#i wish i had a human doctor this good and who i clicked with this well Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[confinesofmy]

I ♥ MY AUTISTIC VETERINARIAN

[deathworlders-of-e24]

Jane, Medical Technician

Part 1

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

“Sorry I’m late doctor, this ship is huge.” Jane hadn’t realized until she got on board that her quarters were halfway across the ship and a full deck up from her work station in the Med Bay. She was going to have to fabricate some more sensible shoes at this rate. She wished she could have her own synthetic tree put into the med bay, just roll outta the hammock and get straight to work, but those perks belonged to the head doctor on the ship.

“It’s fine, it’s just day one,” said Doctor Huhuma, brushing it off with a wave of her furred hand. “I think I can trust these people to go at least a week without almost dying.”

While Jane Shaw was a doctor in her own right, the head physician on board the Noah was Doctor Huhuma, an Indoprime, something akin to the moneys on E24 in the Terran system, locally called Earth. They were so similar in fact that multiple ongoing studies were being conducted to see if they had any common genetic ancestry. Indoprimes stood just as tall as humans on two legs, with two arms that hung down to their torsos. The only real difference was the fur and semi prehensile tails.

“We’ve only left the station a few hours ago, what could have happened? I think today will be quiet at least,” Jane joked. As if the universe heard her and quietly whispered ‘bet’, the door to Med Bay hissed opened and in walked one of the engineers with a thin length of pipe all the way through their arm. Their green blood was a stark contrast to their gray skin and jumpsuit, and their face was turning ashen.

“Oh for- why?” Doctor Huhuma rushed over to the fresh patient. “Thanks for that, Jinxed Jane. Grab a kit, I’ll get him on the table. You had to say the Q-word, huh?”

God damnit, Jane thought. Hours into a first shift and the nickname has already come up. Jinxed Jane had followed her all throughout her residency on Earth and apparently it’d made its way into her GAIL file too.

You accidentally bump a few nurses during surgery and they never let you forget it, she thought miserly. There was a reason she was trying to get away from people who knew her. Jinxed Jane was one of them.

She grabbed a kit from the shelves and brought it to the table, handing the med scanner to the doctor.

“Thank you…sorry. For the-”

“Don’t worry about it.” Jane didn’t want to think about it.

The little gray guy on the table was breathing hard. His life wasn’t in any danger, thankfully, but the pipe was only a half inch thinner than his arm. Jane recognized his species from the crew list, he was one of the Gally. Apparently they’d been to earth a ton of times in the past, abducting cattle and occasionally leaving crop circles as a joke. They’d actually shown up so often that the Gally were the default for ‘Alien’ in pop culture in the Terran System. Throughout the Galaxy and especially the GAIL member planets, the Gally were known to be obnoxious pranksters of the highest order.

“Oouuuch,” said the Gally, wincing at the pain.

“Get him a shot of something good for the pain, this’ll take a second.” The med scanner wasn’t done compiling.

“On it.” Jane grabbed a dose of multi-species painkiller from the kit, took the cap off with her teeth, and jabbed it into his thigh. Almost immediately the Gally relaxed.

“Laser wave scalpel, please,” Doctor Huhuma asked.

“Here.” Jane handed her the tool quickly, a short cylinder tapered on one end. The doctor clicked it on and a red beam several centimeters long sprouted from the tip.

“Cover his eyes for me, this might throw sparks.”

“Got it, Doc.”

Jane grabbed a surgical mask and slipped it on the Gally’s face, then took a stainless steel tray and used it to shield their eyes. Huhuma leaned down and with one hand covering her eyes, she used the laser saw to cut the pipe as close to the skin as possible. The Gally flinched at first so Jane put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him as best she could.

The pipe fell, one end red hot, and Huhuma caught it with her tail before it hit the floor.

“Okay,” the doctor said, “easy part is done, this is where it will probably be awful for you.”

“How?” The Gally asked, speaking for the first time other than slight groans of pain.

“Why don’t you tell us your name so we can get this filed away after we’re done?”

“I’m an engineer below decks, my name is Simms of the Gall-”

Huhuma pulled the pipe out the other side of his arm, causing Simms to break off his introduction for a yelp of pain. The doctor quickly took the tissue regenerator, commonly called a Patch Box, and started closing up the wound.

“Well, Simms of the Gally, my name is Doctor Huhuma, and this is Doctor Shaw. You’re our very first patient on this ship, and let me tell you, I wasn’t expecting anything to happen before we left the system, so while I go start the paperwork, Doctor Shaw is going to finish up for me.”

Huhuma handed over the device before walking calmly into her office. Jane wasn’t sure but she thought she heard a long sigh before the door closed, but that could’ve just been the door’s hydraulics.

“I don’t believe she likes me,” Simms said.

“Oh you’re fine, she’s just…settling into the ship, I suppose. So yeah, like she said, I’m Doctor Jane Shaw, and I suppose I’ll be your doctor now, so it’s nice to meet you, though I’m wondering how you got a pipe through your arm.”

“Oh, that.” Apparently it was possible for people with gray skin to blush. They just got a little darker in the cheeks.

“I kinda deserved it. One of the other humans in engineering, Thomas I think, was doing something weird with the drone he picked up, and we thought it’d be funny to prank him.”

“What was he doing?”

“Well it’s a service drone, it shouldn’t even be active right now right? He’s got one of the ones that crawls into maintenance channels and fixes the wiring, and he’s got it playing one of your human’s game things, and he’s just talking to it like a person, for hours!”

“And what did you do?”

“Well, we thought about cabling his shoes to the catwalk but I, uhh, slipped and fell into some exposed pipping.”

“Hence the arm.”

“Yes, hence my arm.”

“So you could say if you hadn’t been being a jerk, this could’ve been avoided. Can’t wait to tell your primary care giver that her crew are idiots and jerks. Leave the guy alone, if he’s not hurting anything then it doesn’t matter.”

“What, do you know the guy? He your friend or something?”

Jane didn’t particularly like the tone of the conversation anymore, but wanted to be professional.

“Never met the guy, but if you keep coming in here for pointless procedures like this, the chances of you getting the wrong doses are gonna get pretty high.”

Professional. Right.

“Look I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend the humans, we’ll leave him alone, okay?” Simms seemed way more afraid than Jane figured he should be, but rolled with it.

“Good. Now, how would you rate your care today?”

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

Aside from the rough start, the day in the Med Bay went by relatively easily. Jane met the nurses and other support staff she’d be working with, and they all seemed very nice. A couple of the senior officers came down to introduce themselves to Doctor Huhuma and herself, and the 3 other Indoprime came down to have lunch together in the office, primarily fruits and such. Jane went to the mess hall and enjoyed small talk with a delightful short haired alien that she almost immediately forgot the name of.

It wasn’t until she was coming back to the Med Bay that things took a turn. Rounding the corner, Jane saw the door to Med Bay open and a very suspicious looking Simms the Gally come out, looking both ways down the hall before practically jogging down to the corner and out of sight.

Jane sped up and ducked her head into the clinic. There was a giant string of crop circles on the wall drawn in what looked like an oil paint.

Now, she wasn’t sure when she started sprinting, but before she knew it, Jane was already within 20 yards of Simms the Gally.

“YOU LITTLE FUCKER!”

Simms spun around, eyes wide.

“Oh shit what the fu-”

That was as far as he got before she tackled him.

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

Doctor Huhuma watched the door while Doctor Jane Shaw watched the gray alien known as Simms the Gally sponge wash the crop circles off the Med Bay wall.

“So when in this big plan of yours did you think it was a good idea to piss off your doctors?” Jane asked, arms crossed.

“When I thought you’d still be in the mess hall for another 30 seconds.”

“You’re an idiot.”

Huhuma laughed, the sound coming from deep in her chest. Jane smiled at her. It was a good, hearty kind of laugh. It suited her.

“So are you guys gonna tell the captain about this?”

Jane thought for a second, then turned to Huhuma and shrugged.

“Your call boss.”

“I think if you just clean this place up…once a week, till we tell you otherwise, we could keep this to ourselves.”

Simms the Gally groaned, but kept scrubbing.

Jane the human laughed.

Huhuma the Indoprime smiled at her.

Liking the new job so far, Jane thought. This’ll be fun.

[ashcal99]

Collarbones : Jasper Whitlock Hale IV

Chapter Four

"I can see your collarbones and baby I'm scared, Never thought I'd be so unprepared"

Summary: Camila Johnson was only 16 when she was diagnosed with leukemia. By the time she had turned 17, the doctors had tried everything to save her. Her family is close to giving up hope when they hear of a doctor who may be able to help her. The only problem is, he lives on the opposite side of the country. The small family soon decides to move to the small town in Washington, in efforts to prolong her life. In doing so, her life changes forever.

Warnings: Eventual smut (18+ only), mentions of death, depression, violence, descriptions of disease and weight loss, general angst, slow burn

Words: 7.4k

A/N: Please lmk if you'd like to be added to the tag list. Hope you enjoy. Made this chapter extra long for the wait x

Soundtrack

Previous Chapter

Series Masterlist

——————

January 29th, 2005

Camila sat there, frozen in time, for what seemed like an eternity trying to process what Jasper had just admitted. So, Jasper sat there, unmoving as well as not breathing. He wasn’t sure how she was taking the new information and suddenly found himself wishing that he held Edward’s power in that moment, willing to give everything just to know the thoughts that were going through her mind. Second best, he knew that she, remarkably, held no fright towards the admission, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she lacked the simple instinct that humans should be born with. The instinct to run away screaming when someone tells you that they’re a monster and could easily kill you. 

At the end of the day, he knew that was what he was. A monster. He may have changed his diet and tried to appear human, but he was far from it. He had killed people. Innocent people. He couldn’t even make the argument that his family had done the same, because their body counts were minuscule compared to his. He had fed off of human blood for nearly eighty-five years before Alice had found him. Even with his new found vegetarianism considered, he still slipped up. More than anybody else, and even though he knew that Camila was safe around him, he also knew that she had every reason in the world to fear him, and it confused the hell out of him that she didn’t.

He couldn’t help himself as he spoke, the silence eating away at his resolve. “Can you please tell me what’s going through your mind?” He asked, nervousness gripping his throat as he croaked the words out. 

Camila’s eyes flashed over to him, eyebrows creased in… confusion maybe? “I don’t know… I feel like I know I shouldn’t believe you, but for some reason, I do?” She said, eyes tracing his serious expression. “Can you prove it? N-not the vampire thing, I guess, but something to prove any of it is true?” She asked. 

Jasper’s mind reeled for a moment trying to think of something quickly, when an idea popped into his head. “Remember how you said I’m really good at reading emotions? Like an empath?” He asked, waiting for her nod before continuing. “It’s a little more than that. Some of us, when we turn, we get… gifts. When I was changed I could not only feel people’s emotions like they were my own, but manipulate them too.” He explained slowly, trying to find the right words.

Given the situation, he figured this was his best bet in not freaking her out any further. Eyes scanning her face to make sure that she was okay with what he was about to do, he pushed a wave of happiness towards her. He watched as the corners of her lips curved upwards, the crease between her eyebrows smoothing as her heart filled with overwhelming joy. 

She didn’t know nor care why she had become so  suddenly happy, but as soon as the emotion was ripped back from her, the pieces clicked together. The smile slowly dropped from her face as her mind returned to where had been just moments before. “Holy shit.” She huffed out. He was telling the truth. As soon as the feeling of joy had hit her, it was gone. 

Her eyes widened suddenly. Maybe this was the explanation as to why she felt so strongly towards him. Maybe it was him all along, manipulating her feelings. “Y-you don’t do that to me often do you?” She asked nervously. 

Jasper shook his head quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea. “No. I’ve never with you before.” He rushed out, hoping to whatever god that she would believe him.

Letting out a sigh, Camila let her shoulders drop as she let herself relax back into her seat. She had no reason to think he was lying. From what she could tell, all of her feelings and emotions involving him were genuine, no matter how much she wished that they weren’t there to begin with.

“So, is the whole thing about garlic true?” She asked trying to lighten the mood. Everything had suddenly gotten much too daunting.

Throwing his head back with a bark of laughter, Jasper ran his long thin fingers through his golden curls. How in the world was she taking all of this so well? The ball had to drop at some point, right? There’s no way that everything would go this smoothly. Surely after she learned about his past and how much of a monster he really was, surely then, she would run away screaming. But that admission would have to wait for another day, because in that moment, he would give anything keep Camila as far away from that part of him as possible.

——————

January 31st, 2005

The rest of her day with Jasper had flown by, and before Camila knew it, it was the start to her second week at Forks High School. After the exhaustion of her first week, and hanging out with Jasper on Saturday, the rest of her weekend consisted of sleep and cramming in the remainder of her homework. When Monday finally came around, she was well rested, at lest as well rested as she could be. 

Camila had just joined the end of the line in the cafeteria, Eric talking her ear off behind her once again, when her eyes finally met Jasper’s across the crowded room. She hadn’t seen him since he had dropped her back off at home Saturday night. Like a perfect gentleman, he had waited, car pulled against the curb and watched her figure until she had successfully made it fully inside her home, before he drove away. 

Now that her eyes had met his for the first time since she had been given the opportunity to fully, well mostly maybe, process his confession, she felt a weight leave her shoulders that she wasn’t even aware was there in the first place. The rest of their night on Saturday had consisted mostly of more light hearted conversation, so now that she had been given the time to think of more questions to ask him, she had began to grow anxious of waiting. 

She knew the questions would have to wait, however, but seeing his face, that alone, eased that stress and anxiety from her. Everything had happened so quickly that her mind didn’t know how to calculate what his confession actually meant, and over the remainder of the weekend her mind had time to wander. He was dangerous, that much was apparent, but somehow, she also knew that he wouldn’t hurt her. That she was safe with him. 

It felt almost like a fever dream, everything happening so quickly. They had only just met, but suddenly, she couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so comfortable with another person. So comfortable with being vulnerable, and content with sharing with him what she had been so keen on keeping from everyone else. Clearly he felt the same, that much she could gather herself, given his blatant honesty with her. 

Eric’s voice broke her from her thoughts as he continued his ramble on about how their trip to La Push Beach had gone and how she ‘had to join them next time’. She had to stop herself from cringing, not looking forward to coming up with another excuse in the future. She turned to him, attempting to give a reassuring smile. She didn’t want to come off rude, especially with the wide grin that was stretched across his face. He was just trying to be friendly, and that’s what she wanted. So, even if his persistence slightly annoyed her, she was still happy to have him around. 

Chills ran up her spine as icy fingertips brushed lightly across her lower back, bringing goosebumps quickly to the surface of her skin. She knew who it was, of course, before she looked up, having already gotten used to the feel of his touch, but that didn’t stop the flutter of her heart as her eyes met Jasper’s once more. He had sensed her unease from across the room and had decided to come to her rescue. 

“Will you sit with us for lunch today?” He asked, giving her a quirked eyebrow as well as a small smile. Alice had been pestering him since his return on Saturday to spend more time with the girl. As usual, she would get what she wanted, she already knew that of course, but that didn’t stop her from reminding him at every chance she got. 

Jasper watched as the gears in her head began to turn, slowly processing his invitation, her heart sputtering at his touch. He couldn’t help his smile from growing bigger across his face, enjoying hearing the reaction he had on her heart. “S-sure.” She stuttered out, turning back to the lunch lady to pay for her tray of food. She sent a small wave and smile to the boy, Eric, and fell in stride by Jasper’s side, his hand ghosting the small of her back as he lead her to the table that held the remainder of his family. 

Eric stood for a moment, mouth agape as he stared at their retreating figures. What was it with the new girls and the Cullens? Why was that family suddenly so sociable after a year of barely speaking to anybody? From across the cafeteria, the two were beginning to attract the stares from the rest of her friend group, and when she finally made it to the table, Jasper pulling her chair out for her to take a seat, the majority of the overcrowded room was practically ogling them. A fact, in which was doing nothing to ease the anxiety that had settled in the pit of her stomach.

Setting her tray down, she slowly dropped into the hard plastic seat, shoulders tensing as she took in the perfect faces sat in front of her. Camila had of course met Alice the week previous, but she had yet to meet Jasper’s other siblings. She wasn’t sure if she should feel more or less comfortable meeting the pale strangers now that she knew their secret, but the fact was, she knew and nothing would change that now. 

Feeling waves of anxiety and stress radiate from Camila, he decided now would be a time to use his powers, one that he hoped she wouldn’t be mad at him for later. He hated seeing the worry in her eyes and knew that her stress was unnecessary, so he did what he could and pushed feelings of calmness and comfortability towards her as he settled into the seat next to her. 

As the anxiety lifted from her shoulders, a polite smile formed on Camila’s lips. Jasper cleared his throat from beside her, gaining the attention of his siblings. “Camila this is my family.” He gestured towards the group. “Alice you met already.” He said pointing to the pixie haired girl on the other side of Camila.

The whole family already knew of his admission, and given the circumstances he was more that content with their reactions. He hadn’t exactly known what to expect from the situation, never having dealt with anything like it before. Carlisle and Esme had been happy for him, and though this slightly unnerved him, he knew it came with good intentions. He knew what coming clean to Camila could mean for her future, for their future, but he still refused to get his hopes up. Her knowing and having the choice to ‘live’ on had no guarantee that she would make that decision, and as much as it pained him, he knew that he would never be able to make that choice for her. 

Alice’s teeth shown brightly as she smiled at the girl, squealing lightly as she pulled her into a tight hug. Camila’s eyes widened, the immortal girl’s antics still surprising her despite already being on the receiving end previously. Before she was given the time to process and reciprocate the hug, Alice had pulled away and had returned to her comfortable position in her seat. 

Alice was of course ecstatic, even though she had seen the whole thing happen already, because now she was free to develop their friendship. She had seen the whole thing play out and knew just how close she would grow to Camila, and like a child on Christmas morning, was practically bouncing with anticipation when he had arrived home Saturday night. 

Jasper continued, stopping to roll his eyes at his sister. “This is Emmet and Rosalie.” He said, gesturing to the couple sitting at the opposite side of the table. Emmet gave a ginormous half smile half smirk to the girl, while Rosalie attempted the give a polite smile as well.

Emmet was of course laid back about the whole thing, only giving him a little bit of shit for finally finding his mate. Rosalie was surprisingly at ease with the situation, unlike her feelings towards Bella. Of course, Jasper knew why. She had always resented her immortality, having her humanity ripped away from her the way that it had been, and she wouldn’t wish that on anybody else. He knew her calm demeanor had to do with the fact that, unlike her human life, Camila had no chance of growing old. No chance of starting a family.

His heart ached at this knowledge, knowing that he would give anything he could to see Camila age into her beauty. To see her grow and start her adult life. To see her get married and have children, even if he wasn’t the one to give her that future. Unfortunately, maybe because God or whatever higher power was cruel or had a sick twisted sense of humor, she had no hope for that life. 

It had been an unexpected punch to the gut to meet her mother. She was such a perfect reflection of her daughter that it was almost like he was glimpsing into that impossible future. He knew that this would be how Camila would look, given the chance. But she didn’t have that chance, and that was his best guess as to why Rosalie had refrained from giving him the same shit she had been giving Edward. 

“And this is Edward.” Jasper said finally, turning to look at displeased expression of his adopted brother.

Edward had seemed slightly bitter about the situation. He obviously knew the differences between the two girls, but couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous at which the ease Jasper came by with telling Camila the truth. He himself would never wish the future of immortality onto Bella, but only wished that he didn’t have to suppress his want for the girl. He knew it was best to stay as far away from Bella as possible, hence why he had been avoiding her to the best of his abilities, but his resolve was beginning to waver. 

Jasper didn’t have to deal with any of this, despite having his own struggles. Camila already knew the truth about them, and soon she would be making that decision on her own. Hell, he didn’t even have to worry about his thirst around the girl, a fact that he couldn’t help but be bitter about. Edward had always had what he considered decent self control with human blood, something that he couldn’t say the same for with Jasper, and the one person that it truly mattered for, he was at his lowest point with self control. It was cruel irony. 

Despite not being able to read Edward’s mind like he could his, Jasper could feel his emotions, and he could fill in the rest himself. He didn’t want any animosity between him and his brother, but he knew that whatever Edward was feeling wouldn’t stop him from growing closer to Camila, and definitely wouldn’t stop Alice from begging him to let her spend more time with her. So that was why he had decided it was time to introduce her. What better time and place to break the ice between Camila and the rest of his family than the controlled environment of a school cafeteria? He had thought, and now, seeing the slight glare on Edward’s face, he couldn’t decide whether or not that had been a bad decision on his part.

As thoughts of anger rushed through Jasper’s mind, Edwards eyes flickered over to his. Edward’s glare softened as he processed Jasper’s internal dialog. He knew that it wasn’t his fault and he knew that it wasn’t Camila’s, but he couldn’t help how he felt. He was jealous and he was finding it difficult to hide his emotions. His eyes flitted across Jasper’s face, neck, and arms. The scars littered across his skin were a reminder to not push things with him. The crescents, nearly invisible to the human eye, were a gigantic red flag to any vampire. Neon lights that flashed bright as a warning to everyone around him to stay back or else. Although he knew that his brother would never hurt him, he also knew not to start a fight, because it would most definitely be one he would lose.

Huffing in irritation, Edward pulled out his chair, rushing to leave the cafeteria. He could try all he wanted to be civil and not start a fight, but he wasn’t about to sit there and take this torture. Over time it would get easier for him to cope, but in that moment, the wound was fresh and he needed to be far from the reminder. 

Jasper sighed in annoyance, rolling his eyes once again as he let his defenses fall back down to their normal level. “Ignore him.” He muttered to the girl beside him, slinging his arm protectively around the back of her chair.

——————

“So what’s with you and Cullen?” Tyler blurted out suddenly. Camila’s head fell to look at her boots that thudded along the hallway towards their last class of the day. She could feel the blood rushing up to her cheeks and knew that it would do little to help her case if he saw the growing blush. 

“What do you mean?” She asked, feigning confusion. It was a matter of time before someone started the inevitable conversation given Jasper’s display in the cafeteria that day, but she had hoped she would have a bit more time to prepare herself. 

Tyler stuffed his hands into his pockets awkwardly. “Yeah, you two seemed… cozy today at lunch.” He muttered.

Camila raised her head, quirking an eyebrow at the dark skinned boy in stride beside her. “Cozy?” She asked, a hint of humor tinting her voice. Tyler was clearly bothered by this whole situation, a fact that she found humorous given the circumstance. From the fact that Tyler had asked her to prom just a few days previous, she could gather herself that he was most likely jealous of Jasper. Not that he had any reason to be. Camila had every intention to stick to her plan of staying single and as much as she was beginning to care for Jasper, she didn’t see that changing.

A scoff sounded from the boy by her side as he rolled his eyes at her teasing. “Yeah. Cozy. You sat with his family at lunch instead of us, and he was practically all over you.” He argued. 

Camila laughed lightly at his words. “He was not all over me.” She argued. In fact, like usual, she had been hyper aware of every touch from the pale immortal. As usual, he had shown to be very hesitant in touching her, only giving the slight graze of his fingertips along her covered back as he lead her to the table. She of course was also extremely aware of the arm that he had slung protectively around the back of her seat after Edward’s whole display, but he had been very precise in not letting his cold skin actually touch her in any way.

Tyler groaned frustratedly. “Whatever it was, I don’t like it.” He complained.

Camila’s eyebrows knitted together. What was it with people at this school being assholes to them? The Cullen’s kept to themselves, sure, but they were never anything but polite to anyone they came into contact with. At this point, all these little comments that everybody kept making were beginning to piss her off. “And why should you not liking it mean anything to me?” She asked incredulously. Sure, she wanted to make friends, and be nice, but she was starting to become defensive over Jasper and she wasn’t just going to stand there and take everybody’s bullshit. Because that’s what it was. Complete and utter bullshit.

Tyler’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to respond in that way, never seeing her angry before. “I mean, he’s kind of creepy isn’t he? I’m just trying to look out for you. He doesn’t seem… good.” He said trailing off towards the end as he took in the expression of anger growing more and more prevalent on her face.

She had to bite back a snide remark as she tried to process how she could respond without sounding like a total bitch. An awkward silence rung between the two teens before she decided that she didn’t really care anymore. If he was going to give unsolicited advice to her when he barely knew her then she would respond accordingly. “No offense Tyler, but I didn’t ask for your shitty advice. I’m a big girl, I can look out for myself, thanks.” She said finitely.

Pushing her aching legs to move her forward at a faster pace, she let out an internal sigh of relief as the door to her calculous class came into view. Lunch had gone well, all things considered. Despite Edward’s little display, the rest of Jasper’s family had welcomed her with open arms. While the conversation mostly consisted of small talk and them asking her questions about herself, she could tell that they were all genuinely nice people. 

Alice had invited her over for the following weekend, in which Camila had immediately agreed to without thinking. Now that she had been given the time to think about the implications of the invite, she realized that she would be meeting their adoptive mother and seeing Carlisle. While she knew Carlisle fairly well, given meeting him the week prior, she realized how nervous she was to meet Esme. Jasper had talked the woman up so highly, but she couldn’t help but feel her nerves eating away at her. She would be meeting his mother soon, ‘adopted’ or not and it was only natural to have that kind of reaction. 

Jasper, as usual, was already seated at their assigned table by the time she had arrived to the classroom. Camila flitted to the back of the room to her seat, letting her body drop into the confines of the cool plastic, as she let out a heavy sigh. 

“Are you okay?” Jasper asked, concern lacing his voice. It was normal for her be exhausted by the end of the school day, but he could also feel her anger and frustration. The feelings set off warning bells in his mind and he was immediately on alert to what had upset her. 

Camila rolled her eyes, raking her slim fingers through the long dark strands of her hair. “Tyler Crowley is an asshole.” She said simply, annoyance still evident on her face as she recalled their conversation that had just taken place moments ago. 

His eyes flickered over to where said boy had just entered the classroom, narrowing as he took in the sight. “What did he say?” He asked, immediately defensive over the girl. 

“He apparently has an issue with you and ‘just wants to look out for me’.” She said, yanking her workbook and and pencil case from her backpack and slamming them down on the desk.

Jasper’s shoulder’s drooped at her words as he hummed in reply. He couldn’t even be mad. What Tyler said was clearly justified, whether or not Camila had realized. She should be warned about him. Just because he didn’t thirst for her blood didn’t mean that he wasn’t a danger towards her. Didn’t mean that he couldn’t hurt her, even if it wasn’t intensional. Didn’t mean that he wasn’t a monster at the end of the day.

Hearing his near silent response, Camila turned her head to see him looking down slightly defeated, eyes refusing to meet her own. “Jasper.” She said, trying and failing to get him to look at her. “Jasper.” She repeated, grasping at his hand  that laid in a tight fist at his thigh. 

Electricity shot through her fingers as they brushed the marble skin of his clenched knuckles, but she pushed on. “Can you look at me, please?” She asked, her soft voice contrasting the anger that had filled it just moments ago. 

His amber eyes flickered up to meet hers. As much as he wanted to sulk in that moment, he wanted more to give her what she wanted. Her eyes softened as she saw the pain that filled his. They were always filled with pain, but this was different. More of an inner torment and seeing it made her chest ache. 

She turned his fist over in her palm, nudging the fingers apart so she could intertwine them with her own. “He’s full of shit, Jazz. I know you would never hurt me.” She said, voice softly ringing in his ears. 

The pain in his heart grew at her words. He didn’t deserve her. She was too perfect for his damned self and he knew it, but that didn’t stop him from being grateful that she was there. It didn’t stop him from selfishly wanting her. He pulled their intertwined fingers up to his lips were he laid a soft kiss on the back of her palm, thanking her for her kindness. Thanking her for her comfort. 

The touch of his chilled lips on her skin sent her heart into overdrive, and knowing that he could he hear his effect on her didn’t help the blush that was creeping onto her cheeks. She had expected him to drop her hold after that, but instead, their hands remained, bound together and laying gently in his lap. 

Class continued, the two working together on finishing the next page in their worksheet. Jasper of course could finish the work in less than a minute, but anything that gave him the excuse to talk to Camila he would gladly do. She sat there, eyebrows furrowed as she worked over a particularly difficult problem on the sheet. Normally, she would have no problem solving the equations, but today her mind was wandering too much. She sighed, giving up as she let her pencil clatter onto the chipped veneer of the desk.

“Do you want to come over to my house today?” She asked suddenly. Clearly seeing that she had caught him off guard, she continued. “I have more questions.” She clarified. 

Jasper groaned internally. As much as he would love to avoid the inevitable conversation, he also knew that it had to happen at some point. At least he would get to spend more time with her, a definite plus. “Sure, I can just drive us after class if you’d like.” He offered. Alice had told him to drive separately to school that day, and now it was clear why. He would have to thank her later. 

Camila nodded, pulling her flip phone from her bag and trying to discreetly type a quick text to her mother letting her know that Jasper would drive her home. Doing so was a bit difficult to do one handed, but she wasn’t about to take her other hand out of his grasp. 

The remainder of the class trudged on slowly to Camila’s dismay. Now that she knew that she would be able to ask all of the questions that had been racing through her mind, she couldn’t seem to clear her head of them. Finally, a bell rang shrilly throughout the class, signaling the end of the school day. An unspoken agreement stood between her and Jasper as they both proceeded to pack away their belongings without undoing the grip on each other’s hands. 

She wasn’t sure what the hand holding meant to him or even herself, but she didn’t exactly care. She already had to constantly remind herself of her promise to keep any romance at bay, but hand holding didn’t necessarily have to mean that. It was comforting, having his cold palm pressed against hers, and despite her internal screaming at herself that it was a bad idea, she didn’t want to pull away. So there they were, walking down the hallway, hand in hand, attracting even more stares than usual. 

Camila let out a sigh as they reached the parking lot, the cool air feeling nice on her feverish skin. Puffs of vapor swirled in front of her mouth as steady breaths of hot air left her parted lips. Jasper had to rip his eyes away from the sight to make sure that he was walking in the right direction. He needed to pull his shit together. Kissing her hand had been bad enough, but he had to stop himself from thinking too much about her lips. Her soft warm plump lips. Jesus Christ, STOP. 

He wished so badly in that moment that he could’ve kissed her. Regardless of the numerous bystanders. However, he knew that it wasn’t safe. He didn’t trust himself enough not to end up accidentally hurting her. He didn’t even know if she would’ve kissed him back for fuck’s sake. And here he was feeling like an absolute creep again. 

Pulling himself from his thoughts, he pulled the passenger door of his car open for her. Reluctantly, she let loose of his grasp, immediately feeling an emptiness without it’s presence. She settled into the plush bucket seat, pulling her bag into her lap as he shut the door softly behind her. 

Flitting quickly, or as quick as seemed human, to the driver’s side, Jasper slid in and turned the key in the ignition. Shifting the car into reverse, he backed out of the parking spot and shifted back into drive as he sped out onto the street. He internally thanked his past self for buying a manual transmission before reaching over to grasp Camila’s hand once more. 

Camila let her hair fall in front of her face, hoping that the curtain of dark strands hid the smile that she couldn’t wipe away. For someone who was so adamant on not dating, she kept finding herself being giddy whenever he touched her. What was she a twelve year-old? He was just holding her hand, she shouldn’t feel like a swarm of butterflies was flying around in her stomach. 

The drive to Camila’s home hadn’t taken long, and by the time they arrived at the small house, he mother’s mini van was still absent from the driveway. She had replied earlier letting her know that she was going to go grocery shopping since she had time before she had to go to work, and Camila was happy to see that she hadn’t returned yet. One less awkward interaction with Jasper and her parents would always be a good thing. 

As they stepped through the threshold of the home, she found herself wishing she had cleaned her room. She hadn’t thought of the mess she had left behind before she had invited him over, albeit a small mess. Either way, she couldn’t help herself but try and hurriedly pick up the few pieces of clothing scattered around the room once they made it through the doorway. 

Once she was content with her ‘cleaning’ she shut the door softly behind her and plopped down on her mattress, the springs squeaking slightly in protest. Scooting backwards until her back met the wall, she patted the empty space beside her, gesturing for Jasper to join her. On one hand, she almost wanted to sit out on the couch in the living room, as it would probably seem less intimate that way, but she also didn’t want to be interrupted by her mother when she inevitably returned home from the store. So there they were sitting side by side awkwardly on her worn out used mattress and now she didn’t know how to start the conversation. 

Sensing her hesitation, Jasper spoke up. “So, you have questions.” He said, wanting to end the torture of waiting any longer. If she was going to run away screaming, he would rather it be sooner than later, because the anticipation was slowly eating away at him. 

Camila sucked in a breath. “How old are you?” She blurted out. Jasper groaned, rubbing his hands down his face. He should’ve expected her to jump right to the point, but, somehow, he hadn’t. “You said it was a conversation for another day. It’s another day now.” She reasoned.

“I know. I know.” He said with a sigh. “I’m just really old, Darlin’.” He said, hoping the nickname would distract her. It didn’t.

She scoffed. “That’s not an answer.” She said bluntly. 

Jasper closed his eyes, sucking in a breath as he braced for the impact of her reaction. “I’m a hundred and sixty-one.” He muttered lowly. Utter silence followed. 

Camila didn’t know what she expected, if the age he had given was younger or older than she had thought it would be, but hearing him say such a precise age made everything seem way more real. She couldn’t find the words to say in response, so instead, she reached over to grasp his hand once more, letting him know that she wasn’t disgusted like he had thought. 

“Will you tell me your story?” She asked, not being able to help her intrigue.

His bright gold eyes met her emerald irises. “It’s kind of gruesome.” He warned, trying his best to prolong the inevitable admission of his past, but knowing that it was just that. Inevitable.

“I want to know.” She said simply. “If you’re willing to tell me.” She clarified. 

Jasper was fucked and he knew it. Anything that she wanted, he would give her in a heartbeat, but she would hate him after this. “I didn't have quite the same upbringing as my adopted siblings.” He said, reaching his free hand over reluctantly, to roll up the sleeve on the arm that she held. 

She wasn’t sure how she hadn’t noticed them before, but there they were. Hundreds of crescent shaped scars shimmering lightly in the dim lighting emitted from her ceiling fan. Now that she knew what to look for, she could see the scars were scattered across every piece of visible skin. Down his arms, onto the hand that was holding hers, a few up his neck to his handsome face. “Are those… bites?” She asked incredulously.

“Battle scars.” He responded, a small smirk gracing his lips. “I was seventeen when I joined the Confederate Army.” He said, pausing when he saw her grimace. “I know. I wish I could say that I didn’t know what I was fighting for, or against, but I knew enough. I’m not proud of it.” He said hanging is head in shame. 

“I was the youngest major in the Texas cavalry. All without having seen any real battle.” He continued.

Camila perked up. “I knew that was a Texas accent.” She said smirking at him, gaining a small smile in repose. Leave it to her to try and lighten the mood as soon as it gets dark.

Still, he pushed on, knowing that it was about to become a much darker conversation. “I was riding back to Galveston...after evacuating a column of women and children. When I saw her.” He said dauntingly. “I immediately offered her my aid.” He continued.

“Maria was creating an army. A newborn vampire army.” He clarified. “Our kind are at their strongest in their first year after changing. Their human blood still lingers in their veins and gives them more speed and strength.” He explained.

“Newborn armies were very common in the South, and cost a brutal battles for territory.” He continued, losing himself in the story. “Maria won them all. She was smart, careful. And she had me. I was the second in command. My abilities to control emotions served her well.” He said, looking down to the warm hand he still had clutched in his own, trying to find comfort in her touch. 

“I trained her newborns. An endless occupation since she never let them live beyond their first year.” He said, cringing from the memory. “It was my job to dispose of them.” He said, voice thick with emotion. It pained him to remember what he had done. To remember their pain. “I could feel everything they felt.”

The crease between Camila’s brows deepened. It clearly hurt for him to recall these memories, and she found herself wishing that she could take that pain away. 

“I thought what Maria and I had was love. But I was her puppet. She pulled the strings. I didn't know there was another way. Until I found Alice in 1948. Now she'd seen me coming, of course.” He paused, remembering that this would wouldn’t make much sense to Camila. 

He gathered his thoughts quickly, trying explain the best he could. “She has visions, of possible futures. They change when decisions are made, but she knew when and where to find me.” He smiled slightly. “She saw you, even though she conveniently didn’t warn me.” He explained.

“I don't know what I'd have become without her. I’d done horrible, unspeakable things, and she helped me get past that. My family choses to feed off of animal blood rather than human blood, but it wasn’t always like that for me. I’ve killed innocent people. I’m not a… good person.” He ended his story with a sigh, unsure of how she was feeling. 

Her mind was filled with conflicting emotions that he couldn’t quite place all together. “I completely understand if you want me to leave.” He said, moving to pull his hand away from hers. 

Her grip tightened as her eyes shot up to his. “No, stay. Please.” She muttered. She knew how her reaction must seem. In truth, she had almost expected worse. As bad as his story was, at least he didn’t actively kill people. It was a horrible argument, she knew, but after being given the rest of the weekend to let her mind wander, she had tried to prepare herself for the worst. 

Her silence was agony and he couldn’t help himself when he asked. “Can you please tell me what you’re thinking?”

Camila sighed, bringing her eyes back to his. “I’m not going to sit here and act like what you did wasn’t wrong, because it was. But I’m also not going to actively try and make you feel any worse for it. You’ve had over fifty years to regret what you did, and you clearly do. I’m not going to judge you for something that you wish you could’ve changed, not when I know you’re a good person now.” She said. 

Jasper shook his head in disbelief. How was she this forgiving? It seemed impossible. He was sure she would be disgusted with him, but here she was forgiving him for something he couldn’t even forgive himself for. “How are you not terrified of me?” He asked.

She looked deep into his eyes as she answered. “I’m not scared because I know you won’t do anything to hurt me.” She said simply.

“I could hurt you on accident. Very easily.” He argued, looking ashamed. “I could crush you just by hugging you too tightly. I know you don’t understand fully, but it would be so easy that I actively have to try and not hurt you.” He said, a deep frown on his face.

Camila’s eyebrows furrowed as she brought her free hand down to trace the crescent shaped scars that littered his arm. “I don’t know what to tell you. I trust you, that’s the best answer I can give you, Jasper. You need to try and have trust in yourself.” She answered.

Jasper shook his head, baffled that she had so much trust in him to begin with. He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t deserve her. Seeing the sadness still in his eyes, she rushed, trying to find a change of topic to lighten the mood from the darkness that it had reached. “So, if you can manipulate emotions and Alice sees visions of the future, does anyone else in your family have a ‘gift’.” She asked, curiosity peaking once again. 

Jasper was thankful for the change of topic, already feeling himself beginning to spiral from the continuous self hatred. “Yeah, Edward is the only other one in our family. He can, um, read minds… I know it sounds ridiculous.” He said, slightly humiliated at how fictional everything sounded. 

“Oh god. That’s… embarrassing.” She muttered, her mind beginning to wander. Edward had no doubt read her mind and heard her thoughts of Jasper. Those were thoughts she didn’t even want to admit to herself and now he definitely had knew all about them. 

Suddenly her mind went to his exit at lunch. Was that why he had left? Was it something she had thought that had set him off? “What happened with him at lunch today?” She asked.

Rolling his eyes at the memory, Jasper tried to form the most comprehensible explanation. “He’s jealous that I can tell you the truth and he can’t tell Bella.” He said simply. 

“Bella Swan?” Camila asked.

Jasper nodded. “He… has a particular interest in her. He’s been trying to avoid her because he knows that it won’t end well, and he’s jealous that I don’t have to do the same with you.” He explained. 

“Why is it different with me?” She asked, trying to ignore the implication that Jasper had an interest in her.

His eyes trailed across the bare walls of her bedroom, looking anywhere but at her as he continued. “He has a really hard time with the scent of her blood, while yours is different for me.” He said.

“Because of the leukemia?” She asked.

Jasper nodded again. “It’s more dangerous for her than it is for you because of that. It’s hard for him to even be in the same room as her. Either way it would end badly.” He explained.

“End badly how? Surely it could end in more ways than just him killing her right?” She asked. She knew the subject had to be touchy and sensitive, but she couldn’t keep herself from asking.

Here it was. The scariest topic of them all. If he didn’t handle this just right, if he didn’t use the right words, then there went his chance of a future with her. He gulped, mustering the courage to speak. “He could kill her or he could change her. Both which he doesn’t want to do.” 

Camila’s eyed widened. She hadn’t even thought of that. Changing into a vampire. She wasn’t sure why her mind hadn’t gone there, but she hadn’t even considered that a possibility. She couldn’t help it when her mind wandered to what this could mean for her. He had said it like he was trying to imply something else entirely. He had to know the possible endings. Surely Alice had seen. 

“Are there more possible endings for me? Futures where I don’t die from the leukemia?” She asked. She had to know. She had spent a year coming to terms with the fact that her life would be cut short, but now she wasn’t sure. She knew that her illness would in no doubt end up taking her human life, but what if she turned. What if she changed into something else where the cancer didn’t effect her anymore? What if she wasn’t human anymore? She had to know, because suddenly, after a year of withering away, she might have another option. She might have hope.

Jasper turned his eyes back to hers. This was the make it or break it moment. He sucked in a breath, feeling a tightness in his chest regardless of the fact that he didn’t need the oxygen. 

And he spoke. “Yes… Alice has seen it."

Next Chapter

Tag List:

@jasper-the-beloved @parkchaeyoung1997 @bobaopal @izzyisstuff @itsmytimetoodream @soyeonrai @just-browsing101 @demirunner @dkbj14 @iloveramensm @imyelenasexual @bella7866 @ropickle @may-and-lay @breezybeesposts @emily-a13 @mamajaxx2511 @meyrryme @bertholdtswife @swagcopangeloop @idonotcareaboutyouropinion @honey132 @sakurayuki8655-blog @braveangel777 @illogic-ally @obsessed-with-pychopaths @natsvenom @iamveryholyiswear @too-many-fandoms-tbh @loser-syrus

[jamiedc-they-them]

Rest (Platonic)

Summary: Travelling the universe is something you adore, with your sister and newfound best friend, but old demons still haunt you, no matter what...

Notes: Bad headspace, needed a comfort fic and it turned into a vent fic I'm sorry :))) Also in this, R is Nb and Aroace, but it barely plays in. So do substitute what you wish :))))) topics covered in the case of trigger: Depression; Suicidal Ideation; Premature Birth; survivor guilt.

You couldn't remember the name of the system you were in, but it looked breathtaking. a shimmering horizon. It reminded you of your favourite book series, Dune, with the number of stories going on at once, and yet the small scale it seemed to have in such a vast galaxy. That, and the beauty of the shimmer of the sun as it ran off the planet, this one being a shade of red instead. It was odd, how despite the distance things seemed to rhyme. It reminded you of one of the things you heard the Doctor say:

"No job. No boss..." Yeah, that was you, but not by choice. You were looking. Looking with all you had in you. Ruby used to joke with you. "you're putting in a full-time effort to at least be paid for it."

You leant your head on the Tardis door, sighing. You wish you had the freedom he had, and yet you were human and tired. So, very tried.

"Hey," you jumped at the sudden voice. Turning, you saw the Doctor. He smiled at you, "you alright over here, babes?"

You snorted at the nickname. Your asexual-aromantic nature, along with just how your brain worked in a desperate attempt to fit in with society, made you read it the wrong way when he first used the nickname. He, seemingly with second nature, spoke to you about it. He was open, that was one of the many things you loved about him. He was open. You could go to him about anything and everything. And you did. You, him, and Ruby had good chats on your adventures, sometimes just having a picnic and talking. Hell, he was the one who helped you feel at home in your gender expression as a non-binary person, showing you some dresses to wear. Whatever you wanted to wear on the day, he was there to help. Ruby helped with a bit of makeup when you wanted it, and the three of you became inseparable.

But still, all this running around. Ruby had already gone to bed. Yet, here you were, mind still running amok.

"Can I ask you something?" you ask. The Doctor nods, leaning against the other door, his full attention is on you, "do you ever sleep?"

He smiles, part of him knows you're joking, but it doesn't fully meet his eyes. How can he read you so well? Are you that predictable?

He looks out at the system you're in as well, "I do," he says, "should see me on that console some days. Just out like a light," he even clicks his fingers to emphasise the point. You hum.

He then turns serious, "But I do. Don't worry. I mean, it took 15 generations, but I do rest, Y/N. Just, the hyperactive mind sometimes," he taps his head, "always onto the next thing, you know?"

You nod, not meeting his eyes and looking out at the system again.

"Ruby ever tell you about how I came to be in this world?"

The Doctor shook his head, "she didn't," he said, "but I always felt she thought that it wasn't her place to. I never wanted to pry."

You nod, appreciative of your two friends, "Premature. Didn't weigh much at all, like a pound or so, can't remember UK measurements for babies," you smile, "but yeah, not a lot at all."

The Doctor nods, smiling a bit at your humour, but stays silent as he lets you continue, "Some of the kids on my ward didn't make it...and I just, I don't know. With all we've seen, you know? Fate and all that? With Ruby's snow and everything...maybe it's like, like - I don't know, sorry," you put your face in your hand. Your hand goes into a fist, and you knock it on your head a few times.

"Hey. Hey, no," The Doctor says, voice gentle but having a bit of firmness to it, as he pauses your movements, "it's ok," he says, "take your time. I'm here," he puts your hand to his chest, and you can feel the two hearts beating, "I'm listening," he promises, "I'm right here. Take all the time you need."

You don't even clock the accidental pun. You just look at the eyes of your best friend. How you've grown to care and love this man in such a space of time, you don't know, but you have grown attached to him, and him to you. His earnest gaze, love of life and all around him, and time he makes for you and himself, you think it is. Someone who just has this comforting aura around him and how he exudes it to all who need it.

You don't deserve -

"Hey," he says again, dragging you out of your mental hell, "I'm here, Y/N."

"I just -" You can feel the emotions inside of you - they may not always come out externally, but here they are. Tears, you can feel the tears pricking at your vision, "why did I make it, you know?"

The Doctor softens. His gaze went from concerned, to protective, to loving, to sadness. The emotions all dance around each other at once, then coalesce.

Physically, that comes in as a hug.

"Oh, honey," he says, hand going to your head, "I may have met many a human, but none like you. They're all unique people in their way, and I am so, so, sorry that one way that you are is with this pain."

"Who's in pain?" a tired question is asked. You both part, seeing Ruby rubbing her eyes and stretching. Her eyes are still shut, and she's wearing some pyjamas she found in the wardrobe.

She locks eyes with The Doctor first, a silent moment of communication passing by in an instant, before she looks at you:

"What's wrong, Y/N?"

"I, uh -" you stutter. The Doctor puts a hand on your shoulder. He feels you shake under it.

Ruby softens as well, "oh, sweetheart," she says, holding out her hands, "why don't we take a seat, yeah? All of us?"

The Doctor looks at you: your call.

You sniffle a bit, before nodding. Before you move, you put a hand to The Doctor's, giving a squeeze. You move to your sister. He shuts the doors.

Ruby takes your hands, giving them a soft squeeze, before sitting with you on a sofa that the Tardis had recently added to itself near the console. You had passed out a few times on there, and it (or she? you weren't sure how to refer to the TARDIS) created it for you.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Oh, no, don't apologise," Ruby says, trying to meet your eyes as you look everywhere but your sister, "I'm not angry at you. Not ever. Not with this, especially. I'm not expecting you to just be ok with what happened."

"Trauma never fully goes away," The Doctor says, crouching down near you and putting a hand on your knee.

"It feels like it should though, right?" You argue, "You said that, like, you're the one who is more open."

The Doctor smiles a soft one, "I am," he says, "but that doesn't mean it just goes away. It never does. It lingers. What I'd say though," he says, "is it's leaning on people and talking about it that can help you take a step forward if you ever stumble. It can manifest in different ways and feelings."

"It's just --" you look at Ruby, her face falling more at the pain in your eyes, "you're trying to solve your birth mother's identity. And" you look to The Doctor, "you have your pain. I just - I don't want to add to that."

The two best friends look at each other, before you. Ruby holds you tightly to her. The Doctor sits next to you on the sofa, hugging you as well.

"Oh, love," Ruby says, "I'll say it as many times as needed, you're never a burden. Ever. We've always got time for you. And" she pushes back a bit - The Doctor with his hands around your shoulders - and puts her hands on your cheeks, "you are always going to be my sibling. And you are always going to be one of the best people I know, ok?"

You bury yourself in Ruby's shoulder. She kisses your head before holding you tightly.

The Doctor and her meet eyes. They'll make good on this promise.

You pull away from Ruby, the pair having a hand on your back.

"I'm tired," you say. Despite the meaning going both ways, given the way you rub at your eyes, they can tell which way the pendulum swings right now.

"Understandable," The Doctor says in a non-judgemental tone. He looked at Ruby, and she nods.

"Here," The Doctor says, holding out a blanket. You take it. You then notice that he's given a blanket to Ruby as well and holds his one.

"What -" you sniffle, "what are you doing?"

"Sleeping here, of course," Ruby says.

You look between the two, "Guys, no -"

"This is your safe space," The Doctor says, "and I love that. We're your safe space, too. I know you're tactile and love deeply. So, why not combine the two?"

You chuckle. You don't know what to say.

You look to Ruby, and she just nods, before getting up.

Ruby lays down near the sofa on one side, The Doctor on the other.

"Thank you," you say.

"Always," they say in sync.

You all rest. Or find it, in the end.

The Doctor is right, the trauma may never fully leave you. But this is your safe space. It holds value to you and has helped you both find yourself and through many a crisis. And it always would.

As they always would.

[agent-barnes40]

Secrets

Dhawan!Master x Reader (Romantic)

The Master figures out a secret, one that you wished you could've hidden for longer

2177 Words

The Master was particular, he planned everything down to the final little detail when it came to you. Perfect clothing options, food options, preferred snack options, preferred drinking options, he had things down to a meticulous science and practiced ease at this point. He just did things on autopilot now when it came to you. He didn't mind doing these things, he just fell into a routine with them and with you.

Today, you were sitting with The Fam at a little alien café, you had chosen to sit out the outward chair, as it was nearing that time for The Master to just up and grab you and then just drag you off. Graham looked over, a smile on his face. "How have you been doing after the last run in with The Master?"

You shrugged. "Good. He's not all that bad, to be honest. I don't know how he can be as callous and rude as you all say he is."

Yaz looked over at you, a shocked look on her face. "He tried to kill us!"

You turned to face her, an eyebrow raised. "And The Doctor had it covered. She kept you all alive. The Master's even started to stock up on my toothpaste too."

"So what you have a room and bathroom in that shack?" Ryan asked and you smiled softly.

"Its not much of a shack, its the same as The Doctor's TARDIS, just replace the sign with a placard that says "HA" over and over instead of the regular text on the little phone door." You said, smiling as the waiter brought over the drinks you all had ordered.

Luckily it was an alien café that had a human menu, for travelers like you guys. You grabbed the shake you had ordered and when you looked up again, you had to stop and just stare. You hadn't registered who the waiter was and you suspected the others just hadn't realized who he was either.

There was The Master, in the uniform and smiling directly at you and it was like he knew you had clicked it. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, thank you." You watched as The Master walked off, straight to the back and you were in shock.

The Fam watched as you just stared at the door, and then Yaz reached over and poked you. "Did you just get a thing for an alien?"

You looked over at her and then looked over to Graham, and then to Ryan before you shook your head. "Thought he looked familiar, that's all."

Yaz shook her head. "You have a thing for an alien!"

You groaned, your eyes drifting back over to look at the kitchen door again, and then looked over where The Doctor was. The Doctor was busy chatting with a local about some weird happenings in the area. The whole reason you all were here, you suspected The Master had done something.

Yaz bumped your leg with hers, a smirk on her face. "I'm sure The Doctor wouldn't mind it."

You rolled your eyes, smiling. "Yeah, yeah. I'll definitely start that conversation with her when she decides to sit down and join us."

It was like speaking The Doctor's name enacted some sort of homing beacon because The Doctor practically spawned back at the table. She reached out for the drink she got and got settled in her chair. "Soo, what are we talking about, fam?"

Yaz looked over at you and grinned. You started shaking your head. "Yasmin Khan, I swear!"

Yaz burst into laughter at you using her full name and so did you, causing the rest of the table to join the two of you. You felt good and then you noticed The Master watching you all and you waved a little at him, gaining one back.

"You totally have a thing for him!" Yaz said and you groaned again.

"I do not have a crush on him!" You said, trying to keep your voice down.

Yaz grinned and pointed. "Called it! You do have something for him. Go ask him out!"

The Doctor was turning in her chair and stilled, mid sip and just stared. "Yaz, describe him for me."

Yaz's face contorted into confusion and that's when you realized and your heart dropped. Yaz looked over at you and noticed your expression. "W-well he's got blue skin and.."

You had to hold in the groan and started to get up, catching The Doctor's attention as she turned to look at you, she called your name and you just kept staring at The Master. "Who do you see?"

"Doctor, I'm not feeling too well. I'm gonna head back to The TARDIS." You said, leaving your jacket behind, wanting to just get it all over with.

You barely got to the door before you felt that familiar hand grab the back of your shirt and had pulled you back. You quickly fell into the grip, stumbling a little. "Hey!"

The rest of the Fam got up, watching as you let the man pull you and then you were shoved to the ground and you winced, knowing your knees were going to be bruised. He usually didn't do the the whole kneeling thing unless he had a bigger plan in motion.

You looked up at him, knowing that all the Fam could see was that blue alien until you heard the sonic and you closed your eyes. You heard the aggravated groan leaving The Master and you reopened them.

"How is he here in place of that blue guy?" Graham asked.

"Perception filter, usually you all wouldn't notice him, but they saw through the filter. Is this the same one from London?" The Doctor was rambling.

The Master looked down at you and his signature deranged grin crossed his face. "Hello Dear."

"Hi. Fancy seeing you here."

You heard footsteps, instinctively turning to look when The Master's hand shot out and grabbed at your jaw, forcing you to keep looking at him. You knew it was probably the Doctor judging by how he was reacting.

"Let them go, Master." The Doctor said and The Master's eyes flicked up from you to her.

"You wish I'd stop stealing your precious little pet, they are spending more time with me than you." The Master said, his hand letting go of your jaw as he stared down The Doctor.

"I was wondering why you always took them, but with everything that has happened in the last hour we've been here, its become obvious." The Doctor shot back.

You turned to look at her and noticed the thumbs up Ryan was giving you and you took a deep breath, sending a subtle one back. It was something you as a group came up with if one of you needed to jump in to distract.

Ryan nudged Graham and then Graham nodded, getting the idea. The two of them quickly came up with a plan, one that you wished you knew sooner because in hindsight, it was kind of dumb but it worked.

Graham turned and grabbed your shake while Ryan grabbed your jacket. The two, as confidently as they could, held up the stuff. "Your forgetting something."

You quickly got up, dodging The Master's hands as you bolted for the Fam, sending a little smirk toward The Master. The Time Lord sent you an amused look and you smiled.

The Doctor looked between the two of you and you would've recognized the look on her face if you hadn't been celebrating your little victory over getting out of his clutches. You grabbed the shake from Graham and took a sip.

'Oh, love, it wouldn't be that easy to rid yourself of me.'

"I thought I told you not call me that." You said, not even thinking that the other's couldn't hear what he said. He spent a lot of time in your head and you groaned at the look Graham sent you.

"What have you done to them?" Yaz demanded.

The Master's deranged smile only grew wider at her question and his eyes flicked from you to Yaz. "Didn't you say, Yaz, that they had crush on me?"

Your heart dropped and you slammed the glass down. "Your teetering."

"Oh its a line you let me cross all the time, pet."

"Not to my friends, never my friends." You gave him a pointed look and yet he still pushed.

"Now, was that crush on me or the face I was using?" The Master pushed, the question aimed at you and you shook your head.

The Doctor was looking in your direction as well. You looked between her and The Master. "It was on the perception filter."

The Doctor's face relaxed and turned to fully face The Master. She had already made an escape plan for all of you. She quickly aimed her sonic up at the ceiling, cutting the lights. "Scatter!"

You quickly took off for the door you were already heading for, knowing you were in enough light from outside to be illuminated as you shot through it. Graham and Ryan following behind you as Yaz took off with The Doctor.

You all bolted toward where The Doctor left the TARDIS and you yelped when someone grabbed you, it was softer than before and you barely heard Graham and Ryan yelling as you were pulled through a blue door. You recognized the interior of The Master's TARDIS. He kept the inside the same as the shack but with large and vast hallways, you headed over to your chair. You had always left a new book on the stand next to it, to start reading it when you rejoined The Master.

You yelped as you were pushed to the ground, lightly knocking over a pile of books as The Master stood over you. "What is my name?"

"Master, what's going on?" You asked, you usually didn't feel fear when looking at him, but this time, this time you did. He had that look on his face, that cold calculating look he only gave to The Doctor or to whoever's kingdom he was overthrowing that day.

"Say it again!" The Master demanded, bending a small bit, looking down at you.

"M-Master."

The Master grinned. "Once more pet."

You met his stare and realized he wasn't actually going to hurt you, he was just pissed off that you managed to get a good run away from him in. "Your name is The Master."

"Don't be cheeky. Get up." The Master ordered.

You started to get up, pushing your face close to his as he was still leaned over you. "Can't get up with you being like this, Master. One of us is going to have to move."

"Or you can tell my why you ran away."

Oh so thats what this was really about. You reached up and rested your hand on his face. "I like making things difficult, Master. You like it though."

"Oh do I?"

"You like a challenge. I like to be challenging. Now where are we going?"

The Master straightened up, sliding an arm around you to pull you up with him, making the two of you chest to chest. You barely noticed the position as he scanned your face. You were focused on him fully. "I know you we're lying earlier, love."

"Was I?"

"You have a silly human crush on me. You crave the days I steal you away from her." The Master's words had an air of superiority to them, like he knew the truth of the words he was putting on you.

"You don't understand what your talking about, Master. Lets put a pin in this conversation, please."

"OOOH, you used your manners, love. I'll relent this time but later, we are talking about this." The Master stepped away, your hand falling from his face. He had his answer, you all but confirmed it today and he'd push even more.

The Master's new favorite thing was to make you realize just how hard you had fallen for him.

(Little Bonus because I couldn't help it.) You ran up beside Yaz, waving to the Fam as you got readjusted to life back with The Doctor. The Doctor looked over at you and grinned. "So how was your date?"

"It was fantastic! He.." You stopped mid reply when you realized.

The blond shot her arms up in the air, cheering and certainly drawing the eyes of everyone in the vicinity. "Yaz you owe me!"

You watched the reactions of everyone and relaxed as they all groaned about losing the bet. Yaz looked over at The Doctor, pulling a few pounds out of her wallet. "How'd ya know it was gonna be that easy?"

"Because they've got this whole new relationship glow to them." The Doctor pointed out and you groaned.

"Among other things." Ryan pointed out, his eyes trained on the jacket you were wearing.

You hadn't even noticed you had grabbed The Master's coat. He must've placed his over yours after you had hung it up. "Of course I had to grab his jacket."

[mandatory-blog-stop-asking]

my favorite stand-alone star trek episodes

someone in bluesky asked around my sphere what are the best Star Trek stand alone episodes for each show and I thought it was a cool exercise. My list and specifications are below. Long post so click the button to check it out.

Rules: Can't be super dependent on other episodes of the show, can't be a two or multiple-parter, can't just be every season finale just because it made me cry or anything; it has to be something that showcases how the show works its own individual aspects in a relatively ideal stage. Think of it like the episode you could show someone to prime them to like any of these shows if they don't even know the show exists.

The Original Series - The Corbomite Manuever

It's one of the first times Star Trek talks about peacemaking and looking before shooting as something you're supposed to do even in a situation where an overwhelming power is bullying you. Kirk comes out of this as a genius who knew better than to take a situation at face value, and has one of my favorite lines in the show:

What's the mission of this vessel, Doctor? To seek out and contact alien life, and an opportunity to demonstrate what our high-sounding words mean.

Banger idea, banger execution, iconic alien, cool shit all around, 10/10

Runner ups: Balance of Terror, Court Martial, The City at the Edge of Forever. Didn't make it because I like this one more.

The Animated Series - The Magicks of Megas-tu

I think it's probably the wildest episode in TAS? Kirk & Crew meet the devil and he's like, a swell guy you should be friends with. Spock learns magic. The devil tells the audience of mostly children to not have prejudices against those oppressors have deemed unworthy of attention. There's a magic duel at the center of the galaxy that is then tailored after the Salem Witch trials. If you haven't watched TAS, it goes fucking crazy.

Runner ups: Yesteryear, The Lorelei Signal, The Time Trap. Overall just think Megas-tu is more interesting and more incredibly fucking wild, how did that air in the 80s, oh my god.

The Next Generation - The Measure of a Man

While it is pretty early on, I think it's a very good example of what TNG does best: single-issue stories using its main cast as a vehicle for drama. This has a little bit of everything people love TNG for: Data's struggles as an android, Picard's struggles as a reinassance man occasionally having to face the dumbest motherfuckers in the entire Federation who would be burning witches at the stake if they could, a Badmiral, Riker vs Picard, Guinan taking Picard by the hand and gently reminding him the human condition includes some unpleasant elements, a farcical trial...

it's not perfect but I do think it holds up, and whenever I recommend Star Trek to people, this is always an easy case study to check if they're interested in the project.

Runner ups: Elementary Dear Data, Yesterday's Enterprise, Sarek, and honestly a lot of other episodes that just don't quite work if you don't have all the context of watching more of the show. Either that or they have weird characterizations that I don't think work super well for the episode.

Deep Space Nine - The Ship

I think Deep Space Nine has a ton of great episodes, but I do believe that show shines brightest when everyone involved is stuck in a bottle episode having to fight their way out of it. In TNG they would talk, in VOY they would trick people, in DS9 they use violence!

I think The Ship is the best version of a good DS9 episode that doesn't need so much preamble to understand. You have a tight cast, a very clear drama point, and the slow build up into a horrific ending where nobody is happy and everyone wishes war wasn't such bullshit.

While there's literally better episodes, I think this works really well for this "challenge."

Runner ups: This list literally had Homefront/Paradise Lost as my pick, but I ended up deciding two-parters don't count. Other than that, The Wire, The House of Quark, Badda-Bing Badda-Bang and my favorite episode of Star Trek of all time, It's Only a Paper Moon, that unfortunately only works if you've spent 7 seasons watching Nog go from the worst character in Star Trek to the best character in Star Trek.

Voyager - One Small Step

I think Voyager is very flawed and that season 4 is the highest peak the show comes to, but even then, I think One Small Step is my favorite episode. It has the BIG VOYAGER THINGS: Seven of Nine trying to wrap her head around human emotions, an old-timey feel (literally, it's about an old Mars mission), it has the Delta Flyer, and it ends with an absolute emotional gut punch that I haven't really recovered from to this day. It's a love letter to space exploration that really fits a show named god damn Voyager a lot more than it would any of the others. I really love this episode.

Runner ups: The 37s, Living Witness, Death Wish, and DISTANT ORIGINS, OH MY GOD, THE LIZARD PEOPLE ARE REAL; all episodes i like but that either don't quite get me where I want to go, or I just personally feel aren't as strong.

Enterprise - Dead Stop

So like, this list is awful for Enterprise, because every single episode of that series builds on the previous ones somehow. Season 3 is impossible to watch out of context so I can't use any of it, and my no-multiple-parters rule means Season 4 (which I don't even like anyway so I guess it doesn't matter ) is mostly out. But I really do think Dead Stop excels at what Enterprise is good at: making the galaxy look fucking weird again.

Dead Stop feels like a really good sidemission from a game you've played a lot but never did 100%. It proposes some things about the state of the galaxy that you never really consider and never comes back, and it acts like this really interesting bottle episode that, while relatively predictable (this is Enterprise), is also effective. I think everyone shines in this and I think the situation is very unique. Worth a shot if you've never seen Enterprise.

Runner ups: E², The Catwalk (lol), it... look, I'll be real, Enterprise is not made for this.

Discovery - Unification III

Speaking of shows that aren't made for this, Discovery wouldn't have made it if it didn't get a soft-reboot halfway through. I'm one of the people who likes the second half of Discovery, sometimes a lot even. And while I think it should have gone way crazier with its own stuff instead of wasting its time with references (season 4 is probably the moment I was happy saying I like Discovery), I think Unification III is the first time I actually liked Michael's character.

It still has Discovery's major problems of being overly melodramatic in the wrong places, wasting a little too much time with dramatic camera shots and monologues that don't always hit, but I think Unification III is Discovery deciding it can stand side by side with other shows: it fundamentally changes the Romulan/Vulcan dichotomy, it takes something old and makes it new again, and it for the first time in years doesn't feel embarrassed of itself.

I don't know if it would make a Disco hater become a Disco enjoyer, but hey, I enjoy the episode, and it's my list.

Runner ups: Forget Me Not, and.... that's it actually. Don't watch Discovery on random, it doesn't work. Picard isn't in this list.

Lower Decks - wej Duj

Lower Decks rules and wej Duj is the best episode of Star Trek released in the year it came out. It takes its premise and allows it to breathe, shows you parts of the universe you'd never see, introduces great characters you could make a mini series about if you were crazy, and it looks and sounds great. Lower Decks was too good for this world and cancelling it characterizes cruel and unusual mistreatment of an audience.

Runner-ups: First First Contact, Empathological Fallacies, a couple more but Lower Decks is so referential in nature that it also makes it hard. But this wasn't really a contest. I wrote wej Duj without looking up other episodes.

Prodigy - Time Amok

Prodigy is a weird one because it's less "Star Trek" and more "Voyager 2". It has a different idea and execution for what it wants to do, so it doesn't really adhere to structures other shows have. That being said, I think Time Amok is the first time the crew really comes together and shows why they're a good cast, what their specialties are and why you should like them. I would probably not have continued the show without an episode like Time Amok, and genuinely, it goes great places. Season 2 is one of my favorite seasons of current Star Trek. It just, you know, isn't the same.

Runner-ups: Honestly for my specific rules, this is it. But I want you to know Prodigy fucking rules and you should watch it. "Now... go boldly" still gets to me every time I think about it.

Strange New Worlds - Ad Astra per Aspera

I like Season 1 of SNW a lot more than Season 2, but the S2 opener really is the show at its best. It doesn't pull any punches when exploring the subject of what's essentially Federation-approved apartheid, and it might have the best performances in the show so far. It would have probably interested me more if this wasn't another prequel that can't change things too much, but, still. If you've never seen SNW and don't want to just watch it from episode 1, give this one a try.

Runner-ups: Strange New Worlds the pilot! It's a very good pilot! Also "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" and "Those Old Scientists", but like, a crossover wouldn't really fit here very well.

And there you go, that was a fun little exercise. How about you make your own? Add any of the shows you want, I just happen to be a freak who wanted to do it with all of them.

[spellbcok]

⚔️⚔️ 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 ⚔️⚔️

click occupation link for more info on it. aware or unaware is referring to the changes in town, not to their canon awareness.

annie edison ⚜️ unaware noblewoman/aristocrat, medical apprentice; addiction mention tw. she is the daughter of a vassal that went against her parents wishes to study medicine. similar to her actual background minus the pill addiction part. aristocrat / noblewoman because it's close enough to her princess fantasy w/o actually making her a princess. || random tidbit: when she is referred to as 'my lady' / 'm'lady' a not so clear face will pop into her mind. she doesn't know who it is, but she's trying to find them (context)

anya jenkins ⚜️ aware "sorceress"; anya is getting a memory upgrade right before this event, so she now remembers up to the end of hell's bells & has fully regained her demon powers; she is also aware of the changes but since this medieval time period is close to when she was her original human identity 'aud', she finds it very familiar. she does miss the conveniences of the modern world, though... like the luxury of lightweight paper money vs coins. she is passing off her demon powers as that of a sorceress that grants wishes.

chloe decker ⚜️ unaware lieutenant; she is suspicious of the place, but can't pinpoint what exactly has her feeling something is off. but she can't shake the feeling. in this world, she still works in law enforcement of sorts, not much 'investigating' here... but that's reserved for delving more into her suspicions. for her, hoping at some point she'll become aware so that could be played with/plotted out.

tak dongkyung ⚜️ unaware stationer & copyist; she sells the books that she scribes. she remembers everything & everyone— just within this medieval setting.

gale weathers ⚜️ unaware writer; chasing fame through her writing no matter the time period. she has a knack for overexaggerating & cliffhangers. she believes this is the norm & that the woodsboro/scream events happened in a foreign land and she sought refuge here.

ren ruyi ⚜️ unaware knight; rather than a spy/assassin which is closer to her canon and cia identity in washington, she is a knight here. mostly for fun, really, as she does have this protective and heroic side to her in canon that hasn't had it's time to shine due to prior betrayals/nature of her work. so she's always believed she was here & trained to be a knight since birth, practically. her father gave her to her mentor to raise (ala a knight's tale lmao but also it's similar to her canon background a bit except she was sold by her father into a less than admirable service j;fewiaj)

im sol ⚜️ aware stagehand; im sol is aware that this is not the world as she knows it, although she thinks she time traveled again & is confused why here of all places; got a job working at the local theater as a stagehand.

possible connections: most of these are general and can be any number of people, so feel free to assume ; also you can assume any peers (i.e. status peers, work peers, interest peers) and/or customer relations. however, ik there are some v specific ideas below that require discussing, so if anything is of interest that you want to plot out then like this post or react in the disc**rd channel when i link this post && i'll msg you.

annie edison ⚜️ other medical scholars, doctor she apprentices under*, a rogue* (just to continue with that fantasy of hers tbh), patients, possible arranged marriage?

anya jenkins ⚜️ people who make a wish (revenge-related)*, other 'witches', others aware of the changes & can reminisce about the good old days of computers or w/e.

chloe decker ⚜️ guard captain who appointed her*, coworkers, criminals, aware people who trigger her memories of the modern era.

tak dongkyung ⚜️ writer(s) she copywrites for, customers, employees (na jina, he xuan).

gale weathers ⚜️ fans, other writers, barkeep who is familiar w/ her as she frequents their tavern to write.

ren ruyi ⚜️ other knights, fair maidens (or sirs) she has saved, nobleperson she serves.

im sol ⚜️ actors, entertainers, playwrights, other stagehands, etc., others who are aware of the changes.

starters (2 per muse for now)

annie edison ⚜️ (2/2) sam, rosemary, danny

anya jenkins ⚜️ (4/2) angel, mason, buffy, kaul hilo, elsa

chloe decker ⚜️ (3/2) silco, kono, nathalie, jaeyoo

tak dongkyung ⚜️ (3/2) quigley, he xuan, doom

gale weathers ⚜️ (3/2) charles, noah, sidney, diana

ren ruyi ⚜️ (2/2) chelsea, dain, adam

im sol ⚜️ (2/2) juliette, astrid

[chrisbitchtree]

The Laws of Attraction

My fill for Day 1 of @harringrove-flip-reverse-it!

Prompt - SFW - School Project

2k - Rated E

***

“How’s that for chemistry, Harrington?” Billy asked, on the edge of a moan. Steve laughed, grasping Billy tighter and stroking faster, eliciting another deep moan from the blonde. “Too bad we can’t write about this for our paper. I’m sure we’d get an A+.”

***

It had all started when Steve had missed his Intro to Human Sexuality class three weeks before. Steve never gets sick. It’s his thing, and he’s weirdly proud of it. Healthy as a horse, with an immune system so strong that the pediatrician would joke that Steve should be studied by science every time he went in for a checkup. Steve would laugh long after the joke got old so he could always be sure the doctor would offer him his favourite sucker, a blue one, at the end of the appointment, after his reflexes were checked and the ice-cold stethoscope was pressed to his chest.

Being so healthy meant that Steve had to get really good at faking colds and flues so he could stay home and eat soup and crackers and watch either game shows, soap operas, or 80s sitcom reruns, depending on which nanny his parents had employed at the time.

Once Steve had started high school and his parents felt that he was past the point of needing a nanny to care for him while they were away and could always reach him on his cellphone if they needed to anyway, he was able to drop the sick act and just ditch school instead. Nobody was going to go to the trouble of tracking down his parents to bother them with the news that their son wasn’t in class that day.

It had gotten even easier once Steve had gone away to college. He would pick and choose what classes he felt like attending and didn’t need to answer to anyone as long as he kept his grades up.

But of course, the first time in his entire life that Steve was too sick to go to school, struck down by food poisoning from some questionable Chinese leftovers he’d found in the mini fridge he kept next to his dorm room bed and used like a fridge, unable to do anything except either puke or lay on the floor next to the toilet waiting to puke again, shivering, and shaking and wishing he was dead, refusing when his floormates tried to offer help. He just had to puke it out.

Finally, at about 8pm, he was feeling slightly better and like the illness had finally run its course. He dragged himself back to bed and curled up in a ball, picking up his phone from where he’d tossed it in the sheets when he’d run for the bathroom and checking his missed notifications.

He had a couple texts from Robin, updating him on all the Hawkins High gossip he was missing out on, and a whole string of them from Dustin that had gotten increasingly frantic as the day had gone on, but the ones that stood out were from Nancy, who of course had ended up at the same school as him, even sharing some of his classes. They’d talked on occasion since breaking up in the fall of their senior year, but it was usually only if they had something important to tell each other so he clicked on hers first.

Nancy – 11:12am: Steve, are you skipping health class again? I heard what Ms. Johnson said to you the other day about your attendance!

Nancy – 11:22am: Partners are being assigned for the huge project in Human Sexuality today. If you don’t get here soon, you might be stuck with Billy. He’s not here today either.

Nancy – 12:37pm: I’m sorry, Steve, you’re going to have to work with Billy. Your topic is chemistry and attraction.

Steve groaned. Just his luck, the one time he’s actually sick, something like this actually happens. He’d done his best to avoid Hargrove since their big fight at the Byers’ the fall of their senior year of high school, as much as you can avoid someone in a town as small as Hawkins, where there was one high school with one basketball team that they both played on.

He’d counted down the days until he was free and could make a fresh start, only to find out that it wouldn’t just be Nancy at his new school, Billy Hargrove would be there too. And then the first day of Human Sexuality, there were both Billy and Nancy, on opposite sides of the front row.

Steve does his best to pretend that Billy’s not there, tamping down an attraction that’s been there since the moment he laid eyes on the other boy. Billy hadn’t confirmed nor denied his sexual preferences since he’d come crashing into Hawkins with his stepmom and stepsister, Max, to be closer to Max’s grandparents after Billy’s dad had died that summer, but if the rumours were true, Billy happily slept with anything on two legs.

Steve doesn’t judge, has no room to, considering how many girls he’s slept with. But that was before Nancy. Since his time with her, he’s been a relationship guy, someone who wants heavy commitment, and Billy just doesn’t seem like that type of guy, so Steve pushes his feelings down, ignoring them in favour of finding someone he could have a relationship with.

 Now though, Steve had no choice but to spend time with Billy. A lot of it, considering that the project was worth half their grade. And of course, of all the possible topics, they got chemistry.

***

For the first few weeks that they met with each other to work on the project, they kept their conversations strictly school related, at Steve’s behest, both because Steve didn’t want to end up down a road he wasn’t prepared for with Billy, and because success in academics didn’t come easily to Steve like it did to Billy. Steve needed a good grade in this class, so he had to stay focused and work hard.

They divvied up the research, Billy focusing on attraction while Steve worked on compatibility. It was coming along good until they met to discuss their findings and work on their thesis topic. They were in Steve’s dorm room, Steve at his desk, and Billy sprawled out on Steve’s bed.

He had his textbook open and upside down across his stomach and his arms crossed behind his head. His white t-shirt was riding up, exposing a strip of flesh between the hem of his shirt and the waistband of his jeans, and Steve wanted to pull the shirt up, expose him, lick and kiss and nip his way up to Billy’s mouth, wanted to pull the backwards baseball cap off his head and sink his hands into Billy’s curls.

“Hey, Harrington, have you ever thought about whether we have chemistry?” Billy asked. For all his usual bravado, the question came out of his mouth quietly, as if he wasn’t even sure if he wanted Steve to hear him ask it.

Steve looks up, meeting his eye, and he’s giving Steve a look that’s equal parts considering and wanting, his eyes dark. They travel down the length of Steve’s body and back up again, and Steve can’t remember the last time he felt so seen, so wanted.

“What if I have?” he replies, trying for breezy, and failing miserably. He’s way too into this, and it’s showing all over his face.

“Come over here and tell me what you’ve thought about,” Billy says, sitting up and patting the bed beside him.

Steve closes his laptop and takes the few steps to his small bed. He sits next to Billy, their bodies pressed together from head to toe. Steve rubs his knees nervously, trying to wipe some of the sweat off as he psyches himself up to kiss Billy.

He doesn’t have a chance to before Billy turns to him, slipping a hand into the back of Steve’s hair and cupping the back of his skull. Billy pulls him in for a kiss that’s surprisingly tender, as deep and searching as it is.

They stay like that for a long time, exploring each other’s mouths with their tongues, getting familiar with each other in a way Steve’s only previously dreamed of. Finally, they pull back to catch their breath, and Billy gives him a dopey grin before leaning in to nip and suck at Steve’s earlobe. He lets out a loud moan at the contact, too turned on to be embarrassed by the sound.

“Like that, don’t you, pretty boy?” Billy asks, rhetorically, before returning to the task.

Unsure of what to do, Steve slides his hands up under Billy’s t-shirt, exploring the planes of his stomach and the pecs that were the driving force behind most of his senior year jerk off fantasies. And god, they feel just as good as he thought they would, soft and pillowy, but firm at the exact same time. He’s in heaven.

“Can I give you a hand, Harrington?” Billy asks, hand hovering over the button on Steve’s jeans.

“Yes, yeah. Can I, you, uh,” Steve replies, barely able to get the words out, motioning gracelessly at Billy’s own jeans, and Billy undoes the button on Steve’s jeans and unzips his fly. Steve stands and pulls his jeans and boxers down to his knees as Billy undoes his own pants and pulls them down.

Billy pulls him back into a kiss for a minute before pulling away again.

“You got lube in here?” he asks, even as he leans over and pulls a bottle out of Steve’s bedside table drawer. He squirts some on his own and doles out some to Steve before dropping it into the sheets.

They grasp each other in their slicked up hands, and holy shit, Steve’s not going to ask long. It feels too amazing to finally have Billy’s hands on him. If the little whimpers and gasps coming out of Billy’s mouth are anything to go by, he’s not going to last long either.

They stroke each other at a fast pace as Steve tries to see how many hickeys, he can give Billy before they both cum. Three’s the magic number, then Billy’s bucking into Steve’s grasp, and Steve’s doing the same for him, then they’re coming all over each other’s hands and stomachs, gasping into each other’s mouths as they come down from their shared high.

***

They’re laying in bed after, sweaty and panting, Billy starfished out over Steve’s body, with his boxers pulled up but his jeans kicked off onto the floor, a heavy, reassuring weight. When Steve used to fantasize about this moment, he always pictured Billy to be the kind of guy that would hook up and run, but if anything, he seems to be settling in, using Steve’s chest like a pillow, and twining their legs together. It’s exactly what Steve would have asked for if he could decide how this would go. It’s nice, it’s sweet, and Steve could get used to it.

“So, Harrington,” Billy says, his voice quiet but rough, probably from how deep he took Steve’s cock into his mouth. “Do you think we should add this to the paper? Maybe we’ll get extra credit for doing hands on research.”

Steve snorts, swatting him. “As much as I could use the extra points, I think I want to keep this all to myself.”

[cryptidsurveys]

Sunday, September 1st, 2024.

Do you think surveys are annoying? If I thought surveys as a whole were annoying, then I wouldn't bother taking them. Sometimes questions can be a bit silly, boring, or repetitive; but at their core, surveys are a good way for me to document my day-to-day life. They help me stay consistent in a way I wouldn't be with journaling.

What career paths are you considering? I doubt being a minimum wage kennel tech at the animal shelter would be considered a "career," but it's basically my dream job. I can't think of anything else I would rather do.

Do you watch music videos? Rarely.

What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleeping? Probably around a day and a half.

Ever clicked on those banner ads that promise a prize for clicking? I think I clicked on an Xbox one as a teen because I wanted to see what would happen. I don't think I believed I'd actually win anything, and (to the surprise of absolutely no one) I did not. I also didn't have the credit card they undoubtedly wanted, so...there's that.

What flavor ice cream would you say your personality is like? Something sweet with a sudden and unexpected kick of chili pepper. Something nice until it's not. ;D

What kind of computer are you using? A Dell desktop.

What kind of computer do you wish you were using? I'm actually very happy with my current computer.

Do you think machines will take over the world? Hmm. No. Not completely. I do think society will become more tech-driven in the future, but only to the point at which human nature pushes back. There are just some things machines can't do and needs they can't fulfill. Eventually, hopefully, we will find a workable balance.

Ever had a weight change so drastic you went to the doctor? Not really. I've been to the doctor for my eating disorder, but it wasn't like my weight loss was a medical mystery.

How cold does it have to be before you put on a sweater? It doesn't even have to be cold. It just has to not be hot.

Socks? I wear socks regardless of the temperature.

A coat? I guess fairly cold (or if I'm planning on spending a long time out in chilly weather). Who do people say you look like? No one says I look like anyone.

Do you usually get your homework done on time? I'm not in school anymore, but I typically turned my work in on time.

What’s in your closet? A bunch of junk.

Why don’t realtors like orange walls? Don't they prefer it when houses are sort of "generic?" That way potential buyers can start with a blank slate and make it their own? I mean, not many people are going to walk into a house with orange walls and be like, "Omg, it's perfect!!!"

Is the way you typically behave congruent with your ethnic background? I don't think the way I behave is congruent with anything except for being a lil weird.

Do you miss anyone dreadfully right now? Mostly pets who have passed on.

Have you ever framed your old movie ticket stubs? No.

If you could go out to lunch with anyone who ever existed, who would you pick? Whoever orchestrated/oversaw the building of the pyramids or any other mysterious, ancient monuments. I'm not one of those people who think aliens did it, but I would like to know exactly how they were built.

Are cats normaler than dogs? Uh…not according to Alex.

Does your left or right side seem to get hurt more often? I think when it comes to migraines it's my right side that hurts more often.

Quote something, preferably the 1st thing that comes to your head: Speak now or forever hold your peace.

Do you have a digital camera? Yeah, but I don't use it. I use my phone for photos these days.

Have you ever stuck something inappropriate in an electrical outlet? No.

What is your calendar pic for October? I'm not sure. There's a calendar downstairs, but I don't feel like running down there to check.

How many light sources do you have in your room? There are two overhead lights (which have been burned out for ages; I just haven't bothered to replace the bulbs), a set of string lights above my desk, a couple of salt lamps, and a couple of mushroom night lights. Oh, and the window for natural light.

Are you being stalked? No.

Will you have anything scheduled for the 16 of this or next month? Let's see…the 16th is a Monday, so I will more than likely be at the animal shelter.

Can you sleep without any pillows? If I had to, but I would really rather not.

Is there a color you REFUSE to wear? Hmm. I avoid white. <- Same. I'm a messy person and don't want to risk it.

Is there a car you REFUSE to drive? The company vehicle for the animal shelter. They're not asking me to drive it, but if I ever worked there…oh no. I'm inventing some sort of traffic infraction to get out of it because I do not trust myself with someone else's car.

Have you ever lived in a brand new house? No.

Has anyone ever pulled a gun on you? No.

Are you hurt if people call you names? I probably would be, but I think it would also depend on who was doing it and why.

Are there any chairs in your bedroom? Yeah. There's a computer chair, a fluffy white chair, and a bean bag (if you want to count that as some sort of seat; it's more of a cat bed atm, though).

Roughly, how often do you get sick per year? I have a lot of migraines, but when it comes to other illnesses, not very often. I did get sick twice in 2023, though - once with covid in Feb/March and then again around October with some sniffly cold thing that lasted about a month.

Do you go to the doctor, using holistic methods, or do nothing when sick? I take OTC migraine meds and that's pretty much it.

How many pairs of shoes do you have? Two.

Where would you least mind your car breaking down? At home…? But hopefully not right before I was expected to be somewhere - which was what happened to River this morning. I showed up at the animal shelter and Pat was like, "I've got a surprise for you!" "Oh yeah?" "Kristen called off, so it's just you and the new girl (River) today." "Uh wow, okay, cool, we got this!" ;D Went back to cattery, started getting things set up, but 8:00am rolled around and River wasn't there yet. No one knew where she was. I was like, "Okay, I've done cattery by myself before, I guess I can do it again…" Fed the cats, started cleaning in one of the colonies, and River walked in around 8:30am. Apparently, she was having car trouble and was frantically texting anyone she could for a ride. Alex was called in as well and she showed up shortly after River got there. What a wild start to the morning, lmao. I was totally ready to tackle cattery by myself.

[spookyspaghettisundae]

Who I Am

From afar, every one of her steps fell silent on the grass. She moved like the wind and melted into every shadow.

From cover to cover, she snuck past the creatures. Snarling, growling, feral creatures. Their slavering maws hungered and their mandibles clicked in search for human flesh to feast upon. She avoided every one of them, keeping a safe distance, swallowed only by thick fog.

Before crossing the road, she crouched behind the metal fence. From there, she waited, and watched the movements of those nightmare creatures. Waiting for an opportunity to creep across the asphalt, just out of earshot from the beasts.

Her body was as rigid as the metal bars of that fence, while staying as fluid as water, ready to bolt like liquid lightning. Strands of her blue-dyed hair stuck out from underneath the gas mask on her face.

And as she watched them through foggy lenses, I watched her. As the lenses of her mask fogged up with breath, so did I mine. I breathed in unison with her.

I waited. Observing her every move.

Learning.

To be her.

Who are you?

She is Priya Daniels. Afraid of the creatures, but confident in her ability to avoid them. Perhaps too confident. Brave. Brave for her ability to overcome her fear and act as scout to her newfound friends—her fellow survivors in the mist, hiding out in a fortified old mall.

She is a young woman, and she struggles to speak of all the things she lost. The people she lost in the mist. She does not wish to lose the new company she found, so she risks her life to clear paths for them, to scavenge for supplies, and ensure their survival. And she sits in the light of that locked building they dwell in by day, speaking to her new friends till she falls asleep, while others stand guard.

While I hide in the shadows, drinking in every detail of her being. Hanging on her every word, which I hear on the wind, or through the walls, or through the air ducts of the large building.

I have been watching her for weeks now. Changing. Changing myself to become her.

When I now look in the mirrors of water and glass, I see her in my reflection. I now look just like her. Down to the smallest details, like that small pale scar over her left eyebrow. Or the recent crack on her lip that I saw up close when she was sleeping, which she must have suffered when she fell in a desperate struggle for her life while fighting one of the creatures with her pickaxe.

And the bright crystal blue of her eyes, a precise imitation, down to every last pigment. Staring back at me through the reflection.

Whenever I spoke into the smartphone and played the recordings back, I now heard her voice. I had listened to her speak for long enough, both from intercepting their radio transmissions, and from staying nearby as I followed her around. Down to every detail, such as the tremors of insecurity in front of the good doctor, or her bartender friend. And the way she used words, how she named the young one “Gun Kid”, or how she became short on words when the man with the long hair held her hand, and her cheeks flushed pink.

And I had found every single article of clothing in the abandoned stores to mimic the rest of her appearance, and stolen all other items I needed to pass as her in front of the others.

I have been among them for days. They knew I was a copy. One of them finally noticed. I made some mistakes, and when they spoke to each other afterwards, they realized that Priya could not have been in two places at once.

She was afraid of me ever since. Like this had happened to her before. I am sorry for that. I mean no harm.

They were afraid. Expecting me to do them harm. Afraid of staying alone now, for fear of me copying any of them.

They called me… mimic.

Who am I?

I don’t know, but I am now Priya Daniels. Who I was remains a mystery to myself. I awoke in the mist, in the moss and the underbrush of the forest. Alone, without anybody to give me any answers. Was I born this way, or had I become this way? I remembered nothing from before that awakening.

I could eat their flesh. Some part of me is still curious to learn what it would taste like, and it would be so easy to stalk, and hunt, and kill them, and rip the flesh from their bones, and feast, like the other feral creatures out in the fog.

But I am afraid to. Like her, I subsist on the food that explodes from crinkling plastic bags torn open, and feast upon the fruit of the forests, and the meat of the little woodland creatures I catch in my snares.

I am afraid to embrace the creature I could be. I am afraid to admit that I am not human, like the humans in that mall.

Mimic, am I?

What was my purpose? I could not answer that.

And when I had finally met him, I found purpose.

The Bandaged Man cupped my cheek in his hand like a gentle lover, and asked me a simple question.

“Who are you?” His words billowed out like fabric rasping over the surface of a tree’s bark.

At the time, I had no answer.

Therefore, he answered for me. “You are whatever you want to be.”

He loved me. For all I was, he loved me. I sensed it. From that wicked smile underneath bandaged lips, to the breathy laugh that scraped its way out of his parched throat.

At first, I tried to look like him, but he forbade it. I don’t know if he didn’t want me to look like a skinless man beneath bandages, weeping forever with wound water and dark substance, and mirroring his raspy breathing.

He asked me to watch the humans instead. To observe all those who explored the mist around the mall. To become them.

To join them.

To pave the way for him, to find a way for him to enter safely.

And I had no other place to be. No other person to be.

Thus, I started looking like a man from the mall who hiked outside alone. He did not walk quietly into the night. Before I could learn to be him, the creatures ripped him apart and devoured him.

Then a woman drove out into the mist alone. She stopped her car and smoked a cigarette and spat curses into the wind. Then she took her gun, and shot at the creatures, and then she exploded in a bright red flash of light that drew all the creatures from miles around. She left them nothing to feast upon. I never had enough time to study her closely enough to be her, either.

And even if I had, I was still becoming.

At the time, I had not yet perfected my ability to assume their appearances, and knew not if it would help me get any closer to the survivors in that building.

If I could, like he wanted me to, I knew I could make a difference. The Bandaged Man seeks to destroy the man responsible for this mist, and the arrival of the nightmare creatures.

I intend to help him. Perhaps, I will then learn who I am. What I am.

Why I am.

All I know is that I exist. All I know is the mist took something from me. My identity. My past. My life.

Now, I can only live through her, the one I watch.

Now, I am Priya Daniels.

Having stayed hidden long enough to make her move, she darted across the street.

Bad luck took her. I never hoped for this to happen. I wanted to watch her for longer, to truly be Priya Daniels.

She made it across unnoticed. But once she stepped foot into the tall grass on the other side of the road, a stray bottle’s glass crunched underneath her foot.

The mist creatures snapped around. They could not even see her, they only followed the sound. The panicked breathing and scrambling as she fled. The grunt of pain as she hurtled through the window into the nearest abandoned building, falling onto more broken glass.

The thud, and the crunching.

All sounds for them to chase. And for me to chase after them.

Their claws scraped over asphalt and heavy legs thumped on earthy grounds in their pursuit of Priya Daniels. One of them screeched as it followed her inside. And the noise they made masked the noise I made, I, Priya Daniels.

Priya Daniels, the other one, screamed.

I was too late to help her. Too late to save her.

I used the bow and arrow to shoot one creature in the back, after which it crumpled into a lifeless heap. The next one was taken by surprise, and the pickaxe to its head incapacitated it with a single, sickening crunch. The last one reacted, lashed out, nearly impaling me with its sword-like spikes, but I won out with the pickaxe, killing it like the one before it.

And yet, I was too late. Priya Daniels was too late.

Priya Daniels lay dead in the darkness of that building.

With tenderness, I removed her gas mask. I cradled her head on my lap and drank in the last details I could glean, despite all the blood on her face, and those lifeless blue eyes.

Then I shut her eyelids so she could finally rest. I respectfully took only the things that would help me be her entirely, and hid her body in the darkest corners of that building.

Priya Daniels was not dead.

Mimic, am I?

I am Priya Daniels.

I am who I am.

[aajjks]

TPOL!JK

is it wrong for you to think that dragging someone’s name through the mud when they’re dead is wrong? sure chaeyoung did fucked up things, you never said what she did was right but why should you and jungkook receive all the glory? their families lost their loved ones, fuck whoever raised them to be such horrible human beings, but they’re still a grieving family at the end of the day. jungkook KILLED them and you’re sure he’s thinking you’re fucked up for pitying the ones who kidnapped his son but you feel as though you aren’t any better than they are.

long story short, you don’t want any public knowledge about what happened especially when both of you know the truth.

when you finish changing jaemin’s diaper, you exit the bathroom and head back to jungkook’s room. you’re so focused on both jungkook’s and ji-ae’s attitude that you don’t notice bumping into someone causing their stuff to fall to the ground. “oh no. i am so sorry” you say leaning down to hand the belongings to the stranger who reassures you that you’re okay.

“don’t apologize” he says before looking up to meet your eyes and jaemin’s big doe ones.

“cute baby”

“oh, uh, thanks” you say as you hand the stranger his last item before making your way back to jungkook’s room and unbeknownst to you, the stranger is silently hoping to see your pretty face again.

“sorry it took me so long” you say as you walk inside the room. ji-ae speaks to you but jungkook doesn’t even make eye contact with you. “Yknow what? You all can go home I want to be alone right now”

yep, he’s definitely upset.

ji-ae tries to tell jungkook that everything is okay but you don’t fight against wish to have you (mainly you) to leave. you put jaemin in his seat, click him in, and tell ji-ae that it’s okay. you drove separately from ji-ae anyways so if he wants you to leave, then you don’t mind it.

“it’s okay, ji-ae. you get home safe” you say before grabbing yours and jaemin’s belongings and leaving the room.

ji-ae sighs and doesn’t bring up what she really wants to say but she concludes that if this keeps up then this relationship will never last.

as you’re walking up the hallway, you come across the stranger again who this time bumps into you on purpose but not too hard since you’re carrying a baby after all.

“hey!” you say. not really in the mood to make conversation when you clearly have an attitude but does the stranger care? not really.

“sorry sorry. need help?”

“no i’m good. thanks though”

then he notices your ring.

“that’s a beautiful ring. who’s the lucky person, eh?”

“the lucky person is…is just a lucky person”

“playing hard to get? i get it”

“sorry, i’m just having a bad day i guess”

“no i understand”

“trust me, you don’t. but uh, nice talking to you”

“w-wait! will i see you again?”

“maybe. depends”

you shrug and leave the stranger alone to decipher what you meant before remembering that he never caught your name.

Jungkook had the worst night of his life.

He couldn’t sleep at all because he was up thinking about whatever you meant to say yesterday, and it’s been bothering him like crazy.

And to his dismay? It’s already morning, so when the doctor comes in for his check up, Ji-Ae and You are present once again, and he has missed you undeniably a lot last night, but still he thinks that you deserve the silent treatment.

“Look doctor- LET ME LEAVE. I need to attend my friends wedding and I CANT MISS IT.” Jungkook sighs, getting a little annoyed because he really wants to attend the wedding and hangout with his friends, with you beside him.

Also did he mention that you look so gorgeous at 8 am in the morning?

He wants to have a good time. Jungkook starts to glare at the doctor and when his mother tries to make him understand his circumstances, he’s NOT listening.

And when you try to open your mouth, Jungkook decides to interrupt you, acknowledging the doctor once again, “it could be just for today! Look please just let me go.” He tries to say it calmly, he’s never really begged anyone except for you before but sometimes he has to make an exception.

Jiae doesn’t agree with her son’s decision at all but of course he’s Jeon Jaekuk’s son after all, he’s STUBBORN.

And, to Jungkook? He’s doing nothing wrong. The wedding is in the evening and he wants to be there with you.

Even though he’s still a little upset with you.

“PLEASE.” Jungkook says, Jaemin is staring at his father with his awake doe eyes, he’s started to fuss in your lap, Jungkook wants to look at you but he knows he will melt if he does.

“You have to let me leave.” And he’s not going to stop until the doctor says yes.

[kiwi245]

Of Heart And Sol (an Of Feathers and Flames Short Story) (Pt 1)

This story takes place in the Scorpion Den in “modern day” Pyrrhia. Humans are again the dominant species and the Scorpion Den is a human city known for its dragon trade, dragon fights, and more. Think of the underground dinosaur trade center from Jurassic world.

Main character here is a young man named August Tobias, but he goes by Tobias. The red SolarWing is named Sol

I DID NOT write this story, but it was so good I had to share. I have permission from the writer but they wish to remain anonymous.

I raked my knife through the coarse netting, releasing cold, slimy fish. Contentment ebbed at the SeaWing’s expression as the dragonet licked up the small, delicate meat. His talon was looking much less inflamed. I leaned against the bars of the dragon’s cage with an air of satisfaction. The SeaWing had been a good patient.

A familiar sound echoed through the lot, and I stood quickly, relieved when I spotted the slender human form gently closing the lot door behind herself, silhouetted in the bright light flooding through the threshold.

I stepped out of the SeaWing’s cage, snatching my backpack as Cersei paced towards me with a grim expression, her straight, black hair brushing her shoulders with every step.

“Hey.” I started, catching her weary gaze. “What’s up?”

I propped my bags up alongside the SeaWing’s cage as I closed the steel door, the click of the lock still echoing through the cage lined lot as Cer stopped beside me, following my gaze to the dragonet’s bandaged talon. She hugged me a moment later, which caught me off guard. I gave her a questioning look when she pulled away, sniffing.

“Dad, uh..” she bit her lip, shaking her head. “He says Roe might go to jail. The SDP’s pushing it. Says they’re tired of Dad bailing her out.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. Why wasn’t I surprised? I agreed with the SDP completely.

The previous night, in a drunken stupor, Roe, Cersei’s twin, had been searched on her way out of the bar and was found possessing stolen documents from Level 4. Of course they hadn’t specified who the documents had belonged to or exactly where they had come from- just good ‘ol level 4, the place doctors made monsters and scientists defied the laws of nature.

I cleared my throat, trying to feel natural as I said, “Hey, I’ll tell you, jail is no fun.”

Cersei gave me the exact reaction I had been hoping for, her expression questioning. “You’ve been in jail?”

“Once,” I continued, starting down the hall towards my next patient, “in Monopoly.”

She gave a soft, suppressed laugh, following me as she shook her head, “Aug, I’m serious.”

“I know, I know.” I whispered, draping a confident arm across her shoulders, “Cer, I mean, this isn’t the first stunt she’s pulled. Why not let her learn, right?”

“She has learned something,” Cersei insisted, stopping beside me as I unlocked the SandWing’s cage.

“Yeah?” I started, gently reaching towards the SandWing as the beautiful golden creature approached, sniffing my bag with an expectant air. “Like what?”

“She stopped! For-... for a few months.”

“Stopped, or wasn’t caught? This is some serious stuff, Cer. A fifth offense? Anyone else would be long gone.”

Cersei nodded, her expression forlorn as she leaned against the cage bars. I turned towards the girl, staring into her cold, blue eyes. We were only a year apart, and over the past two months, I had grown to know her well. She was attentive, and kind, forever loyal to her family, putting others before herself. I admired those qualities, and we had spent quite a bit of time together outside of work, where I had grown to know her better. Cersei was always looking out for Roe, her headstrong twin, who jumped into everything without thinking twice. Roe annoyed me, not only because of her foolish decisions, but because she was careless and self centered, her eyes blind to the torment she continually put her family of three through.

My gaze jerked towards the lot door as Yair, my employer, entered the room, his long hair slicked back in a bun, white, stainless dress shirt fresh and ironed.

“August?” Yair glanced down the long, maze-like halls of cages, spotting me and Cersei a moment later. He gave a quick wave, and I stepped out of the SandWing cage with a respectful, “Sir,” as the man approached.

Cersei made no move to oblige her Father’s presence, which surprised me- it was rare to see her hold a grudge.

“I’ll finish up here.” Yair continued, his voice echoing through the lot as he stopped beside the young SeaWing dragonet, and I smiled when he gave a content nod, his experienced eyes reviewing my work. “There’s a produce shipment back in the Truck Yard.”

I glanced at Cersei, who entered the SandWing’s cage, kneeling to pull more meat from my backpack for the gold dragon.

The moment I entered the Truck Yard I knew something was wrong. Trucks spanned the wide garage, their trailers still locked tight- not one engine roared. Several men argued off to my right, their voices progressively growing louder.

To my left sat a small, white cage. It must have come from the labs- Level Four. People surrounded the cage, their voices raised as I passed by, my eyes catching the glint of deep red scales within the white lab cage.

I turned away, spotting a familiar truck ahead, Yair’s logo plastered against the trailer. The driver, a short, sturdy man, leaned against the trailer, his arms folded across his chest.

“Hey,” I started, positioning myself beside the Trucker, confused when he made no move to open the trailer, “what’s, uh.. what’s going on?” I motioned towards the shouting men near the exit.

“Yard’s on strike.” The Trucker shrugged.

I glanced from the man, then back to the exit, watching as several Patrol Guards entered the Yard, weapons in hand. Turning back to the Trucker, I didn’t bother to hide my annoyance. “Why.”

The man shrugged again. “Sum’in ‘bout pay.”

I blinked. “Your- your pay?” I confirmed, brows raised. He had to be making a pretty penny, especially if he worked for Yair.

“Aye, not ev’yun ‘as et as good as me, son. Got pals ta stick up far.”

I stole another look at the arguing group as the officers pulled people back, guns raised.

“Look, man,” I started, my gaze wandering toward the lab cage, “I’m just here for.. for, uh, produce..”

I could see more dull, red scales through the white bars as people shifted around the lab cage. Maybe it was a SkyWing.

“Nothin’ doin.” The Trucker said with a happy nod.

I suppressed a scowl. Being that I was in no position to threaten on behalf of Yair, I started back towards the exit, giving the loyal Trucker one last, grim nod before turning my back to him.

The patrol guards wouldn’t let me leave.

They were still trying to make sense of the situation, and one of them shoved me back when I tried to offer my ID. So, with a sigh, I moved back against the lab cage, trying to appear as innocent as possible. It wasn't unheard of to get lost in the chaos and unlawfully arrested.

After a moment I glanced down at the lab cage occupant. A mess of red scales greeted me, and I realized there were two dragons.

A SkyWing and a SolarWing.

The SkyWing was dead, and I felt a pang of pity for the creature beside him, who I had also assumed was deceased, but the slowly shuddering movement of his flank said otherwise. I knelt beside the cage, concern flooding through my mind as my eyes flicked over the SolarWing's starved body.

The dragon was next to death, scales clinging to his wide ribcage. Swollen, blunt wounds marred the creature, scales raised and blackened around the open flesh. I surveyed the wounds with a critical eye, frowning at the clamps cutting into the dragon's wings, a muzzle tied tightly against his snout.

The dragon did not move. He did not react as one of the officers slammed a shouting man against the bars of the cage.

I felt my stomach drop, sickened at the barbaric treatment this creature had endured.

Having been in the den for only a month, I had yet to grow accustomed to seeing dragons in such conditions, and it truly pained me to see anything being treated in such a savage manner.

With a gentle touch, I reached out, running my hand down the SolarWing's broad jaw bone, his scales unnaturally cold. A moment later he released a tense, muffled breath, flinching back every so slightly.

This, in a way, was a good sign. It meant he was still coherent enough- alive enough -to feel what was happening.

I glanced up, the loud dispute being brought to a rather necessary end. A moment later the group of Truckers returned to their regular jobs, and the security guards cleared out, obviously satisfied with what little peace they had managed to keep.

I stood, giving the SolarWing one last glance before I turned to the trio of men leaning against the lab cage, speaking in low, disgruntled tones. One of the men had noticed me, and he pushed off the cage bars, walking slowly to my side, his tall black boots echoing through the Yard with each step.

"What do you need, son?" His voice was coarse, and deep.

I offered my hand, and the man took it, his rough, callused fingers rubbing uncomfortably against my skin as he gave one, strong shake before releasing my hand.

"I'm curious," I began, "what do you plan for these dragons?"

The man gave me a critical expression, a questioning look in his old, pale blue eyes. "Bringing 'em for the scales." He gave a quick smile, the tan, sun wrinkled skin around his lips creasing intensely, and I was relieved to realize this was a kind, good natured man. "Why? You want them?"

At this, thousands of possibilities ran through my mind, my gaze wandering back to the SolarWing.

They were going to kill him.

My heart longed to save the beast, but… he was on death's doorstep, so broken, so far gone.

Again, I reflected on my time spent in the Scorpion Den. Yair had hired me for this sort of thing- saving the lives of his injured dragons as they returned from the arena. I had nursed countless creatures back to health- but never anything this far gone. From what I could see, the dragon had a sturdy, wide build, but his body lacked nutriance, scales clung to his terribly starved frame.

Another shattering breath racked the dragon's body.

"Yes." I whispered, my eyes locked on the dull red dragon. "Yes. I want to buy the SolarWing."

The man gave an abrupt, rough chuckle, "Welcome to have him. Doubt I'll make enough to even pay for his transport with those scales,"

It was true. The SolarWing's scales were dull, broken, and bruised.

The man slammed his boot against the cage, grunting when he received no reaction from the red dragon. "Think you can fix him, son?"

I gave a nervous laugh as the man unlocked the cage door, motioning the two other men to his side.

"Yes, sir. I believe I can."

The man stepped into the cage, then glanced back towards me with a grin. "I like your determination, kid." He winked.

[bh-writingdump]

C@ve Sl@ve

Last Chapter of Divine Punishment

[1st draft]

It reminds me of Red/Sans in Divine Punishment. He endured being murdered by someone he loved only to come back and not being able to cope with that reality. If it was cut and dry, kill his mate, it’d be one thing but seeing someone else make a toy out of his mate broke something inside him.

I don’t think it clicked while he wasn’t quite as bad as crest but he wasn’t all that much better. he still pushed and bent the rules of consent.

Its about how when your destroyed feeling something so strongly, it takes time to feel safe enough to put the pieces back together.

I could see Red coming back but not entirely remembering what happened. He remembers that he couldn’t find CEO but not the reasons around it. he may know he was beaten but not know all the details. Maybe it’s even a shock that CEO doesn’t beat him the moment CEO sees him as him.

This would be after clothing and either at or close to the temple.

CEO wants to know, “Did you disobey the spirit of the deal due to insatiable hunger or did you have control?”

Red: fuck yeah it was me. enjoyed every second of it.

You: course it was, why did I ever—

You clutch your belly as the vines bounce around inside. To think that even for a second you thought he had a redeeming quality… You turn your back on the bound skeleton.

Red: are ya seriously leaving me with the fish?!

You: why not it’s what you deserve

Red: what you say?

You: but not the rest of you

You return, kneeling beside red staring at him with a kind of intensity that makes him ready for an attack.

You: Wolf, I know you can hear me.

Red: who the hell are you talking—

You covered his teeth.

You: you’re good. same as Mx wolf. I’ve not known many folks in my life but you two are some that…” CEO opens and closes their hands, blinking away the tears. “I wish I had appreciated the time I had with you two but.. it wasn’t the right time.”

Red: you’re going insane now? heh, who would’ve thought I’d be the one to break you.

You: you can do better. be better

You take a dep breath, “Goodbye”

Far down the hall, the pain gets worse. Glaring as you feel spindly vines pour out of your cunt. Alphys tries to help you out but its out of her field of expertise. All you can do is give drugs and strap you down for observation.

Vision fills your eyes. You see yourself back with Red again. “You don’t’ get ta leave till I say you do.”

You laugh, he slams you against the wall. You see him depict you as scared. You merge with his vision, you control you, he controls him. staring back. at him you say “it’s over.”

“I fucked up. Is that what you want me to say?”

You sigh s he drops you. the vision shimmers as his concentration falters. “Red, do you remember Crest?”

“Who?.. we never… did you?” His gaze narrows.

“Wolf got most of the eggs. Couldn’t get one. it’s a clone.

“Then lemme get it. I can fix it.”

You shake your head, too tired to explain.

Wolf howls in the background. For once, the immovable mask on Red shakes but he shrugs it back on. “there’s no way. You should be dead.”

“Up until recently, I might’ve made it. Wolf was flushing me out ever week. it’d been suppressing the clone’s progress but now… there’s nothing to hold it back.”

“Get back here! I’m getting that out!”

You sigh, rubbing your face. “Red, there’s a million humans out there. Go find another to toy with.” The vision breaks down. your brought back to the room. As you predicted, the vines had taken over, in their center, Crest stood in a collection of pollen and dust. His smirk as sharp as ever.

“It’s over. I’ll be bead within the hour.” You explain.

Crest: don’t worry, the first thing I did was nullify that pesky poison.

With the vines out, your cunt feels overused. So when a slimy vine slides along its lips, you shudder.

“Liar.” You hiss.

“We’ll see~”

He calls down the hall. “Doctor, if you so please?”

Alphys stumbles out jerkily, vines coming out of her mouth. She pulls out a needle, pressing it into your arm. You wince as the cold fluid is pumped into your veins.

“Thank you~ that will be all.”

Alphys collapses in a corner. You founder as Crest forms a physical body out of vines. “Relax, I’m about to bloom, if you do exactly what I say, you too can be reborn with me.”

“I’d rather die.” you want to say but his touch silences you. Every part o your body equal parts terrified as slowly getting aroused. “Yes…” he purrs, angling his dick for your cunt. He inches in.

You try to hold back your moans.

“How exquisite. Are you sure you weren’t made for me?”

You try to lean away as he inches into you. his lips follow, peppering soft kisses up and down your neck. You whimper. “oh, com now. I can see how your body wants me. don’t lie.” The wet slap of his dick in you sends a flash of headiness through you. you moan as your body works against you, tightening around Crest’s dick.

Out of nowhere, Red breaks in, cuts down Crest, then tears his dick and the vines off you. You can’t stand with the drugs in you begging for something in you. Red tries to escape the facility but the vines restrain him no matter how he shifts into a wolf so he returns to himself.

“Aw, how precious.. why don’t we give you a happy reunion before you die, yes?”

Crest fucks you from behind until you’re a babbling mess. Begging for more. Billions of tendrils drill into your ass while you jerk off red. Red, for his part, keeps trying to attack crest but the vines restrain him, giving you free access to his dick.

“Why wait? Why not make zem yours?”

Crest puts you on Red’s dick. You immediately get nervous even with the drugs. He’s big erect. You sob at how you stretch.

Red’s pissed but tries to calm you, coaxing you into sucking his tits to cover up the pain with arousal. Though the tears keep coming, barely gives you relief.

Crest puppets Red. “See what you missed?”

“Don’t listen to him. just you and me.” Red says.

You cling to Red, burying your face in his chest as you slowly get fucked a vine in your mouth stops you from speaking, more burrow into your ass.

It’s so much stimulation.

Too much.

“How dull. Alphys!” Crest calls.

“you fucking—gah!” Red says.

Reds dick swells from the injection until blood leaks from your cunt and the vines hall you hard on and off Red’s dick.

You flop up and doll like a rag doll. his dick burrowing up into your ribcage.

Alphys kills Crest but not before your rendered insane, groaning and choking on so much cum and vines as they pump cum into you.

Red can’t stand the blood, you dying like this so when you ask for more, unable to beg for death except by sending a vision, he complies.

And snaps your neck.

.

.

.

[CS: Last] pg9 -->

[forever-fan]

A little note before I add on to this: I love Doctor Who so much! My parents watched it all the time before Jodie became the Doctor. It was the poor writing that caused my family to move away from it. Still, a lot of good memories are connected to the show.

The Justice League took every measure and precaution. The powerhouse fighters were up front, flanked by magicians. Batman had spent the past two hours vigorously planning. If necessary, if everything went to absolute shit, he would press a button, and the entire Watchtower would self-destruct, hopefully killing whatever lay within the Pandorica.

If that failed, a signal had already been sent out to every ally in the galaxy. Everyone knew what was about to happen. Everyone was prepared to die if it meant they could get rid of the being that rested inside the Pandorica.

What Batman had failed to account for was a rift opening and a robed figure stepping out. Diana gasped and raised her sword against the man.

"Kronos! You are not welcome here!" she shouted.

The titan simply smiled, "Diana, I am here to cause no trouble. In fact, I am here to stop you and your time traveling friends from causing trouble."

Diana glared at Kronos and asked, "Do you know what lays within?"

Kronos looked where Diana was gesturing and his smile got wider, "Oh, yes! He's been in there for quite a while. He'll probably wish to stretch his legs again. Plus, he is right on time, just as I had planned."

Kronos held up a pocket watch and showed it to the JL. As the League glanced at the ticking watch, they heard a hiss come from the Pandorica. It was opening.

They all waited with terrified, bated breath. The youngest heroes of the group seemed to be shaking as they readied themselves. Diana and Superman were at the front when they saw the box finally fully open.

Seated in a chair was a young man with black hair. His eyes were closed and he looked peaceful in his assumed slumber. He seemed... oddly human. But, how could a mere human be responsible for the death of billions of galaxies?

Suddenly, the man's eyes shot open and the restraints keeping him in the chair undid themselves with a click. He silently studied the people in front of him. The mystery man rubbed his wrists before standing.

The Justice League raised their weapons. Before Superman could get a word out, Kronos spoke.

"Hello again, Phantom. I haven't seen you in quite the minute."

'Phantom' turned to face Kronos. He smirked upon spotting the titan, before rolling his eyes, "Yeah? It may have only been a minute for you, old man, but it was thousands of years for me. They put me in the Pandorica while it was still buried under stonehenge. It was not a pleasing stay, and I will not be leaving a five star review."

Kronos laughed, "Ah, I see you still have your humor."

'Phantom' raised an eyebrow and stated plainly, "I did not have much else to do while trapped in there. Say, can I ask where Ellie is? She said she'd look after me."

'Phantom' scanned the Justice League, as if trying to pic out one specific person in the crowd. Diana took the chance to catch his attention. She stepped forward and asked, "Are you the being that is bathed in the blood of many civilizations?"

The man glanced at the Pandorica before saying, "Well is sure seems that way, now doesn't it? Of course, if you ask me, half of them weren't very civilized and the other half were pretty evil. Don't get me started on the Cyber Men. I hate the Cyber Men. Daleks too. They all well deserved the destruction they faced."

Trickster smiled before continuing on with his explanation, "Also, sometimes people blame me for things I never did. Witnessing things does not automatically make me the cause. For example, the destruction of Krypton was not my fault. I didn't do anything!

"I suppose that is where people begin complaining. They want me to do and act and save everyone. They just never understand that some things are fixed points in the time stream and to change those fixed points is to change reality itself. We do not want reality to change."

Superman looked pissed then, "You could have saved my planet, and you chose not to!"

The warrior pointed at Superman, "See! Always blaming me cause I did nothing. Once again, fixed points. I couldn't change anything. Anyways, you have a pretty good life, Clark Kent, so don't go being mad at me about it."

Batman was then prompted to ask in a dark voice, "You know his name? Who are you?"

The man smiled wider than before, "I'm glad you asked, Bruce Wayne. I'm the Phantom, though I have had many other names. The Norse knew me as Loki. The Greeks called me Thanatos and my sister Eris. I am the one and only Time Lord. I travel through time and fix problems. Of course, sometimes I am not allowed to intervene. Clockwork forbids me from messing with fixed points."

When the Phantom said 'Clockwork' he gestured at Kronos. Besides that, the speech made one question enter Diana's mind.

"You call yourself the phantom. There are many phantoms. You are the phantom, who?"

"Exactly."

Danny is The Doctor (Dr Who)

So! I've been on a Dr Who High for a little while now, and I thought this idea up.

Danny, as the apprentice to Clockwork, has the ability to traverse Time, and his can use his own Powers to traverse Space.

(He is not at the same level of Time Manipulation as Clockwork, but he is still very good at it. Less of a Time Master, and more of a Time Lord if you will)

So, after his family dies and he is left alone for his Immortal Life, he gets bored. Taking a Cue from Ellie and her whole Exploration Obsession, while also indulging in his own Space Obsession, Danny decides to explore Space and Time to his heart's content. (Maybe Ellie is his Companion?)

He travels the Universe, visiting different planets, witnessing historical events, and sometimes even Helping wherever he can. He is still a Protector Spirit after all.

He doesn't use his powers much these days, in fact he has mostly locked them away in favor of using his own custom built Inventions to get any task done. He is the son of Mad Scientists after all, and he likes to Own It.

Danny becomes known across the Universe in the same way that the Doctor is. To some he is a Savior, a Healer, a Wiseman. To others he is a Demon, a Trickster, a Warrior.

Danny becomes the Boogeyman of the Universe, so it's no surprise that one day someone tries to contain him, to keep him Locked Up so he can never interfere with the Universe again. To do so, they build a Device named, The Pandorica.

(Yup, I'm using that little thing in this)

Danny is trapped within the Pandorica, mulling over the Irony of being trapped by a Device named after one of his friends, for Eons. He is completely and utterly trapped.

Sealed Away, waiting for the day when someone will set him free.

...

Now imagine this.

The JLA has just confiscated an extremely Old and Extremely Magical Box from an Alien Cult, who were proclaiming that they would use the Pandorica Warrior to fell their greatest foe.

They call in Constantine to explain what it is, and just imagine the Doctors description of the Pandorica Scene coming him him.

"This is the Pandorica, an Ancient Magical Prison designed to hold the worst of all bad guys." Started Constantine.

"Why was it made?" Asked Superman.

"There was a Goblin, or a Trickster. Or a Warrior." Constantine explained as he paced a circle around the Box in front of them, "A nameless, terrible thing. Soaked in the blood of a Billion Galaxies. The most feared being in all the cosmos."

He took a closer look at the box and Continued. "And nothing could stop it, or hold it, or reason with it. One day it would just drop out of the sky and tear down your world."

He paused and took a deep breath, "Or at least that's how the Story goes, probably why those cultists wanted it so bad. The greatest Warrior in existence on their side? It would be an instant win button."

"Is it possible to open it?" Asked Batman.

"Easily, anybody can break into a Prison. I just want to know what we'll find first."

Zatanna interrupted, "Won't need to wait long, it's already opening. Layers and Layers of Magical Barriers are dispersing as we speak. That Cult knew what they were doing, it's going to open soon. Very soon."

The Box in front of them shuddered a little, and they tensed. They waited for a few moments to see if it would do anything, but eventually they realized it was probably just a side effect of the barriers falling.

"How soon can we expect it to open?" Asked Batman, still tense.

Constantine replied this time, "From what I can tell, maybe 2 hours at most. So you have that much time to prepare to meet the Universes most feared Individual."

...

Just thought of this while I was binging Dr Who videos on Tiktok and thought, "this would be cool as a dpxdc idea"

Here is the Video that inspired me, give it a watch

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Rage Fire Institution

Accelerating. 33.

Kidnapped back into the depths of the research wing, Maki was delivered into the hands of Doctor Suzu Kim. He still didn’t think he needed a doctor, let alone a doctor with a lab full of fancy equipment. Seeing he was being forced to go, he thought he’d have the right to have Tatsumi present so he could rub it in his friend’s face that he was worried for nothing. The arsehole daring to stand there waving goodbye as Maki was taken by the arm and led backwards, the door sliding closed between them.

“Mister Sato, please take a seat on the examination bed. You can leave your belongings on the table beside it. I’m Suzu Kim, Tatsumi told me you were running a fever”

Maki crossed his arms. Tatsumi had a big mouth

“I’m not. He’s overreacting”

Doctor Kim ignored him, busying herself by pulling on gloves. Maki didn’t want to know why. He wasn’t even ill

“I’m sure he is, but you’re here now, on the bed please”

Sensing he wouldn’t be able to get out of this, Maki did as he was told, trying his hardest not to over exaggerate each move. It was a waste of time. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he watched Doctor Kim roll over a trolley of things that looked less fun then her gloves

“I’m not ill. I don’t have a fever”

Doctor Kim really didn’t care. His protests falling on deaf ears

“I’m going to start with your temperature. Why don’t you tell my your symptoms other than fever. I had a quick look over your medical file and it seems you’ve stayed mostly in good health”

The Doctor held up her scanner in front of his face, Maki huffing

“I don’t have any. One minute I was thinking and the next thing I know Tatsumi is bringing me here”

The scanner gave a beep, Doctor Kim smiling as she showed him

“39.5, so you do indeed have a fever. Now, symptoms?”

Maki was sure if he did have a fever then he should know it, alphas naturally ran hot, but he usually sat on a pretty even 38 degrees Celsius

“I don’t have any. I didn’t know I had a fever”

“Alright, then have you done anything to explain it? Physical activity? Mental training?”

“No and no. We were doing homework”

“By we you mean you and Tatsumi?”

Who else was he going to mean?

“Yeah. We were in the library when he suddenly decided I had a fever”

Doctor Kim hummed as if that meant something. Maki had no clue what it could mean seeing he saw Tatsumi every day

“Any loss in concentration? Trouble holding conversation?”

Placing the scanner down, Doctor Kim picked up a blood pressure cuff, Maki holding his arm out so the thin piece of tech could be slid up it

“No. I mean, I was having trouble concentrating but that was because I had other thing on my mind”

“Such as?”

“Just… stuff. Nothing really important”

“Is this stuff something stressful?”

“I mean, a bit, but not like super stressful”

When the cuff turned green, Doctor Kim slid it back off the alpha’s arm

“Your heart rate is also elevated. How did you sleep last night?”

Maki felt himself redden. He’d slept like the dead a top of a human pillow. His Doctor clicked her tongue

“Ah”

Knowing what she was thinking, Maki quickly went to correct her

“No! No. Not like that. I had a really good sleep. Tatsumi and I were talking and fell asleep next to each other!”

As Maki died internally, Kim raised an eyebrow, her tone curious then she was nodding to herself

“You were with Tatsumi last night… wait, of course, that was yesterday”

“Whatever you’re thinking, it wasn’t like that. He needed a friend”

Maki wished to the heavens someone would come along and stuff a gag into his stupid mouth. He was only making it sound worse and worse. Kim shook her head

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking that way. I know yesterday would have been hard on him because…”

The way she stopped herself from telling him why told Maki she knew and he didn’t want to talk about it

“I know what happened… I… uh, I don’t feel comfortable discussing that with Tatsumi not in the room”

Doctor Kim gave a small nod

“No, of course not. I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m glad he’s found a friend. No wonder he sent you to me instead of the school doctor, you must be quite the friend”

A friend who’d nearly kissed another friend… Maki mumbling

“I don’t know about that”

“I’m sure you’re selling yourself short. He has great faith in you. Now, I think I know what’s going on, but I need to check your glands. Is that alright?”

“Oh, sure…”

Letting Doctor Kim manipulate his neck, the woman smiled as she stepped back

“It’s good news, you’re going to live. The bad news is that you’re pre-rut. I saw you recently changed suppressants. How long ago was your last rut?”

“Just after New Years. I don’t use suppressants at home”

“So 8 months. I’ll give you an injection if you’d like, it’ll knock the rut symptoms back. I think Tatsumi’s pheromones must have gotten onto you while you slept and your body reacted from prolonged exposure and your own upset over your friend’s state”

Maki had never heard of such a thing. He knew alphas could and would get territorial… Had Tatsumi gotten territorial? Maybe because he’d fallen asleep on him?

“Is that possible?”

“Highly likely. He would have been in a terrible emotional state yesterday. Alcohol, and stress can lower the potency of suppressants. Especially when the omega is compromised with mental distress. You probably had a good nights rest due to his leaking pheromones, and your body released pheromones in response. It’s purely biological and nothing to worry over”

Maki blinked half a dozen times. His brow drawn as it did. Doctor Kim had said omega… but Tatsumi was an alpha… unless Tatsumi wasn’t an alpha… If Tatsumi was releasing pheromones… and his pheromones… Tatsumi was an omega? No. He’d ruled that out before… and he was pretty sure he couldn’t ask Doctor Kim to go back and repeat themself again. Then again… Tatsumi never came into the alpha dorm when they walked back together and he’d never bumped into him in there without Skylark around... and they always met outside… Why had never asked Tatsumi why he saw him off. The alpha jumping as the doctor clicked their fingers in front of him

“Mister Sato?”

No. He needed time to… to think. He felt like he was learning this for the first time, but strangely he also didn’t?

“Sorry, I was thinking about something else. What was the question?”

“If you would like the injection or not. I’m assuming you have a mate, or at least a lover?”

Maki wished he’d remained ignorant to the question

“Uh, no… No”

Doctor Kim’s eyes widened in surprised

“I thought a young alpha such as yourself would have left a trail of broken hearts behind you. I only ask as it may affect your love life for the next few days if you do. Before you move, I’m going to take a quick sample from your gland, it’s just a swab test”

Maki didn’t care if it affected his love life, as long as he could pilot. Still, he felt ashamed as he answered

“I don’t have a love life… I’m not even sure what it means to be in love”

Doctor Kim gave a light chuckle

“There’s plenty of time for all of that. When the right person comes along, you’ll feel it”

That didn’t make logical sense. Li was falling in love every other day

“How do you know you’re in love?”

His Doctor went about opening a swab packet, humming lightly before answering

“Well, that person makes you happy, and you want to make them happy too”

Maki snorted

“That doesn’t sound right. I’m happy for my best friend but I’m not in love with him. Are you in love Doctor?”

“Ah, that’s a different type of love with friends. You can love your friends like a family and platonically. It’s that feeling you get when you see them, or when you get a message and you rush to reply. You get anxious and mad, sometimes you don’t understand why. It doesn’t necessarily start by wanting to kiss them or mate. It can be slow and gradual. Or it can be love at first sight and you make a fool of yourself. That’s how it was for me and Doctor Poaw. I fell hard and made an utter fool of myself. I wanted to shut up, and stop saying embarrassing things, but I couldn’t stop myself. Then there’s being in love. It’s anxiety, dependency, stress, jealousy, happiness, longing, contentment, fear, pushing and pulling, commitments, joy, sorrow, every emotion you experience by their side and the constant surprise of what comes next. But, it’s worth it because you work it out together in the end and come through stronger together. Love is acceptance. I guess that’s how I’d say it. You accept that neither of you are perfect beings and you handle it together”

Love sounded complicated… love also sounded a lot like how Maki felt when he was with Tatsumi. He couldn’t love his babysitter… so why did so many things align? Was it because Doctor Kim turned into an idiot, the way Li did, when talking about the person they loved?

“You research people are weird”

Having swabbed his gland while explaining, Doctor Kim placed his sample into a tube

“Maybe a little. You’re a bright alpha, and a good friend to our Tatsumi. Now there’s a man who’d never know how to say he loved someone. It’d be all mech parts and technical training”

“I’ve been told that before”

“It’s true. Poor man, if only he’d find a mate and let himself be happy. No, I’m not going to talk about that, you’re completely right about it being inappropriate without his expressed permission. Thank you for being there for him last night, it would have been hard for him to open up, so I’m glad you didn’t turn him down”

There was too much going into Maki’s brain for his brain to keep braining. He felt dumb replying

“Friends are there for friends”

Doctor Kim smiled brightly, moving on to fetching the promised injection

“That’s very true. Many of the bonds made here last a lifetime. Now, no piloting today. Not for 36 hours. Monitor your moods, temperature and glands. Don’t feel embarrassed if you suddenly feel sexual urges, it’s natural. If you feel the shot hasn’t worked, come back to me, okay? We can organise something else, or a sleep pod for your rut”

That was well and good. Maki knew he should be upset given his precious Erebus would have to wait, but there was something more important

“You… you won’t tell Tatsumi, right? He’ll be upset if he knows it was his pheromones”

“Doctor patient secrecy is a magical thing. If you don’t want to tell him, that’s your business”

“And you won’t put it in my file? If the principal finds out I might not be able to compete”

He also faced Tatsumi figuring it out and he didn’t want that. He needed to deal with everything else first in his head, like how he felt about the fact Tatsumi was an omega

“I’ll keep it out, all it will say is you presented with a low grade fever and I prescribed rest after giving you a shot for it. You’re the hope of our little research project team, they’d skin me alive if I prevented you competing”

Yeah, Maki could see that…

“Flo can be scary. I’m certain she still doesn’t like me”

“Flo? Oh, no. She’s all bark but not so much bite. No, Sara is the one you have to look out for, she’d sacrifice your internal organs if it got her an A. Dan isn’t much better”

Maki found himself smiling again, relieved Tatsumi wouldn’t find out that his pheromones had sent him into a prerut and relieved that Doctor Kim had a sense of humour

“I didn’t want to come here, but you’re much nicer than the school doctor”

“Aw, thanks. You’re not so bad yourself. Now, this will sting. Big sting, none of this little sting business”

Having to sit and wait half an hour after the injection, Maki didn’t know why he’d thought Tatsumi would have given up waiting. Leaning against the hallway wall, the man quickly abandoned his comms and stood properly as soon as he saw him. Maki suddenly didn’t have a single idea of how he was going to explain things without sounding as if he was lying. Tatsumi looked so worried and relieved at the same time, making it hard for the alpha to look his friend in the eye

“Maki, how’d you go?”

Doctor Kim patted Maki’s shoulder

“He’ll be just fine. Small fever and a little mental fatigue, so I’ve given him a shot. No piloting today and tomorrow, but he’ll be right as rain. I’ve told him he’s got to take it easy and come back if he feels worse, right, Maki?”

“Yeah, right… I’m not sure I want to come back, they shouldn’t let you loose with needles”

Doctor Kim hadn’t lied to him, it was a bloody big sting as the needle entered his left gland. Still, he wouldn’t go into rut and Tatsumi would have nothing to feel guilty over, so it was worth it. Doctor Kim laughed happily

“Your face really did make such an interesting expression. Take him back to his dorm, and make sure he goes straight to bed”

“Thanks, Suzu. I know your schedule is busy but I appreciate you making time for him”

“Nonsense. He’s just like someone else we know, never comes by on his own merit and dislikes needles. It was nice to talk to someone actually interested in their own health”

Tatsumi coughed as he ducked his head, changing topic away from Doctor Kim calling him out

“Let’s get you back to your dorm, Maki. I’ll notify Skylark and let him know you’re down with a fever. He’ll organise it with your teachers”

Doctor Kim swapped from the supportive hand on the shoulder to propelling him towards Tatsumi and out of the safety of the lab. He’d been betrayed at the final hour. The pair waved off

“Don’t forget to call. Or write. Or visit”

Tatsumi shook his head, the man ruffling Maki’s hair

“Let’s get you back to your dorm room. Homework can wait”

[godblooded]

Her kindness invites him, captivates him, like he is an apparition drawn in by the way she can see him —  unspoken at first, a passing glance in a shared room or a tendency to linger where she may be standing. His friends like her! If they like her, he must like her, too. Vought staff bustle in and out and the clicks of their shoes are not unlike the clicks of her own. One afternoon, close enough to reach out an arm, Noir guides his gloves to her face with a hesitation meant as request;  can I? And she doesn’t push his hands away, so he finds what he can’t. He can imagine that her face is smooth, or cold, things he can’t tell;  but like terrain the face moves up and down, and that much is allowed through a suit. Noir leans in close to her, framing her head with his hands like he is viewing a painting.  —  for Alana!!

it should startle or surprise her, but somehow it doesn’t. the good doctor is absolutely invented of warmth. let her tell you a secret, a secret she doesn’t tell anyone: she misses the person she used to be. she misses her tenderness -- her softness, the thing she cast so far because it did not serve her. she misses feeling patient and peaceful, thoughtful and curious -- she misses acknowledging the kindness she feels so naturally.

her momma taught it to her, her daddy imparted it upon her. she inherited it from both and honed it just the same. it serves her here, because @toonsupe​ is the type of person she wants to be tender toward. it reminds her of herself before she was what she is now -- not a who, a what. for ages physician, heal thyself has been a useless statement, but perhaps the point is she was never meant for utter solitude. ( humans are social creatures by nature she remembers hannibal’s voice against her own will, but for once in her life she’s too docile to give in. )

he’ll find the fracture of a scar at her left temple, buried beneath her hairline just where a divot is hidden. it’s a thin but present line. if one looks hard, long enough, it’s very easy to see where that skull had split open. the hard, heavy jut of her jaw is squared, masculine as the bright red suit she sports. her cheekbones curve in downward arcs toward prettily heart-shaped lips, and the smile they break into softens her periwinkle gaze to a baby blue. sometimes it’s the long cold winter of her own heart, and sometimes they’re a bright shade in their chill. she has her appreciation for that chill the same as a spring thaw should be treasured. she refuses to deal in absolutes. 

love comes easy to her when she remembers what it feels like. she doesn’t believe in being trepidatious about such a word; alana loves so easily, she wishes only she could still do so freely. sometimes it peeks out of her without warning. she’s who she used to be, here and there, and she can’t help but wonder if she’s not still in there. it’s a hopeful thought, but it’s a thought nonetheless. 

her smile dots dimples at either corner of scarlet lips. she very very gently touches fingertips to the back of his hands to place his palms just there where he can feel. she nods, once, and then twice, so he can feel it and know, before she speaks, 

“ yes. of course. thank you for asking. it’s sweet of you. ”