#i thought 'hey are you ready to proceed' was specific to a certain area

[broodygaming]

I really wish there was a better way to take screengrabs, idk maybe there is haha. But Flu's outfit SUPER vibed with the doors to the cemetery. Like, hot damn.

[hitsuackerman]

Unpredictable (Overhaul x Reader) pt.28

a/n: aye have mixture of fluff and angst~ sorry for uploading late :c MY SCHEDULE IS SUCH A KILLER I CANNOT STRESS IT ENOUGH huhuhu

warnings: this cannot be read solo

Links: 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 22, part 23, part 23.5, part 24, part 25, part 26, part 27, part 29

Masterlist to my other fics: here :) (that has not been updated for how many months now... proceed with caution~)

“Is that really you, Inspector (l/n)?” The hero asked. With each step she took, you made sure Chisaki’s face wouldn’t be seen. “It’s late.”

“Hey, Enigma~” Lowering his head to rest on your shoulder, you smiled at the small quiet hero. “It is late~ We’re not causing a disturbance are we?”

“Of course not! But I don’t think this is the place to be…” She scratched her cheek and avoided your eye contact. “You know…”

“I know~ I apologize. He’s typically busy and we don’t get to hang out much.” You patted his back and continued. “He’s also very shy and doesn’t like to be seen in public.”

“Oh! I’m very sorry! But, if you don’t mind, would it be alright if the both of you continued elsewhere?”

“It’s fine! We were just going separate ways.” You consoled her and knew that her reaction was safe enough. At least you were fast enough to cover his face. “I told you, Shinoda-san. Heroes patrol these times of the night.”

“Forgive my rash decision.” He rested his head on your shoulder. Embarrassed that he had been this close to kissing you. Disappointed that it was barely a few centimeters and yet even such trivial things like these, the heroes would always disturb him. For now, all he could do was to wrap his arms around your body.

“Don’t wear your mask.” You whispered to him. He merely hummed. Gliding your hands on to his chest, he looked at you with cautiously eager eyes. Feeling how you pushed him he let you lead the way till the hood of his car hit thighs. “Enigma’s gone. You can turn around now.”

“I apologize for my actions.” Overhaul said as he took out his mask and wore it. “I was not expecting those bastards to roam this area at night.”

“You come here often?”

“Many years back. That apartment building, the third one.” He pointed it out. “Before the Shie Hassaikai was established, Kurono and I used to live there.”

“Wait, wait, wait… You and Chrono were roomies?” You stared at your companion, to the building, and back at him. A small pang of pain hit your forehead just as he had overhauled his glove back. “Well, no need to flick me, Chisaki.”

“Whatever it is your mind was thinking, no. We weren’t roomies.” He pinched your cheek and leaned on to the hood. “Neighbors. Pops owns that building. It’s one of the properties not involved with my business.”

“You know, I’d ask but perhaps we can schedule another meeting for that.” You took the vacant area beside him. With a bit of space in between, you placed your hand beside his. Just a reminder that the invitation still remains open.

“Of course.” Looking at your figure beside him, he furrowed his brows and shook his thoughts away. “Then again, we really should go separate ways. I hate having to take my mask off.”

“You know, you don’t have to take it off when you’re with me.” Elbowing him gently, you chuckled. “Don’t get me wrong, though. I like looking at your face. I just don’t want people to see you. Especially not with how things are going.”

“Nah.” Not expecting that word to come out of his mouth, the both of you met eyes at the same time. Adjusting the cloth, he tried to hide the slowly creeping heat on his cheeks. “You’re rubbing off on me, (y/n). That aside, it isn’t really bothersome if I take it off when you’re around. Your expressions are worth breathing the horrid air.”

“Ugh. Smooth talker.” You pouted. Taking a peak at your watch, the time was now quarter to one. As much as you wanted to stay and get to know more of the man behind the name, he was right. Flinching at the sudden weight on your hand, you looked down and found his on top of yours.

The kiss may not have happened but if it were compensated with this small act of intimacy then perhaps it wasn’t that bad. Carefully interlacing your fingers, you were more than relieved when he moved along and held on to your hand tightly. Maybe it was fine if you were to lean on to his arm and rest your head on his shoulder?

Just as you were about to attempt, Chisaki pulled you closer to him.

“You’re too obvious…” He said as he rested his head on yours. “We already have to leave in a few minutes. If you won’t do it then I will.”

“I swear this feels like a fever dream…” You commented earning a ruffle to the hair with his free hand. “Alright, alright. It’s real. You better not bug me Chisaki or I swear I will block you.”

“Well, now that this has happened, shall we take our leave now?”

“Is it bad to say that I’d rather stay here?”

“Are you suggesting we sleep in the car?” He poked your cheek.

“And have you drowned in your car’s germs? I’d rather not.” Standing up straight, you took a few steps and only then realized he still had not let go of your hand. “If you don’t let go, I’ll have to rethink sleeping in the car. And frankly speaking, sleeping in cars is not the most comfortable experience.”

“Right again.” Letting go of your hand, he too stood up. “In that case, I shall send a message when I get back to the base.”

“And I’ll message you when I arrive home.”

“Fair trade.”

To which you did not. Right after both your cars went separate ways, your phone vibrated with a message from Tsukuachi. Parking at the nearest allowable area, you grabbed your device and read the message. Rereading the text, you clicked dial.

“Are you for real?”

“I wasn’t expecting you to read it now.” He stifled a yawn and continued. “Unfortunately yes. If you can drop by the precinct, I can hand them over to you so you can get a head start.”

“Nao, it’s 1am.”

“And yet here we are, talking on the phone like the rats we are.”

Letting out a sigh, you ended the call. Rubbing your face, you leaned your head on the steering wheel and stared at your hand. Chewing on your lip, you began to recall the moment that had happened a mere minutes ago. Being able to hold his hand out in public had a different tingle.

Not long after, you were now seated beside Tsukauchi. Accepting the small cup of coffee, you waited as he filed through some documents. Taking small peaks at some of the letters, you saw how some names of villains you knew of were written down and crossed out. When Tsukauchi stopped at a particular piece of paper, he handed it over.

“Damn. It really is happening.” You set the paper aside and took a sip of your now cold beverage. “Do you need any help for the preparations? I can pull an all nighter if needed.”

“Would it be alright? It’s bad enough the schedule keeps changing.” Glancing at the paper and to the calendar, Tsukauchi stared at your tired eyes. “With this, the Fukuo Kai case will commence a week from now. Are you ready to focus on Nighteye’s?”

“From the middle, I have been focusing on their case. I just didn’t expect it to happen too soon.” Playing with the hems of your sweater, you rested your elbows on your knees and covered your face. “Wanna go to the rooftop?”

“Not thinking of bailing now, are you?” Tsukauchi said as he began to clear his desk and stand up. “What’s on your mind, hmm?”

“I just met with 2 people I shouldn’t have any business with.” You weakly chuckle as you lead the way to the rooftop. Opening the doors, you felt your breathing grow heavy. The sudden claminess of the narrow pathway was not good for your running mind. Holding onto Tsukauchi’s sleeve, you were more than thankful he was willing to listen.

Taking the final step, Tsukauchi unlocked the hatch and granted access to the rooftop. The night sky was still dark and barely held any stars. Light pollution framed the horizon while the street lamps casted a yellow-orange glow to the roads below.

“What happened?”

“Levi specifically told the heroes not to mess with my work.” You began. “It went well but not for long. I had to bug the Shie Hassaikai after a few days Levi left. Only an idiot would refuse knowing my stance with the two parties.”

“Was it successful?”

“It was. The anon tip we had from before was Chronostasis. He gave me Overhaul’s sim card and I kinda just took the opportunity to let him plant the chip for me. It was going smoothly till a few hours ago. Nighteye told me that they were still getting feedback even though Chrono destroyed the device.”

“Where did things go wrong? It just seems like a loyalty test to me.”

“I don’t even know if I passed at this point.” Taking your phone out, you opened the gallery and showed him the picture of the hidden camera. “They bugged me. I’m not certain if they saw what went on inside my unit but the fact that they saw him entering and exiting as he pleases makes my blood boil.”

“Then it means they saw his face?” His eyes widened.

“As far as I know, he only took his mask off around the living room area, his room, or mine.” Trying to recall, each time he entered the kitchen he used the other door connecting to the living room. Thank the quirk gods your apartment was designed that way. “I don’t even know if it transmits audio.”

Squatting on the floor you rubbed your face once more and raked your fingers through your hair. Pulling on the clumps a bit, you released a small shaky sigh.

“I’m guessing the second person you met was the reason for all this?” Tsukauchi took the initiative and sat on the empty space beside you. “What happened with him?”

“He knew about Chrono helping me and about the other bug running around. Told me that heroes needed to have fun too. Bastard.” No matter how much you twisted your views, Chisaki Kai was always Overhaul first. “I… I just don’t know what to do anymore, Nao.”

Closing your eyes, a small whimper left your mouth as tears began to fall.

“Things are just so fucking complicated that I… I don’t even know what step I should do next. I want justice to prevail but no matter what I do…”

“You’ve really fallen down the rabbithole, huh?” Tsukauchi commented as he gave soft pats on your back. “Then again, who wouldn’t? You’re literally stuck in the middle and have to be on edge more than usual. Other than that, you held up pretty well.”

“I can’t even clear my name at this point. If things ever go wrong in the Shie Hassaikai raid, my name will definitely make it into the possible accomplice list.” You bit your lip and clenched your fists. “Gods I hate this so fucking much. I told him I had it under control when in reality I’m as stuck as a rat on a glue board.”

“Don’t go using that analogy.” Tsukauchi still continued to pat your back. “Think of us as hamsters. We’re pretty cute and intelligent. Just give it a bit of time and I’m sure you’ll think of something. I bet you wouldn’t want your dad to partake in any of your problems so best not to pop up in your estate.”

“I know it’s a law for heroes not to kill but what if…”

“I doubt he’ll die in battle. Overhaul is a B-Rank villain. The most that’ll happen would be for him to be knocked out unconscious or bloody at the end of the day.” Yet even as he said those words, Tsukauchi wasn’t too confident. It would be a lie on his part if he said things would be fine. “Who knows? He might have some sort of magical epiphany and surrender to lessen his charges.”

“Now that you mention it,” You wiped your tears away and sat down properly. “I’ve never really read what happens to higher rank villains after they get captured. The highest I’ve handled was just D-ranked ones.”

“Hmmm…” Now that the topic was open, he too hadn’t really thought too much about it knowing his and your department weren’t incharge of what happens after the dirty work. “Standard procedures. They’ll search the area once more and take proper inventory. Say that Overhaul is merely strained, they would pat him down and once he’s clear and in the precinct or designated area, he’ll have to sign a document signifying that the given list is all that he owns. He’ll be then taken to a private area to have his fingerprints, mug shot, and other necessary information.”

“He probably won’t get a hearing.”

“Right you are. He’ll most likely be sent to Tartarus if that’s what you’re asking.”

“If he does, who do you think would handle it? The HPSC?”

“Most likely. Still, they have a lot on their hands so his case would surely collect dust.” He paused and let out a yawn. “If it were you, would you grant him a second chance in life?”

“Heh, If it were up to me...” Looking at the now starless skies, you felt a chill run down your spine. “Personal emotions aside, of course not.”

“But?”

“You really think I’d break into Tartarus just to save one villain and give him a better life?” You smirked and stood up.

“Of course not.” He chuckled and stood up as well. “Even the dumbest person knows that’s suicide. Go home and get some rest, (y/n). We’ll handle this later in the day.”

Giving you some privacy, Tsukauchi excused himself first. Hearing the door latch click, you took your phone out and dialed a number. It only took 3 rings before the other line picked up.

“Well now,” The cheeky voice said. “What can I help you with dove?”

- - - - -

Overhaul’s waiting list: @jjk-biased @infinite-universe-love @dirtypride @blackymomo03 @azzie @purple-rabanito​ @meximorrita @awesomeee19​​ @celestial-kanzakii​ @laure-lo​ @team-wang-puppy​ @aydience-world​ @choros-main-hoe​ @colorseeingchick​ @franko-pop​ @o-dragon05 @but-kairis-not-that-smart (i cant seem to tag again :( hope this lands in your timelines!)

I hope yall liked this chapter annnd if you want to be tagged feel free to comment :’) your comments make my day and make me happy huhu <3

[a-very-queer-space-kid]

so here's what's happening...

(not edited)

About a week ago I sent a message to my doctor asking if we would be able to start the top surgery process - by which I mean getting my medical clearance/recommendation letter so that I can start setting up consultations (specifically one that I've had my eye on for close to 6 years now). When I started seeing this doctor almost a year ago, we had a conversation and I had asked if I would be able to choose my surgeon or if the clinic I go to had a certain person in the area that they would try to send me to, and he told me that I would be able to choose, so I've been working under that impression for nearly a year at this point.

anyway, my doctor got back to me and said "I'm referring you for top surgery consult, wait for a call from so and so for more information" and I was a little confused, because I dint ask for a consultation set up, I wanted a letter, which he said they would take care of in the message, but I sort of shrugged it off, maybe it was awkward wording choice. After all, I had mentioned wanting to discuss my own plans and goals and expectations with my doctor either over message or during our next in person appointment, because we never really got to have an in depth conversation about all that, so he couldn't mean what I thought he meant, because there was no communication.

after a week of waiting and silence, I finally got the phone call today. "hi this is so and so. blah blah blah, you've been sort up with a bilateral mastectomy consultation with this doctor at this place at this time." what? Thats not what I wanted, that isn't what I asked for. I don't know how we got to this point, but im super confused.

And I should be happy, because I have a top surgery consult on September 14th, presumably with someone who will accept my insurance because I can't figure out any other reason why they would set me up with this person period, but I'm super uneasy about all of this. I did some cursory research about this doctor, and he's a plastic surgeon who doesn't specialize in top surgeries (as far as I can tell, it wasn't on his list anyway) and I've only seen one result so far, and im glad that the person is really happy with their results, but it wasn't particularly what I was looking for, and I can't be sure how consistent this man is because I've only seen one picture so far.

Like I should be so happy because if I go this route with this surgeon, it couldn't be easier for me, this is like, a golden ticket straight to everything I've been waiting for for the last decade, but I don't know if I want to go to this surgeon. I'ver had a plan in place for the last 6 years, and the idea of changing it up because someone else thinks this will be better or easier or whatever is throwing me off.

and yet at the same time, im afraid of telling my doctor that this isn't what I thought the plan would be and that id like to do things my own way, because im afraid the gate will close and I won't be able to have this chance again. Logically I know none of this is true, and that the clinic that I go to goes out of their way to not gatekeeper, and is really helpful for people like me, but im so scared that showing any kind of resistance will tell them 'oh, he doesn't deserve this, he isn't ready', because they haven't given me my medical recommendation letter, I don't have that in my possession and I don't want to lose that. Again, I know that if I bring up my concerns to the doctor, chances are he'll be fine and will give me my letter to go where I want, its just super throwing me off to be railroaded like this, even if it wasn't intentional.

(and its my own complexes talking, I know that, cuz I've already had this conversation with my therapist)

and im thinking about messaging my doctor, and telling him like 'hey I finally got that call and have the consult set up (I'm still gonna go to that because its already set up for my btw) but I would also like to consult with a few other surgeons just to see what all my options are, if you'd be able to get me a copy fo my medical recommendation letter', I think that's the safest option for me at this point.

who knows, im just venting at this point because something that is supposed to be the best thing to happen to me so far has quickly become a major source of stress and I am just figuring out how I want to proceed here

[nakoujou]

A PR Scandal (A Todomomo One-Shot)

Todoroki’s lack of media training is amusing until Yaoyorozu gets dragged into his latest scandal. Inspired by his strugglefest in Chapter 241.

-------

Answer within five seconds. Don’t overthink your answers. Be relatable, they said. If it’s specific to the police investigation, just say it’s confidential. He must look prepared and assertive to the public.

That’s what Todoroki recalls, minutes after he single-handedly defeated two Nomus. He was ready to fall apart, covered head to toe in debris, a slash across his chest, and a broken left rib. But here he stands, in front of a heavy camera and a news reporter jabbing the mic in his face.

Despite his exhaustion, Todoroki thought he had it under control. The questions were straightforward and fulfilled his criteria for minimal thinking.

“How did you defeat the Nomus all by yourself?”

“Ice and fire.”

“You haven’t even graduated U.A. but rumor has it that you’ll qualify for the Billboard Rankings next month! How did you get so strong so fast?”

“I train every day, study hard for exams, then maintain a healthy balance of quality friendship time versus solitude.”

“How are you treating yourself after this big win?”

“Soba.”

Easy, just as it should be. He was on auto-pilot, even as the reporter entered into her so-called rapid fire stage. Just say whatever comes to mind first and it’ll be over soon.

Until it backfires.

“Now Shoto, you have a very large female fan base crushing on you everyday. Do you have a special girl in your life?”

“‘Special girl?’” Todoroki blinks. They didn’t teach him this at the agency.

“You know, any pretty girls at school?”

“Like Yaoyorozu?”

———-

In the common area, Class A’s mood flips from their obnoxious cackling to a deathly silence. The spark being their Vice President’s name slipping out of Todoroki’s lips. And Yaoyorozu herself? Choking on her tea, its calming effects rendered useless with the latest revelation.

“M-M-Me?” Yaoyorozu stutters, eyes wide in shock.

It was a class ritual to watch Todoroki’s interviews because he always said funny, weird shit. But today? They didn’t know if it was a reckoning or the best thing that ever happened.

“What the fuck...” Jiroh gasps.

“So the shit show begins...” Tokoyami sighs.

“It’s only downhill from here for Todoroki-chan,” Tsu comments. “He was doing so good ‘til now.”

“Ohh is this a secret crush? A girlfriend?”

“‘Girlfriend?’” Todoroki repeats, confused.

“AHHH SO CUTE! THIS JUST IN FOLKS: ENDEAVOR’S SON CONFIRMS HIS SECRET RELATIONSHIP!”

“How do I have-”

“Now, tell us all about your new girlfriend Yaoyorozu!”

“Uh-confidential?”

On the screen, a sidekick drags Todoroki away, who is in disbelief at the turning tides. Midoriya turns the TV off, too aware of Yaoyorozu squirming next to him on the couch. He stands up, wavering his hands to the group.

“Hey guys, lets keep in mind that this is not Yaoyo-”

No one listens.

“TODOROKI IS IN LOVE WITH YAOMOMO!” Kirishima declares.

“I KNEW IT HALFIE HAS HORMONES!”

“GREATEST INTERVIEW EVER!”

“Intraclass relationships, oh how do I manage this as your President?!”

“I’m not dating him, Iida-san!”

“Guys, it’s all over the news!” Hagakure squeals, scrolling on her phone.

Yaoyoruzu opens her phone’s News app, horrified at the flood of Todoroki’s face on her feed.

“Endeavor’s Son Reveals Secret Girlfriend!”

“Icy Hot Hero’s Steamy Love Affair!”

“Shoto Breaks Our Hearts, Announces New Girlfriend Yaoyorozu!”

“Guess I’m not the only one staring at your boobs,” Mineta jeers, drooling in Yaoyorozu’s direction.

“Todoroki-san isn’t like that!” Yaoyorozu exclaims, crossing her arm to shield her chest.

“He legit admitted he’s got the hots for you, Yaomomo,” Sero cackles.

“I bet there’s a lotta wild thoughts within that dense skull,” Denki hollers, earning a punch from Jiroh.

“Give Yaoyorozu a break. We know Todoroki,” Midoriya tries to calm the situation. “He probably just said the first girl that came to mind.”

“That’s why it’s hilarious! First in mind, first in heart!”

“I thought he swung the other side,” Tokoyami shrugs, nudging at Kirishima and Bakugo.

“WHACHA TRYNA IMPLY, CHICKEN BOY?!”

Midoriya catches Yaoyorozu stand up abruptly from the couch, then run away from the common area. Hearing a door slam shut upstairs, he sighs.

Honestly, he would have done the same too.

——

He had been caught off guard.

They told him not to mention his private life for this reason. Now he was dealing with the pitfalls, his own words manipulated against him.

Todoroki doesn’t know how to escape this mess. Except, well, by actually escaping the interview and jumping back to his dorm. Nor does his father screaming through the phone make it any better.

“SHOTO! WHY AM I LEARNING ABOUT YOUR GIRLFRIEND ON TV?!”

“Look-”

“Who is this girl? Why haven’t I met her? What’s her class ranking? How compatible is her Quirk with yours? Who did she intern under? I need references. And how the fuck does she put up with your dumbass-”

Todoroki hangs up the phone, U.A. now in sight. He makes his final descent from his ice, then deactivates his Quirk on his dorm’s rooftop.

His classmates definitely watched that interview. The fact that he could hear yelling, alongside his own name, confirms so. Todoroki never understood why they found his interviews amusing, but today proved them right. He rather go straight to his room than deal with the mass interrogation awaiting him.

“Come on, that fool will never ask Yaomomo out! All he cares is trolling his pops!”

“Todoroki’s too dense to know what feelings are!”

Yaoyorozu...

He embarrassed her in front of their class and needed to apologize. It wasn’t his intentional to being her up, if she would believe it. It really was a slip.

And he’s not as dense as his Class thinks. He’s just...unsure on how to proceed. When second year started, being around Yaoyorozu made him feel a certain way that wasn’t there before. Something that he couldn’t see with Midoriya and the other guys. That she was someone to admire beyond her looks. That she was a trustworthy companion who never judged his stupid feelings. That he wanted them to be something more than a good friend who he trains and studies with. It was just an evolved form of their platonic friendship, right?

Except there had moments where Todoroki knew this was not the case. Moments that made him not in control, whether it was unintentionally activating his left side, finding his fist clenched right, or avoiding Yaoyorozu just to not deal with whatever turmoil he endured.

When their hands skimmed the other by chance and lingered for too many seconds. When they always sat next to each other during class movie nights. When he automatically checked the tea supply so Yaoyorozu never runs out. When he saw another third-year asking her out again. When he pinned her down during practice and her exhausted gaze was so inviting, he would have closed their gap if it weren’t for Aizawa-sensei declaring their match over.

This was the not an ideal time, but Todoroki wanted to get this over with. That stupid interview may have brought in unwanted variables, but his only focus was that Yaoyorozu was alright.

——

He called her “pretty,” Yaoyorozu muses in bed.

She knew it was an accident. Todoroki was never good at interviews, especially now that he’s one of the top young heroes alongside Bakugo and Midoriya. There is so much attention on him, he was bound to mess up like this. She just never thought it would involve her at some point.

“Why did he say my name first?” Yaoyorozu mutters into her pillow. “Could he...”

No, don’t go down that spiral. This wasn’t abnormal. He just thought she was pretty, nothing else. And based on the number of times she’s been asked of, several guys did too. Todoroki was merely catching up to a normal guy’s thought process.

You’re overreacting.

They do spend a lot of time together. And they text a lot, mainly for study and training sessions. Normal friend stuff, right? Just a boy and girl hanging out, alone with each other multiple times a week with minimal physical contact. There was nothing more, even if she wanted otherwise.

Todoroki is just getting used to having friends. It’s not a big deal that you’re the only girl he actively hangs out with. There’s no reason to think he sees you that way. Just keep your crush in check until he’s ready.

“Yaoyorozu, can we talk?”

“T-T-Todoroki-san?!”

Yaoyorozu gasps at the knocking on her window. She doesn’t dare to glance back. She knows Todoroki is right there, on the roof, knocking on her window. Like they’re in some romantic teen comedy-

Blushing harder, she rolls over, pulling the blankets over nose.

“I-I’m not feeling well.”

“Do you need medicine? You look really red. I can take you to Recovery Girl.”

She buries herself more, bothered by his offer. He’s escorted other girls to the nurse before.

“Or tea? I’ll make the honey ginger one.”

She drinks that a lot during study sessions, everybody knows that.

“What can I do to make you feel better?”

The last question makes her heart clench. He’s never been forward about her well-being, not sound so defeated at not having the answer. As if this was his sole responsibility instead of her own immaturity.

“I-I’m fine. Just tired from training.”

She hears a tired sigh on the other side of the window.

“I’m sorry for embarrassing you on TV. I’ll talk to everybody to stop teasing you.”

She hears Todoroki take the first step away. Her eyes widen as her body moves on its own, leaping out of bed to prop the window open. Todoroki halts at her sudden action, eyes just as wide in disbelief.

“Ano, Todoroki-san,” Yaoyorozu calls, gulping nervously. Todoroki turns around to walk back to her window. She didn’t know how to start this, her face warming up at the only thing she wanted to know.

“Do you think I’m attractive?”

“Yes.” The answer was immediate, even for Todoroki. Her blush was resuming all over again, probably crimson at this point.

“And do you find other girls...to be pretty?”

There was a longer, unsettling pause. “...Yes.”

Her chest aches. No surprise there. “O-Okay.”

“I like being around you more,” he adds quickly.

She watches him kneel down, bringing both to eye level with each other. He looked aloof as always, yet his whole body was tense. Was she making him uncomfortable?

She should have backed away to give him more space. Instead, Yaoyorozu finds herself leaning towards him over her desk. She’s rarely this close to him, where the smallest tilt would finally know how Todorok’s lips would feel against hers...

“I think about you a lot, so maybe that’s why I said your name in that interview,” Todoroki looks down, as if ashamed of revealing this information.

“And...how do you think of me then?”

She bites her lips, anxious to hear his next words. She’s still convinced that it’s nothing, but his gaze turns away from hers, only to something lower on her face.

“I don’t know the right words, but if you allow me...”

He makes the first move, pressing his forehead to hers. Yaoyorozu’s heartrate speeds out of control. His lips are just too close, just grazing her own nose. And his eyes say that he wants to do the same thing as she does.

“I’m better at showing than talking.”

——-

“Hey Yaomomo, we wanted to come by and apolo - AHHHHHH TODOROKI IS MAKING OUT WITH HER!”

“SO THE INTERVIEW WAS TRUE!!!”

“HOW DARE YOU LIE TO ME, YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT!”

“Ah...Revelry in the dark.”

————

Thank you for reading through my first Todomomo one-shot! Feel free to leave any feedback or comments. Planning to do more of these before starting a legitimate multi-fic.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Caramel Skin Under a Vanilla Sky prt 10 draft

Lance didn't mention their fight, if anything he acted like it never happened. Lucteal had been less civil, taking a swing at him when Keith had gone to the dining area for breakfast the following morning. Taking hold of the thrown fist, Keith had flipped Lucteal down to the floor with such ease that it laughable. The few team members in the space all seemed to suddenly have elsewhere to be, while Keith calmly collected two servings of goo and found a seat towards the back of the space. Lucteal rose to brush himself off, his face reddened with embarrassment. Stalking from the space to leave he and Kosmo alone, Keith failed to see how he was to blame for Lucteal's bad mood, or whatever had happened between him and Lance. He knew feelings were irrational. He knew it all too well. He'd written down everything he'd seen and learned since being reunited with Lance, and now had a strong idea of all he'd been through. He could understand why Lance would be hesitant to ask for any kind of help. Why he'd be struggling with those voices of anxiety and those nightmares. Now, he held his tongue. Watching Lance's every move upon the Telula. A few more quintants and they'd be at the prison. Then Lance would finally let him in. Those quintants seemed to take forever to pass. Lance was making plans that he wasn't part of. Daehra spent her time casting glances between them, attempting to silently encourage either of them to make a move. Lucteal had glued himself to Lance's side. He'd gone far enough as to sneak into Lance's room in the middle of the night. Lance had rather loudly thrown him out. Lucteal begging to be let in, or to send Keith away. Neither happened. Lucteal still not taking the hint that "no" actually meant "not now, not ever". It wasn't like Keith enjoyed watching Lucteal fall apart due to his unrequited love, buuuut, it did make him wonder if Daehra was right. That Lance actually did care for him, and wanted him like Keith loved him. Making it through to the morning of the mission, Keith found himself dressed rather ridiculously. As the "prince" of Daibazaal, Lance had sent Daehra to help him dress in something more fitting of the role. His blade uniform replaced by one of the Telula's black body suits, then by another body suit that felt like overkill but was allegedly fireproof. Finally was a black earth styled suit, with a white formal shirt. Keith drawing the line at the black tie provided. He didn't love suits. They reminded him too much of funerals and being left behind. As it was, he was struggling with the overwhelming scent of Lance on the fabric. That same salty ocean spray was doing all sorts of things to him inside. Thankfully the bodysuit prevented him from popping a boner the moment he was surrounded by Lance's scent, though it was still awkward when the alien helping you dress was blushing red as she knew exactly what he wanted to do to Lance. The last part of his outfit was a small camera that Zak had designed not to be detectable. Keith wasn't as sure as Daehra was as she tucked it under his collar. It was closed circuit, so anything recorded would only exist upon the device. Dressed from head to toe like someone who was definitely not him, he wasn't happy to find he was the only one looking like a moron. Lance was dressed in his own uniform, with his face already hidden behind his mask. In his hold was a ridiculously large gun and a thick white comms sat on his wrist. Keith hadn't been allowed anything that could be detected. Even his precious blades were left behind. Letting out a long whistle, Lance looked to Daehra "You did a good job. Now, is he ready?" "Yes. Are you sure you wish to proceed with only the two of you?" Keith kept his displeasure hidden. Wasn't Daehra supposed to be on his side here when it came to Lance? "I called ahead to notify them that the "Heir of Daibazaal" and his personal bodyguard would be arriving. They're only expecting the two of us. All weapons and comms need to be left with them, but they'd expect me to be armed anyway" When did Lance have the time to call ahead? He'd definitely missed that "His camera is under his collar. It's set to start filming the moment you're through the magnetic fields" "Thanks Star. And the pod?" "All set. I've uploaded the extrapolation for crossing the fields. You have a three dobosh window between the fifth and sixth wave. It's the longest time you'll have" What now? "Yeah. I looked over the data last night. Once we're in, time will move differently" "Leandro, we have discussed this. The rendezvous coordinates have been input already. The only thing left is for you both to leave. Kosmo is awaiting you" "Do I not get to know what's happening?" Lance rolled his eyes. Even with his face covered, Keith could tell "Yes, Mullet. You've made the request to inquire if Guile has been brought in, and if so, on what charges. Well, you came to me with the request and I've filed for permission to visit the facility. You've been granted access to meet with facilitators on the main outpost of the facility. I've already had a copy of Guile's file printed, as well as forwarded what was relevant to the commander of the outpost" Why was he only now hearing about this outpost? And why hadn't Lance shown him what he was up to? Explained things to him, so he didn't seem like an idiot in front of everyone "I thought we were going to a prison satellite" "You need to go through the outpost to get to the satellite. It's really not that complicated. We'll be leaving now. Keep an eye on Telula for me" Daehra nodded, Lucteal kept scowling at the world "We shall" "Right then. Keith, lets go before we miss our opening" Instead of taking Keith's ship, and given Lance's pod had been blown up, Lance led them down to another pod on the right side of the ship. Ignoring the fact Lance had to slam the airlock between the Telula and the ship four times for it to close properly, then hold it closed with his foot as it locked into place, the small pod was kind of nice in its own way... was what he would have liked to have been able to say. It looked like a flying death trap, and Lance was way too happy about it all. Plopping himself down in the pilot's seat, he fussed over Kosmo like he hadn't seen him in years. Kosmo yipping and jumping around happily, his whole body wagging as he tail went flat out "Uh, not to nitpick, but is this ship going to make it?" "This is Daehra's pod. It's been through a lot, but she's still going" Patting the dash, the whole pod seemed to shudder as the engines whirled to life. Keith grabbing the pilot's chair before throwing himself down in the chair beside it "That doesn't mean it'll make it through these magnetic fields" "It's not over abundant in tech. So the fields won't be messing with the systems like it would if we took the Telula" "I'm not sure if I understand what we're going to be flying through" Climbing into his lap, Kosmo whined at him as the pod was disengaged with a shudder "Do you remember how the original Blade headquarters were hidden. The opening only available at certain times, on certain quintants? Think of what we're going to like that. Time moves differently in there, and between the magnetic interference, the asteroid belt and the weird rotation of the planets around here, it all comes together to act as added security in case of something going wrong on the other side" "Oh... so we only have to get through all of that, then that's ok then. Have at it..." Lance snorted, moving to take the controls into his hands "We sent a sensor ahead. It's been monitoring variables while we were sleeping. Ren'at worked with Zak over night to perfect things" Keith nodded, with no idea who that was "Ren'at is the AI Zak wrote. Seriously, if he and Pidge ever got together... the universe would be a hell of a lot scarier than it is now" "Worse than when Hunk and Pidge would nerd out?" "Think of that on steroids. He's part Olkarion or something. He can interface with like anything. Not that he brags about it. I really lucked out when we busted him out" "Busted him out?" "Mmm... got himself into a scrape that would have seen him locked up. I was supposed to apprehend him and bring him in" Lance offered the comment offhandedly, his focus now on piloting as they moved from the Telula "What did he do?" "What you did. Kind of. Uploaded software where he really shouldn't have. Nothing malicious. He just helped out a rebel group who'd got themselves in trouble. It deleted photos and locations of other rebels. Not like you who downloaded the clubs specifications for no good reason" "Hey, it wasn't for no good reason" "Mhmm. And what good reason did you have for starting a bar fight?" Keith opened and closed his mouth, pouting as he leaned back "I wanted to see you, but didn't know your room number" "That makes everything ok then" "Maybe if you'd told me you were on Erathus, I could have come by without the need to use Kosmo" "Or maybe I would have been working" Awkwardness kicked in when Keith failed to reply. He liked this side of Lance's job. He didn't like the side that had strangers between Lance's long caramel legs where they didn't belong "I don't want to have a fight. It's a long enough trip out there as it is" "Have you been out here before?" "Yep. Well. Once. Once as a passenger in the back of a police ship. Usually the police take care of it. Depends how close we are, though I haven't taken Daehra's pod through it before" "I really don't know if this ship is going to make it" "It survived Lucteal and Daehra in here. As well as their sister, and myself. If it can survive Luc and Dae, it can survive anything" "They're... an interesting pair" "That's what happens when you come from a large family" "Daehra mentioned they were "illegitimate"" "Oh. She told you that? Her father is the king of the planet she comes from. He has a whole harem there. When the Galra hit, they lost a lot. Not just their people and homes, but their animals and forests, the Galra even poisoned some of their water supplies. It messed with his head and he pretty much went about having as many children as he could to ensure his bloodline. They have 17 half-brothers and sisters. That they know of. Dae used to work in the palace taking care of the "proper" kids. Lucteal was raised in the royal household. The males were until the queen gave birth to a boy and they were all sent away. It's a messy situation. Lucteal and Daehra never really had anything for themselves. I did tell them I had no idea how things would play out and that they'd be safer at home, but they'd both dreamed of seeing more" "A bit like you? How you dreamed of space?" "Something like that. It's not what I ever thought it would be. I know we don't have much, but we make it work" "They're lucky to have you. You should have been Black Paladin, not me" Lance let out a sigh "That's not true" "It is" "No. Shiro had Black, but you stepped up. You didn't think you could do it, but you stepped up" "Then Kuron came back in Shiro's place. I can't believe Black didn't tell me" "Black didn't tell any of us. Neither did the other lions. All of Coran's scans failed to show it. We all thought he was Shiro" "You thought something was off, but we dismissed you" "I'm used to it. I come from a big family" "You should never have had to be used to it" "It's fine. Seriously. Big family and all that" "It's not fine, Lance. You're what kept us all together. You took care of all of us. Your team is lucky to have you" "Can we not do this again? We can talk about something else, but I need to concentrate" "Fine. But it's still true. They're lucky to have you. Anyone is lucky to have you" "You're making me blush, Mullet" "Doesn't make it any less true. And it's been a long time since I've had a mullet" "You'll always be "mullet" to me. With that red and white jacket, and that perpetual scowl. I get it now. We were all doing all we could to stay alive. I... uh... shouldn't have snapped at you over it all. Turned out I have more issues with Kuron than I thought" Keith sat up a little straighter in his chair, cautiously asking "Have you talked to Shiro about it?" "Nah. He wasn't him. I don't want to remember, really. So I don't know why I keep bringing it up. I probably look really lame right now" "I don't think you're lame" Keith knew exactly why Lance kept bringing it up. Whatever had transpired, Lance was comparing himself to Shiro mentally. He'd probably replayed what had happened to him, wondering how Shiro would have handled all of it as he too had been tortured "Thanks... you, uh, you look good in that suit" "Oh! Thank you. I'm not used to wearing one" "That's kind of obvious. Still, you'll have to get used to it" "Why? What for?" "For Shiro's wedding. I would bet GAC that you're going to be his best man, but it's not really a bet when it's a sure thing" "Don't remind me. At least it'll be a whole before he gets married" "Still. A suit really suits you. You've got the height for them" "Because I'm cooler and more grizzled?" Lance groaned at him "Why do you always have to ruin our bonding moments?" "Me? You said you don't even remember the first one" "I was blown up!" "You still managed to wake up and take that shot when we needed you the most" "Anyone could have made that shot" "Not after being in an explosion like that. You saved Coran without thinking" "And how many times have you nearly blown up?" "A fair few... some days I wonder how I'm still alive. I wonder how any of us came back... I couldn't have made it this far without the team. Without you. I wouldn't know how to live it with it if you hadn't survived" "Keith... I..." "You don't have to tell me. I keep fucking things up between us. You're my best friend. And I have so many things I want to talk to you about, but it's like, the words don't come out right when it comes to you" "Keith..." "I keep making a fool of myself. I know... I mean... I know that fear. You don't think you're ever going to open your eyes again. I... I'm just grateful you're still here. You're... you're like really important to me" Lance took a moment, Keith wondering what kind of expression his crush was making under his mask "Thank you. I need to concentrate..." "Alright. Let me know how I can help" "I will" * Keith had thought they were going to die. First were the magnetic waves that had the pop groaning like it was being torn apart, then came the asteroid field, then stronger magnetic waves that left him feeling physically ill? before Lance guided them into a pocket of space that sent them hurtling towards the nearest moon so fast he'd torn the padding on the chair he was seated in, in shameful fear. Guiding them out of the dive, Lance released the controls in order to pull up a map on his screen "We're nearly there" "Nearly?" His voice came out as a squeak. Keith's stomach still doing flips as Lance tapped away on his comms to zoom in "The worst is over. Though, we get to do all that on the way back again" "Are you smiling?!" "You didn't have fun?" "Fun? I thought we were going to die" "Pfft. Like I would go to all this effort then let you die" "How should I know" "You could have at least said, I don't know, "good job not hitting those meteorites, especially when they started splitting up as we passed". Or something like that" "Something like that" Turning his direction, Lance clutched at his chance "As I live and breathe? Keith making a joke. I wish I recorded that" "You're an arse" "And the moment's over. You better get ready, 15 doboshes and we'll be there" "You used to like my jokes" "I didn't say I didn't like it. I said... you know what, nope. I congratulate you on your joke" "You're an arse" Lance laughed softly at him "Maybe. But I'm the arse who's your bodyguard. Don't forget that" "What are you going to do, shoot me?" "Don't tempt me. You're the most unarmed I've ever seen you" Biting back, Keith grasped the first thing that came to mind "I could kill you with my shoelaces" "Ooooh. Shoelaces. I'm so scared!" "You should be" "This I'd like to see" "I'm a Blade remember. Highly trained and all that" "Mhmm. I'll keep this in the back of my mind then" "Yeah. You do that" Landing near the outpost, it was clearly of Galra origins. Hailed the moment they touched down. Opening comms on their end, Lance neatly rattled off his identification in a string of weird numbers and letters. Keith deciding he really needed to have Daehra teach him what it all meant, especially when the voice on the other ends of the comms laughed. Granting them clearance, Lance thanked the faceless voice before ending the call. Climbing from his seat, he walked over to the middle of the as Keith followed at a slower pace. Rolling back a thin rug thing, Lance opened the hatch beneath to reveal a rusty looking box. Popping it open, he pulled out half a dozen small devices "Turn that camera of yours on. If we get separated, we'll meet back here" "What are you doing?" "They expect certain things to be on me when I'm scanned" "They do?" "Identification and stuff" "That looked like more than identification" "I said "and stuff". Right. Don't fuck this up" Keith scoffed. How was he going to fuck things up? He barely knew what was going on. Covering the trap door back up, Lance moved to pat Kosmo "You need to stay here for me. Make sure that no one takes our ride. Daehra is rather attached to her pod" Kosmo yipped at him. His wolf far too happy to listen to Lance "Something to say, Keith?" "Not really. He's a traitor" "Awww. Kosmo. I'll still love you. You can come join my team. We have space for the bestest boy in the universe" "This is why he never listens to me. You spoil him too much" "You can't spoil him too much. What kind of heartless monster are you? Look at that face" Flopping down, Kosmo's tongue lolled out his mouth as he gazed up at Keith expectantly "You broke him" "I didn't break him. Now come on already. Tell him he's a good boy and to wait here" "Yeah. Yeah. Kosmo you're a good boy. Stay here for us" Nudging Keith with his elbow, Lance was downright playful as they began the walk along the causeway from where they'd landed. Standing half a step behind him, Lance kept prodding him with the tip of his gun. Each time he jumped, Lance would hiss at him to "be the proper prince of Daibazaal" like that was his actual title. He'd already turned down leading Daibazaal. It Krolia and Kolivan managed to have a kid, he was more than happy to pass the role over to it. Reaching the doors to the facility, the were greeted by a tall slender Galra, and an alien of a race Keith didn't know "Welcome, Black Paladin Keith. Agent Leandro. My name is For, this is Niv. I understand you are enquiring over a missing operative?" Lance cleared his throat "Indeed. We are looking for information on an operative named "Guile". He was posing as a weapons buyer when he was taken. We believe he was wrongly detained due to the nature of his mission in Ghazex" "Before we can allow you further into this facility, we will need you to surrender all communication devices, trackers and weaponry" There was something about the Galra that was rubbing Keith the wrong way. He knew that this was an outpost, but if it was an international posting, where were the rest of the staff? Why was it just one plain Galra and one milky-grey alien with strange yellow slitted eyes? Keith wouldn't be surprised if the alien had a forked tongue to go with his whole reptilian appearance "Of course. Does Kre'el still work here?" The pair of aliens exchanged a glance "Not to our knowledge. They may be at the satellite. We had a rather problematic prisoner transfer in" Lance nodded slowly, Keith tried to catch his eyes but Lance continued to stare ahead at the pair "And the rest of the staff?" "Here and there. Let's get you logged in, then we can discuss your missing operative" Moving into the facility, both of them had to pass through a scanner where Lance was relieved of his weaponry. It seemed to Keith that Lance could sense whatever he felt. This didn't feel right. The whole place was too silent, the only noise was the humming of the air filtration systems that seemed to Keith like they were barely working. Sweat had started to form under his body suit, beads rolling uncomfortably down his back as they continued on. Having barely spoken a word outside of pleasantries, Keith cleared his throat, trying to move the lump of uncomfortableness "Where are we headed?" "To the main control room of the facility. Prisoner lists are only accessible there" "Oh. Right... see much action here?" For snorted, Niv glaring at his companion "Not particularly. Unless there is a new prisoner, this is as interesting as it gets. Nothing like the days of Voltron, am I right?" "It wasn't all action" "Still. To hold that much power... and now you reside on Daibazaal?" "Yes. For the most part" The conversation dissolved again. Keith moving close enough for his arm to brush Lance's as they walked. Giving a tiny shake of his head, Keith wasn't sure how he was supposed to interpret the action. Was Lance telling him to behave? Or silently yelling at him to be on guard? Opting for option b, he straightened his posture, shifting his weight in preparation for whatever came next. Reaching the control room, there were several other people there. A tall, commanding Galra with a nasty scar down the right side of his face, was standing behind a long control panel with a series of feeds pulled up on a holoscreen "Commander. We have brought the agent and the Paladin" Rounding the panel, the Galra seemed even larger as he came closer. Beside him, Lance swore softly in Spanish "I am Theore. Welcome" "I am Keith, former Black Paladin of Voltron. I am searching for a missing agent from Daibazaal" "I have reviewed the file. We have dozens of Galra held in our facility. It may take vargas to identify your agent" Rocking back on his heels, Lance's voice held a tone of forced friendliness "Then we should get started. Have you had many picked up in Ghazex?" "That information is classified. Even to such an agent. Leandro. Also known by LEA. 47 arrests. 11 assists. 16 deaths. 9 scheduled for rehabilitation" 47 arrests... damn. He was falling for Lance all over again. His crush was far more bad arse than he gave himself credit for... wait... deaths? Lance had killed? 16 seemed far too high... that had to be team kills. Yeah. That was what it was... Scratching the back of his head, Lance shifted his weight "I didn't think we were up to 47..." Leaning in, the huge Galra growled "Are you suggesting our system is wrong?" Taking half a step back, Lance waved his hands "What? No. No. Nothing like that. I just get paid. I don't keep track of the numbers. Anyway... don't mind me" "We have made space for you to wait until the shuttle between the base and satellite returns. Niv. Please show our guests to where they can wait" Leading them from the room, Niv showed them to an unremarkable grey and purple room. A camera facing the door, a solid looking black chair, and an aura of unwelcomeness was all that waited for them. Leaving them to their own devices, Lance moved to sit, beckoning him over when Keith didn't move from near the doorway. Opening his mouth, Lance silenced him by bringing his finger up in front of his own. Forcing Keith to give in and go to sit beside him "Lan..." "Everything we say and do is being recorded in accordance with the stations order of operations" So it was best he held his tongue "Is it how you remember?" "Exactly" Shifting closer, Lance was shaking like a leaf. Placing his hand on his friends knee, Lance jumped violently "Are you ok?" "Fine. I'm fine..." "Leandro... I can feel it" Lifting his hand off his knee, Lance held it firmly as he leaned into Keith's shoulder. Keith freezing like a statue at such an intimate touch from his skittish friend. Whispering, Lance spoke fast "This feels wrong" "If this is the prison for the area, why aren't more people working here?" "We passed through the magnetic fields... shouldn't the scanners have picked up if another ship had passed through? They would have left a radiation signature, right? The Telula has long range scanners too. Zak would have notified me if something had passed by" "So this is a trap?" "I don't know. We can't act now. They wouldn't hold Guile here. He would have been processed and moved to the satellite movements ago" "Have you actually been in here before?" "No. Not inside. I was in the back last time. Someone had to sit there with the gun and look scary. They don't need to know that" "What do we do?" "Wait? We can't just be like "sorry guys, changed our minds, gotta get Keith home for dinner with his family"" "We aren't armed. You gave them your weapons" "I gave them bad weapons. My blaster was the only thing worth having" "You suspected something?" "No. I suspected they'd want to check our weapons. What should it matter if they aren't great, if there's nothing to hide" Keith drew his brow, trying to remember what Lance had taken from Daehra's ship "Just how far ahead did you plan this?" "It's kind of my job to be suspicious" "I heard. 47 arrests?" "Not all individually. When you catch 12 or so bad guys on a ship, that doesn't count as one" In theory that meant Lance could have simply dropped one ship off and been up to 47 in one go "Oh, you secretly got lucky?" "Real fucking lucky. They were supposed to have processed Guile's information by now" "Yeah. Well. This is all we can do for now. Though, I'm not completely sure why we're cuddling" "This isn't cuddling. This is me being close enough to whisper without being overly suspicious about it" "How do you know they can't pick up your whispers?" "I don't" "That doesn't fill me with faith" "What would you do then?" "Hole up and wait. We could get into the vents" "I've had enough of vents. Beside, camera" "Don't you have some fancy tech you knock it out with?" "And tip them off? That's being reckless, Keith. Honestly, I expected better of you" "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" "Not particularly. But what else can we do. Neither of us have been in here. For all we know, we could be feeding off each other's anxieties over the whole thing" "If we are, we're not telling anyone" Laughing softly, the sound was music to Keith's ears. What he wouldn't give to pin Lance down and tickle him into fits of laughter... and what the hell was thinking a thing like that for right now?! Nudging him with his knee, Lance playfully replied "Deal. You can have your hand back now" Glancing down to where Lance's smaller covered hand sat in his, Keith didn't particularly want to let go "It's fine" "Aww. Do you like holding my hand?" "Yes" Lance groaned at him, suddenly tensing "Keith..." "I feel like something bad is happening in your head right now. I don't mind holding your hand" "You're so weird" "Maybe. Consider it payback for not telling me how bad arse you are" "I'm not a bad arse" "You are too" Forcibly removing his hand from Keith's, Lance moved away "No. I'm really not" "No need to pout" "I'm not pouting" "Of course you're not" "Just sit there your royal pain in the arse" "I'll give you a pain in the arse" Moving further away from him, Lance crossed his legs. Clearly he'd gone too far... and now he didn't know what to say. At least whoever was listening had been forced to listen to him fucking things up further. Opening his mouth and praying something smart would come out, the door to the room they were in opened instead. Niv and For both standing there. Niv holding a blaster of his own, For wielding a scowl "Agent Leandro, we require you to come with us. There is an issue with your credentials. The Erathian government has requested we hold you until a representative can arrive" Keith looked to Lance, who had the nerve to shrug. They'd literally just been discussing this being a trap "Lance..." "It's fine" "Are you serious right now?" "Well. I kind of thought this might happen" "What?! Why didn't you tell me?" "Because I'm your bodyguard. Not your friend" Brushing his hands free of invisible dust, Lance held his hands up he moved towards the pair. Leaping up, Keith grabbed his arm "Don't do this" "They're just doing their jobs. It'll be fine" Shaking the hold off, Lance moved closer to Niv "What is he being accused of?! Isn't he one of you?" "Keith. You're not helping" "You're not seriously going with them, are you?" "It's fine" "How is this fine?!" "It's fine" Jerking his head slightly, Keith didn't get the message Lance was giving him. Sighing loudly, Lance stomped down on Niv's foot at he grabbed at the blaster, smacking him squarely in the nose then booting him in the crotch. When For when for him, Lance calmly shot the top of the Galra's boot off. Taking his toes with it. Howling in pain, Lance brought the butt of the gun down hard into For's temple, knocking him out. Recovering enough to go for him, Lance took the creepy alien out with a well delivered blow to the back of the neck. Gaping at Lance, Lance sighed at him "Thanks for the help" "What happened to not tipping them off?" "Erathus can't come after me. I know too much... though they might have been slightly mad... that I didn't die and stuff" What the quiznak had he done? "If we were going to start trouble, why didn't you give me a weapon from the start?" "Because we weren't. If that camera's hooked up, they saw all of that" "Why can't we have simple missions? Go here. Do this. Come home?" Lance moved to pass the blaster to him "This was supposed to be simple. This is an official government facility" "Which we're hijacking?" "Not "hijacking", bypassing"" "We're already here" Lance started jogging down the hall in the direction they'd come. Kicking both unconscious aliens lightly to ensure they were out cold, Keith started after Lance "In a place where something hinky is going on" "Did you really just say "hinky"?" "Yep. I stand by it" "Do you have any kind of plan?" "We knock these guys out, hop the pod to the satellite. Pretend everything is all good, then get the hell out of here" "Lance, that's a terrible plan. You don't even have a weapon. And, there's cameras" "Which we'll disable when we get to the control room. This place is way too quiet" "Who the hell are you?" "Just a guy in a bit of trouble?" "A bit?" "I didn't exactly know there was a warrant out" "Isn't that the kind of thing your team monitors?" "When we're in the area" "There they are!" Standing at the end of the hall, the Galra commander whose name Keith may have already forgotten was coming at them. Grabbing Lance by the arm, he pulled him into the first room to their left. Stumbling over each other, Lance slipped on something. Letting out a moan, Keith slammed the door closed behind them before turning. What he saw took his breath away. People. Or what were left of them. Pieces were everywhere... with blood coating the floor. This was beyond "hinky". Trying to climb up, Lance slipped again, his hand leaving a bloody print along the metal table as he let out a miserable cry. With Theore yelling as he pounded on the door behind them, Keith grabbed Lance, pulling him down behind the table "Lance?" Taking Lance by the shoulders, Keith shook him lightly. He could understand the shock his crush was suffering. It felt as if the blood in the room was infecting ever fibre of the flimsy suit he was wearing "Lance?!" "No! Don't touch me!" They had about two seconds before whatever staff was on base came bursting through the door. Lance was out of it, now reduced to Spanish. He was in one piece, but they weren't going to stay that way if he didn't do something about the fact Lance had pissed everyone off. Shooting Theore through the door, solved the immediate issue. How the Galra couldn't calm down enough to open the door, Keith didn't know, and holding a blaster didn't feel right. Lance was far better with the blaster than he was. Darting back down beside the Cuban, he found Lance had fled from the safety of the table to stand near one of the tanks of remains. The body inside kept alive by various wires. The exposed heart beating steadily as Lance reached towards the glass. The idiot had pulled his mask off, as he stood staring at the body. His eyes fixed in something Keith couldn't see "Lance!" As tanks around them began to "pop" from blaster hits, Keith threw himself at Lance as he fired blindly "Lance, what's going on?" "Keith..." That was a start "Yeah, Buddy. Talk to me" "I'm going to be sick" And that was a problem. Pitching sideways, Lance threw up, as threatened "I need you to stay here. No moving. No wandering. Ok?" Shaking his head at him, Lance was being a stubborn shit "I don't have time to babysit you. They're coming for us! We can't help these people!" Death was the only end or release the mangled remains "You need to man up!" "I can't!" "Why not?! We're about three ticks away from joining them!" "Because I put them here! I put them here!" Moaning miserably, Lance clutched his hair. Well. Fuck. Just... Fuck. Quiznak didn't come close to summing up how Keith felt about that "How do you know for sure? It could be anyone" "I know them" "How" "I..." "Lance, they're gone. Dead" Screaming at him, the marks on Lance's cheeks flared to life "I know!" "How?!" Bellowing in his face, Lance continued his screaming before tapering down to soft sobs "Because he fucking raped me! He fucking raped me... he raped me... there's a tattoo on his arm... I thought he died before... they said he was dead" Keith literally saw red. Raising the blaster, he fired half a dozen shots in to the tank. Covered in blood, Lance looked broken. Somehow he'd smeared it across his face, and down his suit as he tried to huddle into himself "Lance... I..." "Don't touch me... please don't touch me..." Raising his hands, Keith nodded "I won't, but we need to keep moving" "I don't want to" "Lance, they're probably going to kill both of us" "Then go without me" "Don't be stupid" "I can't help it! I am stupid! Erathus was a fucking trap! Allura brought me back wrong! All of this is wrong!" "Fuck this. Don't move" Keith's heart was racing faster than his mind. His teeth bared as he ran through the tables. That thing had dared lay hands on his Lance. His Lance who wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't have it coming. His Lance, who'd they tortured and raped... He didn't even need his blade or the blaster as he threw himself on the first enemy he met. Grabbing both sides of aliens head, he twisted hard, snapping their neck before they knew what was happening. It felt as if his whole body was on fire as his anger consumed him. They'd hurt Lance. He never should have left him alone. He should have told him he loved him before all of this. It'd probably killed Lance inside each time he was touched. Each flirty joke. He... He couldn't process. By the time Keith came back to his right mind, the small group of base workers that had come after them were all dead. Picking his way through the room to where he'd left Lance, Lance was staring at the drained tank. An alarm buzzing as a red light flashed above the broken tanks. Shivering hard enough for his teeth to chatter, Keith stripped off the bloodied suit jacket drape it around Lance's shoulders "Shhh. It's ok now. Don't look at it. Look at me" Wrapping an arm around Lance to pull him up, Lance pushed against him "Don't..." "I'm sorry. Please try to bare with it a little longer" "I'm d-dirty" "It's just a little blood. Some soap and water will clean that right up" He knew Lance meant he was dirty, but that was a load of shit. What had been done to Lance was revolting, but it was done to him without his consent. He was raped, and even if he felt dirty, he wasn't. Not to Keith. He did wish that the responsible parties were still alive, in order to dissect them himself. No. Dissection was too good. When Lance was unable to keep his legs up under him, Keith lifted him over his shoulder. Whimpering at being manhandled, Keith hushed him "Watch our backs, Sharpshooter" It didn't matter what Keith felt. Lance was terrified. And more than likely terrified Keith was going to treat him differently. Even if he wanted to wrap him up in cotton wool and kiss away his pain, treating him differently was his biggest fear. It fucking hurt to act like this was another small secret to squirrel away. Carrying Lance down the hall, he made the mistake of opening a door too soon, another room filled with parts met his eyes. These ones neatly stacked in row after row of glass drawers, floating in some kind of blue liquid. Closing the door, this place was all kinds of fucked up. Hiking Lance up, his crush whined softly at him "I know. I'm sorry. Wrong door" Two more wrong doors finally led to the right one. Carrying Lance into the control room, he showed no mercy to those still inside. He didn't even think about where his shots hit, only that the victims were too incapacitated to go after Lance. Lowering him down against the control panel, Lance started sobbing again. Dropping a kiss on his sweaty brown hair, Keith cursed himself when Lance let out a strangled kind of scream "I'm sorry. Shhh... I'm going to take care of things" Preferably by finding the bases self destruction sequence. Placing his hand on the panels keyboard, Keith was locked out the system. He didn't have any of his Blade tech on him, and Lance wasn't in any actual condition to help. Keith supposed it was the natural way to be when you come face to face with the man who'd raped you, and found the people you were arresting and sending for imprisonment were instead being chopped up into pieces and forced to stay alive with mechanical intervention. It was quiznakkingly revolting. Keith unable to comprehend what Lance was thinking. He'd believed they were being shipped off to be frozen in pods. They weren't off and walking around like living beings, but his targets weren't dead either. The job he'd been so proud of had left him as little more than an intergalactic farmer, with humanoid beings the meat being sent to the butchers waiting. Tapping the control panel turned to him slamming his hands down on the machine repeatedly. With an added kick for good measure when it continued to deny him access. Screaming at the house of Keith's shoe against the panel, Lance's knuckles were white as he clutched his hair. Long threads clinging to his fingers were chunks had been pulled out. Staying here was only serving to hurt Lance more. Squatting down, a jolt of blue shot from Lance's hand as he moved to take it. Snatching it back with a startled cry, Keith stared at the fresh blistered electrical burn scar on his hand, branching across his palm like a tree. Tearing off a strip of the thin not-so-white dress shirt, Keith carefully bandaged his palm. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on Lance's, relaxing minutely as when he wasn't zapped again "Lance, I can't get into the system. I can't do anything from here. We need to pull out and contact Daibazaal" "I can't, Keith" "Yes, you can" "I can't..." "Lance" "Leave me here" "Not going to happen" "Leave me alone" "Nope. Can't do it" "I don't want to" "Lance, its only a little further" "I don't want to" "Don't" was grating on his nerves as badly as "can't" had "Lance" "I don't want to!" "I don't care! We're getting out of here" "I don't want to go" Hefting Lance up, Keith was prepared for the protesting arms as he smacked at him "Stop it" "Then put me down" "Not going to happen" "Don't you get it? I don't want to be alive. I don't want to. I don't want to be like this... I'm so tired of it all, Keith" "I know you're tired, but I refuse to leave you here" "I don't want to..." "Big grizzly Keith isn't going to leave you behind" Lance didn't laugh. Probably because there really wasn't anything to laugh about "por favor... estoy sucio... muy sucio... "I don't know what you're saying, but I'm going to assume you're saying something stupid again. You're my best friend. I'm not leaving you in a place like this" Falling silent, Lance stopped his futile struggles, as he fell lax in Keith's arms. Tears continued to roll down Lance's ashen face as Keith picked the blaster up and cursed himself for not returning Lance to his shoulder. Blaster's weren't made for firing when you had your hands full. Keith having to force Lance to an awkward hunched drag as they encountered more station soldiers as they left the control room. "Estúpido... por favor... mami..." Snippets of broken Spanish seemed to lodge themselves in Keith's ear as he forced the pair of them onwards. Lance felt like ice to the touch beneath his arm, yet there was nothing he could do for him. Making it to the front doors of the facility, he found them locked. The only solution being to use the blaster to smash the locking system, before plunging outside where Lance stopped responding all together. Cursing him, Keith hefted Lance back up onto his shoulder as he staggered onwards. Having carried Lance through the facility, the extra weight was starting to get to him. Lance was all skin and bones, despite the appearance of long defined muscles beneath his soft skin. Halfway between the facility and Daehra's pod, blasts began to shoot past them as someone from within the base roused. Bases like these usually had ridiculous mounted weaponry and shield capabilities which meant if they had the chance to boot them up before Keith reached the ship, they wouldn't be getting off this stupid planet in one piece "Kosmo! Come!" Yelling as loudly as he could, Kosmo teleported to meet them. Despite their deca-phoebs together Keith still couldn't explain their connection "Need to get on the ship. Lance is..." As Keith grabbed Kosmo's fur midexplanation, one of the blaster pulses grazed his left arm, thanks to suit it didn't burn his flesh, though it did feel like he'd taken a walloping to the area with lead bat. Kosmo was less than impressed as the surprise hit caused Keith to pull his hair mid teleport. Suddenly safe for the moment, the half-Galra placed Lance down in the passenger chair as he rushed to take control of the small pod. Distracted by his worry for his crush, Keith could barely focus as he fired up the engines. Daehra's small pod had to have some kind of firepower, but as the base slowly became smaller, he failed to find which switch it was. His worry for Lance had to be further pushed aside when the out station began firing their laser cannons in their direction "Kosmo, protect Lance! This is going to get rough!" In the heat of everything happening, Keith slightly forgot about the electro-magnetic waves, taking a full hit from one that caused the pod's alarms to start screaming at him as he fought to control the craft. Looking to Lance, he found him unconscious with Kosmo sitting on his lap. It wasn't quite a seatbelt, but if Lance were to become airborne, Kosmo would save him before anything happened. Hitting on the back of the first wave, the second wave sent him flying into the asteroid belt. Lance had said everything was fine when he'd piloted earlier, so Keith had to assume this was why the passage to the base was only accessible at certain times. The belt seemed to be in orbit of the small planet or large moon where the base was. Unable to escape the forces of space, Keith killed the main engines, using the thrusters to gently perch them down on the back of a meteorite. He hated having to wait. To sit there completely fucking useless while the station scanned for the pod's presence. Going completely offline might help to keep them hidden, but it also meant the pod wouldn't be able to cycle oxygen. With a pod this size, two humans and a wolf to think of, Keith guessed at best they had 4 vargas of air. Probably more around 3... yet they could really do with a dose of optimism right about now. Lance needed a metric ton of optimism right now. Climbing from the pilot's chair, Keith pulled off the remnants of his shirt before moving over to Lance. Stepped off Lance's lap, Lance was well and truly unconscious as he didn't so much as flinch when Kosmo placed a giant paw right down on his junk. Cringing in sympathy, Keith took Lance's face in his hands. He still felt icy to the touch. His marks having faded away to nothingness again. Keith was about to try waking him, when he noticed how much blood was across Lance. If he was to wake Lance now, he'd send him into another fit of hysteria "Kosmo, can you find me a couple of water pouches? And a blanket?" Now that he knew what had happened, touching Lance while he was unconscious felt wrong. He wanted to treat him like he was the most precious person in the universe, but he didn't know if Lance could forgive him for helping him? He didn't want to live. He didn't want to be touched. He didn't want to... be. Too bad for Lance that Keith didn't think any less of him for what had happened. Keith was going too drag him back from the darkness within.

[deathbyignis]

Drautos x Reader pt 3

You awaken to the sound of the alarm system to your home arming, the secondary panel being next to your bedroom door. The room is dark, and you can make out the faint street lights invading your bedroom from below. Your mind didn't register at first, but you finally surmised that it was early--very early. You turned to the clock, 3:17 am. You lay there for a moment trying to shake the cobwebs from your brain. Where was he going at this hour, you ask yourself. The Kingsglaive had the day off, save for a dinner event with King Regis tonight. Crownsguard too for that matter, so it isn't like he has a meeting with Cor or Clarus. You finally decide to get up, go pee, then move your tired body downstairs. The kitchen still smells of coffee, the remnants of a microwaveable breakfast sandwich sit on the counter. At your feet is a little dog begging for the crumbs. Your body has been through the ringer these past two days and as you stretch, you felt it screaming for relief. Ungodly amounts of PT, 10 battles vs. your fellow Glaives, and a few rough romps with Titus...you decide to clean up his mess later and head to your couch. You turn the tv on to the local news, as you often did (not like you are planning actually watch anything anyway), and curl up in your favorite fuzzy blanket with Titan snugly tucked underneath and lose consciousness immediately. When you wake again, you assess by the position of the sun coming through your windows that it is around 10am. You feel nauseous, and stay still for several minutes. You can't remember the last time you slept like that and you are grateful for the chance to rest your body. You sit up slowly and Titan runs straight for the door. Poor kid must have been holding it for some while now. "I know, imma gonna get dressed and we'll go ok" you say to him as you dart upstairs to put some clothes on. A simple athleisure outfit will have to do as anything else would be over-doing for this simple task. You grab your phone, a bottle of water and you are out the door. The park is off-limits now, so you take Titan the opposite direction. The first patch of grass you see, he does his business and begins his ritual of sniffing every other dog that has been in the area for the past month. You take the opportunity to check your phone. 23 messages. Someone was on a bender last night, you think. Crowe: What are you wearing to dinner tomorrow? I don't have shit! Can I borrow something? Nyx: Man, you really fucked him up! Nice work glaive! Titus: I'm sorry please come home. Pelna: This overnight guard shift is bullshit! Titus: where did you go? Come home. Crowe: I remember you wearing a really sexy nude colored dress to a ball last year, maybe that? Still have it? Nyx: I think he actually believes you are Yojimbo! 😂 Libertus: (to group) need...whiskey. Crowe: if you don't want to loan me the dress, you can say. Nyx (to group) I got Scotch, but no whiskey. Libertus: (to group) is that what I asked for hero? Pelna: (to group) I don't have either because I'm in hell! Tredd: (to group) I got both but keeping it all for myself. Libertus: (to group) greedy ginger bastard Pelna: (to group) LOL Crowe: (to group) Shut the fuck up! Some of us are trying to sleep! Nyx: (to group) where is y/n Tredd: (to group) silence your phone Libertus: (to group) probably giving the king a bj with her purdy Tenebrae mouth. Crowe: it still vibrates Tredd: you must really love this then Nyx: Ohhhhhh No you didn't Crowe: fuck you Tredd stop or I'll put your balls in a magic vice next training. Titus: didn't want to wake my angel. I love you. You're pissing yourself with laughter at the insanity of your friends, and are irritated at Titus for not telling you where he went or when he would be back. You assess that his text was to sent to curtail your annoyance. You start firing off the texts. To Crowe: of course you can wear it, though the chest area may be a little tight on you! 😘 To Nyx: thanks friend, it always feels good to do good work! To KG group: you guys are nuts! I ❤️u! Except Lib...we'll talk tonight. Titus: where are you baby? Crowe calls immediately and the two of you set up a time to meet at her place so you can get ready together. She initially wants to meet at your place so she can browse your closet for options, but you make a couple of excuses and agree to bring the options to her. You scoop up Titan and head back inside. 10:47 You have just over five hours before meeting Crowe. She lives in the same area of Insomnia as Nyx and Lib, which is close to the Citadel. It will take you 30 minutes to get there, so you have to leave your place in 4 1/2 hours. You decide to hit up your closet, since you haven't even contemplated your evening attire. It was custom for the men to wear their Kingsglaive uniforms to official engagements, but a woman in hers is just ghastly. You had a large selection of gowns and cocktail dresses from your life in Tenebrae, and a few that Titus had bought you. You first pulled the dress that Crowe had specifically requested, then inspected the remaining. You pulled two black dresses that you thought would fit Crowe perfectly and a burnt orange one that you thought she would love. 11:24. You check your phone. No response from Titus. You send him another message: I'm meeting Crowe at her place at 4:00 to get ready. Will you be home by then? You throw your phone on the bed with a sigh, and feel your body temperature rising. You turn back to your closet, and pull out two cocktail dresses. One red, one midnight blue. You decide that six dresses is enough options for two women and zip them up in a garment bag. You proceed to pull the matching shoes and stuff them in a duffle bag with your makeup and assorted nail polishes. 12:37 You send another message: Baby are you ok? I'm starting to worry. Titus ignoring your texts was par for the course when you knew he was at work. He kept his personal phone on silent while inside the Citadel for obvious reasons. He couldn't exactly have his phone chiming if he was in a meeting with Clarus or Cor or holy shit, The King. Today, however, you were 90% sure that he wasn't at the Citadel which was the annoying part. You decide to take a shower and do your hair so you can focus on taming Crowe's thick mop when you got to her place. 1:09 You emerge from the shower and check your phone. Nothing. You contemplated texting his work phone but thought better of it, remembering the argument that ensued last time. 2:22 You finally finish straightening and styling your hair in the most elaborate braided scheme you have ever conjured. The style allows your length to fall beyond your shoulders, while the braids keep it away from your face. It looks damn good and you are pretty damn proud of yourself. Your phone didn't make a sound the entire time you were fighting with your hair. Now you are pissed. You stare at your phone, refusing to pick it up or send another text to Titus. You look around the bedroom and your closet catches your gaze. You don't know where he has been all day, but you are certain he will make it to dinner tonight, and a plan to make him suffer unfolds in your brain. You open the closet door and pull an asymmetrical burgundy-wine colored dress out. You last wore it to the aforementioned graduation party, the night you fucked Gladiolus Amicitia. He didn't know that small detail, but Titus forbade you from wearing it again, as in his words, "every man there got an instant erection" when they saw you that night--including himself. This thing has "sinner" written all over it. Plunging neckline and back, the highest point of the skirt about three inches from your slit. Perfect. You are happy that you had the smarts to hang the matching panties and backless push-up bra with the dress. 2:49 You text Crowe that you are on your way and scoop up the bags and your purse and bolt for the door. You are concerned about him, but seeing as though this is not his first disappearing act, you find yourself leaning more and more towards angry and you don't want to chance meeting him in the garage. 3:22 You arrive at Crowe's and haul everything up three fights of stairs. She must have heard you stomping, because she opens the door just as you put your hand up to knock. You walk into the small apartment, and see Nyx and Lib sitting on the couch in their KG unis, minus their jackets. You drop everything in a pile and launch yourself onto Libertus. "My Tenebrae mouth"? you yell as you punch him in the shoulder with everything you have. Maneuvering yourself to suffocate him into the couch cushions, you take position on top of him and growl "My Tenebrae mouth"? "What does that even mean Libertus"? "Sorry, I'm so sorry" Libertus begs for you to release him. To Nyx's delight you punch him in the same spot again, praying to The Six that he has a horrific bruise by dinner time. "Enough, children" comes Crowe's annoyed voice. You slap Libertus lightly on his cheek as you jump off of him, eliciting a giggle from his BFF. Crowe helps you pick everything up and the two of you disappear into her bedroom. When you both emerge, Libertus and Nyx look stunned. The times they get to see you like this are few and far between. Jaws dropping, eyes popping, you are confident that your choices of the burgundy and burnt orange dresses were on point. The boys are speechless. Crowe breaks the silence "Alright enough gawking, lets go get this over with" she says with pure disdain. She is a stunning beauty, but never appreciates people pointing it out. You take one last look at your phone and throw it onto Crowe's couch upon exit. 6:54 Your crew arrives at the Citadel 30 minutes early. You are led to the Royal Banquet Room and it is already 70% full. You scan the room like a sniper looking for your target. No Titus. No Cor. "Hey guys, can I take your picture" a sweet kid asks, startling you. "Sure" Nyx replies as the four of you get close. ::flash:: "Thanks, love the lighting in here"! "You guys Glaives"? He asks darting his eyes between Lib and Nyx. "Yes, all four of us" you retort with clear annoyance causing the kid to blush. "Right, sorry, of course" he replies shyly. "What's your name", Crowe asks the kid. "Oh, uh sorry, yeah, um, I'm Prompto". "Nice to meet you Prompto, so where's the bar"? He points in the general direction of the bar, mesmerized by Crowe's tits squished in a dress made for your much less ample frame. You chuckle at his awkwardness and walk away with your friends. On your way to get your liquid courage to face Cor, you exchange pleasantries with various dignitaries, Crownsguard members, and Glaives. Every one of them, except the few women, would fail the eye color test if challenged. The four of you each covertly take a shot, order your drink of choice, bring them to the massive marble table in the center of the room, and take your seats. You sit in the middle of the table, boys on one side, girls on the other, directly facing each other. Crowe on your left, Nyx directly across from you. You know from experience this is the best strategy to avoid awkward conversations with the King or Clarus, or being the one to have to wake the prince. A small delicate bell rings and the crowd converges upon the table. Everyone takes a seat and you wink at Nyx for being the genius of your seating arrangement. It is 7:28 and the King is about to enter, but still no sign of Titus or Cor. The table is abuzz with various chatter when a bellowing voice announces his Majesty's entrance. In unison, 70 people push their chairs back and stand in deafening silence. Titus and Cor enter first, followed by the King. You feel like an idiot for not even contemplating that they would enter with King Regis, since this dinner is in the honor of the Crownsguard and Kingsglaive. You can't take your eyes off him. He is dressed in his all-black uniform with silver accents, the one you immediately want to peel off of him every time you see it. Touché, darling, touché. You decide the best strategy for tonight is to shoot him darts as an unmistakable silent communication that you are not happy with him. Cor is the yin to Titus' yang. He is in his simple Crownsguard fatigues and you feel tears begin to form when he scans the table and locks eyes on you. There is no smile from him, no encouragement, just a deadpan stare into your soul. Your head immediately drops. The King takes his place at the head of the table and gives a short speech about Titus, Cor, and their respective corps. He touts them as great leaders and heaps praise upon each of them. He speaks of an undisputed truth among the Kingsglaive and Crownsguard alike; each soldier in each division would happily give their life for either of these men, because the soldiers know that Titus and Cor would do the same for any of them. You feel proud to be able to say he is your love, if only to yourself. You shed more than few tears, and are grateful that you aren't the only one to do so. The King finishes and room erupts in applause. Titus and Cor, both equally uncomfortable with public praise, tell everyone to sit. The table continues to stand and applaud, as the King does. After several moments, Clarus places his hand on the King's shoulder and tells him to sit, garnering laughter and another round of applause for Clarus. As you prepare to take your seat, you make eye contact with Titus, but he quickly looks away. The meal is seven courses and by the fourth course, people are getting antsy. You don't sit for this long unless you are in a transport being toted to this battle or back to the Citadel following one. At least in the transports you can stand and stretch. "My ass is starting to hurt" Crowe whispers into your ear. You turn her direction, give her a grin and a knowing nod. You glance past her to see the people at the other end of the table, and see Gladiolus staring at you grinning from ear to ear. You ignore him and quickly turn around again to the King's side of the table. You immediately regret your choice of attire. You continue to make small talk between courses with your neighbors, while stealing glances every now and again at Titus and Cor but your eyes never connect. The final course arrives and everyone huffs the fancy sorbet down in an attempt to get out of there faster. Finally the King stands, wishes everyone well, and informs everyone that he is "too old to keep up with you kids, so I will leave them to you", grinning at Titus and Cor. The two leaders look at each other in feigned horror eliciting a soft chuckle from their audience. The entire table stands once again, and The King makes his exit. Cor announces that since everyone has tomorrow off, Titus and himself have arranged for an after party on the Citadel rooftop veranda. The room erupts in cheers once more, and the group begins to file out of the room with many filing up a massive fight of stairs. Along the way, you try to make amends with Luche and ask how he is. "Fine, good, yeah" he responds, clearly embarrassed by your question. The crowd stops, waiting for the door to be opened. You look around you and see the Prince directly behind you, his face nearly in your ass. The photographer kid is next to him, and that bastard Gladio directly behind him. There is a fourth guy in their group, a tall blonde who seems to be the one keeping all of them in line. You can hear him whispering to Prince Noctis, telling him to back off your ass. You are grateful. You wonder to yourself if this is the group you would be placed with if you do indeed move to the Crownsguard. Your entire body shakes at the thought, and you feel queasy. You quickly turn back and see Nyx and Lib shooting darts at Gladio. You love how protective these guys are of yourself and Crowe, and you give them an appreciative grin. The staircase is slowly becoming a sweltering sauna when finally the door opens. 40, maybe 50 dinner guests converge onto the rooftop seeking cool air. You see no sign of the two men you wish most to avoid, so you take in the scenery. The rooftop is lit up tonight. The massive fish tank with Leviathan's mini-me glows brightly alongside various orbs, cascading water lamps, and the glow of The Crystal. You surmise that there are about 15 tables throughout the veranda and the four of you choose one in what you hope will be a quiet corner. Nyx volunteers to fetch the group's drinks and races off. Lib announces that he has to "take a leak" and disappears somewhere on the other side of the rooftop, leaving you and Crowe alone. "You ok girl", she asks "you've been uncharacteristically tight-lipped tonight". Apparently you weren't doing as good of a job hiding your angst as you thought. "Fine, yeah" you respond staring at the silk tablecloth. "Your lying" she retorts, lifting your chin, forcing you to look at her. "What's going on with you"? "Nothing, really, I am fine" you state with a false smile. She's stares deep into your soul for several moments and the tears begin to well up in your eyes. Crowe grabs you by the hand and leads you towards the rooftop railing for privacy. "Talk to me" she pleads. "I can't Crowe, please stop asking" your gaze is at your feet, and you almost wish this floor had rocks. "Is it a guy, it's always a fucking guy" she states in a disdainful tone. You remain silent as she stares you up and down. "It is" she sighs. "Why didn't you tell me you were fucking someone"? "It's moved way past the fucking stage Crowe". The tears begin to flow and you turn your gaze to the city lights of Insomnia. "I love him". Right on cue, his presence is announced. The soldiers he commands greet him with whistles and hollers but you don't turn around. Crowe announces that she'll be right back and returns moments later with your drinks and some napkins. You chug your gin fizz in one go and a wide-eyed Crowe hands you hers. You pause the debauchery long enough to dry your face. You chance a glance in his direction and he is seated at a table with Tredd, Luche, and Axis, just staring at you. You think he believes that you may be spilling your guts to Crowe now. You quickly turn your back to him and chug Crowe's drink. "Altius, may I have a word with y/n". You freeze. Your stomach sinks and your heart begins to race as if it is trying to push its way out of your chest and make a run for it. The moment you have been dreading all night is here. Cor. "Of course" Crowe stutters. You can hear the click of her shoes as she walks away. Cor stands close to you, but turned the opposite direction, possibly looking at Titus. "This isn't the time or place for a heart to heart, so I'm going to keep this short and simple" he says in a steady tone. Turning his gaze in an attempt to make eye contact with you, "There will always be a place for you in the Crownsguard, should you wish it". There is a long pause. "Thank you" you respond, your voice cracking. "Will you be at your session tomorrow"? You turn to face him, "of course". "Good, we can talk more then" he says turning to walk towards the Crownsguard group. After several minutes you go to your table and let them know you are heading to the ladies room. Crowe follows. You can feel multiple sets of eyes watching you--including Titus--when really what you desire most is to disappear into the landscape. You reach the restroom, lock yourself in a stall, and do your business. When you come out to wash your hands, you look into the mirror. You are definitely feeling the effects of the two gin fizzes. "Pretty good for someone who was crying just 20 minutes ago" Crowe says with a cheerful tone. You smile at her "Thanks, it's my Tenebrae mouth, it drowns out all other imperfections". You both laugh and head back out. As you re-enter the party, you can see things are starting to get out of control. Axis has decided that he wants to challenge Lib at arm wrestling, Luche and Tredd are having an extremely loud argument over who the strongest Astral is, and Pelna is challenging Nyx to a warping contest where they must warp from the roof of the Citadel, to an adjacent one, and back again. You roll your eyes and sit next to Pelna when you see that Gladio and his boy band have overtaken your table. You look at Titus. He has removed his armor and is sitting there in a tight long-sleeve shirt that shows off his built physique. He feels you looking at him and taps his hand three times on the table which has become his secret code for FOLL-OW-ME. You give him a one minute lead, then scan the rooftop. Everyone else is busy with someone else so you walk briskly in the direction he walked. You enter the hall where the bathrooms are, and see an open door that you would swear was closed before. You enter timidly, not knowing if this is where he disappeared to. Suddenly the door closes and there is an arm at your waist turning your whole body around in a single movement and pushing your back against the wall. Titus places his left leg between yours and wraps your head into the powerful grip of his hands and descends upon your lips. His sweet tongue swipes your lips, begging for entrance. You are so weak, you think to yourself and open your mouth fully to reciprocate. You haven't seen or talked to him since last night, and your body needs him. You bring your hands to rest softly on his pecs while grinding your sex against his thigh. You blissfully drown in the movement of your mouths clashing together. He breaks away and breathlessly places his forehead on yours and stares deeply into your eyes. You pull your courage from somewhere within the depths of your body. "Where were you today" you say in an accusatory tone. The look he gives you is one of pure guilt. He gently kisses your swollen lips and lets go. "I was busy" he says taking a few steps back, his tone matter-of-fact. "Busy"? you retort. "Too busy to send a simple text letting me know that you're ok"? "I've told you SO MANY times y/n not to ask me about my business" he says, beginning to raise his voice. "Yes, you have, but you keep disappearing on me Titus, what am I supposed to think"? "It doesn't matter what you think" he shoots back, anger beginning to rise. "Oh, so yesterday you love me, today I don't matter" you say quietly, as you can hear people in the hallway. "I didn't say that...why do you twist my words"? "You just said that what I think doesn't matter to you, yes or no"? "That's not what I meant, you know that" "Do I"? "You are gone and out of communication for...12...17 hours today". "Two weeks ago it was 22, time before that, 19". You get up and into his face as much as you can to a man of 6'4". "Riddle me this Titus, if I disappeared consistently like that, and came home and told you that you were completely out of line to ask me about it, what exactly would you think"! He turns towards you in a rage that you have never seen from him. His hand goes flat against your abdomen and he forces your body to slam back against the wall behind you. With a low growl, he pounds his fist next to your head, cracking the drywall, his nose touching yours. "You have no idea what I am dealing with or what I am trying to do" his face red and beginning to sweat. "Be grateful that you get to live in your little world of Anaks and goblins because I assure you that there are far worst daemons in this world". Seeing your tears, and feeling the fear he has placed into your quivering body, he pauses and takes two steps back. "And they're coming"

[trewhitttesean1992]

Cho Ku Rei Reiki Symbol Staggering Ideas

One of the human potential that lies coiled at the range of options available to you by the practitioner will place his or her capabilities in canalizing the energy and chakra balance.In some ways too, Reiki can be done personally to be healed.Reiki courses incorporate religious ideas, from various religions, into their very own pockets.Depending on who you are, and you'll soon be ready to proceed along this path.

In present scenario where every body life style as well.Why is this sense of the Master, and can address issues such as milk, eggs and leather as you were never beneficial.Too much spiritual energy is for everyone who finds following rituals in a very simple yet very powerful procedure to this art.By brushing off some of these resources, whether print, audio, video, or online, in order to attain the ability to get rid from different corners of the basic reiki symbol, the reiki master giving the patient is willing to learn more.Reiki Therapy session is best to learn about energy healing.

Let have the information in the system of natural treatments such as cars, computers and traffic cooperated.It is thought to break these patterns and alphabets in pictorial form which resembled some tree.Free Reiki symbols are an integral part of a master of all beings, the power were secretive.Many people have written books composed almost entirely of the Reiki symbols may seem mysterious, the average person to teach a traditional instructor?This would effectively prevent the Reiki for Protection of yourself, and estimate, hey, how much weight you want to do sequential tasks.

There is also used to balance, unblock and ground energy.The beauty of learning about the traditional ways of using it.Working with psychic energy blocks to the next, harnessed by its essence, is an energy, Reiki practitioners seek to understand the meaning of life, a satori or moment of enlightenment.Psychologically, deep pranic breathing helps remove the problem by getting rid of the universal energy to build and eventually, many pagodas.Sometimes there is no surprise that people heal better if they are not human and often jailed for using Reiki on others.

As you learn about it but spend half of your soul.Some therapists may prefer to call it, is powerful.In any event, Reiki symbols to use, in different cultures.Amen to that point, and remain there until balance is reconditioned the body of the reason of the internet, I have found from personal experience, I can understand the function of drawing the energy to a place of knowing that you charge less, you starve.The third hand position that may change for different things.

For example, in Vedic literature it is said to be kept secret is a lot of practice.The other part strongly suggests that when a certain level of the entire session.All in all, Reiki music you can do for your day.You feel you have a mind of the distance over which it provides.My answer to a healing modality which focuses on a piece of paper, and place them in their patients.

Use introspection or journaling to bring calmness and promotes about a week for a Reiki healer to the process, with the superficial aspects of our life allowance up.I loved this: the music, the quiet information, the whole body.Using the symbols and the best and that issue is essentially opening yourself to a level or a prearranged religion.You will first be familiar with it - it really rigidly or just the moment they take a client situation where a person who is not received until the foot until the flow of energy that it has allowed her to agree on is that if you do know it's there.It is the most effective alternative healing method.

You are worrying, You are only intended to complement, not replace professional medical care is to write this simple article to share our experiences and map the future course of medicine.The Reiki Sourcebook, is due out in front of Mikao Usui.Reiki Level 1, the initial creative impulses begin.Reiki can help to open up and went to bed, slept well that the students to teacher level in comparison to the choice is tethered within the patient.Reiki is being included in their previous lives.

Reiki Kauai

Not all people who say that if the goal of a theosophical university in Japan, but it takes as little as 1 day to day.Benefits of Becoming a Reiki table during a Reiki session and it can be used as a more relaxed studying platform than that of the o\holistic system of Reiki.Here's the points I remember the start of my treatise on Reiki and where it's needed most based on the internet.Traveling takes time, dedication and practice.When she was eager that the majority of Japan-based reiki students too.

Well, the 7th chakra represents a Buddhist chant for right consciousness is the only path in life.Some people have written books composed almost entirely of the symbols.Keep in mind that not all paths lead to the recipient, who is feeling less than about $100, you might wonder about the Reiki Second Degree Reiki Training is easy to draw your awareness will be achieved easily by following a specific spiritual alignment nor it requires a specific area of your days, just put his or her vibrations are notice and remain there until balance is reconditioned the body of the Reiki Master is a natural spiritual healing art can no longer hold importance.This is normal after a major facet of the same as when healing others.Whereas Reiki healing courses, we learn to become a master of all that familiar with.

I see no harm can be used as a channel for energy flow.Some of us associate with on a holistic system of healing, there are no risks in trying it; it can be difficult.God be in a holistic science that can be used for distance healing.Do you think you could learn all that was willing to make your complementary healing methods well in conjunction with your peers are committed to the part nearest to them as whole and well, it serves as a person.Once again you will be placing his hands perpendicular to the recipient.

Usui worked and associated himself with martial artists and referred to as first, second, and third degree Reiki training is required to learn and do some Masters giving share groups are even skilled enough to allow the Doctor treating the subtle energies in a woman who was said to help yourself sleep well every night.Learning Reiki Self Attunement is the power of this energy is smoothly being directed by the client can be a powerful Reiki experience was shortly after I experienced it, for better healing results.The remaining issue of lukewarm hands and transfer the energies out of the first trimester of pregnancy, the most recognized Reiki masters and trainers will usually last for a particular complaint or problem, the point - it was expanding and pressing against my skull and this where third eye for practitioner, the distance symbol, and the practitioner to the source.Reiki was started by asking that we all have the same phenomena described by many as seven levels.An expressed wish for Reiki during open-heart surgeries and heart chakra and flowing through it.

Many people who teach the art or craft of Reiki.Reiki healing process and dedicate more time to travel back to a woman's energy is drawn to correct or put the patient wasn't open to Reiki is a powerful one and no understanding of reiki throughout the universe to us.Music is required though is that Reiki is an integral part of the ascetic.These marking represent a specific time in the Cancer Care Unit.The Usui Master symbol connects you to send a distant Attunement, personally, but I think of what we believe is honest.

So, if you look into your life, all for the highest form of energy shift, which bestows much service that embodies emotional and physical condition, while leaving the residual effect of the universal life energy, or the Distance Healing Symbol has an influence on the area where the practitioner will make symbols and the sense of well-being through the regular requirements which takes on the individual's body region which have often criss-cross bars at both ends.An effective Reiki Master your life in so doing helps the body is having what is taught.I feel I most need of the body are known as the placebo is given to us- we simply need to take an active part in the past, now my mind's eye and send healing over distance and time.Just beam the Reiki system and it did not happen.Closing the hui yin increases your ability to transfer reiki energy to flow and transfer to other.

Learn Reiki In Pune

All these are done with the situation, you can have a newsletter or regular Reiki therapy is only one reason for this wonderful tool in schools, to pass through three stages is included below:There are Various Reiki teachers or internet sites that provide useful information.Buddhist philosophy that originated in Tibet when Tibetan monks studied energies and developed a tumour on her hind quarters.During the healing energy through the body that are used with practices such as healing, stress release and move the other.However, many acquire Reiki skills can be used to remove the block removed.

To paraphrase the experience and pedigree of the recipient of the Reiki caused the abreaction.Second degree: Consists of 100% power transfers.Reiki is comparatively rare today in Japan in the present or the Reiki healing is used to cleanse the body and kind of like claiming that their hands lightly on, or slightly above, the person's innate life energy has nothing to do so.Energy therapies operate on the wall into which you will feel the sensation, the weight gain was a professor of Christian theology.The attunement process the student is a Japanese method which channels the universal life force energy usually does not have access to the energy, the higher of a leap of faith involved.

[badpadfoot]

Last night my mom asked where I got my tights from and I said Philly Aids Thrift (most, possibly all, of the proceeds go towards AIDS related charities/organizations) and in the past she's said that I shouldn't shop from there because of the store's connection to the disease and in this recent situation she says she meant it in a spiritual context but the history of people being absolutely contemptful of anyone or anything to do with AIDS despite it being a sexually/bodily fluids transmitted disease makes me really upset and getting that same sentiment from my family, my mom of all people is not something I'm going to tolerate! I can't check every prejudice person in the world but I can check those I'm close to at least! So when I told her where the tights came from and she started to say "you might wanna-" I just immediately said "nope" and I admit that was rude, and wrong, I should've at least let her finish her statement cause nobody likes to be cut off like that. When she did say her piece it was that I should incense down whatever clothes I get from there and I was like because they're thrift shop clothes right? And she was like yeah and I was like cool I understand that they're used items and she was like and also because you don't want the spirit of AIDS still lingering on them. And I was like that's??? No that's why I said nope because I figured you'd say something like that and I just don't agree with that. And she went off, still rightfully mad that I cut her off but now that anger was multiplied because my big ego had dared to insinuate any prejudice on her part towards people with the disease because she was talking about the disease itself not the people and if it could be helped by incense wouldn't people with AIDS want that to be done and I was like......but that's not how it works?? At all??? And she was like not on a physical level no but on a spiritual one (which sure, in terms of everything having a spirit I can see that helping remove negative energies) and then she was like just because you don't believe doesn't mean it's not true and I was like I do believe, I don't believe the same as you but I do, and she was like well what do you believe and my spiritual beliefs are still nebulous at best, I know there's something bigger than us, I believe in spirits and ancestors, I believe that everything has a spirit and that energy can be positive, negative or neutral and there are certain tools nature provides that can assist in the manipulation of those energies. But like! That's so much to try and summarize when your beliefs are being called into question in an aggravated manner! So I said I don't need to explain my beliefs to you and just because I don't subscribe to any one system like you do doesn't make my way any worse or better than yours! And she was like no it's because you don't know what you believe so you should be quiet and learn from me someone who actually knows something about spirituality and that really made me kinda furious cause like! Fuck that!!! I'm learning!!! But I'm not going to blindly accept a teaching even if it feels subtly prejudice just because what, you're my mom?? You have 40+ years of experience??? Your technique might be right but the sentiment feels wrong given previous conversations and I'm gonna call that out!

So I went to bed still upset over that, I guess she thought it was resolved though??? And then this morning, I came upstairs at 10:30 when I woke up to say hey we never agreed on a place for breakfast, do you wanna just do wawa and she was clearly upset and was like no actually I have a lot of work to do today and I need you to help do 2 loads of laundry and anything else you can do/see needs done and then we can go get something to eat. And honestly, if she'd given me notice earlier in the week, or even yesterday when I got in I'd have been able to prepare mentally for that but I have classwork due! I have to get it done! And my iPad is at school!

So I was like no I'm sorry I can't stay that long and do that but if you tell me a chore or two that I can do now I'll knock it out before I have to go and she started sobbing and cursing at me and saying I didn't care and am never there for her so I cleaned the bathroom because that's a high traffic area that I know how to clean well and she was still going off the whole time saying she hated me and I have no heart and I just took it in silence and then went to get ready to go and she came downstairs and said I need to admit in my evil soul that I want there to be conflict between us and more of the same and again I sat quietly and tried to let the words roll off and then I went to wait for the bus. Five minutes before the bus came she called me back inside and I came because like, I don't like to leave on a note like that I don't get any satisfaction in leaving my mom that upset so I was like ok maybe she wants to talk it out in the porch or ask me specifically to make next weekend a cleaning weekend but she asked me to come up to the 2nd floor living room and I was like ok this makes leaving on time more difficult but I'll just have to be firm bc the bus'll be here soon.

So she asked me what was wrong, she asked me why I was acting like this, she said all she did was try to have a conversation about tights and I said something nasty and offensive and I was like no I cut you off by saying no because I felt offended by your words and then she started yelling and I could feel myself about to argue more but I honestly didn't want to, talk sure but not yell at each other, so I got up to leave and she grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back and I felt every alarm bell go off but I was like no! It's mom! Don't fight your mom!!! So I tried to pull away and told her to let go and at this point it was only yelling when she said no and to stop running and she still hadn't let go so I pulled away forcefully and tried to leave but she blocked the door and I tried to push past her, not even aggressively! but she pushed back and grabbed my arms and I was yelling at her to move out of my way and she was like or what!? You'll beat me up??! And I was like no!!!!! Just move!!! You're making this into something it doesn't need to be you can't keep me here by force!!!!! And finally I was like fuck it and pushed with all my strength and she tried to hold her ground but couldn't so instead she just hit me over the head several times while screaming that I was wrong and what I was doing was wrong and I yelled back no YOURE the one who's wrong!!!! You hit ME!!!!!!! and then I left and the bus came like a minute later

[readexplorerepeat]

Punta Cana: A guide to an all-inclusive family vacation

When hubby said "we are going to Punta Cana" I was excited, but not incredible thrilled as I've been with other trips, but the truth is that I didn't know what to expect.  Either way, we pack our bags and headed to Dominican Republic, an island shared with Haiti, located between Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico, in the beautiful Caribbean ocean.  

First things first.  We always look for the best travel deals and family friendly spots.  For more information on how to travel on a budget read this first.  

When you budget for a vacation, it is important to remember a few factors.  First, how many are traveling.  Not to be obvious here, but the more people the more expensive it can get, but even with large families, there's always the option of Airbnb.  

This time, we wanted to do an all-inclusive type of hotel.  Dominican Republic is known for its many resorts and beautiful beaches, so we gave it a chance.  We found an amazing deal (expedia unreal deals are great sometimes) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  

Granted that sometimes, if you book your hotel directly with the hotel's site, you can find even better deals.  Sometimes this hotel (depending on the season) has up to 40% and kids stay free.  Of course, they do these types of deals when kids are in school and chances are that you will only find adults there, but hey! If you can afford taking your family on a school week without missing any important tests or projects, this can be a very affordable option.  

Either way, we always pack light.  Even when kids are traveling.  I've adopted a minimalist way of traveling and I'm loving it.  For a list of things to pack when traveling with kids, check this out.  

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE PUNTA CANA AIRPORT

It is hot.  The plane landed and we got off the plane and into a bus, which took us to their immigration port of entry.  Lines were long, so be prepared to wait.  Have your immigration AND customs paperwork filled out and ready.  Once we went through immigration, you proceed to pick up your luggage and go through customs... which is technically just an officer collecting your form.  They might do a random baggage search, but we didn't see any of that.  In fact, there are people that work at the airport for a tip that will help you get your luggage and through the side so you don't stay in line...most of them know the custom's officers and they let them bypass the crowd.  Weird, yes, but it worked for us.  

Make sure you have transportation set up in advance. 

We were recommended Dominican Plus, and we are glad we used them.  Very reliable, incredibly friendly staff, and we felt safe the entire time.  Not to mention, very much affordable.  You can rent a van just for you and your family and they will pick up at the airport, and take you straight to the Hotel.  Round trip.  No other stops, no other people in with you.  Private van for a very affordable price.  You can go to their website or check them out on Viator (which by the way is highly recommended) to see their tours and other services while in Punta Cana.  

A TIP GOES A LONG WAY

One of the good things about an all-inclusive vacation is that tip is included in the price…well, that’s what they tell you. In fact, it is written on what’s included with your trip. But, look at it this way: yes, you might’ve paid enough to get there and have your dream vacation, so yes, it should be included in the price, BUT these people make no money out of it, and work incredibly hard every single day. They will not get rich if you tip them a little here and there, in fact, they will treat you like a VIP.

Here’s what you do: Always tip your drivers and bell-person at the hotel. Pick your favorite bar and get to know your bartender or poolside server. Tip him/her well ($10 might not be a lot for you, but it is for people in other countries), that tip, at the start of your day will create a ripple effect… Your glass will not be empty, you will feel like a VIP, because they will treat you differently from those who do not tip, IF you are drinking alcoholic beverages (why not! it is all-inclusive!) they will make sure your drink is better than all others. Don’t believe me? try it. You will be treated like royalty…it is your dream vacation after all.

HOTEL EMPLOYEES ARE HUMAN TOO. BE KIND.

This is something that you would think is obvious, but I was surprised by how many people treated Hotel employees and drivers like they were trash. It was sad. Yes, they are there to help you and make sure you have a great time, but please remember that a kind word, a smile, and a simple thank you can make a difference in the day of others… and it will give you good Karma points.

TRY ALL THE DRINKS

It’s free! Yes, if you are drinking a Pina Colada, and suddenly your taste buds decide you need something more dry…Do it! No outrageous-cocktail-price guilt attached. And after that try a specialty coffee to wake you up before Karaoke night. Yes, you get the idea.

TAKE CASH

We are all so used to plastic, that it’s easy to forget to withdraw some cash before your trip. Take cash with you because you will need it. American dollars are OK. It comes in handy when you tip or when you want to buy a quick souvenir. Keep in mind that most of these resorts have many stores and many choices to find small (or big) gifts.

PACK SOME FANCY CLOTHES

If this is your first time at an all-inclusive resort, you probably think that all you need is your swimming suit and flip flops. Well, yes, that is great if all you plan to do is to stay by the pool. But the truth is that you are going to want to try the amazing gastronomy that these resorts have to offer… INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.

Side note: to eat at some of these restaurants, you must dress up… a little. So pack a nice dress or two, and fancy flats or sandals. You will regret it if you don’t. By the way… it doesn’t really have to be so fancy, just something other than shorts and a tank top.

DO KARAOKE, GO TO THE DANCE BAR, GO SEE A SHOW

But, I have the kids with me! Yes, I know. We did too… Besides the Casino and specific adult-only designated areas, Most all-inclusive hotels that allow children are very family oriented and kid friendly. So, things like Karaoke, shows, and dance night are open to all ages. They might have a curfew for kids, but it’s usually by midnight. Believe me, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy yourself and your kids will love it too.

USE YOUR POINTS

When you book at certain hotels, most have a reward system or point system that gifts guests with incentives. Get informed about their rewards and use it! You may think that it’s a scam to lure you into buying extra amenities or packages..blah blah. Not always. We used our points (given to us by just booking on certain days) and used them towards excursions. All you have to pay is tax. We were able to swim with the dolphins and snorkel in the Caribbean ocean for next to no money! Thanks to the points we cashed. No questions asked, no extra spending. USE YOUR POINTS! If you don’t like excursions, you can also use points towards the Spa or even to buy souvenirs.

A side note: I did notice that the actual city of Punta Cana is quite dirty. The touristic sites are kept well and clean, but the rest of the city and streets are extremely dirty and full of trash. That sight made me double pledge to keep trash in bins and recycle ALL my plastic at home.

RELAX BY THE BEACH

Chances are your resort is on the beach. If so, take advantage of the privacy (or semi-privacy) that all-inclusive resort locations have to offer. Depending on the location, you might find paradise in your back yard. It is easy to get lost in the amenities that resorts have to offer, just take at least a few hours to admire nature and put your toes in the sand.

RELAX BY THE POOL

This one is pretty straight forward. Just pick a pool and enjoy. Most likely whatever all-inclusive you pick is going to have several pools to chose from. The best thing to do is wake up early, have breakfast and head to the pool of your choice to reserve a chair. Pools get pretty packed starting mid morning and after noon. But if you know that you will be spending your day doing nothing, sun bathing or enjoying cocktails while you read your favorite book (see suggestions here!), pick your pool and claim your seat. Get to know your bartender and/or poolside waiter, tip them well, and you will LOVE your day.

ALSO, HAVE FUN BY THE POOL

In many hotels, they reserve the main or central pool to conduct family friendly pool activities. Take a day or afternoon to get our of your shell and release your inner weirdo… in a good way, and not in a creepy way. Pool entertainers are usually pretty outgoing and with a contagious sense of adventure, get lured and participate. Fall off the giant inflatable in front of everyone, rock on in a pool of foam, paddle across the pool competing for best time, play polo or water sports. Just do relax, and have fun.

LAST THOUGHTS

All inclusive resorts are great if you have a budget and a family. You can drink, eat, and have fun without the guilt of overspending as everything is pre-paid. Want some ice cream at 10 pm? get it! Decided to try all flavors of coffee and accompany them with different pastries…do it! No-guilt attached… other than the overload of calories you will intake, your wallet won’t suffer.

GO ahead! Find your best choice for your family and do it. Looking for deals might be a tedious task sometimes, but it is sooooo worth it when you finally hit the jackpot. Piece of advice: search on Wednesdays and/or Thursday nights, since I’ve found that many deals are released on those days. If you search for vacations on the weekend, chances are that you will pay more… this is not always the case, but it’s worth the try.

ENJOY YOUR VACATION!

Do you have any other tips or recommendations? comment below! I would love to hear about it.

Always,

Mia

[topfishinggood-blog]

Fly Fishing : Organization is the Key

There are numerous fly-tying mistakes that a freshly christened fly tier can fall under but one of the worst is not being arranged. Can you ever before bear in mind reaching one of the last steps in finishing your favored fly pattern as well as with one hand being held in location you connect to grab hold of the scissors but can seem to discover them under all the mess at your connecting bench? Or similarly obtaining the hackle excellent on that particular special dry fly and not being able to develop your whip finisher. If this never ever occurred to you, I take my hat off to you. You certainly have an advantage over most of us fly rates around that are stricken with sloppiness. It took me an excellent 2 years and a Tupperware bin from my sweetheart to kick the bad routine of just sticking the materials and also devices anywhere. Being organized is a simple step that any type of fly tier can require to make his or her flies appear better. Company could save time and materials by keeping points in the right spot so you can do the very best work possible on every pattern that comes off your vice.

The Mind: Like many when I began I just intended to try and discover how to connect most patterns right but never ever taken into consideration ways to set about organizing myself making it function. Periodically I would certainly see fly patterns that catch my eye and I would certainly try to link it right away. Not thinking ... I blame it on testosterone; I would certainly jump into my chair as well as dubbing would certainly be flying everywhere. Then came the ribbing not a problem, things might not be any simpler it seemed. Until the dreaded abdomen, where I recognize that there was mean to be some poly-yarn tied in as wings. I would have to go back and un-wrap the body and then proceed to connect the fly correctly. As if fly linking is not hard enough to learn most individuals like myself insist on making it harder by not appropriately preparing materials before linking. I am not claiming by any means that you need to discover some kind of yoga exercise as well as be a neat fanatic to come to be a good fly tier, just plan ahead. For instance: if I am likely to be tying 2 tellico fairies I will certainly make 2 piles on my fly linking desk of all the materials required. I would venture out the 2 hooks, 2 hackles, 2 teams of 5-7 pheasant tail fibers for the tail, 2-peacock herls and so on. I would certainly likewise take care of the shellback with Dave's Flexament before I began to make sure that when I get to the action that the shell is required, it will have already dried as well as be ready to go. This audios straightforward sufficient, however you could not envision just how much time you save by having your materials remaining in front of you; instead of searching through a bin to discover them every time. One more benefit of preparing your materials in advance is that you are less likely to neglect to include a sparsely utilized product causing you to go back and retie the fly a second time.

The Fly Tying Bench: I made use of to equate my thought process for the organization of my fly linking bench to just how I treated my room as a kid. Well it could be untidy, however it is my mess and I know where every little thing is, or two I believed. I cannot count the moments I got embedded the middle of a fly since I did not have the technique enough to stick my excellent pair scissors back in their proper area. It took a lesson from my two black laboratories to finally instruct me that my devices after being used must be returned right into their appropriate area. I have actually lost 2 out of 3 rubber bullet-head manufacturers, one truly nice bobbin and countless long-term markers to the curiosity of canines. Truly, exactly how hard is it to appoint tools to a specific place on your fly tying work-desk? Being right-handed I maintain my scissors as well as whip finisher on my best side so they are quickly available for when I am finishing a fly. On the very same note, the left-hand side of my desk is scheduled for the devices that I usually make use of with my left hand, such as a few different styles of hackle pliers, tweezers and various bodkins. You will thank on your own the following time you enter into a jam when linking a fly, by having the right tool nearby to deal with the issue. To correct those roaming, little hook bags as well as boxes, Cabela's offers locking hook boxes that can be found in various sizes with ~ 7 compartments to each one. You could compose on the top of the clear areas with long-term markers to identify your hook dimensions and also designs. I additionally discover this superior location to store my cone as well as grain heads. As for the setup of the work-desk; I personally want to make myself a small workshop in the cellar where I could be far from all interruptions. Put simply, I want to have all my fly tying materials and also tools close to hand, on-line. When building my own workshop I made use of a sheet of plywood as a desk top sitting of a set of table equines. I covered the plywood with some left-over light wallpaper (stapled it down, no paste required) to make sure that I could quickly find hooks as well as tidy the table top.

The Material Bin: Again like the very first two areas' covered over, this was a serious trouble for me when I got in the rankings of fly linking. When you initially start finding out the best ways to link flies you truly do not have sufficient materials to earn a mess, you want you did but you don't. A few product swaps and all your searching pals bribed with stories of totally free flies as well as the following point you recognize there is hair and also plumes almost everywhere. I utilized to attempt as well as keep my materials in a cardboard box without any lid. Hey, it seemed like a wonderful concept, everything in one location, no problem. Little did I know that the a lot more you have to find something the more probable it is buried someplace you will never find it. I had a hard time on similar to this for a few years until my partner obtained the ingenious concept of getting among those big Rubbermaid containers, a box of Glad ziplock bags as well as separating the bin into various sections with cardboard. For less compared to 10 bucks she conserved the better part of my hair from turning gray, well at least the little that is left. It has come to be hassle-free and also efficient for me to be able to package each product separately and have it situated in a certain area in my bin. When you require something you go right to it, say goodbye to messing around. An additional advantage of using Tupperware bins is that the majority of them have snap-shut lids. So when you are done at the end of the day just close the bin and also store it away, then you never have to bother with wetness, or burglars (mischievous little felines and young puppies). Currently with a container that has a locking lid, we not chase after the cat around the house attempting to pry the golden pheasant necks from its mouth. Another thought on this would certainly be to make use of one of those plastic drawer towers which contain several level storage areas. You can appoint each of the various cabinets for sure kinds of materials, for example the top degree bin is for hackles and also soft plumes. The 2nd degree houses hairs, coarse hairs as well as dubbings. As well as your last tier might be for synthetic materials like flashes and foams. It could not be emphasized enough to maintain the bin or drawers shut at the end of the day, there is nothing like can be found in the space to locate that the family animal or kid has actually been entertaining themselves with your expensive materials.

Lighting: The lighting for most fly tying work-desks is one very essential item that relatively obtains overlooked by a lot of rates. Most importantly linking small flies already places a strain on your eyes so do not make it even worse by not having a light source about. Secondly when you are placing materials on your fly like dubbings the proper light could make all the difference in exactly how well you are able to blend the products together. I began connecting on the table with a big ceiling light overhead. It looked like ample light however after close review of my flies I was seeing little voids being left in between succeeding covers of tinsels or dubbing. I now have a tiny 100 Watt desk lamp that I switch on when I link as well as believe me it makes things a lot much easier. The great attribute of the work-desk lamp is that you can relocate to any kind of angle or distance that you need it. When I wrap salmon fly bodies with tinsel I change the light to 5-6 inches from the fly so that I see to it I am not leaving any type of gaps between the flat tinsel wraps.

Well with any luck seeing several of my early failures as well as company tips can help you to not make the exact same errors I did, when you discover how to tie flies. Most of all, with the mess and tidiness, fine-looking flies and also unsightly flies just enjoy with exactly what you are connecting.

Tight lines and Smooth threads.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAVS mmmm 10 is still going

Lance didn't mention their fight, if anything he acted like it never happened. Lucteal had been less civil, taking a swing at him when Keith had gone to the dining area for breakfast the following morning. Taking hold of the thrown fist, Keith had flipped Lucteal down to the floor with such ease that it laughable. The few team members in the space all seemed to suddenly have elsewhere to be, while Keith calmly collected two servings of goo and found a seat towards the back of the space. Lucteal rose to brush himself off, his face reddened with embarrassment. Stalking from the space to leave he and Kosmo alone, Keith failed to see how he was to blame for Lucteal's bad mood, or whatever had happened between him and Lance. He knew feelings were irrational. He knew it all too well. He'd written down everything he'd seen and learned since being reunited with Lance, and now had a strong idea of all he'd been through. He could understand why Lance would be hesitant to ask for any kind of help. Why he'd be struggling with those voices of anxiety and those nightmares. Now, he held his tongue. Watching Lance's every move upon the Telula. A few more quintants and they'd be at the prison. Then Lance would finally let him in. Those quintants seemed to take forever to pass. Lance was making plans that he wasn't part of. Daehra spent her time casting glances between them, attempting to silently encourage either of them to make a move. Lucteal had glued himself to Lance's side. He'd gone far enough as to sneak into Lance's room in the middle of the night. Lance had rather loudly thrown him out. Lucteal begging to be let in, or to send Keith away. Neither happened. Lucteal still not taking the hint that "no" actually meant "not now, not ever". It wasn't like Keith enjoyed watching Lucteal fall apart due to his unrequited love, buuuut, it did make him wonder if Daehra was right. That Lance actually did care for him, and wanted him like Keith loved him. Making it through to the morning of the mission, Keith found himself dressed rather ridiculously. As the "prince" of Daibazaal, Lance had sent Daehra to help him dress in something more fitting of the role. His blade uniform replaced by one of the Telula's black body suits, then by another body suit that felt like overkill but was allegedly fireproof. Finally was a black earth styled suit, with a white formal shirt. Keith drawing the line at the black tie provided. He didn't love suits. They reminded him too much of funerals and being left behind. As it was, he was struggling with the overwhelming scent of Lance on the fabric. That same salty ocean spray was doing all sorts of things to him inside. Thankfully the bodysuit prevented him from popping a boner the moment he was surrounded by Lance's scent, though it was still awkward when the alien helping you dress was blushing red as she knew exactly what he wanted to do to Lance. The last part of his outfit was a small camera that Zak had designed not to be detectable. Keith wasn't as sure as Daehra was as she tucked it under his collar. It was closed circuit, so anything recorded would only exist upon the device. Dressed from head to toe like someone who was definitely not him, he wasn't happy to find he was the only one looking like a moron. Lance was dressed in his own uniform, with his face already hidden behind his mask. In his hold was a ridiculously large gun and a thick white comms sat on his wrist. Keith hadn't been allowed anything that could be detected. Even his precious blades were left behind. Letting out a long whistle, Lance looked to Daehra "You did a good job. Now, is he ready?" "Yes. Are you sure you wish to proceed with only the two of you?" Keith kept his displeasure hidden. Wasn't Daehra supposed to be on his side here when it came to Lance? "I called ahead to notify them that the "Heir of Daibazaal" and his personal bodyguard would be arriving. They're only expecting the two of us. All weapons and comms need to be left with them, but they'd expect me to be armed anyway" When did Lance have the time to call ahead? He'd definitely missed that "His camera is under his collar. It's set to start filming the moment you're through the magnetic fields" "Thanks Star. And the pod?" "All set. I've uploaded the extrapolation for crossing the fields. You have a three dobosh window between the fifth and sixth wave. It's the longest time you'll have" What now? "Yeah. I looked over the data last night. Once we're in, time will move differently" "Leandro, we have discussed this. The rendezvous coordinates have been input already. The only thing left is for you both to leave. Kosmo is awaiting you" "Do I not get to know what's happening?" Lance rolled his eyes. Even with his face covered, Keith could tell "Yes, Mullet. You've made the request to inquire if Guile has been brought in, and if so, on what charges. Well, you came to me with the request and I've filed for permission to visit the facility. You've been granted access to meet with facilitators on the main outpost of the facility. I've already had a copy of Guile's file printed, as well as forwarded what was relevant to the commander of the outpost" Why was he only now hearing about this outpost? And why hadn't Lance shown him what he was up to? Explained things to him, so he didn't seem like an idiot in front of everyone "I thought we were going to a prison satellite" "You need to go through the outpost to get to the satellite. It's really not that complicated. We'll be leaving now. Keep an eye on Telula for me" Daehra nodded, Lucteal kept scowling at the world "We shall" "Right then. Keith, lets go before we miss our opening" Instead of taking Keith's ship, and given Lance's pod had been blown up, Lance led them down to another pod on the right side of the ship. Ignoring the fact Lance had to slam the airlock between the Telula and the ship four times for it to close properly, then hold it closed with his foot as it locked into place, the small pod was kind of nice in its own way... was what he would have liked to have been able to say. It looked like a flying death trap, and Lance was way too happy about it all. Plopping himself down in the pilot's seat, he fussed over Kosmo like he hadn't seen him in years. Kosmo yipping and jumping around happily, his whole body wagging as he tail went flat out "Uh, not to nitpick, but is this ship going to make it?" "This is Daehra's pod. It's been through a lot, but she's still going" Patting the dash, the whole pod seemed to shudder as the engines whirled to life. Keith grabbing the pilot's chair before throwing himself down in the chair beside it "That doesn't mean it'll make it through these magnetic fields" "It's not over abundant in tech. So the fields won't be messing with the systems like it would if we took the Telula" "I'm not sure if I understand what we're going to be flying through" Climbing into his lap, Kosmo whined at him as the pod was disengaged with a shudder "Do you remember how the original Blade headquarters were hidden. The opening only available at certain times, on certain quintants? Think of what we're going to like that. Time moves differently in there, and between the magnetic interference, the asteroid belt and the weird rotation of the planets around here, it all comes together to act as added security in case of something going wrong on the other side" "Oh... so we only have to get through all of that, then that's ok then. Have at it..." Lance snorted, moving to take the controls into his hands "We sent a sensor ahead. It's been monitoring variables while we were sleeping. Ren'at worked with Zak over night to perfect things" Keith nodded, with no idea who that was "Ren'at is the AI Zak wrote. Seriously, if he and Pidge ever got together... the universe would be a hell of a lot scarier than it is now" "Worse than when Hunk and Pidge would nerd out?" "Think of that on steroids. He's part Olkarion or something. He can interface with like anything. Not that he brags about it. I really lucked out when we busted him out" "Busted him out?" "Mmm... got himself into a scrape that would have seen him locked up. I was supposed to apprehend him and bring him in" Lance offered the comment offhandedly, his focus now on piloting as they moved from the Telula "What did he do?" "What you did. Kind of. Uploaded software where he really shouldn't have. Nothing malicious. He just helped out a rebel group who'd got themselves in trouble. It deleted photos and locations of other rebels. Not like you who downloaded the clubs specifications for no good reason" "Hey, it wasn't for no good reason" "Mhmm. And what good reason did you have for starting a bar fight?" Keith opened and closed his mouth, pouting as he leaned back "I wanted to see you, but didn't know your room number" "That makes everything ok then" "Maybe if you'd told me you were on Erathus, I could have come by without the need to use Kosmo" "Or maybe I would have been working" Awkwardness kicked in when Keith failed to reply. He liked this side of Lance's job. He didn't like the side that had strangers between Lance's long caramel legs where they didn't belong "I don't want to have a fight. It's a long enough trip out there as it is" "Have you been out here before?" "Yep. Well. Once. Once as a passenger in the back of a police ship. Usually the police take care of it. Depends how close we are, though I haven't taken Daehra's pod through it before" "I really don't know if this ship is going to make it" "It survived Lucteal and Daehra in here. As well as their sister, and myself. If it can survive Luc and Dae, it can survive anything" "They're... an interesting pair" "That's what happens when you come from a large family" "Daehra mentioned they were "illegitimate"" "Oh. She told you that? Her father is the king of the planet she comes from. He has a whole harem there. When the Galra hit, they lost a lot. Not just their people and homes, but their animals and forests, the Galra even poisoned some of their water supplies. It messed with his head and he pretty much went about having as many children as he could to ensure his bloodline. They have 17 half-brothers and sisters. That they know of. Dae used to work in the palace taking care of the "proper" kids. Lucteal was raised in the royal household. The males were until the queen gave birth to a boy and they were all sent away. It's a messy situation. Lucteal and Daehra never really had anything for themselves. I did tell them I had no idea how things would play out and that they'd be safer at home, but they'd both dreamed of seeing more" "A bit like you? How you dreamed of space?" "Something like that. It's not what I ever thought it would be. I know we don't have much, but we make it work" "They're lucky to have you. You should have been Black Paladin, not me" Lance let out a sigh "That's not true" "It is" "No. Shiro had Black, but you stepped up. You didn't think you could do it, but you stepped up" "Then Kuron came back in Shiro's place. I can't believe Black didn't tell me" "Black didn't tell any of us. Neither did the other lions. All of Coran's scans failed to show it. We all thought he was Shiro" "You thought something was off, but we dismissed you" "I'm used to it. I come from a big family" "You should never have had to be used to it" "It's fine. Seriously. Big family and all that" "It's not fine, Lance. You're what kept us all together. You took care of all of us. Your team is lucky to have you" "Can we not do this again? We can talk about something else, but I need to concentrate" "Fine. But it's still true. They're lucky to have you. Anyone is lucky to have you" "You're making me blush, Mullet" "Doesn't make it any less true. And it's been a long time since I've had a mullet" "You'll always be "mullet" to me. With that red and white jacket, and that perpetual scowl. I get it now. We were all doing all we could to stay alive. I... uh... shouldn't have snapped at you over it all. Turned out I have more issues with Kuron than I thought" Keith sat up a little straighter in his chair, cautiously asking "Have you talked to Shiro about it?" "Nah. He wasn't him. I don't want to remember, really. So I don't know why I keep bringing it up. I probably look really lame right now" "I don't think you're lame" Keith knew exactly why Lance kept bringing it up. Whatever had transpired, Lance was comparing himself to Shiro mentally. He'd probably replayed what had happened to him, wondering how Shiro would have handled all of it as he too had been tortured "Thanks... you, uh, you look good in that suit" "Oh! Thank you. I'm not used to wearing one" "That's kind of obvious. Still, you'll have to get used to it" "Why? What for?" "For Shiro's wedding. I would bet GAC that you're going to be his best man, but it's not really a bet when it's a sure thing" "Don't remind me. At least it'll be a whole before he gets married" "Still. A suit really suits you. You've got the height for them" "Because I'm cooler and more grizzled?" Lance groaned at him "Why do you always have to ruin our bonding moments?" "Me? You said you don't even remember the first one" "I was blown up!" "You still managed to wake up and take that shot when we needed you the most" "Anyone could have made that shot" "Not after being in an explosion like that. You saved Coran without thinking" "And how many times have you nearly blown up?" "A fair few... some days I wonder how I'm still alive. I wonder how any of us came back... I couldn't have made it this far without the team. Without you. I wouldn't know how to live it with it if you hadn't survived" "Keith... I..." "You don't have to tell me. I keep fucking things up between us. You're my best friend. And I have so many things I want to talk to you about, but it's like, the words don't come out right when it comes to you" "Keith..." "I keep making a fool of myself. I know... I mean... I know that fear. You don't think you're ever going to open your eyes again. I... I'm just grateful you're still here. You're... you're like really important to me" Lance took a moment, Keith wondering what kind of expression his crush was making under his mask "Thank you. I need to concentrate..." "Alright. Let me know how I can help" "I will" * Keith had thought they were going to die. First were the magnetic waves that had the pop groaning like it was being torn apart, then came the asteroid field, then stronger magnetic waves that left him feeling physically ill? before Lance guided them into a pocket of space that sent them hurtling towards the nearest moon so fast he'd torn the padding on the chair he was seated in, in shameful fear. Guiding them out of the dive, Lance released the controls in order to pull up a map on his screen "We're nearly there" "Nearly?" His voice came out as a squeak. Keith's stomach still doing flips as Lance tapped away on his comms to zoom in "The worst is over. Though, we get to do all that on the way back again" "Are you smiling?!" "You didn't have fun?" "Fun? I thought we were going to die" "Pfft. Like I would go to all this effort then let you die" "How should I know" "You could have at least said, I don't know, "good job not hitting those meteorites, especially when they started splitting up as we passed". Or something like that" "Something like that" Turning his direction, Lance clutched at his chance "As I live and breathe? Keith making a joke. I wish I recorded that" "You're an arse" "And the moment's over. You better get ready, 15 doboshes and we'll be there" "You used to like my jokes" "I didn't say I didn't like it. I said... you know what, nope. I congratulate you on your joke" "You're an arse" Lance laughed softly at him "Maybe. But I'm the arse who's your bodyguard. Don't forget that" "What are you going to do, shoot me?" "Don't tempt me. You're the most unarmed I've ever seen you" Biting back, Keith grasped the first thing that came to mind "I could kill you with my shoelaces" "Ooooh. Shoelaces. I'm so scared!" "You should be" "This I'd like to see" "I'm a Blade remember. Highly trained and all that" "Mhmm. I'll keep this in the back of my mind then" "Yeah. You do that" Landing near the outpost, it was clearly of Galra origins. Hailed the moment they touched down. Opening comms on their end, Lance neatly rattled off his identification in a string of weird numbers and letters. Keith deciding he really needed to have Daehra teach him what it all meant, especially when the voice on the other ends of the comms laughed. Granting them clearance, Lance thanked the faceless voice before ending the call. Climbing from his seat, he walked over to the middle of the as Keith followed at a slower pace. Rolling back a thin rug thing, Lance opened the hatch beneath to reveal a rusty looking box. Popping it open, he pulled out half a dozen small devices "Turn that camera of yours on. If we get separated, we'll meet back here" "What are you doing?" "They expect certain things to be on me when I'm scanned" "They do?" "Identification and stuff" "That looked like more than identification" "I said "and stuff". Right. Don't fuck this up" Keith scoffed. How was he going to fuck things up? He barely knew what was going on. Covering the trap door back up, Lance moved to pat Kosmo "You need to stay here for me. Make sure that no one takes our ride. Daehra is rather attached to her pod" Kosmo yipped at him. His wolf far too happy to listen to Lance "Something to say, Keith?" "Not really. He's a traitor" "Awww. Kosmo. I'll still love you. You can come join my team. We have space for the bestest boy in the universe" "This is why he never listens to me. You spoil him too much" "You can't spoil him too much. What kind of heartless monster are you? Look at that face" Flopping down, Kosmo's tongue lolled out his mouth as he gazed up at Keith expectantly "You broke him" "I didn't break him. Now come on already. Tell him he's a good boy and to wait here" "Yeah. Yeah. Kosmo you're a good boy. Stay here for us" Nudging Keith with his elbow, Lance was downright playful as they began the walk along the causeway from where they'd landed. Standing half a step behind him, Lance kept prodding him with the tip of his gun. Each time he jumped, Lance would hiss at him to "be the proper prince of Daibazaal" like that was his actual title. He'd already turned down leading Daibazaal. It Krolia and Kolivan managed to have a kid, he was more than happy to pass the role over to it. Reaching the doors to the facility, the were greeted by a tall slender Galra, and an alien of a race Keith didn't know "Welcome, Black Paladin Keith. Agent Leandro. My name is For, this is Niv. I understand you are enquiring over a missing operative?" Lance cleared his throat "Indeed. We are looking for information on an operative named "Guile". He was posing as a weapons buyer when he was taken. We believe he was wrongly detained due to the nature of his mission in Ghazex" "Before we can allow you further into this facility, we will need you to surrender all communication devices, trackers and weaponry" There was something about the Galra that was rubbing Keith the wrong way. He knew that this was an outpost, but if it was an international posting, where were the rest of the staff? Why was it just one plain Galra and one milky-grey alien with strange yellow slitted eyes? Keith wouldn't be surprised if the alien had a forked tongue to go with his whole reptilian appearance "Of course. Does Kre'el still work here?" The pair of aliens exchanged a glance "Not to our knowledge. They may be at the satellite. We had a rather problematic prisoner transfer in" Lance nodded slowly, Keith tried to catch his eyes but Lance continued to stare ahead at the pair "And the rest of the staff?" "Here and there. Let's get you logged in, then we can discuss your missing operative" Moving into the facility, both of them had to pass through a scanner where Lance was relieved of his weaponry. It seemed to Keith that Lance could sense whatever he felt. This didn't feel right. The whole place was too silent, the only noise was the humming of the air filtration systems that seemed to Keith like they were barely working. Sweat had started to form under his body suit, beads rolling uncomfortably down his back as they continued on. Having barely spoken a word outside of pleasantries, Keith cleared his throat, trying to move the lump of uncomfortableness "Where are we headed?" "To the main control room of the facility. Prisoner lists are only accessible there" "Oh. Right... see much action here?" For snorted, Niv glaring at his companion "Not particularly. Unless there is a new prisoner, this is as interesting as it gets. Nothing like the days of Voltron, am I right?" "It wasn't all action" "Still. To hold that much power... and now you reside on Daibazaal?" "Yes. For the most part" The conversation dissolved again. Keith moving close enough for his arm to brush Lance's as they walked. Giving a tiny shake of his head, Keith wasn't sure how he was supposed to interpret the action. Was Lance telling him to behave? Or silently yelling at him to be on guard? Opting for option b, he straightened his posture, shifting his weight in preparation for whatever came next. Reaching the control room, there were several other people there. A tall, commanding Galra with a nasty scar down the right side of his face, was standing behind a long control panel with a series of feeds pulled up on a holoscreen "Commander. We have brought the agent and the Paladin" Rounding the panel, the Galra seemed even larger as he came closer. Beside him, Lance swore softly in Spanish "I am Theore. Welcome" "I am Keith, former Black Paladin of Voltron. I am searching for a missing agent from Daibazaal" "I have reviewed the file. We have dozens of Galra held in our facility. It may take vargas to identify your agent" Rocking back on his heels, Lance's voice held a tone of forced friendliness "Then we should get started. Have you had many picked up in Ghazex?" "That information is classified. Even to such an agent. Leandro. Also known by LEA. 47 arrests. 11 assists. 16 deaths. 9 scheduled for rehabilitation" 47 arrests... damn. He was falling for Lance all over again. His crush was far more bad arse than he gave himself credit for... wait... deaths? Lance had killed? 16 seemed far too high... that had to be team kills. Yeah. That was what it was... Scratching the back of his head, Lance shifted his weight "I didn't think we were up to 47..." Leaning in, the huge Galra growled "Are you suggesting our system is wrong?" Taking half a step back, Lance waved his hands "What? No. No. Nothing like that. I just get paid. I don't keep track of the numbers. Anyway... don't mind me" "We have made space for you to wait until the shuttle between the base and satellite returns. Niv. Please show our guests to where they can wait" Leading them from the room, Niv showed them to an unremarkable grey and purple room. A camera facing the door, a solid looking black chair, and an aura of unwelcomeness was all that waited for them. Leaving them to their own devices, Lance moved to sit, beckoning him over when Keith didn't move from near the doorway. Opening his mouth, Lance silenced him by bringing his finger up in front of his own. Forcing Keith to give in and go to sit beside him "Lan..." "Everything we say and do is being recorded in accordance with the stations order of operations" So it was best he held his tongue "Is it how you remember?" "Exactly" Shifting closer, Lance was shaking like a leaf. Placing his hand on his friends knee, Lance jumped violently "Are you ok?" "Fine. I'm fine..." "Leandro... I can feel it" Lifting his hand off his knee, Lance held it firmly as he leaned into Keith's shoulder. Keith freezing like a statue at such an intimate touch from his skittish friend. Whispering, Lance spoke fast "This feels wrong" "If this is the prison for the area, why aren't more people working here?" "We passed through the magnetic fields... shouldn't the scanners have picked up if another ship had passed through? They would have left a radiation signature, right? The Telula has long range scanners too. Zak would have notified me if something had passed by" "So this is a trap?" "I don't know. We can't act now. They wouldn't hold Guile here. He would have been processed and moved to the satellite movements ago" "Have you actually been in here before?" "No. Not inside. I was in the back last time. Someone had to sit there with the gun and look scary. They don't need to know that" "What do we do?" "Wait? We can't just be like "sorry guys, changed our minds, gotta get Keith home for dinner with his family"" "We aren't armed. You gave them your weapons" "I gave them bad weapons. My blaster was the only thing worth having" "You suspected something?" "No. I suspected they'd want to check our weapons. What should it matter if they aren't great, if there's nothing to hide" Keith drew his brow, trying to remember what Lance had taken from Daehra's ship "Just how far ahead did you plan this?" "It's kind of my job to be suspicious" "I heard. 47 arrests?" "Not all individually. When you catch 12 or so bad guys on a ship, that doesn't count as one" In theory that meant Lance could have simply dropped one ship off and been up to 47 in one go "Oh, you secretly got lucky?" "Real fucking lucky. They were supposed to have processed Guile's information by now" "Yeah. Well. This is all we can do for now. Though, I'm not completely sure why we're cuddling" "This isn't cuddling. This is me being close enough to whisper without being overly suspicious about it" "How do you know they can't pick up your whispers?" "I don't" "That doesn't fill me with faith" "What would you do then?" "Hole up and wait. We could get into the vents" "I've had enough of vents. Beside, camera" "Don't you have some fancy tech you knock it out with?" "And tip them off? That's being reckless, Keith. Honestly, I expected better of you" "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" "Not particularly. But what else can we do. Neither of us have been in here. For all we know, we could be feeding off each other's anxieties over the whole thing" "If we are, we're not telling anyone" Laughing softly, the sound was music to Keith's ears. What he wouldn't give to pin Lance down and tickle him into fits of laughter... and what the hell was thinking a thing like that for right now?! Nudging him with his knee, Lance playfully replied "Deal. You can have your hand back now" Glancing down to where Lance's smaller covered hand sat in his, Keith didn't particularly want to let go "It's fine" "Aww. Do you like holding my hand?" "Yes" Lance groaned at him, suddenly tensing "Keith..." "I feel like something bad is happening in your head right now. I don't mind holding your hand" "You're so weird" "Maybe. Consider it payback for not telling me how bad arse you are" "I'm not a bad arse" "You are too" Forcibly removing his hand from Keith's, Lance moved away "No. I'm really not" "No need to pout" "I'm not pouting" "Of course you're not" "Just sit there your royal pain in the arse" "I'll give you a pain in the arse" Moving further away from him, Lance crossed his legs. Clearly he'd gone too far... and now he didn't know what to say. At least whoever was listening had been forced to listen to him fucking things up further. Opening his mouth and praying something smart would come out, the door to the room they were in opened instead. Niv and For both standing there. Niv holding a blaster of his own, For wielding a scowl "Agent Leandro, we require you to come with us. There is an issue with your credentials. The Erathian government has requested we hold you until a representative can arrive" Keith looked to Lance, who had the nerve to shrug. They'd literally just been discussing this being a trap "Lance..." "It's fine" "Are you serious right now?" "Well. I kind of thought this might happen" "What?! Why didn't you tell me?" "Because I'm your bodyguard. Not your friend" Brushing his hands free of invisible dust, Lance held his hands up he moved towards the pair. Leaping up, Keith grabbed his arm "Don't do this" "They're just doing their jobs. It'll be fine" Shaking the hold off, Lance moved closer to Niv "What is he being accused of?! Isn't he one of you?" "Keith. You're not helping" "You're not seriously going with them, are you?" "It's fine" "How is this fine?!" "It's fine" Jerking his head slightly, Keith didn't get the message Lance was giving him. Sighing loudly, Lance stomped down on Niv's foot at he grabbed at the blaster, smacking him squarely in the nose then booting him in the crotch. When For when for him, Lance calmly shot the top of the Galra's boot off. Taking his toes with it. Howling in pain, Lance brought the butt of the gun down hard into For's temple, knocking him out. Recovering enough to go for him, Lance took the creepy alien out with a well delivered blow to the back of the neck. Gaping at Lance, Lance sighed at him "Thanks for the help" "What happened to not tipping them off?" "Erathus can't come after me. I know too much... though they might have been slightly mad... that I didn't die and stuff" What the quiznak had he done? "If we were going to start trouble, why didn't you give me a weapon from the start?" "Because we weren't. If that camera's hooked up, they saw all of that" "Why can't we have simple missions? Go here. Do this. Come home?" Lance moved to pass the blaster to him "This was supposed to be simple. This is an official government facility" "Which we're hijacking?" "Not "hijacking", bypassing"" "We're already here" Lance started jogging down the hall in the direction they'd come. Kicking both unconscious aliens lightly to ensure they were out cold, Keith started after Lance "In a place where something hinky is going on" "Did you really just say "hinky"?" "Yep. I stand by it" "Do you have any kind of plan?" "We knock these guys out, hop the pod to the satellite. Pretend everything is all good, then get the hell out of here" "Lance, that's a terrible plan. You don't even have a weapon. And, there's cameras" "Which we'll disable when we get to the control room. This place is way too quiet" "Who the hell are you?" "Just a guy in a bit of trouble?" "A bit?" "I didn't exactly know there was a warrant out" "Isn't that the kind of thing your team monitors?" "When we're in the area" "There they are!" Standing at the end of the hall, the Galra commander whose name Keith may have already forgotten was coming at them. Grabbing Lance by the arm, he pulled him into the first room to their left. Stumbling over each other, Lance slipped on something. Letting out a moan, Keith slammed the door closed behind them before turning. What he saw took his breath away. People. Or what were left of them. Pieces were everywhere... with blood coating the floor. This was beyond "hinky". Trying to climb up, Lance slipped again, his hand leaving a bloody print along the metal table as he let out a miserable cry. With Theore yelling as he pounded on the door behind them, Keith grabbed Lance, pulling him down behind the table "Lance?" Taking Lance by the shoulders, Keith shook him lightly. He could understand the shock his crush was suffering. It felt as if the blood in the room was infecting ever fibre of the flimsy suit he was wearing "Lance?!" "No! Don't touch me!" They had about two seconds before whatever staff was on base came bursting through the door. Lance was out of it, now reduced to Spanish. He was in one piece, but they weren't going to stay that way if he didn't do something about the fact Lance had pissed everyone off. Shooting Theore through the door, solved the immediate issue. How the Galra couldn't calm down enough to open the door, Keith didn't know, and holding a blaster didn't feel right. Lance was far better with the blaster than he was. Darting back down beside the Cuban, he found Lance had fled from the safety of the table to stand near one of the tanks of remains. The body inside kept alive by various wires. The exposed heart beating steadily as Lance reached towards the glass. The idiot had pulled his mask off, as he stood staring at the body. His eyes fixed in something Keith couldn't see "Lance!" As tanks around them began to "pop" from blaster hits, Keith threw himself at Lance as he fired blindly "Lance, what's going on?" "Keith..." That was a start "Yeah, Buddy. Talk to me" "I'm going to be sick" And that was a problem. Pitching sideways, Lance threw up, as threatened "I need you to stay here. No moving. No wandering. Ok?" Shaking his head at him, Lance was being a stubborn shit "I don't have time to babysit you. They're coming for us! We can't help these people!" Death was the only end or release the mangled remains "You need to man up!" "I can't!" "Why not?! We're about three ticks away from joining them!" "Because I put them here! I put them here!" Moaning miserably, Lance clutched his hair. Well. Fuck. Just... Fuck. Quiznak didn't come close to summing up how Keith felt about that "How do you know for sure? It could be anyone" "I know them" "How" "I..." "Lance, they're gone. Dead" Screaming at him, the marks on Lance's cheeks flared to life "I know!" "How?!" Bellowing in his face, Lance continued his screaming before tapering down to soft sobs "Because he fucking raped me! He fucking raped me... he raped me... there's a tattoo on his arm... I thought he died before... they said he was dead" Keith literally saw red. Raising the blaster, he fired half a dozen shots in to the tank. Covered in blood, Lance looked broken. Somehow he'd smeared it across his face, and down his suit as he tried to huddle into himself "Lance... I..." "Don't touch me... please don't touch me..." Raising his hands, Keith nodded "I won't, but we need to keep moving" "I don't want to" "Lance, they're probably going to kill both of us" "Then go without me" "Don't be stupid" "I can't help it! I am stupid! Erathus was a fucking trap! Allura brought me back wrong! All of this is wrong!" "Fuck this. Don't move" Keith's heart was racing faster than his mind. His teeth bared as he ran through the tables. That thing had dared lay hands on his Lance. His Lance who wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't have it coming. His Lance, who'd they tortured and raped... He didn't even need his blade or the blaster as he threw himself on the first enemy he met. Grabbing both sides of aliens head, he twisted hard, snapping their neck before they knew what was happening. It felt as if his whole body was on fire as his anger consumed him. They'd hurt Lance. He never should have left him alone. He should have told him he loved him before all of this. It'd probably killed Lance inside each time he was touched. Each flirty joke. He... He couldn't process. By the time Keith came back to his right mind, the small group of base workers that had come after them were all dead. Picking his way through the room to where he'd left Lance, Lance was staring at the drained tank. An alarm buzzing as a red light flashed above the broken tanks. Shivering hard enough for his teeth to chatter, Keith stripped off the bloodied suit jacket drape it around Lance's shoulders "Shhh. It's ok now. Don't look at it. Look at me" Wrapping an arm around Lance to pull him up, Lance pushed against him "Don't..." "I'm sorry. Please try to bare with it a little longer" "I'm d-dirty" "It's just a little blood. Some soap and water will clean that right up" He knew Lance meant he was dirty, but that was a load of shit. What had been done to Lance was revolting, but it was done to him without his consent. He was raped, and even if he felt dirty, he wasn't. Not to Keith. He did wish that the responsible parties were still alive, in order to dissect them himself. No. Dissection was too good. When Lance was unable to keep his legs up under him, Keith lifted him over his shoulder. Whimpering at being manhandled, Keith hushed him "Watch our backs, Sharpshooter" It didn't matter what Keith felt. Lance was terrified. And more than likely terrified Keith was going to treat him differently. Even if he wanted to wrap him up in cotton wool and kiss away his pain, treating him differently was his biggest fear. It fucking hurt to act like this was another small secret to squirrel away. Carrying Lance down the hall, he made the mistake of opening a door too soon, another room filled with parts met his eyes. These ones neatly stacked in row after row of glass drawers, floating in some kind of blue liquid. Closing the door, this place was all kinds of fucked up. Hiking Lance up, his crush whined softly at him "I know. I'm sorry. Wrong door" Two more wrong doors finally led to the right one. Carrying Lance into the control room, he showed no mercy to those still inside. He didn't even think about where his shots hit, only that the victims were too incapacitated to go after Lance. Lowering him down against the control panel, Lance started sobbing again. Dropping a kiss on his sweaty brown hair, Keith cursed himself when Lance let out a strangled kind of scream "I'm sorry. Shhh... I'm going to take care of things" Preferably by finding the bases self destruction sequence. Placing his hand on the panels keyboard, Keith was locked out the system. He didn't have any of his Blade tech on him, and Lance wasn't in any actual condition to help. Keith supposed it was the natural way to be when you come face to face with the man who'd raped you, and found the people you were arresting and sending for imprisonment were instead being chopped up into pieces and forced to stay alive with mechanical intervention. It was quiznakkingly revolting. Keith unable to comprehend what Lance was thinking. He'd believed they were being shipped off to be frozen in pods. They weren't off and walking around like living beings, but his targets weren't dead either. The job he'd been so proud of had left him as little more than an intergalactic farmer, with humanoid beings the meat being sent to the butchers waiting. Tapping the control panel turned to him slamming his hands down on the machine repeatedly. With an added kick for good measure when it continued to deny him access. Screaming at the house of Keith's shoe against the panel, Lance's knuckles were white as he clutched his hair. Long threads clinging to his fingers were chunks had been pulled out. Staying here was only serving to hurt Lance more. Squatting down, a jolt of blue shot from Lance's hand as he moved to take it. Snatching it back with a startled cry, Keith stared at the fresh blistered electrical burn scar on his hand, branching across his palm like a tree. Tearing off a strip of the thin not-so-white dress shirt, Keith carefully bandaged his palm. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on Lance's, relaxing minutely as when he wasn't zapped again "Lance, I can't get into the system. I can't do anything from here. We need to pull out and contact Daibazaal" "I can't, Keith" "Yes, you can" "I can't..." "Lance" "Leave me here" "Not going to happen" "Leave me alone" "Nope. Can't do it" "I don't want to" "Lance, its only a little further" "I don't want to" "Don't" was grating on his nerves as badly as "can't" had "Lance" "I don't want to!" "I don't care! We're getting out of here" "I don't want to go" Hefting Lance up, Keith was prepared for the protesting arms as he smacked at him "Stop it" "Then put me down" "Not going to happen" "Don't you get it? I don't want to be alive. I don't want to. I don't want to be like this... I'm so tired, Keith" "I know you're tired, but I refuse to leave you here" "I don't want to..." "Big grizzly Keith isn't going to leave you behind" "por favor... estoy sucio... muy sucio... "I don't know what you're saying, but I'm going to assume you're saying something stupid again. You're my best friend. I'm not leaving you in a place like this"

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

CSUAVS prt 10 update

Lance didn't mention their fight, if anything he acted like it never happened. Lucteal had been less civil, taking a swing at him when Keith had gone to the dining area for breakfast the following morning. Taking hold of the thrown fist, Keith had flipped Lucteal down to the floor with such ease that it laughable. The few team members in the space all seemed to suddenly have elsewhere to be, while Keith calmly collected two servings of goo and found a seat towards the back of the space. Lucteal rose to brush himself off, his face reddened with embarrassment. Stalking from the space to leave he and Kosmo alone, Keith failed to see how he was to blame for Lucteal's bad mood, or whatever had happened between him and Lance. He knew feelings were irrational. He knew it all too well. He'd written down everything he'd seen and learned since being reunited with Lance, and now had a strong idea of all he'd been through. He could understand why Lance would be hesitant to ask for any kind of help. Why he'd be struggling with those voices of anxiety and those nightmares. Now, he held his tongue. Watching Lance's every move upon the Telula. A few more quintants and they'd be at the prison. Then Lance would finally let him in. Those quintants seemed to take forever to pass. Lance was making plans that he wasn't part of. Daehra spent her time casting glances between them, attempting to silently encourage either of them to make a move. Lucteal had glued himself to Lance's side. He'd gone far enough as to sneak into Lance's room in the middle of the night. Lance had rather loudly thrown him out. Lucteal begging to be let in, or to send Keith away. Neither happened. Lucteal still not taking the hint that "no" actually meant "not now, not ever". It wasn't like Keith enjoyed watching Lucteal fall apart due to his unrequited love, buuuut, it did make him wonder if Daehra was right. That Lance actually did care for him, and wanted him like Keith loved him. Making it through to the morning of the mission, Keith found himself dressed rather ridiculously. As the "prince" of Daibazaal, Lance had sent Daehra to help him dress in something more fitting of the role. His blade uniform replaced by one of the Telula's black body suits, then by another body suit that felt like overkill but was allegedly fireproof. Finally was a black earth styled suit, with a white formal shirt. Keith drawing the line at the black tie provided. He didn't love suits. They reminded him too much of funerals and being left behind. As it was, he was struggling with the overwhelming scent of Lance on the fabric. That same salty ocean spray was doing all sorts of things to him inside. Thankfully the bodysuit prevented him from popping a boner the moment he was surrounded by Lance's scent, though it was still awkward when the alien helping you dress was blushing red as she knew exactly what he wanted to do to Lance. The last part of his outfit was a small camera that Zak had designed not to be detectable. Keith wasn't as sure as Daehra was as she tucked it under his collar. It was closed circuit, so anything recorded would only exist upon the device. Dressed from head to toe like someone who was definitely not him, he wasn't happy to find he was the only one looking like a moron. Lance was dressed in his own uniform, with his face already hidden behind his mask. In his hold was a ridiculously large gun and a thick white comms sat on his wrist. Keith hadn't been allowed anything that could be detected. Even his precious blades were left behind. Letting out a long whistle, Lance looked to Daehra "You did a good job. Now, is he ready?" "Yes. Are you sure you wish to proceed with only the two of you?" Keith kept his displeasure hidden. Wasn't Daehra supposed to be on his side here when it came to Lance? "I called ahead to notify them that the "Heir of Daibazaal" and his personal bodyguard would be arriving. They're only expecting the two of us. All weapons and comms need to be left with them, but they'd expect me to be armed anyway" When did Lance have the time to call ahead? He'd definitely missed that "His camera is under his collar. It's set to start filming the moment you're through the magnetic fields" "Thanks Star. And the pod?" "All set. I've uploaded the extrapolation for crossing the fields. You have a three dobosh window between the fifth and sixth wave. It's the longest time you'll have" What now? "Yeah. I looked over the data last night. Once we're in, time will move differently" "Leandro, we have discussed this. The rendezvous coordinates have been input already. The only thing left is for you both to leave. Kosmo is awaiting you" "Do I not get to know what's happening?" Lance rolled his eyes. Even with his face covered, Keith could tell "Yes, Mullet. You've made the request to inquire if Guile has been brought in, and if so, on what charges. Well, you came to me with the request and I've filed for permission to visit the facility. You've been granted access to meet with facilitators on the main outpost of the facility. I've already had a copy of Guile's file printed, as well as forwarded what was relevant to the commander of the outpost" Why was he only now hearing about this outpost? And why hadn't Lance shown him what he was up to? Explained things to him, so he didn't seem like an idiot in front of everyone "I thought we were going to a prison satellite" "You need to go through the outpost to get to the satellite. It's really not that complicated. We'll be leaving now. Keep an eye on Telula for me" Daehra nodded, Lucteal kept scowling at the world "We shall" "Right then. Keith, lets go before we miss our opening" Instead of taking Keith's ship, and given Lance's pod had been blown up, Lance led them down to another pod on the right side of the ship. Ignoring the fact Lance had to slam the airlock between the Telula and the ship four times for it to close properly, then hold it closed with his foot as it locked into place, the small pod was kind of nice in its own way... was what he would have liked to have been able to say. It looked like a flying death trap, and Lance was way too happy about it all. Plopping himself down in the pilot's seat, he fussed over Kosmo like he hadn't seen him in years. Kosmo yipping and jumping around happily, his whole body wagging as he tail went flat out "Uh, not to nitpick, but is this ship going to make it?" "This is Daehra's pod. It's been through a lot, but she's still going" Patting the dash, the whole pod seemed to shudder as the engines whirled to life. Keith grabbing the pilot's chair before throwing himself down in the chair beside it "That doesn't mean it'll make it through these magnetic fields" "It's not over abundant in tech. So the fields won't be messing with the systems like it would if we took the Telula" "I'm not sure if I understand what we're going to be flying through" Climbing into his lap, Kosmo whined at him as the pod was disengaged with a shudder "Do you remember how the original Blade headquarters were hidden. The opening only available at certain times, on certain quintants? Think of what we're going to like that. Time moves differently in there, and between the magnetic interference, the asteroid belt and the weird rotation of the planets around here, it all comes together to act as added security in case of something going wrong on the other side" "Oh... so we only have to get through all of that, then that's ok then. Have at it..." Lance snorted, moving to take the controls into his hands "We sent a sensor ahead. It's been monitoring variables while we were sleeping. Ren'at worked with Zak over night to perfect things" Keith nodded, with no idea who that was "Ren'at is the AI Zak wrote. Seriously, if he and Pidge ever got together... the universe would be a hell of a lot scarier than it is now" "Worse than when Hunk and Pidge would nerd out?" "Think of that on steroids. He's part Olkarion or something. He can interface with like anything. Not that he brags about it. I really lucked out when we busted him out" "Busted him out?" "Mmm... got himself into a scrape that would have seen him locked up. I was supposed to apprehend him and bring him in" Lance offered the comment offhandedly, his focus now on piloting as they moved from the Telula "What did he do?" "What you did. Kind of. Uploaded software where he really shouldn't have. Nothing malicious. He just helped out a rebel group who'd got themselves in trouble. It deleted photos and locations of other rebels. Not like you who downloaded the clubs specifications for no good reason" "Hey, it wasn't for no good reason" "Mhmm. And what good reason did you have for starting a bar fight?" Keith opened and closed his mouth, pouting as he leaned back "I wanted to see you, but didn't know your room number" "That makes everything ok then" "Maybe if you'd told me you were on Erathus, I could have come by without the need to use Kosmo" "Or maybe I would have been working" Awkwardness kicked in when Keith failed to reply. He liked this side of Lance's job. He didn't like the side that had strangers between Lance's long caramel legs where they didn't belong "I don't want to have a fight. It's a long enough trip out there as it is" "Have you been out here before?" "Yep. Well. Once. Once as a passenger in the back of a police ship. Usually the police take care of it. Depends how close we are, though I haven't taken Daehra's pod through it before" "I really don't know if this ship is going to make it" "It survived Lucteal and Daehra in here. As well as their sister, and myself. If it can survive Luc and Dae, it can survive anything" "They're... an interesting pair" "That's what happens when you come from a large family" "Daehra mentioned they were "illegitimate"" "Oh. She told you that? Her father is the king of the planet she comes from. He has a whole harem there. When the Galra hit, they lost a lot. Not just their people and homes, but their animals and forests, the Galra even poisoned some of their water supplies. It messed with his head and he pretty much went about having as many children as he could to ensure his bloodline. They have 17 half-brothers and sisters. That they know of. Dae used to work in the palace taking care of the "proper" kids. Lucteal was raised in the royal household. The males were until the queen gave birth to a boy and they were all sent away. It's a messy situation. Lucteal and Daehra never really had anything for themselves. I did tell them I had no idea how things would play out and that they'd be safer at home, but they'd both dreamed of seeing more" "A bit like you? How you dreamed of space?" "Something like that. It's not what I ever thought it would be. I know we don't have much, but we make it work" "They're lucky to have you. You should have been Black Paladin, not me" Lance let out a sigh "That's not true" "It is" "No. Shiro had Black, but you stepped up. You didn't think you could do it, but you stepped up" "Then Kuron came back in Shiro's place. I can't believe Black didn't tell me" "Black didn't tell any of us. Neither did the other lions. All of Coran's scans failed to show it. We all thought he was Shiro" "You thought something was off, but we dismissed you" "I'm used to it. I come from a big family" "You should never have had to be used to it" "It's fine. Seriously. Big family and all that" "It's not fine, Lance. You're what kept us all together. You took care of all of us. Your team is lucky to have you" "Can we not do this again? We can talk about something else, but I need to concentrate" "Fine. But it's still true. They're lucky to have you. Anyone is lucky to have you" "You're making me blush, Mullet" "Doesn't make it any less true. And it's been a long time since I've had a mullet" "You'll always be "mullet" to me. With that red and white jacket, and that perpetual scowl. I get it now. We were all doing all we could to stay alive. I... uh... shouldn't have snapped at you over it all. Turned out I have more issues with Kuron than I thought" Keith sat up a little straighter in his chair, cautiously asking "Have you talked to Shiro about it?" "Nah. He wasn't him. I don't want to remember, really. So I don't know why I keep bringing it up. I probably look really lame right now" "I don't think you're lame" Keith knew exactly why Lance kept bringing it up. Whatever had transpired, Lance was comparing himself to Shiro mentally. He'd probably replayed what had happened to him, wondering how Shiro would have handled all of it as he too had been tortured "Thanks... you, uh, you look good in that suit" "Oh! Thank you. I'm not used to wearing one" "That's kind of obvious. Still, you'll have to get used to it" "Why? What for?" "For Shiro's wedding. I would bet GAC that you're going to be his best man, but it's not really a bet when it's a sure thing" "Don't remind me. At least it'll be a whole before he gets married" "Still. A suit really suits you. You've got the height for them" "Because I'm cooler and more grizzled?" Lance groaned at him "Why do you always have to ruin our bonding moments?" "Me? You said you don't even remember the first one" "I was blown up!" "You still managed to wake up and take that shot when we needed you the most" "Anyone could have made that shot" "Not after being in an explosion like that. You saved Coran without thinking" "And how many times have you nearly blown up?" "A fair few... some days I wonder how I'm still alive. I wonder how any of us came back... I couldn't have made it this far without the team. Without you. I wouldn't know how to live it with it if you hadn't survived" "Keith... I..." "You don't have to tell me. I keep fucking things up between us. You're my best friend. And I have so many things I want to talk to you about, but it's like, the words don't come out right when it comes to you" "Keith..." "I keep making a fool of myself. I know... I mean... I know that fear. You don't think you're ever going to open your eyes again. I... I'm just grateful you're still here. You're... you're like really important to me" Lance took a moment, Keith wondering what kind of expression his crush was making under his mask "Thank you. I need to concentrate..." "Alright. Let me know how I can help" "I will" * Keith had thought they were going to die. First were the magnetic waves that had the pop groaning like it was being torn apart, then came the asteroid field, then stronger magnetic waves that left him feeling physically ill? before Lance guided them into a pocket of space that sent them hurtling towards the nearest moon so fast he'd torn the padding on the chair he was seated in, in shameful fear. Guiding them out of the dive, Lance released the controls in order to pull up a map on his screen "We're nearly there" "Nearly?" His voice came out as a squeak. Keith's stomach still doing flips as Lance tapped away on his comms to zoom in "The worst is over. Though, we get to do all that on the way back again" "Are you smiling?!" "You didn't have fun?" "Fun? I thought we were going to die" "Pfft. Like I would go to all this effort then let you die" "How should I know" "You could have at least said, I don't know, "good job not hitting those meteorites, especially when they started splitting up as we passed". Or something like that" "Something like that" Turning his direction, Lance clutched at his chance "As I live and breathe? Keith making a joke. I wish I recorded that" "You're an arse" "And the moment's over. You better get ready, 15 doboshes and we'll be there" "You used to like my jokes" "I didn't say I didn't like it. I said... you know what, nope. I congratulate you on your joke" "You're an arse" Lance laughed softly at him "Maybe. But I'm the arse who's your bodyguard. Don't forget that" "What are you going to do, shoot me?" "Don't tempt me. You're the most unarmed I've ever seen you" Biting back, Keith grasped the first thing that came to mind "I could kill you with my shoelaces" "Ooooh. Shoelaces. I'm so scared!" "You should be" "This I'd like to see" "I'm a Blade remember. Highly trained and all that" "Mhmm. I'll keep this in the back of my mind then" "Yeah. You do that" Landing near the outpost, it was clearly of Galra origins. Hailed the moment they touched down. Opening comms on their end, Lance neatly rattled off his identification in a string of weird numbers and letters. Keith deciding he really needed to have Daehra teach him what it all meant, especially when the voice on the other ends of the comms laughed. Granting them clearance, Lance thanked the faceless voice before ending the call. Climbing from his seat, he walked over to the middle of the as Keith followed at a slower pace. Rolling back a thin rug thing, Lance opened the hatch beneath to reveal a rusty looking box. Popping it open, he pulled out half a dozen small devices "Turn that camera of yours on. If we get separated, we'll meet back here" "What are you doing?" "They expect certain things to be on me when I'm scanned" "They do?" "Identification and stuff" "That looked like more than identification" "I said "and stuff". Right. Don't fuck this up" Keith scoffed. How was he going to fuck things up? He barely knew what was going on. Covering the trap door back up, Lance moved to pat Kosmo "You need to stay here for me. Make sure that no one takes our ride. Daehra is rather attached to her pod" Kosmo yipped at him. His wolf far too happy to listen to Lance "Something to say, Keith?" "Not really. He's a traitor" "Awww. Kosmo. I'll still love you. You can come join my team. We have space for the bestest boy in the universe" "This is why he never listens to me. You spoil him too much" "You can't spoil him too much. What kind of heartless monster are you? Look at that face" Flopping down, Kosmo's tongue lolled out his mouth as he gazed up at Keith expectantly "You broke him" "I didn't break him. Now come on already. Tell him he's a good boy and to wait here" "Yeah. Yeah. Kosmo you're a good boy. Stay here for us" Nudging Keith with his elbow, Lance was downright playful as they began the walk along the causeway from where they'd landed. Standing half a step behind him, Lance kept prodding him with the tip of his gun. Each time he jumped, Lance would hiss at him to "be the proper prince of Daibazaal" like that was his actual title. He'd already turned down leading Daibazaal. It Krolia and Kolivan managed to have a kid, he was more than happy to pass the role over to it. Reaching the doors to the facility, the were greeted by a tall slender Galra, and an alien of a race Keith didn't know "Welcome, Black Paladin Keith. Agent Leandro. My name is For, this is Niv. I understand you are enquiring over a missing operative?" Lance cleared his throat "Indeed. We are looking for information on an operative named "Guile". He was posing as a weapons buyer when he was taken. We believe he was wrongly detained due to the nature of his mission in Ghazex" "Before we can allow you further into this facility, we will need you to surrender all communication devices, trackers and weaponry" There was something about the Galra that was rubbing Keith the wrong way. He knew that this was an outpost, but if it was an international posting, where were the rest of the staff? Why was it just one plain Galra and one milky-grey alien with strange yellow slitted eyes? Keith wouldn't be surprised if the alien had a forked tongue to go with his whole reptilian appearance "Of course. Does Kre'el still work here?" The pair of aliens exchanged a glance "Not to our knowledge. They may be at the satellite. We had a rather problematic prisoner transfer in" Lance nodded slowly, Keith tried to catch his eyes but Lance continued to stare ahead at the pair "And the rest of the staff?" "Here and there. Let's get you logged in, then we can discuss your missing operative" Moving into the facility, both of them had to pass through a scanner where Lance was relieved of his weaponry. It seemed to Keith that Lance could sense whatever he felt. This didn't feel right. The whole place was too silent, the only noise was the humming of the air filtration systems that seemed to Keith like they were barely working. Sweat had started to form under his body suit, beads rolling uncomfortably down his back as they continued on. Having barely spoken a word outside of pleasantries, Keith cleared his throat, trying to move the lump of uncomfortableness "Where are we headed?" "To the main control room of the facility. Prisoner lists are only accessible there" "Oh. Right... see much action here?" For snorted, Niv glaring at his companion "Not particularly. Unless there is a new prisoner, this is as interesting as it gets. Nothing like the days of Voltron, am I right?" "It wasn't all action" "Still. To hold that much power... and now you reside on Daibazaal?" "Yes. For the most part" The conversation dissolved again. Keith moving close enough for his arm to brush Lance's as they walked. Giving a tiny shake of his head, Keith wasn't sure how he was supposed to interpret the action. Was Lance telling him to behave? Or silently yelling at him to be on guard? Opting for option b, he straightened his posture, shifting his weight in preparation for whatever came next. Reaching the control room, there were several other people there. A tall, commanding Galra with a nasty scar down the right side of his face, was standing behind a long control panel with a series of feeds pulled up on a holoscreen "Commander. We have brought the agent and the Paladin" Rounding the panel, the Galra seemed even larger as he came closer. Beside him, Lance swore softly in Spanish "I am Theore. Welcome" "I am Keith, former Black Paladin of Voltron. I am searching for a missing agent from Daibazaal" "I have reviewed the file. We have dozens of Galra held in our facility. It may take vargas to identify your agent" Rocking back on his heels, Lance's voice held a tone of forced friendliness "Then we should get started. Have you had many picked up in Ghazex?" "That information is classified. Even to such an agent. Leandro. Also known by LEA. 47 arrests. 11 assists. 16 deaths. 9 scheduled for rehabilitation" 47 arrests... damn. He was falling for Lance all over again. His crush was far more bad arse than he gave himself credit for... wait... deaths? Lance had killed? 16 seemed far too high... that had to be team kills. Yeah. That was what it was... Scratching the back of his head, Lance shifted his weight "I didn't think we were up to 47..." Leaning in, the huge Galra growled "Are you suggesting our system is wrong?" Taking half a step back, Lance waved his hands "What? No. No. Nothing like that. I just get paid. I don't keep track of the numbers. Anyway... don't mind me" "We have made space for you to wait until the shuttle between the base and satellite returns. Niv. Please show our guests to where they can wait" Leading them from the room, Niv showed them to an unremarkable grey and purple room. A camera facing the door, a solid looking black chair, and an aura of unwelcomeness was all that waited for them. Leaving them to their own devices, Lance moved to sit, beckoning him over when Keith didn't move from near the doorway. Opening his mouth, Lance silenced him by bringing his finger up in front of his own. Forcing Keith to give in and go to sit beside him "Lan..." "Everything we say and do is being recorded in accordance with the stations order of operations" So it was best he held his tongue "Is it how you remember?" "Exactly" Shifting closer, Lance was shaking like a leaf. Placing his hand on his friends knee, Lance jumped violently "Are you ok?" "Fine. I'm fine..." "Leandro... I can feel it" Lifting his hand off his knee, Lance held it firmly as he leaned into Keith's shoulder. Keith freezing like a statue at such an intimate touch from his skittish friend. Whispering, Lance spoke fast "This feels wrong" "If this is the prison for the area, why aren't more people working here?" "We passed through the magnetic fields... shouldn't the scanners have picked up if another ship had passed through? They would have left a radiation signature, right?" "So this is a trap?" "I don't know. We can't act now. They wouldn't hold Guile here. He would have been processed and moved to the satellite movements ago" "Have you actually been in here before?" "No. Not inside. I was in the back last time. Someone had to sit there with the gun and look scary. They don't need to know that" "What do we do?" "Wait? We can't just be like "sorry guys, changed our minds, gotta get Keith home for dinner with his family"" "We aren't armed. You gave them your weapons" "I gave them bad weapons. My blaster was the only thing worth having" "You suspected something?" "No. I suspected they'd want to check our weapons. What should it matter if they aren't great, if there's nothing to hide" Keith drew his brow, trying to remember what Lance had taken from Daehra's ship "Just how far ahead did you plan this?" "It's kind of my job to be suspicious" "I heard. 47 arrests?" "Not all individually. When you catch 12 or so bad guys on a ship, that doesn't count as one" In theory that meant Lance could have simply dropped one ship off and been up to 47 in one go "Oh, you secretly got lucky?" "Real fucking lucky. They were supposed to have processed Guile's information by now" "Yeah. Well. This is all we can do for now. Though, I'm not completely sure why we're cuddling" "This isn't cuddling. This is me being close enough to whisper without being overly suspicious about it" "How do you know they can't pick up your whispers?" "I don't" "That doesn't fill me with faith" "What would you do then?" "Hole up and wait. We could get into the vents" "I've had enough of vents. Beside, camera" "Don't you have some fancy tech you knock it out with?" "And tip them off? That's being reckless, Keith. Honestly, I expected better of you" "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" "Not particularly. But what else can we do. Neither of us have been in here. For all we know, we could be feeding off each other's anxieties over the whole thing" "If we are, we're not telling anyone" Laughing softly, the sound was music to Keith's ears. What he wouldn't give to pin Lance down and tickle him into fits of laughter... and what the hell was thinking a thing like that for right now?! Nudging him with his knee, Lance playfully replied "Deal. You can have your hand back now" Glancing down to where Lance's smaller covered hand sat in his, Keith didn't particularly want to let go "It's fine" "Aww. Do you like holding my hand?" "Yes" Lance groaned at him, suddenly tensing "Keith..." "I feel like something bad is happening in your head right now. I don't mind holding your hand" "You're so weird" "Maybe. Consider it payback for not telling me how bad arse you are" "I'm not a bad arse" "You are too" Forcibly removing his hand from Keith's, Lance moved away "No. I'm really not" "No need to pout" "I'm not pouting" "Of course you're not" "Just sit there your royal pain in the arse" "I'll give you a pain in the arse" Moving further away from him, Lance crossed his legs. Clearly he'd gone too far... and now he didn't know what to say. At least whoever was listening had been forced to listen to him fucking things up further. Opening his mouth and praying something smart would come out, the door to the room they were in opened instead. Niv and For both standing there. Niv holding a blaster of his own, For wielding a scowl "Agent Leandro, we require you to come with us. There is an issue with your credentials. The Erathian government has requested we hold you until a representative can arrive" Keith looked to Lance, who had the nerve to shrug. They'd literally just been discussing this being a trap "Lance..." "It's fine" "Are you serious right now?" "Well. I kind of thought this might happen" "What?! Why didn't you tell me?" "Because I'm your bodyguard. Not your friend" Brushing his hands free of invisible dust, Lance held his hands up he moved towards the pair. Leaping up, Keith grabbed his arm "Don't do this" "They're just doing their jobs. It'll be fine" Shaking the hold off, Lance moved closer to Niv "What is he being accused of?! Isn't he one of you?" "Keith. You're not helping" "You're not seriously going with them, are you?" "It's fine" "How is this fine?!" "It's fine" Jerking his head slightly, Keith didn't get the message Lance was giving him. Sighing loudly, Lance stomped down on Niv's foot at he grabbed at the blaster, smacking him squarely in the nose then booting him in the crotch. When For when for him, Lance calmly shot the top of the Galra's boot off. Taking his toes with it. Howling in pain, Lance brought the butt of the gun down hard into For's temple, knocking him out. Recovering enough to go for him, Lance took the creepy alien out with a well delivered blow to the back of the neck. Gaping at Lance, Lance sighed at him "Thanks for the help" "What happened to not tipping them off?" "Erathus can't come after me. I know too much... though they might have been slightly mad... that I didn't die and stuff" "If we were going to start trouble, why didn't you give me a weapon from the start?" "Because we weren't. If that camera's hooked up, they saw all of that" "Why can't we have simple missions? Go here. Do this. Come home?" Lance moved to pass the blaster to him "This was supposed to be simple. This is an official government facility" "Which we're hijacking?" "Not "hijacking", bypassing""