#i was considering actually drawing something for this race but. no energy

[raitrolling]

Sharle Casini makes his third consecutive podium appearance at Lamonri Circuit in four seasons of racing, and his first podium for Season 224!

[yukidragon]

May we have a story about Jack's clingy side and uses his puppy dog eyes to make MC to cuddle with him longer? (He uses the puppy dog eyes whenever he wants something and it works 100% of the time) Jack kind of reminds me of a giant puppy.

I love this idea! Jack definitely knows how to channel puppy energy to his advantage, and my MC Alice definitely falls for it every time.

In fact, I love this idea so much that it inspired me to turn it into a quick writing prompt. I also remembered that I owe everyone a nice little Jack x reader fic from the poll I made last year, so I wrote this writing exercise in 1st person gender neutral perspective.

So here it is, just a short but sweet first draft story about clingy Jack giving his sunshine some puppy dog eyes and pleading to get a bit more cuddle time. I don't think any real warnings apply, though it does get a little suggestive. Also, I think this might count as GrovelCore?

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my writing, and consider leaving a comment please!💕

@channydraws @earthgirlaesthetic @sai-of-the-7-stars @cheriihoney @illary-kore @okamiliqueur @kurokrisps

...

It was nice to have moments like this, just the two of us on the couch cuddled up together. The way Jack wrapped me up in his big, strong arms made me feel so safe, so content. Even though I was tucked comfortably in his lap, he practically surrounded me with his warmth. It was the perfect way to spend a day off from work.

The show on TV was entertaining, but it wasn’t enough to draw my attention away from Jack for long. He didn’t seem to be paying attention to it at all. Every time I looked up at him, I never failed to see those beautiful dark brown eyes of his gazing back at me. His mouth was shaped in a gentle curve of a smile, his expression almost dreamy as he admired me with so much love and adoration in his eyes that it sent my heart racing. I had to look away when the butterflies in my chest fluttered so hard they were ready to burst out of me.

Fuck, I was so down bad for this man, I was down atrocious.

A gloved finger brushed against my cheek, slowly tracing the contours of my face until reaching my chin. The sensation sent a delicious shiver down my spine, and my eyes returned to Jack as he gently guided my face back towards him.

“Looks like the show’s over,” Jack said. I blinked, caught off-guard, before my eyes darted to the screen to see the credits scrolling by. His honeyed voice drew me back before I could get distracted from his loving gaze for long. “What do you want to do now, sunshine?”

The first thought that popped into my head made my cheeks burn and brought back those damn butterflies. The second thought reminded me to check the time.

Ah damn it. Curse must-watch binge-worthy television. Why must I always fall for your siren song of “just one more episode”?

“Not run errands, that’s for sure, but it’s getting late,” I said with a heavy sigh, banishing the butterflies and steamy thoughts to whence they came. “Groceries aren’t going to buy themselves, and I’ve got a bunch of other stuff I should get out of the way while I’m out too.” I sighed again, shoulders slumping.

Being a responsible adult dealing with all the responsible adult bullshit sucked sometimes. A lot of the time. Actually probably most of the time considering how many hours in a day got eaten up by a cringy job and entitled customers.

I twisted away from Jack and tried to stand, but his large muscular arms kept me locked up tighter than iron bars. I turned back to him with a questioning look, only to see him pouting at me.

“I know it’s important to be responsible, sunshine, but don’t you think you’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately?” he asked. “We have plenty of food to last a few more days, and you’ve been working overtime for the past five nights in a row. You come home too exhausted to do anything but sleep, then you go right back to work. It’s not good for you.”

“I know,” I said with a helpless shrug. “But what can I do about it? Bills aren’t going to pay themselves either.”

Jack adjusted his hold on me, not enough that I could slip free, but I could feel his hands glide slowly along my back, sending a shiver up my spine. “I know, but it’s just been so long since we’ve had any cuddle time,” he said, his pout making its way into his voice now.

I couldn’t help but chuckle a little at the way his lower lip jutted out just a little further. “You see me every day,” I teased, trying to lighten up the mood. “Besides, we woke up cuddling this morning, didn’t we? You sleep with me every night.”

“You’ve been too tired to cuddle lately,” Jack said, whining a little. “Even this morning, you didn’t really wake up until halfway through breakfast. This is the first chance in days that I’ve had to really have you all to myself.” He dipped his head down, closer to mine, and I couldn’t help but notice the way the TV’s gentle glow made his dark eyes shine. “I missed you, sunshine.”

His big soulful eyes tugged at my heartstrings, and his gentle caress along my back made me want to melt into him. “I missed you too,” I admitted after a moment. We couldn’t exactly talk when other people were around, and work had been too busy for us to even sneak a kiss without the risk of getting caught in the act.

 I was pretty sure Jack wouldn’t mind even if someone else could see him making out with me. In fact, I had a sneaking suspicion that he might even enjoy getting caught. Sometimes this man acted like he had no idea what it meant to feel shame.

Then again, Jack was always painted up like a clown 24/7. If he wasn’t embarrassed by the bright face paint or his silly jokes, then he probably didn’t know the meaning of the word.

Sometimes I wished that I could say the same. The idea of being seen making weird faces while holding onto the air left me feeling a level of cringe that not even the greeting at my job could match. It probably would be a kiss with tongue too knowing Jack.

The thought left me burning, both with mortification and the memory of the way his kisses made me feel.

Maybe it would be worth the embarrassment considering how good of a kisser Jack was.

As if reading my mind, Jack brushed his lips against mine, just a peck, but it was enough to snap my attention entirely to my boyfriend. “Then stay with me,” he said with a hint of desperation to his breathy voice. “Please?” He planted another kiss on my lips, just a little longer but still only a tantalizing taste of what he could offer me. “I need you.”

Jack finished off the last of my resistance by saying my name in that same pleading tone while looking at me with so much love and need in his beautiful dark brown eyes. His desperate voice and puppy dog eyes made me melt like cotton candy in water.

I gave in to him. I couldn’t help it. I was weak to him when he begged me like this, and I needed Jack just as badly as he needed me.

“Jack,” I sighed as I looped my arms around his neck and drew Jack in for another kiss. I could feel him smile against my lips, and he murmured my name again before his tongue slid into my mouth to get a taste of me.

Soon I was pinned against the couch, breathless and panting, with Jack looming above me. His arms were a cage that secured me there and ensured that I wasn’t leaving anytime soon. Not that I wanted to with the way his mouth moved along my neck, hot and wet. I couldn’t help but moan his name as he sucked on my skin, arching up into him.

Even before Jack started tugging at my shirt, I had a feeling that I wasn’t getting any errands done today, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Every touch, every kiss, and every murmur of my name along with sweet praise made the world around us fade away, until nothing else existed but the two of us and our love.

[rascals-forthememories]

Alex V. “Ajax” Johnson moodboard + random headcanons

🎸⋆➤Imagine him to be born in the early 80’s, ok 1988 which makes him a millennial of course, raised in very supportive but sassy asf parents, he could've been from the hood but he's too nice for hell. His momma is very good at coming up with insults, but she's got a very good voice, and dad is clever dude who knows life hacks n shi then they all moved to a citylife. He has to be a city boy...

🎸⋆➤He and Keegan were either childhood best friends bc they were neighbors, went to the same school, playing pranks and causing trouble but always having each other's backs. Their moms being friends is also a nice touch, maybe they even used to arrange play dates for them when they were younger.

🎸⋆➤Being a bit of a 90s video game nerd. Maybe he had a SNES and Genesis when he was a kid, and now as a teen he's moved on to the 360 or PlayStation. (challenging Jemima to random games or competitions, just to see who can be the more competitive) He might even have a Game Boy stashed away somewhere for all those late-night gaming sessions. He'd probably be the one to drag the others into retro gaming binges where they'd spend hours playing old school Mario or Zelda, until Merrick or Keegan finally puts a stop to it. Always trolling Keegan at Mariokartt, Ajax's goal isn't to win the race, his goal is to green shell Keegan in game.

🎸⋆➤Ajax as the 2nd bassist in the band, making it a duo with Keegan. Maybe they bonded over their mutual love for bass, spending hours practicing together and jamming out to their favourite songs. They could even have a friendly rivalry going on, trying to outdo each other during rehearsal and constantly one-upping each other's riffs and licks.

🎸⋆➤^And considering Ajax's "cheesy goofball" personality, I could see him always coming up with the cheesiest bass-related puns and jokes. Like when Keegan asks him to play a funky bass line, Ajax might respond with a cheesy line like "Oh, you want funk? I've got the funk, baby! I'll hit that note so hard, you'll hear it in your bones!" or "You want to make the bass sing? Well, I've got the perfect recipe - a pinch of slapping, a dash of popping, and a whole lot of attitude!"

🎸⋆➤Can beatbox decently but only to the point he can impress people who don't beatbox, not the crazy sounds. Hes just very good with rhythm and beat.

🎸⋆➤DEFINITELY be all over Keegan for having Jemíma, just picture him constantly teasing Keegan about her, saying things like "Hey, look who's got a pretty girl tagging along with him lately!" or "Hey, loverboy, can you spare a minute from your little date to focus on the music for once?" Maybe he'd even write a cheesy love song about Keegan and Jemima, just to get under Keegan's skin. "Love Ballad of the Bassists," anyone?

🎸⋆➤Ajax's bassist skills would pair with Keegan's - both of them are pretty damn good. But where Keegan is more technical and focused on precision and technical skill, Ajax would be wilder and more energetic, playing with raw energy and power.

🎸⋆➤Loves indie rock and the classic boy band sound of the Backstreet Boys. And the drummer covers are a great touch too! Maybe he stumbled across a video of a sick drum cover on YouTube one day and got hooked, spending hours watching and rewatching the performance and trying to mimic the insane beats. Now, he's a total drum cover enthusiast, always keeping an eye out for the latest and greatest covers on the internet. (Meanwhile, Merrick might roll his eyes at Ajax's love for drum covers, saying something like "Seriously, man? You're more obsessed with those drum covers than you are with actual music. But Ajax would just wave him off and say, "Hey, you're not the one playing the thunder-making instrument here)

🎸⋆➤Has a few other quirky habits and interests outside of music. Maybe a secret love for collecting vintage action figures or sports memorabilia, or a hidden talent for painting or drawing. A weird addiction to eating way too much chocolate or candy and strange obsession with collecting rare bands vinyl's like ''Yo check this out''. He’s also a bit of a wisecracker and loves to banter back and forth with his friends. Habit of accidentally dropping his bass during rehearsal and blaming it on the other guys, saying they spooked him or something.

[adobe-outdesign]

omg can you review the mighty poogle 🥺

The Poogle is one of those really abstract Neopets wherein it's just a Creature(TM). What kind of creature? Who knows. I guess they're meant to be vaguely dog-like (seeing as Poogle racing is a thing, and it does sound vaguely like "poodle"), but they really don't lean towards any one specific animal, which is always something I enjoy.

What makes Poogles appealing is undeniably how chubby they are; it makes them look extra cuddly and is part of what gives them their distinctive noses (or lack thereof) and double chins. It also comes with a bit of lore about them living primarily in cold-weather regions, kind of like how seals have blubber to keep them warm.

Beyond that, I also like their stripes; they break up the design just enough without feeling too distracting, similar to their underbellies. The shape of the stripes is also mimicked by their distinctive ears.

I will fully admit though: Poogles got the raw end of the deal when it comes to customization. Not the absolute worst conversion job, mind you, as for the most part they look pretty dang similar—same pose, same proportions, same markings, etc.

However, what got completely messed up is their faces. Originally, Poogles had a soft, fleshy snoot that had two sets of lines to indicate that it was mostly fat and that it went back in space a bit. Removing this upper line makes their snouts look hard, and also has the side effect of making their snout and even their entire head look too wide.

Likewise, the chin got messed up. The Poogle originally had a pretty distinct double chin/fat neck that, once again, showed how chubby they were. More importantly, their chin lines weren't closed off, so their heads bled directly into their bodies. On converted Poogles, they now just look like they have one weird normal chin instead of a chin and neck. The end result is actually kind of uncanny if you stare at them for too long. It's a shame, because like I said, everything else about the conversion works, and there was no reason to change the elements they did. They're still cute, mind you, just slightly less so.

Favorite colours:

MSP: Species-specific colors always tend to be iconic and a delight, and MSP Poogles certainly are no exception. They're basically the same thing as a regular plushie Poogle, except Evil(TM), with red eyes and a nasty set of sharp teeth (side note: canonically, all Poogles actually have sharp teeth; you just rarely see them). The unconverted version also is bipedal, unlike the regular unconverted plushie, which was quadrupedal.

Both converted and unconverted MSPs have a super fun chaotic gremlin energy to them, and both designs are good depending on which stance you prefer (I kind of like the converted quadrupedal, though granted, the loss of some stitching and extra softness is a bit of a shame.)

Toy: This color literally just released last month, but a toy Poogle based off of the good old iDog is just delightful. Even if you don't know anything about iDogs, the design is still good, with the eyes serving to complete a multi-colored hexagon that draws attention to the head, and the rest of the body considering of just a smooth off-white and black.

Zombie: The mindless eyes on this one are just absolutely delightful and give it a ton of personality. I also like the details, such as a few stitches here and there, a scraggly mouth, scratch lines against the usual stripes, and liver spots. As a bonus, it looks good both with PB clothing and without.

BONUS: I don't normally mention "recolor" Neopets as much on these reviews just because they tend to be mostly by-the-numbers, but the pastle Poogle is honestly gorgeous, with subtle gradients and a low-contrast blue and pink color scheme, helped by colored lineart. It's nothing fancy, but it's definitely one of the all-time best pastels out there.

[moonselune]

Wyll and a druid + ranger multiclass tav for a drabble?? Tav is really good at swordfighting so maybe she's asking him for styles or they're sparring

Ooo Ooo Wyll is actually the type of man I need in my life but have absolutely no hopes of finding xoxoxox

ANYWAY

Hope you like this :)

----

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the camp as you tightened the straps on your gauntlets. You were a formidable fighter, drawing on your blend of druidic wisdom and ranger agility, but tonight you sought a different kind of challenge, growing tired of Karlach's brashness and Lae'zel's criticality. You watched Wyll, the formidable "Blade of Frontiers," sharpening his sword with practiced ease and a thought bloomed in your mind.

"Mind if I join you?" Your voice broke the quiet, a hint of mischief in your tone as you slowly walked towards him. You had always admired him, his bravery, his gentility, his politeness, but now you were looking for something a bit more intimate in him.

Wyll looked up, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Thinking of adding some flair to your fighting style, Y/N?"

You grinned, your fingers dancing over the hilt of her sword. "Something like that. I could use a few pointers from the legendary Blade of Frontiers."

Wyll stood, stretching his muscles with a fluid grace that had you subconsciously staring. "Alright then, let's see what you've got."

You took your stances, eyes locked in mutual challenge. The first clash of their blades echoed through the camp, a symphony of skill and strength. You moved with the fluidity of the forest, your strikes precise and swift. Wyll countered with a blend of elegance and power, each motion a testament to his training.

"Not bad," Wyll teased, parrying a particularly fierce strike. "But you're holding back."

You smirked, your eyes narrowing. "You'd know if I wasn't. You seem to enjoy watching me train"

You lunged, pushing him back with a flurry of strikes that had him on the defensive. It hadn't helped him that he had become flustered at your comment.

Wyll's smile grew as he recovered, a flicker of admiration in his gaze. "That's more like it." He pivoted, his blade dancing through the air as he countered your attack, their proximity closing with each movement.

As the duel intensified, the air between you seemed to crackle with a different kind of energy. Each clash of your swords brought you closer, breaths mingling, eyes locked in an unspoken understanding. Your heart raced, not just from the exertion but from the flush that began to overtake you, the animal within you going primal.

Wyll's next move brought him dangerously close to you, your faces inches apart. "You fight well, Y/N," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

"Likewise," You replied, her voice barely above a whisper. You could feel the heat of his breath, the intensity in his gaze.

Your swords crossed again, but this time, instead of pulling away, you let the momentum bring you even closer. Wyll's hand found your waist, steadying you as he paused, the world narrowing to just the two of them.

"Careful, Wyll," You said softly, her lips curving into a playful smile. "You might make me think you like this."

Wyll chuckled, his grip tightening slightly. "And if I do?"

Their swords lowered, forgotten for the moment as you leaned in, you eyes flickering to his lips. "Then you'd better be ready to prove it."

With a boldness that matched your fighting spirit, you closed the distance, your lips brushing against Wyll's in a desperate kiss. For a moment, the duel was forgotten, replaced by pure desire.

When you finally pulled back, breathless and flushed, Wyll's grin was wider than ever. "Consider me challenged," he said, his voice husky.

You laughed softly, stepping back but not breaking their gaze. "Good. Because I'm not done with you yet, Blade of Frontiers."

[tenebraevesper]

Sonic Cyber Revolution, Entry 76: Destiny In Hand

''In a city veiled by dusk, beneath the dimming skies, he walks alone, his past a lock without a key. Fleeting whispers haunt him, echoes of soft cries, tangled tales spun in threads of mystery. This is who I am! This is WHO I AM! Illuminating the dark, lighting up the land! This is where I stand! This is WHERE I STAND! Forging through the night, with destiny in hand!''

– Destiny In Hand (What if AI made a "Shadow the Hedgehog" song?) by Retro Bird AI

xXxXxXx

Eclipse felt his heart racing as he found himself in the middle of the battlefield, with the Black Arms fighting the Irregular Hunters and ARMS agents. He summoned the Dark Laser, blasting his way through several Hunters who attempted to stop him and took flight with Dark Wing. He deeply regretted leaving his brethren to fight Neos City's defenders, wincing every time he sensed a soldier of the Black Arms falling at their hands. He wished that he could help them, but there was absolutely nothing he could do – not when he had direct orders from Black Doom to confront Shadow once again.

Eclipse frowned, gritting his teeth as he sensed a Black Macho, one of their strongest warriors, being taken down. He had no idea who had done it, having lost the connection before he could even find the culprit, but he could feel the rage growing within him. Even though the Black Arms were making progress in conquering Neos City, they were still losing soldiers, leaving Eclipse furious. This was his family and he had to watch them fall one by one, sacrificing their lives for the sake of protecting their race and finding them a suitable home.

''This is all Shadow's fault! If he wasn't so stubborn and loyal to that human, we would've already won and prevented unnecessary losses!'' Eclipse growled, now flying faster. Thanks to the hive mind, he could sense where Shadow was and even invade his mind from a distance, but he decided against it. Shadow still didn't know how the hive mind worked, which would allow Eclipse to ambush him. He hoped that this would allow him to take down Shadow, considering how the dark hedgehog was more powerful than him. Even if Eclipse could block his Chaos Powers with his mere presence, Shadow could still use his Doom Powers to fight back and Eclipse knew that his older brother had probably gathered enough experience using the Doom Powers. ''Even if I ambush him, he would still be able to overpower me. I need something that would give me the edge…''

Eclipse paused mid-air, suddenly sensing something,… something powerful. He flew towards this source of energy, realizing that it was originating from an abandoned building. He spotted a red glow, with a gem lying just behind the window. Eclipse pressed his hands against the glass, his eyes wide as he realized what he was staring at. ''The Chaos Emerald… I found it! I found it!'' He grinned, feeling the excitement growing. ''Black Doom will be so pleased with this!''

Energy crackled in Eclipse's fist and he shattered the glass, grabbing the red Chaos Emerald and gazing at its magnificence. He could feel its power surging through his own body, jolts of energy that would spike whenever he attempted to draw more from the gem. Eclipse's first thought was to bring it to Black Doom. Sure, Shadow was supposed to be the one who gathered all the Chaos Emeralds, but Eclipse figured that the Black Arms would benefit from having a Chaos Emerald found by someone who was actually loyal to them.

Eclipse frowned, recalling Touka's words. He had no doubt that Shadow would eventually join the Black Arms, but the way things were going, it became more and more clear to him that Black Doom would have to force Shadow to stand with them. Eclipse wasn't sure how to feel about this scenario. He knew that the Black Arms were Black Doom's arms and legs, with him being the only one with a sense of individuality, but that didn't make them less of a family. But, now he had encountered another person who was similar to him – a Black Arms alien, but also his own individual – and he wondered whether Black Doom would go too far if he made Shadow his a soldier this way.

Eclipse shivered, aware how Black Doom wasn't someone who would easily forgive betrayal and, even if Shadow's behavior personally frustrated him a lot, Eclipse still hoped that Black Doom wouldn't punish his older brother or even kill him off outright. He believed that there was still hope for Shadow, and now that he had a Chaos Emerald, he was certain that he would be able to reach his goal.

''But, first…'' Eclipse gazed down at the street, having taken note of several Irregulars, lead by a white kitsune, fighting against the Black Arms. ''I need to see what damage I can do with the Chaos Emerald.''

He flew towards them, making sure to stay out of their sight. Fortunately for him, the small group of Irregulars, led by Shiro, was too focused on the Black Arms to even notice the little alien above them. Shiro waved her fan in one swift movement, unleashing blue flames upon the Black Arms and burning them, with the rest of the Irregulars attacking them to finish them off.

''Don't let any of them escape!'' Shiro ordered the aggressive Irregulars as they took several aliens down and rushed towards a Black Assassin, which suddenly teleported, then fired from its laser-type handgun weapon. However, Shiro was much faster, sending out a fiery tornado with a swing of her fan, burning the Black Assassin to ashes. That alien was quite durable, but fortunately, Shiro was strong enough to deal with them.

What she didn't expect was to suddenly being attacked by a barrage of energy spears from above. She gasped in surprise, doing her best to dodge all of the energy spears, only to get caught by one of them, sending her flying and hitting the ground hard. She felt a surge of pain, but managed to lift her head to see a winged imp-like alien hovering above her while holding a red gem.

''This is the power of the Black Arms! If you dare to defy us, we will destroy all of you!'' Eclipse told her.

''I don't care who you are! You are on our turf and we won't let you steal our BioEnergy- agh!''

Shiro stared in horror as one of the Irregulars was hit with a spear of energy right in the chest, falling over dead. Eclipse's gold eyes were glowing, with red energy sparking in his hand as he looked down on them. The Black Arms regrouped, going after the other Irregulars, while Eclipse turned to Shiro, who just realized she was about to die. However, given how Eclipse appeared to be more self-aware than the other Black Arms soldiers, she knew that she had to keep him talking.

''Look, we've been here much longer before you. It is only natural for two very different groups who with the same goal to clash,'' Shiro started, causing Eclipse to pause. The little alien smirked, aware that the kitsune was terrified of him and was trying to stall.

''You were destroying my family. Why would you think that I would let you go so easily?'' Eclipse responded. Shiro's breaths were shallow, her heart racing when she saw an energy spear forming in Eclipse's hand, this one being even more powerful than the previous. She knew she only had once chance to escape.

Eclipse fired the Chaos Spear at Shiro just as the kitsune swung her fan once again, creating a wall of blue flames that didn't stop the energy spear from passing through, but it as enough of a distraction for Shiro to create an illusion of herself and get away. Eclipse was left baffled when the illusion disappeared, but he didn't care too much. After all, the kitsune was too weak to pose any danger to him and he figured that she learned her lesson of avoiding the Black Arms.

Instead, he focused on his goal of finding Shadow, flying off into the distance.

xXx

Tails fired another blast from his laser gun at the nearest Black Arms alien, allowing him and Warren to pass through the street. The two had left CyExLabs a while ago, having decided to join the rest of Team Neos who were fighting against the alien invasion. They had already sent Lucas all of the information they could gather, so this was all they could do for now. Or, that's what they thought, because not too far away from them was Dr. Eggman driving in his EggMobile, and a simple glance and nod was enough for the duo to confirm that they wanted to follow him. Lucas had told them that Eggman was up to something, but he wasn't sure what it was, so this was their opportunity to gather more information.

''Damned aliens, getting in my way-'' Eggman growled as another flying alien swooped down on him, about to retaliate when a laser blast took it down. Stunned, he looked around, only to spot Tails and Warren following him; Tails flying while Warren was on his hoverboard. ''Prower and Taylor, I haven't expected you two to show up.''

''Let's skip to the chase, Eggman,'' Tails interrupted him. ''We saw the Badniks and we know you're up to something.''

''Why would you think I'm up to something?'' Eggman asked innocently. ''I'm merely performing my duty of protecting my city from the alien invasion.''

''Your city?'' Warren rose an eyebrow, both him and Tails giving the Doctor an exasperated look.

''Well, I'm living here,'' Eggman protested. Tails and Warren decided to let this one go, as they had no time for arguments.

''Never mind, what's your game plan?'' Warren asked. ''Even with Shadow gathering the Chaos Emerald, we still have to deal with the fact that, once the Black Comet appears, there won't be anything we can use to destroy it.''

''I see that you two have already thought so far ahead, but I went even a step further,'' Eggman replied proudly. ''I alone hold the solution to our problem.''

''What is it?'' Tails asked.

''You'll soon know, but first – I'm sure that you have noticed how the environment changes in phases,'' Eggman said, with Tails and Warren nodding. ''There should be one last phase that, according to my very precise calculations, will allow for the Black Comet to finally appear. However, that won't be the only celestial object in the sky once I'm done.''

''What are you-? Wait-'' Warren paused, gathering his thoughts, while Eggman gave him a gleeful look. ''You're talking about Space Colony ARK.''

''More precisely, I'm talking about the Eclipse Cannon,'' Eggman replied, leaning over the EggMobile. ''Even if Shadow goes Super, there is still not guarantee that he'll be able to destroy all of the Black Arms or the Black Comet.''

''Then we're coming with you,'' Tails said in a resolute tone. ''Even if you're honest about using it to destroy the Black Coment, we can't trust you that you won't be using it against Neos City.''

''Eh, whatever- If you want to come along, then better keep up,'' Eggman said. Tails and Warren were a bit taken aback by this response, but followed him nonetheless.

xXx

Silver took a deep breath of relief, noting how he, Makoto and the Babylon Rogues had managed to clear out the area they were at, defeating the Black Arms, but it was clear that there were still more to come. He turned to his partner. ''Where do we go next?''

''I'm not sure. The most we can do is to keep on fighting the Black Arms until we get a message from Lucas,'' Makoto said, shrugging.

''Doesn't Lucas have some kind of a plan?'' Chase asked, raising an eyebrow.

''Of course he does, but that plan depends on Shadow finding all of the Chaos Emeralds,'' Makoto answered.

''All Shadow wants is to defeat Black Doom and save Touka,'' Silver added, clenching his fist and giving the Babylon Rogues a resolute look. ''Even if there is no set plan, we will still do our best to support him.''

''I guess we're lucky it's just the Black Arms,'' Wave said, leaning against her huge wrench, having used it to beat up the aliens. Suddenly, a purple mass started to spread through the street, looking like a massive shadow that consumed everything in its sight.

''You just had to jinx us,'' Rika grumbled, glaring at Wave. Before the swallow could even respond, the Babylon Rogues got suddenly separated from Makoto and Silver via a massive crystal wall that appeared from the ground, followed by a ring of fire.

''Agh, what's going on?!'' Jet shouted, backing away from the flames. Fortunately for them, the flames dissipated and the crystal wall shattered, leaving a giant outline in the street that was still covered in the purple, shadow-like mass, with one figure standing right in the center of it.

''Mephiles!''

Makoto and Silver glared daggers at the dark shadow, who in turn was quite pleased to see them.

''Even if Black Doom had laid claim on Neos City and its inhabitants, that doesn't mean that I won't cast my own shadow,'' Mephiles said, his gaze fixed on Silver.

Silver gritted his teeth, feeling the rage bubbling within him. Not only was Neos City in danger due to the Black Arms, but Mephiles, the one responsible for the city's future demise, was also here to cause further chaos. Silver refused to allow this, surrounding himself with cyan energy and flying into the air as he confronted Mephiles.

''I won't let you destroy Neos City! Not now, not in the future! Never!'' Silver growled, his gold eyes glowing cyan as he sensed Makoto sharing his own BioEnergy thanks to Chaos Surge. Despite fighting the whole day and holding back the Black Arms army, the teenager still had enough strength to share it with him. Mephiles laughed darkly, his amused tone sending chills down everyone's spines.

''You? You are too naive to even comprehend the force you're trying to defeat,'' Mephiles responded, stretching his arms out as dark flames started to swirl around his body. ''But if you insist, then I shall give you a demonstration!''

There was a chilling roar as the flames built up into a raging inferno. To Silver, Makoto and the Babylon Rogues' horror, an entity that could only be described as a fire demon emerged from the inferno, its humanoid body a mess of fire, lava and stone.

''Iblis…'' Makoto muttered, his eyes wide in horror. It was one thing to fight Mephiles, but both Mephiles and Iblis?! If they merged together, this would become a suicide mission. He exchanged glances with Silver, who was just as shocked to see Mephiles unleash Iblis, but his this shock was quickly replaced by a resolute look. Both nodded, understanding the message. It didn't matter what kind of opponent they'd face, they would do everything in their power to protect Neos City.

''Uh, Boss, what's that?!'' Storm asked, pointing at Iblis. Jet had no answer, having never seen anything like that monster before, with Chase taking over.

''That monster is called Iblis, and if it merges together with Mephiles to create Solaris… Well, we're all basically doomed,'' Chase explained.

''Are these two really going to fight it?'' Arven asked, pointing at Makoto and Silver. ''That's crazy!''

''What else are they going to do?!'' Rika interrupted in frustration. ''We can't just throw a wrench at it!''

''Speaking of which, what are we going to do?'' Jet suddenly asked, with the group exchanging unnerved glances. It was one thing to fight the Black Arms, who were just alien soldiers, but Mephiles and Iblis were way out of their power level.

This battle now depended on Silver and Makoto.

xXx

''Do you sense anything?'' Rouge asked Shadow, taking note of the frown on his expression. Omega, on the other hand, was celebrating taking down a Hammer Oak.

''It should be here, but…'' Shadow furrowed a brow, suddenly turning around. Both Rouge and Omega were alert, realizing that something was wrong. The three quickly dodged a barrage of Chaos Spears, scattering around the street. Shadow looked up, spotting a familiar figure flying above him. He growled. ''Eclipse!''

''Hello, brother! Going by your reaction, you seem to be quite happy to see me!'' Eclipse grinned, teasing the dark hedgehog, while Shadow just glared at him.

''Uh, Shadow, who is this and why is he calling you his brother?'' Rouge asked.

''My sensors are telling me that this creature is a Black Arms alien,'' Omega said. ''The only connection between them is their shared DNA.'' He turned to Shadow. ''Shadow, do you want me to stop this family reunion with fire?''

''Hey, I am still here!'' Eclipse shouted, annoyed at being ignored. Shadow smirked, having to admit that it was a little amusing to see Eclipse getting so annoyed, but his smirk dropped the moment he sensed the Chaos Emerald in Eclipse's hands. ''You couldn't have even bothered to tell your friends about your family. I'm disappointed, Shadow.'' He then turned to Rouge and Omega. ''I don't think you'll live long enough to get to know me better, but still – I am Eclipse the Darkling, The Ultimate Alien!''

Shadow scoffed. ''I have defeated you once and I will do so again. Now, hand over the Chaos Emerald!''

''Only because you defeat me once doesn't mean that I'm going to bow to your whims,'' Eclipse replied, glaring at Shadow. ''If you want the Chaos Emerald, then join the Black Arms.'' Shadow's response was a Chaos Spear to the face, which Eclipse managed to fortunately dodge. The little alien shot a glare at his older brother, gritting his teeth. ''If you're going to be so stubborn, fine! I'll defeat you and drag you to the Black Comet myself!''

Shadow snapped his fingers in an attempt to create another Chaos Spear, only for the energy to fizzle out, realizing that Eclipse was once again blocking his Chaos Energy. He narrowed his eyes, aware he would have to rely on his Doom Powers. The familiar sense of tearing in his back had returned as his massive black and red wings emerged, but at this point, he was used to the pain he felt. He charged into the sky, lunging at Eclipse. The little alien flew up, turning the whole battle into an aerial chase, with the two leaving Rouge and Omega behind.

''Should we do something? I want to eliminate Eclipse, but it seems that Shadow is more suitable for that,'' Omega asked.

''I think we should leave the two to their family reunion. If something goes wrong, we'll interfere,'' Rouge replied, smiling. ''After all, Shadow knows who his real family is.''

Meanwhile, Shadow was chasing Eclipse between the buildings, the little alien managing to maneuver between them expertly, hoping that he would somehow lose Shadow and ambush him once again. He didn't get too far, as Shadow fired several Doom Spears at him, forcing Eclipse to dodge and fly upwards, noting just how relentless his older brother was. He managed to turn around, firing a barrage of Chaos Emerald-powered Chaos Spears at Shadow, but the latter evaded them. It was clear that at this point, Shadow got used to his Doom Powers, enough to use them as if he had been using them his whole life. That put a damper in Eclipse's plans, but he wasn't giving up.

Shadow continued his assault, even when Eclipse suddenly dove towards him. His eyes widened in surprise when Eclipse suddenly disappeared in a flash of light, and he turned around, only to get hit with an energy blast close range and fall.

Eclipse smirked in satisfaction, having used Chaos Snap to get behind Shadow and use his Dark Laser to get a hit on him. He then flew after the dark hedgehog, attempting to grab him, but Shadow suddenly turned around mid-air, firing a Doom Spear right at Eclipse's hand. The little alien cried out in pain, suddenly dropping the Chaos Emerald. They locked eyes for a moment, only for both of them to dive after the plummeting Chaos Emerald.

Shadow was closer to it, noting how the gem was falling towards Cosmo River, but as he tried to reach it, Eclipse suddenly used Chaos Snap to catch the Chaos Emerald right before it could fall into the river and quickly disappeared in a flash of light, forcing Shadow to land on the water surface, using Doom Surf to steady himself. He looked up, glaring at Eclipse, who was hovering just above him, smirking.

Suddenly, Eclipse pointed one had at Shadow, with the dark hedgehog forcing the black manta-ray creature keeping him afloat to move, escaping the devastating sonic blast and charging towards the little alien. He leapt into the air, managing to clock Eclipse in the face, with the little alien stumbling back, but still staying in the air as Shadow went for a kick. He blocked it with his free hand, only to get hit by Doom Spear from up close. Eclipse took the hit, feeling waves of pain spreading from his chest and through his body, but still kept a tight grip on the Chaos Emerald.

Before he could even recover, Shadow followed up with a barrage of punches and kicks, culminating into a powerful Doom Blast that sent Eclipse flying and crashing into a building. Shadow flew into the room, taking note of the shattered glass and Eclipse lying on the floor, the red Chaos Emerald lying between the two. He scoffed, walking towards the Chaos Emerald, only to get stopped in his tracks by a Chaos Spear from Eclipse.

''I have to hand it to you – you're stubborn,'' Shadow said, staring at Eclipse.

''At least you're acknowledging that we have something in common,'' Eclipse replied, breathing heavily as he sat up. Shadow paused.

''It's the only thing we have in common,'' he stated. Eclipse frowned.

''What about family? Fine, I get it, you hate me and won't acknowledge me as your brother, but I know that human, Touka, is your sister and you're loyal to her,'' Eclipse said, slowly getting up.

''You're correct,'' Shadow replied, wondering where Eclipse was going with this.

''I have talked to her,'' Eclipse suddenly said, taking note of the brief look of surprise on Shadow's expression. The surprise was swiftly replaced with anger.

''If you tried to harm her in any way…'' Shadow growled, with Eclipse feeling a chill flowing down his spine as he tried hard not to look at his clawed hand.

''What I meant to say is that I understand your loyalty towards her. She was quite fierce about protecting you,'' Eclipse explained. ''It's a shame she also isn't Black Arms.''

''She is much better than all of you combined!'' Shadow snarled. ''I doubt that you will ever understand why I will always pick Touka over you. You can tell Black Doom the same.''

''Our father knows what is best for our kind…'' Eclipse started, annoyed when he heard the mocking tone Shadow used when addressing the alien warlord.

''Black Doom is nothing more but an obstacle in my path. He decided to conquer this world, the world I protect for Touka's sake, and I will make sure that he will fall for daring to make this grave mistake,'' Shadow responded in a firm tone, taking a step forward as his crimson eyes started to glow. Energy crackled in Eclipse's hand, and he moved, trying to punch Shadow, only for his hand to go through air as Shadow ducked, kicking Eclipse in the chest and sending him flying back. The little alien landed with a thud on the floor, allowing Shadow to take the red Chaos Emerald for himself. He then turned on his heel, walking away.

''Sh-Shadow…'' Eclipse called out for him, with Shadow stopping and glancing back. It appeared that Eclipse wasn't done yet, despite the injuries he had suffered. He once again got up, arm pressing over his stomach. ''Maybe, I can't stop you, but Father will… He will punish you for this.''

''Hmph. I will be the one to judge Black Doom,'' Shadow replied, his dark wings vanishing as he leapt out of the building, using Doom Morph to get down to the street. Eclipse felt his legs give in and he fell on the floor, exhausted and hurt.

The sense of coldness washed over him as it finally hit him that he lost the Chaos Emerald to Shadow, despite having managed to claim it for the Black Arms. If Black Doom ever learned about this, Eclipse could only pray that he remained alive. Not only that, but Shadow was firm in his decision to stand against the Black Arms, with Eclipse even wondering if it was worth using the hive mind to force his control over Shadow. However, at this point, he was too tired to even focus. He only had enough remaining energy to return to the Black Comet.

''What should I do? I can't let Black Doom know what happened… But, he will know since that is how the hive mind works,'' Eclipse muttered under his breath, feeling the panic set in. As much as he respected his father, he couldn't deny that he also feared him. Black Doom was unforgiving when it came to failure, especially a massive one like this.

The Black Arms was a violent and hive-minded race of extraterrestrial beings created and led by Black Doom. Even though Eclipse considered his race a huge family, he knew damn well that Black Doom was the one who controlled who remained alive and who died. If Black Doom felt that Eclipse was no longer useful, he would get rid off him, one way or another.

''I took a risk in creating you. Do not disappoint me, Eclipse!''

Those were the first words he heard from Black Doom, and they still echoed in his mind, leaving him anxious. He wanted to make his father proud more than anything else, but any control he had was lost. While Shadow soared, having a family and friends who supported him, Eclipse was left behind, watching his own family getting mercilessly decimated and his father not caring whether he'd survive or not. Eclipse forced himself to stand up despite his injuries, taking a deep breath and vanishing in a flash of light.

''What happens next doesn't matter anymore. I will get my revenge on Shadow, regardless of the cost!''

xXx

Touka furrowed a brow as she saw who entered the chamber where she was kept at. It appeared that Black Doom personally decided to grace her with his presence. The alien overlord stared at her silently, his three glowing red eyes almost boring into her, as if he was trying to read her thoughts.

''Too bad for you that I'm not part of the hive mind,'' Touka suddenly said, glaring at the alien overlord. To her surprise, Black Doom seemed to be more amused by her comment, correctly guessing what she was thinking.

''I have no need for a pathetic human among my ranks,'' Black Doom replied, only to pause for a moment. ''Still, I am aware that you do have some use thanks to your BioEnergy.''

Touka kept quiet, wondering just how much Black Doom and the Black Arms even knew about BioEnergy. She knew that they wanted to use humans as a food source and that they were Irregulars, but she got the impression that this food source was more eating humanity and less using them for their BioEnergy. ''How much did Toshiro and Mephiles tell you?''

Black Doom had to admit that it was impressive how this mere human managed to immediately assess the situation. Indeed, he wasn't privy to that particular information of the existence of BioEnergy, and Toshiro and Mephiles told him everything he needed to know. Admittedly, he couldn't care less about BioEnergy, as his true goal was taking the Chaos Emeralds, but he did grow interested in an alternative energy source now that Shadow was close to delivering them.

''They told me enough,'' Black Doom replied. ''Once you're no longer useful as a lure for Shadow, I might just take all of your BioEnergy.''

''I'd prefer for Shadow to just absorb my BioEnergy,'' Touka replied in a firm tone.

''Maybe I'll let him do that once he is under my control. It would be quite poetic for Shadow to end the life of someone he loves,'' Black Doom said. Touka's eyes narrowed.

''Speaking of Shadow, you were the one who contributed to Shadow's creation, right? You were the one Prof. Sakamoto mentioned,'' Touka asked.

''The only one I had ever assisted was Prof. Gerald Robotnik. I don't know anyone called Prof. Sakamoto,'' Black Doom responded, his reply surprising Touka. ''However, I know this. There is more than one Shadow.'' His eyes glowed menacingly. ''One has already escaped my grasp. This one won't be so lucky.''

Touka stared at Black Doom, completely baffled, if not even intimidated. Black Doom was pleased to see this kind of emotion coming from her. He chuckled darkly, leaving the chamber and Touka alone. The teenager was both confused and perturbed by the information, but the more she thought about it, the more she understood.

Black Doom – and by extension the Black Arms – was an Irregular, that was obvious. However, it appeared that his situation was different from that of other Irregulars. He was aware of the video game reality and that there were two versions of Shadow – one being video game Shadow and the other being Irregular Shadow. It was clear that this Black Doom wasn't well informed about the reality of Irregulars, preferring to take a more familiar route his video game self had taken.

''If the situation is really like what I had assumed, then I fear what the resolution might be.''

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[dinoace2]

Little Matchmaker

Brief barret x reader fic because my man deserves love and yall are cowards

Post ff7, i...don't think there are any spoilers? Wholesome stuff because I felt like it, ~1.1k words, reader's a she

(A/N: is this how second person works? This is a first attempt)

~~~~

You joined Cloud and his friends on their journey to save Gaia, and after the fact, it didn't hurt to keep in touch. You helped out at the renovated Seventh Heaven when you could, and, oddly enough, you found yourself drawing closer to the young Marlene.

She was adorable, and so innocent and sweet. Although shy at first, she opened up more and more with each passing day. Nowadays, she practically considered you family.

Each time you came back to the bar, every day that you finished whatever odd job you took on, Marlene was the first to greet you. With a giggle and a smile, the girl would rush to your side, arms out for a hug. As long as you weren't completely exhausted, your standard response was to scoop her up in a big snuggle.

Unseen to you, these interactions always brought a smile to someone's face.

Barret stood leaning against a doorway, arms crossed and a gentle smile on his lips. Seeing his daughter so happy gave him a sense of ease. To him, it meant things were finally turning up. It meant that the idea of a peaceful future was more than just a fantasy. It meant that he might not have to spend his entire life fighting for change.

You were special to him, for more reasons than one.

Of course, he loved that you were a source of support and joy for his little girl, but lately he...began to think about something more.

You had spent so much time together on the road, alongside everyone else of course. Acquaintances, then allies, then friends, and now...

Now he wasn't so sure.

When did it start, that he began to notice the endearing smile on your face whenever you came by? When did he start to see the glimmer in your gorgeous eyes, a hopeful look for a bright future?

When did he realize his heart began to race in your presence?

When did he first notice that, the person he'd been traveling with, fighting alongside, and, frankly, trusting with his life on a regular basis, could perhaps be something more?

In truth, he could probably only mark it up to the fact that Marlene looked so happy when you were around.

He'd never really thought much about love or anything like that. Up til now, there was always some kind of danger or threat or something to fight for, and now that there was peace? It actually left space to think about something else.

He watched his daughter take you by the hand and lead you outside to play, and smiled as he took a seat at the bar. Tifa set a glass in front of him. "Are you ever gonna tell her?"

He looked at her, a confused look on his face as he took his glass. "Whaddaya mean?"

She chuckled. "Come on, I know you aren't totally oblivious. You light up every time she walks in here."

Barret rolled his eyes. "I dont 'light up' for anyone. I mean...'cept for Marlene." He shrugged.

Tifa only smiled. "Alright then. Do you want a refill?"

A while later, when you and Marlene finally came in for a break from your playing, you both sat at the bar, and Tifa presented both of you with a fresh glass of ice-cold lemonade.

You smiled, taking the glass with a sigh. "Thanks, Tifa. This kiddo here can race fast when she wants to...where's all that energy come from, anyway?" You ruffled the girl's hair and she giggled.

You looked at the only other guest in the building, and you waved. "How have you been, Barret?"

He couldn't help but smile at you. "Oh, i- uh. I'm doin' alright. How are you?" Tifa chuckled at his response, and he only glared back at her.

Marlene set her glass down, then walked up to Barret and put her hands on her hips. "Daddy, you need to ask Miss (y/n) on a date!"

You and Barret both choked on your drinks at the same time, attention very quickly shifting to the little girl in front of you.

Barret chuckled nervously. "Um. I. Sweetheart, where'd that even come from?"

"Well all the time you're talking about how nice and amazing and pretty she is!" She crossed her arms.

His eyes went wide. "I-, heh, i...that was supposed to be secret words, princess..." his eyes darted between you and her, almost seeming nervous.

She turned back to you. "And when we play together you always sit on the swings and gush about how great Daddy is!"

You froze. Had you really done it that much? Maybe a couple times here and there, just as a way of finding something you and her could agree on, her dad is pretty incredible after all. Perhaps it slipped your mind how often you brought it up, but...you never talked that much with her about your feelings for him....did you? Your cheeks flushed, your face felt hot. How embarrassing, to have been utterly exposed by a seven-year-old to someone you looked up to so much.

Marlene took you by the hand and walked you over, so that you stood closer to Barret than before. "You like her, and she likes you, and also I like her a lot! I think she'd be a good Mama!"

With every word she said, you were somewhere between melting out of excitement and happiness, and wanting to curl up and shrink away out of embarrassment.

Tifa looked on at the awkward display, and broke the silence with a chuckle. "Well, no arguing with that logic, huh?"

You turned to her with the most 'shut. UP!' glare in your eyes, and she only replied with a shrug and a smile.

Barret sighed and took a long breath, standing up. "Alright...uh. well..." he cleared his throat. "Um. (y/n), uh." He gestured his hand and fidgeted a bit. "Will you....uh. will..." he let out a long sigh. "....willyougoonadatewithme‐"

You paused, shocked for a moment. Barret Wallace, among the strongest men you'd ever met, reduced to nervous mumbles and shaky fidgets. That was never a sight you could have expected, but...it wasn't necessarily something you didn't find amusing.

You smiled. "Sorry, what was that? I couldn't quite hear you."

He paused, grumbled under his breath for a moment, then sighed. "I, uh. Would you...like to get dinner with me...sometime soon?"

You couldn't help but giggle, and you reached out to take his hand.

"I'd love to."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading! :]

[orithyia-eriphyle]

Drive

Chapter 2: Close Previous Masterlist Next

Word Count: 3.1k

Stray Kids x Fem!Reader (Street Racing AU)

Synopsis: You figured making one new friend since your move would be enough for a while, but apparently you need more. The barista at your local coffee shop seems relatively persistent in being your friend… and who are you to stop him?

A/n: Can you guys tell I watched Tokyo Drift before writing this chapter?

Later that night you and Minho were sitting on his couch, gazing at the shitty action movie on the TV. The two of you constantly poking fun at the less-than-great acting and unimpressive special effects. Soonie was sleeping quietly on your lap, your fingers running through his fur as he slept.

“How long have you been in Seoul?” Minho said, breaking the silence. You looked over at the man to find him already staring at you.

 “I actually just got here yesterday.” You paused, “It would be nice for someone to show me around.” You said with a cheeky smile. Minho’s lips quirked up into a half-smile, a breathy chuckle leaving his lips. 

“That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” He replied, his question rhetorical. You rolled your eyes, a smile still plastered to your face as you turned your attention back to the TV. 

“How about this weekend?” Minho suddenly spoke again. 

“What do you mean?” Minho deadpanned at your oblivious questioning. 

“I meant how about I show you around this weekend.” He said, looking down at the gray cat in his lap and scratching it in between the ears. 

“I would enjoy that, actually.” The two of you smiled at each other before continuing the movie.

You and Minho had talked through most of the night, only leaving his apartment when you realized it was nearly 1:00 AM. You went to bed that night happier than usual. You tend to struggle with making friends but maybe this move will turn things around for you.

You spent the next morning looking for jobs online. Although you got paid well for racing, it wasn’t a steady flow of income. You then got ready to go out, you needed to actually shop for groceries or else you would starve and you can’t live off of fast food forever. 

Before going to the grocery store, you stopped at a nearby cafe. You weren’t particularly fond of coffee but staying up so late with Minho last night drained your energy. 

You rolled into the parking lot, checking your side view mirrors to make sure you weren’t too close to the lines. You took your keys out of the ignition, the loud music that rocked your car coming to an abrupt stop. You stepped out of your car, shutting and locking the doors. The bell above the door rang out as you entered, the staff behind the counter looking momentarily before getting back to work. The cafe wasn’t bustling considering it was around noon.

You stood back from the counter in order to look at the menu, looking for something to get you through the rest of the afternoon. You looked back down to see the man behind the counter already looking at you. His fluffy brown hair is not styled, and his large brown eyes and full cheeks draw you in. ‘Is every man in Seoul this attractive or am I just lucky?’ You thought to yourself as you stepped forward to order.

“Hello! What can I get for you?” The man said with much more enthusiasm than you were expecting. 

“Hello.” You spoke, offering a small smile, “Could I get an iced americano, and  two cookies and cream cake pops please?” The man nodded and typed your order into the screen before him. 

“And your name please?” 

“(Y/n).” You said, handing over your card for the man to swipe. He handed it back to you with a smile, 

“Your order will be out momentarily!” You nodded and thanked him with a polite smile, walking to one of the smaller tables to sit and wait.

While waiting for your order you looked around the cafe, taking in the soft browns and greens. The place was warm but not unbearable, the smell of coffee and baked goods filtered through the air. You looked towards the counter, catching the barista who took your order staring at you. You quirked a brow at him, his head whipping around to get back to work. ‘Cute.’ You thought, looking at your phone to see a text from Jeongin.

You came here for “work” opportunities, right? There’s a race tonight. I’ll send you the time and place.

Below was the address and time. ‘The audacity of this kid.’ He used to be the first-year you tutored during your second to last year of high school, but now he’s sending you details for your less-than-legal job. Of course, he was your best friend but he lost that title after he moved across the country and ghosted you. 

You thought for a moment before replying.

I’ll see you there.

“(Y/n)?” You looked up at the call of your name to see the barista from earlier standing at the counter and holding your order in his hands. You stood from your seat and approached the counter, holding out your hands to take the food from the man. As you were collecting your food the man spoke up, “Uhm, is that your BRZ parked outside?” He said, clearly a little nervous to be asking. You smiled slightly. 

“Yeah. You like it?” 

The man turned his head to you with wide eyes, “Like it? That’s one of the nicest cars I’ve ever seen!” He said, his lips breaking into a smile. 

“Oh yeah? How come it’s not the nicest?” You questioned teasingly. The man’s smile shifted into a smirk, his demeanor changing almost wholly. 

“Personally, I’m biased toward the Nissan 350Z you’re parked next to.” You looked out the window to gaze upon the bright red car that greatly contrasted your jet-black one. 

You smiled and turned your head back to the man, “Well I still like mine better but I get the appeal.” You said, walking towards the door. You were about to exit before a shout stopped you. The man rubbed his neck sheepishly, clearly a little embarrassed for shouting. 

“I’m Jisung by the way.” He said with what looked to be a hopeful smile. You chuckled softly, “It’s nice to meet you, Jisung. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” You said with a coy smile. Jisung nodded rapidly, waving goodbye enthusiastically as you left. 

That night you stood in your bedroom contemplating what to wear. You wanted to dress to impress but not look like you were trying too hard.

You ended up going with some baggy gray cargo pants and a cropped graphic t-shirt. You finished off the look with some Run Star Hike Platform Converse in black. Although the platforms made it harder to tell how much pressure you were putting on the pedal initially, you had gotten used to it. 

The location of the race wasn’t that far from your apartments. You rolled through the crowd of people in cars, taking note of the different types of cars present. You looked to the right and saw a nice Mitsubishi Lancer with a white exterior. You parked your car next to it, paying extra mind to the mingling around you. 

You got out of your car, the steel rings on your fingers clinking against the door of the car as you closed it. People stared at you, or really your car as they walked by. You were a new face, fresh meat. 

“I didn’t take you for the racing type.”

You turned toward your left at the sound of the familiar voice. 

Minho stood next to you, his arms crossed over his chest. 

“Well, I don’t usually like to keep my illegal endeavors out on display for everyone.” You replied, looking him up and down and definitely not focusing on how good those leather pants made his thighs look. 

“Noona!” A shout rang out from behind the two of you. 

Jeongin came jogging towards you, stopping to stand in front of you. “I honestly thought you were going to bail on me.” He spoke, slightly out of breath after having been looking for you for nearly thirty minutes.

“Now when have I ever disappointed you, Innie?” You said, a coy smile plastered on your face. 

Minho glances between the two of you, taking note of your closeness. Jeongin was standing awfully close and you two addressed each other with familiarity, so you were obviously close to some degree. 

“I take it you two already know each other?” The older man asked, cocking a brow.

“Know each other? I was the sole reason he made it through high school.” You teased, nudging the younger boy beside you. 

“That’s not true and you know it,” Jeongin stated, a faux frown on his face. 

Minho nodded and focused his attention on you. “Are you racing tonight?” He asked and looked around at all the other cars in the area.

“I am. I wanna see how I compare to the Seoul group.” You said, turning to pop open the hood of your car and give everything one last check. 

Minho smirked and uncrossed his arms.

“Well, then I guess I’ll be seeing you at the starting line, princess.”

“I’m going to give you a warning, Noona. Minho doesn’t play.” Jeongin said as you got into the driver’s seat of your car.

“Good. I don’t either.” You replied coolly, putting your keys into the ignition and starting the car. 

“I’m serious, Noona. Minho is really good.” He replied, stressing certain parts of his sentence.

You put your hands on the wheel and turned your head to look up at Jeongin, his arms resting on your open window. “Have a little more faith in me, Innie. I don’t expect myself to win. My ego isn’t that big.”

You paused before continuing, “But I’m also a lot better than you seem to think I am.”

You rolled up to the drawn-up line, Minho not far behind you. Your windows were down so you took the chance to look at the handsome man. The slope of his nose and the cut of his jaw were accentuated by the bright streetlights. He turned his head to the right to look at you. Luckily, you were smart enough to hit the ‘sports mode’ button on your center console before starting the race as it would help you to accelerate faster. 

“Loser buys dinner this weekend?” He said, a slight grin painted on his features. 

“You have yourself a deal, pretty boy.” You responded, your own grin present.

A woman walked up, standing between your two cars. Her shirt was short and her skirt even shorter. 

“Listen up! I want a clean race, you two.” She said, as she slowly raised the cloth in her right hand into the air. 

The crowd increased their volume as you and Minho revved your engines, you gave the handsome man one last glance. You looked back to the woman, your left hand gripping the steering wheel tightly as your right rested on the transmission. 

The woman winked at you and dropped the cloth, faster than you could think you pressed the clutch and switched gears, your car whipping into gear as you and Minho sped passed the temporary line. 

The two of you were neck and neck, the mufflers on your cars popping as the speed rapidly increased and the needle on the tachometer going up as your RPM increased in numbers. Once you reached a steady pace, you turned off sports mode.

You were racing in the outskirts of Seoul late at night so you didn’t have to worry about traffic much, weaving in and out of any cars that were on the road. Your heart was racing, the muscle felt like it was going to bust through your ribcage. Your adrenaline pumped steadily through your veins like it always did when you raced. 

You and Minho made a right, your tires squealing as you drifted impressively in sync for people who have never previously raced together. Tire tracks were left in your wake, smoke emitting from the burnt rubber. 

Eventually, the two of you reached a parking garage, the finish line at the top of it. This is where you would have to overtake Minho if you wanted to win. You looked to your left briefly, catching the man’s gaze, his cat-like gaze sharpening as you smirked at him. 

You entered the parking garage, the sounds of your engines increasing as they echoed and bounced off the concrete walls. The distance between your cars decreased as you got closer to the ramp that would only be able to fit one of your cars at once. If one of you didn’t speed up and overtake the other soon, someone is going to crash. 

You glanced at your center console, taking note of the NOS. You wouldn’t use that yet, it’s too soon. Right now, you are going to rely on timing. 

You stared head-on at the rapidly approaching ramp. At the last possible second, you flipped your sports mode back on and slammed on the gas pedal. Minho was fast but you were faster. You sped around his car and turned the wheel quickly to the right, your car drifting up the looping ramp. You looked in the rearview mirror to see that Minho was practically kissing your bumper. 

You came out to the top of the ramp and saw the crowd of people at the end of the parking lot, Minho right behind you. You didn’t bother using NOS because the crowd was too close and you didn’t want to risk not being able to slow down in time. 

Minho was still behind you but close, you hit the brakes and your car drifted over the finish line and stopped. The smoke emitted from your tires blocks your view momentarily. You didn’t even have time to unbuckle or think before Minho’s car was next to yours. You got out of your car, your chest rising and falling rapidly as you caught your breath. 

The crowd surrounded you, jumping and cheering. Well, at least the ones that bet on you winning. You ignored them, glancing around for either Minho or Jeongin. You spun around at the feeling of a hand on your shoulder, the perpetrator turning out to be the younger boy that put you up to this. 

“Holy shit, Noona! That was so cool!” The boy said, a wide grin spread across his face. You laughed at his reaction, watching as the crowd of people dispersed around you.

“That was impressive.” A voice spoke behind you. You turned once again to see a slightly out-of-breath Minho smiling at you. 

“Well, I never settle for second place, cutie.” You replied cooly with a coy smile. “You owe me dinner this weekend.”

“I’m a man of my word,” Minho said in a sarcastic manner, even going as far as to give a salute. 

“You guys got comfortable fast,” Jeongin spoke from beside you, his smile a little less bright than it previously was. You quirked a brow at him in questioning. 

“Don’t be jealous Innie, I won’t steal your girl from you,” Minho said smugly, poking fun at the boy’s obvious affection for you. 

Jeongin scoffed with a slight eye roll, “I wasn’t worried about it, hyung. And only (Y/n) calls me Innie.”

Minho held his hands up in defense, “You will be worried when she meets Hyunjin,” Minho said teasingly. 

“Let’s not talk about me like I’m not standing right between you two, okay?” You said, raising a brow with crossed arms. You had no clue who this Hyunjin was but it takes a little more than a pretty face to sweep you off your feet. Both men looked at you and nodded, seemingly over with their small debacle. 

“You guys wanna swing by mine for a bit? If you don’t have anything going on after this.” You asked, looking between the two men.

“Sure, I could use the company,” Minho said, directing a small smile in your direction. 

“I’ll come too, Noona. I still need to check out your new place.” Jeongin replied with a smile. 

Jeongin actually did have something to do, but he didn’t like the thought of you and Minho being alone together. He knows you’re an adult and can do whatever you want with whomever you want, but he also isn’t going to miss his shot a second time. 

You awoke the next morning, peeling open your eyes reluctantly to check the time. You slept like a log after racing so late at night and then spending another few hours with Jeongin and Minho. The clock on your phone read ‘2:06.’ You groaned as you sat up, stretching your arms above your head and letting out a relieved sigh at the popping in your back. 

You went about your morning routine as usual, minus the fact that it was mid-afternoon and no longer the morning. Halfway through getting ready, you began craving a cake pop from the cafe you went to the previous day. Usually, one small craving wouldn’t be enough to get you out of the house on a day like this but you also would get to see the cute barista again if you went, which was good enough reasoning for you.

You rolled into the parking lot of the cafe the second time that week and parked next to Jisung’s Nissan again. After admiring his car for a minute, you walked into the establishment, the bell ringing out above you. 

You noticed Jisung behind the counter, completely oblivious to your entrance, until you cleared your throat in front of him.

The man’s head shot up, his cheeks puffed out in a slight pout due to his shock before he broke into a smile. “(Y/n)! You came back!” He said happily.

“I did say I would see you tomorrow and it’s tomorrow now.” You said smugly. 

“You’re right, you did say that.” He said and huffed a small laugh. “So… are you going to order something or did you just come to see my cute face?” Jisung said as he wiggled his eyebrows. 

You laughed, “You wish, pretty boy. I wanted more of those cookies & cream cake pops.” 

Jisung frowned jokingly, “Darn, I was hoping to make a new friend.” He said as he punched in your order and took your card from you. 

“Hey, when’s your break?” You suddenly said, even surprising yourself.

Jisung looked up at you with wide eyes before glancing to the clock behind him, “About 10 minutes from now. Why?” He said and handed you your cake pops. 

You shrugged, “I could use some company while I eat these…” You paused and looked back towards the brunette, “...and I could also use a new friend.”

Jisung smiled brightly, his joy slightly contagious. “Okay! Yeah! Would you mind waiting at one of the tables over there?” He said as he pointed to a group of tables in the corner of the room.

You smiled and turned towards the tables, “I don’t mind, pretty boy.”

Taglist

@burningchaosdeer @noone356097 @ateezkeepmysoul

[alsoanyways]

@transgender-scout @1ight wait fuck now i have to compile them okay okay okay i have a feeling this is gonna get long so I'm gonna put it under a cut haha but for real thank you for asking!!

First things first! This is how I imagine the flock is able to disguise themselves. There's no going undercover at an actual school for them, but I don't think anyone's looking twice at a bulky coat, especially if it's set in the future. Not too far in the future though, still in the 21st century. I have no ideas for a plot restructuring or anything, I never read past Nevermore and I barely remember anything past the fourth book, so most of my headcanons are character dynamics and such. I do have some that aren't focused on the flock but not many. Anyways.

(also idk if most of this can even be considered headcanon bc its basically fanfic at this point)

A couple things I should've added to the design post are Toto's Total’s nonexistence (I'm sorry if you like him but I do not lmao) and the fact that their hair is feathers. Like those very fine and very long feathers that roosters get. The flock also doesn't develop superpowers.

In my version of things, there's a small town close-ish to the E shaped house. Far enough that no one in town is gonna drop by for a visit, but close enough to fly down to for some groceries, which they'd do after Jeb left and until the money was gone. I think he would've taught them how to forage for things and that's how they get by since then.

Max (21) isn't The Leader TM either, I think leadership is shared more with Fang/Friday and Iggy. She likes volleyball and usually the one to go foraging. She's never thought about it but if she did, she'd probably consider herself agender.

Fang/Friday (22) gets his name from a Friday the 13th DVD cover, Jeb thinks he wants to be called Jason when he first points to it. He used to help Nudge/Dora and Angel with their hair when they were little and still does occasionally. He likes to draw and he's the go-to when someone needs to be comforted. There's no way in hell I would let him be anything less than bisexual.

Iggy (20) is the one that probably hears Friday's voice the most. He was also taught braille and Jeb got them a labeling machine. He's still the best cook and he's very protective over the vinyls/tapes/cds in the house. He mourns the loss of them when they have to flee the house, but he is excited to finally have access to new music. He's also gay. Because I said so.

Nudge/Dora (17) still wishes she could live a normal life, but has accepted that it's just not a possibility. She clings to "Dorothy" when she learns it. Being talkative and into fashion are still part of her character, but now she also loves bugs. She tags along when Max goes foraging so she can try and get pictures of any new bugs she hasn't seen before. Friday often gets to hear which bugs and what they were doing when they're sketching together.

Gazzy/Gizmo (14) gets his name when he watches the Gremlins movie for two months straight and starts mimicking the mogwai noises. He almost kills everyone when he mixes a couple cleaners from under the kitchen sink. He's quickly enamored with the chemistry books he's given afterwards. Like any other teenage boy, he likes video games and has too much energy for his own good. Max offers to race him when he's particularly amped.

Angel (11) is the only one out of the group that wasn't experimented on and she doesn't get the protectiveness or why they never go anywhere. She likes sitcoms and never refuses an offer to forage with Max. She also took a liking to helping Iggy cook things. She was very quick to tell people she wasn't a boy once she had the vocabulary.

Ari (15) has chronic pain. Being turned to goo and rebuilt into something different will do that to you. It doesn't get better the second time. Nor the third. He used to live in the E shaped house, before Jeb brought Gizmo, back when he was a regular kid. He's always liked animals, caring for them. He wanted to be a farmer or something when he grew up. After he joins the flock, he and Gizmo are fast friends. (Watching him and Gizmo dick around is what makes Friday realize that he really is just a kid.)

Maya/Em (21, kinda) my identity issues queen!! Cloning keeps the original memories intact and then they were further messed with to ensure her allegiance. She has a hard time coming to terms with that, with not being Max, not being who she thought she was. Her friends aren't her friends, she didn't watch Gizmo and Angel grow up, she didn't go to Friday after another nightmare, or call Dora to come catch a spider. That wasn't her. Having time away from them before she joins the flock helps. She renames herself Em during that time, distinct enough from Max but not removed from it completely. She learns that she likes cooking and she discovers cheerleading. She thinks she'd like that if she got the chance to participate. She's also aroace. She wants nothing to do with any of that.

Dylan (21) sticks closest to Em, but he eventually grows close to Iggy as well. They share a soaring/gliding wing shape and Iggy is grateful to have someone who can fly as long as he can (recreational flying is always cut short in his opinion, because the others have to work harder to stay airborne and get tired). Dylan likes to tinker around with motors and mechanisms, trying to get them to work again or building them from the ground up. Not that he has an abundance of opportunities to do that, but being able to fix a busted car comes in handy. He's one of them gays that can drive.

Lastly, I do have ideas on Erasers and different classes of them and their usages but jesus christ this did in fact get very long and I need to go eat something lmao so that'll have to be a separate post for another time.

[celenawrites]

TW - just a vent about fandom stuff.

I feel kinda sad about how some creators in the CoD fandom have now abandoned creating content for the game series due to the demanding nature of other fans who used to consume their content. (fics, art, etc)

Like, these artists/writers in the fandom write fanfics/create art, FOR FREE OF COST and dedicate SO MUCH TIME AND ENERGY to their craft despite not getting much in return, only to deal with senseless hate, ignorance, stupidity and get treated as content generation machines; instead of actual human beings with jobs and studies and friends and families that need their time and attention as well.

A lot of us folks who write or draw do this as a hobby. As an outlet for our creativity, and we find this community for the media we are currently fixated on and we create things inspired by it cuz it brings us joy. IT MAKES US HAPPY SO WE CREATE CONTENT FOR IT!!! And then to see the same fandom/community and their horrendous behaviour driving away the creators from the fandom and the media itself is just....sad. Very disheartening.

Like I miss so many of the creators who have just given up on CoD cuz of this issue. Their works have inspired me to start writing again. They make me wish I start learning how to draw and paint again too. Their works have touch my soul, and made me happy - gave me something to look forward to every day.

But I'd much rather they leave the fandom and take care of themselves and their life, than to succumb to this weird pressure fans and fan-content consumers put on them, y'know?

Plus recently, I've seen a lot of racist and stereotypical prejudices from some CoD fans (and even some creators). I know a lot of them are new to the fandom, I was too. But I took an active effort to learn more about this game series. (and it's an ongoing effort cuz I cannot afford to play the games so I have to settle for wiki articles, gameplays, and comics) And I see so many fans not give a shit about it. They treat these characters as blank canvases to fulfill their hypersexual fantasies. (I like me a good smut fic or two, don't get me wrong) But that just makes it impossible for newer fans to get to know more about the lore and the characters. I had just finished watching the campaign for MW, and let me tell you, there are so many complex missions, characters and storylines to explore and depict through fanfics, and it's insane so many people disregard it for their whimsies so easily. That will just stunt your growth as an artist/writer! Read up on the lore, watch the game plays(the OGs and the remakes!) , maybe even read the comics!!! I promise you won't regret it ever!!!

Also, please! For all that is holy, stop putting these complex fictional characters into restricted boxes and label them. That just makes them so one-dimensional. Like -

Soap is not always cheery and bubbly and your fellow bestie. Simon is not an abuser/emotionally dead asshole just because he has a hard time expressing his emotions like everyone else. König, despite the lack of storyline/lore we have on him, isn't an uwu social anxiety babygirl, damn it. Stop excluding Gaz from your HCs and fics! He's a complex man with so many interesting things to explore about his overall story and psyche as a part of 141. He's not always begging for Price's approval either, he can and has objected to how questionable their methods have been regarding their field/work. Stop excluding Gaz from 141 stuff! It makes you look like a POS, and a lot of the people who exclude him are doing so for....pretty racist reasons. As a POC, this shit sucks balls. Also stop stereotyping POC characters in CoD - Alejandro, Rudy, Valeria, Gaz, Farah....just stop. Their ethnicity or race should not deter you from writing about them in a way that doesn't come across as prejudiced and ill-informed.

Also, not necessarily a rant, but please consider/remember the fact that the military has always been a bit of a morally dubious field of work irl, and just cuz CoD is military-centric and features characters who work in the army or PMC and take out bad guys - that doesn't take away from the violent history military has and how they have contributed to the deterioration of many countries (mainly in the Middle East). Heck, even these characters in the CoD games have done extremely unethical things and employed treacherous methods in order to get the job done. These characters may be good people in fiction, but that doesn't mean that they have done great things or have always stayed morally pure. Explore the dubious nature of it all - explore how dark and harrowing it can be for them and for the people that unwittingly or knowingly get involved in their work. It's dark and twisted but it's crucial since it's inspired from our world and it's necessary for us as humans and as artists to explore such themes and analyse them! It's crucial for the soul!!!

[inchidentally]

I don't find you wrong but why did you say Lando is an introvert?

I'm sorry to flop anon but it's been a rough weekend so I can't do my usual digging but Lando's called himself variations of shy/doesn't like to lead conversation/wants other people to talk and others have said how quiet and shy he is when he's around people he doesn't know well - so I think I'm probably drawing the 'introverted' deduction myself more than anything so I might be off on that!

I consider myself an introvert but I'm literally almost always surrounded by people when I'm not working. I need to take time to myself (which is when I'm on tumblr) but otherwise as long as the people I'm with are mostly MY people then I feel comfortable to be loud or weird in a way I never would around strangers.

and idk I feel like when you rly observe Lando he only finds the ability to be loud and wild when he's either around an extrovert (one of the F1 drivers, streamers, etc) or a group of friends. his energy matches people he feels comfortable with yk? whereas when he's around someone he doesn't know or who seems kind of hostile/unkind he gets SUPER withdrawn and he doesn't use any more words than he absolutely needs to.

EDIT: @landoisokay is our MVP and sent me this tweet w a clip of him calling himself an introvert:

and literally I love even more how he expands on this to say that so many ppl think he doesn't have the aggressive mindset to win, esp the old mentality of being "brutal". bc then Andrea steps in as principal and his mantra for Lando and Oscar is to put the team first and never let petty rivalries disrupt their driving or the team's harmony.

and it really resonates w what Mark Webber said about Oscar and misjudging his quiet, non-aggressive racing mindset at first:

“he’s a prost, mate. he’s such a thinker and so calm. at first i thought i needed to inject a bit of urgency in him, but actually no, he’s got his own frequency. that’s just where he is.” - from the beloved Oscar primer by @mecachrome

and it's something I and @twinkodium have talked about a lot, that the things that tore partnerships up so badly was a misguided, inherited toxic mentality that Lando and Oscar have never once represented or shown in their careers. you think of Oscar celebrating on the radio but stopping himself to say how gutted he was for Logan, and Lando keeping so many friends from his karting days despite soundly beating all of them. and how so many people were excited after Monza to think that the rivalry they've been wanting between Lando and Oscar would finally begin - only for them to go karting the next day in a Landolog and soon after ascend to two double podiums.

[such-a-daydreamer]

Can I know more about Ur DA AU? Just the general story or something. Maybe even some basics like when it takes place or like, Frisk's past or something. Hehe. please if it's not too much.

I am going to lore all over you.

/pos /kisses you sloppy style on the mouth /platonically /jk

So! Let's start with basics...

This is the "MONSTER valley", a valley created by the once active volcano, Mt Ebott. Monster's call the mountain Sunpeak cuz at high noon the sun sits ontop of it.

The general layout of the "Underground" is changed since it's above ground (it's like but also not like overtale), so snowdin is a lot closer to new home than waterfall (around a two hour walk from snowdin to hotlands). Now, I know what you're thinking "WHERE'S WATERFALL?!?!???" chillax broski

it's the ✨️river✨️

But since the name doesn't make sense anymore there's uhh like, a big waterfall somewhere along the way to hotlands? I haven't placed it yet.

The core basically half revived the unactive volcano and turned it into a power source for monsters AND the barrier.

Barrier?! Wha‽ That's right, there's a migical barrier that an unknown scientist made to protect the monsters from human hunters ever since the war.

What war? THE GREAT HUMAN MONSTER WAR. "Where the angel fell from the sky and lead monsters to the safety of the valley." More like: before they were sealed underground an unknown monster transported them all to the valley.

The barrier essencially just turns humans around so they can't enter the valley, but since it's spread over such a wide area there's a few weak spots. Mainly around the ruins and new home. This reason is why the royal guard was founded: to kill any humans within the valley.

It wasn't until the death of the royal's children did the guard be put into practice and start collecting souls. The reason got collecting souls is so the king can absorb them all and become god (rip the human race ✌️😔)

Curious about what Asgore looks like? Here's a really rough mockup of all the main cast :D

Wanna know how frisk came to the valley?

Wa-bam

No, flowey is not a rose, he's a poppy. Poppy's are usually considered weeds except in places like australia //me home :)// where they hold a cultural significance. They say poppies used to be white until the blood of soldiers forever stained them red. (Wink wink nudge nudge 😏)

Red poppies were usually only found in the ruins but have since spread along the river in a mass bloom. It's a crime to disturb them, a law that was founded by the Queen before she went missing. Monster's generally think it's stupid but the king upholds that law so they follow begrudgingly.

Anywasy, here's some miscellaneous stuff.

Old undyne design

Asgore drawings

(I tried to make present asgore embody the "bwomp" noise from spongebob)

Sans and pap dynamic

Papyrus is a little more snarky, but pokes fun at people within reason. He's also ACTUALLY in the royal guard due to his strength and not training to be in it. Also, I thought it would be funny is sans gave more "literally just a guy" energy

Curious about their powers? Here's a graph!

Here's sans being just a dude.

Anyways, I can't post anymore images so that's all for now :D

[tiacat11]

As someone who's also into game design (though it's not really a career so much as an interest) I think accessibility in games is really, really fucking important, but I think after playing GX a little I kind of understand why the difficulty is such a huge draw.

I'm gonna say something controversial here: Dark Souls isn't that hard. F-Zero isn't that hard. Mega Man isn't that hard. I've played all of those games. What they have is the POTENTIAL to be hard, and the fact that their core gameplay loop revolves around trial and error. They're games that reward patience and persistence over anything else.

I'd barely ever played a racing game before F-Zero GX, the thing I'd had the most experience with was Mario Kart. And yeah, I struggled a lot on the first story mission of GX, which I knew was SUPPOSED to be a tutorial. So instead I went to Practice mode, picked the very first track in the game, and learned the controls on my own time and at my own pace. I did several laps on Mute City, getting used to how it controlled, getting used to drifting and taking tight turns. I learned that blast turning wasn't possible in this game, but I could pull both drift buttons at the same time to powerslide. I learned that I could use jumps to get up into the air and massively cut time off of tracks, but if I wasn't careful I could get myself killed. I learned that boosting is fun and you should definitely ignore that little alarm that goes off when your energy is low! (Okay, that last one is debatable)

But from then, I tried a grand prix on Novice difficulty, and I actually did pretty decent! I think I ended up taking 3rd, which feels like a loss at first, until I'm reminded that this is a "hard" game and you're supposed to keep playing over and over to get good at it. Then 3rd felt pretty good. 2nd felt better. 1st felt fucking amazing. Then I went back and played the story mode that had me stuck, and passed it in the first go.

Now, I repeat that process, every time I'm stuck on a track. If I lose a Grand Prix to a track, I pull it up on Practice mode and run laps on it over and over until I feel more confident on it. F-Zero is fun to me because I can feel myself getting better at the game the more I play it, and I never considered myself a "tryhard" or someone who loves "hard" games.

I think accessibility in games is important, and that's why I think we should find a better term for "hard" games. Because that's the thing, these games aren't hard, they're meant for you to try something new, fail, learn from that mistake, and come back again. It's a game that's meant to help you grow your skill level, and it's kind of sad to me that once a game gets a reputation for being "hard" people like me won't want to play it anymore. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into playing Dark Souls because I didn't think I would like it. I only played Mega Man because my friend begged me to. Every time, I come in convinced that this "hard" game is going to give me a bad experience, but instead I find myself growing and learning and being rewarded for that.

I guess I'm a little off topic by this point - how can we fix it, aside from finding a better term than "hard game"? I definitely agree the difficulty curve in GX is fucked, as great as it feels to get good at the game, how quickly it revs up ends up feeling like you're going from one stonewall to the next. So then, I'd propose more missions of a smaller caliber, with the extremely difficult missions as a sort of "boss" mission.

I think rewarding the player for playing and making losing fun is a crucial part of the gameplay loop, the fact that you still get parts and tickets even if you don't win the Grand Prix means you don't walk away from a race emptyhanded, and I think that's crucial. Rewards for beating your best time, placing higher than you did before, rewards for continuing to play the game (NOT daily rewards, those are the path of the devil) and encouraging the player to keep trying, I think that's all a crucial part of making a "hard" game fun. Helping the player track their individual progress and growth, not just in terms of "win the race or don't" but showing how they the player are now better than the player they were a week ago - that's what I think would make F-Zero more fun, and possibly draw in a larger audience.

But also I'm a #fakefan who got into F-Zero because 99 dropped so maybe I know nothing about the series LMAO

What would you want from a new F-Zero? Personally the only gameplay things I can think of are more vehicle customization, death race (F-Zero X) and an easier difficulty?

Non gameplay, I suppose the integration of the various anime original characters into the game universe?

Those gameplay additions sound good! I know that the difficulty is part of what "makes F-Zero" for some people but as someone who is both bad at racing and studying accessibility in video games and game design, I would really love for there to be ways for less skilled players to enjoy as well (looking at you, GX story mode).

As much as I love and adore the anime characters I'm not sure I personally would want them to be merged into the game universe. I don't really talk about it much because I'm afraid it will come off as judgey or gatekeeping when that is the opposite of what I want to convey but I am happy with their current status as characters in an alternate universe timeline and I think introducing them into the main games would make more people mix up the anime and game timelines/characters, like more than they already do lol. I personally like keeping the verses separate but I think it's interesting when people think up ways to make the two universes work with each other.

Other than that I would really love another story mode, I know there's mixed feelings on GX's campy story and whether it even actually happened (stares at Black Shadow's pilot vid) but I LOVE campy cheesy goodness and beyond that, the implications of certain things that happened in the story such as Falcon uhhhhh gaining the power to reshape the universe (like. Hello????) are so fun to dig into. Sure the story wasn't a cinematic masterpiece of plot but the open ends mean it's Free Real Estate for fic and meta 🥳🤲 So a new story would be fun to see, whether it's serious or not. Or even just new snippets of pilot screentime like the interviews were because the pilots are what keep me in a chokehold here 👯

[vrishchikawrites]

Reverse transmigration wangxian where LWJ who cultivates to immortality found an old summoning array where mxy fails to summon wwx but the whole thing with JGY still got revealed. LWJ in his grief summons WWX in our modern world, and the rest is up to you :) Maybe get WWX some therapy and loving family and how different modern days people are

This one is a bit angsty and has vague descriptions of sex. Modern AU.

“The Tragedy of Wei Wuxian - The Man Behind the Legend”

Lan Wangji caresses the title of the book with a thumb, eyes tracing a name he has always held close to heart but hasn’t heard for a long time.

“We all know of Wei Ying, courtesy Wuxian as Yiling Laozu. He’s one of the first to cultivate successfully with ‘resentful’ energy. His theories and papers helped us develop a greater understanding of yin energy, Qi deviation, and resentful spirits. He was a visionary, a man ahead of his time, someone who thought outside the box and looked for solutions instead of sticking to the norm. He’s also the first known person to donate his Golden Core.”

Wangji looks away for a moment, remembering Wen Ning’s snarling face and Jiang Wanyin’s rage, denial, and guilt.

“But we don’t talk about what brought that great visionary down. Society, as it did with many great thinkers, turned against him. In his youth, Wei Wuxian was one of the most accomplished cultivators of his generation. No one knows exactly what happened for him to develop the so-called ‘Ghostly Path’. His loss of the Golden Core may have been a factor, but the actual circumstances are shrouded in mystery.

What follows after the War of the Five Great Clans, known as the Sunshot Campaign, is nothing short of a tragedy. Wei Wuxian saw injustice happening and decided to fight against it. Society tore him up for it. At that time, all actions against him were justified and considered righteous. Those actions don’t stand up to scrutiny under the modern lens. Like all great and radical thinkers, Wei Wuxian ideals made him the enemy and that led to this tragic death, along with the murder of innocent war prisoners he sought to protect. There are unconfirmed reports of there being a child among the Wens.”

Wangji’s eyes flicker over to a picture frame sitting on his desk, an image of Sizhui and Jingyi smiling up at him through the glossy image. They’re well, he knows. Last he heard from them, they were in South Korea and having a great time.

Sizhui must not know of this book or he would’ve called immediately, always so concerned about his a’die.

“It was later revealed that hunger for power and political maneuvering led to his death. When we study the historical records, it is obvious that the man was pushed into the corner and was forced to retaliate. Unfortunately, no one cared about his fate-”

“I did,” Wangji whispered to himself, thinking back on silver eyes in an indistinct face. He loved - still loves Wei Ying - but the physical aspects of him have long since faded from his memory. He sometimes remembers Wei Ying’s laugh. Sometimes, he dreams of his smile. He doesn’t recall what Wei Ying sounded like, only remembering his tone when he said ‘Lan Zhan.’

And yet, Lan Wangji hasn’t forgotten love.

He reads the book in silence, going through all 375 pages of it without pausing to eat or sleep. It tells the story of Wei Ying in stark, blunt terms. There are a few facts missing or erroneous. He wasn’t the adopted child of the Jiangs. There was certainly no unrequited love between Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli.

There’s very little mention of him. According to this book, Lan Wangji is a mere footnote in Wei Wuxian’s life; a childhood acquaintance, a disapproving comrade, and later a man who unraveled the truth because he pursued justice.

“He was just 23 years old when he died,” Wangji lingers over that statement, “23-year-olds are barely adults. They hold the promise of a bright future. They have so much potential inside of them. At 23, some people graduate from college, some take up their first serious job. At 23, young people fall in love and maybe form a life-long bond. Wei Wuxian became a key player in a big conflict at 17, he donated his core at 17. At 17, we still have children in high school. Our seventeen-year-olds aren’t even allowed to drink or drive. Our seventeen-year-olds are still protected and sheltered by their parents.

That is perhaps the biggest tragedy of Wei Wuxian’s life. He was only allowed to live a carefree life for seven years, from the day he was taken off the streets to the day the YunmengJiang Sect was attacked. After that and until his death, his life was marked by war, strife, betrayal, and persecution.

A visionary, a hero, a brilliant mind, dead by what most would consider suicide.” Wangji’s breath hitches and he takes a moment to collect himself, the sentence ringing in his head.

“He deserved better.”

---

He deserved better, Wangji thinks as he walks sedately towards his library.

There had been a glimmer of hope, all those years ago when Mo Xuanyu attempted to resurrect Wei Ying, but when he failed to do so, Wangji felt something shatter in him.

Whatever Wei Ying had done had completely destroyed his soul. His precious, noble soul. One that was formed for justice and kindness.

He deserved better.

He knows what he must do.

---

An immortal’s Golden Core has immeasurable power. It is the result of several hundred years of Cultivation and diligence. Wangji is more powerful than most, having survived through war, strife, grief, and loss.

An immortal’s Golden Core can also be an ingredient.

‘Draw the talismans shown below in the blood of your heart. Pin them in eight directions, north, northwest, west, southwest, south, southeast, east, and northeast. Sit in the exact center of this circle and sacrifice half of your cultivation to the being you wish to summon.’’

Wangji’s heart and hands are steady as he draws the talismans from blood drawn directly from the artery. He pins them in all eight directions and sits down in the middle, his hands moving elegantly to summon his Qi. He breathes in and breathes out, sinking into meditation with habitual ease.

It will work.

It has to.

The room floods with Resentful Energy.

---

He deserves better.

Wangji feels torn apart in ways he has never experienced before. The ritual summoning carves something out of his chest and drags it away. His mouth floods with blood and his body weakens alarmingly.

But it doesn’t matter.

Wei Ying.

---

Wei Ying is more beautiful than Wangji remembers. He is bloodsoaked, covered in cuts and bruises, saturated with Resentful Energy, but he’s alive.

And he’s beautiful.

Wangji stumbles to his feet, shakily walking into the bathroom to fetch some warm water. He walks back, his arms feeling the weight of the bucket like they have never carried such weight before. With every step that he takes towards Wei Ying, his heartbeat spikes up a little. He doesn’t know if he chose the right time. He doesn’t know if Wei Ying’s spirit had shattered before his death and dying had just been the aftermath.

Maybe Wei Ying’s body is here and not his soul.

Wangji cannot bear thinking about it.

With weak, shaking hands and the taste of blood lingering in his mouth, he slowly reaches forward. Layer by layer, he removes Wei Ying’s clothes, his fingertips tingling because his beloved’s body is warm.

He deserves better.

With aching tenderness, he wipes Wei Ying clean, removes all blood, grime, and mud from his body.

Wei Ying doesn’t stir.

---

There’s a gentle touch against his cheek. It is strange enough to wake him up because few people dare touch Lan Wangji. Slender fingers tap once, twice, almost playfully and Wangji knows who it is even before he opens his eyes.

Like a sun emerging from the horizon, Wei Ying appears before him, his smile bright and questioning.

“Wei Ying,” He breathes and Wei Ying nods, eyes a sparkling silver. There is so much beauty in that face that he can’t help but reach forward. Ignoring Wei Ying’s surprise, he cups his face and leans forward pressing his forehead against his beloved’s.

Wei Ying is still for a long moment, but he moves eventually, setting hands on Wangji’s shoulder. He doesn’t push him away, just huffing in soft amusement.

“Wei Ying,” He whispers, closing his stinging eyes, “Forgive Wangji for his selfishness.” He says, “I summoned you.” I summoned you without asking, knowing you wouldn’t desire it.

Wei Ying huffs again and that’s when it strikes him.

He pulls back and looks at his beloved in concern, scanning his eyes, face, neck, and chest quickly, his heart racing.

Why wasn’t Wei Ying speaking?

---

“You’re right in suspecting that his spirit sustained some sort of injury even before he was… killed.” Lan Jingyi says softly, pulling away from the sleeping Wei Ying, “There’s nothing physically wrong with him, Hanguang-jun, please don’t worry! His spirit just needs a little bit of time to recover.”

Wangji nods gratefully as he watches Sizhui lean over Wei Ying, his expression full of wonder and desperate happiness. As Sizhui’s cultivation grew, he started remembering more things from his childhood. They have never spoken on the matter of Wei Ying, but Wangji knows his son remembers more than he did when he was a child.

“Now, please let me check you.”

He levels a sharp look at the younger man but Lan Jingyi is no longer the adoring and naive student Wangji taught all those years ago. He’s a strong, accomplished cultivator and an avid researcher.

Lan Jingyi ignores him cheerfully and checks his core, stepping into Wangji's personal space without a care.

He narrows his eyes at the steely glint in the boy's eyes.

"I know you love him, Hanguang-jun," Lan Jingyi says, "And love is worth a life." They're immortals, life has little meaning for people who have lived for centuries, "But I wonder if the Wei Wuxian that you so adore will be happy about you risking your life for him."

Wangji's eyes flicker towards Wei Ying, who looks exhausted even in his sleep. "He deserved better."

Lan Jingyi is silent for a moment before he speaks, "Sizhui and I read the book on our flight back. Everything was horrible, I'm not surprised that his spirit sustained so much damage. But it is almost entirely intact now. It shows how much he wants to live, Hanguang-jun."

It's a relief.

---

Wei Ying can't speak but his presence is still loud. He rests for a few weeks to recover from his injuries. During that time, Wangji spends most of his days moving from Wei Ying's bedside to the library and back again.

His beloved has an insatiable hunger for knowledge. He wants to know everything about the modern world.

Every morning, Wangji is confronted with a bright face with sparkling eyes waving a book or a scroll in his direction.

Wangji hasn't experienced such liveliness in centuries. The very air of his home glows with Wei Ying's vitality. Wei Ying's body recovers quickly and soon the man is out of bed and following Wangji around.

His heart feels too big for his chest.

By all appearances, Wei Ying is perfectly content. He walks around Cloud Recesses, visits Caiyi Town, and is happy to watch the sunset with Wangji every evening.

That had been Wangji's wish when he performed that summoning.

He wanted Wei Ying to have another chance to live free and happy.

Looking at him now, Wangji wants to reach out, cup that cheerful face, and pepper kisses all over it. He wants to kiss those fluttering eyelids, smooth cheeks, sharp jawline-

That soft, smiling mouth.

Wangji is an immortal. He has endless patience. He can wait for Wei Ying to come to him.

He must wait.

---

The modern world fascinates Wei Ying. His beloved looks at everything from tall buildings to food stalls with wide, stunned eyes. Cloud Recesses and Caiyi Town are still relatively untouched by the passage of time, but Wei Ying has free access to the internet and has learned how to use it within two months of his arrival.

Wangji doesn't restrain him.

He just watches as Wei Ying, his brilliant and enthusiastic love, learns to thrive in his new world.

His voice has still not returned but that doesn't seem to bother Wei Ying. He is delighted to learn that there's a way to communicate nonetheless.

He starts learning sign language and Lan Wangji, with patient and steady hands, practices with him.

---

Lan Sizhui follows Wei Ying around with quiet affection and aching tenderness. He's much older than Wei Ying now, but he remains their son in spirit. He treats Wei Ying like a senior, with respect and adoration.

His Wei Ying notices, of course. At first, he finds the situation quite strange but Wei Ying isn't stupid.

'Lan Zhan,' He asks, 'Who is Sizhui?'

Wangji brings his fingers up and replies, 'He's your a-Yuan. I went looking for you but found him instead.'

Wei Ying's eyes widen and he spins around, running out of the room to seek Sizhui.

Wangji follows sedately and when he finds his love and his son, they're embracing while crying tears of joy.

---

'Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan!'

Wangji huffs under his breath and carefully sets his brush down, tucking the scroll away before turning to meet bright silver eyes.

Wei Ying leans forward with an eager expression, 'Do you know where Suibian is?'

Wangji nods, 'In storage. I was able to retrieve it from the Jin Clan.'

'Can I have it?'

Wangji rises smoothly to his feet and leads Wei Ying to storage where both Suibian and Chenqing.

Wei Ying only glances at Chenqing for a moment before reaching for Suibian with a desperate expression.

Suibian, a blade that has remained sealed since Jiang Wanyin unsheathed it once, easily reveals itself again.

Wei Ying spins around eagerly and looks at him with pleading eyes.

As Wangji is able to deny Wei Ying nothing, he reaches for Bichen and they immediately head for the training grounds.

It has been a long time since Wangji has really used Bichen to its full capacity. With half of his core pulsing within Wei Ying, they're almost evenly matched.

Wangji has not fought in ages but Wei Ying is still a Cultivator. The spar is fast-paced and thrilling. Wangji acquaints himself with Wei Ying as his love becomes reacquainted with his sword.

Wei Wuxian had been one of the best swordsmen of his generation. He has lost none of his elegance and skill. Wangji presses him and Wei Ying laughs soundlessly, twirling around him in white GusuLan robes, bright and joyful.

He breaks Wangji's heart and mends it at the same time.

---

Wangji has missed Wei Ying for hundreds of years.

He can't resist the urge to touch. He keeps it chaste and respectful but his hands have a mind of their own in Wei Ying's vicinity.

When they're out and about, Wangji guides Wei Ying with a hand on his back. It becomes natural to grasp his love's elbow if he wants Wei Ying's attention.

His touches can easily be dismissed as gestures of friendship by most. But Wei Ying knows him.

'er-gege,' Wei Ying's smile is sweet, 'Wei Ying is cold.'

Wangji's eyes flicker over to the lit fire briefly before landing on his love, 'Are you feeling well?' He asks in concern, reaching forward to place the back of his hand on Wei Ying's forehead.

His beloved laughs and nods, leaning into the touch with a sly smile, 'I'm well, just cold.'

Wangji feels a stir in his chest at the intent look in Wei Ying's eyes. Hesitantly, he cups Wei Ying's cheek in silent question.

Wei Ying nuzzles his palm, his eyelids fluttering close gently.

Desperation and elation flood him and Wangji sucks in a sharp breath. He moves in a blur, lifting Wei Ying off his seat and placing him on his lap.

Wei Ying gasps and giggles, his tall, strong body seeming to almost shrink as he cuddles close. Wangji wraps both arms around his love and squeezes him tight, rocking them gently as he is assaulted with painful love.

"Wei Ying, Wei Ying, Wei Ying," He chants in Wei Ying's hair, holding him so close, it feels like there's no part of him not touching his love.

When Wei Ying turns to him with a smile in his eyes, Wangji doesn't hesitate to lean forward, bringing their lips together in a long-awaited kiss.

He presses Wei Ying back against the crook of his elbow and tastes his silent laugh on his tongue.

Wangji has never felt so blissful and complete.

---

Jingyi convinces Wei Ying to go to therapy.

Eager to learn and curious, Wei Ying agrees.

He returns from every session with a thoughtful expression.

Months pass but his voice is still lost.

---

They make love and Wei Ying mouths the words he wants to speak. He smiles, sobs, laughs, and pouts as Wangji takes him apart bit by bit.

Wangji has never known such pleasure. He loses himself, drowning in Wei Ying's scent and finding heaven in his body.

He enjoys feeling smooth skin. He sinks his fingers into Wei Ying's silken hair. He tastes the sharp edge of his jaw. He bites. He drives in and takes ownership of Wei Ying's pleasure.

He presses his mischievous sprite into their bed and doesn't hold back, centuries of love pouring out of him.

---

A combination of therapy and Wei Ying's natural approach to life makes his recovery quick. Within a year, he's well-adjusted and happy.

He laughs at almost everything. The first time they fly, the first time they visit an amusement park, the first time they go to an aquarium.

He laughs and Wangji starts noticing the color of his voice returning to it.

Wangji is grateful for what he has. He's grateful that Wei Ying is back, safe, and happy. He is grateful that Wei Ying is unharmed.

But he cannot lie to himself. He misses Wei Ying's voice.

---

"Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan,"

Wangji almost misses it, as engrossed as he is. He presses in deep and feels a shiver of pleasure race down his spine. Wei Ying's fingers curl around Wangji's nape and his lips caress his ear.

"Lan Zhan,"

He stills.

Wangji takes a deep, bracing breath and pulls back a little, balancing on his arms to peer down at his lover.

Wei Ying is a vision. His cheeks flushed, his eyes wide and dark with passion, his lips bitten red from Wangji's kisses. His long hair is scattered and wild, a tangle of glossy strands across Wangji's pillow.

"Lan Zhan,"

Wei Ying's lips move and a voice accompanies that movement. It is slightly hoarse, somewhat weak, but it is still the voice he barely remembers.

Heat flares in him and he sinks deeper, pulling a sharp gasp from Wei Ying.

He spends the entire night filling their room with that precious voice.

---

Wei Ying doesn't ask questions. He doesn't ask why Wangji did what he did. He doesn't ask how he did it. His beloved has always been perspective and he understood Wangji's desperation from the moment he woke.

He reads the book that triggered it all and laughs, "Aiya, they make me out to be some sort of martyr for justice." He says fondly, for he is very fond of the modern world.

Sizhui is sitting at his feet, eyes closed in bliss as Wei Ying gently combs his hair, styling it into an intricate braid.

"They're not wrong, though." Jingyi can never sit straight and he has forgotten all of his Lan teachings over the years. He has his legs thrown over the arm of his chair and his head is dangling over another arm, his hair sweeping the floor as he nods.

Ridiculous.

"I never asked to be glorified in such a way." Wei Ying protests with a chuckle.

"Baba should be grateful no one knows about his resurrection." Sizhui pipes up, "At least, you don't have to deal with modern stans."

Wangji arches a brow at the word and Wei Ying laughs, already more accustomed to the Internet language than Wangji is. "Oh, heaven forbid!"

"But listen, you and Hanguang-jun have the greatest love story ever, you could write a book about it, Wei-quanbei!"

Wei Ying tilts his head to the side and Wangji urges him to consider it with a subtle nod. Wei Ying is happy but he's never content to be idle. The modern world doesn't need cultivation, but perhaps it can benefit from their stories.

---

‘Once you summon successfully, you belong to this being for all eternity as payment for the one wish they may grant. Half of your core will live within them. If they die, you die. If they live, you live. If they hurt, you hurt. If they become corrupt, you become corrupt.

You will sacrifice immortality, but not the eternal bond. Every time you are reincarnated into this world, you will be tethered to the being.

Beware.

Wangji tucks the scroll away, sealing it so that it is never discovered again.

He has no regrets.

[t0wnspersonb]

Practice Makes Perfect (Tsukishima Kei x Reader)

Rated: Explicit

Word Count: 3,823

Warnings: SMUT, loss of virginity, bad language, Tsukki being too damn beautiful.

Summary: It’s been several months after Tsukishima’s confession in the infirmary. You two are dating now, and after a study session in his room, you two decide to take your relationship to the next level.

~~~

I hear you guys! I fucking see you!😂 we all need some Tsukki smut in our life so here is part 2 of Kiss it Better, I’ve included the link for anyone who hasn’t read the first part. I hope you all enjoy it and I would love the feedback afterwards:)

ALSO. I AM TAKING REQUESTS. I know I have some sitting in my inbox right now that I need to get to still so I apologize in advance if I can’t get your request out right away. But I literally adore all of you so much. Thank you for taking the time to read my shit writing:’) Anyway please enjoy the shit show lol.

~~~

It had been several months since you and Tsukishima started going out, after his confession in the infirmary, and after you guys had walked home together – well – things just naturally fell into place.

 It felt like your interactions were the same, he was still a cocky little asshole, teasing you and harassing you endlessly.

 But it was different somehow. You guys were almost inseparable it seemed. There were sides to Tsukishima that only you got to see, an unsaid trust that went both ways. You confided in him, sought comfort in him, and he did the same. He was your person, and you were his.

 You hadn’t realized how same and different it would be once you guys were in a relationship. 

 But you loved it all. 

 You loved every second of it.

 You loved him.

 You were in love with him, and while it was something that neither of you had said yet, that feeling was definitely there.

 It was said through his endless lectures on how you needed to eat better, it was said through the way he held your hand, or when he carried your bag. It was said in the way that his eyes gleamed when you proudly showed him the latest photos you had taken.

 It was said in the way that you praised him for being an amazing blocker in volleyball, it was said when you would give him a new dinosaur figurine. It was said when you would introduce him to a new song that reminded him of you.

 No, you guys had never uttered the words ‘I love you’ to each other, but you did.

 He did.

 And that was all that mattered.

 Right now, you two were currently cleaning up the classroom together, since it was your week to clean.

 You guys easily conversed with one another as you wiped down the blackboard and Tsukishima swept. 

 “– because of those dimwits we had to do twice as many drills.” Tsukishima said, finishing his story on how exhausting yesterday's volleyball practice had gone.

 “Kageyama and Hinata sure are energetic.” You mused, pausing your wiping to glance over at the tall blonde in amusement.

 He sighed and looked over at you, “They’re idiots. They act like everyone has the same amount of stamina as them. It’s ridiculous.”

 You couldn’t help the soft laughter that bubbled up from your lips. “I think you’re just lazy Tsukki.”

 His eyes narrowed, but not at your comment, but at what you had called him. He had told you weeks ago to start calling him by his first name, considering that you guys have been dating for a while now.

 He leaned the broom against one of the desks and walked over to you. You were near the teacher’s desk as you surveyed your work. He moved in front of your vision, towering over your small frame, causing you to crane your neck back to just look at his face.

 He moved closer, his palm resting on the desk behind you, trapping you in.

 “What’s the matter Tsukki?” you asked in confusion, your head tilting to the side. 

 His eyes narrowed further, a frown creasing his lips. “I told you to start calling me Kei.”

 A soft blush covered your face as you broke the eye contact with him, suddenly feeling incredibly nervous. 

 “I – I know. It’s just a force of habit.” You mumbled quickly, shifting from foot to foot.

 Tsukishima couldn’t help but smirk, leaning in closer to you, causing your back to press into the edge of the desk as you tried to put more distance between the two of you.

 “Why are you acting so nervous?” he murmured, the hand not resting on the table coming up to move your hair over your shoulder.

 You visibly flinched, which caused his smirk to widen as he saw the blush coating your face. 

 “I’m not nervous stupid!” you fired back, looking at him now. “You’re just too close!”

 You could feel your heart racing, your palms accumulating sweat. 

 “I’ve been closer.” he said simply and pressed his body against yours, one of his thighs coming to rest between your legs. This caused your skirt ride further up your thighs, and you couldn’t help but clutch at the front of his uniform helplessly as you attempted to stabilize yourself.

 Tsukishima wasn’t lying, he had been closer. Many times, in fact, in the comfort of his bedroom. While you guys had never actually had sex, it had gotten close. 

 If Tsukishima was being honest, it was because he couldn’t help himself. Your expressions were just too much, the sounds that escaped your mouth were incredibly sweet, it made him want more. Every time. 

 But the same could be said about you. Tsukishima was incredibly good looking, his lust filled expressions drove you insane, and the way he made you feel was just too good.

 “S-Shut up idiot.” You moved to push him away from you, but he was already cupping your face and tilting your head up for a kiss.

 You melted against him, kissing him back with vigor. You all but breathed want and need into his lungs as Tsukishima explored the wet cavern of your mouth, his tongue hot and wet as it rubbed against yours gently.

 The kisses you shared always spoke volumes with how you were feeling. They ranged from short and sweet, to something incredibly passionate and needy. 

 Either one, they always left you breathless and needy, your head spinning with so much want and need. 

 Tsukishima’s grip on your jaw tightened ever so slightly as he continued to explore your mouth. His tongue tracing over your teeth and bottom lip before going back to massage your own tongue. You were at his will completely, not that you minded. Not that you could even think about anything else other than the way he was making you feel.

 The leg between your thighs shifted suddenly and you felt yourself being pressed against his clothed thigh in the most intimate way. A surprised noise could be heard in your throat, and desire rippled through your body like a tidal wave.

 Tsukishima pulled back slightly, allowing his lips to flutter against your jaw and down your throat. His fingers working at the buttons of your uniform.

 You were left feeling delirious and incredibly achy. Your grip on his uniform tightening as you tried to get your bearings. 

 You finally realized where you were. 

 School. 

 You couldn’t do this here. 

 “Tsuki - ah - shima. S-Stop, we can’t do this here.” You gasped out, eyes fluttering shut in pleasure as he nipped at the exposed skin of your collarbone, and at the same time pressed himself harder against your core. His hands were now on your hips, and at the same time that he pressed his thigh closer to you, he had moved your body forward, causing you to grind against him.

 Pleasure rippled through your being; you knew that you were soaking wet right now. It was unfair how well he touched you, how he knew how to make you hot and bothered.

 “I told you to call me Kei.” he murmured and dragged your body against his thigh again. A delicious gasp escaping your spit stained lips. 

 “K-Kei. We c-can’t do this.” You whimpered out. “W-We could get caught. A-And if y-you’re late to practice, you know that Yamaguchi will be sent out to find you.” 

 He sighed deeply, and reluctantly pulled away from you, adjusting himself accordingly. You were right. He didn’t want anyone seeing you like that, that was for his eyes only. 

 It was so hard for him to not want to continue after he saw your disheveled form. It was fucking beautiful. Your lips were swollen with his kisses, your shirt unbuttoned, exposing the dark mark he had left on your soft skin. Your skirt was hiked up on your thighs, and your face was dazed with want and need.

 Tsukishima gritted his teeth, stopping himself from pushing you up on that desk and having his way with you finally.

 It was silent as you guys made yourselves presentable and finished cleaning up the classroom. The tension was thick in the air, lust buzzing in the air between you two. 

 Club activities flew by and so did the walk home. The tension never disappeared between the two of you, which had made Yamaguchi a bit nervous as you all walked home together. Of course, he wasn’t aware of what had transpired in the classroom, nor could he decipher what exactly the tension was, but he could feel the strange energy between the two of you.

 “You’re coming over tomorrow right?” Tsukishima finally said as he dropped you off at home.

 “Yeah. I definitely need help studying for that math test next week.” you sighed frowning slightly.

 “That’s why you need to take better notes in class. You can’t just keep drawing like a mindless idiot all the time.” Tsukishima said, causing you to scowl at him.

 “Whatever asshole! Goodnight! Text me when you get home. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!” You said childishly slamming the door in his face.

 At least some things would never change between you two.

 ***

 You grumbled under your breath as you attempted the math problem in front of you. 

 You were in Tsukishima’s room, the said male was currently reading a book, sitting across the table from you and ignoring you completely as you struggled.

 “I don’t get it.” You sighed, slouching your upper body on the tabletop. You hated math. It was your worst subject despite the good grades that you got.

 His eyes flickered over to your dejected form before going back to his book. “Whining about it isn’t going to change anything.”

 You scowled at his blunt statement, pulling your head up from the table, you stuck your tongue out at him. “Don’t be such an insensitive jerk.”

 His eye twitched at your statement as he looked at you once more. Before he could retort his older brother entered the room carrying a plate of snacks.

 “I thought you guys could use some food.” he said brightly, carefully placing the plate of food on the table.

 Your mood brightened immediately. “Thanks, Akiteru!”

 Tsukishima felt his eye twitch further, so you could easily call his brother by his first name but not his.

 His brother smiled back, “No problem Y/n-chan! Ever since you and Kei started dating his mood has improved a lot!” he said, giving you a thumbs up.

 Tsukishima slammed his book shut, placing it on the table and glowered at his older brother. “Don’t you have to go practice?”

 He waved him off as he turned to look at you. “Who knew that Kei could get such a cute girlfriend!”

 A soft blush coated your face much to Tsukishima’s annoyance, he stood up and began pushing his brother out of his room. As soon as he slammed the door shut and locked it, he turned his glare on you.

 “S-Stop looking at me like that! I didn’t do anything.” You said nervously. He ignored you completely and took a seat right next to you, leaning in closer. 

 “What are you doing?” You whispered, your heart racing in your chest as he grabbed your chin, turning your head to look at him.

 He was staring at you intensely. “You better pay close attention; I’m only going to help you go over this stuff once and if you miss any of the problems you can just go home.”

 You frowned at his bluntness but nodded, nonetheless.

 You weren’t sure how long it was, but you somehow finished the problems, and luckily didn’t get any of the answers wrong.

 Tsukishima was surprisingly a good teacher. At least when he wanted to be, he was still incredibly impatient when teaching you, but you learned the material. 

 “Finally.” he muttered as you finished putting everything in your bag away, before you could say anything, he grabbed your arm and slammed his lips into yours.

 You made a noise of surprise before kissing him back, eyes fluttering shut. 

 The kiss was hungry and desperate, his tongue prying your lips open and immediately beginning to fight your tongue for dominance. It was hot and wet and sent a wave of arousal throughout your entire body. The hand that was resting on your arm slid up to grab your jaw, fitting his mouth against yours perfectly.

 His other hand moved to rest in the middle of your back, and before you knew it your world shifted.

 Tsukishima had maneuvered your body to the floor, hovering over you. The hand that was on your back moved back around and you felt long slender fingers wrap around the back of your knee, carefully hiking your leg over his hip.

 This new position allowed Tsukishima to get closer to you. He pressed his body into yours gently, being sure not to crush you with his weight. He adored the softness of your body, and the sweet smell of your skin.

 But it wasn’t enough. 

 He wanted more.

 Tsukishima carefully snapped his hips forward, pressing his growing member against you. The only clothing separating him from your weeping core was a pair of thin panties.

 He groaned against your lips, pressing harder against you. A soft whimper from you egged him on, he couldn’t help himself. He grinded his hips harder against you, his member uncomfortably hard and searching for some kind of relief.

 His lips began trailing kisses along your jaw and down your throat, his fingers brushing against your collarbone, pushing your shirt away to reveal more skin.

 You gazed up at his ceiling in a daze, softly gasping at each thrust of his hips, you could feel your panties dampening further with your arousal as you clutched at his shoulders.

 “Take these off.” he demanded huskily in your ear. He tugged at your jacket and shirt, his fingers dipping underneath the fabric and brushing against the delicate skin at your stomach.

 “You first.” you breathed out, your own hands sliding beneath the blue shirt he opted to wear today. The tips of your fingers trailing softly against the hard lines of his stomach, his skin was warm and soft, the muscles flexing as he exhaled in a shudder.

 He sat back on the balls of his feet, his hands easily removing his shirt, tossing it behind him on the floor. He almost moaned at the sight before him. 

 You were sprawled out on the floor, legs bent slightly at the knee, your skirt was hiked up just below your panties. Your face was flushed red, your eyes half-lidded as you stared him with desire. Your chest heaving up and down.

 “Your turn.” he said simply and helped you sit half up. But before you could even remove the clothing yourself, Tsukishima was already at it. Pulling the jacket off your shoulders and then tugging your shirt over your head, revealing the soft white colored bra to his greedy eyes.

 “Fuck.” he whispered under his breath, you were fucking beautiful, and you were all his. “Come here.” he breathed, pulling you easily onto your feet and then pushing you down onto his bed, crawling on top of you.

 You loved the way he looked at you, like you hung the moon. Like you were the brightest thing he had ever seen in his entire life. It made you feel wanted, loved, adored. 

 Tsukishima’s lips easily found yours once again, still needy and urgent. He was pressed against you between your legs once more, grinding softly against your soaked core.

 His fingers trailing up softly from the hem of your skirt, up your stomach, to your ribs, and then they were cupping your right breast. 

 Kneading you softly through the cup of your bra. Like before, his lips began trailing kisses along your jaw, sucking at your throat, and then to the tops of your breasts.

 His breath was hot and damp against your overheated flesh, his tongue flicking out to taste your soft skin. You tossed your head back in pleasure, unable to stop the sweet moans and gasps that were escaping your lips as he began sucking and biting.

 “K-Kei.” You stuttered out, eyes slipping shut in pleasure. He glanced up at you and reached to pull one of the straps of your bra down, allowing one of your breasts to pop out freely.

 He watched as your exposed nipple began to harden before softly engulfing the pebbled bud into the hot cave of his mouth.

 Fuck, he’s never heard anything as sweet as the moans and high-pitched whines that escaped your swollen lips.

 You couldn’t breathe, the pleasure was overwhelming as he began flicking his tongue back and forth against your nipple. The back of your hand resting over your mouth, attempting to quiet the moans that were escaping your lips. Tsukishima began rolling your nipple between his teeth carefully, causing you to arch your back off the bed.

 Hot white pleasure shooting into your body, your lower half was on fire, burning with so much need. You had soaked through your underwear completely, and your cunt was throbbing to be touched now.

 “Please.” You whined out, chest heaving as you struggled to catch your breath. “K-Kei. Please.”

 He hummed against your breast, releasing your nipple with a soft pop before moving up and pressing a soft kiss to your lips. 

 “What do you want?” he asked, voice low and deep. But he already knew that answer, his fingers already dancing across the zipper of your skirt, easily opening it, and pulling it down your legs, where you kicked it off of your ankles. 

 Tsukishima could have cum in his pants then and there. You had luckily decided to wear a matching bra and panties today, but that wasn’t why he was in awe. He could visibly see how wet you were.

 Your wetness soaked through your panties; a dark wet spot easily being spotted by the tall blonde. 

 “Is this because of me?” he murmured, a long finger gently rubbing up and down against the stain. “You’re soaked.” he breathed out, feeling the moisture collect on his finger.

 “Kei.” a high-pitched whine left your lips. “I-I want you. Please.”

 He exhaled loudly through his nose and began removing the rest of your clothes, his gold eyes drank in your exposed body greedily. 

 This. this was all his. You were all his.

 He then removed the rest of his clothes; his body bare for your eyes to see. 

 Tsukishima was the most beautiful person you had ever laid your eyes on. The muscles in his body flexing as you took him in, and then… he was fucking hard. It looked incredibly painful, his member pulsing and leaking precum.

 Gently parting your legs further, he carefully rubbed his member against your glistening slit, moaning at the wetness.

 This was it.

 “Are you sure?” he asked softly, gazing at you with a gentle expression, his thumb rubbing softly against your knee.

 You nodded, fearing that your voice would shake with the nerves you were experiencing, but the desire for Tsukishima overshadowed that. You wanted him.

 He shook his head. “I need to hear you say it Y/n.”

 “I want you Kei.” you said breathless. “I-I love you.”

 You weren’t… fuck, you weren’t planning to say that. You could feel panic rising in your chest, your eyes widening as you took in his expression.

 Tsukishima’s eyes were wide, his lips parted softly at your statement. A soft blush coating his face.

 “I love you too.” he finally said, and then pushed his hips forward.

 The sudden pressure below, the intrusion you weren’t used to had you gasping loudly, throwing your head back at the unfamiliar sensation. 

 The stretch wasn’t uncomfortable, there was the slight fear at the back of your mind that it would hurt based on all the stories that you had heard from your friends and senpais. 

 It was just different… but fuck. The expression that was now on Tsukishima’s face wiped away any kind of discomfort you may have been in.

 His face was contorted in pure bliss, his eyes squeezed shut, lips parted in pleasure. It was a beautiful sight.

 You were the one making him feel that way, you were the one that was giving him all this pleasure. This was yours to keep, this moment.

 You gasped softly as he began moving, carefully rocking his hips against yours. His cock rubbed against your velvety walls, reaching a depth within you that you didn’t even know you had.

 “Y-You’re so tight.” He stuttered out. “Feel so good.” he praised and began moving in and out of you more. 

 You were getting used to the uncomfortable feeling of being full; and that’s definitely what you felt when Tsukishima was inside of you.

 It started to feel… good actually. 

 Tsukishima must’ve realized that as well, his speed and force increasing a bit more. He reached down and carefully began circling your clit with his thumb. 

 Oh fuck. No, that was good. That was really good. Your body jolted in pleasure, a soft whine escaping your lips. 

 “I’m close.” Tsukishima said panting, his eyes began to focus on your expression, wanting you to feel just as much pleasure as he was. 

 You were beautiful. You were so fucking beautiful, naked, and gasping, taking his cock so well. He gritted his teeth, hastily removing himself from your weeping core. Tsukishima grasped at his member tightly and thrusted twice into his fist before spilling himself onto your lower belly.

 His cum was hot and thick as it splattered onto your skin, you had never seen anything more perfect than the way Tsukishima looked coming undone. 

 You couldn’t help but stare at him as he came down from his high. His blonde hair was disheveled, sweat gleamed on his pale skin, outlining the hard muscles in his arms and stomach. 

 When he finally opened his eyes they immediately softened as they took in your spent form. 

 “Hold on.” he murmured softly and got up to find a towel, carefully cleaning up the mess he made on your stomach.

 You couldn’t help but to continue laying there, exhausted despite the fact that you hadn’t done much. After Tsukishima finished taking care of you, he pulled the blanket on the edge of the bed up as he laid next to you. You moved closer to the blonde male, resting your head against his chest, his fingers began combing through your hair.

 “I’m sure that wasn’t good for you.” he said quietly, after a moment of comfortable silence. “But I plan on making you feel good every time from now on.”

 “It was good.” You said softly, on the verge of sleep. “We just need more practice… like volleyball.”

 Tsukishima laughed softly against your hair. “Shut up stupid. Go to sleep.”

[moonbaby26]

Title: Escape

Pairing: Peter Maximoff x Reader

Notes: Actual pairing interaction starts in the second section after the Reader character gets out of the elevator, feel free to skip down to that if you like. Reader thinks about Peter in the first section, but it is more setting up how they got so separated from the others, plus a Wolvie cameo. I wanted Peter x Reader to be able to have more interaction away from the group.

Summary: Continuation of previous chapter. Set during X-Men: Age of Apocalypse. You and the others have been taken to Stryker’s base and must survive to find your way out together.

Warnings: Wolverine cameo advisory with a 100% chance of stabby stab. Mild language.

Chapters: Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Taglist: @drikawinchester , @n0obmaster69 , @alexloveskili , @what-a-silver-lining , @bluesprings18 , @weakmoony-stuff , @slytherinsi-mp

Peter Maximoff x Reader Masterlist

——————————

“The day of reckoning is here.”

Your eyes opened at once, that unmistakeable voice now reverberating through your mind as fluorescent lights passed one after another above you.

“Professor?” You breathed aloud, immediately trying to sit up on the moving gurney.

But the restraints were drawn too tightly as your head only rebounded backward just as quickly when your torso didn’t rise in tandem.

“Shit!” the guard to your left cursed, his hand drawing back from the gurney rail at your sudden movement.

You turned your head towards him, confused, even as the professor’s words continued in your mind.

Yet Xavier’s voice sounded strange, forced. And you didn’t understand the context. Was it a warning? A threat to someone?

It didn’t really seem to fit the current circumstances to say it was directed at you or your captors. But he only kept speaking.

“The dawn of a new era will emerge. For there is nothing you can do...to stop what is coming.”

The two guards were looking around too then, reacting in sync with the telepathic message leaving you no doubt that they could hear it as well.

But why would Xavier be in their heads too? Did he already know where you were?

One guard chided the other, as if the two of them didn’t both have the same frightened expression. “Damn stun pulse is wearing off it is all, just hurry up and finish this transport. Colonel Stryker wants it taken to the lower testing bay,”

“Don’t tell me you aren’t hearing that voice?” The other guard retorted, “What the hell is that?”

Did they just call you an ‘it’? What was this place? Not a hospital surely. But you could barely dwell on the implications of the guard’s words ‘lower testing bay’, and the impending threat that represented as your last memories finally began to bubble up.

The X-Mansion in rubble, the helicopters swooping in over the trees, the students and staff unconscious in the grass, that soldier cracking your ribs, and-

Peter.

He was a stranger to you still, but he’d been right there against you. Surely you had drawn more attention to him just because your powers had let you resist a few moments longer than the others. Because you’d been so stubborn, not going down until you’d been forced to.

If these men had hurt any of your friends, you would be furious. But if Peter, who had also saved so many of your friends was now in more severe danger because of your actions, you wouldn’t forgive yourself.

“Where did you take the others!?” You arched against the restraints abruptly, your palms opening to face upward, trying to summon any bit of your energy at all. A wisp, an orb, anything that could have helped you right now. You had to find your friends.

But nothing came. Not even a glow or flicker of what you truly were as you now had both guards’ full attention.

“Freak! Just shut up!” One of them shoved the gurney in retaliation to your outburst, the caster wheels rattling across the concrete floor before the bed rail hit against one of the walls, jarring you painfully.

“Those with the greatest power. Protect those without. That's my message to the world.”

Xavier concluded his words then. And somehow, that sounded more like himself than any of the rest of it. The real meaning still eluded you, but hearing him in that tone at least meant he was okay. He was somewhere urging the rest of you on. At least this part you knew was true as you took a calming breath, realizing panic and anger would serve you nothing right now.

Something was blocking your powers. That much was obvious. It would be unrealistic to think that the effects of any stun weapon would be this long lasting though.

On the other hand, you knew chemicals existed that could also temporarily block mutations. Hank used one almost medicinally whenever he didn’t wish to be in his true “Beast” form. But it had to be injected direct into the veins to have any real effect.

You could feel that they hadn’t removed any of your clothing, nor had they rolled up the long sleeves you were wearing. You doubted they would risk a chemical like that wearing off at an inopportune time and likely would have started an IV if they possessed anything of that nature.

There were no tubes or lines attached to you that you could tell, only the restraints now holding you to this bed. Leather straps across your body, metal cuffs on your ankles and wrists-

But wait, you were able to move your head as you’d already discovered. You shifted it again, trying to get a better feel of what was around your neck. Metal as well, but loose as you could still lift your head up enough to see it just a bit. It and its dull, red status light.

Inhibitor collar, you realized with an all new dread sinking in. You had heard of these of course, but it was the kind of thing that students sheltered at Xavier’s school would never have to dream of really. Something you never thought you’d have to experience personally.

How naive.

But you still couldn’t give up. Your mind was racing as you tried to come up with any strategies now. Your options were so limited, but they couldn’t keep you tied down forever. Surely they’d have to move you to a more permanent containment at some point, untie you if even for a moment.

Yet, there were guns as well. You hadn’t missed that detail, but you considered it more fully now as you glanced to the long barrells swaying behind each guard’s back as they pushed you along.

They were slowing now though. You raised your head enough again to see elevator doors nearing. The lower testing bay, you remembered them saying.

But just as one guard had started to reach for the keypad beside the doors, an alarm blared, all three of you startling at the sound.

Orange lights lit up along the walls, spinning in time with the sirens.

“Weapon X is loose. I repeat, Weapon X is loose!” A man’s unnerved voice sounded over speakers you couldn’t see, echoing down the corridors.

You could only watch as both guards spun around on their heels at that, guns immediately drawn. The one thing you could be absolutely sure of then, was that you were now the very least of their concerns.

Before you could consider how to use this surprise in your favor though, screams and the echo of gunfire erupted seemingly on top of you all.

The guards were terrified. This could be your only chance.

“Take this collar off of me, please! I can help you!” You weren’t begging as much as you were truly trying to reason with them. “Look, this is serious right!?”

More men were screaming just around the corner. Only feet away now. Clearly their time to consider had run out.

You saw one of the guards glance down at you, weighing your offer if just for that moment. The other was still staring straight ahead, gun braced, body rigid.

“FIRE!” The one not looking at you screamed, and that was it. It was too late.

You flinched as the gunfire rang deafening in your ears, the muzzle flashes just above you while empty bullet shells rained onto the floor.

You didn’t know how many bullets their gun magazines could hold, but the barrage seemed to just go on and on until an inhuman snarl rose even above the pounding gunshots.

Like a blur he was upon them. One guard was immediately thrown against a nearby wall, as if he were made of paper. His gun didn’t even faze the attacker.

You were frozen as you had to watch him die in front of you. Metal blades impaled the guard, blood splatter running down the wall as his body fell. You wished the other guard would have just turned and ran, but that probably would have been fruitless now too if you were being honest.

The attacker had turned immediately back around, one slash knocking the gun away from the remaining guard, and the second taking out his throat.

You were too in shock to do anything but close your eyes in the moment you felt some of the blood hit you. It was warm was all you could really process, before you opened your eyes again to now see the killer standing over you.

His breath was fast, eyes black, no emotion evident but rage. He had no clothing on him above the waist, just muscular and bloodied with metal cords coming out of his body and attaching to some sort of helmet.

You heard the random sound of more bits of metal hitting the ground, and thought you saw a few bullets working out in reverse from his flesh.

He was one of you then, a mutant.

But you were afraid to speak. Anything could set him off again.

He was looking down at you, through you really. You thought you saw his eyes go to your throat. The collar? Or maybe you just imagined it. Everything was happening in just seconds.

His arm swung suddenly, those blades were part of him you realized, attached to his fists as they came for you. At least it would be a quick death.

You felt a burning, heard ripping and even the metal of the bed breaking as he struck more than once.

“He’s here!” Someone else screamed from back down the hallway and the gunfire started all over again.

You moved at the sound, why you didn’t know, it should have been all over regardless. But in your amazement, you realized you could move. His claws had broken through the restraints, broken the bolts that held you to the bed. You were bleeding, but only from cuts as he’d grazed you.

He’d freed you.

The gurney tumbled over with a clatter as you jumped from it. But bullets were hitting all around you as the guards continued to fire at him. You still had the inhibitor collar on, so you couldn’t defend from that. You weren’t bulletproof like him.

And he was already charging them again, but there were so many this time. A bullet grazed your arm, and you knew you had to get out of there now.

You turned, hitting the elevator keypad. You had no choice as you wouldn’t make it out of this hallway otherwise. You ducked inside as soon as the doors opened, trying to stay against the sides even as bullets were now hitting the back of the elevator. The only way was down, and you took it.

As the doors closed, and the elevator finally sank below the firing line, you allowed yourself some real breaths.

To think, just hours ago your main concern had only been whether or not you were ready for Hank’s organic chemistry final. You’d laugh if you weren’t still trembling a little, clothes torn and blood all over, most of it not even your own.

Now it was time to find the others and a way out.

—————————

“(Y/N)?” You heard in your mind, pausing in the abandoned hallway you were now wandering down. You’d left the elevator behind some time ago, but hadn’t yet found any other way back off this level.

“Jean?” You answered aloud, both surprised and relieved. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. We are now. I saw them take you too, but where are you?”

Talking to a telepath was always a bit strange. You could feel her own stress and anxiety as she began to fill your mind. She wanted to see what you were seeing.

You looked around you to oblige her, but from what you could tell every corridor only looked like more of the same in this labyrinth.

“I got into an elevator when all the shooting started, when that man-“

“Logan. We met him too. He’s escaped now, he-” She paused, your recent memories now visible to her. “He helped you.”

“He did.” You felt she both was and wasn’t surprised at this.

“Anyway,” She continued as if something was distracting her, like she was physically talking to someone else, while mentally talking to you. “The Professor needs us. We’re sending Peter to find you. He’ll bring you to us and then we’re leaving together.”

“Okay,” Was all you could answer, as you felt Jean leave your mind abruptly at that. You remembered Xavier’s odd speech earlier, something you really hadn’t had time to deconstruct any further with everything else that had happened immediately after. You supposed they would fill you in when you were all reunited.

But you did feel a significant weight leave your shoulders at the mention of Peter’s name, even though it sounded like this horrific day was still far from over. He was okay too then at least. You hadn’t screwed up enough to get him hurt in a way you couldn’t take back.

Yet how long would it take for him to find you? Should you just stay in place, or go back to the elevator now? You hadn’t found any stairwells or other-

“(Y/N)?”

You’d be lying to say you didn’t almost fall over in surprise as a tiny gust of air was the only other thing that announced him as Peter was suddenly standing beside you.

“You’re as bad as Kurt!” You gasped, before you could stop yourself. You clenched one fist at your side, at least having the self control not to punch him right in the arm as you might have done with some of the boys at school if they had given you that kind of scare.

“That’s the blue kid with the tail right? Not to be confused with the big blue hairy guy, he’s the one that told me your name by the way, or the blue famous chick from TV?” He shook his head, but his eyes were amused. “You guys have some kind of quota on the color blue or what?”

You stared at him. He did like to talk didn’t he?

When you didn’t respond right away, you saw his eyes wander down, then back up. “Red said you’d be a bit of a mess, but you sure you’re okay?”

Your shirt was torn from well, now you knew him as Logan...that man’s claws. Those cuts were still bleeding a bit, but the guard’s blood was on you as well. The metal shackles were also still on your wrists and ankles, though their chains had been broken, and the inhibitor collar was around your neck. Yes, you must look quite a sight.

“You mean Jean,” you corrected. She must have given him some warning at least before sending him. “Yeah, I’m fine. So you found another way out of here, we should-”

But he didn’t seem to be listening, either that or you weren’t very convincing on the being okay sentiment.

He looked quite serious all of the sudden. “I’m sorry I didn’t help you when Colonel douchebag was trying to work you over.”

You blinked. What was he talking about?

“Stryker I guess they said his name was, the guy that kicked you back at the house.” He just continued. “That piece of shit bailed already.”

“How did you know about that?” You asked honestly. Peter had been unconscious as far as you’d known.

“I mean I was in and out,” He answered, seemingly understanding your confusion now. “But uh...” He hesitated, kind of an awkward smirk building then. “I definitely remember you laying on me. The impact wasn’t that great, but afterward was pretty nice.”

Your felt a heat rising to your face immediately. The absurdity of being physically embarrassed at his implication and tone, as you stood here literally bleeding in the belly of some mutant torturing black ops lab was not lost on you.

“Look, I...” You didn’t even know what to say, but you knew if you didn’t start talking now you were never going to recover control here. “I’m really glad they didn’t hurt you, and I’m sorry too if I got you involved deeper in all of this. And I want to thank you for pulling everyone out of the mansion this morning. We owe you so much. I just-” Oh man, where were you even going with this? You looked to him still feeling like you were just digging yourself deeper, “You can stop me anytime now you know?”

He was now outright grinning. “You’re welcome, babe.”

Not helping. AT ALL.

You were staring at him again. “They’re going to be waiting on us, you know,” You felt you were going to be pleading with him in a moment.

“I know, places to be, worlds to save...” He just moved closer and you tensed a little bit. He noticed, but stood his ground. “I have to brace you or you’re just going to be hurt even more when I run you back to them.”

“So is that how you do it, then? You’re just that fast?” You asked honestly. His actual mutation wasn’t something there’d been any chance to discuss. You could infer only so many ways he would have been able to evacuate those in the mansion almost instantaneously. But you knew teleporters too, even people who could move through reality on other planes. There was always more than one way to do something.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” He chuckled, smirking enough for you to know he was still just picking with you as one of his hands went behind your head and the other to your ribs to brace you. He really did know where you’d been hit then.

His hands were warm, and you could smell that damn cologne again now as you tried to ready yourself for whatever was about to happen.

You didn’t know what you had expected. You knew how it felt to take off in a jet, or slam the gas pedal down in one of the Professor’s expensive cars, or ride on a really intense roller coaster. But this wasn’t that. There wasn’t even any time for your brain to register the acceleration. It felt like just a single heartbeat before you were standing back in front of those elevator doors with him.

It was the deceleration that hit you. By the time your body knew it was moving, it had already stopped again, your organs lurching and your equilibrium completely thrown off as vertigo took over. You leaned forward immediately, trying not to dry heave as puking seemed almost imminent.

He took one of your hands, his other hand moving down from your ribs to your waist as he helped support you still.

“It’ll pass. It happens to everyone the first time,” He spoke, probably the softest tone you’d heard from him to this point.

“You’re telling me there are people who have been-” You swallowed, fighting that nausea back down. “have been with you multiple times?” You meant to say multiple times like that. People who needed to be rescued this way multiple times. You stood up, still queasy as you tried to face him and correct this blunder immediately. Why did this guy have you so flustered!?

“I’m not normally like this,” you stammered, waiting for some great retort from him as you’d just left yourself wide open with that slip.

It was only then that you realized he still had one hand on your waist, and you were now facing him, just inches apart. And the silence was worse. It was much worse while he was just looking back at you.

“No,” He finally said, “I uh...I don’t have anyone that’s stayed around long enough for that.”

He wasn’t joking at all now and you knew it.

“I didn’t mean...” You started, but stopped again when you didn’t know how to finish.

But the vulnerability was gone just as soon as it’d come. His smirk returned as he let go of you, moving forward to hit the keypad for the elevator. “I did look for stairwells by the way, if you were wondering. It only took me as long as it did to find you down here because this damn elevator is slow as hell.”

You actually were a little relieved to finally be focusing back to the task at hand. But you still felt an unspoken conversation lingering that would need to be continued later. You wanted him to know who you really were.

And honestly...you now wanted to know who he really was.

The harsh buzz from the keypad brought you back to attention as Peter hit it again.

A tiny screen blinked “CODE ERROR” in red as he groaned. “It didn’t need a damn code to come down, that makes no sense!”

You responded in a few moments, realizing the likely truth fairly quickly. “But it would make sense if you were more concerned about things getting out of the lab than you were of things getting in.” The same would be true for the lack of entry and exit points. They surely weren’t concerned with fire safety or anything else but keeping their specimens captive when they built this place.

“Ugh, that’s dark,” He answered, glancing at you and then back to the keypad. “You’re almost making me not feel so bad for all the guys that looked like swiss cheese on the way down here. But lucky for you, you’ve got me, and these five hombres.” He waved his fingers at you before immediately beginning to punch in multiple codes in faster succession than of course would have been possible for anyone else.

“Peter, I don’t think-” You started, already having a good suspicion of how this might play out, before the keypad abruptly quit accepting inputs, the tiny screen then blinking LOCKOUT. The only thing that did surprise you was a new even thicker door suddenly closing over the original elevator doors.

And you couldn’t help it then. You laughed. A real laugh. It was just the dumbest icing on the cake. “Okay, Han Solo. I think that will do.” You didn’t care if he would understand the reference or not. You needed that laugh right now.

But he didn’t let you down. Not even for a moment. “Okay then Leia, then you show me how we’re getting past here to save the ugly little ewoks.”

You were still snickering a little, but you shook your head. “I can’t,” You motioned to the inhibitor collar still around your neck. “Not with this on. It’s blocking my powers.” You had hoped once you were all back topside that Hank would be able to disarm the thing. It was probably radio controlled or something like that. “We’ll have to wait on Jean and the others to realize we’re taking too long, they’ll come for us.”

“I don’t wait,” Peter retorted. “Besides, like I said, I showed you mine. Time to show me yours.” He tilted his head, eyeing you. “Really, I’ve been dying to know.”

“Sure you have,” You were skeptical, but it was actually hard to read him right now. Was he actually that curious about you? “And I’ve already tried to take it off, it doesn’t budge.”

“Again, babe. You didn’t have me before.” The smug tone was back, as he evidently had some plan you didn’t know if you were going to like or not.

“You realize, this thing is nearly against my jugular veins, right? What are you going to do?” You had every right to be hesitant you thought. Especially after the keypad failure.

“Just be still. I’m going to vibrate it apart.” He answered confidently.

Okay, now you really didn’t like this. “Again, head, throat, things I need to stay in one piece. What if it has some self destruct thing and explodes?”

“I can pull you away from that before it even burns you. How do you think your friends lived when your house blew up this morning?”

You could have mentioned Alex’s fate then, but that would have been needlessly cruel. Alex must have already been gone before Peter even entered the building. He did save everyone else you thought.

“Trust me,” Peter looked you in the eyes and you could feel yourself relenting.

You really did believe him it seemed. Hopefully that faith was not misplaced. “Please be careful,” You closed your eyes, going stock still.

“For you? Of course.”

You heard his jacket move, which told you he was raising his arms. Internally you tensed-

And then all you heard were pieces of metal and circuitry skittering across the floor in every direction. You were still standing exactly as you had been as you opened your eyes to a too pleased with himself Peter.

“Some shrapnel did try to go into your face, but I moved the pieces. No kaboom though.” His expression changed then to happily expectant, “So come on, I’ve helped three times now, the stage is now yours,” He made an exagerrated motion to the big metal door now blocking the elevator. “What’s your poison?”

Poison? An interesting way to put it, but you knew what he meant. All mutant abilities were both a gift and a curse. Yet even after all these years of meeting people of your own kind, it was still very personal to show someone your real self for the very first time.

Especially when you evidently cared what he thought of you as you realized your nerves were suddenly about much more than just being able to get open a door or not. How would he react?

You took a breath, still extremely aware of his eyes on you as you turned your palms upward. It was always easiest to start with your hands. But you’d need to bring the energy all the way through you to get the kind of power it was going to take to pull this door out.

There was a slight relief in you as your hands began to glow white after a moment. At least you knew you were no longer defenseless, that these people hadn’t taken your abilities permanently.

In your peripheral vision you could see Peter shift, but you didn’t look to him, trying to concentrate as the energy spread up your arms and you closed your eyes. It always felt so warm, like being in the sun on a clear day. It spread to your chest, legs, up your shoulders and over your face. Even through your hair as you willed the energy to lift you up, now completely enveloped until you were a silhouette of a person. Glowing in soft white light and levitating about a foot off the floor.

You opened your eyes again, feeling you had things in control enough now to speak to him. The tone of your voice changed slightly in this form though. There was a hum to it, the energy moving across your vocal chords like every other part of you.

“I’m going to try and pull the door out of the way and into the hall. Please be ready to move as I won’t have a lot of control over it once it gives. My effort is going to all be on breaking it.”

You looked to him after a moment though when he didn’t respond. You knew he was fast enough to keep himself safe obviously, but you had to be sure he was ready. Was he really just staring at you? “Peter?”

He blinked. “Yeah, uh. That’s...” He stepped back from the door, but never took his eyes off you, this weird expression on his face. “That’s cool.”

“Please mind the door,” You reiterated gently, not quite sure what to make of his reaction to your powers.

“Sure, sure thing.” He sounded more like himself then. “Do your deal.”

Your deal as he put it, involved willing this same energy now in a field around the door as you rose your hand up to control it. Once you were sure you had it solidly, you began pulling your hand back, trying to pull the door out of its railing.

It gradually started to creak, but like you’d thought, this was going to take some real doing. You pulled harder and harder, the metal just groaning louder. “Come on,” You spoke, not really sure if you were talking more to yourself or the door.

Your arm was starting to really ache with the effort. But just when you thought you might have to try something else after all, you finally felt the door give. And when it gave, it did so spectacularly. This massive chunk of metal collapsed, exploding out of its rail as it rocketed down the hallway. You just moved to the side to avoid it, the smaller pieces hitting you harmlessly in this form.

To your eyes it only looked like Peter disappeared and then reappeared as he also easily missed all the debris.

Once that obstacle was out of the way, you glided down, back to the normal elevator doors. They were slightly damaged from the removal of the larger door. But now it only took minimum effort to force them open.

You entered the elevator, the inner keypad was also blinking that same “LOCKOUT” error from earlier. So the elevator itself was going nowhere. But this was now no longer an issue for you.

“I can carry us up,” You looked to Peter, though unsure how comfortable he would be with this new idea.

He was standing at the entrance of the elevator already, watching you still. You could see the wheels in his head turning. And then he finally asked. “So, you’re glowing...and flying. Is this like radioactive glow, or I just need some sunscreen kind of glow?”

“It’s just light energy in the visible spectrum.” You answered reflexively. “But not even UV, the wavelength itself doesn’t cause any damage. It’s only when I make it solid or make it unstable that I can do anything harmful with it.”

You could see he may have skipped the lessons on long and short wave energy and radiation in science class as he just kept staring.

“You’re fine, it’s safe” You smiled. Certainly not the first time you had heard such questions. “The Professor and Hank had me tested from the very beginning, I never would have been allowed so close to other students without more precautions if I was that dangerous.”

“So you’re...close to some other students?” He asked almost tauntingly, one eyebrow raised, and it took you a moment before you realized he may be getting back at you for your comments from before.

It was probably just the fact that you were in your energy form now, but you felt confident enough to respond just as quickly, “It’s more like the Brady Bunch than what you’re thinking. Like having a whole house of little brothers and sisters.”

You had already opened up the ceiling of the elevator while the two of you talked, looking up now to the empty shaft and elevator cables. It’d be much easier to move the two of you rather than to try and lift the whole elevator. You reached a hand out to Peter. “I can lift us up the shaft to the floor that the others are on and open the doors, then you can take us to them. Deal?”

You had trusted him to bring you here, as well as to remove that collar from you. Would he now trust you to bring him up several floors without dropping him?

He was looking at your hand. “I probably could just run up the walls you know.”

You paused, realizing you hadn’t considered that. You didn’t really know what all he was capable of truly. But just as you started to lower your hand, he surprised you by grabbing and holding it.

“Yet how many guys can say they flew with you, huh?”

“Practically none,” You admitted. “I don’t make a habit of picking up my friends.”

“You aren’t quite building confidence here.”

“I’m sure that door weighed more than you.”

“And look how it ended up. Again, not comforting.”

This guy was truly something else. “Come here, we take much longer and they really are going to be sending a search party for us.”

You extended the energy from your hand across his body gently. He was obviously much lighter than the door, and the closer you kept him, the easier it would be to move the both of you.

You tried not to make eye contact with him again as you levitated the two of you through the top of the elevator and up through the shaft. Even though you knew you were fully capable of doing this, you still didn’t want to lose focus.

But his voice didn’t sound frightened at all as he spoke up to let you know how high to go. “They’re on the top floor, we’re stealing a jet to get out of here.”

“Wow, but okay. Got it,” You sped up a little at that, no longer worried about passing your landing point as you went straight to the top.

When you reached the highest doors, you were able to force them open with a turn of your free hand, bringing you and Peter safely through and back onto solid ground.

You powered down immediately as your feet met the floor, the light fading back into your body until you were just standing there in your torn, bloody clothes once more. “Okay, I’m ready to get nauseous again, let’s go.”

He actually squeezed your hand before he let go of it in order to brace your head and ribs again. “For the record that felt pretty good. You’re really warm. Zero g’s was cool too. Thanks.”

“Um...you’re welcome?” You answered, a little flustered all over again to your own dismay, and really not knowing what else to say before he whisked you away in an instant.

It really was going to be the longest day ever.

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(Continued in next chapter here)