria, leaving it unprotected."

"Wait, three cardinal directions? There are four. Which direction did it not ... Which direction, Emil?"

Emil's bright eyes had a haunted look. "It didn't run towards... South east."

Christophe swallowed. Hard. "All three streams?" Emil nodded. Christophe winced. "South east... What was it reaching for?"

"I don't know that it is. I think... I think it's just trying to gather power." "Are you sure? From nowhere? I mean, this could just be a mortal thing."

Emil shook his head with a resigned little sound. "No." Holding up the note, he showed the numbers to Christophe. "Type them in." One by one Christophe typed them into his phone, not daring to risk his computer. "Before you put in the last one, be ready to jump away."

Christophe's eye shot up, locking on the screen. Rising, he took a cheep metal chair from beside the refrigerator, setting it up in the middle of the room. A metal mixing bowl was put on that. Ready to spring, he put the last number in, dropped the phone, and jumped back.

The phone began to ring, as if connecting a call. A crackle began to sound thrugh the ring, as if the line had connected incorrectly. Soon the sound became a screechy, dial-up modem, ripping eardrums and tearing flesh. As soon as it started, it ended. The spring fey began to advance, to peak in the bowl. "No!" Emil called. Christophe spring back another few feet. Suddenly the phone began to melt, acrid poison steaming up from it as it broke into its most basic parts. Minerals, sands, and oils congealed in the bowl, foaming upwards. On pure instinct, Christophe reached for the roses on his desk. Petals fell away, dancing about his fingers. A flick of his wrist sent them into ever growing mess. Suspended in air, they began to glow, there colors pulsing with the cool melt of spring warmth. The light pulsed, flickered, faded. The petals ashed, spinning into a tornado of organic magic.

"Les dangers lointains nés du feu me disent ce que vous désirez."

Through the computer Emil watched, eyes wide. He'd not heard Christophe use a bunk in a noticeable amount of time. The rose ash spun, trying to draw an answer out of the melted mass. For to long they waited, the place slowly filling with poisonous vapors. "Christophe... Christophe, you may need to run."

The spring fey frowned. His blue eyes flickered into an impossible hew. Teeth sharper than blades flashed a blinding white. His ears showed his sidhe linage, tapering into a wicked point. His hand flexed as he held it stiffly in front of him, pulling glamour from his dross pouch. It sparked to life, taking on the shape of a crocus. His voice called forth the winds of change, everything in the room becoming new and old with nary a breath. The crocus bloomed, then decayed, its rotting corps dusting to gold. The wind picked it up as Christophe intoned, "Sannaste form ropar jag ut dig. Skapare, Förstörare, svara på Drömmen. Jag är förresten Vårens rättigheter. Jag är förresten grejen att tro. Svar till mig med det som skapades, svar till mig, en kropp värd att känna igen!"

The gold speckled wind threw its force into the rose scented tornado spinning against the frothing bowl, each spark fusing with a fleck of ash. As they flowed, the ash began to form into a wildly organic shape. Then they exploded outwards, stopping just shy of touching anything, stuck in the air like a frozen painting. Christophe lowered the hands he'd raised to protect himself. "Emil... are you seeing this?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I am."

"Entropy," they both said, cold seeping into their bones.

"Something is endangering the balance."

"We know that," Emil snapped. "Something is making it worse!" Pressing his palms into his eyes, he slid down his chair, proper posture forgotten. "We are so screwed."

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14, part 15, part 16, part 17, part 18, part 19, part 20, part 21, part 22, part 23, part 24, part 25, part 26, part 27, part 28, part 29, part 30

[gracegrove]

Not super fandom related but kinda adjacent because of points that are constantly used or coopted by the wider fandom and antis.

So about six months ago I decided to do some googling and see what ever had happened to my elementary school bully. I wasn't surprised that I was able to find a mugshot along with his Facebook and that he'd only moved a couple towns away. But it did sadden me because of how little had changed for him compared to me.

I came across this boy beginning in the 4th grade, we had probably been in the same grade maybe even before that but we had no interactions until my best friend started picking on him. This was not something that I realized was going on, as the two of them were in the same classroom and I was in a different class. She and I would then hangout at lunch and after school.

In 4th grade all I knew about him was that he was just another boy in my grade and that he always looked angry. That was it. But then when he and I were in the same class beginning in 5th grade everything changed.

This boy would push me to the asphalt during recess, trip me, shove me, or try to push my head against the wall in the hallways. When we were in the classroom he would make sexually explicit and degrading comments about my body. He'd leave graphic drawings on my desk. He'd verbally harass me, call me stupid, or a bitch.

We sat next to each other because classroom seating was alphabetical. When my mother confronted the teacher about the difficulties this boy was causing me... She placed one student in between us.

One day he made a point of telling me that if he caught me hanging around the school grounds after school that day, that he was going to beat me up. I had been avoiding him the whole day, I hadn't even been in his way. And he said that to me. I was scared for my life. I got very lucky that my neighbor was there to pick up her son and I begged her to give my brother and I a ride home.

During this same period of time I was attending a grief group every few weeks, because my dad had just died that January. And one day when my mom was pulling into the parking lot, there he was. My bully was on the front porch. That night I was trying to stay close to the adults that ran the kids group. But I still wanted to keep to my usual routines. I really liked going into the padded room they had full of pillows and yoga balls for kids that wanted to let off steam. My bully followed me in there. He cornered me. He beat me so hard with a pillow that it ripped, he pinned me to the ground and tried to smother me. The adults weren't paying attention. And they didn't pull him off because I couldn't even get enough air to scream or cry.

When they finally realized he was being far too rough and did separate us. I was in tears and shaking.

I found out later that night that the reason he and his family were attending the grief group was because his mother had died the year before. His father essentially kicked her out. It sounded like there was a lot of interpersonal violence. But when his mom left she had nowhere to go and she ended up dying of exposure on the streets in a different state.

We switched groups immediately after that. But I still had to deal with him in class until he finally moved at the end of the school year.

I also learned that his father didn't really seem to give a damn. He was already dating again. And the women he was dating mostly tended to be blondes.

I was a blonde. I don't think my bully had the capacity to compartmentalize or process his grief or his anger. Granted we were 10 but still... So I became the trigger and the outlet.

As a kid I don't know if I even can say I was angry towards him because I was just so thoroughly scared by him. I remember he lived in the same direction as a friend's house, and I would purposely take a longer obscure route to avoid passing his house just in case. There were times I was certain that he would hurt me if I didn't find a way to escape or at least hang around an adult.... He's one of the reasons that catalyzed my eventual transfer into a private Catholic school. My brother was also being bullied.

Now as an adult I can see better how the things that happened in his life fed into how he treated me. And it just makes me sad. It doesn't make me angry. It doesn't make me want to take back my pound of flesh. It just makes me wish that he had gotten help and support. Because his life is not a happy one.

[system-splintered]

*********advance warning for tornados, other TWs in tags but here's one at the top if you don't have the tornado tag blocked*************

Tornado on the ground, warning on the TV, rain pouring down outside. This is all too familiar living in Tornado Alley but it still makes me queasy to see the sky pea soup green, smelling the ozone and petrichor and whatever else makes that distinct smell that's wafting about outside, in my house, inside my head.

May 20th, 2013, an EF5 ripped through my hometown, destroyed the gym behind the school I was in, almost dropped an industrial air conditioner from the hospital it destroyed on top of the quadrant of the building I was sheltering in. It landed feet from the side of the building. The sound when it passed by us was deafening. There was a roar like a steam engine at full tilt, and suddenly it was like thousands and thousands of basketballs were being dropped on the roof all at once. There was a gas leak, and we evacuated. I finally got picked up and it took a full two hours to drive what should've been a half mile to the shelter at grandma's.

An ef 2-3 just passed to the south of us by like, a few miles, looked like it was gonna go right over us. I don't like how it feels to be twelve again. 2013 was the worst year of my life. I attempted suicide seriously, spent overnight in the hospital and a week in the psych ward before insurance ran out. This was in late January, and then in May the big one hit, it was over a mile wide. It put cars plural on top of what was left of the hospital. Is it an exaggeration to say I almost died? It feels wrong to the people who actually got hurt or died. Like I just locked eyes with death, not close enough for a dance. But all that was between me and a mile wide EF5 was maybe a hundred and fifty yards, at absolute most, and a concrete block wall? But maybe I'm not being grateful enough that I got that much. I don't know... Sorry for the rant, I guess.

[lleeroon-blog]

Moiras journal, morndas, 29th of hearthfire 4e 201

On the days leading up to now, Leeannes been getting more dependent. During the assassinations, shes mostly asked me to slaughter them herself, which i obliged. She ran from Ivarstead to Windhelm then to Dawnstar in a full day, there Isn't any stopping her. Then after that, i had taken the liberty of dealing with Goldenglow estate, making a point of slaughtering mercenary within the walls, including that pompus elf Aringoth, to which Leanne savored the delectable taste of. Our companionship has only gotten better and better as the days treck on and we've come to rely on each other. Especially during this new contract the dark brotherhood sent us on, given to us by a woman named muiri who wanted a slimy bastard of an ex killed, along with some poor girl she was friends with. Though on our way to that, we had stopped off in whiterun to complete a mission given to us by Maven black-briar, Riftens local crime lord. She asked us to assist her inside man with taking over a competitors meadery via poisoning both the rat nest and the vats, and killing a troublesome mage who's made his home in the tunnels. After all of that has been said and done, Leanne continued her sprint toward windhelm, swapping control back to me for us to enter the city uninhibited. While i will admit, i did start taking my sweet time within the arena, slaying foes and earning extra coin for us. And Leanne did get a bit irritated with me... so much do that she forced control from me, frightened all of the spectators, tore down the door to the hall of talos and and ripped the girl we needed to kill to shreds. After the well deserved chase outside of the city, She charged up the mountain to the fortress this bastard resided killed and ate everyone, and when they finally met face to face, Leeanne called the bastard a "pompus,arrogant,weasel of a boy who's manhood is as small as his ego is large." He didn't take to kindly to that and Ended up dead not 1 minute after. After sufficiently dining upon his corpse, our resident slaughterhouse charged headlong into the dwemer ruin, making short work of the automatons and weird looking white elves within. Then came the real fight. There was this massive dwemer mechanism that was twice the height of us and fired steam from its mouth. It was a long and arduous battle but we emerged victorious thanks to not only Leeannes strength, but my quick wits. Afterwards, we had B lined it back to the sanctuary where Astrid had asked me to eavesdrop on the jester who recently joined our sanctuary, fearing treachery. She told me to hide within the Night Mothers coffin. I had picked the surprisingly easy lock on the door and made my way inside and nearly fell asleep waiting for him. At which point the corpse started talking to me. She had named me listener and told me to speak to an Amound Mottiere. The shock of everything that happened was enough to make me pass out and at that point, Leeanne took over. Indeed i did. I had shifted right when the jester opened the door and ordered us to explain, at which point i was tripping over my words and somehow managed to get out that the night mother spoke to us. That only seemed to piss him off and he was just about to draw his blade when i told him "Darkness rises when silence dies." It was at that point where he had done a backflip and cheered about how i was the listener, whatever that was. During which Astrid charged in, blade in hand and ordered an explanation for this. The jester told her that i was the listener and she simply said No you aren't, go get a job from nazir. It was just after that when moira woke up and regained control from me. Back to you, moira. Thank you pup. Nazir ordered us to slay a vampire and a bard and i'm packing up to set out now. This has been an utter roller-coaster and i don't know what to think of any of this. Ill use these assassinations to gather my thoughts on the matter. Hircine protect us.

[strawberriesmochi]

"I can't do this anymore I am forever trapped in this horrid timeloop, cursed to die over and over again, is this the price I pay just so I could avenge your pitiful and unjustified death?"

I scream under the cut

WOOO ANOTHER OC, OKAY INFO DUMPLINGS TIME,

Okay so! Me and my friends have this rp on fansasia on Roblox right? And we all LOVE clue it's how we met, and so this roleplay is briefly based off clue and this is my Hostess Mademoiselle Noir {Fake name}

And she blackmails everyone, invites them to dinner and positively RIPS THEM TO SHREDS by using their blackmail (It helps me blow off steam and everyone loves it.... Or they're scared of it)

Anyways she gives them 'gifts' that are actually weapons (Gun, knife, stick, etc etc) or something that ties into their blackmail and pasts (Broken radio, engagement ring, picture of deceased victim etc) or both (Gun that one oc used to kill someone and with it the photo of their dead child that they killed, the mask of an OCs dead sister that he had killed with lions etc etc)

And then the lights go out and she's dead, so far she's been (in roleplay)

Strangled, pushed off the balcony, stabbed, stabbed in the neck with a broken radio, stabbed in several places and then posed elegantly against the stairs, head trauma, and then some of these repeatedly

And every time she has to wait as a ghost until 4 am when everything resets and the time loop starts again with a different group of people she's black mailing, repeatedly.

Now what got her into blackmailing people? Well to put it in short her brother died due to his radio being messed with (thanks to my friends OC I think?) And she went bent on revenge to kill whoever did it, and ended up picking up on injustices of other people ("Mrs so-so abused her young child, that child.... Is resting with the Lord now." "Oh... That Priest, yeah he's in the Mafia and has scammed thousands and has killed thousands more." "OH him? Yeah he's not even a real blond! " "She just treats us horribly ma'am, one of the girls, she was beheaded by her!")

And so she took them for their money's worth, and if they ran dry? She exposed them secretly, after all they couldn't pay their way out of prison anymore.

However with all things she flew a tad bit too close to the sun, the lines between revenge for her brother and greed began blurring, after all she wasn't planning on living long after everything had been settled,

But then that damn dinner party, an array of guests who she calmly exposed, her butler behind her with the paperwork and all.

But something went horribly wrong, she died, but then it happened again, the dinner party but almost everyone was different, but it ended the same, with her death, her body thrown, beaten, spat on, kicked, dead.

As a result she lost her calm demeanor, taking on a more unhinged one instead, where had her butler gone? Who knows, she had heaps of blackmail and pure insanity from dying, she was bored, they'd all act the same, maybe she'd get lucky with a new reaction from someone, revenge thrown out the window, She has an ongoing theory that if she survives even once she may escape the loop, but she hasn't been successful yet, maybe one day she'll escape but until then the cycle will repeat itself, over and over and over again.

[blackenchanting]

Welcome to ravens borough part 3 battery trouble

This story is nsfw and therefore not for children

Somewhere in the quiet unheard of town called Ravens Borough The two detectives waited by their black nineteen seventy nine Buick LeSabre with a dead battery.

"Well that's annoying." Rob said, closing the hood.

"Could have sworn I replaced it the other day." Eva said leaning on the car.

"Guess we gotta call Orion." Rob said getting his phone out and calling the town mechanic.

"And now, we wait." Rob said, putting his phone away.

"We could just walk." Eva said.

"Do you want to walk to and from the mechanics?" Rob asked.

"Good point." Eva said.

"Wanna steam up the windows while we wait?" Rob asked.

"And potentially traumatize Orion? Tempting." Eva said with a giggle.

"Well it has been a while since we did it in the car." Rob said moving over to Eva and kissing her. As they heard the distant wine of a siren and a horn blowing multiple times

"Oh. He's here." Rob said, turning around as a rusty old nineteen sixty nine ford f two fifty utility truck. pull in beside them as the siren died leaving only the rotating beacon the door had a portrait of a skull duel welding wrenches with Orion's twenty four hour roadside recovery service and repairs on it as the door swung open. as a skinny blonde haired male in a flannel ripped jeans a grey shirt with a rainbow peace sign on it and a green headband tied around his head. Dropped from the side his right leg was fine but his left leg had bandages on it.

"How's your leg dude?" Rob asked.

"Not bad." Orion said, first bumping Rob.

"They kinda told me the only thing they could do was amputate it. But I said no I'd rather be mr limpy then mr one leg." he continued.

"Fair enough." Rob said.

"I heard they're working on new prosthetics. Though it really depends on how much needed to be amputated." Eva said.

"So I was thinking earlier right.. we should go to the bar later and get waaasted! like we did last week when I woke up in the dumpster out in paxton with absolutely no clue how I got there.. brah it was totally tubular." Orion said with a chuckle as he limped past the fender that said horn warrior on it.

"I wasn't here for that. Bet Saffron was pissed." Rob said.

"She was. I had to haul his ass home." Eva said.

"Bummer bro hashtag no regrets." Orion said limping around to the front of their car.

"We definitely should get drinks though, but no drunken traveling. Because knowing us, we'll be completely separated." Rob said stretching and putting an arm around Eva.

"Yeah dude, we can't keep dragging you back home when you get shit faced, with your daughter around now." Eva said leaning on Rob.

"You guys need to come over and meet her at some point. She's the most precious thing I've ever seen. And not just because I created her" he said with a laugh as he popped their hood.

"We definitely will. Gotta introduce ourselves to her after all." Rob said.

"Might actually get saffron's opinion on a couple of things while we're at it." Eva said.

"Oh god not opinions.. So I heard we have a big city boy on our hands now a week in New York city." Orion said.

"Eh, it wasn't that interesting. Besides the run in with the mob, the attempted muggings, and the guy who ran away from his wife because of crippling gambling debt." Rob said.

"Interesting... Alright so you got a seven point five liter v eight in this bad boy with a three speed transmission and a six fifty cca battery." Orion said.

"Yeah. We know. You say that every time you open the hood. And sometimes even before." Rob said.

"Sometimes I just gotta show that I know cars" the mechanic testifie.

"So apparently they opened this new establishment down there on DarkWatterton road where the old manor used to sit" He continued

"Oh? What is it?" Rob asked.

"It's called Lucy's... or something.... It's got some really good steak though" Orion said limping back over to his truck like a sad puppy.

"Fair, I prefer cooking my own steak." Rob said.

"Oh yeah. Lucy's outlaw steakhouse. Kinda interesting that we get chain restaurants this far out." Eva said.

"Best steak I've ever had" Orion said unlocking a box and opening it where he had a bunch of tools ready to go .

"Then I gotta cook for you sometime." Rob said.

"And you gotta try Lucy's at some point" Orion replied, pulling out a spare battery

"But uh.. I've been going down to the raven brook. You know that area of town that barely anyone lives in because it's really far from anything." he said

"Dude, you keep taking risks. You gotta chill out a bit bro." Rob said.

"For Saffron's sake." Eva said.

"All week I've been towing abandoned cars from there and every time I go there.. I drive by this black chevy el camino, the one that your friend drives.. it sits there from nine in the morning to three the next morning." Orion said scratching the back of his neck "Of course she's doing shady shit." Rob said.

"We'll check it out." Eva said.

"It's probably nothing I just thought I'd tell you. Incase it gets stolen or something"

"Fair enough." Rob said.

"Heh reminds me of the time you left your Impala un-watched for a little too long and someone stole it. Drove halfway across the country with it" he said limping back over to their car.

"Ah, that was a fun time. Ended up in Vegas. Broke a guy's hand. Won 30 grand. Good times." Rob said

"I'm still waiting for you to pay me for that trip so I can release the damn thing. It's taking up too much space in the driveway saffrons getting tired of staring at it though the kitchen window." Orion said.

"Yeah we'll be over and take care of that soon. Probably a bit after we get home and shower." Rob said.

"And bam!" Orion said dropping the hood and holding the old battery.

"Thanks." Rob said.

" And let us know if you need anything." Eva said getting into the car as Orion blew the horn on the truck and took off as it rattled.

At Ameila and Ava's two story suburban house the couple were chilling in the kitchen Ameila sat on a counter and Ava mixed something in a bowl

"You look so pretty when you play chef" Ameila said petting Ava's head

"Awe stop your gonna make me blush" she said continuing to mix the bowl of presumably pancake batter. she was a bit of a mess being covered in pancake batter herself as Ameila took her finger and brushed it off her face and onto her finger before eating it.

"Mhh that's interesting" she said

"You know you ain't supposed to eat it by itself right..." The demon said

"That explains a lot" Ameila replied putting a pan on the stove as Ava poured the batter into it allowing the two to watch as it cooked. Ameila put her hand on Ava's as they flipped pancake number one together

"That's sweet" Ava said.

"True but not as sweet as you" she said

"Stahp it." the demon lady said.

"Absolutely not… never." the pink haired menace said as they flipped pancake number one again and put it on a plate.

"Huh it kinda looks like a frog." Ava said.

"Looks like a down syndrome garfield to me" Ameila said.

"Gah ruuude!!" Ava said.

"I'm only speaking my mind." Ameila said.

"Sometimes your mind is mean... and evil… and wrong!" Ava said going on a playful tangent.

"Ah you know what they say you can't make a cake without losing a dozen men.. wait a second" Ameila said.

A little bit later in Rob and Eva's apartment Eva was getting undressed in the bedroom as Rob walked in.

"So shower then we see if anyone needs our variety of help?" Rob asked as Eva took her shirt off revealing her bare almost completely flat chest and inverted nipples.

"That sounds like a plan, though I think we should take care of something first." Eva said, stripping her pants off now in just red and black striped thigh high socks that squeezed the top of her thick thighs.

"On the bed." Eva said in a commanding tone as Rob obeyed.

"Yes ma'am." Rob said as Eva used her socked feet to free Rob's cock from his pants.

"There. Now, let's give me another reason to wear the new pair I got." Eva said, placing both of her feet around Rob's cock.

"By all me-ah!" Rob moaned as Eva started stroking his cock with her feet in a slow sensual manner.

"You know, that reminds me, we gotta check the tires later." Eva said stroking a bit faster, from base to tip.

"Check the tires, make sure the windows roll down, check the suspension." Rob said as Eva pressed her feet together tighter.

"And after that we gotta probably double check with the sheriff about that last case in town, the one that the Mayor was interested in." Eva said, stroking harder.

"Noted, we're definitely not entirely washed of that one, ah right there." Rob said, close to climaxing.

"Yeah, that's definitely still under the ongoing umbrella, good thing we have so many wall boards." Eva said stroking as hard as her thick legs would allow, causing Rob to climax hard on the lower half of her thigh highs.

"What is with you and needing multiple reasons to do some things?" Rob asked as Eva peeled her thigh highs off.

"With certain clothes you're the only reason they get dirty, besides, the new ones are a bit of a surprise." Eva said getting off the bed and stretching.

"Fair enough, so, shower?" Rob asked while stripping out of his clothes.

"Shower." Eva said as the couple headed into the bathroom.

At Kai and Owen's place, Kai made plans for the two of them.

“Alright little guy, we gotta get that introverted self pushed back a little or you may end up single your entire life and we can’t have that.” Kai said.

“B-But… I’m not sure if I can do it right now.” Owen stuttered.

“Yes but if I pretend to do so, it’ll get mom off my back for a while so we’re off to the arcade.” Kai said as he lifted Owen onto his shoulders.

“Everything looks small up here!” Owen exclaimed.

“It’s not as fun as it looks, I’ve hit my head on more doors than I can remember.” Kai replied.

“It can’t be all bad though.” Owen said as he patted his brother on the head giggling.

“Right, the arcade, here we are.” Kai said.

“O-Ok, b-but if a self aware character from one of the games tries coming for me, I won’t speak to you for a while.” Owen replied, causing Kai to facepalm.

“You play too many visual novels and watch too many cartoons bro.” Kai said.

“P-Please don’t tease me about them.” Owen pleaded.

“What? I never planned to. Why the hell did you think I would?” Kai said.

“B-Because they’re childish?” Owen answered.

“Not all of them, I know that they can tell some pretty dark shit at times, they aren’t childish at all!” Kai exclaimed.

“Th-That makes me feel a little better… I think.” Owen said.

“With that out of the way, I’m off to find the shooter games, call me if you need anything.” Kai said.

“Ok, have fun… I’ll just do my own thing.” Owen said as he watched Kai walk away.

“You aren’t coming with me?” Kai asked.

“I-It’s not really my thing.” Owen replied.

“Suit yourself bro.” Kai said.

Owen watched as Kai headed off before going the other way, hoping to find any retro-style game machines, curious to how they worked.

“You seem more interested in the machine than you are in the game.” A girl said as she approached Owen.

“H-Huh? o-oh, I’m just fascinated by how they work.” Owen replied.

“Good to see someone with a hobby outside of the internet or sex.” The girl said.

“W-Well…I-I do use the internet…just not for naughty things.” Owen said nervously.

“Ok, take a minute to breathe…you’re shaking like a leaf right now.” The girl said, placing her hand on his shoulder reassuringly.

“I-I am? s-sorry.” Owen replied.

“Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong.” The girl said.

“U-Um…what’s your name?” Owen asked, hoping to divert the conversation.

“My name? oh, did I not give you it? my bad, it’s Kaela.” Kaela said.

“M-Mine’s Owen.” Owen replied.

“Did you come with anyone? ‘Cause I’m more than happy to provide company.” Kaela said.

“I-I came with someone… but they’re happy doing their own thing.” Owen said.

“Who were they? your girlfriend?” Kaela asked.

“N-No… I came with my brother.” Owen answered.

“Your brother, hm? Where is he now? Kaela asked.

“Is there a problem? Do you have a problem with him?” Kai asked as he walked up to the two.

“N-No, no problem Kai, I-I made a new friend is all.” Owen responded.

“You… Made a friend… On your own?” Kai said surprised.

Owen simply nodded quietly before being picked up by Kai.

“Nice work little bro! I knew you could do it eventually!” Kai said triumphantly.

“Ah! P-Put me down please.” Owen exclaimed.

“Can’t! I'm too proud!” Kai shouted.

Eventually, he puts his younger brother down.

“I’m Kai, Owen’s older brother but not the oldest brother.” Kai said after recomposing himself from his pride.

Later that night the detectives drove down the road Orion had been talking about earlier as they found the El Camino chilling by an alleyway.

"Well, it looks like he was right." Rob said.

The windows were fully blacked out making them feel a bit uneasy

"Weird." Eva said.

"It wasn't like that the other day." Rob said.

"And here I was looking forward to going home and relaxing for a bit." Eva said parking the car outside the alley as the radio in the Buick Lesabre started playing white noise as they got closer to it.

"That's even weirder." Rob said as the detectives drove closer the el camino just sat there doing nothing.

"Alright, that's creepy." Eva said getting closer before parking.

"I'll check it out." Rob said getting out of the car and walking over to the El Camino. Which continued sitting there like a normal parked car.

Rob grabbed the handle and pulled it to discover the car was unlocked and empty.

"Ameila, you really gotta lock this thing." Rob said, closing the door and pulling out a notepad from his coat and writing out a ticket as the car's lights turned on.

"What in the actual hell?" Rob said, closing the notepad and walking back to his car.

"A ghost is one thing but I know not to fuck with haunted cars." Rob said getting back into the car.

The El caminos engine roared sounding very mean as it took off drifting into the other lane and sped off causing the tool box in the back to rattle like a mother fucker.

"Oh I see how it is." Eva said putting the car into drive and peeling out after the El Camino her lights lighting up the back like a christmas tree as Eva kept up with the El Camino as it continued with the LeSabre hot on it's ass as they could read the license plate. As the back wheels spun causing the car to drift straight into an alleyway splashing through a puddle as Eva focused on the El Camino which turned again.

"This piece of shit wasn't meant for this!" Rob said as Eva drifted after the El Camino.

"Sure it was, otherwise we wouldn't have it." Eva said as the El camino drifted onto the main road almost rolling over In front of them as it rattled and shook.

"How is that thing even driving?! No one was in it!" Rob said as the el camino swerved a bit as Eva kept following it. They watched it slowly decelerate until it was right next to them though they still couldn't see through the windows.

"The fuck is it doing?" Rob asked as Eva kept pace with the El Camino as Eva grabbed the wheel and spun it trying to pull a pit maneuver on the El Camino as it completely slowed down as they sent the LeSabre flying into a ditch as the El camino took off into the distance.

"Well that didn't go as I planned." Eva said.

"That was exhilarating, and kinda hot, that's why I leave the driving to you." Rob said.

"Yeah, yeah it was. We'll have to keep an eye out for the El Cami-" Eva said as Rob kissed her and pulled her into the backseat.

"Really? Now?" Eva asked as the El Camino did doughnuts in front of their car

"Oh that's just rude." Rob said as Eva pushed him down.

"Not gonna let it ruin the moment." Eva said. As the El camino came to a stop and shut down

[theworstcreature]

hey do you guys remember the immortal snail? Because I do and I want to write about it so here we go

I sat on the cold stone cliff, looking out at the dangerous, cold, yet empty ocean. Today, my dirty navy blue hair was tied back in a large braid- the type the the rich and beautiful wore. I remembered all the kings and queens, empowers and empresses, rulers both good and bad. I had seen humanity’s steady decline right before my eyes. Seeing people tell incorrect stories of witnessed with complete confidence has always annoyed me. I thought back to the simpler times when I would write down history and either be fully listened to and deemed as true or ignored and have my writings never see the light of day. I ran my hand across the long skirt of my gown. I had always loved this one. The soft sunset colors always reminded me of my first home. My true home. “I wish she was still here” I sigh, remembering all the times we had danced in the flower fields and her dark brown hair and how gorgeous she looked on our wedding. She gave me this dress. It was my 24th birthday and that was the moment I fell for her. I knew we couldn’t be together forever. That I would inevitably outlive her. But I still let myself fall in love. No other love has ever felt as strong as my love for her. It may of only lasted 6 short years but it was one of the few times I have been truly happy. I sighed. Why must I always be stuck in the past? She would never of forgives me if I told her of my immortality. That we would never be able to be together till the end of our days. She died too young. Far. Too young. It may of been centuries ago but I hope I never forget her face. Falling for her was the best and the worst mistake I ever made. I was ripped away from my thoughts by a sudden noise. I look around and see a small fluffy creature. Is that- no it can’t be. I thought they all died out like most other life. The creature walks closer and I realize that yes, this is a small black rat. I carefully step closer, trying not to scare it. Surprisingly, it lets me get close. I pick it up in my hands and it chitters. It sounded happy. “Hey, little buddy.” I bring my little fluffy friend into my cave and set it on my makeshift bed. I turn on my food materializer and make some fresh perfectly ripe strawberries. I was thankful for my energy generator I set up in the ocean below. It lets me use what little technology I have and lets me stay warm during the harsh, unsurvivable winter months. The rat squeaks excitedly as I hand it some. As it eats, I sketch my new friend on my tablet. It’s an old invention but thankfully this one was built to last. At sunset, I scoop up my little buddy and go outside to watch the sunset. The sun is much brighter than usual. Maybe it’s finally time. I pull out Perhapse one of my oldest items- a purple iPod from when I was a child. I had always found ways to keep it going. Now, it had been upgraded so much that it barely was even the same thing. Sure I could use a more modern music device but this one reminds me of my childhood. Before I signed the contract. Before I got this terrible endless life. Why hasn’t that snail shown up already? We sit on the cliff and I gently stroke the rat as I listen to my music. Now, the sun is getting much to bright. I can feel it getting hotter and the ocean is beginning to steam. My headphones start playing “so this is Christmas”. I look at the world around me, wondering if I will outlive this planet when I see him. I watch as the snail approaches me. When it’s close enough, I pick it up. “You caught me. Took ya long enough.” I say, shaking. “The war is over..” I say as the sun burns out, devouring the world around me. I listen to the last seconds of the song as I feel my heart stop beating.

[dickie-gayson]

Who’s the greatest Robin?

i cant believe u put me on the spot like this

-sweats nervously-

OKAY SO..imho there’s no ‘greatest Robin’. They each have traits and skills that make them fantastic and invaluable. so instead of who I think the greatest is, HERE’S A LIST OF SOME OF THE TRAITS THAT MAKE THEM GREAT (not just as Robin bcus SOME had rather short tenures as Robin)

Robin in general - loving (even if they try to hide it), smart, loyal, and Wild AF. poor Bruce has more gray hairs bcus of these lil shits than anything else probably, would do literally anything to save others even if it killed them (which i wish DC would stop doing we get it already)

Dick - greatest acrobat in the DCU, fast af and hard to hit, bendy fuckin wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing-tubeman level flexibility. reflexive thinker that can react on the fly and adapt in a snap. loves with all he has, sat and talked to Tim when Tim was feeling suicidal and thats smth i just..really feel strongly about in a good way, great sense of humor that he uses to deflect actual emotions bcus emotional competence is for squares, wanted to adopt Damian and i still cry over that missed opportunity, a walking Hot Mess

Jason - so much fire and passion in everything he does. takes after Alfy with the dramatics and it’s perfect. he’s so smart and caring but that’s always overshadowed by his ‘attitude’. the fact that he tried to keep Shiela safe even after the betrayal and torture says so much about how big his heart is, despite all the pain and suffering, all the negatives, he pushed on and turned everything around for himself, he’s just such a good dude all-around

Tim - him heart too big for him gotdam body, like he was in awe of batman and robin (and Flying Grayson Dick i still cry over that tbh), just wanted to make sure bruce and gotham were safe, despite his depression and self-image issues (not thinking he could compare to Jason or Dick) he still fought on and if that aint inspiring idk what is, he’s so fuckin smart that even Ra’s admires him, kid doesnt give up like...ever. DC bring him back already u cowards. im Salty over his treatment

Stephanie - so underrated, never in Robin stuff and it makes me Sad. she’s so funny, but more than that she’s tough. by that i mean her father was a super criminal but she wanted to do better and became Spoiler to fight against him, gave up her own child at 16 bcus she knew that it’d have a better life somewhere else and that gets her so much respect, that was a tough and strong decision, always swings back to the fam even after Bruce pushes her away (rude B she’s Great), she doesnt give up or stay down (a patented Robin trait)

Damian - i love this smol birb. he was so vicious and determined to prove himself when he first appeared. he was angry, downright cruel at times (lookin at that time u tried to blow Tim up, Dami), but he grew up, he matured into smth so much brighter, that boy loves even if he tries to hide it bcus he’s embarrassed, super loyal like dont hurt, hell dont even touch those he loves bcus Jealousy and Wrath abound

BONUS ROUND:

Carrie Kelley - so creative. so determined to be Robin. she was the first female Robin (even if that comic was a Hot Mess and she was the only redeemable part imo), used a slingshot as a weapon and thats Fantastic, used her lunch money to buy a Robin costume and i love her

Duke Thomas - honestly prolly the most well-adjusted Robin and i adore him, he cried bcus Dami beat the hell out of him and it hurt. he hurt, he doubted he should do this, and yet he got up and kept goin. cant believe wtf the batfam’s lives even are and i dont blame him

OKAY SO THIS TURNED LONGER AND LESS INTO A LIST OF TRAITS AS I WENT ON, SORRY  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

TLDR: EVERY ROBIN IS THE GREATEST ROBIN AND ID DIE FOR EACH OF THEM

[witch-hazels-musings]

Until you are safe

Warning: Vision Hunt Decree still in effect, kidnapped themes, reader grabbed by hair (Thoma), possessive themes (scara)

Character X GN Reader | Anthology 

Includes: Albedo, Scara, Thoma, Zhongli

Albedo

The frosty chill of the mountain side was more than you could bear. Every time you thought you gained warmth it was ripped from your body by icy hands threatening to drive you insane. You shivered and wrapped your coat further around your body while you scowled against the frigid cold. 

Ahead of you stood Albedo who seemed indifferent to the temperature and while you were impressed that he knew how to handle this without any complaints, you were also irritated by the fact. He was barely wearing anything and here you were shivering under countless layers of cloth. 

He turned to tell you something but with the turbulent winds and nibbling frost against your ears, you didn’t understand a single word he said. Quickly, you forced your legs to move as you made your way to his side.

“W-w-what di-did you s-say?” Your chattering teeth made it hard, and painful, to speak but you did your best anyway. 

“We are nearly there, can you keep going?” He narrowed his eyes at you but you knew that was a common thing he did. It was unlikely to have any additional meaning behind it. 

“H-how f-f-f-ar?” 

“Just around the bend.” He rested the back of his hand against your cheek and somehow that made you shiver even more than the touch of frost. When you nodded and began to walk forward, he took up position behind you and directed you toward the camp. 

With the cave blocking out the wind, and several warming mechanisms already glowing, you stumbled your way in between them an the fire. Trembling hands extended toward the orange and yellow light while you watched the snow drip from your clothes. 

“I always h-hat-te this p-p-part.” You complained, shaking your head and shoulders to warm up the muscles. This wasn’t the first time you traveled to Dragonspine with Albedo, but each time you braved the conditions you recalled the promise you made yourself last time. Never again, well ... I guess that promise was made to be broken. 

“Here, this will help warm you.” He handed you a cup and immediately you caught the scent of fresh and soothing tea. The aroma itself perked you up and even though your fingers were still stiff, you graciously took the offering. Warmth seeped into your throat as the liquid carved a path down your esophagus and into the pit of your baron stomach. With a refreshing hum you smiled through the steam.  

“P-p-perfect. Thank-k y-you.” Another sip warmed your lips and tickled your nose but you didn’t dare stop. 

“This trip should be less strenuous than last time.” Albedo began, his back turned to you as he rummaged through the stacks of books. “Where did I place that ... perhaps it got caught in the wind, that would be unfortunate.” 

You giggled, eyes watching him meander and speak to himself all at the same time. He had a habit of doing it but it never bothered you, in fact it was comforting to hear his voice, stabilizing, grounding. 

“You ca-can head out. I’ll b-be fine here after I w-warm up-p.” The shivering had eased, but you still succumbed to the residual affects as your body began to shift from frozen to thawed. 

“No need, I can wait here for a while.” 

“Haha, that’s silly, g-go on ahead.” You took another sip of the cup and found yourself sad at the emptiness of it. That’s when a hand entered your field of vision and you watched Albedo walk toward a table, refill your drink, and return to your side. He offered it to you and when your fingers found the circumference his nestled against them.

“Until I know you are safe, I will be here.” His eyes held your own for a while as if waiting for your reaction, your response, and when you nodded he mimicked your action before slipping back toward the bookshelves and research table. 

You were glad he left you, because if he hadn’t you were sure the only way to cool down was to step beyond the barrier of the cave and into the never-ending snowstorm that protected Dragonspine. 

Scara

Being at the side of a Harbinger had it’s own trials. If it wasn’t the constant movement between assignments or the threats against your life, it was the loneliness which creeped in every single day. There were some Harbingers who left the life of love far outside of their reach: Signora, who vowed to never love again and instead put all her attention into fulfilling her duty, Childe, found love a difficult thing to ignore and did his best to keep what he cherished hidden behind closed doors. 

Scara, he never understood the meaning of the word until it crashed around him like a house crumbles into itself, and the way he kept his belongings safe was to have them near him at all times. It was far better to be under the watchful eyes of his competence than leave something so valuable in the hands of another. So, here you were, following him around and staying hidden until he called for you. 

-- 

The room was empty, absent of all the things you would have normally kept to make this place more homey. If you could get away with it, you’d have made some changes to the décor, but the problem with never settling in one place for long made this desire of yours difficult to accomplish. It wasn’t feasible, you thought to yourself  but that didn’t stop you from adding a bit of comfort when you could. 

The night came and went without issue and after you prepared yourself for bed you wondered where your lover was. Was he succeeding, was he accomplishing his goals, would he return to you tonight or would you wake up alone yet again. Luckily for you, you had learn to be patient. 

Your dreams kept you occupied but there seemed to be something about them that pulled you toward consciousness, a subtle wish drifting across your imagines to wake up. 

Something brushed across your cheek, but was it the dream or reality, you couldn’t tell. Gravity pulled you close to something sturdy, but was it a creation of your imagination or the real thing - why was this so challenging. When your eyes finally opened and adjusted to the light of the room, you realized what had been calling to you. 

“Scara?” You pulled your hand down from behind the pillow, the muscles tense from being locked into that position for so long. “What has-” 

“Go back to sleep.” He spoke and the sound of his voice pulled you closer to him. 

“Is everything okay?” You continued your question as if what he said was never uttered, your eyes trying to find the outline of his frame while your skin adjusted to his touch. 

“Nothing to concern yourself with, just sleep.” 

“But, why are you here?

“I don’t recall needing your permission to do anything.” His words may have been direct, but you could sense there was something else behind them. 

“... would you ... like to come to bed?” 

“I can’t.” He adjusted and you felt the warmth of the blankets cover more of your exposed skin. The chill of the evening became blocked by the sheets and you hummed in response. You were confused, but the feeling of his hand running along your neck, your jaw, and into your hair made all the questions you had disappear. Moments like these brought out something completely different in the Harbinger and you wondered why he treated you so differently. 

With a yawn, you turned into his touch, lips finding the palm of his hand easily and placing a tender kiss against his skin. “You don’t need to stay if you have work to do. I’ll be fine.” You hummed again as he thumb ran over your lips and the gentle pull of sleep began to find you. It was quiet for a while and you focused on the warmth, the closeness, the comfort he provided until you practically melted into the bed. 

“I can’t do that either.” Scara whispered, hand pressing into the mattress as he leaned closer to your face. “Not until you are safe,” He breathed in your scent, gazing down at your trusting form beneath him. “Even from me.” He spoke as his fingers curled into the sheets and before he lost himself in you, he slipped from your bedroom and made his way down the hall. 

Thoma

He ran so fast as soon as the news reached him. The weight of his feet as he dashed through the countryside grew with every passing second but there was nothing more painful than his clenching heart and anxious thoughts. 

What have they done, am I to late, please don’t be too late. He wracked his brain over and over again, blamed himself for the stupidity of leaving you. If he had been there would the outcome be different? If he had stayed, would he have been able to fend off their attack enough to get you to safety. How foolish of him for thinking they wouldn’t use dirty tricks like this to accomplish their goals. 

Rumors and intel began to swirl like wildfire and at this point he couldn’t differentiate the accuracy of it all. There was one thing he knew for certain, the vision hunters had you and he was going to get you back. 

-- 

Their campsite was simple and you wondered if they would really be able to escort all of these prisoners back to the city on their own. They were intimidating enough to keep most insurrection at bay, but you were not about to let them get away with this. After a quick analysis of your surroundings, you found a few potential options worth trying, now it was only a matter of timing. 

“You won’t get away with this!” Someone shouted next to you and you patiently waited for an opportunity. 

“Shut up.” A soldier barked, his dismissive attitude apparent from the lack of eye contact and the wave of his hand. 

“This is wrong and you know it! Do you think you’re immune to the decree, when the day come to hand over your vision will you?!” 

The soldier turned and made his way through the trembling captured, you used the scuffling of those trying to get out of his way as an excuse to move closer to your escape. The dirt scraped against your bound hands and pulled at your clothes, but you didn’t care because each inch you gained the closer you got to freedom. 

You watched the soldier lift the woman from the ground, his impressive height apparent as she dangled above the well worn soil. “I will do what is necessary for the Raiden Shogun. I am bound by honor, unlike the resistance.” 

“Honor! You know nothing of it. Put me down you brute.” She spat in his face and he reacted in kind. You hated the fact that you were using her as your distraction, but hopefully if this all worked out in the end freedom would be enough compensation for her bruised face. Your fingers brushed against a metal handle, the sword you were aiming for had been reached and you quickly worked to get yourself free from the bindings.

The loosening rope told you of your success but when your hand wrapped around the hilt of the weapon and you moved to stand, a sudden pain against your head made your vision go blurry. 

“What do you think you are doing?!” Shouted a voice near your ear. They were so loud that you shrunk away from it only to be yanked right back. “You think you could take on all of us? Are you stupid.” 

“I didn’t think so.” You wheezed, blinking harshly to try and bring your vision back to clarity. 

“Well let me help you understand.” He drug you away from the group but before you could take but a few steps, an intense groan blasted it’s way near you and the hand that held your hair fell away in an instant. 

“Are you alright?” A familiar voice asked, hands finding your waist to steady you. It was like your eyes snapped back on because as soon as you turned your head, you found Thoma standing their with an expression you’d never seen before: fury. 

“I’m - ouch - okay.” You whispered and then you realized the implications of him being there. Turning, you pressed your hands against his chest and pushed against him, your voice turned tense as you shouted. “Ge-get out of here! What if they catch you!?” 

“I’m not leaving.” 

“Thoma!” 

He looked down at you, his arm tightening around you and you swore the world shifted red and the screaming soldiers shouts became muffled. “Until I know you are safe, I’m not leaving.” He looked forward and the glint of his polearm caught your attention. “Now hold on, okay.” 

The dry landscape turned into a wildfire until only what Thoma wanted to remain, remained. 

Zhongli

“This is very kind of you, Zhongli. To walk me home.” You chuckled, gazing up at him as you made your way down the path and toward the city. It wasn’t uncommon for Zhongli to escort you from place to place, but tonight you would have assumed he would stay on the Pearl and continue his lively conversation. 

“It is no trouble at all, to allow you to walk by yourself would not sit well with me.” Zhongli commented matter-of-factly, his eyes closing as he nodded his head and gazed up toward the stars. 

“You were having such a nice time, know that I didn’t mean to bring that too a close.” You scratched your forehead and adjusted your clothes after climbing the stairs from the docks. It was a rather pleasant night, but it usually was in Liyue this time of year. 

“I would never insinuate you had ill intentions. I made this decision on my own, to escort you is no trouble at all.” 

“Yes, well, that’s very kind of you Zhongli.” The lights of the festival swayed in the wind. To you they looked like fireflies in the sky, but that was such a silly thought you kept it to yourself. “I think I can manage on my own, if you want to go back?” 

“Nonsense, I will stay until I know you are safe.” He glanced down at you and offered you a smile, one that spoke true and gave you the impression of ‘I will not be swayed.’ 

“Well, thank you.” You turned away from him in hopes that he wouldn’t notice the embarrassment you were sure shined in your eyes and flashed across your expression. How can someone so regal find your company enjoyable at all - but Zhongli was so kind to anyone you fought against your better judgement to believe this gesture was more than common courtesy of a gentleman.

“It is my pleasure. Did you have an enjoyable time?” He asked, head examining the city streets and decorations as you had earlier. 

“Oh yes! Thank you for inviting me, I’ve never attended something so high class.” You fussed at your outfit again, it was apparent you weren’t used to wearing something like this but you did your best to fit in and not insult the guest who invited you to join him. 

“I am delighted to hear. It is far better to enjoy ones time when in company you relish, don’t you agree?” 

“Absolutely!” For a while, the two of you discussed the highlights and lowlights of the gathering. The sound of your laughter and excitement caught the attention of late night patrons, but you didn’t mind because it also caught the attention of the one you wanted the most. 

It wasn’t until you neared your home that the conversation began to drift. Your heart was sad that the night was coming to a close but responsibilities held you to a tight schedule, even if you felt the itch to break them. 

“Thank you again, Zhongli. This night will be one I remember for a while.” Your nails had received a break all evening, but, now that you were about to be alone, they felt the dig of your nervous habits once again. 

“It was my pleasure, it is always a gift to spend the evening with you.” He bowed, his long hair slipping over his shoulder at the motion. 

“I tend to agree with you.” Chuckling, you moved to unlock your door and when you looked back to Zhongli, his face was illuminated by the sparkling lanterns and yellow glow of the city. No matter what he did he radiated colors you’d never fully understand. 

“Liyue has many festivals,” He began, his tone wistful, “though I must say the ones where lanterns adorn the city are my favorite. Do you not think they look like fireflies in the distance?” He asked, gazing up at a few that dangled across the bridges and walkways that lined the city. 

“Yeah, actually I do.” You whispered as your eyes fell onto the man you loved so much it hurt to look at him, but, if it meant you could capture even a hint of his existence in your memory, you would happily suffer this pain. 

[glitterytidalwavedragon]

Sesshomaru x Modern Reader (Part 1 fanfic/headcannon)

This one I decided to do something uncanny. It has been done before but I haven’t seen any here on tumblr but I am sure it exists. I think its time we flipped the script on the Inuyasha fandom with this one.

I am currently looking at three drafts I had written for this character. Its funny, its all the same title but all very different story lines. I might post them as their own thing, but I am unsure yet. There is so much editing and things which need to get done.

Anyway, I hope you all like this head cannon! Please enjoy!

Working in a shrine was something you didn’t imagine doing too much. So when you moved to Japan and it was the only job you could get, you were kind of ‘meh’ about it.

However, the people who owned the shrine were rather nice and even rented out a room to you, a room which belonged to a young teen who once lived at the house. Higurashi shrine was rather nice, but cold in the winter.

It happened as you were sweeping the stone walkway. A light was coming from the shed with the old well.

You walked towards it, wondering if there was someone inside with a flashlight, but then the light faded and you stood there, broom in hand, waiting to see if it was teenagers checking out ‘the old creepy well’ rightly called the bone eater’s well.

Taking another step forward, you jumped and screamed when a hand broke through the wooden door before an eerie green steam came off it and began melting the door.

Sesshomaru was mad. Not only had a sparing match not gone his way, but his brother knocked him into the well and then had the nerve to build a shrine house around it.

Did the idiot really think he killed him?

Ripping off the decaying door, Sesshomaru did not expect to find a shaking priestess hugging a broom.

Gold eyes scanned you over, before looking around. The smells were unfamiliar, the land different. His gazed travelled across the shrine before resting back on you.

“Where is Inuyasha?”

Your stuttering and fear made him closed his eyes, the only thing keeping him from rolling them. How easy to fear humans were, and a priestess no less-

His eyes snapped open when he felt it hit his head. You both locked eyes, a glare on your face as your broom laid on his head where you had wacked him.

“Don’t scare people like that!!!! You almost gave me a heart attack and you somehow melted a door you need to replace!”

You continued ranting as he registered that, not only did you wack him with a dirty cleaning tool, but you were yelling at him like a child. There was only one other human who had the nerve to yell at him like this.

Inuyasha’s woman.

In a second Sesshomaru was in your face. Being so close you noticed the nose twitch. “You do not smell like her.”

You looked at where he was and where he was now. Confused by his speed. “Weren’t you…AH!”

The demon grabbed the back of your head, hand tangled in your hair before yanking upward. It was painful, scary and shocking he could lift you off your feet.

“You do not know who you insult girl.”

“OW! OW! OW! THIS HURTS YOU JERK!”

Sesshomaru was used to humans fighting back, struggling, but you would once more surprise him. The punch made him drop you and turn his head. You landed hard on the ground.

Rubbing your bottom, you looked up. “That’s what you….” Your words died when eyes landed on red ones.

You were so dead.

“DEMON BEGONE!”

Both you and Sesshomaru would be hit by salts. Eyes now back to their yellow color, Sesshomaru could almost crack a smile with how angry he was. But the familiar scent caught his attention.

Kagome’s scent was on the old man and the woman who ran after him. She would gasp and correctly identify him as Sesshomaru, Inuyasha’s brother Kagome had told her all about.

So he was in this ‘other world’ Rin would describe to him when he visited her. The young girl often was told stories by the Priest.

Amber eyes locked back on you. From Sesshomaru’s understanding, demons did not exist here, so he was told, therefore you had no other reason but to think him human.

“I will overlook your insults this day but let this be a warning. Next time I will cut you down.”

That is when you notice the two very real looking swords. This was before watching in horror as Ms. Higurashi invited him inside.

*~*

This is more of a mini fanfic rather than a head cannon. I wanted to get this part out before the head cannonly bullet point one. I think this would be cute, terrifying and different.

Part 2

[multi-level-shipper]

Give me everyone's (Bendy crew, I mean) height, build, and what they'd do in a fight! (If you feel like it.)

[Note: These are divided between Bar Fight and Ink Creacher(Creature) because fighting a human and fighting an ink critter are two VERY different things. I'm terrible with numbers so if any of these heights make no sense I'm sorry]

Henry (5'5) Dad bod

Bar Fight: Will basically do everything in his power to avoid getting into a fight.

Ink Creacher: Ignore what I said earlier.

Sammy (6'2) Ripped

Bar fight: Despises getting into physical fights, but if you piss him off too hard he’ll bend you into a human pretzel [and not in the fun way.]

Ink Creacher: Try to assess what it is exactly, (since searchers kiiiinda sorta appear as moaning half-humans he might assume someone got hurt, ) but as soon as it attacks he’ll beat the shit out of it no questions asked.

Joey (6'2) Capitalist

Bar Fight: Grabs the nearest weapon, if he can’t do that then he’s fucked because he sucks.

Ink Creacher: Engage if he has a weapon, push down small children on his way out the door if he doesn’t.

Susie (5'4) Medium build

Bar Fight: A most perfect bitch slap, finds (or makes) the nearest sharp object if things escalate.

Ink Creacher: Check it out Henry I got Alice Angel to sign my titties  Kind of like Sammy where she’ll investigate it first, but if it comes too close, a beautifully executed bitch slap will do (absolutely nothing, but it will make her feel better.) After the bitch slap it’s time to find the nearest sharp object again. If by some miracle she has a firearm, she’s an excellent shot and can take it out fairly quickly [assuming it’s not the Ink Demon or something.]

Allison (5'4) Medium build

Bar Fight: Has a surprising amount of arm strength for her size but tries not to get in fights in the first place.

Ink Creacher: BATIM the videogame on steam.

Wally (5'8) Heavyset

Bar fight: "Back up! I have a can opener and I'm gonna find out how to use it on you eventually! >:("

Ink Creacher: Wally Franks ran out the door and locked it behind him, and from then on it wasn’t his problem.

Grant (5'5) Medium Build

Bar Fight: If he manages a left hook, his opponent wakes up a bit groggy and missing teeth. He’s surprisingly fast, so most of the time he ends up running and hiding.

Ink Creacher: Runs like this

Shawn (5'3) Condensed Jacksepticeye

Bar Fight: Imagine Jacksepticeye in a bar fight. whatever you imagined is probably right

Ink Creacher: That one time Snoopy fought a lawn chair

Thomas (6'5) BIG WALL

Bar Fight: You die.

Ink Creacher: BATIM the videogame on steam except if Tom Boris had biceps.

Bertrum (6'6) BIG WALL

Bar Fight: He may be old but he’s also ten times your size so good luck Charlie

Ink Creacher: how dare you attack the great Bertrum Piedmont *dies*

Jack (5'3) Very Round

Bar Fight: Hates confrontation and tries to bring people around with bad puns, which usually angers them more. So unless Sammy's around Jack gets knocked out I hate to be the downer but it's true

Ink Creacher: What the fuck said Jack Fain as he marched uniquely out of the music department and did not return

Lacie (5'5) Medium build

Bar fight: She argues best with her five points, and if that doesn't work she uses five more. Incredibly tough despite her unassuming stature.

Ink Creacher: Her five points work on anything

Norman (5'5) Medium build

Bar Fight: He's more likely to get the jump on you if he hears you coming. Fights smarter, not harder, as we saw in DCTL.

Ink Creacher: Hides until it gives up. Stalks it to find out what the hell it is. Gets caught. Repeat process

[atlabeth]

everything happens for a reason part 5 - zuko x fem!reader

I can go anywhere I want, I can go anywhere just not home

part 4 | masterlist | part 6

a/n: this was hard to get going but once i got to the end the words just flowed. ive come to the conclusion that writing dialogue with katara is my favorite thing to do

warning(s): nightmare at the beginning, survivor's guilt from y/n, some internalized homophobia :-( but aside from that its mostly fluff

wc: 3.6k

chapter title comes from my tears ricochet by taylor swift!

She was trapped.

It was a prison of never ending hallways in some kind of infinite void, complete with the rank stench of death and an innate feeling of hopelessness.

Y/N knew this place. It had been the subject of her nightmares on countless occasions, because it was where she was supposed to be. She had no choice but to start down the pathway of cracked stone — she knew what awaited her, but it was the only way out. She had developed some sick sense of awareness in this nightmare and it didn’t do her any favors.

She began to walk hastily down the path, the itch of paranoia already plaguing the back of her mind. Countless times she had been here, and yet it never got better.

Before Y/N knew it, she had reached her unwanted destination. The first tangible thing in what felt like miles was a prison cell, and she pushed forward despite knowing what awaited her. It was the only way.

“It wasn’t the only way.”

She froze, inhaling sharply as the dreamscape seemed to pull her thoughts out of her mind, and she forced herself to take another step closer, the inhabitant of the cell now visible.

“You did this to me.”

It was her mother, but… not quite her. Her voice strained and stiff, a gaunt appearance with cruel eyes, hunched over in a prison cell. Any sign of the woman Y/N knew her as was gone, and it was her fault. She was the reason Kura was gone — a mother’s ultimate sacrifice because her daughter was too stuck in her head.

“How could you do this to me?” she asked. “How could you be so selfish?”

Y/N tried to respond, but she couldn’t. It was no use anyway — her words would’ve come out in broken, pleading rambles to someone who couldn’t hear a thing. She knew it was fake, she knew this was a nightmare, but it still hurt all the same.

She had imagined her mother saying those words to her so many times they had found their way into her nightmares despite knowing that Kura would never utter a single syllable true to her fears. She had all but killed her mother, and instead of remembering her for what she had done for Y/N, she appeared in her nightmares.

She was a horrible daughter.

She heard footsteps and whirled around, instinctively taking a step back and wincing as her back slammed into the bars. A tall, dark figure creeped towards her and her breath caught in her throat — as it came into the light, she recognized him as the Fire Lord.

He chuckled coldly as he neared ever closer, the path he walked turning to flames behind him. Her eyes darted around for an escape only to find that everything was on fire. It was suffocating, she couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think, and when she turned to look for her mother she was gone. Everything was gone, her dark void now a prison of flames.

She turned around once more and Ozai was right in front of her, the fire in his hands glowing red hot and a cruel smile on his lips.

“Did you really think you could get away that easily?”

-

She shot up in her bed, a scream on the edge of her lips but just barely managing to hold it back. Ragged breaths were ripped from her chest, her eyes shooting around wildly as she attempted to find anything at all to ground her. It took a few minutes, but with repeated mantras of it was just a dream and you are safe, she was able to calm down.

She pulled her knees to her chest and exhaled long and deep before pulling herself out of bed. It seemed that her day was going to be starting much earlier than planned.

Four years had passed since her arrival at the Northern Water Tribe, but the nightmares never ceased. It didn’t matter how many times she told herself she had done the right thing, that it was what her mother wanted, that if she stayed she would’ve died — she was constantly haunted by her past actions and memories of the Fire Nation.

She hasn’t taken off the necklace since her mother gave it to her, no matter what she does. It’s almost become a part of her now — a memory of Kura and her selflessness that knew no bounds, as well as a grim reminder of what it cost to get her here.

The Northern Water Tribe itself held countless memories of her mother — after all, it was where she had spent the first eighteen years of her life. Her name was well known throughout the tribe with nobles and elders alike, and it amazed Y/N to no end the impact that her mother left everywhere she went. She loved hearing stories about her mother and what she was like as a child, but it was always bittersweet.

She always carried an inherent sense of guilt with her because of who she lived with — her mother hadn’t been lying when she said that the necklace would get them to help her. Kura’s parents still lived in the tribe, and they had taken Y/N in after she revealed who she was. They loved her unconditionally and never made her feel like a burden, but Y/N would be lying to herself if she didn’t think they blamed her for the fate that befell her mother.

After all, she did.

She had never told anyone the full story of why she ran though. It was one thing to leave her mother behind for certain death because of the Fire Lord’s rage, it was another thing to admit that it was wholly her fault because she had fallen for a prince.

Zuko.

Not a day went by where she didn’t think of him. She still held the hope that she would see him again someday, but in lieu of travel she turned to letters.

Y/N had a shelf full of unmailed letters addressed to both Zuko and her mother — it was a way to get out her emotions whenever she was feeling particularly homesick or hopeless, and it did help at first, but after four years it had become something born out of habit rather than necessity.

She still wrote them though — Y/N had learned to hold onto any form of hope she could muster up, no matter how small, and in this moment she needed some.

She opened her shelf and rifled through piles upon piles of letters, some finished, some hardly started, and some crumpled from fits of rage, and her breath caught in her throat when her fingers brushed something different. Y/N pulled the material out and nearly started crying right then and there.

It was an unbelievably simple patch of fabric, but it meant the world to her — something that she had bought during her last night with Zuko, and one of the only pieces of material to have survived her journey to the Northern Water Tribe. She was forced to sell the rest of the fabric she had brought with her in order to make some easy money while on the run, but she had kept this as a memento. She could almost be brought back to the final sunset they shared if she looked at it for long enough.

Y/N bit down hard on her lip to stop the tears and shoved it back into the drawer before closing it and leaving her room in a haste. Sometimes she wasn’t strong enough to handle the memories.

She made her way to the living room and let out a sigh of relief when she noticed the silence. Y/N had never told her grandparents about the nightmares, and right now she just needed some time to herself. Never before was she so thankful for her grandmother’s gossiping nature and her grandfather’s work than she was in the mornings where she just wanted to be alone.

She sat down on the floor, not even bothering to get a cushion, and stared at her hands. Once smooth and untouched by the world, they were now rough and calloused with wrapped bandages resting just below her wrist. Permanent memories of what it took to get here. The ever present reminder that nothing came without a cost.

This morning seemed to be one full of yearning for the past. Y/N tried to shake her feelings off and got up once more, contemplating some steamed sea prunes before deeming it fruitless. Her appetite was lacking after her trip down memory lane.

She walked back to her room and got dressed hastily then ran out the door, but not before plucking a gift from her shelf. Today marked the birthday of a certain princess, and Y/N had to go fast if she was going to get it to her before class.

She was immediately hit by the frigid air of the North, pulling her anorak tighter around her frame as she began to run to the canals — one could always find Princess Yue there in the mornings — doing her best to avoid anyone else walking.

Y/N saw Yue just about to board one of the boats and sped up, waving one of her arms as a signal. “Yue, wait!”

She turned and her face immediately brightened up at the sight of Y/N, raising her open palm so the boatman would hold up. “Y/N! Would you like to join me?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Really?”

Yue’s nod prompted a shrug as she dropped down carefully into the gondola, taking extra care not to drop her gift, and took a seat next to her friend.

“This is a nice surprise,” Yue smiled as the boatman began to waterbend, effectively moving their gondola through the canal. “But if I might ask, what brought you here so early?”

Y/N laughed, thinking her reason for coming here obvious. “It’s your birthday, princess! What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t come to wish you well in person?”

Her smile grew even brighter, the corners of her eyes creasing up in the way that made some kind of warmth blossom in Y/N’s chest. “Thank you! That’s so sweet — I’m especially honored that you woke up early just for me.”

“Of course.” Y/N brandished the gift she had been doing her best to hide, unable to do the same for her own smile. “And here’s your gift! I sewed it all myself.”

Yue gasped as she took the creation, giving it a slight squeeze and a thorough investigation before absolutely beaming. “You made me an otter penguin— oh, you know how much I love these!”

She wrapped Y/N in a tight hug before pulling away, but it was just long enough for the heat to rush to her cheeks. “Thank you so much, really. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

Y/N beamed at the praise and nodded, shifting a little in her seat. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m glad you like it so much.”

The two girls grinned at each other then turned their gaze to the horizon, content to spend the rest of the ride together in comfortable silence.

Her friendship with the princess of the Northern Water Tribe was something that Y/N cherished with all her heart. She could confidently say that Princess Yue was her best friend, and she hoped it was a notion that Yue shared. As beautiful as she was kind, the princess always had a way of making her feel better on the hardest days — Yue was the only one who knew the whole truth of what happened in the Fire Nation, and she offered nothing but sympathy.

Y/N honestly didn’t know what she would do without Yue. She had been her rock during the whole process of getting situated in the tribe, always lending a helping hand when she stumbled in class or was completely oblivious to something in their culture, and she never made her feel stupid, or unwanted, or less-than for what she had come from.

The only thing that confused her about Yue was the feeling she got whenever Y/N was around her. The rushes of heat to her cheeks, the warmth blossoming in her chest, and the unusual happiness she felt anytime Yue smiled at her. The most peculiar of it all was the strange tug of jealousy any time a noble boy tried to flirt with the princess, and nothing but disinterest whenever they tried an angle on her instead.

She didn’t know what any of it meant, but she had the sneaking suspicion that it was wrong. So Y/N did the only thing she could and suppressed it.

Soon enough, though much to their chagrin, Y/N had to leave. After some exchanged hugs and one last wish of happy birthday, Y/N took off for her morning healing class. But as she hurried down the icy paths, she caught sight of the most peculiar thing.

A giant flying bison was being led through the canals with a team of waterbenders, three kids that couldn’t be any older than her on its back. One had an arrow on his head and sported orange and yellow robes, while the other two looked to be of Water Tribe descent.

Her interest was irrefutably piqued, but she didn’t have any more time to waste with gawking. So she began to run once again, apologies spilling from her lips as she maneuvered through the groups of people all just as awestruck by the strange arrival as she was. Y/N made a mental note to ask Yue about it later, but for now she was running very late to her healing class.

-

Sure enough, a few hours later, Y/N was able to get the answers she had been craving. She met up with Yue outside of the palace, and during a short walk, she learned that the boy was the Avatar. He had come to the Northern Water Tribe to master waterbending, and the two kids with him were his companions from the Southern Tribe — much to her excitement, the girl was a waterbender.

Needless to say, Y/N was even more enthusiastic than before, and Yue made her day by confirming that they would be coming to her birthday celebration that night as honored guests. She had already talked to her father about allowing Y/N to sit with her and he had said yes, which meant that she would get to meet him and his friends in person — it just served as a reminder that Y/N had no idea what she would do without Yue.

After what felt like hours of passing the time with lost games of Pai Sho against her grandfather and failed attempts at finishing her homework, it was finally time for the banquet. Once she arrived at the front of the palace she bid goodbye to her grandparents and went to find the seat that Yue had secured for her.

She settled down in the empty spot next to what she assumed was Yue’s — it was her birthday after all, so a dramatic entrance wasn’t out of the question — and nervously glanced at the three visitors, trying to figure out how to introduce herself.

Thankfully, she was saved when the girl met her eyes and waved, offering a friendly smile. “Hi! I’m Katara; this is my brother Sokka, and that’s Aang.” She gestured in their direction with her head when she said their names and they both smiled and gave her polite nods.

She returned the sentiment gratefully. “I’m Y/N— I’m one of Princess Yue’s friends. Welcome to the Northern Water Tribe!”

“Thanks!” Aang said. “We’re here to find a master so Katara and I can master waterbending.”

“Well, you’re in luck. Master Pakku is one of the best there is, and even though he’s a total jerk, he’ll be able to teach you everything you need to know. And Katara, we have some amazing healing teachers— I can bring you along to my class tomorrow if you’re interested!”

Katara’s eyes lit up. “You’re a waterbender too?” When Y/N nodded, her smile grew even bigger, though slightly wistful.

“I’d really appreciate that,” she admitted, though her brows knit together. “But I’d like to learn from Master Pakku as well.”

Y/N frowned, about to correct her, when the distinct sound of drums began to echo throughout the hall. Her displeasure immediately disappeared as she grinned at them all excitedly, gesturing with her head towards the action.

Chief Arnook stood up from his spot and their table, his low voice booming. “Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe. And they have brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now… the Avatar!”

Y/N’s own applause joined a symphony of others clapping and cheering as Aang waved bashfully, and once it died down, Arnook continued. “We also celebrate my daughter’s sixteenth birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age!”

She grinned as Yue walked out alongside her attendants — she would never get used to her beauty. Y/N noticed the way that Sokka’s eyes widened as he stared at her, and her stomach twisted at the act for some unknown reason.

“Thank you, Father,” she said. “May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times!”

Arnook smiled at his daughter and directed his attention back to his people. “Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!”

She could tell that Katara and Aang were enraptured by the bending, while Sokka’s attention was already on Yue as she walked over to sit between Sokka and Y/N.

“I’m so glad you could make it!” Yue exclaimed, greeting her friend with a short embrace.

Y/N gave her a sideways smile. “If you think that I would miss your birthday and a banquet, then I’m afraid you’re out of practice on Y/N trivia.”

The princess laughed and nodded amiably then turned her attention to Sokka, ever the diplomat.

“Hi there,” he grinned. “Sokka, Southern Water Tribe.”

Yue returned the sentiment and gave him a slight bow. “Very nice to meet you.”

As their conversation went on, Y/N found herself tuning out a bit. For whatever reason, she had to actively stop herself from rolling her eyes at Sokka’s flirting, that same feeling in her stomach coming back. She made a mental note to see a healer about her issues.

“Hey, Y/N!” She snapped out of her self-imposed trance at the sound of Katara calling her name as she gestured for her to come over. It looked like Aang had gotten up to converse with Master Pakku and Chief Arnook, so she took the invitation and switched seats.

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to finally be here,” Katara said once Y/N had settled next to her. “Back home, I’m the only waterbender. Here… it’s like paradise. It almost feels too good to be true. I mean, even seeing you is crazy — I’ve never met a waterbender my age.”

Y/N smiled, though not without a hint of sadness. “I’m sorry that it’s taken so long for you to be able to experience this. How are you the only bender left down there?”

Katara was silent for a moment, a flurry of emotions warring on her face, before she answered. “The Southern Tribe hasn’t fared half as well as the Northern Tribe during the war. We don’t have one big, huge capital like this, we’re all split up into small villages. The Fire Nation has just been relentless with their raids, and without support from the North and a lack of communication between our sister tribes in the South, they were able to wipe us all out. Except for me.”

“Spirits, Katara…” Y/N set an amiable hand on her shoulder and squeezed, hoping that her softened expression could say what her words couldn’t. “My village was invaded when I was young, too. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that.”

She nodded pensively but managed to meet her eyes with an appreciative smile. “Thank you. I’m sorry about your village as well.” Her gaze drifted off, once again taking in the view around them, and when Katara met her eyes again she seemed better. “But we’re here now, and I’m planning to take advantage of everything I can, starting with all this food. Which one of these is your favorite?”

Y/N grinned as Katara pointed at the platter of various dishes in front of them. “Oh, you’ve got to try this. See that giant crab up there? That’s what this is, and you have not lived until you have tried Northern crab.”

Conversation flowed just as easily through the rest of the night between the two girls, occasionally switching to include Sokka and Yue and eventually Aang once he returned. Between the swells of pride whenever they laughed at her jokes, getting to learn about all three of them, and the almost palpable euphoria in the air, Y/N was sure of one thing:

This was the happiest she had felt in a long time. She could only hope it would last.

-

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