#i'm probably like a little behind because i decided to cut this chapter in half on the plan but like whatever dude

[galaxythreads]

Chapters: 3/5 Series: Part 2 of The Field Trip

Summary:

After the hostage situation during the SI field trip and the bomb, Peter and Tony are trying to cope with the aftermath. But with Peter's torturer still on the loose with Tony's stolen tech, Peter's PTSD getting worse, and Tony's anxiety rocketed up a notch, “coping” is probably too strong of a word for what they’re doing.

[ivystoryweaver]

With You part 13

prev next || Fic Masterlist || My Masterlist

Summary: Who left you that note on the counter? (It was Marc)

Pairings: Marc Spector x gn!reader, (Steven Grant x gn!reader, Jake Lockley x gn!reader) No use of Y/N.

Word Count: 3.4k

Content: angst, sprinkle of fluff (more under the cut)

Warnings: like a lot of cursing, spiciest chapter to date, nsfw tho the language is still gn and not overly explicit but you have been warned. Probably inaccurate DID, based on the show.

PREVIOUSLY, on "With You"...

The three of you agreed that Marc just needed some time. As always, you decided not to take it personally. This was about him.

You beat Steven home again the following evening, and this time, waiting on the kitchen counter, was an envelope bearing your name.

'On the roof -M'

Just that little scribble - Marc's handwriting, that he'd taken the time to put into an envelope for you - had you gasping for air.

You bolted for the stairwell, clad in your scrubs and in no mood to wait the brief eternity for the lift. Taking the stairs two at a time, you heaved yourself breathlessly through the rooftop door, gasping out his name.

"Marc!?"

Your husband wasn't exactly the film-style, run-and-jump-hug kind of man, so you were going to have to work very hard not to tackle him.

"Marc? It's me!" you panted, more from the anticipation than from exertion.

Unable to locate him in his usual spot, you peered over the building's edge, down to the city below - in case he was hanging there like Spider-Man?

Dumb.

Scurrying around the rooftop, you checked behind cooling towers and anything else obstructing your view.

No Marc.

Cursing under your breath, you dialed his phone, hoping maybe you missed him somehow, but knowing full well that the roof of your building wasn't that big.

No answer.

So back down you went. Maybe he wasn't fronting anymore. Sometimes it happened, whether one of them wanted it to or not. Couldn't really blame him if that were the case.

That didn't stop you from ringing his mobile again as you raced back down the stairs, narrowly missing a dangerously close face-plant situation once arriving at your floor.

"Marc!" You cried, bursting back into your flat. Releasing a shuddering sigh, your eyes burned with the beginnings of frustrated tears.

Right then, he emerged from the bathroom, soaking wet, dark ringlets dripping down his cheeks, with a white towel tucked snugly around his hips.

"I'm here," he softly responded, approaching you slowly, stopping before even reaching arm's length. Realizing you were in some sort of distress, he withdrew, almost imperceptibly.

"M-Marc," you stuttered out, unable to believe it as actually him. And not just him - who you had missed terribly for two weeks - he was soaking wet and half naked.

Swallowing hard, he pushed his fingers through his drenched curls, sprinkling the floor with water droplets and creating one hell of a sexy mess.

He figured you must be really upset with him for being gone so long.

Neither of you moved. You just stood, staring, your chest heaving with emotion as Marc wilted, drawing in on himself.

Steven would probably be here soon. You had to do something. Anything!

"I-I saw your note," you blurted. "I ran upstairs to look for you. I- "

"Shit. I left the note earlier, in case..." Figures he would have sent you up to the roof on a wild goose chase. No wonder you were keeping your distance. The quick note had replaced a long letter he had composed for you. Something to try to explain. But he tore the letter up and replaced it with the rooftop note, because the letter was utterly inadequate.

Head dropping in shame, Marc's fists clenched by his sides. "I'm sorry," he choked out.

You had to try anything. Inching forward, you moved carefully, afraid of scaring off the elusive creature he'd become these past weeks.

Stretching your fingers out slowly, you made sure he could see your incoming touch with his eyes - then asked for verbal permission before you made contact.

"Baby...is this okay?" One fingertip grazed his knuckle like a whisper.

Realizing you were here, right in front of him - touching him - soothed his fears almost instantly.

Exhaling shakily, he stared at the floor, even as he pushed his fingers up to meet your palm. With the faintest caress, you traced the length of his fingers, slowly pushing your own in between each one until your hands intertwined.

"Marc...please - I need..." Chomping down on your tongue, you called upon every restraining force in your body to keep from pushing him away.

"What?" He whispered - wide, brown eyes flickering briefly up to yours. Water droplets made his impossibly long lashes glisten. He must have quite literally run from the shower. "What do you need?"

Tugging on your intertwined fingers, he pulled you close enough to feel the steamy humidity of his solid chest.

Feeling your shaking puffs of breath cool his heated skin, he wilted inside as you squeezed your eyes shut.

"I...is it okay if I hug you?" Your body twitched with nervous energy, your glassy eyes finally locking with his.

In them, he saw raw truth. He saw you. You weren't angry with him - you were something else. Maybe you needed him to touch you, but you wouldn't violate his safety to get what you wanted. Never. The restraint you were showing him was burning you alive.

'I'll burn down the whole world first.'

Your promise to never leave him flooded back to his memory, propelling him to dip his knees and scoop you up into his arms.

"I'll get you all wet," he murmured, even while nuzzling his sopping curls against your cheek.

"Then get me wet," you groaned, fingers clawing at his shoulders, hauling him into your embrace. "Please just...stay. Just a little longer, Marc, please."

Lips parted, you mouthed the damp skin of his cheek before pressing a kiss there.

Relief surged through him, simultaneously weakening his grip on you while fortifying his desire to stay here with you.

Feeling his hold on you loosen, you cursed yourself internally, face flaming as tears burned your eyes. It must be too much for him - the frantic searching, calling out for him - the pleas to stay and now, a soft kiss to his warm skin.

"I'm sorry," you whimpered, releasing him. It hurt so badly, you could barely stand.

Playing the last 30 seconds over in his mind, Marc frantically attempted to figure out what he did wrong. What else he did wrong... You let go of him...although you apologized. For what?

"For what?" He uttered, reaching out for your arms, his fingertips electrifying your skin.

Ducking down again, his heart shattered at the sight of your tears. When would he ever stop fucking up your life?

As your gazes locked, he brushed his knuckles tenderly across your cheek. "I'm the one who's sorry. I'm so sorry."

"I missed you," you whispered, nuzzling into his touch. "Did you get my letter?"

Nodding, he dragged his fingers down the side of your neck to grasp your shoulder. "I'm sorry I did that to you, honey. I didn't mean to be gone so long. I was so tired..."

"It's okay, baby, that's why you have Steven and Jake," you attempted, your hands twitching with the pulsing need to touch him again. Touch him more.

Right. Jake.

The one Khonshu wanted. The one you wanted. The one who was now here with you, living life with you, moving his clothes into the closet, showing you who he was.

The preferred one. Giving you the love you deserved, along with Steven - so alive, full of hope. Steven was the glue in this whole thing, as much as you were. Without Steven, Marc wondered if he might somehow slip away into the recesses of his own mind, leaving your heart in more capable hands.

Moon Knight was certainly in far more capable hands.

"It shouldn't be okay," he sighed, his skin crawling uncomfortably. "It's not okay for your husband to leave you without telling you." Shaking his head, his arms dropped heavily down to his sides. "But I guess it was okay to you because you have Jake now."

Ouch.

Your lip trembled - he'd pulled away from you again. "I...I haven't had chance to talk to you, like I promised I would - about Jake." What the hell? You didn't want to talk about Jake right now, you wanted to see and feel and love Marc!

"A-are you mad at me?" You whimpered, trying to find your footing in this conversation.

"Mad at you?" He gasped in disbelief as his hands found his hips. "You're the one who should be mad. You shouldn't have to fucking live like this." Shifting from foot to foot, he grew restless, like he wanted to claw his way out of his own skin. Or have a drink. Fuck.

Blowing out a long breath, you tried to steady yourself. If you hurt his feelings, oh well. If he withdrew into his mind and you didn't see him for another couple weeks, so be it. You thrived on honesty and communication. The real. No more tiptoeing.

"Marc, I don't need for you to tell me how I should have to live. I can decide the life I want to have," you calmly explained, relaxing your body and boldly holding his gaze. "I'm not mad that you're a system or that you're going through something new or hard for you."

"I know you're not mad," he muttered. "You never are. Because I can't disappoint you or hurt you if you expect nothing from me."

He may as well have thrown ice cold water in your face and then slapped you.

But he wasn't done.

"Why do you want to be on this merry-go-round...roundabout?" He added the less American term. "My drinking, my fucking panic attacks, nightmares - all my shit," he spat, his chest heaving. "I asked myself how anyone could put up with this, or would even want to, and the answer is...obvious."

Pushing a hand back through his damp waves, he re-stated his worst fear. Something he found himself finally able to voice out loud, after two weeks in the headspace.

His dramatic pause was long enough that you cleared your throat and prompted him to go on. He may as well get all this off his chest, even if it destroyed you. "What answer is obvious?"

Daring to meet your eyes, he could see, in real time, how much he was fucking up. But it was like a plane crashing - he couldn't stop the descent.

"The answer is Steven," he rasped, his voice hoarse - thick with emotion. "You don't expect anything from me because Steven is so good to you. He's so good at everything. And now Jake..." his voice trailed off as his dark eyes clouded with moisture. "Jake stepped right into my shoes - with you, with Khonshu. I don't do anything. I don't give you anything. But you're a good person and you love me anyway. Believe, me, I could not be more grateful for that. Or any less deserving."

You were crying now - heavy, wet tears streaking your beautiful cheeks as you sank to the floor. He had actually done it. He had rendered even you speechless.

Without another word, he walked back into the bathroom and shut the door.

God, how every word out of his mouth cut you so deep. You could cry for a week, but where would that get you? He thought Jake had taken his place? If he wanted a taste of the shit you and Jake gave each other, he could have it. But no way would you spend another instant on this floor, no matter how your gut twisted with pain.

Racing over to the bathroom door, you pounded. "Marc, open the door!" You shouted, wincing as you realized this was probably the opposite of what he needed. Lowering your voice, you announced that you were coming in.

Marc was naked.

His towel was hanging up in its usual place and he was reaching for the underwear lying on the countertop.

Why was he getting dressed in the bathroom if you were married?

Whatever. Didn't matter. Fuck him.

"You don't need those," you said sharply, yanking the boxer briefs out of his grasp and tossing them aside. Pushing your fingers over the soft flesh of his abdomen, up onto his chest, your nails scraped his damp skin. "You think I don't need you, Marc?"

Gripping his face in your hands, you lifted up on your toes, crushing your mouth against his.

He was stunned for a moment, but slowly melted into your kiss as you slid your tongue over his demandingly.

His hands found your hips, gripping them tightly before yanking you hard against his chest. The two of you stumbled backwards, breaking your kiss and sending you crashing into him.

Reaching for his muscular arms to steady yourself, you panted, desperate for him in every possible way. That's when your eyes traveled down to plainly see that he wanted you too.

Jerking your scrubs off your body, Marc quickly joined you in yanking and pulling until you were as bare as he was. Between every movement, your lips chased one another's, licking and tasting - connecting at every possible point, until he pushed you up against the door.

The fire in your eyes had him weak for you.

You surprised him by returning to a deeper topic even as your bare bodies pushed and pulled against the other. "You treat my love and compassion as indifference? Fuck you."

He stilled for a moment, but you gripped his length firmly in your palm, tugging and making him groan.

"You think I should be mad?" You spat, working him roughly. "Congratulations. I am."

"Baby," he panted, his forehead dropping to rest against yours as his body submitted to your demanding touch.

"You think Jake took your place, here, with me?" You growled on his ear, biting his earlobe and tugging it between your lips. "Fuck you both. Nothing is taking you away from me."

Groaning your name, Marc's hips stuttered against your hand as his forehead dropped to your shoulder.

"You think I don't expect anything from you?" Yanking on his wet curls, you jerked his head back so you could see his face. "I really fucking do." Using your grip on his length, you guided him to where you really wanted to feel him.

"You think you don't give me anything?" You whined, as he entered you, your body shuddering with pleasure as he groaned on your ear. "You've given me everything." Moving on him slowly, you moaned as he pinned you against the bathroom door. "Give it to me, Marc."

"Fuck...baby..." he gasped, gripping your hips hard enough to bruise.

He couldn't help himself - after deep, frantic thrusts over and over - he finished before you, whimpering and desperate.

Good. You had him right where you wanted him. Vulnerable and sated. Or at least slightly relieved, maybe.

Yanking the towel off the rack, you handed it to him so he could clean up a little bit. "Go lie down on the bed," you ordered, your eyes dark and unreadable.

Swallowing, Marc nodded once and complied. As soon as he left the bathroom, you stared at yourself in the mirror, exhaling shakily. What just transpired between the two of you felt really fucking good, but it was more than sex. You were doing battle. And Marc wasn't getting out of your bed until he understood a few things.

Moments later, you climbed on top of your husband in bed, salaciously kissing him, draping your body over his.

"I want you to do something for me," you murmured after a long while, as both of your bodies stirred with new desire.

"Anything," he whispered, his hands finding their way between your legs.

Gasping as he teased you, you reveled in his touch, forgetting to finish your thought.

"What can I do, baby?" Marc hummed against your skin. Being needed by you? He lived for it.

You kissed him again, your body writhing under his caress. "I want you to stop deciding how I feel."

"O-okay," he groaned as your breath tickled his lips.

"I'm serious," you went on, forcing him still - waiting for him to look at you. "If I'm mad, I'll be mad. If I'm patient and understanding, you can't tell me to be angry."

He was trying to listen, but he really wanted you again. "Uh-huh," he ground out, thrusting upward, hoping...

"You see this?" Showing him your wedding band, you pushed your fingers through his. "You remember the vows I made?"

"Yes," he panted, desperate for you, wishing you would touch him back. "Please, honey..."

"I know," you cooed, kissing him again. His mouth, his cheek, his eyebrow. "Who did I make vows to?"

His eyes locked onto you and he melted. "Me."

"That's right," you smiled gently down at him. "So stop with all the bullshit you keep telling yourself. And stop telling me how I feel."

Feeling a little relief in the air, Marc sat up and kissed you urgently. "So damn bossy." He said this while continuing to stroke and caress you.

"You were being an asshole," you half teased, shivering as he grazed a particularly sensitive spot. "I definitely prefer your usual method of stress relief."

His eyebrows shot up playfully as he slowly removed his hand, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth. "Is that right?"

The air between you crackled with electricity as you waited...

Wetting your lips, your eyes traveled down from his warm gaze, over his sharp nose to the fullness of his parted lips. The strong line of his jaw twitched with anticipation and that wasn't the only thing that twitched under the heat of your stare.

He pounced, rolling you underneath him, face down, nuzzling into your neck as his body smothered yours. "Are you sure, baby?" He growled, licking a stripe up the side of your neck while dragging his palms up your bare thighs. "Because I need a lot of relief."

With that warning, he pushed his way inside you, groaning on your ear. His strong hand slid around your abdomen, pulling your body against his as you began moving together. "I am sorry," he breathed.

"Shut up," you gasped as the hand on your abdomen traveled down between your legs.

You and Marc stayed in bed for hours, relieving a lot of stress. He had to re-visit the shower, not that you were complaining. The two of you did finally make your way to the rooftop, after the moon shone in the dark sky.

Wrapping his arms around you from behind, Marc nuzzled your cheek with his nose. "Can I ask you something? About your letter?"

"'Course," you murmured, tracing his forearm with your fingertips.

"What did you mean when you said I was the real Moon Knight?"

You thought for a moment, thinking back through the composition of your letter to him.

"Well...I mean - when Khonshu found you - or you found him, rather - he was in search of an avatar. The only reason he still has one is because you said yes. You're still the real Moon Knight," you explained. "I'm not saying you have to be him if you don't want to be. But if Khonshu wants Jake, he should be grateful to you. Otherwise, he might still be searching for an avatar."

"I guess so," he mumbled with a sigh. "Still prefers Jake though."

"For being a deity, he is dumb as a fucking rock sometimes," you sarcastically remarked. "I know you and Jake are different, but he may have noticed you share a body. If he needs Jake, he needs you. He needs Steven."

Marc was quiet for a few minutes, but it was a calm quiet, rather than the tension from earlier.

"I don't know, babe, I...I just can't seem to find my place in all this lately. And, believe me, I know how that sounds - a new husband, saying shit like that. It's not right."

"Sweetheart, you feel how you feel," you softly responded, resting your head against the solid warmth of his chest behind you. "You don't always have to make a judgment on that. You're too hard on yourself."

"That's what Steven says," he lightly chuckled. "You're much too hard on y'self, mate."

His terrible impression of his alter made you giggle.

"Well, you know he's right," you replied, "And - the other day, Steven told me I'm always right, so...I think you should really listen to us."

"Yeah..."

You hadn't noticed at first but the two of you had started to gently sway to the muffled tune drifting out a neighbor's open window. Something from the 1970s...American.

"Can I ask you something?" You echoed his question.

"Mm-hmm," he mumbled into your hair, pulling you impossibly closer.

"Do you want to be Moon Knight?"

He didn't answer for a while. And that pretty much told you everything you needed to know.

next->

@stormydaysxx @laaundromat @kindlover @flyestvenustrap @spxctorsslxt @deezisnotreal @stevenknightmarc @imonmykneessir @marvelouslovely-barnes @evilbubu @usualsworld @rivalriotrenegade @wordacadabra @this--is--music @i-still-dont-like-your-face @cicithemess2000  @avengersinitiative2012 @lockleywife @poppyflower-22 @thursdaywritings @scoliobean peregrine-nation local-mr-frog @bitchotine @ren-ni @valkyrie05x @randomhoex @tsukkie-daisuke @thebestrouge @mintellaine am i missing anyone? dividers by saradika

[starrgaziinggg]

begin again | hwang hyunjin

chapter thirty -> bonus chapter (wedding bells)

"SO HELP ME GOD!"

You physically jolt, awakening yourself from your slumped position on probably the most uncomfortable chair you'd ever had the misfortune of sitting on. Stretching your back out, your eyes found themselves darting towards Myeong, who was storming into the room you'd been in for the past half hour.

Despite not being a bridesmaid, you'd been roped into acting as though you were the wedding co ordinator. You didn't mind much, since it gave you something to focus on, rather than sit idly like your poor friends as they waited for Myeong to walk the isle.

"I swear to fuck, if I'm still friends with those bitches after this wedding, it will be a miracle," Myeong huffs, turning to you with an expression that could only be described as pure fury. "They've lost my damn veil. How am I supposed to walk the isle without a veil?"

You smirk at her, standing up from your slumped position on a rather uncomfortable chair and handing her the veil that you'd found discarded in the room you were currently in, presumably by Myeong's friends (and unfortunately, her bridesmaids). The stress dissipates from Myeong's face as she squeals, grabbing the veil and giving you an air kiss.

"This is why your my favourite person on this green earth," she sighs dreamily, as you take the veil she hands you and turn so you can fit it to her head. She looks at herself in the mirror beside her, fretting with her hair and smoothing down her pristine white wedding dress. "Well, except my soon to be husband, of course."

It's comical that you hear a knock on the door, Changbin's voice echoing from outside.

"Myeong?"

Myeong's eyes fill with terror as she screams, covering herself up as if that would have any effect in stopping Changbin from seeing her dress.

"NO! Fuck off, you can't see my dress!" She screams, turning to you and moving you to be in front of her. You can't help but openly laugh at the action, trying to hold it in because you just know Myeong's nervous about walking the isle in (hopefully) fifteen minutes.

"I'm not coming in, idiot. I just wanted to make sure you're ready!" Changbin shouts back, and you can practically picture his smirking laugh.

"Okay," Myeong replies cautiously, turning to look at herself in the mirror for the millionth time. "I'm almost ready!"

"Okay, my sisters coming in, by the way!" Changbin shouts again, before presumably disappearing when his sister opens the door and walks through. You loved spending time with Changbin's sister when you were kids, and you hadn't seen her in so long until you'd reunited with her (and all the other guests) last night.

Changbin and Myeong had decided to have their wedding in Jeju Island, taking control of an entire lavish hotel for the weekend. The whole hotel was decked out in decorations, and it looked beautiful, though you hadn't been able to spend much time admiring it.

"Jesus, Myeong. I adore you, but your friends are..." Changbin's sister starts, trailing off as she makes a face and can't find the words she needs. You cut in instead.

"Uptight and annoying?" You finish, looking at Myeong with a laugh. You two had bonded over how incompetent her bridesmaids were over the last couple months.

"Precisely," Changbin's sister winks, moving her long brown hair behind her ears. Her short dandelion yellow dress was absolutely gorgeous, and she looked beautiful, though you knew she'd be a balling mess as soon as she saw her little brother standing at the altar.

It was nothing on Myeong's dress, though. Her extravagant white gown had cost a pretty penny, but it was so worth it. Unlike the ballgown you thought she'd opt for, she had decided upon a form fitted, satin gown, paired with the most gorgeous silver heels you'd ever seen - she looked like a princess. Her hair was down, the front pieces pinned back with diamonds, and you may or may not have shed a tear when you saw her after you'd gotten ready yourself this morning.

"Do I look okay?" Myeong asks, turning to look between both you and Changbin's sister. "Tell me the truth. If I don't, it will just ruin what's supposed to be the best day of my life, no biggie."

You don't know whether to laugh or cry at poor Myeong, opting to give her an air hug instead. No way would you ever risk making a mark on her dress, not after she'd spent the last five hours getting ready. Yeah, five full hours. She'd been up since four in the morning, and you reckon she'd be out like a light by nine pm latest.

"You look absolutely beautiful," you say honestly. She looks up at you with her big Bambi eyes.

"Really?"

Changbin's sister hums, looking Myeong up and down and nodding approvingly. "I would put thousands on the fact that you're the most gorgeous person currently on earth."

Myeong cracks a smile at that, taking a deep breath, focusing her attention on Changbin's sister to ask her, "Did you need me for something important or did you just want to hype me up before I walk the line?"

"Actually, I came to get her," Changbin's sister points a thumb at you, turning to face and talk to you directly. "You're boyfriend is getting worried Myeong's murdered you or something, and he wont shut up, so please come and...I dunno, shut him up?"

You laugh, knowing Hyunjin is probably whining like a baby without you. Even after months of dating, he was still as clingy as ever.

"Sounds like Hyun," you turn to Myeong. "Shall I get your dad? He should be waiting in the room with your bridesmaids and Chan, and I think they could both use some saving right about now."

"Yes, yeah," she says, smiling. "God, dad's going to ball his eyes out when he sees me. Tell Chan he only needs to spend ten more minutes max with them, and go kiss your boyfriend since I can't kiss mine until he's my husband."

You blow her an air kiss, letting Changbin's sister take your wrist and lead you into the other room. Chan practically jumps at you as the door opens, moving away from the three girls trying to drag him into conversation to his left. Changbin's sister goes to Myeong's dad, letting him know she's ready for him to see her and prepare to walk the isle, before heading through to the main room where everyone is waiting.

"Fuck me," Chan hisses, widening his eyes as you walk over to him, looking dashing in his black suit. "Once Myeong and Changbin are married I hope I never see those girls again."

"That makes two of us," you chuckle. "You ready for your big moment?"

"Oh yeah, I'm under strict instructions from Dambi on how I should walk with her down the isle," he groans quietly, trying to avoid the prying ears of the three girls behind him. You chuckle at him, patting his shoulder. "I'm not kidding. She made me practice synchronising our steps like a billion times."

"Just think about getting to spend the rest of the day with Jaehwa and everyone," you remind him, watching as his face lights up at the mention of his girlfriend. He gives you a quick side hug, careful not to muck up your dress.

"Bets on that Hyunjin is whining like a baby about missing you?" He laughs, letting you go to where you needed to be - sitting on your bench, beside your boyfriend and the rest of your friends.

"Oh, he already is," you smile, watching Chan roll his eyes. "That's why I've been sent away."

"He's so whipped," Chan laughs, shaking his head as you leave the room, following the rows of flowers and decor to the room holding all the guests. You try to make your entrance as discreet as possible, since you'd be the last person to enter the room until Myeong's big moment, but of course as you walked down the isle to the front of the room, all eyes were on you.

They instantly turned around again, clearly disappointed you weren't the bride, and you chuckled to yourself as you neared the third bench from the front, where Seungmin, Jeongin and Hyunjin were staring at you. Changbin, who had already made his way to the altar, standing up at the front and facing you all, rolls his eyes at you with a smile. You slide into the bench beside Hyunjin, watching as Jisung turns to look at you from the bench in front of you.

"Way to ruin the moment," he scoffs. "Just as we finally thought Myeong was ready to get this show on the road, and it's you."

"I think my ass has lost all feeling," Felix contributed to the right of him, just as Minho turns behind him from Jisung's left to look at you all. "You look pretty, though."

You smile warmly at him, trying to flip Jisung off in a low-key way, since your mother (and all of the boys, minus Hyunjin's and Minho's, as they were both swamped with work and couldn't get the time off) were a couple rows behind you. Hyunjin absentmindedly places a hand on your knee and squeezes gently, giving you a grin.

"Took her long enough to get ready," Jeongin scoffs. "I wanted to take photos with her before Myeong took her away all morning and she didn't get out the room until 8am."

"That definitely wasn't because she was getting ready, Innie," Minho says, giving you and Hyunjin a smirk and an eyebrow wiggle.

"Getting undressed, more like," Seungmin adds cheekily. You reach past your boyfriend to swat at him, shooting Minho a pointed glare.

"At least Hyun will stop crying like a baby now," Jeongin rolls his eyes, to which your boyfriend only sends him a grin, making Jeongin fake gag.

"Shut up, all of you," you hiss. "Not in the place of worship."

"This isn't even a church," Jisung points out with a roll of his eyes. "We're in a fucking hotel."

"No swearing, either!" You add, nodding your head backwards to the rows where your mothers were enjoying catching up with one another after years apart.

"Sheesh," Felix groans. "When I get married, I'm letting everyone start drinking as soon as the sun comes up and saying my vows in two seconds, none of this waiting around crap."

"I fear for your non existent future partner," you say with a tilt of your head.

"I think it's romantic," your boyfriend speaks up, a love struck look plastering his face. He rests his head gently on your shoulder. "When we get married, I'd like to do it the traditional way. You know, all drawn out, in a church with big windows..."

"All in favour of not going to Hyunjin's wedding say aye," Seungmin starts, followed by a chorus of 'ayes' from your friends. You'd either laugh or scold them if you weren't still reeling from the fact Hyunjin referred to his wedding as yours, too.

You don't get the opportunity to scold them, though, since the music starts and the large hotel room is silenced. You all turn in unison, watching as Chan starts walking down the isle with Dambi by his side. Jaehwa was annoyed to be missing the ceremony, but she'd had a modelling job for Dior (yup, jealousy was a disease and you were highly infected) yesterday, which meant she couldn't get a flight until early this morning. She'd be arriving in the next hour or so to join everyone for lunch and the celebrations following.

Chan sends you all a wink as he passes you, followed by the next two girls and the men accompanying them - Myeong's two brothers. The girls don't even so much as shoot a glance in your direction, which you're honestly thankful for.

Changbin shakes his hands out, clearly nervous, before Chan nudges his shoulder once he reaches his right. You already feel the tears coming, unable to keep stable in this situation. You know there's a couple minutes until Myeong walks, as she comes down during a certain part of the song, so you lean towards Hyunjin, Jeongin and Seungmin.

"Who's the first to cry, Changbin's sister or his mum?" You whisper, nodding towards them both in the first bench in your row.

"You, judging by your watery eyes," Seungmin chuckles quietly, raising an eyebrow. Hyunjin frowns lovingly at you, a sparkle in his eye as he brings a hand up to your face and places a finger in the corner of your eye to remove the tears.

"At least hold out until they say their vows," Jeongin grins, shaking his head at you. The music picks up to the part where you know Myeong starts walking, so everybody starts standing up. After what seems like a minute of silence, but could only have been a couple seconds, Myeong and her father walk into the room.

Myeong's smiling brightly, from ear to ear, and you only take your eyes off of her for the smallest second to see Changbin's reaction. He's trying so hard not to, but you watch as he sheds a tear and laughs it off, shaking his head with a smile as he watches his soon to be wife walk towards him. Myeong's dad kisses her cheek before taking his seat, and soon after Myeong is standing at the alter, facing Changbin.

Thankfully, the vows are quite quick, but super emotional. You're in tears, the guys are holding back sobs - even Minho's lip trembles at one point. It's the first marriage of your friend group, almost as if signalling the end of your childhood. You, Hyunjin and Chan were in serious relationships, everyone was content with their jobs...you weren't all kids anymore.

You think back to your teenage years - boisterous Changbin who made it his mission to keep a smile on everyone's faces. To watch him place a ring on his wife's finger was so fulfilling, and you couldn't have been happier for him and Myeong.

"And with that, I pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant smiles. "You may now kiss the bride."

Changbin grins before swooping Myeong into his arms, kissing her dramatically. Everyone stands to clap and cheer, and you watch Chan's tears fall as he smiles at them. At this point, you're a mess - makeup definitely ruined. Hyunjin is balling beside you too, pulling you into his side and patting your hair gently.

Myeong and Changbin walk back down the aisle hand in hand, an upbeat love song playing to their exit, accompanied by the continuous noise of the guests. It's at that point you all file out of the room, bounding up to the newly weds to say your congratulations.

Myeong hugs you tightly, finally allowing herself to cry. "I'm married! I'm actually marrried!"

You laugh the tears, smiling brightly at her when you pull apart. "I know! You're the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

She swats at you, blushing nonetheless. "Thank you for everything you've done to help me today, I genuinely don't know where I'd have been without you."

You roll your eyes at her lovingly, pulling her in for one last squeeze before she's ushered away in all the commotion. It's Changbin you turn to then, pulling him towards you. He wraps his arms around you before ruffling your hair.

"You idiot! I took one look at you sobbing in the crowd and I was a gonner," he scolds you, a smile plastering his face.

"I couldn't help it!" You fret back, wiping under your eyes haphazardly. "You and Myeong looked so happy, and your vows were so cute."

"Yeah, well, I've had them written since our third date, so," he grins, and you shake your head with a smile. He's pulled away by your mother then, her pinching his cheeks and cooing as he accepts it openly.

"Our Changbin, all grown up," she smiles, patting his cheek. "You're going to be an excellent husband, my darling."

And that sets you both off again, Changbin giving your mother a hug after not seeing her in so long. It's at that point Myeong claps her hands, letting everyone know that food will be served in an hour and the bar is open for drinks in the meantime. She winks at you, which you take as your queue to follow her upstairs and fix up both of your destroyed faces.

You find Hyunjin in the large crowd, his newly dyed bleach blonde hair sticking out in the crowd, letting him know you'll be back down soon.

"You're leaving?" He says instantly, concern on his face. You laugh at him, rolling your eyes.

"My mum isn't going to grill you, Hyun," you say, knowing exactly why he's been so worried about you being away from him this trip. Obviously, Hyunjin had met your mother many a time, yet he'd been nothing but a ball of stress about formally introducing himself to her.

Since you'd all been rushing about like headless chickens with the wedding preparations, you hadn't been able to properly catch up with your mum, save for a very teary eyed greeting and the promise to tell her everything since you'd last seen her. This also meant Hyunjin hadn't been able to meet her as your official boyfriend, which you'd tried to convince him would be fine, but your dramatic as ever boyfriend didn't believe.

You give him an encouraging thumbs up before Myeong's dragging you to her room, the two of you chatting excitedly about the reception as you reapplied your makeup. She's all smiles and excitement, and you take the opportunity to get some pictures just the two of you before you're rejoining the wedding party.

Everyone's milling around the bar, or already sitting at their assigned tables. You knew the seating plan had you, Hyunjin, your mum, Jeongin, Seungmin and their mothers on it, and to your surprise your boyfriend, who had been a bundle of nerves not half an hour ago, was sitting with a glass of champagne in hand, talking your mums ear off.

You shake your head, smiling at the scene of just the two of them at the table, walking towards them and giving your mum a hug before taking your seat in between them.

"My baby has finally joined us," your mother says, patting your knee gently. "Now, Hyunjin here was telling me all about your trip to America!"

She looks back at him expectantly, so he continues his story, shooting you an excited glance.

"I was just talking about how my mom has been desperate for us to visit again," he informs you, before directing his attention back to your mum. "It's my sister's birthday next month, and she's specifically asked us to fly out to visit. My mom was also wondering if you'd like to join us? She hasn't seen you in so long, and now that we're together, she wants to be able to spend time with you."

Your mum claps her hands in agreement. "Oh I'll be there! I've never been to the states, and I have missed your darling mum," she grins at you, tilting her head. "Aren't you lucky to have a millionaire boyfriend!"

"Mum," you whine, rolling your eyes at her. Hyunjin only chuckles.

"No, I know, I'm only teasing. Honestly, I knew the two of you would end up together. Your mum said the same thing, Hyunjin. And Chris kept me in the loop," she winks, and you both want to murder Chan for being a little snake and jump up and down with joy because of how clearly your mum accepted Hyunjin as your boyfriend.

Your happiness was short lived, however, as Jeongin and Seungmin walked up to your table.

"Why the hell have we been stuck with the lovebirds," Jeongin groans, which your mum slaps him gently for. He yelps dramatically, laughing at your mum as she pretends to be mad at him.

"Now Jeongin," she says adoringly. "You will find your perfect person one day! Don't let your recent romantic failure make you so miserable."

Seungmin snorts as Jeongin sends you a pointed look. "You told her about me being stood up by that girl I was seeing?"

You hold your hands up in defeat, laughing loudly when he pretends to punch you after your mum excuses herself to stand with Jeongin and Seungmin's mothers at the bar.

"You two are sickening," Jeongin says, taking his seat and sticking his tongue out. Hyunjin rolls his eyes at him, placing an arm around your chair. "It physically pains me."

"I don't hear any complaints about Changbin and Myeong or Chan and Jaehwa!" You point out. "Why is it always us that gets the brunt of your abuse?"

"Well for one, because it's Changbin and Myeong's wedding day, so they're allowed a free pass," Seungmin informs you. "And Jaehwa isn't here."

"Wrong!" You head Jaehwa say, which you whip your head around at. She bounds up to you as you stand up, hugging her and admiring her gorgeous pale blue midi dress. You'd both gotten to know each other well over the past months, and she'd quickly become one of your favourite people. You were so thankful the guys had good taste in girls, because it meant you had gained two best friends.

"You look incredible! How was Dior?" You ask after giving her a squeeze. She 'ah's in adoration, swooning at the thought.

"Phenomenal, I'm truly so lucky! How was the reception? I was gutted to miss it," she sighs, quickly waving hello to the boys.

"Beautiful, of course," you answer, to which you hear Jeongin mutter 'long' and Seungmin sigh 'drawn out' under their breaths. You shake your head at you friends, coaxing Jaehwa over to your mother. "Mum, this is Chris's girlfriend, Jaehwa. Jae, meet my mum."

The two woman share a hug, your mum gushing at how beautiful 'my darling Channie's girl' was. You take a seat beside Hyunjin, all smiles.

"So? Not as scary as you expected?" You ask him, tapping his leg with your foot. He grins in response, shaking his head.

"Nah, easy peasy. Older women love me," he smirks cockily, clapping his hands. "She's already started calling me 'son'."

You roll your eyes, saying goodbye to Jaehwa who goes to find her boyfriend, standing amongst a group of people and chatting their ears off.

"What do you guys want to drink?" Seungmin asks, to which your mum scoffs at.

"Don't you worry yourself, I'll get us some drinks," she reply's, cooing at your younger friend and standing up instantly, making her way over to the bar.

"I forgot how nice your mum is," Seungmin chuckles, shaking his head. "She's like God reincarnated into a beautiful middle aged woman."

"Don't tell her that, it'll go straight to her head," you respond with a smile.

"I forgot how stressful weddings are," Jeongin sighs. "I feel like this is the first time I've sat down since we arrived in Jeju."

You nod. "God tell me about it, I'm so ready for a damn drink."

It's at that moment your mum returns, two bottles of champagne in hand, which you all crack open and pour yourselves hefty glassfuls. Seungmin and Jeongin's parents join you, already tipsy and cooing at how cute you and Hyunjin looked together.

"I've heard my son has made a pretty penny from betting on your relationship,"Seungmin's dad teases, which Seungmin looks all too proud at.

"Easy money dad. These fools really thought I didn't have a clue they were together the entire time."

"It was a lucky guess!" Your boyfriend interjects, scowling at the younger man.

Seungmin's mum swats at him, making Jeongin howl with laughter. You and Hyunjin just shake your heads at each other, your mum smiling away.

"I don't know what's so funny," Jeongin's mum interrupts, her gaze set on her son. "I heard you'd lost out on a tonne."

Jeongin groans. "Don't remind me."

After more gossiping and catching up, everyone takes their seats and the food arrives. They'd spared no expense, hiring a renowned caterer, which you thanked the gods for. It was safe to say there wasn't a plate on your table that hadn't been licked clean.

Once your dessert had been successfully demolished, you hear the tapping of a glass, turning to Chris who's standing at his table.

"Oh god, here we go," Seungmin rolls his eyes.

"Hi everyone!" Chan starts cheerily, microphone in hand, instantly capturing everyone's attention as the room falls silent. "I'd like to start by thanking everyone for coming today, especially those of you that had to travel a ridiculous amount because a certain someone had always dreamed of a Jeju wedding."

Myeoung scowls at Chan, earning a laugh from the crowd.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm kidding - you've done a beautiful job, Myeong. I think we can all agree this has to be one of the most spectacular weddings we've attended."

The crowd hollers in response, and you clap alongside them, grinning up at your best friend.

"I'll keep this relatively short and sweet, since long wedding speeches are killer and nobody wants to hear me drone on for hours, despite how much I could talk about two of my favourite people.

I'd like to call myself a bit of a matchmaker, though for some reason my glorious group of friends and I all seem to have had ridiculously bad luck in the romance department. Sorry guys," he grins cheekily, which your friends all scowl at.

"However, saying that, recently things have started to look up. When Myeong and Changbin started dating, I thought 'this is it, they're meant for each other', and although the many dates I'd set up for Changbin had ultimately failed, and my title as matchmaker was in the dust, I couldn't have been happier.

Changbin has always been the mood maker, the class clown - the one that ultimately held us all together. He's an amazing person and," he directs his gaze to Changbin's parents. "You've done an incredible job raising him. I wouldn't be who I am without him today. Not only is he the best music producer CBH entertainment has ever seen, he has always looked on the bright side of life, no matter what was thrown his way.

So when I was introduced to the first girl that had ever managed to tie our boy down, I knew she was the one for him. Myeong compliments Changbin's energy completely, whilst simultaneously keeping him on his toes."

Myeong giggles at this, pinching Changbin's cheek, to which he swats at. You feel the tears welling up again, and Hyunjin pats your knee lovingly.

"Myeong is phenomenal. She's beautiful, hilarious, and the perfect person for our Bin. I truly am so thankful for your presence in his life, Myeong. And I know he will treat you like a goddess, because he worships the ground you walk on."

"Stop making me sound so sappy!" Changbin interjects, which you laugh at.

"Right, okay, sorry mate!" Chan laughs, shaking his head. "Anyway, it's obvious they're perfect together. And as sad as it makes me to see us all growing up - like, what the hell, Bin, you're married!"

The crowd chuckles once more as you feel the tears fall.

"I couldn't be happier for our newly weds. You both truly deserve the best of the best. So, before I start to full on bawl my eyes out, let's toast to the happy couple. To Changbin and Myeong!"

Everyone repeats the words, clinking their glasses together and clapping for Chan. He'd always had a way with words, and you genuinely couldn't wait to hear what he came up with whenever you and Hyunjin got married.

"Man, these idiots need to stop making me cry," Hyunjin laughs, clearing the tears away from his eyes. "My face is all puffy now."

"You still look handsome as ever," you grin, mimicking has action and checking your makeup in your phone camera. "God, I just can't get a grip of myself today!"

"Yeah, you two need to wise up," Seungmin teases. "When you guys get married, you probably won't even be able to say your vows over the sound of you both hysterically crying."

You punch him in the shoulder for that one, but you don't get the chance to make an equally as irritating remark back as you're hauled off of your seat and pulled onto the dance floor by Myeong.

The party hits full swing, all of your friend group dancing to the music the DJ was playing without a care in the world. You took it in turns to bust out your best moves, Changbin twerking as Myeong filmed, Jisung hitting the whip and nae nae so furiously he almost pulled a muscle, Felix full on breakdancing until Minho gently pushed him to the ground with a laugh.

For hours you guys stayed like that - taking photos together, drinking your stresses away. It was bliss. Pure, genuine bliss to be dancing and laughing with your friends, Hyunjin by your side. Amidst an argument between Minho and Seungmin about who was the best at doing the moonwalk, Hyunjin gently tugged on your arm and led you outside for a breather.

The hotel sat directly on the waterfront, a gorgeous balcony lining the side of the large room you were all in. It was beautiful, lights shining onto the gently rippling water and the sounds of laughter and happiness echoing from inside.

You were both sweating at this point, out of breath and in stitches from laughing with your friends. He pulls you into his lap as he takes a seat on a bench, you making yourself comfortable in his embrace.

"I think I'm the happiest I've ever been," Hyunjin says quietly, placing a kiss on your bare shoulder. You hum in agreement.

"Everything went so perfectly. It's been the best day," you smile down as him, placing a hand to his cheek and placing a chaste kiss to his lips. "I hope our weddings as lovely."

"You know, you talk a lot about our wedding for someone who is not engaged," Hyunjin laughs, earning himself the daggers from you.

He smiles all the same, thinking about the sparkling diamond ring sitting in a box, hidden away in a secret location back at your guys' apartment. He'd picked it out a week after you'd started officially dating, not a question about it. After FaceTiming Chan a billion times to show him ring after ring, his eyes had landed on the one he ended up choosing and all he saw was you.

He knew you didn't care about how he'd propose, you never did for things like that. Whether it be snuggled up in bed after binging a drama, or at your work office (which you had successfully christened, almost immediately after you'd finished placing your items at your desk. They were subsequently knocked off and Hyunjin did have to replace half of them) - you'd say yes to him in a heartbeat.

But, Hyunjin was a traditional man. He'd ask you after meticulous planning when the time was perfect. He was old fashioned like that. God forbid there wasn't an event of grandeur attached to him placing a ring on your finger to let the world know you were forever his.

"You know what I mean," you mumble, snapping Hyunjin back into the present. Hyunjin chuckles in response, tightening his embrace around you.

"I love you," he says then, making you smile. You place another kiss on his lips, your thumb rubbing circles around his cheek.

"I love you more."

"Factually inaccurate," he says immediately, which you giggle at, knowing it was a competition you'd never win. Hyunjin loved you, you loved him - it was known. Your friends could tease you to their hearts content, but it was obvious they loved the two of you together.

After a series of horrific dates (courtesy of Chan), a fake dating scenario that left your brain in a state of mush, a secret that almost ruined the blossoming romance between the two of you and finally throwing caution to the wind - you had him. You were together, and you'd be damned to ever let him go.

It was always him. And for him, it was always you. Right from the minute he laid eyes on you as a teenager. He could curse Chan a thousand times over for keeping you from him back then, but Hyunjin knew everything worked out the way it was supposed to. He'd never let anything come between the two of you again.

You'd began again, and this was it. The happy forever.

low and behold. After like, two years the final chapter is complete. This story is my baby, the first thing I'd ever written and completed. It started as a story I wrote to occupy my time over a boring summer. It turned into a community of people on tumblr and Wattpad who I cherished interacting with, and who loved this story as much as I did. I read every single comment, and they all make me grin from ear to ear. You lot are fucking funny.

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this, and to anyone who has interacted in a positive way, I adore you. I hope this is a nice ending. I think it is.

Peace and love

[poke-me-with-a-stick]

Chapter 32 of Artificial Wingman!

For the full story on AO3, click Here!

Enjoy!

---

It's been two whole days since Danny and Jason's conversation, and Danny had yet to bring up the portal gun with Robin. It's not that he was putting it off, he had promised Jason that he would be the one to bring it up. But that was the hard part. How do you naturally bring up a conversation about dimensional rifts and the guns that open them? It wasn't something he just wanted to blurt out! That's what happened the first time, and look how that turned out!

The point was, Danny was trying to find a way to bring it up without sending the other teen into a blind fury like before. And no amount of pointed glares and subtle gestures from a particular skunk-man was going to force him into that mistake!

It was directly after one such glare, that Danny had had enough. He pushed his chair out from under the table and stood, striding past a startled Jason and stopping directly in front of Robin, who had been flipping through channels on the TV. The teen in question looked up, one perfect eyebrow raised at Danny in a silent question.

"I'm sick of being cooped up in here." The halfa stated firmly, if a bit exaggeratedly. "Lets go out."

Robin sat up with a sigh, glancing back at Jason for just a second before turning his full attention back to Danny. "As much as I would love to go out with just you and me, I fear that an incident like last time will occur again."

Danny tilted his head. "By last time, do you mean when we were caught by your brother, or when I was kidnapped by that weird jester guy?" He plopped down next to the teen, letting his head lull back against the cushions. "Because the jester wanna-be probably won't be a problem for at least two to three months."

Robin stared at him for a long minute. "I was referring to Drake. But what do you mean by that?"

"By what?" Danny's mounting frustration was replaced by confusion.

"The 'Jester Wannabe' thing, Casper." Jason pipped up from behind him, a small bubble of laughter in his tone. "I've never heard anyone call him that." The bitter snort that the man let out worried the teen, but his attention was brought back to Robin when the vigilante cleared his throat.

"I was more interested in why you are so sure that he would not be a problem." Robin's words cut Jason's laugh off, the man making a considering hum as he moved from the kitchen stool to the armchair.

"I mean, unless he's somehow immune to it, he should be pretty sick for a while. My two to three month guess was me being optomistic." Danny admitted. "He'll probably be out for longer than that." Embarrasment flooded him as he purposfully kept his eyes on the ceiling, not wanting to look at either of them.

The silence that followed his words lasted for only a minute. "What did you do, poison him?" Jason asked. His tone was half sarcastic, half eager.

Realization hit Danny then, as he took in Jason's words. "Um. Kinda?" He squeaked out. Man, he was so not used to talking about ghost things with people who knew little to nothing about the topic. Was it ever this weird for the ghosts that taught him this stuff? "I mean, ghost venom is kind of like a poison. It also isn't really meant to be used on the living..." Oh, Ancients. Danny had no idea what ghost venom would do to a normal, non-liminal human being. The only human he had ever bitten was Dash, and the venom from that wasn't strong enough to do anything more than give the guy a cold. The full force of his venom could knock out a fully materialized ghost, and he had used that on a living person.

That was a crisis to focus on later, Danny decided faintly. Once he was alone, he would spiral a bit about probably having killed a man. For now, he had confused stares on him. "What the hell is Ghost Venom?" Jason asked, his voice cracking a bit. From what emotion, Danny wasn't sure. He wasn't about to risk finding out, not when the man still tasted of rot. Should he offer to try and fix that at some point? Maybe that was something to leave to Frostbite...

Shaking the errant thoughts from his head, Danny focused on the question asked. "Ghost venom is a, uh, defensive mechanism for young ghosts. It kinda phases out as their cores finish materializing, and they come into their powers, because then they have something else to defend themselves with." That's the basics, anyways. There was a lot more to it than that, especially for halfas like him. But for a normal ghost, that's about how it works.

"I'm surprised you remember what happened that night." Robin tilted his head, leaning closer to Danny. "When I arrived at Quinzell's home, you were quite out of it. It stands to reason that the rest of the night beforehand would have been worse, symptoms wise."

"Well..." Danny's hand came up to rest on the back of his neck. "To be honest, I don't remember most of the night. Not after being hit by that van, while I was looking for you. I do remember bits and pieces, though. Like calling the jester dude a moldy eggplant." Jason let out a startled snort at that. "But the clearest part of the night was when I bit him. Honestly, it was more instinct driven than anything."

Danny shook himself again, determined to get back on track. "I don't want to talk about that though. I meant what I said, I really can't stay in this apartment for another day. I need a change of scenery, and I know that you want that too." Robin didn't deny it, merely tilting his head in acknowledgement.

"I agree with you on that. It would be nice to go out," Robin sighed, "But, sadly, my family is the main factor keeping us here. The other's have eyes all over the city, and if they had any reason to believe that we had been spotted..."

Danny couldn't help but pout a bit. "If only we had some sort of disguise," he joked, expecting either a groan or an eye roll from the two brothers. Instead, he was met with a considering look from Robin, and a dumbstruck look from Jason. "...What?"

"Oh my god, we're idiots." Jason groaned, dragging a hand down his face before standing up and heading for the hallway closet. Danny glanced away from him to shoot Robin a confused look, trying to convey 'What did I just do?' with his eyes alone. Robin wasn't looking at him, however. The teen's gaze remained on Jason, a thoughtful expression evident as he watched Jason dig through stuff.

Eventually the man found what he was looking for, holding a shopping bag over his head with a victorious noise. Walking back to the two boys, he tosses the bag at Robin, the teen catching it efforlessly despite his irritated glare at his brother.

"What is that?" Danny asked, trying to peek into the bag while Robin attempted telekenetic fratricide. The teen broke his stare with his brother, nudging Danny's hand away from the bag gently but firmly as he began digging through the bag.

"Is that a... wig?" Danny blinked at the large clump of blond hair that Robin had pulled out of the bag, flinching in surprise when it was dumped into his lap as Robin began to dig again.

"Yeah, it's a wig." Jason chuckled as Danny was pelted by something else from the bag, a t-shirt this time. "Sometimes we have to go undercover for detective work. I'm not sure how much the Demon brat has told you about us, but our family is pretty recognizable, especially here in Gotham. So if we go undercover, we need to be unrecognizable. Ergo," he pointed to the bag, and both watched as Robin pulled a light brunette wig, this one a bit less mangled looking than the blond furball Danny had been given.

"So, what your saying is, you regularly just have disguises lying around in all of your living spaces?" Danny tried to brush his fingers through the artificial hair, surprised and slighly put-off when it felt a bit... too real. Was this real hair?

"Not in every place." Robin pulled his attention away from examining the content of the bag. "We have a lot of safe houses and hideaways. It would be a waste of resources to fill all of them with the same things. Especially ones that are not used often enough as others." Setting the bag asided, he turned towards Danny. "Would you like some help?" He asked, gesturing to the wig in the halfa's hands.

"Yes please." Wigs were not his area of expertise. The best person to go to in his friend group for wigs and other non-permenant ways to show rebellion through appearance was Sam. And ever since the Anomorpho incident, he really didn't want to discuss her, ah, talent with disguise.

Robin took the wig from his hands, smoothing the wayward hair until it actually looked like it was supposed to, and not like someone had skinned a large furbie. Setting the now less raggedy wig aside, he rummaged around the bag again until he came out with a hair net.

The next few minutes consisted of Jason laughing as Robin tried his absolute best to tame and trap the fluffy, gravity-defying mess that was his hair. Eventually, they managed to trap most of it, some poking out rebeliously through the holes that confined them. Thankfully, the escaping hair had little effect on how the wig fit, though the inner layer caught and tugged on a few strands uncomfortably as Robin adjusts it.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour but was probably way less than that, Robin was combing his fingers through the wig hair one last time, making fluffy strands brush down into Danny's face. While it was familiar enough to how his own hair settled, Danny couldn't help but marvel at the oddness of the color change. The teens eyes were unneringly drawn to the too light hair that covered his forehead and brushed the bridge of his nose. '

This might take some getting used to,' he couldn't help but think, forcing his eyes away as he watched Robin expertly tamp down his own hair in a net and swiftly apply his own brunette wig. The half couldn't help but be a bit jealous at how easily the wig settled into place, looking so natural that Danny could mistake it for his actual hair. The teen had no doubt that his didn't look nearly as seamless, judging by how Jason looked like he wanted to burst with laughter every time he glanced at him.

"Okay, we're wearing wigs now, is there anything else or is this good enough?" Danny fought the urge to push the hair out of his face, not wanting to risk messing up the wig's placement.

Robin held up a shirt in response. "The wigs make giving us a second glance a bit harder. Now we wear something that doesn't fit with the image my family has of us in their heads, and find a way to naturally cover most of our faces, to make identifying us through facial recognition harder." Setting aside a small pile of folded clothes, Robin stood up and made his way to the bathroom, his own change of clothes nestled in the crook of his arm.

Danny was left sitting on the couch, blinking blankly at the spot Robin was just sitting in a moment ago. "Why does your family sound less like vigilantes, and more like super secret spys from a James Bond flick?" Danny questioned faintly, trying to figure out just how Robin and Jason's family do stuff like that.

Jason snorted at his question. "At this point, I barely even notice the batshit stuff that this family does. Stalking through security cameras is basically a love language." The man winked at Danny's look of dumbfounded incredulity.

Deciding that thinking about a vigilante family dynamic was something that could also be put off until later, Danny stood and grabbed his set of clothes, headed for the bedroom at the end of the hall. Changing was quite easy when you had ghost powers, and by the time he made it back to the living room just a few minutes later, it was still just Jason sitting there, Robin nowhere in sight and the bathroom door still closed.

Jason glanced up from a book he was looking over, making a vague noise of surprise as he flipped the page. "That was fast." He commented, humming when Danny flopped down, the teen wincing at the way his new pocket zipper dragged on the couch's fabric.

"Well, intangibility is handy like that." Danny commented, picking lightly at the too-big red hoodie he was in. The sleeves just barely passed his fingertips, and he amused himself with flipping the tiny sweater paws to and fro.

The silence thelat fell over them didn't last as long as Danny hoped it would. "So, are you gonna tell him soon?" Jason asked, almost offhandedly if not for the pointed way his eyes met Danny's over his book.

Danny rolled his eyes, focusing back on his sweater paws as he dragged them over his black ripped denim pants. "Yeah? I promised I would. It's just a bit hard to bring up, is all." He mumbled, his fingertips toying with a loose thread.

"What's so hard about it?" Jason asked, his voice not unkind. It wasn't that condescending tone that parents and teachers used on him all the time, instead a bit of sarcasm mixed with genuine curiosity.

"Well, for starters, the first time I told him, he used a wicked blade and sliced the damn thing in half." He pointed out, his own sarcasm leaning more towards playful than deadpan.

Jason hummed, considering. "Maybe he'll take the news better this time. I mean, he hasn't tried to break it again while you've been working on it." the man pointed out. Flipping the page, he made another noise, this one of realization. "Your gonna break the news in a more public setting just in case he does take it wrong, aren't you?"

Danny shrugged, pulling his knees up towards his chest. The Hoodie pooled around his thighs at the movement, and the halfa had to resist the urge to tuck ot over his legs completely. Now wasn't the time to go turtle mode. "I mean, both of us could really use the day out of the apartment. This place is nice and all, but me and Robin were outside basically every day before this." He didn't mention that most of their time put and about was more like dates than anything else. That wasn't conductive to his reasoning whatsoever. "Both of us are annoyed at being cooped up. What better time to tell him than when we both can actually breath a bit better?"

Before Jason could retort with... whatever he looked like he wanted to say, Robin came out of the bathroom. His sunglasses, the same ones he had gotten from the mall, what felt like forever ago, covered his eyes, and the brunette hair fell over his face artfully. A few clip on ear cuffs studded his cartilage, the mat black color of the accessories matching perfectly with his perfectly-fitted leather jacket, a pop of color added with the ice blue t-shirt and dark blue jeans. Lastly, a pair of mat black, low platform ankle boots completed the look, turning the pr and proper boy he had spent the last few days with into the most attractive punk kid he had ever seen.

Willing away his blush, Danny stood and slipped on his own shoes, a pair of black convers sneakers. They were for someone a size and a half bigger than him, but they were still surprisingly comfortable. "You- uh. You ready to go?" Danny smiled nervously, anxiety starting to know at him alongside the butterflies in his stomach. It was a slightly nauseating feeling, and part of Danny cursed his newfound emotional intelligence. This would all be so much easier if he was still in denial.

Sucking it up, as Sam would put it, he shot Robin a smile as the teen dug in his pocket for something. "Here," the teen offered him a piece of cloth. Grabbing it, Danny hummed curiously at what turned out to be a face mask. "I have one as well," Robin pulled out a second fabric mask, putting it on with the same efficiency as everything else he did. "It will go a long way to hide us from anyone on the lookout for us specifically."

Danny pulled the mask on, the corners of his eyes crinkling being the only sign of his broad grin underneath the fabric. "Man, you have this all thought out, don't you?" Jason's snort from behind him earned a reprimanding glare from the teen, the expression translating scarily well through the sunglasses and mask he wore.

"Yes, I do. Father is very firm on having a plan laid out beforehand, so as to iron out any details as well as contingency plans, in case something goes wrong." Robin walked around him, grabbing one last thing from the shopping bag before turning to Danny. "Here," he offers a pair of sunglasses, gray frames studded with small runestones at the corners. Danny slipped them on without protest, humming at the way they comfortably darkened the room without completely blacking out his vision. Robin nodded in approval, tugging the red hood of his hoodie until it covered most of his head. "Perfect. I barely recognize you now." The teen hummed, before grabbing Danny's hand.

"We shall return before dark. Call only if you have need of us." Robin shot his brother a warning glare as he tugged Danny out of the apartment and into the elevator. A silence settled between them until they were on the street, blending in with the rest of the crowd. "Now, what do you wish to do?" Robin asked as they turned a corner, the apartment building disappearing from their line of sight.

Danny hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. We didn't exactly eat lunch before we left." He grinned at the teen, though it wasn't very noticable through the face mask.

Robin tilted his head in thought, making Danny suppress the errant thought of 'cute' that ran through his head. "I suppose you are right. We haven't had anything to eat, have we?"

"Not since Jazz's attempts at French toast!" Danny replies cheerfully, grinning at the memory of his sister's burnt yet somehow soft and soggy flavored egg bread. Honestly, if the conversation he wanted to have with Robin went well, then he was gonna ask Jason to give his sister some cooking lessons. Maybe get some lessons himself, while he's at it. That man knows how to cook.

Robin let put another humming noise, this one tinged with amusement. "Your sister is not the best in the kitchen, though she is admittedly more reliable and trustworthy than most of my family." The teen let out a huff that could only be described as a stifled laugh.

"What is worse than physics-defying toast?" Danny couldn't help but ask. Not because he thought his sister was the worst person to put in a kitchen, but because Danny always found it interesting when Robin mentioned his family. The way he talked about them, with tones of exaggerated annoyance and feigned disinterest barely hiding the fondess he held for them, it was nice to see the teen be expressive about someone besides Danny himself.

"Trust me," though his face was fully covered, Danny could still tell his face was set in a serious expression, despite the sweet strawberry flavor of mischief that exuded from the teen. "My brothers and father are much worse. Everyone besides Todd and Cain have a lifetime ban from the kitchen in the manor. Pennyworth is very protective of his precieved domain."

Danny mulled over Robin's worout. Sending the teen a cheeky smirk, he couldn't help but to point something out. "You know, I noticed that you didn't say anything about yourself not being banned from the kitchen as well." Danny couldn't help but snicker as Robin took a cheap swat at him, embarrassment and amusement mixing to make an almost sweet and tangy taste to his emotions. Like an orange cream filled chocolate.

Great, now he wanted something sweet. Deciding to let the topic of horrible family cooks drop for now, Danny focused on trying to find an enticing food smell amongst the different smells of the city. Pollution and garbage stung his nose, while body sparys and perfumes made his eyes water uncontrollably. After a few minutes, Danny sighed quietly in defeat and turned towards Robin. "Ypu have any ideas on where to eat?" He asked hopefully.

The teen thought on it for a minute. "As luck would have it, I do." Tightening his grip on Danny's hand slightly, he began to weave through the streets as if he were born in them. For all Danny knew, that could be true. Past flower shops and fruit stalls that seemed a bit on the shader side, until the streets began to clear up a bit. Not like when they had visited the arcade or the skating rink, but not as crowded and trash-filled as when they were staying in Jason's abandoned building.

Finally, Robin slowed his pace until they came to a stop in front of an out of the way shop. A small sign above a glass door with a bell, cursive letters spelling out, 'Grandma's Kitchen' in sleek black-cherry colors. Standing where they were, Danny could already smell the scent of fresh bread and coffee, sweet undertones pointing to muffins or danishes as well. It was good enough to make his mouth water and his stomach growl.

Hearing no complaints from the teen, Robin pushed the door open and led Danny inside, coming to a stop again at the counter. Behind the bar, manning the register with a pen and notepad in hand, a woman with short blond hair and green eyes smiled at them. "Hello!" She greeted warmly. "Welcome to Grandma's Kitchen. What can I get you today?" Her eyes crinkled at the corners, the beginnings of crows feet evident as she took in their appearances.

Robin tutted to himself as he skimmed over the menu hung up on the wall behind the woman. "Your vegan options are quite acceptable. I shall have a croissant with berry jam filling, and an almond milk hot chocolate." He ordered after a second of consideration.

Her grin widened slightly as she jotted down the teen's order. "Alright, lovely choices. Now, how about you?" Her attention turned to Danny, the boy stuttering slightly as he looked over the menu himself. "Um, the waffles look good. Maybe the waffles with whipped cream and blueberries? Oh! And a milk tea." That sounded good.

"Okay. I'll have that right out to you!" She smiled again as she turned towards the kitchen. "Go ahead and sit down, I'll be out shortly if you need anything else!"

With the door swinging shut behind her, Danny and Robin turned to survey the sitting area options. There was no one else in the shop, besides and older woman rubbing down a table near the window. So that left the two teens free reign over where they wanted to sit.

After the last few times they had eaten out together, Danny wasn't surprised at all when Robin led him to a seat next to the kitchen doors, just out of sight of the windows and front counter. Unlike the other times they ate together, Robin kept ahold of his hand, slinding into the booth next to him instead of in front of him. If not for the fact that he could go intangible, Danny would be half tempted to complain about being boxed in. Y'know, if he could find the will to argue around the warmth that filled his chest and cheeks at the action.

As silence decended over them, Danny couldn't help but fidget in his seat. His finders found the ends of his sweater paws, tugging at them in a way that almost resembled two kids fighting over a toy. A bit lower, his foot began tapping out a rhythm he vaguely recognized. Something he heard oten, but not something he particularly paid attention to. Maybe one of the background soundtracks for Doomed? Or maybe something Sam made him listen to. No lyrics popped up in his memories, so he decided to tap a little louder. Maybe it was from a boss battle or something?

Danny was brought out of his musings by Robin, the teen clearing his throat subtly as his gaze raked over Danny. "Are you alright, Danny?" He asked, his hand coming down from the table top to ease his grip on his hoodie sleeve.

"Y-yep!" Danny stuttered. "I'm fine, everything's fine!" Clearing his own throat, he shot Robin what he hoped always a reassuring smile. It wasn't that convincing, if the look of concern and suspicion on the vigilante's barely visible face was anything to go by. But before he could comment on Danny's oddness again, the clatter of plates and a sqeal of door hinges brought both of their attentions to the lady approaching their table. A different woman than the one that they had seen clearing off another table, she had long dark hair that fit nicely with her warm brown eyes, the corners slightly creased with age.

"Here you go, one croissant with berry jam, one plate of waffles with blueberries and whipped cream." She set down two plates of delicious-looking food before turning back to her tray. "One hot chocolate made with almond milk, one milk tea, and a sharing sized basket of blueberry muffins." The last item was set down in the middle of the table, almost like a bread basket. "Is there anything else I can get you boys?" She asked kindly.

"Oh, uh. I'm sorry, Miss. But we didn't order any muffins." Danny told her, his Midwestern manners kicking in. Though, he wasn't quite sure how they could make that mistake, seeing as there weren't any other costumers present at the moment.

The woman laughed a bit. "Don't worry 'bout it, hun. It's on the house." In a quieter voice, she leaned closer to Robin and whispered, "Clarissa said that the blond boy was too thin. Make sure he eats the muffins." With a wink and a wave, she was gone. Danny stared after her, gobsmacked. Robin grinned at him, nudging the basket of muffins closer to Danny's plate.

"You know, she isn't wrong about you being too thin." The teen teased him in a low tone. Danny glared at him half-heartedly, but pulled his own plate closer to him, taking a bite of his waffles. His momentary annoyance is forgotten as the taste hits him. Robin chuckles at the way his eyes widen, but stays blessfully silent about it. Instead, he turns to his own food.

It feels like no time has passed by the time Danny wipes up the last bit of whipped cream with his fork, slightly disappointed that he had finished. Beside him, Robin was polishing off his hot chocolate, having already finished his croissant. When Danny's fork clattered against his plate, Robin looked over at him. "Are you done?" He asked, glancing at his plate, then at his cup. Danny nods, gulping down the last few sips of his milk tea.

"Ready to go whenever you are!" He answers, his bright grin only slightly forced.

As they stand, Robin casts a glance back at the basket of muffins. "What about those?" He asks, pointing to the muffins. Danny looks back at them as well, before grabbing the basket with a shrug.

As they approached the counter to pay, Danny sets the basket on the counter. "Excuse me, would it be possible to get a to-go bag or something for these?" He shoots the woman behind the register a charming smile.

She nodded, smiling back at him. "Here you go, honey. Be sure to eat them before they go stale!" She calls after them, waving as they exit the café. Danny waves back at her, pulling up his mask before following Robin out the door with his bag of muffins.

"Okay, now. Where to?" Danny asks, linking his arm with Robin's instead of just grabbing his hand. He couldn't help but to lean into the taller teen, a rumble of contentment running through his core. His nervesness was buried under the positive delight his core was producing, making him feel warm and bubbly as long as he stayed curled up to Robin's side. Logically, he knew that this peace he felt wouldn't last, but what was the harm in enjoying it while he could?

Robin hummed thoughtfully, slowing their pace and moving them out of the way of anyone rushing past. "How about Robinson Park?" He suggested. "The last time we attempted to visit the park, I believe we were... Rudely interrupted." The last part was grumbled with a bite of venom, making Danny smirk. It warmed his cold ghostly core that his prospective partner was prone to violence. Maybe he would be up to a play fight, if the love potion antidote didn't make him hate Danny?

...A question for later, the teen decided. He ignored the part of him that wondered if it was a question he would even get to ask, if things happened the way he was planning. Instead, but focused on the here and now, tilting his head until his hooded wig brushed Robin's shoulder. "Well, if we do get interrupted again, at least it won't be by thw jester knock-off." He snickered playfully as Robin knocked his knuckles against Danny's forehead lightly, almost like he was scolding him.

"It would be unwise to say that aloud, as things in Gotham usually happen in the worst way possible." Robin huffed, but Danny could hear the smile in his voice. "But, if you have no objections, then Robinson Park it is." Without further delay, Robin turned to the crosswalk, leading Danny across quickly and down the sidewalk on the other side.

Doing there best to look like any other teenaged couple roaming around together, they made no effort to avoid crowded areas or places with cameras. It was actually a bit freeing, not having to sneak around just to avoid trouble. And before long, Danny found himself standing at a park entrance.

As they walked in, Danny spotted a vendor just off the walking path. He was quick to point it out to Robin. "I think he's selling hot chocolate and tea." The smells of chocolate and fragrant leaves waft of the chilled breeze. "We could grab a drink and enjoy these muffins on a bench or something. Like a picnic!"

Robin nodded, agreeing easily. The vendor had more than just hot chocolate and tea, but the two boys stuck to warmer drinks. Danny with an extra sweet hot chocolate, and Robin cradling some jasmine and honey tea, both piping hot and steaming as they settled down on a bench not too far from the entrance to the park.

Children passed by frequently, running and jumping and doing only things that small humans could do with their limitless energies. Their parents followed at a much slower pace, content to let their children tire themselves out. Couples and joggers and dog walkers waved back and forth across the pathway, all going about their lives as if nothing else truly mattered at the moment but what they were doing. All in all, it was a pretty populated place. Perfect for the conversation that they had to have. Because with how much Danny had learned about Robin over the past few weeks, he knew the teen wouldn't cause a scene in public

But just because he knew this would be the perfect opportunity to tell Robin about the portal gun, doesn't mean that his original problem wasn't still hampering him. Because, really, how do you bring up a gun that rips holes in the universe for quick travel? Especially when the person you are trying to tell really, really doesn't want you to leave?

The silence between them had been stretching like taffy as Danny tried to figure out how to bring the topic up. The nerves that he had been suppressing bubbled up again like angry blob ghosts in his stomach, making him feel just a tad nauseous along side everything else. When he finally opened his mouth, planning on just blurting it out, Robin stopped him. "The portal gun is finished, isn't it?" It was phrased like a question, but Danny already knew that the teen had his answer.

Danny blinked in surprise, before letting out a nervous chuckle. "Man,there really isn't any hiding things from you, is there?" He joked. In a quieter, more serious tone, he asked, "how long have you known?" Part of him dreaded the answer.

Robin sent him a small smirk, though it was slightly bitter. "I suspected something was amiss yesterday, when I noticed the way you and Todd kept gesturing at each other when you thought I could not see you. Though I didn't make the connection until you stated that you wanted to leave the apartment."

That... Wasn't the worst timeframe, Danny had to admit."Look, I'm really sorry that I didn't tell you sooner. Jason discovered it was finished about two days ago, and since then he's been pressuring me to tell you, but I wasn't really sure how to bring it up, and I didn't want to freak you out like what happened the first time and-" The halfway was cut off by Robin's palm against his mouth.

When the other teen was sure Danny wasnt going to say anything, he lowered his hand with a small laugh. "It is alright, beloved. I'm not mad, or even disappointed that you did not tell me sooner. Although, I am not exactly thrilled that you are finished with the device-" Danny winced slightly at the sharp look Robin sent him, "-I know that you did not intend to keep it from me."

A different kind of silence fell between them, one that was a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn't like before. "Soo... What now?" Danny can't help but ask. It was kind of dumb, but he wanted to know where Robin was in all of this. 'We've had enough misunderstandings.'

Robin shot him a slightly confused look. "Well, I suppose you are planning to leave, soon. Isn't that the whole point?" Well, that made things a bit easier.

"Well, I have to go home eventually. I have a life, friends and school." Danny admitted. "But there still isn't enough power built up to make our way home just yet. And me and Jason have talked about some things..." The hope that was beginning to grow in Robin's eyes directly reflected the feeling growning in Danny's core.

"We think it would be best for me and Jazz to leave before you take to antidote." Immediately, Robin's face fell. Danny grimaced, wishing silently that he hadn't said that so bluntly. Hurriedly, he continues. "Its just so neither of us get hurt, either physically or emotionall, if the cure works the way I think it does. If, afterwards, you still have feelings for me , ai do plan to come back. And if you don't have feelings for me, or you hate me for what happened, then we'll deal with that when it comes up. But, Robin," Danny grabs the teen's hand in his, squeezing it as he brings it, anlong with Robin's gaze, to his face. "I do plan on coming back."

Robin smiles, grabbing Danny's free hand with his and bringing it up to his face. Laying it against his cheek, he turns his head to lay a small kiss on the meat of Danny's palm. "Then I have nothing to worry about, do I?"

Danny didn't answer him, too flustered by his braisen actions. Clearing his throat, Danny tore his eyes away from Robin, instead focusing on the dogwalker being dragged across the grass by a pack of five. The scene caused him to snort, breaking the intimate cloud around them. Robin glanced away from him as well, snickering questly at the man being pulled to and fro by the dogs he walked.

After a while, when all the muffins were gone and their drinks were noting but dredges in their paper cups, the two left the park. "Should we return to the apartment, now that you've finally told me what you wanted to?" Robin asked as he led Danny down the street, being careful of any shady alleyways.

Danny thought about it for a minute, before shaking his head. "Nah, let's just walk around For a bit." When Robin sent him a questioning look, Danny snickered. "You know, I wasn't just trying to make up an excuse to talk to you without Jason around. I really have been cooped up in that apartment for too long. Especially ow that the PG is done."

"PG?" Robin raised an eyebrow, giving Danny a look that conveyed just how dumb he thought it sounded.

"What? Are you gonna tell me that it's okay to say g.u.n. in a public area here? After some of the things you've told me?" Danny snarked back playfully, nudging Robin away before wrapping his arm around his again and pulling the teen back. He was only a little annoyed when the teen didn't stumble at the sudden action.

"I suppose I was hoping that you would have a better name for it." The tease was layered with something that was a mix of fond and exasperated, and it seemed so right, that tone he used, that Danny wondered if he had reminded the teen about his family.

Grinning mischievously, Danny lightly bumped his shoulder with Robin's. "Well, of you have any better ideas, I'm all ears. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with calling it by it's initials. Not as confusing, that way." Robin's only response was an eye roll. Silently, Danny cheered for his small victory, a smug smile the only evidence of his inner emotions.

Robin bumped his shoulder in retaliation, but made no verbal attempt to rebuke him. The two fell in step next to each other, strolling around Gotham's streets. Eventually, Danny noticed something. "Hey, when did it get cleaned?" He asked, having not seen as much trash as he had been. Cars actually filled the street, and the crowd around them thickened a bit. With all the activity going on, it was a little surprising that there was a lack of litter.

The teen beside him hummed. "Of course it would be cleaner. We are getting closer to the diamond district." As if to prove his point, a woman in designer heels and coat walked past them, the crowd parting around her ever so slightly as she moved. Robin scoffed at her under his breath, and Danny couldn't help but he reminded of Sam's mother for a moment.

"Well, at least the sights are pretty to look at, unlike some of the people." Danny half-joked. Honestly, he didn't know how a person could comfortably wear so much makeup.

Robin chuckled at his comment, before schooling his expression a bit. "You know, if you want a better view of what the Diamond district has to offer without the strongly decorated people interfering, I know a good leash-free dog park we could visit."

Danny side eyed the teen. "Didn't we just leave a park?" He asked playfully, already planning on agreeing. Anywhere Robin wanted to hang out was fine with him at the moment.

Robin rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Yes, but that was a normal park with a strict leash-only policy. The dog park has no such restrictions. And, I might add, more dogs as well." Already their direction had changed, Robin pulling ahead by a step or two to direct Danny away from the bustling streets.

The halfa couldn't help but chuckle. ”Lead the way." He snarked playfully, letting himself be dragged along.

- - -

Dick stared at Stephanie from over Duke's shoulder, tucked safely behind the confused man. The girl stood innocently in front of them, offering a plate of what looked like something out of Alfred's nightmares. The plate had set, presumably abandoned, while Steph had spent three hours cleaning the kitchen up under the weight of Alfred's disappointed stare. The man had added another name to the kitchen's ban list, but she didn't seem to care as Dick had waltzed back into the kitchen to check on her. The spotless kitche had given him hope,but that hope had immediately been dashed when he caught the sight of the plate sitting on the counter.

Steph had looked up at his frozen form, a grin that sat between innocent and devious forming on her face. "Dick! There you are!" She called excitedly, setting the last pot into the dish drained to dry. Quickly wiping her hands off on the hand towel that rested by the sink, she leaned over the counter to reach the plate. "So, Alfred wasn't very happy with the mess I made, but he let me keep the caramel pineapples that I made! I mean, he gave them the stink eye, but he didn't tell me to throw them away, so I'm assuming he let me keep them!"

Dick took a small step backwards as a strained smile pinched his face. "Oh, that's great, Steph! But, if you think they look so good, then why don't you eat them?" The man prayed that Steph would take him up on it. At the very least, he hoped that she would take a bite of one, taste how bad it was, and decide that this was too far for whatever revenge she was trying to enact. Not even Dami, his babiest baby bat, would result to poisoning.

To the man's dismay, the girl pouted. Giving him her best puppy dog eyes, she held the plate up a bit higher. "But, Iade these for you? Do you not want something I made? I mean, I worked so hard on these." Oh dear Lord, this girl knew how to tug on his heart strings. If not for the fact that this was obviously some sort of plot against him for some reason, guilt would be eating away at him right now.

Some higher being must have been on his side, however, because his angel in a college hoodie walked through the door as he was trying to find a way to turn her down. "Duke!" The relief in his voice caught the man's attention immediately, pulling his gaze from his phone as he took in the scene in front of him.

"Uhhh..." The meta blinked at the two of them, his eyes going to Dick, then Steph, and to the plate in her hands, then back to Dick. "What's going on here?" He asked cautiously.

Dick took the unexpected moment to dive behind the man. In a low voice, he hurriedly explained. "Duke, I have no idea what I did to her, but I'm pretty sure she's trying to poison me and make it look like a genuine accident." He snuck another glance at the plate she was holding, cringing at the hardened yet squishy looking cubes it held. "Honestly, it doesn't look like she's trying hard for the accident part."

Steph's pout flickered briefly into a smile, before she schooled her expression back. "Aww, come on Dick! They don't look that bad!" A humorous light entered her eyes. "I bet Duke would try one, wouldn't you?" Her pleading eyes turned on Duke, and the man felt his stomach drop.

Throwing up his hands in surrender, he turned hand hurried out of the kitchen. "Sorry, Dick. You're on your own for this one." With his back to the man, Dick could hear him mutter, " I dont feel like being poisoned either."

Feeling betrayed, he turned his wary gaze back to Steph, who was watching Duke leave with laughter in her eyes. It disappearedI almost as soon as it had appeared, her expression dropping back into that mopey, sad look that almost made Dick surrender himself. But he stands firm, keeping a firm distance between them.

Finally, she dropped the sad, pleading act. Her expression morphed into exasperation. "Seriously, Dick? It's literally sugar and cream on a fruit. Stop being a baby and just try one!"

Dick smiled at her again. "Oh, I really couldn't, I, uh, I had a big breakfast with Babs earlier! Honestly, I'm just too full to eat anything else right now. You understand, right?" He flashed her his most charming look, hoping to get her to drop the topic long enough for him to secretly dispose of the pineapple cubes while she wasn't looking.

Steph rolled her eyes at him. "Y'know what? I'll show you there isn't anything to be afraid of." Grabbing a toothpick from the plate, she jabbed one of the cubes. Before Dick could stop her, it was in her mouth.he frozen in horror, expecting her to spit it out in disgust. Instead, her eyes lit up after chewing for a moment. Swallowing, she reached for another one. "Actually, these are really good. Since you obviously don't want them, I think I will eat them myself." With that, she hurried out of the kitchen, leaving Dick to stare after her in shock.

Shaking himself out of his stupor, he chased after her. "Steph, wait!" He calls, trying to get her to slow down. Instead, she giggles and speeds up, throwing another cube into her mouth. Dick groaned, slipping in his socked feet as she stepped off the carpet and onto the hardwood. While he fell over, Steph slipped out of the room, her plate of abomination candy still firmly in her hand.

Slapping his had on the floor, Dick couldn't help but groan again. He didn't believe for one second that she actually liked that treat, he had once seen her eat a ghost pepper out of spite. All the while pretending to be fine, but the minute she was alone, she had made herself sick chugging milk and water to get rid of the spice. And he had been the one to look after her in the days following.

Two things he had learned from that were one; Steph wouldn't back down from a challenge or dare, even if it was only a precieved one. And two, a sick Steph was very, very clingy. So clingy, in fact, that he hadn't been able to go on patrol for two days after the pepper incident, on the count of a teenager girl not letting go of his sweater any time he tried to leave.

If there was anything to be taken from that incident, it was that a sick Steph was a bad thing, especially when you had a baby brother to be looking for.

Pushing himself back up, he took off after Steph again. The man had already spent too long at the manor, looking for his spare suits when he could have been out there looking for Damien. He didn't need a clingy Steph holding him up more.

-

Steph watched as Dick ran towards the library, swinging her legs over the railing of the second floor as she tossed another cube into her mouth. Honestly, the girl hadn't been expecting these to actually taste good, but she had been more than willing to force herself to eat one of it got Dick to eat one too. But the taste had reminded her of those mini pineapple upside-down cakes that had been on the food platter at one of Bruce's Galas. Granted, the texture wasn't right for it, but the taste had been pretty close. And, well, if Dick had been about to throw them out while she wasn't looking, then she was gonna eat them instead. No since in a decent snack going to waste, right?

The girl giggled as Dick left the library, heading into the whole first floor before moving upwards to look for her. So she got to enjoy a snack and a show! The only thing that would make this better is if Cass were here.

Sighing, Steph ate another cube before standing up and cackling as Dick finally spotted her on the banister. She disappeared into a hall closet before he reached the landing, watching him turn the corner and dart down the hall. This was way more fun than she thought it would be.

---

(There may be some spelling/grammar mistakes, but it's okay because I did my best!)

To all the wonderful people who follow along, as well as the amazing person who made the prompt:

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[uptondixon]

Daryl & Daugther!Reader - Quarry Era I

Reblogs and likes are much appreciated, let me know what you think with some words too! Words: 863 | Warnings: just some blood | Gif not mine Chapter song is Half The World Away by Aurora

"I've been lost, I've been found, but I don't feel down."

Daryl found her while in a hunt with Merle, they ended up going further away from camp than normal, looking for something bigger than squirrels to feed everyone

They were silently following the tracks of what Daryl expected to be a deer when a broken scream cut the forest air

He ran towards it without another thought, his crossbow held high in defense, leaving an angry Merle behind, protesting that they didn't need to risk themselves for a random person

Daryl followed the screams, that soon were turning to desperate cries, and came to a stop in an abandoned shed surrounded by mud and fallen trees, the screams coming from inside getting louder as he ran towards it, jumping over the fallen trees with Merle following behind him

Daryl opened the door and found that the screams came from a little girl that couldn't be older than 10

She was on the ground, fighting a walker that had its teeth dangerously close to her face, not really acknowledging Daryl until he shot the walker in the head and took the corpse away from her

She was shaking, both from the near death situation with the walker and now with the presence of both men

First almost dying because of that walker and now what? What were those men going to do to her? She was looking around scared, trying to calm down and at the same time look for a way out

"Hey, it's alrigh girl." Daryl said, getting down on one knee, maintaining his distance from her. He wasn't a tender person, but he tried to be as gentle as possible. "I'm not gonna hurt ya." He tried, seeing her shaking.

"Ya think she's gonna just go to ya like that little brother?" Merle said raspingly, which seemed to make her shake even more.

Daryl sent a harsh look his way and tried again. "We're not going to hurt ya, okay?"

The girl finally looked at him and found his blue eyes. She was surprised with how comforting his eyes looked. She stared at him, and the distance between them wasn't enough to minimize the intensity of her stare. It felt like she was staring at his soul, trying to determine if he was a good person or not. 

Apparently, she decided he was, because next thing he knew she was slowly getting up from her position on the floor, still a little shaked and keeping a distance between them.

Daryl's eyes fell on her feet, she was barefoot, both feet dirty with a mix of mud and blood that Daryl couldn't tell if it was hers or not. His question was answered when she whimpered quietly after standing up fully.

"Ya're bitten, kid?" Daryl asked, fearing the answer. Last thing he wanted after waking up today was having to shoot a little girl in the head. The girl looked at him with that same fragile look, shaking her head no. She bent down a little and started to roll up her pants, exposing her legs. They were scraped and full of small cuts, along with a bigger one that seemed to have bled the most. It was fresh and probably burned like hell, Daryl thought. 

"Ya sure there's not any bite?" Merle asked, eyeing the girl down, trying to see if she was maybe hiding a bite. Daryl didn't look at Merle this time. He kept silent, wondering what to do with the girl. "No!" she exclaimed, annoyed at the insistence on the inexistent bite. She wasn't loud, but that was the first time they heard her voice.

"Alrigh'. Ya lost? There's anyone ya trying to get back to?" Daryl asked, maintaining his position on the floor. The girl looked back at him for a moment, hurt suddenly flashing in her expression until she averted her eyes to the ground. "No." This time the word came out a lot less exasperated, accompanied with a sigh. Daryl and Merle shared a look, as if waiting for her to say more.

"That's the only word ya know?" Merle said with a laugh. Daryl ignored him and turned to the girl again. "Ya sure?" Daryl asked, needing more reassurance than just a no. "They're dead." She said, looking at her feet. "I'm alone." 

Daryl finally rose from his position on the floor, staring at Merle again for a second until looking back at the kid. "We're at a camp, ya wanna come?" What a stupid question, of course she would come, Daryl thought. It's not like he would leave a kid alone in the woods, he knew what that felt like, and that was before all the horrors of this new world. However, he's sure Merle wouldn't have a problem with leaving her behind.

Daryl noticed she kept silent, still not looking at either of them. She had all reasons to be unsure. "We have other kids, ya know? Women, an officer. It's safe."

The girl looked up at him again, directing him that same intense look from before. Daryl stared right back, seeing that was her way of communicating. "I promise" he said. And Daryl never makes promises, Merle thought.

[hannahbarberra162]

Not My Monkey, Chapter 4 (Reverse Trope Isekai reader, platonic Strawhats, Reader x Jinbei)

on Ao3

The other chapters

Finally! An update no one asked for.  I tried not to be heavy handed about the hair stuff but I get the feeling 1) Usopp wouldn’t want locs bc of complicated feelings towards Yasopp and 2) growing up, people told him that his hair is “difficult” because it’s not straight / wavy. I just want my bby to ✨shine ✨ and there's definitely no old feelings I'm projecting onto Usopp. Also I’m not a hairstylist so idk if I got everything right. 

“So where’re we going anyway?” you asked while your hands busied themselves brushing out Usopp’s beautiful hair. You were sitting behind him on a stool while the young man sat on the deck of the ship, the two of you falling into easy conversation. You’d given him a few options for a style and he’d decided on half cornrows half natural. It made sense since you’d always seen him in a bandana to keep the hair out of his face while the rest of his hair hung freely. You were brushing part of the front out in preparation for the braiding process but at least Usopp wasn’t super tender headed.

“Right now we’re on the way to an island to restock on supplies. After that we’re headed to melee with some crews we’re allied with,” Usopp said, wincing as you got out a particularly large snarl with your brush.

“Melee? Like fight them? Why?” You replied, scrunching your face, the knot still fighting you. 

“Well, the so-called canon events that would have made us stronger didn’t happen. We still need to increase our strength so Luffy can be Pirate King. Luffy didn’t fight Crocodile, Doflamingo, Marineford didn’t happen…” You nodded along even though you didn’t know any of these people or events. “So Robin had the idea to have the crews fight one another, no holds barred. It’s us, the Heart Pirates, the Kid Pirates, and some of the Whitebeard Pirates. The only rule will be no killing,” Usopp said, bringing an already bitten nail to his mouth to chew. 

“Hmmm. And what do you do for fighting? Is that - er, how do you fight? Sorry, I’m not familiar with this kind of stuff,” you said to continue the conversation while separating his hair with a rat tailed comb and clipping the rest away, slapping some edge control onto the part. You had a little bit of edge control gel in a travel sized tub but you kept most of your braiding tools in another kit that was at your apartment. Most of the time all you did was cut, dye, and style for middle aged women, nothing too exciting.

“I’m the crew’s sniper,” Usopp explained while pantomiming a slingshot. 

“Really? That’s incredible!” you said with the comb between your teeth. You were starting to braid and Usopp winced slightly.

“Yow, those are tight!” 

“What, never had braids before?” you asked, laughing lightly at his expense.

“No, not really. I’ve always worn it plain. I never knew what to do with it and it was always so unmanageable -” you smacked Usopp gently with the comb before interrupting.

“It’s not unmanageable, don’t say that. And it’s not plain either. Maybe you just needed some instruction on how to get it to work for you.” You’d never liked when people were down about their hair, particularly when it wasn’t perfectly straight. “Your hair is stunning, so many of my clients would be jealous if they saw you. Probably ask you out too.” You dropped the last bit of information nonchalantly, like it had just slipped from your tongue. 

“Ah, heh. That’s - that’s nice. I actually have a, um, there’s a girl who I - well, we write letters now. But we were best friends when I lived in Syrup Village,” Usopp stammered, his cheeks turning dark red.

“You have a girlfriend? I’m not surprised given how handsome and smart you are. Tell me about her, what’s she like? How’d you meet?” you asked, genuinely curious. Usopp launched into his first mostly true tale, telling you about Kaya and how he’d met Luffy and the crew, how they fought Kuro and Django and saved Kaya from Kuro’s evil plans.

“That’s quite a story! No wonder she loves you,” you said at the end of his story, only about a quarter way through braiding. You had done cornrows quite a few times but it wasn’t your bread and butter. Other stylists were way faster than you, but they hadn’t pseudo died and ended up on a pirate ship so he got what he got. Besides, Luffy had already stopped by three times to see if Usopp was free to hang out. He’d watched you braid for a few minutes in silent contemplation before asking when you’d be done. It seemed Usopp was the Captain’s main babysitter…er, friend. 

“Mhmm, and that’s only the beginning of what’s happened. We didn’t do the whole Alabasta arc because a reader interfered with Thatch and Teach -” You stopped Usopp from launching into another tale so you could get a few details. 

“Yeah, about that. I need you to give me, like, the details of this world. Like, why can Luffy stretch? Why are there so many pirates? Who would you need to fight against? Who are those people? How much does stuff cost? Things like that so I can kind of understand what’s happening.” Usopp tried to nod but you had his hair tightly in your hands.

“ Ouch, oh, right. Ok, so, let’s start with Gol D. Roger, the One Piece, and Devil Fruits….”

By the time you’d finished braiding Usopp’s hair, you’d heard the history of Gol D. Roger, the One Piece, the Golden Age of Pirates, and that Luffy wanted to be King of the Pirates. “So what is it though? The one piece? Like a treasure chest?” you asked, tying off the last braid.

“No one knows, we don’t even know where it is. That’s part of what Robin does, she reads the Poneglyphs for us,” Usopp explained as you began putting things away. You heard delicate violin music dancing through the air, lifting your spirits immensely. You’d always loved violin but lacked the money to ever afford one or pay for lessons. You practiced piano at the Community center and had a cheap keyboard you’d bought at a garage sale years prior. You’d had the same piano teacher for years and you paid her in haircuts.

“So. We’re looking for something that we don’t know what it is, where it is, or what it does. And the person who suggested we go look for it was executed by the military. Just making sure I understand,” you said, raising a brow.

“Yes,” Usopp confirmed, fiddling with the ends of his hair.

“And there’s no official maps of the world, we’re using a compass that resets frequently and Nami’s brainpower to sail around on dangerous seas that are known for their unpredictable weather and extreme monsters,” you continued.

“That’s right,” Usopp said, now nibbling his lip.

“And there are several members of the crew, including the Captain, who can’t go into the sea or they’ll lose their will to live and drown. And there are huge bounties on all of you from the government of the world -”

“Well, the Marines, really -”

“And Robin is a former mobster, Zoro is a former bounty hunter, Brook is a twice over dead pirate who is now the top charting performer in the world, Chopper is a full reindeer and was trained by a quack doctor, and Franky turned himself into a cyborg who runs on coke. Did I get that all right?”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“And Luffy - that Luffy” you said, pointing to the Captain who was currently picking his nose and wiping it on Chopper’s fur as the doctor worked, “will become a God in the near future, capable of bending reality to his whims.”

“Yes. Though now that it’s all laid out I feel like I’m getting sick,” Usopp confirmed while putting the back of his hand on his forehead. You had one more thought to clarify before you let the sniper go back to his duties. 

“Is Jinbei a mermaid?” you asked, your thoughts drifting to the helmsman as they had a few times that morning. Usopp laughed at you, making your face flush.

“H-hey! I’m not from here, how’m I s’posed to know these things?” you sputtered, putting the last of your things away.

“He’s not a mermaid, he’s a fishman. They’re kinda similar but separate species. He’s actually pretty famous, he was a Warlord for a long time but left them to join the crew when Luffy explained to him everything that happened. He’s really strong, he can control water, breathe underwater, knows fishman karate, he’s the best helmsman in the world, really respectful, yeah, Jinbei’s great,” Usopp trailed off after listing Jinbei’s qualities on his fingers. You added the information to your growing pile of Jinbei facts to be used in case you ever had an actual conversation with him.

“Alright, my guy. You’re all set, whaddya think?” you asked, handing Usopp a small mirror. He examined his appearance, giving his reflection a shy smile. “I think you look so handsome,” you said over his shoulder. He flushed a little but covered it quickly with a change of the subject. 

“Yeah, I mean but I’m more known for my fighting skills. Being handsome is nothing next to defeating 1,000 -” You cut off Usopp with a pinch to his cheek, pulling hard on his cute face.

“I’m off to piano lessons with Brook -I’ll be back later to do Nami’s hair. Maybe other crew’s too, if they want. Find me before you go to bed tonight, I’ll see if I have something for you to wrap your hair in,” you said, dismissing Usopp. You were nervous for your lesson with Brook, and not just because he was a nine foot tall living skeleton. You weren’t all that confident in your piano skills despite putting a lot of effort into practising over the last few years. And the piano on the ship was on the main deck - everyone was going to hear you if you made any mistakes. Crossing the deck to Brook’s piano, you saw he was the one playing the violin, his bone fingers deftly creating the tune everyone had been enjoying. You didn’t interrupt his performance but listened to the unfamiliar song as he continued to play. Ending on one long forlorn note, Brook lowered his bow as the note rang out in the air.

“Ah, Misty, thank you for joining me. Before we begin, may I -” you glowered at the skeleton in response to what you assumed his request would be. Maybe your angry face would stop him from asking to -

“-see your panties?” he continued in the exact vein you thought he would. You rolled your eyes.

“How can you see my panties if you have no eyes? And no,” you said dismissively, tossing your head with a saucy attitude. The skeleton looked at you for a moment then burst into a contagious laughter.

“YOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO, an excellent point! I enjoy those jokes myself. Now, let’s see where you are, would you like to warm up?” Brook said after wiping a tear from his eye, offering you his baby Grand Piano to play. 

And so, about an hour later, Brook was teaching you simplified music to the song he was playing previously, called “Bink’s Sake.” Despite his penchant for panties, Brook was an excellent piano teacher, even better than your old teacher Mrs. Howell. He was patient, kind, and you didn’t think anyone could know more about music theory than he did. After finishing the basic opening melody one more time, you sighed and rolled your head on your shoulders.

‘I apologize, I don’t think I have anything else in me right now,” you said, shutting the key lid as Brook lowered his bow.

“No need to apologize, I think you did excellently. I would love to hear any music you may know from your world. But perhaps another time,” the skeleton said with a bow.

“I have a hunch you’d like Billy Joel. But really, thank you, Brook,” you said, taking his bony hand in your own and patting it. Brook tilted his head but it was difficult to read his expression. 

“I’m sorry, do you not like being touched?” you asked, dropping his hand in case it made him uncomfortable.

“Not at all, I - I appreciate it,” he said in a quiet voice. You smiled and turned to head to Nami’s tangerine grove, where the redhead was tapping her foot in impatience for a haircut even as she smiled in anticipation. From one world to the next, there would always be those clients, you thought.

Sitting Nami down in a chair that was on the deck, you spoke to her about her preferences and what she was expecting out of her style. Brushing through her hair, you saw that whoever had been doing it previously was doing a pretty good job. They were obviously amateur but they had enough sense and skill to get it done quite well. 

“Nami, who usually cuts your hair?” you asked as you picked up your shears. Opening and shutting them a few times made you realize you’d need to sharpen them soon. Sanji probably had a whetstone or something you could use, he would have to sharpen his knives regularly as a chef. 

“Sanji does, he cuts everyone’s hair,” she explained, moving her head to gesticulate. Pointing her head back in the direction you needed you continued to cut her dead ends off.

“Seems like he does a lot around here,” you mused. No wonder Sanji smoked so much, you thought, the man was constantly working. Maybe you could show him some haircut pointers for after you died again. Just a few adjustments to his technique and he’d make a fine hairstylist, you thought.

“He does, but he likes it. You’ll see, he’ll be here in under 5 minutes offering us some kind of beverage and snack,” the redhead said with a shrug. “Wanna bet on it?” she asked with a grin. You declined-  Nami undoubtedly took in a lot of suckers but you wouldn’t be one of them. 

“So why did you want my pens? I think I have some more, I’ll have to dig around,” you said, not wanting to mix business and pleasure.

“If I don’t get pens from the Readers I have to go back to using a quill and ink for my maps which is so much worse. Messier, less legible, less precise, all around a pain in the ass. Generally I think your world seems like shit but you do have great pens,” Nami stated, moving her her for emphasis.

“You’re gonna have an uneven haircut if you don’t stop moving around,” you scolded her while redirecting her head and continuing to snip. As Nami had predicted, Sanji had come around with a serving tray with three deep red drinks and three plates of petit-fours. 

“For you, Mellorines,” he presented with a flourish. Nami took two drinks and handed one to you. 

“Thank you, Sanji,” she said as you took a sip. It was some kind of tropical juice, maybe watermelon mixed with passion fruit? You hadn’t had the flavor before but it was refreshing in the afternoon sun. A rubbery arm snaked around the nearest tangerine tree trunk to grab the third glass from behind but Sanji deftly kicked the Captain’s hand away without turning his attention away from you and Nami.

“Thank you Sanji, it’s delicious,” you said as Sanji preened. He had to shift to push the Captain’s face away with his foot as Luffy continued his attempts to eat the snacks. 

“It’s not FAIR!” Luffy whined, stomping his foot petulantly as he returned to his normal shape. “You always give Mellonades good snacks and never me! And I’m the Captain!”

“Mellorines, and OF COURSE I DO, they’re ladies! You don’t deserve them! I’ve seen you eat live bugs before!” Sanji yelled back, pulling the Captain’s ear like laffy taffy. You smiled as you worked on Nami’s hair - they were certainly a lively and entertaining bunch of folks to hang around. You didn’t know if you could do it long term but that wasn’t on the table anyway. 

“BUT I WOULDN’T IF YOU GAVE ME SNACKS!” Luffy insisted, launching to wrap himself around Sanji’s head. Nami continued talking, sharing some bits of information about the island you’d shortly be docking at. You started setting her hair in large curlers as it air dried - you really wished you had a hair dryer right about now. Maybe you could ask Franky to build you one. He clearly had a way with mechanics if he could power his own body on coca cola. You’d ask him later that night after you were done with the crew haircuts.

“Sanji, would you like me to show you a few pointers next time I cut someone’s hair? You’re doing a fantastic job, the crew all look wonderful. Since hairstyling is my main source of income, I can show you a few tricks to making the finished result look a little more cohesive? But only if you want. Like I said, you’re doing a phenomenal job already,” you explained, holding a tuft of Nami’s hair between your fingers. Sanji blushed so hard you thought blood was going to start coming out his nose. 

“Ah, that would be excellent, thank -” Sanji started before being cut off by Nami.

“Ha! Sanji got told he’s a good boy!” Nami pointed out, laughing without malice.

“He is a good boy,” you said with a firm nod to Sanji. The poor kid looked like he was going to pass out on the deck but no one seemed worried. Despite knowing him only a day or so, you could tell Sanji was a good kid. Sure, maybe he was a little fucked up, but who wasn’t? You trusted your instincts about people and they told you Sanji was a sweetheart.  

“Hey Luffy, can you show me some of your fighting moves? I’ve never seen any before but Usopp told me they’re really powerful” you asked while winding Nami’s hair around a large curler. Usopp hadn’t actually mentioned Luffy’s attacks but you thought it might change the subject and distract the Captain from annoying Sanji. The chef needed a break after all that work and teasing from the crew. 

“Oh yeah!! You’re gonna love this! Check this out – GUM GUM PISTOL!” Luffy yelled as he launched his arm towards the Crow’s Nest. Using the Crow’s Nest as a grounding point, he hurled himself into the air like a rubber band. It was kind of cool but you didn’t really see how it made him one of the strongest pirates on the seas like Usopp had said.

“LUFFY YOU FUCKING IDIOT! MAKE SURE YOU LAND ON THE BOAT!” Zoro yelled out from the Crow’s Nest. You watched Luffy turn into a small speck as he ascended higher and higher. Hopefully the kid had a good sense of his own limits, you thought, otherwise he’d be sinking to the bottom of the sea like Usopp had told you. As he descended rapidly you could hear Luffy’s childish laugh from where you stood as he slammed back down onto the deck, causing the ship to rock heavily to one side. The sensation wasn’t pleasant as your stomach turned with the large dip. You tried to think of something else to occupy the Captain so he didn’t do that again.

“What if Usopp shot things into the air and you tried to get them before they hit the deck?” you asked, already looking back down at Nami’s hair. It kind of reminded you of when your nieces showed you their “cool tricks,” which were mostly of them jumping off various surfaces and inevitably getting hurt. Luffy’s mouth and eyes opened wide as he threw his hands in the air.

“USOPP! COME SHOOT STUFF FOR ME!” 

“You know, this is just fetch,” Nami said to you quietly, turning her head from side to side in order to admire her hair in the mirror.

“Ha, yeah, I guess so. Does it matter? Look how happy he is -” you said, putting a bonnet over Nami’s hair for protection from getting wet while it set. 

“LUFFY NOT THE DISHES!” Nami yelled, already out of her chair with her fist raised to chastise the Captain - who had a plate in his hands. You couldn’t help but laugh - what a bunch of goobers. Deciding to offer cuts to the rest of the crew as a thank you for letting you stay with them for a few weeks, you looked around to see who was near. Robin was reading on a beach chair in the shade of a tree, turning pages with extra hands as she skimmed through the book.

“Robin, would you like a haircut?” you asked over the din of Luffy missing a ball Usopp had launched, the pair yelling and laughing. They’d been joined by Chopper who was watching Luffy stretch and jump to catch things with childish glee.

“No thank you, I’m content with the way it looks now,” she said with a smile and tilt of her head. “Besides, we are arriving at Widow’s Island momentarily. It will take the rest of us a few hours to get everything ready for departure from the ship but Luffy is likely to -”

“HEY! I CAN SEE THE ISLAND! WE’RE HERE!” Luffy yelled, immediately dropping the bowl he’d caught from Usopp’s last toss. Grabbing onto the mast, Luffy stretched himself backwards like Usopp’s slingshot.

“He’s not gonna -” 

“He is. It’s quite alright, he’s done this many times before,” Robin said calmly, a hand placing a bookmark between the pages she was reading. “Don’t worry, Jinbei, Sanji or Zoro will save him if he miscalculates his trajectory,” Robin continued, as if the Captain drowning was no big matter.

“Yeah, Usopp told me about Devil Fruits and drowning. That’s quite the price to pay for someone who spends their life on the seas,” you mused. You began cleaning and putting away your tools as the rest of the crew prepared the ship for docking. You’d help with whatever they needed as soon as you were done but everything had to be put away properly first.

“Mm. It’s not so bad, Luffy falls into the water most often. I haven’t once since I ate my fruit,” Robin said, handing her book to a hand that put it on a nearby shelf.

“I think Brook would have the worst time with falling in the water, no? I mean, he doesn’t have to breathe so it’s not like he’d drown. The rest of you would be dead in what - 5 minutes tops? That’s not as bad as Brook, who would drift down to the bottom of the ocean, slowly being crushed by the immense pressure of the water as he descended into pure darkness where not even a single ray of light could penetrate the inky depths. He’d be pulverized slowly over the course of months, maybe years, unable to see or hear or move as he waits for death in a sealed watery tomb. That would be worse, right?” you mused, thinking through the implications of drowning as a living skeleton. Robin nodded solemnly as she listened.

“I’ve never thought about it that way, but you’re quite right! Don’t fall in Brook,” she warned the musician with a light laugh, who was slack jawed with shock along with Chopper and Usopp. He took a step back from the side of the ship towards the middle of the deck.

“What? I’m just saying...and uh, Jinbei, Sanji or Zoro would save you before that happened so…don’t worry?” you hesitated as Brook slammed his jaw shut.

“I think you and I will become friends,” Robin said, putting a disembodied hand on your shoulder. 

“I’d like that,” you said with a smile even as the Thing-like arm unnerved you and patted your back. 

You looked over and Luffy had his arms stretched out the length of the ship, his feet hooked on the back railing as he prepared to fling himself. Looking over at you, he smiled widely. You could see why he’d attracted so many people - he had a strange kind of charisma that drew people in. 

“You’ll be here tonight, right? To tell me the next part of the story about Oz?” he asked, still holding the mast.

“Uh, yeah, I mean, I - where else would I go?” you asked, confused. 

“I dunno, sometimes Nami and Robin stay at hotels on islands but I don’t like to. Alright, you, me n’ Jinbe! It’s a date! Bye! YAHOOOOOOOO -” Luffy yelled, finally releasing his arms and catapulting himself to the island. Based on the sand cloud that appeared on the far away beach, he’d made it there safely. Or at least hadn’t landed in the water. You blushed lightly at the Captain’s choice of words but he didn’t mean anything by it.

“It is my turn to guard the ship and I too prefer sleeping on the ship - it is closest to the water. I shall be here to hear your story,” Jinbe said with a smile from his post by the helm. You didn’t know if Luffy had engineered the situation by chance or by choice but you would enjoy spending the time together regardless.

[bengiyo]

Moonlight Chicken Ep 8 (Finale) Stray Thoughts

This brings us to the end of finale week, and I couldn't ask for a better show to close us out.

Yesterday, Alan opted to stay with his family instead of compelling Wen to take care of him. Also, Jim and Wen went on a cute date..Jam came to the house to tell Li Ming that she wants to remarry and also wants to be a mother to him now. Li Ming did not want any of this at all because they have never been close, she didn't raise him, and be doesn't want her making decisions for him.

Meanwhile, Jim accidentally outed Li Ming to his mom as Jim struggled with his own fears and insecurities about Li Ming. He and Jam had a not-great conversation about it, and so Jim went to talk to Wen about it. Wen gave Jim some perspective, and Jim gave Wen probably the best sniff kiss we've seen in a very long time.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Hong passed away, and we spent the back half of the episode on her funeral. Khaotung destroyed us with his performances, and the funeral opened up all of the characters to think about where they are. Li Ming and Jim reconciled. Jim cleared things with Alan, who met Gaipa at the funeral. Heart and his family came to the funeral. Jim finally decided to let go of the restaurant and set down his burdens.

We just started and I'm already crying! Jim feels so much lighter now that the restaurant and Li Ming aren't weighing him down. He's also finally acting like a gay uncle. He's helping guide Jam away from Li Ming and assuring her he'll help his nephew.

Chapter 8: The Self-made House and Home

It's such a relief to see Li Ming comfortable around Jim again.

Big fan of the "Person's for Men" hoodie.

I love Wen. I want to be this bold in love.

Fourth has incredible chemistry with Lookwa. I get why they paired them twice. Jam has had a messy romantic history her son has witnessed. I get why she values his approval.

There are so many people like Gaipa, who went on to get degrees that they don't necessarily get to use. I don't think they should be ashamed of the lives they've built.

I like that Wen and Gaipa never turned nasty with each other over Jim.

This party was so sweet. Saleng is being that cousin again. Li Ming taught Heart how to cut chicken. Wen made fuck-me eyes at Jim. Jim basked in the warmth of his little family.

I like how double-speak is a constant character trait of Alan's.

Heart's mom is really trying. I'm glad they told her about the school Heart wants to attend.

Heart and Li Ming are so adorable that it almost hurts. Fourth is all about kissing the homies.

I see Earth and Fourth aren't just gonna give me a break. "When did you know yourself?" is really the question. I don't mind Li Ming not answering, but the way he answers tells me he always knew about his uncle and chose to live with him because he didn't want to figure himself out with anyone else. I'm so glad Jim reiterated that there's nothing wrong with him, even as Li Ming gives the kid answer that getting money is more important.

That hug from behind? I think that was inspired by all of the GMMTV actors hugging Aof that way. Gosh, Fourth is really a special talent.

Big fan of this last minute complication in Wen's promotion.

The "Welcome Back Foam Fest" shirt is foreshadowing Tinn's fantasy in My School President.

First and Khaotung are so powerful. They sailed an entire ship in two scenes.

Kinda like the idea of Jim with a food truck.

Oh, I'm crying because of Mark Pakin again. Leng got the necklace back, and is working well enough that Praew can focus on carrying for their son, Jason.

Jim took Wen to meet his sister's new family and called him boyfriend. Wen is giddy in his seat over it.

I said this earlier, but Lookwa and Fourth work so well together. I like how she immediately tried to use sign to thank Heart. You can see her making the decision to get the money for Li Ming to go with Heart to America.

They really did the thing with Heart and Li Ming. I see why GMMTV greenlit them for Our Skyy 2 even before My School President released.

I really love how Aof's compassion and empathy infuses his characters. Yes, Jam was not a good mother to Li Ming, but she's trying to do right by him now. Life is the future, and she's doing what she can now to help Li Ming the way he wants to be helped.

They saw the shift in demeanor when Li Ming stopped being so angry and knew that Fourth and Gemini could carry a show.

I really love Alan joining their little family at the end here. Of course Saleng is going to tease Gaipa. I also like that Wen is learning sign language as well. What a beautiful final shot.

What a pleasant epilogue. Loved the metaphor about there being nothing wrong with the DVD, and rather it just being the player. You are still capable of love. You just need to try a different player.

Final Verdict: 10, Must Watch. This was Aof's best work so far with his best cast. This show managed all of its threads flawlessly without a single missed beat. Everyone is dialed in the entire time to tell a story about the families we build and the love we bring to our communities. In so many ways this feels like Aof in conversation with Boss from I Told Sunset About You. I have such high hopes for the future of queer storytelling out of Thailand after the last week.

[foxett]

What's the swingset AU. I am hellbent on this AU rn and like pls yap about the lore 🙏

Aha.... Buckle your seatbelts this will take a while. (TW for mentions of s*icide, s*lf h*rm and death in general under the cut. Also omori spoilers. But that's probably to be expected)

Swingset was first an idea. Probably around early 2024??? I'm not sure but!!! I didn't actually plan to write anything about it until I got the idea for it and started writing the fic my last week of school (so it updates every wednesday)

The au itself... Hhhh yeah. Basically, the incident happens as normal, but Sunny doesn't have headspace and whitespace to slip into in his mind, and is fully aware the whole time Basil is doing the hanging and stuff or Mari. Sunny decides it's for the best and kills himself, hanging himself on the same tree Mari was already hanging on only like. Minutes later. (First chapter). Basil leaves before Sunny does that so he doesn't know it happens.

The rest of the gang (+ Basil is dragged along) and they find Mari and Sunny!!!! Yay!!! (Sarcastic yay) Anyways in short they react badly but Kel probably has it the worst because he's a little delulu in this au. Basil is close behind tho.

Kel twists the incident to Mari and Sunny making a swing and. Yeah. Au name!!! He also makes up fake versions of Sunny and Mari (and also everyone else, because the group fell apart) to hang out with. In other words, Kel needs a schizophrenia diagnosis. Everyone copes horribly (Basil. Well. Self harms. And generally is probably going insane.) (Hero bedrots like in canon but longer) (Aubrey bullies Basil at first but they make up and form a sorta sibling bond!) (not gonna spoil the exact thing but Aubrey will be traumatized further)

There's!!! A lot of stuff going on. Kel has all his fake friends (before the group reunited because of a certain incident!) - and also ghost Sunny and Mari (who age like ghost Mari does in canon because i said so) exist but they're not too important outside of the good ending.

I don't keep count but i think there's a total of 8 something's total. Canon something (Mari something, Maris hanging body), Sunny something (Sunny's hanging body), canon something (Mari at the bottom of the stairs, Basil's something), Noosething (Basil's extra au something (tying the noose which leads to Sunny's own suicide), Basil something (Aubrey's extra something. Not spoiling it for now...), Kel something (bad ending) and hero's very hd quality something's (he looked at the bodies too long ig)

Everyone has the sunny and mari somethings. Basil has 4 total. Hero and Aubrey have 3 (sunny, mari, their own bonus) Kel repressed his two but they still show up in the shadows sometimes :)

Basil is. Where do i start. He actually is completely delusional. Completely. More than Kel kinda. He also hears voices. He almost kills someone trying to kill himself (spoilers), and overall almost kills himself like. At least thrice. He doesn't take care of himself. At least Aubrey's there to help!

On a sorta wholesome note, everyone gets their hair dyed!! They do it to 'help' Kel to snap out of his delusions (it makes it worse) (kel does snap out of it at some point! But it might just be too late for it by then :) )

For the fic itself it's 11k ish words and 4 chapters at the moment.???? I have 20 chapters planned total plus two bonus ones so. Ouch. that's gonna be fun to write. I take the au itself seriously but the extra drawings i do for it... Ehhh not so much.

I have this gem of a doodle (vision basil and real basil) i frankly don't remember when i drew this. I probably was half asleep and it was like 2 am.

I plan to rework the old reference sheets i have and hopefully do the fifth chapter today and tomorrow! I don't actually wanna spoil much but definitely keep an eye out for some post!!!

Yippie! Read below ↓

mind the warnings (although since you made it this far, you probably don't care!!)

[charmwasjess]

3, 6 and 17 for the ask game!!

THANKS ANT THIS WAS SO FUN! :D And I'm still very much accepting writer asks if anyone else wants to send me one, or reblog the list and I'll send you something. <3

3 How do you feel about your current WIP

You know, I'm definitely in that phase of writing Rabbit Heart where I'm too close to it to tell if it's successful in what I'm trying to do, but I'm having a lot of fun with the fic, so that's probably a good indicator!

Dooku and Rael are a BLAST. It's also been eye-opening to write Dooku this young, unsure of himself, with so much to prove. Meanwhile, Rael is feeling just as clueless and lost, but it's coming out in totally different ways, with him trying to push Dooku into giving him the reaction he's dreading.

And then - Dooku and Sifo-Dyas. They're circling each other, boys in newly men-shaped bodies, still playing out the dysfunctional dynamic from their backwards-ass childhood with Lene Kostana. I have written a half dozen iterations of Sifo-Dyas quietly gayly pining for an oblivious Dooku, and this fic I wanted to do differently: I wanted Dooku to fall in love with his friend in real time. Dooku being the initiator, even if it seems clear Sifo-Dyas has loved him forever before this. And that's fun and weird, because I write Dooku as someone not always very in touch with himself in matters of the heart, so he's flailing a little bit, trying to understand why suddenly things have changed, trying to frame his feelings around what has happened to Sifo-Dyas in the larger plot and his reaction to it.

6 the word that appears the most in your current draft

Hah, unsurprisingly, "Dooku" followed by "Sifo-Dyas" and "Rael." Most everything else was articles.

17 talk about my writing and editing process

WILL I EVER :D My favorite!!!!

While I don't typically finish stories before I post them, I do tend to prewrite quite a lot before I feel comfortable starting to post any part of it. I write a lot more than I ever post, including whole scenes or alternate endings or different POV characters for a certain plot point than I end up going with. (And lets be honest, sex scenes, I write a TON more sex than I post because of garden variety horniness.) So I gush out all this content and then I have to decide what goes in, what gets scrapped, what gets saved and recycled for later.

I spend a lot of time rereading and narrowing down the content throughout the writing. But when I have the shape of a chapter that I'm pretty much ready to post, I pour myself a big glass of wine and get out my ruthless choppers. I KNOW I overwrite, so this is an important part of my process. I take out the third, unnecessary adjective that of course I've included. I try to kill any darlings that aren't serving the plot. I try to rein in my runaway adverbs, which are fine to use, but I like to have about twenty more of them than I need. I cut the rambling anecdote my characters love to think back on.

I take a hard look at my characters to make sure they feel true to my interpretation of their core qualities. This is usually the part where I fix Sifo-Dyas's lines, since he's often my problem child there. For example, recently in this stage, I changed his "I'm afraid of being left behind" to "I won't be left behind," which is more in line with one of my tenants of writing Sifo-Dyas: that he is defiant and dynamic about facing his own limitations, not ever static or despairing. (Where as Dooku, god love him, can absolutely be a brooder.)

[tiredassmage]

Betrayal, failure, and monster for the not-so nice OC asks. For Tyr!

[not-so-nice oc asks!]

These were all really good, so I'm warning now that I got... quite rambly about answering them. xD One of my favoritest guys ever, fr. Thank you for coming to my TED talk, etc etc lol

betrayal: Has your OC ever been betrayed by someone they thought they could trust? Has your OC ever betrayed someone who trusted them?

Oh, I am so glad you asked this one for him. One might say the surface-level answer is that betrayal is part of an agent's job, but there's some occasions I really want to dig my teeth into for this where some of Tyr's... surprises, shall we say, come across. This is gonna take us right into Imperial Agent chapter 2 spoilers, however, so beware those beneath the cut.

I can't resist starting with... the asterisk? The "should probably be the expected answer" that Tyr decided to fully turn on its head?

One deeply important thing about Tyr (and his perception of his own career) is that he chose, agreed to Imperial Intelligence, went through Academy training, and was thus... as prepared as one could fairly expect to be for the kind of half-truths and lies an operative can expect to both perpetuate and be expected to swallow as part of their job, he might say. Which is just... background to add flavor to the fact that Tyr cites his reason for joining Intelligence as something one might call a flavor of patriotism - a genuine drive to serve the greater good of the Empire's citizens. Something that is complicated by Tyr's distaste for stereotypical Sith in-fighting and powerplays, but I digress.

This point is really just when Tyr says, Imperial Intelligence never betrayed me, he does actually believe it. With his entire heart. And that won't actually change even as he learns more about the Castellans and what he's been subjected to.

Tyr's faith in Keeper (or rather, the Minister of Intelligence, as his role is at that point) is... not that the man is perfect and incapable of fault, but that the man's in a rather tight position and genuinely does what he can for his operatives, even with his hands tied behind his back. I guess you could call it a kind of "you couldn't hurt me in a way that matters," but like... meant as a positive?

Some might call that one hell of a mental gymnastics routine. Maybe it's because they're related, even if Tyr never fully realizes it, or maybe it's just really that Tyr's short on authority and parental figures that he can rely on, so he's willing to do a lot to hold on to the ones he feels he does have.

So, arguably, that doesn't particularly answer the question, but it does set-up that Tyr's... really fucking ride or die, at his core. Once he really commits to someone, it... well, frankly, it takes a lot to dethrone them from his confidence. Tyr never feels betrayed by Intelligence, even if you might argue he very well should. He feels hung out to dry for doing his job by the Sith and the Dark Council. And there isn't really arguing that Kaliyo has essentially toyed with selling him out for the equivalent of a bag of corn chips and some salsa, but, really, neither of them expected much more or less of each other, so Tyr doesn't... tend to be fussed about it, honestly.

I think the one that stings, really, is his... dynamic with Lana Beniko, really. I'd be tempted to say there's a lot about their relationship that isn't necessarily exactly either of them's fault and, ultimately, I'd say on most days, in the end, they're actually quite perceptive of one another's needs and the differences and bonds between them. What does make him feel betrayed by her is a little unfair in the sense that there's no real way she could have known at the time what kind of traumas she was touching him off on - and, frankly, they're not particularly great at ever clearing it up out of some sort of "mutual respect to not talk about the past" that does cause them a bit more trouble than boons at times. The short of that (in this... already very long ramble, oops) is that it's Rishi, and it's the matter of Theron Shan. And even without Tyr's growing affections for Theron by then, Lana getting Theron caught by the Revanites without forewarning him would have still shot their budding trust in the foot and it leaves them somewhat hobbled even to this day. It made Tyr want to throw his guards back up - it reminds him of Corellia (which was no vacation, sure, but it was an operation he was made well aware of what he was agreeing to when Shara sent him in), but what the real issue is is that it reminds him of Castellans, and of the very touchy "job security" he's not particularly had since Imperial Intelligence was cannibalized. One thing Tyr always has strong feelings about is that you take care of your own, that operatives aren't disposable for the sake of being disposable. Risks are inherent in this work. They hardly need to make them more prominent by holding knives to each other's throats for the slightest of inconveniences.

And that leaves me with the second question, which is... also maybe not as clean as an answer as it could be, lol. But to dig deeper than the surface level of the occupation's inherent moments, I think... the one that haunts me the most, and the one that haunts him, though he'd need to be forced to actually admit it and realize (let alone deal) with his feelings about it, is Shara - Watcher Two.

They never intend to hurt one another. Both of them realize in their relationship's infancy that it's an inherent possibility, maybe even a likelihood. What I think happens is they sort of... accidentally fall in love with a reflection of one another rather than... who ends up standing before them. And some of that - a lot of that, even - may well ride on Tyr. And what's left unsaid.

He never confronts her about the whole of the Castellans. He never even says to her that he knows - that's a secret he keeps between himself, his crew, and the old man, as far as the people who were there to live through it with him. Tyr never tells her he's made a deal with Ardun Kothe, that he's turned genuinely double agent for the SIS. I can't say with certainty it even... occurs to him to consider it.

Some of it is the relatively high certainty that, in the end, as things are, they're not likely to ever see each other again. They'll both be reassigned, if she continues work at all, and that means both of them have to say goodbye. It's better for both of them if she puts him from her mind, and he doesn't need or want to make that any harder for her.

Either of them.

And he's not convinced he'll ever actually make it out of the Empire. Most Ciphers don't survive five years of the work, after all. Certainly not Ciphers who have already once caught the ire of the Dark Council, despite their best intentions. There's few people Tyr genuinely holds close, and he wants to see none of them take the fall with him when the day comes that he finally pays the price for his betrayals.

Shara should've gotten out. At least one of them deserved it, as he'll tell the old man on Rishi. At least one of them actually made it. He hopes. He has to believe, in that moment.

Until that all falls apart when he sees her face on Nathema again, years later. And she calls him a liar - cites the Republic alignments of the Alliance - except it's not about that, is it? It's about trust. It's about working with someone so long that they knew the back of your hand as well as you - maybe even better. It was about, why didn't you ever tell me? That you were suffering, that you wanted to run? It's... it's if it was love, if we would've crossed galaxies for each other... why wasn't she invited to return the favor?

Something he'll never have the opportunity to try to explain now. Just the bitter-tasting realization that none of his answers would've sufficed anyway. In the end, he'll feel he robbed her of the one thing he's been so damn afraid of losing for so long: the chance to choose.

failure: What's your OC's greatest failure? Have they been able to move past it? Does anyone else know about it?

I think there's a part of him that would consider his greatest failure what we just covered: that one of the few people he'd relied on in one of the darkest times of his life, he'd betrayed, he'd hurt - in one of the gravest ways he's ever experienced hurt. And on that note, no, no one really knows about it. When he says his initial goodbyes to her after wrapping the Star Cabal operation, and then has to face repeating those goodbyes on Rishi, he bundles that part of himself and his experience up and sets it aside. What other choice does he have, really? It's safer that they never see one another again, and dwelling on it isn't going to change that.

He remembers her and their time together fondly, can be caught by later partners contemplatively watching rain droplets race each other down the windows at times during a storm, but he rarely makes an even indirect explanation of their relationship, let alone an explanation of it. He'd probably like to say there's nothing to be done about it now, so it doesn't matter, but that doesn't change the ache in his chest.

Aside from that, I think... there is genuinely a part of him that is realizing more and more that it's... it's not exactly great that he hasn't been able to get out. Maybe that's more in-line with greatest flaw, but... Tyr is the type to dress self-sacrifice as, if not a virtue, then just... a core of what he does, what he's meant to do. To be really bad at recognizing it's self-sacrifice.

And it's hard to miss the way he works, but... his own mindset isn't particularly good at saying no, enough, and... neither has the galaxy exactly been the most accommodating at telling him to quit already, lol. But... he's gotten more and more aware over the years - with age, with experience, with more and more wars under his belt - that it's not just himself he's harming with that kind of mentality. The very people he wants so badly to protect, to look after aren't having a great time watching him burn the candle from both ends, either. And he's... he wishes he was better at this also, really.

monster: Is your OC monstrous in any way? Is there something that makes them monstrous? Are they aware of their own monstrosity? Do they accept it or reject it?

I do spend a fair amount of time going on about how Tyr's actually an idealist, despite his consistent failure to fully recognize this, but I do also get reminded when I go back through chapter one with him that he's just as capable of calculated cold cuts as any Cipher. 'Monstrous' isn't something that'd come to mind for him, or as a descriptor of him coming from me, however.

If there's anything in this territory, it's that his more ruthless streak - that thread of him that's capable of channeling more Cipher Nine and less Tyr Deckard, agent of Imperial Intelligence, if you will - still slumbers, and still has a passing fancy for the false allure of vengeance, at times.

There is absolutely a part of him that could probably still be goaded to try burning the Empire and its systems down in a scorched earth blaze of glory. Tyr has almost always remembered that such tactics... never really worked. If they did, they wouldn't be in this war - or the last, or the one before it. They wouldn't have inherited the war of their fathers, and their fathers before them, and he wouldn't be facing down a galaxy that seems hellbent on leaving it to their children, either. The Republic has already tried to eradicate the Sith, and the Empire was still standing to make him an agent of it.

But there's that itch, still... it grows a bit quieter with each year, maybe - the seasonings of age and experience to temper its hiss. But the trigger itch to light a match and watch it burn for the way the Empire's eaten people up and discarded them - for that way it's used him. It's been tempting, at times. There's a reason he has such a damned hard time walking away when there's still fighting going. Even if he is starting to feel too old for this bullshit these days.

[ladysomething]

The most recent chap of where you go, I go was incredible, you are truly the most talented!!!!! I could literally fill up your inbox talking about this fic, I love it so much and I literally don’t have all the words to express how obsessed I am with it!!! And your other f1 fics!! Everything you write is so amazing!!

I love how much tension/suspense there is in wygig, and I’m having so much fun trying to figure out what I think is going to happen later in the fic based on the hints (or at least what I think are hints lol) you drop in each chapter, and just based on how each new chapter unfolds. Like, in the most recent chapter, Max made the comment about how he’s seen an omega go through mate withdrawal before, and I think that tells us a bit more about what Kelly was going through. And the way Christian seems weirdly informed about Max’s plans and intentions with Charles’ could just be Max being close to his boss, but combined with the clear distaste and distrust Max has for Charles’ current team, I am incredibly excited to see what’s going to happen once they make it to a racetrack. And then in chapter 3, Charles’ dad told Charles that alphas presentation can be triggered, and then in ch4 Max says that his path to this moment started when he was 13 and presented as an alpha? Did Charles’ trigger Max’s presentation 👀 I can’t wait to find out! youre so good at weaving in hints, that I never actually know when something is a hint though, it’s never obvious and it keeps the fic so exciting.

And I also love the way seemingly tiny details show up again (like in chapter 2 when Charles throws the flowers over the balcony and max makes note of the empty vase in ch4), it just makes your writing seem so thoughtful and cohesive.

and I’m not a writer at all, but I love learning about the behind-the-scenes process. So I’m v curious if you don’t mind sharing some details about how you keep track of everything you have/haven’t revealed, how you decide what hints to drop or details to mention, how far advance do you plan all of it, etc.? And it’s probably way too early to share anything about wygig, but if you have any fav bits of foreshadowing or tiny recurring details from any of your other fics then I’d love to know what they are!! Only if you don’t mind sharing ofc <3

this ask got way out of control, i am so sorry, I just admire the hell out of your talent and cannot contain my excitement for your writing

this was the best thing to wake up to this morning.

I'm going to answer below the cut so I don't clog people's feeds because I want my answer to be as long as your beautiful ask!

firstly ... there are a LOT of hints, even in the first four chapters. you can probably safely assume that if it made you go "hmm" then it's going to come up again at some point.

I love the examples you came up with! I will confirm that they are all hints, however .... the conclusions you drew were not all correct. some were, but some weren't. you'll just have to wait to find out which is which 😊

I LOVE that you noticed the vase thing! whenever I read stories I'm always so bad at picking up on those details, but when I write them they're all so deliberate so I'm always amazed and delighted when people see them.

in terms of how I keep track of everything ... well for this story I have the amazing and gorgeous @saiyanwitcher helping me. this story wouldn't be half of what it is without her. I would say like 1/4 is me remembering details, 1/4 is her remembering details, and then 1/2 is the very detailed outline we have. it's 10 pages long.

here is a heavily redacted screenshot of ch 1 in the outline.

from there, I just kind of ... put it together and write. and then make a note of little details that need to be revised.

in terms of how I decide what hints to drop when, I would say there's a mix of reasons. some of it is just what the plot and characters demand, but then other times it's just my instinct, and other times it's just sheer experience. I've been writing for a long time - you kind of learn along the way what makes sense and what doesn't. but I also read a LOT, and when I read I take fairly extensive notes of things I liked and didn't like, and that always informs how I write, too.

in terms out far in advance things are planned, I would say it really depends on the story. WYGIG for example has been quite meticulously planned since SaiyanWitcher came to me with the idea of an omegaverse fic. so we know pretty much everything there is to know about the fic and how the plot progresses.

I like to have written a few chapters before I post, because sometimes when I start to write the vibe changes and I need to be able to go back and adjust little details. It's also why I don't like to immediately post what I've written and instead like to have a few chapters in the can - it means I can go back and add in more/less foreshadowing, depending on how the later chapters are playing out.

but also, sometimes things just happen. I'm writing ch 8 at the moment, and only yesterday SaiyanWitcher and I were like "hey what if we do this for ch 9" so now there's a new extra chapter bc we had an idea and it fits and we want to do it. so that wasn't planned in advance at all haha. sometimes you've just gotta go with the flow!

ok now ... in terms of fave parts of foreshadowing for WYGIG. unfortunately it IS too early for me to share most of them.

BUT! one I've only seen a couple people bring up is Max's aversion to Charles reciprocating the bite - I love that one.

I also just asked SaiyanWitcher what hers are and she said the Mercedes mechanic (a great choice), and Pierre (another GREAT choice). Though he's less foreshadowing and more of a recurring plot point lol.

from my other fics ... tbh I don't think I've ever really done as much foreshadowing in them as WYGIG.

in saying that, one really does stick out .. minor spoilers for if you haven't read Give Me That Fire but I LOVED dropping all the hints about "the final night" that happened that broke Max and Charles up for good. I knew from the first sentence I wrote for that fic that it was all leading up to that reveal and how careless Max was about Arthur, and seeing people theorise about what had happened and then being horrified that the truth was so much worse than what they expected was so bloody satisfying.

also there weren't really any major plot twists in the brocedes fic that had foreshadowing, but the slow reveal of their backstory juxtaposed with cutting forward to lewis at the lestappen wedding was also a personal favourite. that fic was by far the hardest thing I've ever written, and took one of the biggest emotional tolls. so the slow build of the horror at the piece by piece reveal of what lewis and nico had done to each other ended up being a very big personal achievement. I adore that fic, even though it's devastating.

now, I think I've yapped enough!

thank you so much for your beautiful and thoughtful ask, it's made my weekend. I'm so delighted that you're enjoying WYGIG so much and I hope that you continue to love it!

[kingbadgermole]

Hi, hey, hi, yes! I'm almost finished wrapping up the first chapter of the fic I've been plucking away at. I'm looking at a FOUR WORK fic series (dear Gods, bear with me): Duty's Promise, Heart's Oath, Interlude, and Spirit Riff Raff. I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to get the first chapter of Duty's Promise up by the end of next week, so in the meantime, enjoy this little teaser! Many thanks to @kingwuko for their beta reading and general plotting help; I appreciate you! 💚

Four months ago.

And, like clockwork, the nineteenth of August returned...

Wu couldn't shake the strange feeling that came with the events of today, but maybe that was to be expected. Birthdays were always a strange time for him. It felt like no matter what occurred—or, rather, what didn't seem to occur—Wu could look back across the past year and hardly recognize the person he was at the beginning of it.

A year ago, Wu would have been trying to fit himself into suits that never really, well, suited him. Now, he was opting for something a little more casual, despite the extravagance of the party. A year ago, Past Wu would have scoffed and told Present Wu he was getting sloppy; Present Wu wouldn't have cared, and that was the main factor behind the unrecognizability.

With a stark realization, Wu came to a conclusion that had been lurking beneath the surface: he didn't care.

And that wasn't to say that he didn't care about the things that mattered—because of course there were some inalienable things that did matter—but rather, that his priorities had shifted. Wu felt more authentically him, and no amount of tailor made suits and hair gel would change the core components of his identity.

To spite Past Wu lurking in the mirror, Present Wu unbuttoned another button on his shirt for good measure, flaunting his collarbones under patterned fabric.

It was no surprise to see his reflection stare right back with a grin, curls falling into his eyes ungracefully. Beautiful, wasn't it? Wu had let his hair grow out after accidentally missing a cut appointment back in May, and since then, he had slowly but surely foregone old routines. Gel was out, replaced by the natural wavy texture that always seemed to peek through no matter how long it took for him to style it. Surrendering wasn't really a decision, as much as it was a gradual realization a little bit too late.

But... It felt better this way.

With a wink at his reflection, Wu's gaze in the mirror then shifted to where another figure was positioned like stone near the door.

Mako was standing there, leaning against the wall, almost in stark contrast to Wu. His uniform was freshly clean and pressed, and his hair was gelled in such a way that not even a strand was out of place. He watched Wu primp impatiently, as he usually did. It made sense to Wu, honestly. Mako had arrived ready to go, and had probably been killing time watching Wu get ready for nearly an hour.

Vaguely, Wu wondered if Mako had seen him wink at his own reflection, and tried to bite back the shame that ensued. There was a particular way that Mako tended to make him feel that he didn't like to dwell on.

It existed, and Wu had no obligation to humor it, let alone chase after it. Especially not as he watched himself flush, a spattering of red across his cheekbones and over his nose.

Wu shook his head with a laugh.

"Sorry, big guy. Wanna make sure I'm looking sharp—there are old friends here I haven't seen in years, y'know?"

Mako shifted from foot to foot, his intense resting face relenting in a way that betrayed his confusion.

"You've been messing with your hair for half an hour now." 

It didn't sound like an accusation, but rather a statement of fact. And it was true. Wu had been messing with his hair for longer than he wanted to admit. As if to mock him, Wu's blush deepened a touch further. Having had enough of his own reflection, he decided to pivot and face Mako properly.

"Maybe you're right," Wu surrendered with a shrug, reaching down to cuff the pant legs of trousers so as to not let them drag on the floor. He made a mental note to get them altered sooner or later.

Mako's snort drew Wu's attention back to their conversation. It was rare that Mako laughed—even if it was a strange kind of snort that was intrinsically Mako in nature. Mako didn't really laugh, but that was the closest he'd get.

"You? Admitting I'm right? Must actually be my birthday."

As much as the friendly jab poked fun at him, Wu couldn't be angry. This was a gentle dance that the two of them progressed through. To begin with, it had been hostile on Mako's end, but all the venom had been drained with time.

On his way out of the room, Wu knocked his right shoulder into Mako's right shoulder playfully, letting out an amused chuckle.

"Dream on, buddy. You've still got two months left to go."

[smaller-comfort]

Well, it's the reason the story is rated M! I wish I could figure out how to tag this, but I'm pretty sure "sex from a non-human pov wherein everyone involved is completely alienated from their physical body in some way but they're just going to make the best of it" is over the character limit.

Technically the sex is not particularly explicit, but it kind of feels like it actually is, to me. I don't know anymore. I realize the line between an M and an E rating is often pretty blurry; the Ratings Police probably aren't going to arrest me for using the word "sphincter".

Anyway. Notes below the cut; you know the drill, I like to hear myself talk.

I really, really love some of the language in this, but I recognize that I may have gone overboard a little bit in places.

'I may have gone overboard' sums up my feelings about this one in general, actually. I'm not about to provide a fully annotated draft where I justify my word choice, phrasing, and characterization line-by-line, but I probably could. (I definitely could.) I kind of really, really love this story. A lot. I'm not gonna lie, I'm really proud of it, even if it probably could've been like...half as long. Anyway. You get a cookie if you can figure out which bits are my favorites.

I almost decided to rewrite this whole thing in past tense. I'm still not entirely sure I shouldn't have, but it would be way too much work at this point. I tend to write smut in present tense; make of that what you will.

The game itself has a fairly distinctive "voice," and I do try to mimic that at least a little. B'st in particular walks this funny line between a formal register (doesn't use many contractions, 'Great Alchemist') and goofiness (taking out the trash, his transformations). (When people tell me I hit the voices right it makes me giddy for hours.)

Still operating on the premise that Songsters are funky little guys and not humanoids. Don't ask me how they have sex, though, I really haven't gotten that far and I'm probably not going to. "Not like this," thanks B'st, that's extremely illuminating. He's never actually going to get around to drawing that diagram.

('Safe sex' for human/songster couplings typically involves earplugs. Ancient Repine sex ed would've been a trip.)

"Hey, v, anatomically speaking-" shhhhh. It's magic glass. Don't worry about it. (Is any of the sex here actually sexy? Is it supposed to be? These are questions I ask myself frequently; I have no answers. At any rate, I think I nailed the 'weirdly alienating with lots of feelings' vibe, and that's mostly what I was going for.)

I like to headcanon Songsters having extremely complicated extended familial structures. B'st and T'kor might not have had kids of their own, but they would have shared childrearing responsibilities for members of their extended family. In that respect, Mooncradle's communal society is very familiar to B'st.

I know about the T'kor=AI Core theory, and it feels like exactly the sort of thing where Thierry would go "Oh, I thought that one was way too obvious, actually." I kind of hate it, though, because it's too tragic and it makes me too sad.

Speaking of things that are too sad! I cut some extremely depressing dialogue about how the abandoned lab and the lost souls were actually left behind for Resh'an to find. Aephorul intended for them to be another "gift"- he knew about Resh'an's work on living glass, and what he needed to finish it. It wasn't a coincidence that all the materials Resh'an needed were there.

B'st was already aware of this; Resh'an figured it out on his own. At this point neither of them is going to bring it up. B'st assumes it will just make Resh'an feel pointlessly guilty all over again, and Resh'an...is already feeling extremely guilty about it! Imagine that.

Living Glass was supposed to be Resh'an's solution to their decaying bodies. But by now Resh'an doesn't actually think he has a strong enough will to live to survive the process anymore (as he's got the depression) and Aephorul was never a fan of the idea of having a non-organic body to begin with.

(Not to say that Resh'an doesn't have an unshakeable sense of purpose, but that's not quite the same thing. Living Glass vs Borrowed Time rules.)

When I first started this one, it actually was going to be set in the same timeline as Loser Takes All, because it was much funnier that way. (Resh'an is not equipped to handle getting laid this much.) My thought was to make it a series where various characters find increasingly ridiculous ways to pin Resh'an down and fuck him stupid, since that's...kind of a recurring theme with me, I guess! Yomara was going to be next on the list.

Somehow my scrap file is almost 4000 words long, but I didn't actually end up cutting very much. The ending got rewritten like six times; the majority of the first chapter was originally supposed to take place after the sex. It flows better this way, though.

I did cut one of my favorite lines, though, so here you go:

“You may feel conflicted about what I am now and how I came to be, but I do not. Have faith in that, if nothing else. In this moment, in this time, I am exactly as I am meant to be.”

I'm not saying I'm not gonna write that eventually, mind you. Welcome to the niche corner, etc. Yomara deserves something nice, and the Three Sisters have been eating the corners of my brain a bit lately.

(B'st/Romaya is probably more likely at this point, though.) (Shout out to that one Serai/Romaya fic on ao3 that rewired my brain slightly, you're a real one.)

I've got Winter and Spring now, so the next story in the series should be Summer. But I might have more than 4 stories to tell in this particular universe. So maybe I'll jump straight to Autumn and keep with a general theme of "seasons" for everything.

[eryiss]

[Jet x Freed] Cubicle Capers - Chapter Four

Summary: Jet was meant to do more. He was meant to do something with his degree. He was meant to have a purpose. He'd taken a job at Grimoire Pharmaceuticals to work his way up into a lab position, but found himself stuck in a cubicle. Every day the same. At least he had a new boss coming. Freed Justine. He’d be like the rest, though. Boring, outdated and.. hot as hell?

Notes: Conflict. Forgiveness. Embarrassing pictures. All here right now. Again, this was requested by @jethro-art.

Links: Ao3, Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Epilogue

Chapter Four – The Argument

Jet

There were shit days, and there was the day that Jet was having.

Slowly, over the past few weeks, little things had gone wrong and he'd dealt with it. His coffee machine as home had started giving the beans a weird taste. The supermarkets had decided to change the layout and he had no idea where his usual brand of heavy-duty trash bags had ended up. The new neighbour across the street had decided he'd start making his front lawn look presentable, but had to blast out trance music at top volume to do so. Jet's nerves had already been grated on, even before the shit-show of the morning.

Speedster, his vintage sports car and only transportation, had decided to splutter and smoke and cut out. He tended to the car like a child, taking every precaution to make sure she ran like she was showroom fresh. He'd invested a fair portion of his meagre wages on her, and for no understandable reason, that morning she had died.

That would have been bad enough already. To deal with the fact his pride and joy was dead on the street would be difficult, not to mention the fact all the money he'd spent on her had essentially been flushed down the toilet. But then he had to navigate the streets – littered with trash since the refuge union were rightly, if annoyingly, striking again. Then the bus system, which had been underfunded since before Jet was born. Then the tram system, which as a cost cutting measure had decided to half the carriage amounts and force everyone into overly cramped and revoltingly sweaty quarters not fit for humans. They also were running late, and Jet hadn't known he'd had to contend with any of this crap before his normal leaving time, meaning he was late for work. Very fucking late for work.

He stormed into the building, cursed out the stupid turnstile which took three attempts to identify his ID card, and ran up the flights of stairs because it would be faster than taking the elevator. Sweaty and angry, he threw his bag down under his desk and let his expression harden. He would let himself be angry for a little while before he started; best not let that anger touch his scanning or he'd be pissed off all day.

"Jet," Laki said, head poking into his cubicle. "Freed says he wants to see you when you get in."

Jet ground his teeth together a little. "You think I could have a couple minutes before I go?"

She winced. "I don't think so. He seemed pretty insistent," she screwed up her face. "The phrase 'if he deigns to show his face' was used, so I'd probably go now."

He forced himself to unclench. He had wanted to get a mug of non-burned coffee, and maybe a chance to splash some water on his face, before he did anything professional. He wanted to not be pissed off at the stupid busker and his stupid crowd of watchers who had gotten in his way. He wanted a moment to get his heart rate down. He wanted a better goddamn job that might be worth the stress of a crappy morning.

But duty, and managers called, so he had to do as he was told.

This was Freed, though. In the half a year he'd been working there, Freed had never once been unreasonable. Jet was always punctual, and it was obvious this was a random occurrence. Freed would see reason. With two knocks, Jet walked into Freed's office.

"Hey man, I'm really sorry-"

Freed silenced him from behind his desk, not with a word, but with a raised finger. He motioned for Jet to take the seat opposite him, and Jet did so with a scrunched-up face. Freed seemed different.

The room was different, too. Freed's phone was lit up red on all lines, the pinboard beside his desk which previously had been entirely clear now was filled with spreadsheets and random charts, and a small collection of half drunk and discarded mugs of tea and coffee decorated his desk. Freed had always kept his desk clean and his office minimalist. He was a neat freak, Jet had assumed, and yet his office today looked cluttered and messy.

"I don't know what you think is happening," Freed said, and his voice had an edge to it. "But you cannot do this."

"I wasn't-" Jet tried again, but Freed shot him a look that shut him up.

"I am your boss and as such it is my responsibility to make sure you adhere to the company rules of employment. One of which – the most obvious, I would say – is that an employee must be in the office and working for the hours their contract dictates. Your contract states you should be in the office at eight thirty and leave at five. It's ten o'clock, and you've only just gotten here. That cannot happen. There is a small amount of leeway I can give you. An hour and a half goes far beyond that."

Jet knew that, and it kind of pissed him off that Freed felt the need to explain it in that condescending tone. "Yeah. Obviously, but-"

"I understand that perhaps I blurred the lines of proper conduct between us by our trips to the bar," Freed began, and Jet could see where this was going. Oh fuck no. Freed wasn't actually gonna do this, was he? "But, us having a friendly relationship outside of work does not allow you to disregard the rules of your employ."

"You're kidding me," Jet muttered, leg bouncing.

"If us meeting outside of work is going to give you reason to think you can come and go from work without care for the proper-"

"Are you fucking kidding me!" Jet snapped, and it might have been louder than he expected because Freed sat up a little straighter. Jet didn't care. If Freed was implying this, then fuck Freed. "That's what you thought this was huh? Me, cosying up to the boss so I don't have to come to work on time? That's my evil plan, huh? Make friends with ya then half ass this job."

"One and a half hours late-"

"Happens! Shit like that happens! You don't get to-" Freed didn't get to imply their meetings in the pub, which had been a weekly thing for them both since the first, were anything but two guys having fun. Freed didn't get to imply that Jet was going to the pub with him for malicious reasons. Freed didn't get to paint Jet in that light. But he couldn't say any of that. It all sounded too soppy and emotional. Instead, he stood up and walked to the door. "Fuck this."

"I'm not finished speaking with you Jet," Freed said in a voice that might have intimidated Jet if Jet wasn't sure he was in the right.

"Who cares?"

"We are going to have this-"

"HR's been on our asses about taking all our vacation days since that lawsuit. I'm taking mine. Guess I'm not late after all."

"Jet."

"Whatever you're about to say, I don't give a shit. Don't care about the words of a guy who'd assume the words of me," Jet shrugged. "In fact, take your words and shove them up your tightly wound, hypocritical, shitty at Donkey Kong asshole!"

He left the office, slammed the door, picked up his bag from the cubicle, and got the fuck out of there. If Freed wanted to yell at him tomorrow, so be it. That just gave Jet a full day to think of the ways to make Freed feel as shitty as Jet himself felt.

Fuck Freed Justine. Fuck him.

———

Freed

Exactly twenty-two and a half hours later, Freed had been given more than enough time to realise how terribly he'd handled the situation.

He could give himself excuses. He could say that before Jet had arrived, the CFO had come into Freed's office to discuss a matter, and had decided that because Freed wasn't drowning in paperwork and visibly stressed beyond functioning, he wasn't working hard enough. He could say that this had led to his phone being the go-to for all the questions that no department was specifically meant to answer. He could say that the reality of his office job had started to crush him, and for the first time Freed was considering quitting a job purely because he was struggling to handle it.

None of that mattered, though. Yes, he was a person who had flaws and bad days, but so were his employees. If he hadn't allowed Jet to explain his lateness, then Freed had no right to explain his unfair assumptions. He was wrong, he had deserved Jet's yelling, and the onus was on him to fix things.

As such, Freed had spent the morning waiting at the elevators, looking for Jet. He hoped he'd come in. He would come, wouldn't he? Jet hadn't quit, so he'd come back to work eventually. Right?

His question was eventually answered, when Jet trudged out of the stairwell beside the elevators, and Freed saw him from the corner of his eye. Jet saw him at the same time, and they looked at each other. Jet's posture was rigid and anticipatory, the very personification of someone waiting to close either fight or flight.

"Could I speak with you in my office please, Jet," Freed requested. The shift in Jet's jawline and the slight straightening of his back told Freed that Jet was ready for a fight.

The walk from the elevator to Freed's office was long, and Freed had to wonder how long it must have felt for Jet the day before, swirling with anger and annoyance and, if Freed wasn't deluding himself into thinking Jet saw him as a friend, a sense of betrayal. That made the guilt squirm harder in Freed's stomach. But he was going to make this right; or at least he'd do his best to try.

With the door closed firmly behind them, Freed took his seat behind his desk and gestured for Jet to take his own. Jet's leg was bouncing and his fingers twiddling. Jet was a fidgeter. A ball of energy. It must be hell to work in this office.

"Yesterday," Freed began, and suddenly, looking into Jet's eyes, the professional apology he had planned went out the window. "I behaved like a dick to you. I was unfair and presumptuous and put outward stresses onto you. I was rude, and I'm incredibly sorry."

Jet looked at him. His face portrayed nothing. Freed continued.

"For what it's worth, yesterday won't be removed from your designated vacation days, so you haven't lost any Holliday due to what I did."

"So I've got a full day on record without doing any work." Jet had muttered that. Maybe Freed wasn't meant to hear, but he had.

"No, your figures are entirely as they should be," Freed explained, and a look of panic flashed across Jet's face. Freed belatedly realised what that sounded like – like Freed had fudged the figures in a way that could come back to haunt them – and quickly spoke again. "I got your work done. I realised… fairly soon after you left that I was in the wrong, and that your professional reputation shouldn't be affected," his cheeks flushed a little, and he had no idea why. "I made sure all the scanning was done; you don't need to worry."

Jet looked at him. Stared him down. "What time d'you leave last night?"

"That's not important," Freed dismissed. He hadn't actually left at night. It had been a little after one in the morning. Saying that would be like pointing out a sacrifice he'd made, which wasn't fair. Recompense wasn't something that should end in pity.

"So I ain't in trouble, and I ain't behind on work, and I ain't missing a vacation day. That's all you wanted to tell me?"

"And that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did, and I promise it won't happen again."

Jet kept staring at him. Freed could only stare back. Jet was clearly expecting something, but Freed had no idea what that was. If Jet needed something to forgive Freed, then Freed would get it for him no questions asked, but he really had no clue what that thing might be. Maybe Jet sensed that, because he spoke again. "You not gonna explain what was stressing you out? That you had your boss breathing down your neck or whatever, and that's why you were being an asshat."

"I've found that an apology followed by an excuse tends to not be worth saying," Freed met Jet's gaze. "I'm sorry, I was wrong, no amendments needed."

And, rather heartbreakingly, Jet looked like he'd been struck. Like such a thing was so unfamiliar in his life that it was worthy of a shocked response. Like he didn't think he deserved it. Like it was so out of the realms of possibility for Freed to treat him like a human being. Like an equal.

Freed really had fucked up. And Jet really hadn't been treated right. It wasn't appropriate for Freed to quietly think that he could treat Jet right. He could make the man feel worthy of all the apologies in the world. He could make Jet smile that sharp toothed smile.

"Oh, right. Thanks."

Before dangerous thoughts could persist, Freed pushed on. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, laminated card. "This is also a gesture of good will, I hope. It tends to make people laugh and, given you like making fun of me when we're drinking, I thought you'd appreciate it."

He placed the card on his desk and let Jet pick it up. He saw the moment apprehension gave way to amusement.

"You look like a jackass," Jet grinned. "What the hell made you do that to yourself?"

"A drunken mistake, I'm afraid." Freed glanced down at his old ID card from about five years ago, with his green hair buzzed short and looking entirely ridiculous. He had a face that served long hair, and certainly not an army style buzzcut. It was a point of consistent ridicule among his friends that he'd done that, made worse by the fact he'd done it days before a job translating for the king of Lichtenstein, his most publicised job. "It's ridiculous, I know. Feel free to circulate it around the office should you feel the need."

"Nah, I'll keep it to myself."

"Really?"

"Not a fucking chance. Gotta make sure this gets around. You okay with me doin' a scan of this and sending out a company wide email, make sure everyone knows."

"Do as you wish," Freed laughed. "But, might I ask, are we good?"

Jet paused. "I think we're good. I'm gonna stew on it a little longer, I think, but I think we're good."

"I'm glad," Freed smiled. "I've taken too much of your time already, so feel free to leave."

"Yep, got work to do," Jet agreed, holding onto the ID card. "See you later Bossman."

"See you later."

Jet saluted to him, and Freed leant back in his chair with a small sigh. The dampening of his nerves hit him suddenly, and he placed his hands on the desk to stop them shaking. It had been far too long since he'd cared like this about something.

Jet had called him Bossman. That was enough for now. That was a promise that they'd get back to where they'd been, even if Jet was still a little raw and likely to make some negative assumptions about Freed for a while. He could understand that. He could live with that. So long as it ended up okay, that was fine.

A little trill came from his PC, and Freed glanced over to it. An email, sent to the entire company list. The little fucker had actually done it. Brat. Freed had to grin. He really did love being in Jet's aura; the chaos was wonderful.

[international-sunrise]

god its me again, with lookism spoilers below the cut

the way everyone gathered with their respective rescues like they're a stray cat or this month's grocery shop is just way too funny y'all but the way jinsung arrived with johan in tow and was immediately like "dude why does it looks like hyungseok was trying to rescue jaeyeol and not the other way around????? why is he knock knock knocking on heavens door???????? what the fuck did you do to him???????????" and hyungseok was like "i promise you there's a very good reason for this :D" smiley emoji and all and jinsung is just "don't????? change the subject????? you almost killed him?????????????" just left me cackling for five minutes straight thanks jinsung i knew i could trust you

jihan walking in carrying jibeom and hudson in a carrier after alexander was deadass carrying both jake and samuel is peak comedy. the devil works hard and alexander works harder. if you're an a/c unit i'm your fan. number one samuel stan can't compare can't compete we aint shit compared to alexander.

also it's funny for me to think that while hyungseok was beating the shit out of everyone, himself included, everyone else was like trying to think about how to transport the rescues. jihan being the bright patootie he is brought a bed, work smarter not harder. alexander decided to brute-force it. jinsung used the bro-style-carry. vasco is now carrying lil hyungseok like he's a cat he just rescued out of a fire. these guys all share one single braincell and its bouncing like that old dvd logo. i hope that reference lands somewhere.

now what's important here.

i think this chapter pretty much confirmed that nº1 is, in fact, made up of parts and scraps of other generation kings. i mean this is pretty obvious but i guess it'll be confirmed in a couple more episodes and we'll have to be like -pretends to be shocked-, i think it will be more impressive if nº1 is not, as a matter of fact, made up of parts and scraps from the 0 gen and is instead made up of several random people and then enhanced by drugs. why do i say this? well usually the first is not the best, specially with experiments, and i really dont think they would have wanted to waste precious parts in order to make something that wouldn't work, so it could be very possible that nº1 is actually the first working prototype of what the workers first affiliate was trying to replicate.

and what were they trying to replicate you ask?

why, hyungseok's fake body, of course.

my working theory is as follows:

i think it's very likely that nº1 is an experiment that is being made behind charles back, by the workers first affiliate, because back in the day he somehow found a way, alongside jinyoung, to recreate the perfect super-soldier, and went around playing the world's worst puzzle and stealing pieces from others with the help of james lee, and now won't rely that information to workers so that they can get mass produced. however it seems like eugene doesn't know about the two bodies, or at least hasn't found a way to confirm it (maybe, hear me out, maybe if ptj hadn't killed jiho off! the shrimp the felony commiter the only one crazy enough to come up with that possibility! then eugene would already know and this plot would be so much far ahead!), therefore it remains as a possibility that he heard about some kind of super-soldier project and tried to find out who was behind it because super-soldiers are very high on the list of what evil little dudes do on their free time, and that's how he stumbled upon jinyoung.

jinyoung however, probably wasn't the entire brain behind the operation. that's why nº1 looks... that way. it's very possible that the other half of the operation was... hear me out: hyungseok's dad, who was supposedly killed by jinyoung.

i dont really think that it was james lee, because he's supposed to be the figthing genius, the one-man-army, the one going to the hardware store to collect the parts and pieces of their little fucked up science fair experiment that might or might not violate the geneva convention (is the geneva convention a thing in the ptj-verse i dont think it is...). i also don't think it was charles, because while he's behind the interconnected webs, that's kinda not in the same ballpark as human experimentation, that's like management vs the kitchen, have you seen management inside the kitchen like actually working? no, that's my point. gapryong was too busy trying to become the president in order to also be trying to bring back prometheus 2: electric boogaloo. which leaves us jinyoung, a farmacologist, and hyungseok's dad, occupation unknown but with ties to jinyoung, and was apparently killed by him as well.

even if jinyoung didn't actively murder him, you know what mom park said? he died sick. who in lookism would have the very specific knowledge to prescribe drugs that would worsen someone's condition instead of making it better, and also be in a position of trust in order to make it work, thus killing hyungseok's dad while making it seem like he simply fell ill?

oh yeah its coming all together.

i also find it extremely funny that, in a way, hyungseok did manage to both unite and dismantle the four major crews. all of the groups are dismantled, inactive, on the run or were absorbed by workers, and now three of the original crew leaders alongside samuel as a representative form a temporary alliance. "not even the four major crews-" bitch sit down didn't you read the big deal arc and the hostel arc, the power of trauma compels you -gets blasted-

also johan being like "ew cant believe i gotta fight alongside you people" kid you've been working with Jake for months now what on earth are you talking about did you also get your memory temporarily erased by the drugs. will anyone else forget about some important part of the plot-- put your hand down jake.

what you thought i wouldnt mention the emotional whiplash it gave me to have hyungseok suddenly remembering the friend he just beat up. JAEYEOL IT'S ME YA BOY bitch you left him about to board the first train without stopovers to the left of christ's throne a foot on the gutter and the other on the grave, wipe out those damn tears and get his ass outta there stop crying it's not the time stop kissing in the foreground

[bereft-of-frogs]

friday! ✨

reading:

(in-progress) Jaw Bone - Monica Ojeda - This is an excellent follow-up to Yellowjackets in that it is about how teenage girls can and will start a cult, while an adult figure in their lives looks on in horror and then does something way worse. Also, the line "Why do [girls] love [their girl friends] so much that they would rather see them dead?" tell me that's not Shauna

(phone book) Into the Dark - Claudia Gray: omg I forgot how much I love Reath. This is legit making me considering pushing through my issues with Midnight Horizon because this can't be where we part ways. He's just so me. He stays behind for historiography. I loved historiography. He shows up kind of buzzed for an important journey. Do you know how many times I've gone through TSA still drunk? So many times. Ok not when I was 17 because I was kind of a square back then, but I for sure made up for it in my 20s. I love him. I think my issues with Midnight Horizon were 1) just being #done with forbidden romances. There are like 4 of them. I'd just read Gray's Lost Stars for book club (which was a disappointment). I don't love forbidden romances at the best of times and I was just over it. 2) some of the dialogue literally made me cringe it was so bad. But. I am considering powering through because Reath is just so me. I will say, this is probably because of my MH annoyance, but I do wish that Jora hadn't died, I think she was better for him than Cohmac is but...maybe that opinion will shift during this reread. I also really appreciate that this dodges some YA sins (unlike some others in this recap...👀 see below) by making a major theme be that the adults are equally as lost and stressed as our teenage protagonist. Like, they're sort of useless because yeah adults are also lost and confused sometimes, not just to get them out of the way of the plot. I just love the cut from Reath's POV being like 'look at them, they've got it all together, maybe when I'm an adult I won't feel so lost and uncertain' and then to all the adults' POVs being like '*internal screaming* what if I'm making a huge mistake.' I feel like, for me, this is what makes a YA book readable as a 30+ year old, treating the teen protagonist and the adult side characters with equal respect and depth.

Lord of the Rings chapter-a-day: I was supposed to finish this today, based on that blog's schedule, but once I fell behind I just decided to keep with the one chapter per day thing. Should finish by early next week and then I'm moving on to The Silmarillion to spite that one person who didn't believe the 'have you read this book' poll results. Many Partings today <3 ah.

watching (tv):

Severance (AppleTV+): I love how for like half an episode I was like 'idk this might not be such a bad idea' because I have a lot of work-related dreams and I'm like, hm but if I can't remember work, will have I have nightmares about it, and then the show immediately spent the rest of that episode and the three following being like 'hey this is a fucking horror show'. What a nightmare. Possibly the most disturbing show I've watched all year so far. Patricia Arquette's character is legit a little triggering haha.

watching (film):

the only movies I watched this week were all of the Hunger Games movies. They put them on Netflix. And. Look. I have such a complicated relationship with the Hunger Games series, some of you might be like 'um don't you bitch about that series quite frequently' yes. Also, when Netflix puts them on I WILL watch all of them. I saw the new one in theaters. I'm committed but. Hunger Games rant incoming, this is one of those things that has gotten a bit ruined by the fandom. Because I really enjoy it -- at least the first two -- I just don't think it's a masterpiece that is so deep it should be taught in high schools. It's pretty shallow actually. The first two books/movies are so fun, they're tropey and fun and a great angsty setting. (When I'm in a certain mood, oof, Hunger Games AUs? Hit so hard.) But they do indulge in some YA sins. Like not as many as the wave of knockoffs that followed, for sure, but they're there. The one that bothers me the most Katniss is both a blank slate for the reader to project on, and also the only one that's ever right. None of the other characters have depth or development just so that Katniss can be right all the time, even though by Mockingjay that just makes her seem like a hypocrite. Mockingjay, both the book and the unnecessary two-part conclusion, is just abysmal. But it feels like both my enjoyment of the tropey dystopian first two books and my dislike of Mockingjay, gets this response of 'you just don't get it, Suzanne Collins is playing 5D chess--' and I'm sorry, I just don't buy it. Anyway, this is but a fraction of the rant I could go on, Netflix tried to email me a little 'what did you think of The Hunger Games' survey and I was like, Netflix, babe, you don't know what you're asking. I also apologize to everyone who has to put up with my commentary whenever I put these on, the victim this time was @aurorawest thank you for putting up with my commentary. Also Gwendoline Christie is in the last one for like 2 minutes and cannot do an American accent so that was kind of endearing. Ok. End Hunger Games rant.

list:

guest-ready level clean of my apartment. we're mopping. we're doing the baseboards. we're making sure there's not any more butter on the walls (side note, I finally figured out how butter got on my wall: I was holding the butter knife in my right hand while picking up the bread in the toaster with the same hand and it tilted and gently brushed the wall exactly where I found the butter, so. no one asked by that's how butter got on my wall it's been like three days and I've been like....what happened here)

ECLIPSE DAY!!! I am both very excited and slightly stressed because the news has been like 'APOCALYPTIC CROWDS' but I do have to remember that my measurement for 'apocalypse-level crowds' has been shaped by almost exclusively living in places with much, much higher population density. So what I consider intolerable crowds and what the good citizens of this lovely state consider intolerable crowds...is slightly different. I definitely am anticipating a lot of traffic but I do think I need to recalibrate my understanding here. XD We'll see maybe it will be bad, but I have alternate routes planned, we'll have snacks, it'll be an adventure either way.

I have no other plans this is all I've been thinking about, this is the first thing I put in my calendar when I got it, I put in my PTO request in January lol

anyway, happy friday