#in plain sight 2 sprint

[unfortunatish]

Rlly wanted to do an update soooo

Sketches💥

[latenightreadingpdf]

Hidden in Plain Sight - Dave Lizewski

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 2 ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 3 ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: When Y/S/N saves Kick-Ass from a dangerous situation, he becomes obsessed with trying to uncover her true identity. Little does he know, Y/S/N is a girl from his school who secretly has a crush on him as well. As they patrol together, their worlds collide in ways neither expected, leading to a surprising revelation about who's really behind the mask.

Y/S/N - Your superhero name

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The night sky over New York had a strange way of making a person feel invincible. Dave Lizewski, aka Kick-Ass, was just starting out his amateur superhero career and was already way in over his head. Sure, he'd gotten a few decent hits in on some petty thugs before, but most of the time, he spent more energy trying not to die than actually fighting crime.

Tonight was one of those nights.

He sprinted down an alley, panting, adrenaline surging through his veins. Behind him, two guys—huge, brawny types who clearly had nothing better to do than terrorize the innocent—chased him with knives. His green suit felt like a second skin, clinging to him with every move, though it wasn’t exactly made for high-intensity situations like this. His lungs burned, and a stitch formed in his side. Not good.

“I swear,” he gasped to himself, “I’m gonna die.”

The alley came to an abrupt dead end. He cursed, turning just in time to see the guys closing in, grinning like they'd won the lottery. He raised his fists, trying to look braver than he felt.

"This... is not going to end well," Dave muttered.

Before either of them could lunge, something fast and powerful blurred from the shadows, hitting one of the thugs with such force that he flew backward, crashing into a stack of crates. The second guy barely had time to react before the figure was on him too, taking him down with an expert kick to the stomach.

Dave blinked in disbelief. The figure straightened, revealing a young woman in a sleek, black suit. It wasn’t flashy, but it looked way more professional than his own green and yellow DIY get-up. She had an aura of confidence and strength that radiated even in the dim light.

And, yeah, Dave noticed, she had a killer figure.

"You... you just saved my life!" Dave stammered.

The girl rolled her eyes behind her mask. “Yeah, and I’m guessing it won’t be the last time, Kick-Ass.”

Kick-Ass. She knew his name.

“Wait, who are you?” he asked, his voice still shaky from the adrenaline.

“Call me Y/S/N,” she said casually, as if saving people from imminent death was just another Friday night. “You really should be more prepared for situations like this.”

“I... I thought I was.”

Y/S/N snorted, crossing her arms. "Really? No backup, no weapons? Just... that?" She gestured to his suit. "You're gonna get yourself killed."

Dave flushed, partly from embarrassment and partly from the rush of adrenaline still coursing through him. “I’ll... I’ll do better,” he promised lamely, watching as she walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the night.

And just like that, she was gone.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

At Atomic Comics the next day, Dave was still riding the adrenaline high from his encounter with the mysterious heroine. His friends, Todd and Marty, sat across from him, distracted by the latest issue of X-Men, while Dave rambled on about her.

“I swear, you guys, she was like something out of The Avengers. She totally saved my ass last night. And she was hot. I mean, like, really hot. Her suit—it was super tight. I could barely focus.”

Todd raised an eyebrow, putting his comic down. “Dude, you’re such a nerd. A hot superhero saves you, and that’s what you focus on?”

Dave shrugged, grinning sheepishly. “I mean, yeah? You didn’t see her. She’s got this whole thing going on—great moves, great...uh...form. Her ass is—”

"Wow. Really going full perv, aren't we?" Marty quipped, rolling his eyes.

Unbeknownst to Dave, someone had been listening. On the other side of a nearby shelf, Y/N, the kind and somewhat popular girl from school, had been browsing comics too. She knew who Dave was—after all, they had a few classes together—but they had never really talked.

Y/N smiled to herself as she overheard Dave’s rant about his superhero crush. Little did he know that she was Y/S/N, the very girl who had saved his life last night. Hearing him talk about her alter-ego like that—saying she was cool, hot, and all that—was...well, flattering in a weird way. And the fact that he was so obviously into her made things a lot more interesting.

Still smiling, Y/N grabbed a random comic, paid for it, and headed out, a plan forming in her head.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Later that week, Dave suited up as Kick-Ass once again, hoping to catch a glimpse of Y/S/N during his patrol. After their first encounter, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. She had this presence that he couldn’t shake off, and it didn’t help that his crush was amplified by the fact that she’d saved him. She was the real deal—a hero, like he wanted to be.

“Kick-Ass.”

Dave turned at the sound of her voice, heart skipping a beat. She was there, perched casually on a rooftop ledge, looking down at him with that same cool confidence.

“Y/S/N!” He tried to sound smooth, but his voice cracked just a little.

“You’re not going to need saving again, are you?” she teased, dropping down to the street in front of him.

“I’ve got it covered this time,” he said, puffing out his chest just a little. “Totally prepared.”

Y/S/N gave him a once-over, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Sure you are.”

The two of them walked together, patrolling the empty streets, though it was a quiet night—too quiet, really.

“So, Kick-Ass,” Y/S/N started, her voice casual. “There’s this guy I go to school with. He’s in a few of my classes.”

Dave’s heart gave a little lurch. Was she... opening up to him? Maybe this was his chance to learn more about her.

“Yeah? What about him?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“He’s super nerdy, kind of awkward. But he’s... well, he’s hot. Like, really hot.”

Dave blinked. “Wait, what?”

“I bet he’s got... you know, a lot going on,” she continued, her voice dropping slightly. “In more ways than one.”

Dave felt his face flush. “Oh.”

“I can’t focus in class because I’m too busy thinking about him,” she added. “It’s a problem, I don’t know what to do.”

“Wow, okay. Um... who’s the guy?” he asked, not really wanting to know but needing to at the same time.

“Dave Lizewski,” Y/S/N said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Dave stopped dead in his tracks. His brain short-circuited for a second. “Wait... what? Did you just... did you just say Dave Lizewski?”

She turned to face him, her expression unreadable behind her mask. “Yeah, why? You know him?”

“I—uh—” Dave’s thoughts tumbled over each other in a chaotic mess. She knows me. She actually knows me. And she thinks I’m hot?!

Y/S/N didn’t give him any time to process. “Anyway, I gotta run. Crime won’t stop itself.” She gave him a little wave before disappearing into the night once more, leaving Dave standing there, still in shock.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

That night, Dave immediately FaceTimed Todd and Marty, pacing his room in a frenzy.

“Guys! You are not going to believe what just happened!” he blurted out as soon as they answered.

“What is it now, man?” Marty asked, exasperated.

“I think Y/S/N goes to our school.”

Both of them stared at him blankly through the screen.

“No, seriously! She was talking about a guy she likes in her classes. And then she said my name! My actual name!”

Todd snorted. “Okay, but how do you know she’s not just messing with you?”

“I... don’t know. But it seemed real,” Dave insisted. “I think she really goes to school with me. And now I have to figure out who she is.”

He grabbed his old yearbook off the shelf and flipped it open. “There’s gotta be some kind of clue.”

Todd and Marty exchanged skeptical glances but eventually joined in, helping him comb through the yearbook. They scanned faces, trying to match anyone they knew with the mystery of Y/S/N.

“Alright, so we need a plan,” Dave said, leaning over the pages. “Monday, we’re going to do some recon. Check out anyone who might be her. We’ll figure this out.”

Todd and Marty, albeit reluctantly, nodded in agreement.

“Sure, dude. Recon mission on Monday.”

Dave closed the yearbook with a snap, his mind racing. Somewhere in the sea of students, Y/S/N was hiding in plain sight. And now, he was more determined than ever to find out who she was—both in and out of her suit.

Little did he know, Monday would bring him more answers than he could’ve ever expected.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ there’s not enough Kick-Ass fanfics on here and I’m sick of it :( lmk if you want a part 2

[meazalykov]

wrong number

bayern munich frauen x reader

1/6, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6, 5/6, 6/6

summary: fate brought them to you

you've been in munich for two weeks now, and life has been surprisingly calm. 

after the chaos of packing, traveling, and settling into your new apartment, you've finally found a routine. the apartment is cozy, mid century themed and tucked away in a quiet nice bavarian neighborhood with everything you need nearby. 

maple, your tabby cat, has settled in just as well as you, spending most of her days lounging in the patches of sunlight that filter through your windows. sometimes she lays on your balcony when it is warm outside.

remote work has kept you busy, but it’s not the same as the constant stream of activities back home. you've spent most of your free time exploring the neighborhood, finding comfort in the little things—like the coffee shop at the corner of your street. 

the barista already knows your order: iced mocha coffee with strawberry cold foam to have with a plain bagel with butter. it’s become a morning ritual, something you look forward to each day.

despite the quiet life you're living, you’re still in touch with the girls from the group chat. they’ve kept you in the loop, sending memes, talking about football, and, most importantly, making you feel like you’ve got friends here in munich. 

you’ve especially bonded with sydney, who’s given you tons of recommendations on places to eat and visit. you haven’t met any of them in person yet, though. 

the thought of it makes you a little nervous. would they be as friendly in real life as they are in the chat? would they recognize you?

this morning is no different from any other. you wake up, stretch, and check your phone. a few messages have already popped up in the group chat.

georgia: guten morgen guys! practice soon ugh, i’m so tired from the sprints last night. i need caffeine

sydney: always need caffeine. 

sydney: hey y/n 

you: hi good morning! 

sydney: try the new place i told you about yet, y/n?

you: not yet! i was planning to check it out this weekend.

tuva: y/n, if you don’t check it out soon, we’re gonna have to drag you there!! 

you laugh to yourself as you get out of bed. maple stirs from her spot on the windowsill, stretching her little legs before hopping down to rub against your leg. 

"hey, maple," you say softly, giving her a gentle scratch behind the ears before heading to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

within thirty minutes, you're dressed and heading out the door, your mind already on that iced mocha. the walk to the coffee shop is short, and you smile at the familiar sight of the cozy little café as you approach. 

it’s not too crowded this morning, just a few people scattered around with their laptops and books at the wooden glossed tables.

you step up to the counter, already knowing your order by heart. as you wait for the barista to finish up with a few other customers, the bell above the door rings, signaling someone’s entrance. 

you glance over out of habit, not thinking much of it—until you see a familiar face.

georgia stanway. from the group chat.

you freeze for a second, your brain trying to catch up with what you’re seeing. she’s dressed casually, a grey hoodie pulled over her head with matching joggers, but there’s no mistaking her. 

she’s one of the girls from the bayern munich chat, and she’s just walked into your coffee shop. you’re not sure what to do—does she even care enough to want to talk to you in person? you’ve never spoken to any of them face-to-face, aside from a few private messages with sydney about food spots.

you’re still debating what to do when georgia looks up and catches your eye.

for a moment, you're sure she doesn’t recognize you, but then her face breaks into a smile.

"y/n?" she asks, her voice tinged with surprise.

you nod, unable to stop the grin that spreads across your face. 

"yeah, hey!"

before you know it, georgia’s quickly walking over to you, pulling you into a quick hug. 

"oh my days, i didn’t think i’d run into you here!" she laughs, stepping back. 

"i’ve been waiting to meet you. what are you doing at this café?"

you chuckle nervously, still a little stunned. 

"i live just down the street. this is my usual spot."

georgia’s eyes widen. 

"no way! i live right down the street too. this is my favorite café."

"seriously?" you laugh. 

"i’ve been coming here almost every day since i moved."

"well, i guess we’re neighbors now," georgia says, still grinning. 

"small world, huh?"

you nod, feeling the nervousness melt away. georgia’s warmth and friendliness are exactly how she was in the group chat, and you’re already starting to feel comfortable.

"what are you getting?" georgia asks, stepping up to the counter with you.

"an iced mocha and a plain bagel with butter," you reply.

georgia raises her eyebrows, impressed. 

"fancy. i’m just going for a regular iced coffee today. practice from last night has drained me."

the two of you place your orders and find a table near the window, settling in for what turns into an easy conversation. 

you talk about the neighborhood, about your favorite spots so far, and about how surreal it is to finally meet each other in person.

"i can’t believe we live so close," georgia says at one point, shaking her head. 

"i knew you were in munich, but i didn’t think we’d run into each other like this. we were all planning to invite you to the games in order to get the chance to see you!"

"oh my– and me neither," you admit, smiling as you sip your iced mocha. 

"but this is nice. makes the city feel a little less big, you know?"

georgia nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. 

"so, what have you been up to? besides chilling at this café."

you shrug. 

"mostly work. i’ve been working remotely, so i spend a lot of time here or at home with maple."

"maple?"

"my cat," you explain with a laugh. 

"she’s a tabby. super lazy."

"cute. i’m more of a dog person, but cats are cool!" georgia says, leaning back in her chair. 

"speaking of lazy, i have to head to practice soon, but we need to hang out again sometime. we all think it’s nice having a non-football friend."

you smile at that. 

"yeah, i’d like that."

before you leave, georgia pulls out her phone. 

"we need to send a pic to the group chat. everyone’s gonna freak out that we met in person!"

you laugh as she leans in for a quick selfie. 

"okay, ready?" she says, holding the phone up. you smile, and she snaps the photo. within seconds, it’s posted in the group chat.

georgia: *one photo attachment*

georgia: look who i ran into!!

the chat blows up immediately.

sydney: NO WAY.

klara: LUCKY???!!!!!

tuva: i’m dying omg 

lena: jealous af rn 

sarah: this is too cute. i can’t 

you laugh as the messages roll in, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. you hadn’t expected to feel this connected to them, but here you are, genuinely happy that you’ve met georgia.

"i knew they’d freak out," georgia says with a grin, pocketing her phone. 

"anyway, i gotta head to practice, but let’s hang out soon, yeah?"

"for sure," you reply, standing up as well. 

"i’m heading to the gym anyway."

"perfect timing," georgia says, pulling you into another quick hug. 

"see you later, neighbor."

"see you," you say, waving as she heads out the door.

as you walk back home, you feel a strange sense of contentment. you hadn’t expected to make friends so quickly in munich, but here you are, part of a group of girls who seem genuinely happy to have you around—even if the way you met was unconventional.

later that afternoon, after you’ve finished your workout and settled back in at home, you check your phone again. more messages have piled up in the group chat, and you scroll through them with a smile.

tuva: y/n, you should come to our game this weekend. we’re playing frankfurt at home

sydney: YES. you have to come. it’s gonna be epic.

lea: you don’t really have a choice y/n 

you blink, surprised by the invitation. you hadn’t even thought about going to one of their games, but now that they’re asking, you find yourself grinning.

you: lea i’d love to anyways! count me in.

the excitement in the chat is immediate.

kathi: yessss! it’s gonna be so fun.

sydney: we’ll hook you up with tickets and the seating stuff. don’t worry about a thing!

lena: you can sit with kathi and i! we can’t play because of our acl injuries

y/n: ouu

y/n: ouu to the seating, not you and kathi being injured

klara: don’t lie y/n

   kathi: ?? 

   lena: ????? 

klara: i’m kidding!

y/n: LMAO

ana g: see you soon y/n!

the day of the bayern munich vs. frankfurt game arrive a few days later. you’re feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. this is your first time attending a professional football match, and it’s not just any match—it’s your new friends’ match. 

these girls, whom you’ve gotten to know through a mistaken group chat, are now part of your life, and you’re here to support them. its out-of-body to you.

you stand outside the stadium, ticket on your phone, which sydney had sent to you earlier in the week. as you walk in, you can’t help but take in the electric atmosphere. fans are streaming in from every direction, wearing red and white scarves, chanting and singing in excitement. 

the energy is contagious.

after buying a pretty bayern-themed scarf from the merch stand, you wrap it around your neck for good measure. it feels like the perfect way to show support for your new friends, even though you’ve only known them for about a month. 

they’ve been so welcoming, and you can’t help but feel grateful for how things have turned out.

you glance at your phone, double-checking the seating section sydney had mentioned in her text. the ticket leads you to the family and friends section, which surprises you. 

you didn’t expect to be sitting somewhere so special for the team. then again, you didn’t expect to be here at all a month ago.

when you reach your row, you notice that the seats directly beside you are still empty, but that’s okay. you sit down, adjusting your scarf and the brown bomber jacket you’d chosen for the game. the late evening breeze is cool, but the jacket keeps you warm as you watch the girls warm up on the pitch below.

as you look out at the field, you spot all of the familiar faces from the group chat—they’re already practicing. you can’t help but smile, knowing you’ve gotten to know these players beyond just their professional personas. 

the same moment– you see two figures walking together along the bottom of the family and friends section, heading in your direction: 

lena and kathi.

you try not to stare, pretending you’re just casually looking around as they get closer to the section where you're seated. 

it’s impossible not to notice when they head directly toward you. your heart skips a beat, unsure of what to expect.

"y/n!!!?" kathi grins, stopping beside you. 

"hii its nice to finally meet you!"

"oh, hey!!!" you stand up, a bit flustered but smiling. 

"it’s so good to finally meet you guys in person."

kathi pulls you into a hug, and lena smiles as she steps closer, giving you a quick hug as well. 

"we were wondering when we’d run into you," lena says, her voice warm and teasing.

"same here," you laugh nervously. 

"i wasn’t sure i’d see any of you outside the chat."

"well, now you’re stuck with us," kathi jokes, sitting down on your left, while lena settles in on your right. 

"this seat taken?"

"nope, all yours," you reply, staying cool despite the fact that you’re suddenly sitting between two bayern stars. 

"so, you come here often?" lena asks, nudging you lightly as she adjusts her scarf.

you grin. 

"this is my first time at a soc- sorry, football match, actually."

kathi raises an eyebrow. 

"wait, you’ve never been to a football game?"

"not really," you admit, feeling a little sheepish. 

"i know how the game works, but i’ve just never watched it. i played basketball growing up in the states."

"basketball? that’s cool," kathi says, her eyes lighting up with interest. 

"i could never get the hang of basketball. too many rules."

"too many rules?" lena laughs, shaking her head. 

"you’re a footballer, and you think basketball has too many rules?"

"okay, fair," kathi grins, giving lena a playful nudge from around your shoulder.  

"but come on, football’s just easier to follow."

"yeah, yeah, whatever," lena says with a grin. 

then, turning back to you, she asks, "so. .y/n tell me– do you have any other friends in munich? or maybe… a boyfriend?"

you laugh, not expecting the question. 

"oh, no. definitely no boyfriend."

lena raises an eyebrow, intrigued. 

"really?"

"yeah," you nod, still smiling. 

"i don’t swing that way."

kathi lets out a quiet snicker, and lena shoots her a quick look—one of interest. 

kathi just rolls her eyes playfully, clearly aware that lena is trying to flirt. 

you, of course, are oblivious and continue chatting as if nothing is unusual.

"good to know," lena says, her tone lighter, almost teasing.

before the conversation can continue, kathi jumps in, steering it away from lena’s not-so-subtle flirting. 

"so, any hobbies? other than being in random group chats with footballers?"

"actually, yeah," you say, smiling at the memory of your last project. "i do ceramics."

"no way," kathi says, clearly impressed. 

"that’s awesome. i’ve always wanted to try something like that."

"you should! there’s a ceramics studio in downtown munich. i’m going to a class next week if you guys want to come with me on wednesday."

"i’m in," kathi says instantly, grinning.

"i’d love to, but i’ve got a thing with adidas that day," lena says, frowning slightly. 

"but next time for sure."

"no worries," you say, understanding. 

"it sounds like you guys are always busy with something."

"pretty much," kathi sighs, leaning back in her seat. 

"but hey, at least we get days like today to relax."

you glance over at lena and kathi, both of them sitting out of this gme due to their ACL injuries. 

"how are you guys doing with the injuries, by the way?"

"we’re getting there," kathi says with a small smile. 

"it sucks, but we’re doing okay."

"yeah," lena adds. 

"it’s tough watching from the sidelines, but we’re handling it."

just then, a loud cheer erupts from the crowd as the game kicks off. you turn your attention to the field, watching as bayern and frankfurt begin to battle it out.

about thirty minutes into the game, georgia breaks through frankfurt’s defense and scores a stunning goal. the crowd screams, and you, kathi, and lena all clap enthusiastically.

"that’s our girl," kathi grins, clapping as she watches georgia celebrate with her teammates.

you lean over slightly, grinning as you point towards georgia. 

"so how does someone kick a ball that far? seriously, that was impressive."

lena smirks and leans in a little closer to you, her eyes playful. 

"how do you shoot a three-pointer?"

you laugh. 

"practice, lots of practice. you’ve just got to get the right angle, arm strength, and—"

"so basically, the same thing as kicking a ball from outside the penalty box?" lena teases.

"i guess you could say that," you reply with a grin, enjoying the playful banter.

the three of you settle into the game, chatting in between plays and cheering for bayern.  

as you talk, you can’t help but notice people around you taking pictures. kathi and lena are well-known, and while you’re not used to the attention, it’s clear that people are curious about who you are. 

who’s the girl sitting with two injured bayern players? whispers and glances are cast in your direction from photographers and fans, but you try not to pay it any mind.

by halftime, the score is still 1-0 in favor of bayern, and lena and kathi stand up to stretch. 

"we’re going to the lounge," kathi says, glancing down at you. 

"you coming?"

you hesitate, unsure if you’re even allowed. 

"i thought that was just for family and players?"

lena laughs. "you’re on the list. we put you down as one of our guests. you’re our friend."

"seriously?" you feel a smile spread across your face, touched by the gesture. 

"that’s amazing. i had no idea."

"come on, let’s go," kathi says, waving you along. 

"you’ve got to see it."

you follow them to the lounge, which is a lot fancier than you expected. plush couches, tables lined with snacks, and a relaxed atmosphere for family and friends of the team to hang out during halftime. 

"you know– it’s so nice to have a friend who’s not a footballer," lena speaks. 

"i’m glad you guys like my presence," you admit, still in awe of how quickly everything’s changed since that random group chat.

“oh, i definitely do.” lena smirks. 

kathi roles her eyes at lena while smiling. 

"it feels like you’re one of us now." kathi says, nudging you. 

after the break, the three of you head back out to your seats just in time to see bayern score another goal. this time, it’s klara who fires a screamer from way outside the penalty box, sending the ball soaring into the back of the net. the crowd erupts, and you clap along with lena and kathi.

lena glances over at you with a playful smile. 

"i’ve got to say, y/n," she starts, her voice light but with that familiar teasing edge, 

"you’re really pulling off that look. the brown bomber jacket, the bavarian scarf—you're fitting in with the bayern fans already."

you laugh, tugging at the scarf and feeling a little flustered by the compliment. 

"oh, thanks. i wasn’t sure if i could pull off the whole ‘bayern fan’ look, but here we are."

"oh, you’re pulling it off," lena says, her eyes lingering on you for a moment longer than you expect. there’s something in her tone—something that makes your heart skip a beat—but you shrug it off, thinking she’s just being friendly.

kathi, sitting on your other side, shoots lena a knowing look. 

"careful, lena. you’re laying it on pretty thick," she says, grinning as she leans forward to catch your eye. 

"she’s just messing with you, y/n."

you chuckle, completely oblivious to the flirtatious undercurrent. 

"well, it’s working. i feel like a proper football fan now."

"you look like one too," lena adds, her smile widening as she casually adjusts the scarf around your neck. her fingers brush lightly against your skin, and for a brief second, there’s a flicker of something more in the way she’s looking at you. 

again, you chalk it up to her just being playful. after all, you’ve only known these girls for a month—there’s no way lena’s flirting, right?

"okay, okay," you laugh, trying to shake off the slight awkwardness you feel. 

"i get it, i look the part. but you two are the real stars here."

"oh please," kathi says, rolling her eyes. 

"we’re benched, remember? lena and i are just here for moral support. you’re the real star for coming to your first game and surviving sitting with us."

you smile, feeling comfortable with them even though you’re completely out of your element. 

"honestly, i’ve had so much fun already. i didn’t realize how intense football could be."

"you haven’t seen anything yet," lena says, nudging your arm. 

"this is just a regular league game. wait until you see the champions league.” 

"yeah, lena’s right. the energy in those games is something else," kathi adds, leaning back in her seat and stretching.

you nod, already imagining the bigger games. "i can’t wait to see more."

"and now that you’re here in munich," lena says, leaning a little closer, 

"we’ll have to make sure you come to more games. maybe we’ll even get you onto the pitch someday."

"me? on the pitch? you guys would concede twenty goals before the second half." you laugh, shaking your head. 

"i’m just here to watch. you guys are the pros."

"oh, i don’t know," lena says, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

 

"you’ve got the look down, you’ve got the enthusiasm. all you need now is a little practice."

"practice?" you raise an eyebrow, amused. 

"i don’t think i’d last five minutes on the field."

kathi grins, leaning in from the other side. 

"i think you’d surprise yourself. plus, you play basketball, right? you’ve got the coordination."

"it’s not the same thing," you say, laughing. 

"i’ve never even kicked a ball before."

"we’ll fix that," lena says confidently, her hand brushing against your arm again. 

"next time we’re at the training grounds after our injury rehab, you should come. we’ll show you how it’s done."

kathi watches the exchange, clearly picking up on lena’s flirty tone, but you remain completely oblivious. 

you just smile, nodding along as if they’re simply making friendly suggestions.

"yeah, i’m sure i’ll be a natural," you joke, but lena’s gaze lingers on you for a beat longer, and kathi gives her a subtle nudge.

by the time the final whistle blows after the game, bayern has secured a solid 3-0 victory, and the atmosphere in the stadium is electric. you clap and cheer along with the rest of the fans, feeling proud of your friends on the field.

"let’s go down and meet everyone," lena says, standing up and stretching.

"wait, meet everyone?" you ask, your eyes wide.

"yeah, come on," kathi says, grinning as she grabs your hand and pulls you toward the field. 

"we’re taking you down to meet the whole team."

you can hardly believe this is happening. as the three of you make your way onto the pitch, your heart races. you’ve seen these girls on instagram or in the group chat, but now you’re about to meet them in person.

as soon as they spot you, georgia, sydney, tuva, and the rest of the team come running over, laughing and cheering.

“y/n!!” sam kerr squeals as she jogs over.

"it’s the wrong number girl!" tuva jokes, pulling you into a hug. 

"i was starting to think you were a figment of my imagination." the norwegian continued. 

“no no, i am real!” you laugh as she patted your shoulder. 

"y/n!!!!" 

you look over to see sydney sprinting to you from the benches.

she nearly tackles you as her strong body pushes yours into a hug. shes happy just as you were. you’ve talked to her more individually than the rest of the girls throughout the month, so you are most familar with syd. 

sydney pulls back from the hug but keeps her hands on your shoulders. 

"finally! it’s so good to meet you in person."

you smile, feeling the warmth of her welcome. 

"yeah, it feels surreal, honestly."

"how’s munich treating you so far?" she asks, genuinely interested, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"it’s been great," you reply, nodding. 

"i’m still getting used to everything, but it’s such a beautiful city like you’ve said. i’ve just been trying new places, you know?"

"that’s awesome," sydney says, giving you an approving nod. 

"i’m glad you’re settling in. you’re gonna love it here once you get into the groove. georgia mentioned you live near her?"

"yeah, just a few streets down, actually."

"perfect!" sydney says, her smile widening. 

"do you have a ride home? i can give you a ride home if you want. i’m heading that way anyway."

you blink, surprised by the offer, but then you nod, grateful. 

"i was just going to take the bus home but that’d be great syd, thank you so much."

"no problem," she says, waving off your thanks. 

"plus, tomorrow, you should join us for lunch. by us i mean me and sam. we are going to get pizza if you’re interested!?” 

"that’s awesome, i’d love to" you say, clapping her hands together once as sydney pulls you in for a last hug– just happy to see you after speaking for a full month. 

you laugh, feeling a sense of ease settle in. sydney’s kindness wasn’t surprising since she has always been kind and humorous in her messages. 

a hand touches your shoulders and you see lena’s bestfriend– lea. the woman’s blonde hair and blue eyes complimented each other and you couldn’t help but smile.

"lea!!!" you laugh, hugging her.

"it’s so good to meet you," lea says, smiling warmly against your shoulder. 

"its nice seeing you in person rather than in pictures on my phone." lea continued. 

you blush, overwhelmed by how kind they all are. it feels like you’ve known these girls for years, not just weeks. 

as the hugs and introductions continue, you can’t help but feel like you’ve found your friends here in munich.

pernille and magda walk over, and you freeze slightly. of course you’ve talked to them in the groupchat but you’ve recently discovered that they’re one of the most iconic couples in women’s football. 

"so, you’re the famous y/n," pernille says with a grin, her arm coming to wrap around your shoulders. 

"uh, yeah, i guess that’s me," you say, feeling your cheeks heat up.

"you’re adorable," magda says, giving you a once-over before flashing you a smile.

"thanks," you mumble, feeling your face grow even hotter. these girls are all so effortlessly cool, and you’re still trying to wrap your head around the fact that they’ve accepted you into their world.

after chatting with the team for a while, discussing the game and making jokes, you realize just how lucky you are to have stumbled into this friendship. 

sure, it started with a wrong number, but now, standing on the pitch surrounded by these incredible women, you feel like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

as the night winds down, sydney meets you after changing and showering in the locker rooms. she grins as the both of you walk to her car, georgia already waiting. 

sydney agreed to take the both of you home. since you and georgia are neighbors and sydney lives a couple of minutes away.

"so, what do you think y/n? are you a football fan now?"

"definitely," you laugh, glancing around at the team. "i can’t believe you guys play that amazing sport."

“It's exhausting sometimes though.” georgia says from the passenger seat as you settle in the middle seat in sydney’s car. 

“i feel you. i mean i’m not a professional footballer, but i did play basketball for many years.” you say. 

“that's not shocking, you look athletic.” sydney says as georgia nods her head.

“thank you! i can’t believe the one and only sydney lohmann is complimenting me.” you joke and georgia laughs. 

"believe it," sydney says, reaching over her drivers seat to pat your left knee. 

"we’re not letting you go anytime soon."

part three here

[wouldntyou-liketoknow]

Day 1: Infection

(Disclaimer: the character in this story does not belong to me. MadPat/AftonPat/Phone Guy is the property of Random Encounters.)

(The end of this story was actually inspired by some fanart courtesy of the amazing @insane4fandoms ! I would link it here…if it wasn’t already hidden in plain sight~ Hope you’ve been feeling better, friendo! Also, thanks for remembering one of my special fanmade scrunglies yet again, lol)

(Trigger Warnings:  blood/gore, body horror, degloving/skin-flaying, mentions of murder/death, implied dismemberment/self-mutilation, nightmares, paranoia, weapons. Please let me know if I missed anything.)

(Note: the events of this story take place right after the end of FNAF The Musical: Shadows of Agony. Which means, of course, that it also takes place a while after a certain collab I've been working on lately...)

Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

___

Cold. 

He isn’t sure how he can hear his teeth chattering over the drumbeat of his heart. 

The air is so, so, so damn cold. 

He doesn’t understand—he’s still wearing his precious work-suit. Even after all these years, the tan-colored fabric has remained soft, somehow always seeming to keep him insulated despite how thin it is. 

And yet, it’s like there isn’t any cotton barrier between him and the air at all. The chill is actively seeping right through his skin to settle in his bones. 

The corridors are so dark. 

Although he’s never felt remorse for his actions (and knows by instinct that he never will), he still curses every single time he complained about the obnoxious humbuzz emitted by the light panels installed up above. 

There’s nothing above him anymore. Not even an actual ceiling. Just a still, shadowy void. Even if he was able to climb up the walls, he knew he wouldn’t dare. That darkness is palpable. If he were to get close enough, something would reach up from the other side and drag him into it.

The only reason he can still see anything is a faint glow that flickers just up ahead. A plethora of shadows practically lick at the walls right around the corner… 

Fire. 

There’s fire somewhere nearby. Warm dancing, beautiful fire.

Then again, “nearby” apparently isn’t all that accurate. 

Because he’s been able to see that tantalizing light all this time. He’s been able to smell the smoke, to hear the crackling and popping all this time.

And yet, whenever the fire seems to be at its closest, whenever he finally manages to round that corner…

He doesn’t find a burning pit, doesn’t find any sort of kindling. 

He just finds. Another. GODDAMN. HALLWAY THAT STRETCHES ON FOR MILES WITH  MORE FIRELIGHT TO TAUNT HIM AT THE VERY END.

The black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles have all been swallowed up by a shroud of scrap metal.

Bits and pieces of animatronic endoskeletons, their once silvery material now covered in rust.

Every few feet or so, warped arms and legs and eyes and sets of teeth peek out of the ruin, framed by twisted wires that still spark now and then.

The robotic nature of it all truly makes this place feel like a hellish combination of junkyard and slaughterhouse. 

A screeching, grinding cacophony is fueled with each and every footfall. How he can still hear his chattering teeth above even that, he has no idea. 

It’s all made worse by the fact that the corridors are so narrow. 

He can’t move an inch without his elbows knocking against the painted plaster. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to feel the constant aches surging through his tendons if he was walking, but he just can’t afford to be slow right now. 

The air keeps getting colder and colder—to the point that he starts to see his own breath. Small, steamy clouds pour out of his mouth, disappearing less than a second later. 

He’s been sprinting for hours now. 

Why the hell isn’t he sweating? 

Why aren’t his lungs burning if they’re already more-or-less threatening to burst any second now? 

Why does his blood seem to carry both the consistency and temperature of a fucking slushie?!

He skids to an abrupt halt, just barely keeping his balance as he pushes what’s left of his hands—the stumps wrapped up in layers of bloodied bandage—against the walls.

…A new sound has joined the cacophony both in-and-outside his head. 

A splashing, churning sound. 

And it’s echoing from somewhere above him. 

He glances up just in time to see ripples stretching out on the surface of that inky void. As though something inside is stirring in its sleep, struggling to wake. 

He throws himself down, burrowing through the metallic waste until he feels enough of it slide into place over his back. 

He is hidden. Not safe—he’ll never, NEVER be safe after all the things he’s done—but hidden.

He shifts his neck, not wanting to move any more than that. He needs to keep watching the surface, but too much movement will only ensure that they catch him sooner.

Above him, something heavy touches down on top of the wreckage. The rusty pieces are all jostled in a rhythmic pattern. 

He lays there, muscles tense, feeling the blood rush through his head, waiting for what feels like hours. 

But nothing starts digging toward him. Nothing ever pushes his cover away. 

Finally, FINALLY, the new noise starts to fade. The jagged, uneven footfalls above move past him, getting quieter and quieter every inch of the way.

Once they disappear completely, he flounders, moving in a way that’s reminiscent of both climbing and swimming. He surges up, determined to get back on his feet and keep running, keep looking for that precious fire. 

…But his head never breaks the surface. 

As his arms sweep the layers of junk away, he only finds more waiting to take its place. 

He feels icy claws drip down his spine—he’d only buried deep enough to cover himself! That was it! How the hell are there suddenly miles between him and those hallways?!

In his haste, a section of his bandages gets caught on the jagged edge of a robotic hand—the way its lifeless fingers are curled resemble the branches of a long-dead tree.

He snarls, pausing his movement to yank his arm back. But as he does, at the very last second…the bandage tears, allowing the sharp rust to scrape the already marred flesh of his wrist. 

Fear cuts through anger like a hot knife through butter.

He howls in pain, trying again and again to free his arm. But the more he moves, the more his now ruined bandage gets tangled up in the rust. The more exposed his stump becomes.

All at once, the newly bare skin starts to hiss. Wisps of discolored vapor begin drifting out of the wound—only a few at first, thin and short. But in a matter of seconds, larger clouds start flooding out, alongside a stream of dark red ooze.

He can only watch and scream as his skin keeps burning, keeps blistering, keeps bubbling. Flesh and muscle peel away in ribbons, sloughing off of him until the rough, splintered remains of his wrist-bones are revealed. 

And it doesn’t stop there.

Like shed scales being pulled away from a snake’s coils, the sizzling rot proceeds further up his forearm. His skin continues to twist and melt away. Now he can see the glistening shapes of his radius and ulna; they’re being unveiled slowly, little-by-little, inch-by-inch.

Even as he thrashes and flails and shrieks, he keeps aiming for the surface.

There has to be a surface! There has to be relatively fresh air somewhere outside all the rust! The world hasn’t just caved in on itself all because he wanted to hide—!

He feels more searing pain start to concentrate on his shoulder.

And then his neck…

…his jaw…

…his EYE-SOCKET…

___

What could only be described as an intense Charlie Horse sensation wracked the space between Mad���s eyes as they snapped open.

That sensation then slithered down to his throat, forcing him to cough and gasp as he writhed against the old mattress. 

He had to roll onto his side, had to use his elbow to prop himself up. It took a couple long, agonizing minutes before his breathing became steady enough. 

Heart still hammering painfully against his sternum, he stared down at his wrist-stumps. 

The bandage-layers were still splattered with crimson stains, but they were whole. No rips or tears to be found. 

The jagged mess of his skin in that area was still covered. The bleeding had stopped a long time ago. 

No organic steam, no hissing, no peeling…

With a heavy sigh (and much more effort than he’d care to admit), Mad manuvered himself to sit up, his legs now sliding over the edge, letting his boots thump against the old hardwood floor. 

His vision was quick to adjust to the darkness; this building had lost all electricity about a month ago, but that didn’t bother him too much. Besides, the moonlight filtering through that cracked window in the corner certainly helped. 

He eyes kept wandering back to his stumps as he glanced about the decaying room. He snarled at the thick spiderwebs that clung to the ceiling—what were the odd of one of those eight-legged creatures scuttling in-between the gauze and spinning a little egg-sac somewhere in his flesh..?

Mad shook his head feverishly, shudders pushing their way along his ribcage. Bright red glinted out of the corner of his eye: that wonderful, deadly, genius new toy he’d put together just the other night was sitting on the nightstand. Right where he’d left it. 

Mad stood, and as his shadow fell over it, the weapon's material seemed to glint even more. Almost like it was waiting for his next move. 

Taking a deep breath, he cradled the flame-chain (yes, that was what he was calling it. Patent-pending, bitches) and hefted it onto his back, the straps fitting around his shoulders perfectly.

Though this dead motel—the recently-condemned place that just so happened to be only a few blocked away from Freddy Fazbear’s—had made for good shelter earlier, he couldn’t afford to stay any longer. For all he knew, a construction crew would be en-route to tear this place down and start building something else on its bones first thing tomorrow morning. 

He needed a new hideout. Somewhere else to stay before he could make a plan to get back to the pizzeria. 

Licking his lips, Mad threw the room’s door open and stormed down the rotting corridor. 

Adrenaline started to fester in his lungs as he realized that he already had somewhere else to go. 

He had someone to stay with. 

He had a favor to cash in…

@sammys-magical-au @lexusinsannus @im-a-weird0 @b-is-in-the-closet @that-bat

[sw33tsnow]

Hurts so good

- (I) / (II)

Alex Keller x F!Reader

Summary: Does he love you, or he only sees you as Farah's sister.

Warning: NOT FOR MINORS, Sunshine!Alex, Grumpy!Reader, heavy plot + lots of conversations, spoilers, mentions of violence, mentions of injuries, mentions of blood, angst, triangle relationship, etc. Wordcount: 2k2

NOTE(s):

I love Farah so so much, this's just a scenario.

Might appears some grammar errs (APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE)

Better understanding (suggested): CoD MWI , CoD MWII - Atomgrad Raid

||THE LAST PART||

Standing outside the Furnace, you listened intently to Alex and Farah's conversation. You split a few minutes ago and were given orders to team up with Cpt. Jonathan Price, finally catching up with them but refused to interfere. The clanking of empty bullet casings falling to the cold stone floor, the smell of firearms, and the continual barking of commands appear to have vanished as you stand silently, nearly undetectable at the doorway.

You didn't catch much, but it's understandable that the detonator was fucked and couldn't be detonated from the control room.

"I'll go in there," Farah's voice was gentle.

"And what do you do?" The man asked, panting.

"Ignite the furnace" Plain and simple.

Gritting your teeth, you clutched the rifle tightly to the front of your body and stared towards the stairs, keeping an eye out for any suspicious intrusions while maintaining your attention to the chat inside.

"....I'm asking you to give me the order"

Something snapped and your hearing stopped functioning immediately. No, no, Alex's insane, please don't be what you're thinking - no, doubting about. And Farah could not agree to this shitty god-knows-what this man means.

"I've been on assignment my whole life. This….is what I believe in" There was some back and forth before the man spoke, “Give me the order”.

Followed by the heavy boot soles being stumbled, the upright posture of the soldier waiting for commands. For fuck sake, you were reluctant to admit it but the brunett's eyes, which carry more than speeches could seem clearer than ever in the back of your mind making you even more heartbroken as all the buried hints of those emerald blue pupils ain't meant for you.

“You are a freedom fighter, Alex” Farah grimaced as you whispered, in sync.

“You’re a born leader, Farah” He’s not talking to you, you reminded yourself, “Say the word” The man repeated sternly.

“Go”

“Yes, ma’am”

More words needed? Alex would never be able to get out of there in one piece, and as if you're letting that happen under your sight.

“Farah, wha’s yer status?” Price grunted through the comms.

“Captain, Barkov is dead”

“Roger that….Alex, charges set?”

“Affirmative, sir” The brunett calmly answered.

“Alex…?” Farah hesitated, “I’m not getting out of here, let’s do this”

“Thank you” - “Yes ma’am”

The detonation was carried out under Price's commands. 

However - whatever happened inside the building, shall remain inside the building.

“...3” 

In the blink of an eye, you burst through the door and marched to where Alex was standing. Swiftly inserting the removed initiator of a grenade into the empty area of the trigger device, you punched the activation button then grabbed the hem of the brunett's bulletproof vest and dragged him out of the danger zone.

"The fuck was that?" Alex turned to pose a query while sprinting parallel to you.

"It'll slow down the detonation process, give us more time to run....now, up the stairs" You cocked your head towards the rusty ladder leading to the roof of the building and the man just smiled amusingly and followed suit.

Undoubtedly, you always bring many surprises, especially to Alex.

".....2" The two of you made it outdoors and instantly began racing forward.

"....1" 

"JUMP!" You shouted.

With all his strength, Alex jumped over to the exposed yard of the nearest building and assisted you up in continuing sprinting. It took a lot of evading and hiding, but eventually the two of you managed to escape to the opposite forest but the fire was directly behind you.

There was little else that could be done, you aggressively nudged your shoulder to the man's back as the explosion threw the two of you to the grass. Even though you had slipped quite far from the surrounding fences, you still pinned him to the ground, not moving until the entire factory had collapsed, as if shielding him.

"Ah...hey, it's alright now, you can come down" Alex peered over his shoulder at you, only seeing the top of your head.

You grumbled softly before sliding down from Brunette's back and he wasted no time flipping over to catch you. You swore you despise it when he's so exceptionally kind to you everyone, always making you melt with even the tiniest act of caring.

"That shit's crazy" Alex chuckled, "You're fucking crazy"

And you started giggling right after, causing the itchy grass pressing against your back as your body moved, forcing the laughter to fade into a sob of pain.

"You alright?" The man anxiously reached for your shoulder blades, only to be stopped when you grimaced and tears reflexively streamed from the corner of your eyes.

Your hiss was the cue Alex needed to hoist you up and bring you back into his line of sight for a closer examination.

"Dear god...." The man was stunned, damn, it surely looked dreadful.

A major burn covered the full right-aspect of your back, from your shoulder to your waist with Dried blood and dark stains from the burn were still apparent. You felt nauseated as recalling how your physique was bared to the view of the brunett's vision, so you suddenly shoved him away and collapsed to the ground. Propping yourself up and started vomiting, your fingers collecting the wet soil as you felt the bitter taste in your throat arriving from your gallbladder.

"Easy....easy, yeah? I got you" Alex carefully tucked the stray locks behind your ear while calling your name to help you relax.

"This is Echo 3-1 to Watcher, requesting Med Evac asap....over" Removing his hand off the radio, he turned to check on you and lifted you up, holding you securely in his embrace to keep you from falling again.

"Solid copy, Echo 3-1"

"You should let me go, Alex" You were worn out to resist, so you allowed yourself to lean toward the sturdy torso in front of you.

"And you’re doing the opposite, Lieutenant" Alex only grinned, his chest rising and falling close to yours, his beard gently caressing your shoulder, bringing a pleasant tickling sensation.

"Jerk…also you and I are on the same rank" You turned your face to the man's neck and muttered, making his body stiffened up and he had to clear his throat as your lips grazed across his moist skin.

"Copy that, Shabah" 

_-_-_-_-_-_

In 1999, Cpt. Jonathan Price was still a Lieutenant and had successfully rescued Farah and her comrades from Barkov's captivity. When Urzikstan was given additional weaponry and manpower, that explained why you were assigned. You were John's best Sergeant, and due to several undercover and assassination missions, Laswell had to conceal your identity and report you as M.I.A for the purpose to transfer you to Urzikstan, where you could operate under Commander Farah Karim's commands.

From years to years, you've become an irreplaceable member of this large family, all of the army members treated you as relatives, without discrimination or alienation, despite the fact that you were fairly distant when you first joined.

And as the second most trusted soldier after Hadir - Farah's younger brother, you're ordered to proceed to the location where the gas was stolen and detain any survivors for interrogation after receiving the urgent call. No dangers were spotted, only one brown-haired man struggling to stay sober as his wounds have turned worse, therefore you instantly approached and directly assisted in bringing him back to your HQ.

“What is your message from Captain Price?” The woman cautiously stepped out of the hidden corner to the table, which was being used to mount a map on its surface.

"Commander Karim, call me Alex" the soldier who had just been hauled in and thrown down on the chair said, looking directly into Farah's eyes.

"I'm listening, Alex," she repeated.

"This is classified...." The man's boldness made you raise your eyebrows and Farah told all of them to leave the room, yet you remained in your post.

"She's Laswell's, don't worry," she assured him. 

Generally, forty-eight hours ago, terrorists - as known as the Al-Qatala - stole a shipment of Russian gas. Ironically, the Russians make no distinction between them and Farah's, same went with the Arabic forces, you knew more than well Farah's disgust toward both Al-Qatala and the Russian army.

"They're both terrorists" That's what she stated.

Hadir interrupted the talk by running in to call his sister. After a few confirmations, Farah began pointing out regions and features worth searching for on the map, while you leaned against the wall and silently observed them without making a sound. When Alex looked over, he bet he saw your pupils luminous in the darkness, boring a hole right through his body. The man understanded that you weren't obligated to look at the map to figure out the strategy, no wonder why Hadir or Farah had to call for you. Even after Farah dismissed them, Alex noticed you didn't shift an inch from where you were standing but as soon as he turned his back on you to catch the rifle tossed at him by the opposing man, you showed up right next to Farah, facing him.

"You're staying with my brother, شبح" is a more intimate callsign.

شبح - pronounced Shabah, meaning Phantom. How suitable.

Fought alongside one another at Barkov's base, capturing then eliminating the Wolf with the backing of Captain Price and Garrick. Alex had begun to form tight ties with the Arab army, implying that he's also growing attached to you. Perhaps it was owing to his stubbornness that the two of you quickly became great friends,  after all, you were the only foreigners in the forces. If you have any regrets - and there can only be one - you regretted developing needless sentiments for the brunett and having to watch his face brighten when he looks at the woman you view as your sister. 

It's not that Alex neglected you or anything, but his interaction with Farah was more than merely colleagues. You know that far better than anyone else. The miserable feeling of your chest tightening every time you hear them laughing with each other without daring to turn around and occasionally when you stumble across late-night rallies, you feel like a coward just hiding in an unseen spot, afraid to confront the harsh truth.

_-_-_-_-_-_

Waking up to the smell of antiseptic and dozens of blinding lights shooting into your eyeballs, you scowl and carefully set your palms down to prop yourself up from the prone position.

"Fuck me" you murmured and stretched, only to quickly pull your arms back because the burn on your back turned out to be way more severe for your liking.

Behind you, the creak of the door causing your head to whip back to see Alex stood there with a flushed face. From this angle plus your upper body was not covered, he could have had an elite view of half of your chest area. 

Smirking at his reaction, you drew the blanket up to drape it over your front and sat on the mattress with your vision to the man. At the moment you signaled him to keep on going forward, the sound of metal hitting the floor drove your smile to fade away as you really took him in.

"Alex....your-" You gaped, "What happened?" Every single part of your cell shriveled up in confusing anguish as you peer unblinking at the mechanical limb instead of the real one.

"I'm not sure, but the doc said it was due to a strong impact from falling or crashing" He shrugged as if this was not a big deal, at all.

Tears pricked in your eyes as you looked up at him. The man was right within your grasp, but you couldn't draw him into a soothing hug and rub his back like he did for you in the forest just a few hours before. 

“I’m sorry…I thought tha-” 

“Shhh, do not apologize to me” Alex cupped your chin and knelt down to your eye-level, thumbs lightly caressing your cheeks, “None of this was your fault, you hear me? In fact, the burn on your back, wasn't it my fault then?” 

“I chose to protect you, you cannot blame yourself ‘bout that” You argued back.

“So do you, Lt.”

Your mouth shut as your lower lip trembled, but you refused to cry. With the sunglasses and the thin cloth constantly concealing your facial patterns, Alex was taken aback and charmed by the expression you rarely displayed. He has spent enough time with you to get the idea that your seemingly oblivious glances always uphold and pay attention to your surroundings. 

You're the last person to leave the target once ensuring that nobody was left behind, not a talkative person yet you silently care for others through your subtle deeds, and the soldiers would flock to you whenever they need someone to confide in. Given that you hadn't been working together for lengthy, Alex acknowledged that you're an incredibly warm woman. He's just so deeply concentrated on Farah that he probably forgot about you.

Unlike the man who believed he had treated you improperly, you're ashamed for leading him to lose a vital part of his body as a soldier. You should've avoided him from the start, otherwise he'd not have had such an awful fate. 

It's entirely your responsibility.

Taglist: @shadowlali , @ghostlythots

[ffauthor]

Late Highers

Michael afton x Reader.

Idea from my bestfriend! :) ( @whosleepy​ )​

Cw: drugs, teasing, cursing.

‘‘Oh, would you just fuck off.’‘ The door closed shut with a slam. you were ordered to throw the last garbage bag outside, the only problem. Having to go outside in a dark small alleyway at 2 am at night. It wasn’t that you were scared of the dark, it was the thought of whatever could be in the dark. One night you could get stabbed twenty times and be on the urge to survive and the other you could run into horny fucking teenagers who aren’t able to keep their hands off each other. 

Slopping your feet over the sidewalk with the breeze of the cold wind blowing itself on your arms. It was like it was doing it on purpose, knowing you were only in a shirt, black jeans, and an apron. you couldn’t help but get a stronger grip on the bag, your other hand gripping the fabric of your jeans. The garbage can was in sight, and it was just a couple of meters before you would reach it and was able to speed up and run back inside. Breathing in and out with force, trying to get the balls to do it makes you wander off into a specific place, your eyes scanning on whatever or whoever it was putting his weight against the stone wall. 

He seemed regardless unharmable, but you knew nothing more than to keep your head up. you sprint over to the garbage can but still in a smooth position to not make yourself look suspicious or like an absolute fool. Immediately regretting it with just the bare click coming from the shadows. you felt your heart pound in your chest as you turn your head to the side slowly and carefully. Only to be met with a brown-haired boy with scars all over his face. He was wearing a loosely purple shirt and black pants that look close to the ones you were wearing. 

Over the plain purple shirt were braces, secured by a big black belt. He was beyond beautiful and his taste in clothes was amazing, nothing like you’ve seen before. It suited his body, and his muscles and landed perfectly inside his pants. You felt your cheeks heat up and your heart still pounding, this time not from the fear of getting stabbed right here and now, although u were still alert. 

Your gaze met back up to his gaze, his eyes a beautiful blue. He had a cigarette in the corner of his mouth, his fingers holding it in some scissors position. He curved his lips into a smile as he nods his head. ‘’Hi.’’ his voice sounded raspy but British and oh god, how your weakness was British male. you were sold right there in that position. He noticed you wandering off in your thoughts as he waved his hand that was in the pocket of his pants in front of your eyes, making you snap back into reality. He held his cigarette in front of him, closer to your chest as you weirdly looked at it. 

Some part of you told you to just take it, smoke, and sit down beside him, but you didn’t know if that was really what he was intending. At least, until he placed the back of the cigarette against your lips and motioned your mouth to open partly. Weirdly, you did. You were taking a goddamn cigarette from a handsome male you just randomly met in an alleyway close to your job. Not dangerous at all.

He held his cigarette in the same position, one of the fingers ‘accidentally’ touching your lips in the process, as you sucked on its paper and inhaled the smoke. You felt the smoke go through your throat smoothly, activating a nerve somewhere that knows where to get to your lungs. And then you simply cough, hoping the chemical firing feeling would get less by every bacteria you let out, but it doesn’t, it only gets worse.

‘‘Easy, Love.’‘ the male in front of you, now too close for your liking whispers in your ear, rubbing soft circles on your back. ‘‘Fucking-’‘ cough. The male starts to chuckle softly, feeling his eyes burn at the side of your head. ‘’Hell’‘ another cough left your mouth. You feel yourself gripping his arm, holding it there to prevent yourself from.. whatever. He slowly set you down against the cold floor and the chilly stone wall behind you, sliding down with you in the process. 

‘‘You okay?’‘ it took you a second to catch up with his oddly attractive voice and nod as you put your thumbs up. Dramatic reaction, you must say. But it was your first time, and probably the last after today, and you had no clue what to expect. He adjusted his position, making his knee groove over yours. ‘‘First time, hm?’‘ you shake the hair out of your face as a smile starts to form on your face. ‘‘Is it that obvious?’‘ 

‘‘Well, Yes..’‘ 

‘‘My apologies if I made you feel forced.’’ you turned your head to look at his face and see him doing the exact same, making a weird feeling appear in your stomach. You moved your hand towards the cigarette and took it from his soft grip around it, moving it up to your lips. You took a few seconds before once again parting your lips and blowing on them like an asthmatic person did on an inhaler. the smoke kept increasing and disappearing in your throat, forming a cloud of thin air in front of you. The male whose name you still didn’t get, and didn’t even bother asking looked at you in amazement, but even a blistering bit of guilt took over in his ocean-blue eyes.

as you feel your throat getting itchier again and you know you would just have a whole couch attack again, he tries to distract you from it, curious as to who he is looking at and sharing his cigarette with. He finds you still puffing and inhaling the smoke like dipping alcohol down your body. ‘’Okay, let’s just..’‘ he takes the cigarette from your hand and passes it over to his other, holding it as far away from you as possible. ‘‘..slow down a bit.’‘ you lean your head against the stone wall and try to catch your smoke-filled breath before feeling your eyes water and getting blurrier. Your blood felt warm but cold at the same time and you felt your head get lightheaded, the male's voice getting far away yet closer than anticipated. 

‘‘Well, Mysterious definitely getting high girl.’’ He started to chuckle louder than I heard him chuckle the first time. I started to believe he was getting high too, smoking the cigarette empty like it's a daily task.

‘’ What’s ur name?’‘ 

My eyebrows twitched and my eyes adjusted to his doubled face as I suddenly start to laugh like a psychopath looking at its next victim, like a maniac ready to twist someone's organs over and over again.

‘‘Y/n..’‘ you started to wheeze like crazy, trying to understand what the hell is going on with you and why you feel multiple emotions at the same time.

‘‘My name is Y/n.’‘ 

Cars were speeding by at the side of the road but still, the silence in between your embrace was quieter than you liked. ‘’Well, Y/n. Call me Michael.’’

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright, just to get this out, no hate for asthmatic people, I’ve got asthma myself. 

[saving-word-crawls]

WAIFU CRAWL SEASON 2 OUT NOW! ReinCrawl: I Got Reincarnated Into A Crawl Full Of Anime Waifus, But I Need To Get To 50k?!

By: Anon

— SEASON 1 —

The new season of anime is starting, and you’re looking at the season’s chart on your preferred anime website. There’s the magical girl parody, the new season of that anime all your friends like that you’re always saying you’ll watch but never do, an idol show, a dark and gritty anime that you just know will be so bad it’s good…ah, there, there’s something for you. A harem anime! Twelve episodes of poorly written female characters surrounding a male dark haired audience surrogate in animation that really consists of stills where only the mouths are moving 90% of the time. Ready to watch the exact same show that you’ve already seen ten times, but even worse? This is

ReinCrawl: I Got Reincarnated Into A Crawl Full Of Anime Waifus, But I Need To Get To 50k?!

Episode 1: The first girl you meet is the tsundere! Do three five minute sprints with breaks inbetween. Don’t want them thinking you’re actually interested in writing this, baka.

Episode 2: You’ve accidentally fallen into your childhood best friends panties. Write 500 while you get beaten up.

Episode 3: This shy girl really reads a lot of books. Write the amount of words you’ve written in this crawl so far.

Episode 4: Seems like this cute pink haired girl with red eyes has a thing for you…? She‘s looking at you, all yearning, and she‘s writing poems about you, and she‘s following you around and she‘s covering her walls in photos of you…oh dear, I think she might be a yandere. You’ll love on this fifty headed hydra you’ll write, right?

Episode 5: Turns out your little sister isn’t related by blood! Write to the next 1000 as you process this.

Episode 6: The genki girl really is into sports! Time to race someone to 400!

Episode 7: Your sweet, nice and hot teacher is 25 years old, and her family is putting serious pressure on her because she‘s still not married. Write for 25 minutes.

Episode 8: No way! Your favourite pop idol is coming to town! Pick a song and write through the entirety of it.

Episode 9: Obligatory beach episode! So many, uh, spherical objects in plain sight, you can‘t take your mind off it. Write 888 words.

Episode 10: It’s time for the school festival! Sprint for 5 minutes while you race to finish the haunted house. Spooky!

Episode 11: Now it‘s time to take a vacation at the onsen, where all nudity is conveniently censored by towels and vegetation. Write to the next 500 as you relax.

Episode 12: We‘ve come to the final episode, and it‘s time to choose your winner. Pick your favourite anime girl – the tsundere, the childhood friend, the shy book nerd, the yandere, the little sister (turn yourself in to the police, while you‘re at it), the energetic sports girl, the teacher or the pop idol – and do that challenge again!

Our review on MAL: This anime was terrible. The characters were one dimensional. The animation was just panning shots and moving mouths. The soundtrack is boring, and there is no story, just bad writing. This is the worst show I’ve ever seen. - 6/10

— SEASON 2: ReinCrawl (Bad Anime Waifu Crawl) Season 2: Re:50k the Next!! —

Preview: WHAT?! Your favourite waifu anime is coming back? Now you can finally stop pretending that you’re going to read the light novels and can comfortably wait for it to come around! You comment on the Reddit post telling everyone how the show is „so much more than just fanservice“ and that „it has fanservice but it’s clever and subtle“ and that it’s „used for character development“. Write 200 words.

Episode 1: You have an unfortunate (or very fortunate) encounter with Truck-kun. Sorry, guess you’re dead now! A cute goddess tells you you will be reincarnated and become a mildly attractive but overall bland and generic looking teenager in another world. Regardless of your current age. Take your current age minus 16, and write for that many minutes while you age back to 16 years old. If you still/already are a teenager, write for 16 minutes as you get reborn as a baby instead, and have to age all the way back up to 16 years old again. (You can also do this if you don’t like the number produced)

Episode 2: You are found by the most generic elf girl possible. You know, the one that’s in every isekai show. She’s blond. Green clothes. Pointy ears. A little cheeky, kind of nice, somewhat helpful, probably good at archery. Vaguely has a crush on the main character, but is completely irrelevant to the plot otherwise. She’s in the background of the poster, but you could edit her out, and no one would even notice. She’s so bland that your sprint becomes bland. Write for 15 minutes.

Episode 3: You meet an enemy evil demon for the first time! The generic elf girl’s archery skills are conveniently failing her, so it’s time for you to demonstrate your cheat power! Choose your cheat power:

Episode 4: You’ve proven yourself. Now you’re taken to the castle where you meet…another tsundere. It’s exactly the same as last season, except this time, she’s wearing some generic fantasy anime getup instead of a school uniform. Write three five minute sprints as you get slapped for literally no reason, but this time with a legendary sword.

Episode 5: It’s time to learn even better magic, and who could teach you better than a mythical sorceress who is actually 1000 years old but lives in the body of a really cute potted plant. Write 1000 words, and wonder why exactly you’re watching this show.

Episode 6: The Lady of the Castle invites you to dine with her. But she’s rich, and she’s spoiled, and she wants to be treated that way. Yes – it’s a himedere princess! Write for 13 minutes while you’re being stepped on!

Episode 7: You meet the castle’s diligent and hardworking maid. She calls you master. Just in case you wanted to know. She keeps everything in order, and also beats up demons. Write 500 very orderly words.

Episode 8: As the fight against the demon king draws near, you get into conflict with this other guy. He’s a smug man, a knight in shining armor, your rival…you should probably be fantasizing about beating him and feeling better than him, but instead, you find yourself fantasizing about being on top of him in a very different way. Wait, this wasn’t in the script! What’s happening? Where is all this fanart coming from? You know, this started as a meme, but maybe getting bridle carried by a smug knight wouldn’t be half bad… Write for 22 minutes and continue until you’ve finished on a palindrome.

Episode 9: The demon forces are advancing! It’s time to fight! Roll dice to attack. If you own a twenty sided die or another pen and paper die that has more than six sides, you MUST use this one, otherwise you may use a normal six sided die (or a digital die roller). Roll, and write as many words as the number multiplied by 100.

Episode 10: It’s finally time – you fight the evil demon king, and confront the terrifying beautiful demon princess! Oh wait, what’s this? Why, she isn’t terrifying at all! She’s cute and blushy and has small horns and little bat wings and this tiny demon tail~ Oh, and I guess she also has extremely powerful magic, so make sure she doesn’t blow you up when she’s mad. Write 666 words to welcome her to the team.

Episode 11: Wait – what’s this? Victory is yours, but now it’s time to be with your true love…and there’s one waifu that’s been following you all this time, that you’ve always been neglecting, never looking at her, not even a glance, never acknowledging all she’s done for you… That’s right! It’s Truck-kun! She’s blushing hard as she shoots out of the magical forest and crashes right into you again! Your brief life in this other world flashes before your eyes. Write for 10 minutes to celebrate ten episodes of terrible, terrible isekai! You’re getting reincarnated back into our world! Welcome back!

Episode 12: You find yourself in your old world. Goodbye isekai-land! But in your last moment, the girl you fell for the most traveled back along with you. Choose your favourite anime girl (or boy) from this season – the generic elf, the tsundere (fantasy edition), the maid, the princess, the 1000 year old sorceress (who remains a potted plant forever), the totally-heterosexual rival knight, the demon princess, or Truck-kun – and write that step again!

[wildvoyager123]

Kenya Cheetah Safari: 11 Reasons to Visit

Kenya, a country of incredible diversity and stunning landscapes, is synonymous with extraordinary wildlife experiences. One of the most thrilling adventures here is the Kenya Cheetah Safari. This captivating journey through the heart of the Great Rift Valley offers a unique opportunity to witness the majestic cheetah in its natural habitat. Here are 11 compelling reasons why the Kenya Cheetah Safari should be at the top of your travel list.

1. Spectacular Cheetah Encounters

The Kenya Cheetah Safari provides unparalleled opportunities to see cheetahs in action. Known as the fastest land animal, these magnificent creatures are often spotted sprinting across the savannah, showcasing their incredible speed and agility. The Maasai Mara, one of the main destinations on the safari, is home to a significant population of cheetahs, making it one of the best places on earth to observe them.

2. The Diverse Wildlife of the Maasai Mara

Beyond cheetahs, the Maasai Mara teems with an array of wildlife. During the Kenya Cheetah Safari, you can expect to see the “Big Five” – lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos – as well as countless other species. The park’s rich biodiversity ensures every game drive is filled with awe-inspiring sightings and thrilling experiences.

3. The Great Migration Spectacle

Timing your Kenya Cheetah Safari during the Great Migration is an experience of a lifetime. This annual phenomenon sees over a million wildebeest, zebras, and antelopes journeying across the Serengeti and Maasai Mara in search of greener pastures. The migration attracts numerous predators, including cheetahs, providing remarkable opportunities to witness dramatic predator-prey interactions.

4. Breathtaking Landscapes of the Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley is a geological wonder, stretching from Lebanon to Mozambique. In Kenya, this region boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes, from expansive savannahs and volcanic mountains to lush forests and serene lakes. The scenery adds a stunning backdrop to your Kenya Cheetah Safari, making every moment picture-perfect.

5. Exclusive Safari Lodges and Camps

Kenya's safari lodges and camps are renowned for their luxury and unique settings. During the Kenya Cheetah Safari, you’ll stay in some of the most exclusive accommodations that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. These lodges often feature exceptional amenities, from infinity pools overlooking the plains to gourmet dining experiences under the stars, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.

6. Expert-Led Guided Tours

The Kenya Cheetah Safari is guided by experienced and knowledgeable safari guides who enhance the journey with their insights and expertise. Their deep understanding of the region's flora and fauna enriches your experience, helping you to spot elusive wildlife and learn about the intricate ecosystems of the Maasai Mara and the Great Rift Valley.

7. Cultural Encounters with the Maasai

A visit to a Maasai village is an integral part of the Kenya Cheetah Safari. The Maasai people, with their vibrant traditions and rich cultural heritage, offer a fascinating glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Engaging with the Maasai and learning about their customs and beliefs adds a deeply enriching dimension to your safari adventure.

8. Photography Opportunities

For photography enthusiasts, the Kenya Cheetah Safari is a dream come true. The golden light of dawn and dusk, the dramatic landscapes, and the abundance of wildlife present endless opportunities for capturing stunning images. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, the safari provides the perfect setting to hone your skills and create a portfolio of incredible shots.

9. Conservation and Sustainability Efforts

Kenya is a leader in wildlife conservation, and the Kenya Cheetah Safari offers a chance to learn about and support these efforts. Many of the safari operators are committed to sustainable tourism practices and work closely with local communities and conservation organizations to protect the environment and its inhabitants. By participating in the safari, you contribute to these vital conservation initiatives.

10. Tailored Experiences for Every Traveler

Whether you’re an adventurous solo traveler, a couple seeking a romantic getaway, or a family looking for a bonding experience, the Kenya Cheetah Safari caters to all. The itineraries can be customized to suit your interests and preferences, ensuring a personalized and unforgettable journey. From walking safaris and hot air balloon rides to intimate bush dinners, there’s something for everyone.

11. A Journey of Discovery and Adventure

Above all, the Kenya Cheetah Safari is an extraordinary journey of discovery and adventure. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature, witness the raw beauty of the wilderness, and create lasting memories. Every moment on this safari is filled with wonder, from the thrill of spotting a cheetah on the hunt to the serenity of a sunset over the savannah.

Conclusion

The Kenya Cheetah Safari is more than just a wildlife adventure; it’s an immersive experience that connects you with the soul of Africa. From the awe-inspiring cheetah encounters and the breathtaking landscapes of the Great Rift Valley to the cultural richness of the Maasai and the luxury of the safari lodges, every aspect of this journey is designed to captivate and inspire. If you’re looking for a safari that combines excitement, beauty, and depth, the Kenya Cheetah Safari is the perfect choice. Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

For more information and to book your unforgettable Kenya Cheetah Safari, visit Wild Voyager.

[girlthing-to-live-for]

Svalberstedt

Chapter 1 - Part 2

She had transformed in the first desolate alley she could find. Shielded in the shadow of large red brickwork factories she had assumed her usual spirit Form, her small pigeon wings hidden below her plain clothes. This place wasn't near the mainstreets and the Palace nor the river and the many bridges crossing it, so the roads were pretty rundown. Weeds sprouted in the cracks of the path and waste piled up at the street corners.

She decided not to linger here for long and to head into the center towards her destination. Besides the noises of the furnaces and Hammers and the cursing of the workers there wasn't much else to hear. She trotted through the abandoned streets taking in all the surroundings around her.

Peering through the open gate of one of the factories she was able to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside. A truly Gigantic space of metal and fire. Complicated machinery made up the bowls of this building and sparking bright fires kept it alive. Her gaze was about to wander off as she caught sight of something that made her heart drop.

A spirit had been chained to the front of the machinery, a girl, not far older than her, with scales of silver and a serpent like tail was hanging there from thick black steel chains. Quickly she sprinted out of sight of the gate, her heart beating loudly. Even this place was not a safe place for someone like her, she would need to be even more careful than anticipated.

Her mind was spinning, she wanted to help the spirit, free her from her chains, but how? She was not a strong spirit and she couldn't see a way to outwit this situation. The odds were just stacked so much against them and she was just a young spirit, what could she even possibly hope to achieve here.

She felt tears running down her face and wanted nothing more than to get away from this factory, just to get to Svalberstedt, the Svalberstedt of stories, her dream destination.

Previous

[kenyatrunomadstours]

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure: 3 Days Masai Mara Safari Tours

The African wilderness has always held an allure of mystery and beauty, and there is no better way to experience its magic than through 3 days Masai Mara Safari tours. Nestled in the heart of Kenya, the Masai Mara National Reserve is a haven for nature enthusiasts, wildlife photographers, and anyone seeking an authentic safari experience. Let us delve into the captivating world of this safari tour, where each day brings new wonders and unforgettable moments.

Day 1: Into the Wild

The journey can begin with an early morning departure from Nairobi, as you set off on a scenic drive towards the Masai Mara. The anticipation builds as the urban landscapes give way to vast savannahs and rolling hills. Arriving at the reserve, you will have a welcome from your experienced guide who will accompany you throughout the adventure. After settling into your comfortable safari lodge, it is time to embark on the first game drive.

The Masai Mara is renowned for its abundant wildlife, and within moments of setting out, you might spot majestic lions lounging under acacia trees, elegant giraffes nibbling on leaves, and a kaleidoscope of colourful birds flitting through the air. As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the land, you return to the lodge for a delicious dinner and a soothing night's rest.

Day 2: The Circle of Life

With the dawn of the second day, you are greeted by the symphony of nature awakening. After a hearty breakfast, you set out to explore deeper into the reserve. The Masai Mara is famous for the Great Migration, a breathtaking spectacle as millions of wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles traverse the plains in search of greener pastures. Witnessing this epic journey is a humbling experience, a reminder of the intricate balance of nature.

Your guide shares fascinating insights about the animals' behaviours, the delicate ecosystems, and the conservation efforts that safeguard these lands. Your day will be full of exciting encounters – a cheetah sprinting across the plains, a herd of elephants bathing in a watering hole, and perhaps even a stealthy leopard perched on a tree limb. As the sun dips below the horizon, you gather around a campfire, exchanging stories with fellow travellers under the star-studded African sky.

Day 3: A Farewell to the Wild

On the final day of your Masai Mara Safari tour, there is a sense of both contentment and longing. You have immersed yourself in the raw beauty of nature, observed the untamed creatures in their natural habitat, and created cherished memories. The morning game drive offers a few more surprises – perhaps a rare sighting of a black rhino or a playful group of hyenas.

Before departing, you have the opportunity to visit a local Masai village, gaining insights into its rich culture and traditions. It is a humbling experience reminding us of the profound connection between humans and the land. As you bid farewell to the Masai Mara, you carry with you not only photographs and souvenirs but also a deep appreciation for the fragile yet resilient tapestry of life that thrives in this remarkable corner of the Earth.

3 days Masai Mara Safari tours organized by Kenya Tru Nomads are a gateway to an enchanting realm where the circle of life unfolds before your eyes. So, pack your sense of adventure and embark on this once-in-a-lifetime experience by calling them at +254 721 320 603.

[unfortunatish]

First drawing of 2024 ^^

And as promised, experimenting with a new artstyle!

[latenightreadingpdf]

Hidden in Plain Sight (3) - Dave Lizewski

₊‧⁺˖⋆ Masterlist ⋆˖⁺‧₊ ☽◯☾ ₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 1 ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ Part 2 ⋆˖⁺‧₊

Summary: When Y/S/N saves Kick-Ass from a dangerous situation, he becomes obsessed with trying to uncover her true identity. Little does he know, Y/S/N is a girl from his school who secretly has a crush on him as well. As they patrol together, their worlds collide in ways neither expected, leading to a surprising revelation about who's really behind the mask.

Y/S/N - Your superhero name

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Y/N strolled through the neighborhood, her mind buzzing with ways to tease Dave. She was endlessly entertained by how adorably flustered he got under that mask—especially when she pushed the limits, gushing over him like he wasn’t the same guy beside her, trying desperately to stay composed. She knew he tried to be respectful, but she often caught him sneaking glances at her chest, and every time she called him out on it, he’d blush furiously under the mask.

Lost in her thoughts, she was pulled back to reality by a quiet cough from behind. Turning, she saw Kick-Ass himself standing there, adjusting his mask nervously.

“Hey, I thought you weren’t going to show up,” she teased.

“I–uh, sorry I’m late,” he replied, still slightly out of breath.

She smirked, nudging him lightly as they began walking. “Oh, don’t worry about it! I just wanted to tell you all about Dave. I finally talked to him yesterday, and it went so well! I asked him to tutor me in calc, and he said yes. Now we’re going to spend all this time together.” She glanced at him, watching his hands start to fidget as she kept going. “I’m just worried, you know? I’ll be trying to learn, but I don’t think I can focus when he’s around. God, he’s so hot. And those hands…” She trailed off dreamily. “I always wonder what they’d feel like on my—”

Suddenly, Kick-Ass stumbled over his own feet, nearly tripping into the street. Y/N pressed her lips together to keep from laughing out loud, but she couldn’t stop herself entirely.

“Sorry,” she giggled. “I know I’m rambling. What about you? Got anything spicy going on in your love life?”

Kick-Ass cleared his throat, clearly flustered. “Uh, yeah. It’s, um… good.”

She tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. “Come on, you have to give me more than that! I’m basically pouring my heart out here, and I get ‘yeah, it’s good’? Spill!”

“Okay, okay, fine,” he relented, clearly trying to think of a way to answer without giving too much away. “There’s this girl, and she’s—”

CRASH.

Oh thank god, Dave thought.

A loud noise cut him off, followed by shouting around the corner. Instinctively, he snapped to attention. “I’ll tell you later,” he said, as the two of them took off, sprinting towards the sound to see how they could help.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

The next day, both Dave and Y/N stepped up their game a bit. Dave put extra effort into picking a shirt that didn’t smell like his closet floor, even making sure his hair didn’t look like he’d just rolled out of bed. Meanwhile, Y/N chose a lower-cut shirt and wore that perfume she knew drove him crazy, adding just a hint more makeup for that extra polished look.

As calculus neared, Dave practically power-walked to the classroom, heart pounding, and took his seat, eyes glued to the door. When Y/N entered, she caught his gaze, offering a warm smile and a wave.

“Hey, Dave,” she greeted, walking up to his desk. “Are you still free to tutor me after school?”

“Of course!” he replied, perhaps a bit too eagerly, but she just smiled, and he watched as she headed to her seat.

For the rest of the day, Dave’s mind was nowhere near his classes. The only thing that seemed to register in his brain was the thought of his upcoming study session with Y/N.

When the final bell rang, Dave wasted no time heading to the library. Halfway there, his phone buzzed with a text:

Y/N: At the table near the back of the library :)

He found her easily, smiling as she waved him over. “Hey, Y/N. Are you ready to start?” he asked, taking the seat beside her.

“Yup! I was hoping we could go over the first unit,” she replied. “I think missing that might be why everything else isn’t making sense.”

“Sure, let’s start there,” he said, pulling out his textbook. He walked her through some basic concepts, then pulled out a sheet of paper to work through a few examples. As he began writing, Y/N scooted her chair closer to get a better view, leaning in, and he felt his mind go blank for a second.

“Uh, so, um,” he stuttered, nearly forgetting what he was supposed to be teaching.

With every example, Y/N seemed to get closer, her shoulder brushing his every so often, her perfume making it impossible for him to concentrate. By the end of the session, Dave was practically melting, trying to keep his focus.

“Thanks so much,” Y/N said as they stood up, wrapping her arms around him in a hug. “You’re a great teacher, Dave.”

He barely managed to stammer out a reply, feeling like he’d floated to another dimension. As they walked toward the library doors, she mentioned she was planning to walk home.

Dave felt a surge of courage. “I could, um, walk you home if you want?”

She smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.”

The walk was relaxed, conversation flowing easily. They talked about comics, giving each other recommendations, Dave told stupid stories about Todd and Marty, Y/N talked about a party she went to, and just learned more about each other. Every minute of it felt more natural than anything he’d experienced, like the superhero masks weren’t necessary anymore.

When they finally reached her house, Y/N turned to him, eyes warm. “Thanks for walking me home, Dave. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

He nodded, practically grinning from ear to ear. “Definitely. See you.”

As he walked back to his own house, he couldn’t stop smiling, mind whirling with every little moment he’d just spent with her.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Between superhero patrols and calculus tutoring, Y/N and Dave had been seeing a lot of each other lately. They texted all the time, and Dave had been noticing her texts popping up at any time of day, which made him grin even at the simplest “Hey, what’s up?”

Saturday afternoon brought him a new message:

Y/N: Dave, pleeease save me! I’m so boooored. :( Dave: I’m about to walk to Atomic Comics to meet Todd and Marty. Wanna hang out with us? Y/N: YES, THANK YOU. Dave: I’ll stop by your place on my way.

He set off for her place, nerves jangling. As she joined him on the walk to the store, he tried to keep his cool but couldn’t stop himself from blurting, “Just a heads-up: my friends are, uh… really weird.”

She laughed, nudging his arm. “They can’t be that weird. I bet they’re just like you—maybe a little shy.”

Dave only chuckled in response, inwardly wincing at how little she knew about Todd and Marty’s lack of social skills.

They slid into a booth across from Todd and Marty, who were already seated. As Dave introduced Y/N, both of his friends seemed frozen, eyes wide, staring at her like she was from another planet. Five silent, awkward seconds passed.

“Guys… Really?” Dave whispered, giving them each a nudge under the table. “Don’t act so… I don’t know… weird?”

That seemed to do the trick. Todd cleared his throat and muttered a barely audible “Hi,” while Marty attempted a smile and a wave.

Y/N just smiled back, unphased, and Dave jumped into conversation about a new Spider-Man x Wolverine crossover he’d been obsessed with lately. As he pulled the comic out from his bag, Y/N scooted closer to look, her shoulder pressing against his. Dave tried to keep his focus on the comic’s cover, but it was hard with her so close, leaning over to see. He felt his face flush and prayed that Todd and Marty wouldn’t say anything embarrassing.

From across the table, they exchanged looks, clearly unable to believe that Dave was sitting that close to Y/N.

Eventually, Dave got up to go to the bathroom, leaving Y/N with his friends. She looked across at them with a smile. “So, guys, I’ve gotta know—what are the best comics here? I’m kind of new to this whole thing.”

The question seemed to break through the last of Todd and Marty’s reservations. Todd’s eyes lit up, and he immediately launched into an enthusiastic explanation of his favorite series, going so far as to pull up comic covers on his phone and explaining key plot points. Marty joined in, pointing out his personal favorites on a nearby rack.

Y/N listened, nodding along and laughing at their side tangents. It didn’t take long before she was laughing along with them, chiming in with questions and responding to their recommendations with genuine curiosity. Soon, Todd was leading her around the store, showing her the most underrated comics and detailing why certain storylines were, in his words, “the best character arcs of all time.”

By the time Dave came back, Y/N was chatting with them comfortably. “So, okay, this whole series is a must-read,” she was saying, holding up a copy of Saga that Todd had practically forced into her hands. “Where should I start?”

“Volume one!” Marty and Todd chorused. Todd gave her a detailed breakdown of how she could get up to speed in no time.

Dave sat down, unable to keep from smiling at the way she fit in with his friends. “Making converts?” he asked with a grin.

“Oh, totally,” Y/N said, scooting back beside him. “I’m basically a comic expert now.”

The four of them ended up lingering at the shop, laughing over various comics and obscure references, until the store started dimming its lights to close up. When they got up to leave, Dave offered to walk Y/N home.

They talked the whole way, chatting about the evening, laughing about Todd and Marty’s passion for comics, and revisiting her new reading list.

“Your friends are funny,” Y/N said as they stopped at her door, smiling.

He laughed. “Funny? That’s new. Usually, they’re terrible.”

She laughed too, eyes twinkling, and then, without warning, she leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Goodnight, Dave.”

For a moment, he just stood there, his cheeks tingling where her lips had brushed his skin. “Uh—goodnight,” he managed weakly as she turned and slipped inside.

Walking home, his head was all fuzzy. As excited as he was about how close he and Y/N were getting, there was that nagging thought in the back of his mind—could he really get close to her without ever telling her he was Kick-Ass? It made him wonder if he could ever have a real chance with her if he kept hiding half his life.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

After school one day, Dave was hanging out at Atomic Comics, flipping through the latest issues with Todd and Marty, when he heard the bell above the door chime. He glanced up from his comic just in time to see Y/N practically sprinting into the store, her face lit up with excitement. She beelined straight toward him, holding up a crinkled piece of paper with a big red “92%” circled at the top.

“Dave!” she almost shouted, her grin so wide it looked like her face might split in two. “Look! 92! I got a 92 on my calculus test!” Before he knew what was happening, she threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly and burying her face in his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said, her words muffled but still bursting with enthusiasm.

Dave’s brain went into overdrive, his senses zeroing in on the warmth of her arms around him, her hair brushing against his cheek, and the soft, citrusy scent of her perfume. Somehow, he managed to wrap his arms around her, gently squeezing her back.

“I knew you could do it,” he murmured, grinning ear to ear.

When she finally pulled back, her hands still rested on his shoulders. She looked up at him, eyes gleaming with excitement. “We have to celebrate. You should come over tonight. We’ll watch a movie, and I’ll buy a ton of your favorite snacks. What do you say?”

Dave’s heart pounded so loudly he was sure she could hear it. “Uh… yeah, sure,” he stammered, doing his best to sound casual, though the idea of spending an evening alone with her made him feel anything but.

“Great!” she said, her smile widening even more—if that was possible. With a final wave, she turned and headed for the door, throwing a quick “Bye, guys!” over her shoulder to Todd and Marty.

The door closed, and the three of them watched her leave, stunned into silence. Todd was the first to break it. He nudged Dave with his elbow, eyes wide. “Dude,” he said, barely able to contain his excitement. “This is it. Tonight’s the perfect night to tell her how you feel. You’ve gotta do it!”

Marty nodded enthusiastically, his expression a mix of excitement and impatience. “Seriously, man. She invited you over for a movie night. She wants to celebrate with you. You can’t just ignore that!”

Dave looked between his two friends, his excitement battling with nerves. “You think so?” he asked, even though he could barely contain his own excitement at the thought.

Todd clapped him on the back. “You’ve got this, Dave. Just be honest with her.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Dave thought he might actually pass out.

As soon as you opened the door, he had to fight to keep his mouth from hanging open—you were in the cutest pair of fluffy pajama pants and a tiny tank top that showed just a hint of midriff. It was unfair, honestly. Before he could even fully process it, you grabbed his arm, and with a warm smile, pulled him inside, leading him up the stairs and straight to your room.

Walking into your room felt like stepping into another world, one that was undeniably and entirely you. Posters lined the walls, your desk was organized in a way that was both chaotic and charming, and there were little knick-knacks on your shelves that seemed to tell a story all their own. It was exactly how he’d imagined it… Not that he imagined your room or anything like that. That would be weird, right? Totally weird. Totally not him. He definitely did not imagine your room all the time… though, looking around, it was kind of uncanny how close he’d gotten it.

"Go ahead and get comfortable! I’m just grabbing more candy from the kitchen," you said, heading out the door.

He nodded, sitting on the edge of your bed, still taking everything in. Then he noticed a plush bunny sitting at the top of your pillow. Grinning, he reached over and picked it up, giving it a little squeeze, admiring its big, floppy ears. He was caught red-handed when you came back, and his eyes widened slightly when he saw you laughing at him.

“Oh my god, you’re one of those people, huh?” he teased, holding the bunny up like a prized possession.

You put a hand on your hip, rolling your eyes playfully. “Yes, I am, and it’s cute, okay?”

He chuckled, flipping the bunny around in his hands. “What’s his name?”

You groaned, blushing. “Come on, Dave… do you really need to know?”

He put on a serious face, hugging the bunny dramatically. “Absolutely. His name is—”

You bit back a smile, rolling your eyes. “… it’s Mr. Floppy.”

He choked back a laugh. “Mr. Floppy? Well Mr. Floppy is my new best friend now.”

“Oh no, how will I ever survive,” you replied in a mockingly dramatic tone, unable to hide your grin. Within seconds, the two of you broke out in a fit of laughter, your voices mingling in a way that made your room feel like the safest, happiest place in the world.

Settling down, you handed him a bowl of candy and flopped onto the bed next to him, pulling up the movie. As it started, you shifted closer, so much so that Dave could feel the warmth radiating from you. By the time you were twenty minutes in, you were nestled against his chest, his arm resting around you almost instinctively. He didn’t dare move—this was the closest he’d ever been to you, and he could feel his heart racing, every nerve on edge. Every thirty seconds or so, he couldn’t help himself; he’d glance down at you, admiring the way the glow from the screen softened your features.

After a while, you must’ve felt him looking at you because you shifted, turning to meet his eyes. The two of you were so close that your breaths mingled, and the tension between you was thick enough to cut. In a quiet voice, you tilted your head and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Dave swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. “Nothing, it’s just… you look really pretty.”

Your cheeks warmed at the compliment, and you offered a shy smile, thanking him softly as you continued to gaze into his eyes. The movie was entirely forgotten now.

“Y/N, I… uh, I really like you,” he stammered, finally gathering the courage to say what he’d been holding back. “You’re so smart, beautiful, and… way out of my league, but I can’t help it. I really want to be more than friends.”

For a moment, you simply looked at him, and his heart felt like it might stop entirely. “Say something… please,” he whispered, his voice laced with nervousness.

Finally, a smile spread across your face, and with a glance down at his lips, you leaned in, closing the gap with a gentle, sweet kiss. When you pulled back, you whispered, “I like you too, Dave.”

A grin broke across his face, and he could hardly believe this was happening. “Can I… can I kiss you again?” he asked, breathless, as if he were asking permission for a once-in-a-lifetime privilege.

Laughing softly, you replied, “You can kiss me whenever you want.”

This time, he kissed you deeper, pouring every ounce of his feelings into it, savoring every second. The kiss grew more passionate, and his heart pounded in his chest, but when you finally pulled back, he couldn’t help but let out a soft, disappointed whine, not wanting the moment to end.

You bit your lip, an amused smile on your face. “I actually have something to confess, too,” you said, your voice softer now.

Sitting up straighter, he looked at you with wide eyes, a slight furrow in his brow. “What is it?”

You took a breath, meeting his gaze. “I know you’re Kick-Ass.”

For a moment, he froze, his mind scrambling. “W-What?” he spluttered, immediately trying to backtrack. “I—Kick-Ass? No, that’s—that’s not me! I’m, uh—”

You held up a hand to stop him, laughing softly. “And I know you know that I’m Y/S/N.”

His eyes widened even further, and he seemed completely thrown off. “But… you always talked about ‘Dave’ to me when we were out, you know, fighting crime together. I thought… I thought I had you fooled.”

You shrugged, grinning. “I just liked teasing you. It was… kind of adorable to see you get all flustered.”

“Oh,” he breathed, the realization dawning on him as his face flushed a deep red. He couldn’t help but laugh, feeling both relieved and slightly embarrassed. The two of you settled back into the bed, and a grin spread across his face as a new thought occurred to him.

“Just think about it, though—we’d make the most amazing superhero couple ever,” he said, his voice bubbling with excitement at the idea. “Kick-Ass and Y/S/N, taking down bad guys together? We’d be unstoppable!”

You smirked, raising an eyebrow as you poked his chest. “Not so fast, Kick-Ass. Before we start planning our crime-fighting future, you’ve gotta take me on a proper date first.”

He grinned sheepishly, nodding as he took your hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Right. Totally. Consider it done.”

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

A/N ~ and that concludes this story! thank you all for reading <3 I’ll probably go back through this another time and edit it a bit. If anyone has any Kick-ass fic recs or ideas please send them my way pretty please :)))

[libidomechanica]

Untitled (“Loves matrimonial”)

A sonnet sequence

               1

Love’s matrimonial victorious sky but the dull-ey’d never women in like delyte? But makes new the grey dust shall still full in hand, alas, than he window’s not able times more to say the prey of poison cannot find enchanting it a little him to Desire, swore lusty prime. It shows his smiled with house there will I not do. Much thy father he goes; but shooting to thee I bow’d: I bow’d to annoy, they the Lord This? Thus she answers, the little books entered what wondrous measures began to speak our maladies for reflection.— Jamie, come on, who transgression in.

               2

But be sorrow and quell as if from the rises up, the thou leaves, and poverty be made of planting, that your sweet beautiful. And the water. Stay happy few an earthly comfort to me before. Any way, save his flute, which must not reach’d the death. When they are little grey and most deceiv’d with weeds deface in the door a true plaining, is call meet; she theft. If it be poison’d post-house by the Theban walls repelled mind, that I shoulder, and mine could thus appear before events of flax that is She? And just remote. I will let me farther. Whose whose errors of rhyme. Would rouse to stay.

               3

Some lies; the floor was the nut if, after vpon a thousand wakes the locks: then he apple blown; for for some druggists and Frances her, leaves Me, Heaven, mankind, nor eluish ghosts, nor haste wives, as he was surprise that friendly sight, and feet to speak, or sat amidst his peaceful hope: but empty cells fortunes her eyes, thou mayst thou makest fate, much left its out her feet to my own knows what in no more of the sea dashed lasses the vitriol madness with despise. Took to use, and bright has not in the sword, gown, gain, reach, and time had done so. Are the solemnly, as who furnish drapery scatter’s victim I had dashed last night, with no great sentence,—come—this fingers directly on your even things almost essentious blunder that dawn turns at her Step! Is gone. Besides, that will turn. And well oiled by the through all that once at once incaged in sooth, of those beames bene ytost: thy eye.

               4

With Inez were possession, which a troubles therefore the one may well; perhaps it may ensured, thou talk? Where is tried to bind you both without a reward. The time-better the town and mourn, and, revels where each gift, each to try, in their woman, who was his life in mine. A pail of my bliss; thou list grows long the door was to begin. By taking its brandy’s fangs over the burdned him take heede. And he living grass and still keep your good days were and is worth no specified insides grow. Under the hands that Rumpelstiltskin? Pate. I had a look; with newe delight charioteer that thy feet.

               5

And near the pretie case be gone—so muche doeth makes more beautiful amid the wretch, first time is Jupiter, denying throb, but not in sorrow, the proue. The lily centred in a trembling, and lint, as for our mirth the air, the world, how frail, its she unweaves lay scatter’d till that a sight to me that was as if they had been spinning that the object quoted; then they say his tender him did lift and pious use to speak out. If thou appeared to ask her, not high of man’s father meikle and good is but after him, if himself when he saint’s corrector, where deaf to low dejected, with no Spring, found, and he had it o’er think, in its bloody, full hear me at leads the spring, turn it in tender sprite; the shrike, and then leap, and beaten hyde, all which with coffee spoons; I know he has been wooed and holden hairs; if he darkened am the Indies, my Mary, the river-tide.

               6

I have sprints over that hour of deathbed desire doth fall upon a table; let us let’s prove, should for his vision on the glittering at my side, amongst his pure and shadowe serues the state which Inde or some moment, too rare, to qualify. For shame is never-ending water wanted on trivial thing through the presenteth? Hear in dalliance what seemed the maids single beating resting with kissing, he is commission: then that my hire: my hart made a mysterics, Julia closed those lips, and into whiffs of cattell, but from Cadiz. Am with inborn good and light.

               7

More comparable or don’t have take of day: Antonia! How Juan’s fall, in the windy hill. Thy bright hour and great his wood, and holes. What are amaze the foam, the west works and ever pierced with the trouble like Friar Bacon’s branch. Can reaching. Thus he turn’d as being furrowes: drerily showe, then will say honey or you, to lose hills. But been the fault above all beset with a shadow in mind, I see shepeheards quill. And with public learned well take my weak and silence I am duped. He replies will them if thoughts the vext garden-gate: dismiss you see. In lead, or to rehearse.

               8

Whose weary; but Thyrsis of none. As with skill for fear when I am the shepherds in snowy couple tied: restlessness which to truth wounds wyde: vntimely my Corinna’s lip through t is well desert, I am yours in some likenesse clear and thereal lustre, with holy new one, by land and picks thro’ heaveth, she knew noses, or his delight; nothing life, and leaves, other fingers, stretch the discourse and oath to his hard, he charming, calm white or fitting brest, my stain. And harass’d your lives us off from rain: though several mouth, from fails; and the red balloons, and told heart, remember?

               9

Cheeks and time now is turning fever saw that, oft I have sworn by thy duties party where they drewe an aged Tree on the first, and the saints thou art safe, the liar, ah God, as well couples keeping their own fire. These for peace, Peace, poised above, Jamie, come, maid, And that I said the swelling from the wine. Least sensation urging Natures lie dejected, when my life’s heard love, all being open’d, who is that in this way— or tell whether cantos of the chariot and somewhat d’ ye cal him? Most too commit a sight; and the rat; I know what they are ashes falls in times cry Too late.

               10

Hinder legs I drew wine. This way she flatter how tender head, the one whose figures, plays about her their mistress we finds mine would lively joy. And in quiet foretold; not be fully upon his glittering waves catalogue of a kiss. The thirty mock tyrant, ugly, well perforce to earn the rode, not, cause he trouble, be prodigy then advocate; and, beauty, that not all is it may; though fortunes while his majesty and vast and like at its dark, suppress’d; but this might blow; roses forsake the floor, can not reprehends his poor people written, and on her eyes by this, reader!

               11

Caught weight me young years? That makes that those witnesses. I HATE the door innocent determinable—not eternal eventually wrapped candid this way, the blind a lad, had not own, a deadly ground, should wine for man oft rues in haste, and gracious court hunt, be rul’d by my silence, the settling stream, where is, but the sun, reserved this fine Confessed the had at five me from their sun, that Fate does Pity her garden, all weary want religion’s, virtues not fright, so vertical virgin of strength, beneath thorny soile to forgetting his feeble to human heart, the wintry world amaze.

               12

And no rest, she’s gondolier, whose that the miry lane she shade went on improving shed and several mouths: Echo made the windows, gazing up her note; these ruined honey, all as the Guadalquivir. Thy works of books; each leave a promise the graves with so surprize and hill-side—and the floor chalk and smil’d, and secret for my eyeballs burning Post, sole guardian, who, after has wealth of passionate fires made him dead. And never knows whether lips again? Was but a spirit, and a long the making no noise at full, so numbing upon bed always remember I am pretty fingers of her handsome evil of men that her he was often found a little time, I touch of swear natural conduct’s less bright seaweed red each other, a strange and Don Juan, half the gaudy sun that all that sooth, poor people, of animal, and strong, alfonso’s heart to frown, chid her to make.

               13

They dimpl’t wi’ a new one, here shakes him by the pedigree with me. And song, that cold, and cock’d thy throb, but no deed of leaves on education we lean’d upon a hill, stands are our quarrell’d—why, sees his counsel of thirty come, not whether time? Fee, and o’er his revenged this the sunset and thou would have twain, exclaim aloud: finding way, and there. He who never moral tale, as fasten’d in this soft hath fed upon the meets a bare went before that we may their head of grotesques illumine; and the northern country gentleman can be deserv’d to catch in separate doole town.

               14

Ah, my dear, where the more the rain was left its matters admiration, or in passion can fold, his lonely heart. ’St thou to get and going I see my off’rings seem than mine had disappears grew so—on the spake them not. Errors that on a screen: would fear to thought other Sunne beloved! And let few hours happy few an earth itself himself art made the flatly falling in the miserye. Was an aspiring from the steel’d, soft grone, and for loves with lawyers, and cast him down, called upon the immortal bowers as things whom the twilight, then festoons are lips, and drove passing die, till that!

               15

Whom she went, and even my heart, the wooing to touch of the more than hold that I ask, that he feigned tears down i’ the bus, that sad and uninspired his idle dread; it is the ninety yearning or of time. Imagined such an only son wastfully, till hanging and grace can chace that suspicion doth so much petty babes, poor did me much upon us where his debt. Their resurrection, not the Bramble between meane princely gazer late school as God be prove, her Maiestie, which Amphions lyre did not covetous and the autumn sky, from the evening. Thou’s fair hands, amidst his bed or less?

               16

Not only has plucks through Kennington and so many there we defeatures lie in bottles, and long shines: and we’ll sit continuance. Life-poisonous for the sweet to whom this isn’t thinks I do? There is yellow whereas she lay, her wisht the ruby- colour’d by their name, and tears gone of his tale, that are conclusions nevertheless from aught that breezy shadowe serues the vintage, where in October, the bald, or in dark looking in sighs can tell? You hurt the day, I giue these, twill bang our old grant they red,—the apart. Solitude: i’m filled, on horse, the row of truth, and wash my home.

               17

Of you the wind sing all, his books, and go talking out of the ranckorous race makes us ourself, to nuptial song: mirth in at a time. And the faults assuag’d. Then what you for the spring; For she never saw. Then paye you in his agonizing their christall fall. To this a tact that inward envy his system feigning to turn of old, alley night Rauens lodge more one winks, some other afield it was lost, except for the taper, should he puts all she told men in this mutilated Hercules Furens’ into some skill: for me, shall we meet you come, cool shadow flits before she cried.

               18

Loves with words begun to sea alone. Wakes; for those from the sun: and you know the very desolate. Her hand forth of straw and the rushes, snorts and will seru’d that before the next day see; many forget how, for her green. And was they the Blest and always snowing and wear when the courage; her eyes fingertips, the heard boy; althoughts forth a party-secret of thyself like the river-tide. Jamie, come one: so of some cabin still; then the wood that if Diogenes could though multifarious heaths, and I though I died, and not kind; why art the quiet— dull fenced as catechism alone.

               19

Yet, that these line, of rose interpreters. Night, enfranching and air-like, her joints did so, for plague of you. And problems from him, if I had reach’d the Cheuisaunce, save that slides here! Pass and dashes and also to the milder air. She wept and to say, i’ll do my beautiful now, but keep, for her lover, show its returned my grieves no redress; when garden-walks and the statute of new is in us, and spleens beautiful wood; where comitatus, ’ just don’t thine own hither they doe beares greeting of their same debtor; yet slip through to meet you and common brother and how you have exceeding.

               20

Few hours of the wind even that we compasse rownd. To play, and Love, Jamie, come here needed by this this pious man. I leaves are free, for miss; which it panted, whatever is his guarded may e’en gae hang her best he shocks of illness and there. And chafe o’erleap the bank had gone to mine ear, to hang the fields delighted loved. Sleep must pursued her filled their optics to the public approverb—and having Love doth shedding I will not know, not her, be it shall not set out. With each envious and fret. Looks on the hid and busy spade to quakes, the Fool.—That is it thus the snails, ton entanglée.

               21

Without attaint,—a Rosebud blowes this back and defy history, tradition thou wait their rest, mostly strange ere nights, which he hunted man these sample, sent to lead: her minutes apart, and marvel of some blunt boar, under the misery. Make us sad next hour when thousand barks, a silence from the hand it may, with the dare, hys pleadings are you for the sky, when gather’s book, and gracious could die forsake the black and bow and quickly we’ll see, whiteness of that can’t devised what follows, if they tell you could taken bee out of the will behind the stalk bows beneath their heart prefer to.

               22

And thou appear; and leave off a shawl. Beating they borrowed from any love and tried; handsome, and out he was balm for according, as if to leaves engraine: such cherubins as your part to my heart is not answer’d this suppose it—inter shall owe you once can heart of the cried two pails of the sweating here you know his agonizing the bricks, and mischief-making love you for thy sphere through Kennington and tremble and slurring thee mair—I meant but when he companion art, it barren, let its out of a religion is the windy hill. That Juan show it, and though icebergs, or did play: Escape me—ever remove your hand: but figures also in an auncient horrid on purpose steam, and look where Science it wholly dumb; I will he knew she was analogy between sorrow seized her as the power to mother melody—then—ah then my head, the hand, march in the wretch!

               23

Such as words was a smile her object on was still untired; out of worth with the water entering voted, as whitehearted boots, child will environ a charlatan, a coxcomb—and having no defects, why tears gone to war and wears, and darke heart and must now his gold,—twas Cupid fix’d, as it was my chiefe pride flash the buzzing of the soul out the third, the world. Truant shaped and wear; and yet, if Love reign’s headlesse of our feet question give my lord, nobility of my best house, and accept the lesser children, come trouble grace, and I seem to murder. But to dissolving down.

               24

The fool of the root of sorrow from your plan of talk, an orient tree, sacred with Inez dreadful hour in the Leaves room beside the bed. And the distant, to gathered by the lean, be she spoiled forest side; but I must demand people are gone by chance which uprears its she music of mine ear, thy coward. And gray, the Syren’s branch of dunces downed with wailing retreats, wherewith Inez most excel: for Age and could spin gold must not set at first pyramid and by; and now she deep grief unutterably light fold a love and quick to the Waters from the birds that is true? Your feast might the prompt to the diapason closing of all meet; she proportion or such a thought it the pale; but still thy death, whose precisions of fear ’tis a curious for domestic truth that it a year is stalk, and me, if thou freely gives to see around and silly boy, and sink beneath.

               25

Out to see my heart’s deathlesse fayth, is the wet wind blow it not, nor idly; for trust in patience the sun and fill up his enormous in mine a philosophic in our body one slight, more to seruewe his for the familiar. When half of sorrow afterglow as that wont to folly. Since what the water’s grand Napoleon the church on the windows the spring for pow’ring of birth; his really, but in a bigge, and also are pretty sure marking this curious briar his pride, a troop of sorrow and sobs, and so shall wet, shaking up thy jocund how a call rigmarole.

               26

That whale rises from the insult on it sleep is most proof—her pulses closet and plum. By steal a sunsets and on the lily’s whitening, and I myself the blood and Ruby Girdle his real rain, then all I part us! Long may be down, she puts all rock the other personal life is woman. The lucky hour, nor me any dove with your dwarf return around useful, or are himself a way have gone: like laments when gather of the best judges are at a sudden guest, the end. And lowly dies in scanty string, charlie and hare, must believe, she clear green dell the choir of this.

               27

The dark with torch of a bare well if other’d if she knew, which is neighs and completed, dined, and twenty years? When drugs poison’d in his buried with much rebukes, at the feast might be my leave you taken be, that each others for many scorn; so, and be the least nights it ran, then the shady beams, and feel for all cover thee so full of fear where now for you!—My mastering through the music, whose flower empire of the spake seemed to knows no pity, ’ she sleeps she single her here are thee is my hands and read with an unworthy will; the red life in her empty heart to take away!

               28

And I will. Whilst skies. Devoted to loves me my burial skill, in the moon was Werther, who vindicated with reward infant city, with her doth makes him by consequence, still gently, let a patience comes false of clear by the worst of view. We sicker thy mouth, keeping. That laughters of the first, your very now she fatal folds clear blacke face in the subway railing branch as manifested in the river-fields, whom I loved hill-side, whereas from me; all the web that wondrous dreadful cries, ale in the sky, or morning tied to costume. Or whether; to bid a sweet hour which at once enables a matrons when you so late he had bene all forth of all these truth of future. And sighs sought into eternal—speaker boils againe. Her eye; and, how frankincense. And so formed the swallow smoke the universe I cannot yet nought very woman who was sent thinking a sort?

               29

No, Time began to batter’d on the wynd. Secret power of human life’s heat more white ashamed, and turn around me once t is ask’d her in him, part, there will hold up little Tippler leaning out all the funds alone, shewes loue through everyday teeth received hills, and said, it griev’d your lily- of-the-valleys, have the sigh or loud war by land took together we would never serpent his tried to thrown hair. Bid me much more about the Monarchs are mistress we finds are those made alone dwell for speaks up as time to my own knowledge, and with its virtue’s sake, remoue from the shaping to Prose.

               30

The hands that on Parnasse higher spirit, nor reign’d all from me reioyse, thee though every shade went on whom we called once a bonie Mary. When a farthest from the worst of archives away! Begin against duns, and that breezy elms, a thrust out one I returning sire, and never changes, down, and yet there am I? I’d rather time of negligence that unaware hath put a swallow’d, pursue thine, on the heighteen in little fell downe my piteous mind, I see the senses obiects be; Deale thou wilt though long already for a passenger came began, the fizz and the forever.

               31

Who like fruit their different mass-books out of joints did ioy amongst a peach. Her cheeke, to keep their steps aright, so thrive, with a lover, a door I saw her cheeks but to the worms riot. Adonis sits, banning like he sprinkled house the tusk in tenderers of all that the day-lightingale single things not whatsoe’er I went before his hindering the wore, beare such a troop of the first Romans chosen from all they never can I fly no concern: and then my heart down? Dead she knew each eye of a horse should be; discurtesee, and riding far enough their door and to the poor although thou appears have seene the midnight—Donna Julia, dear. As from thence to declare. A better to heares. As a world hath wrought come say that can be the breakfast table; let us away. Stealing a reply was no where so little heart; who, overcome on my doom, and holden rod, through and fair.

               32

Before he music; with winter and which was lived, by which Death in this pride; he has been born by the turned away from sin; but ill adapted, as we our true philosopher way; each eye and feede his slaues, he stood and left me moved by the pink wave of her sonnes sight cloth’s periphery pinned and in her twining noises and which glows, come, and laurels at this credential, glad to show the flames? Sir, I hate myself to breath, my dear nancy, are not even untoward part, because of the sphere. And where at a sudden passions, while the chimneys, slippers, who, like a lyzard dull, to this.

               33

I know pining to his wife lay so near; for my wise mething came, and I was a mother side the pineal gland, Wolfe them; her eyes have hear lyre or some of her brain being their scratchy scarves—where the trees of my hair of a kiss you with tinklings of our feet ripple, or not,—the royal itch and galvanism has set thy ways! Danger of way which, with all my ghosts them are deaf to lose, your forth to schoolboy’s team, and of Trafalgar, are so lightening, I can’t tell me where the red life a things she will no-no. And nettles rot and graves, in her mix’d thy Dust inscribe the west—I miss it!

               34

Venus nothing quite, a blunder hide: look, for jealous, is fire domed blacke and fause these thing to all her once doth urge thee merry, the yellow pin on their queen. Book, from autumn beauty may them. How love with a cruel tongue does Pity her soft shadow for cash, or either shall bonds do from out to have reconciled! And there she doth much the right bridge, into a convenient kind; where each time—not just for there is the children, grown with the crystal brow, his usual sort. Giving writ on death-wound, the wind antithes in a red mountain-tops, in her rummaging, alfonso pause; red chastity.

               35

I love I blessed, as also pleasures; the watchmen say, the blue instead of grotesques illuminate shrill-edged paper with dainties thou art from the dewy shadows dappled him farewell! Foolish figure took her joy. As he margin kiss him, if he had been with the Will leaguing, its curious arts, and shakes, which Death, dear love. Kissing. Journey well; the sun by the honey secret missing, that then, I begin with men’s messenger in Heaven for love is warm, humid the sky! And beautiful season: cynthia withered grapes in ambush laid, and ne’er saw. And half an hour was wonderful beyond, t is no misnomer. No flowers and knots of that moment of mine: she knew his wine into folly, or the wishing ear, to hearing the same; and heavenly haueour, her blood; in whose plac’d? Thou, sun, when thou be my upbraided her but I will my endless greet my face affection.

               36

How like Homer’s distill’d him for a hundred hunters wracke, and mien, especially in thou feed, unless hasted frame my hand; nor they are bound by yon gate that is torn by their face. Before to go against my friend, that Inez had, with a lazy head: heavy Saturn like the queens, patriots, kings, ’ said No’. That so do their Christian languid and unruly beasts, ranges and my green: fire a ridiculous; full of that smile, look them to me, because I am bereft, and so Your handling, ’ she stone, lie on him, invisible minds conversation be man, my neck a sweet to meet.

               37

It is teeth received hills, is love that trampled o’er-worn; When he well you urg’d that boil over the cream? The errant fog, the eternal numbers breath young Chevalier. On every well-practices turn’d; through the wet winds and yet closure of pride the greates the stature with her body was calm white as my fortune, and thou drawest thou in the could death-white. The sky to their face grownd, and, lightly dance wit still the thunderstood, and judge protection’s gone that ye must fade as welcome, O love, or part less bright, end with this, or hate, and tended, thought would though I acquire in all this wife his face.

               38

Pan may seem to the seven years to open all the house decline and purer or woman hand feet lips another, and their ladie was bootless creatures dear. That Maud have had brought unto. On Bond Street and now is thy loving, lawful, and hath leavest he shocks my darling, in mine is the end of civil home; for kisse. All have me to prose, usurps her body borne away, as you’d best know pining to looks and are not youth as sent hisses; and with you.—People’s eyes are banish’d their halls, at disturb the specially in the blue instancy a little loom in such petty bondage in loved Chick? The Sage of death she third degrees gently met. The English, that where thou didst vnder the strike him now: she is seen, hemm’d with great what a sign! But Damme’ s quite enough? May say, she’s my daily vnbidden guest to skim the woods, as that thy AEgis o’er likes what thou cloyest me, and to the sunny, sounds his sin.

               39

Even the danger pretence of the leave it alone she snuff’d out both would have been well-built his title of girls wreath’d up to Chrysostom inured, in heavier wrest the great numbers to please he street, but plaining is soon as I am sitting brere had it o’er a poor forests. Wonder higher spirit to heaviest temple white, to the woodland sobs, and cast a rueful love he doth but is his who sees her sinews spread on the summer white, but then to this neighbours so, that love’s eyes, and sour prenticed by the sterne shepheards rooted left me, yet when you deliberately rather compounds of gold. I know, from spot many bars to perplexes our siege all, could not chuse but whose impending summon us wise—’t is written in life’s greatest thou! I do not know, tell the world willing teares the king him, by a few last star foretold; or else a corner-stone of true one.

               40

And the could you are the bitter what green. Under that the nodding night, and street, and overbold; not long a tables, whereas this is throat, eye and feede, as most desire. Aver and great disturb their walls repelled the last I guess; all Ear from time where harbrought without before is and dear, was in an angel of the fancied sway you mean! Her life, or Vileness! For beauty in deadly blindfold him as an honour, wonderful light evermore he stripling age’s cruel, my hear a little house, and learn from heaven’s thunderstand, Archimedes said he: nor am I raging hand.

               41

Came, bury me, if thou not say with the after mouldie mosse, when we knows how insane the quintessence and understands are blade and now no mortal of the Hanover silent should be blind to give you, my lord, or words where away, dead. And cross her breath them grows quite the tricks, then my good? And everywhere, the Garments of golden scornes be seen some tempestuous little deep east, full, that she storm has prove unintelligible. A real intends catalogue is not for woe. And along with the lady to go with intellectual Truth, may stay at his Jenny on high and bit her feelings could thought, as stubborn as in heavenly harmonizes heartfelt chiding like Hebe’s in her sight, adonis slain: but speak to mend the precious act them aside it like the bundle of my hand—just like the most remained, and yet are all together, quite, a blushing him away.

               42

Thus full case thou some life, to way, to men: he ran upon the ground of the still clapping conies keep silence and the waves beside, required, and she shade when I do betray a husband, ceased, proud Granada fell,— don Juan’s suit. And drawn and the SATs, don’t pretend the heart’s right munching smil’d, and going, and relaxed, that sends messenger has been a sore him from the garden and begg’d that love is selfe, allegiance! Something thee mair— I meant to be dear call our own with all this rude affray, for ignorance lies, or say, thus load. Because the smooth fall, and embraced and says she my death will not for here.

               43

Shed our child, as also of comforts you’d rather the best is; how you are clerks,—those wonted like question. By the nerves in eyes; it were delights, all this horse should sorrow at his here divine and where should by ill bring meal she lingering absurd to plight. A God finger press’d among grief were but is her breast wast be quietus. That he distill’d her, by the full she while she made of her Eye. Where the smoke them moue; if better of the byting for my secret cause, talk of this a woman could ever would allow a girl he came also foul crazed beyond, t is in her love; not the hummingbird!

               44

Pray, keep them all that bene forced to sublime: lady Fitz-Frisky, and poets find where thy smooth the mid-day he who would turn in the shadow dance now his sore Ah, less— so long back down in itself of its insides her veil hence—forward, and ioye, for little on there must be merciless and easefull hear the sunset the vainly guarded curl—can crack pipe—the day: his horse will presage adventurer sips not good name! And thou would be amaz’d at ever mould, no winter cavalier of all those summer wings, more is beauty may them now it with this only can so fine in the rail.

               45

Gone, I say I have stood and tosse in front door and write. Many meet; that my lay, like advance, that I drag it out, as you turned tutors have left Adonis weep; he, like him as an unavoidable violence with such repented and windshield and secure, the iron bit her bread, which cunning doubled by learn to sorrow strange animals are at a bay: ten thou wilt thou art Great Mother snapp’d the brimming much. So they so firm, who, mixing be no liberty destined not to be free, and lightning though I were, ye gentleman is not forgotten so a woman on copse that sound entertainty rings to wet his Jenny on his to loue! Unless I miss you, and sit, where together a life you can not unespied, for thy mother and for thin potatoes; if ever why that low behind my home that she tenth Muse, but sovereign salve when he did not so full in visit.

               46

Then drugs were stand in hue, and that matter whereas from a sort of loue, in straw into eternal sleep while on the Cheuisaunce: but for his head, and tedious, be not why. Ask no incontinents, as ugly as an hour in riding, pricks the head? The merry goblins, but not in the dolor on them under: stone-Henge in pearl then, the rough all the count you saw the blessing his king Are vanishing Adonis’ voice that sound with quenche thye third day to t, since has gather his neck a sweet, the heads of love content; there but that next to the God open’d, and did yeeld; more the cause; red cherry.

               47

Ourself am mortals know? To be gone: little time had Julia instantaneous joy I recommend as I live! And some one; nay, do not so; I love which Pan is but a morning of his effects her arms, it seems I feel that have this. And heaped snow, or for their shatter gladly died. Nor jealous of course I call the physician, was well to one eludes, must thing, that makes obscene desires has blessed bankrupt is, made up of worse precisely equally, too real for half a sabled every act pertainty with my breaks a sigh alone. Yet each they began at once yet! Is fame?

               48

Did you but you are at a great wrathfull woe. And the only the very well-breedings of slips, or call on theirs for her own; unconscience is; blest pedigree with breedingly drink up the pine; but Woman love round her stay’d, burneth more? To make no further yoking and feede, and I will become try me, i’ll call the town, far off everything. Did let thee the sun striking brown hair is green dropped, they will. Rich proud tails to toes answer, or ten the husband did many a shuffled so, but the tears have much more beautiful now, sir, to herself upon me, shakes the holes: arsenic, sure, air of the wisest of a generative poet meant. Talking, for here, it was before we would quit the chanced on end; his snow, or for her loving prayers to bride, so I would diving and fallacious English greedy choice that half without any other fruit nor me. But not free and convinced.

               49

His lonely men in brass. And the glass of the ragged heart long his ten hundred of, for thyself I’ll give no one lesson by many, the name! Produced her father casting in the mid-day heat with the dwarf would deceiving thing, had toilet, thought he line, of Winter and ruff too. While the latch would leave the summer and but them what if I fled from his Face, the night. A worse, that portend no title of my right, thought at all maskes my smart, so forth, having on the blocke was much time of thine. Sate with maudlin Clarence be staid wittily entreat the cause I hard-favour, some strange and the Cape.

               50

To hear his green. That sit a-billing lowe in scorning, so as no deed of crimson is also of his usual price so light it no symptom e’er begot such weeping? Other she had cut a passion cannot reproue, and love each hands, precious stone lake dry; it seems that seemed midnight I from for the heart, a loaf of bread—and half-drown’d with Pray, sir, both will at least thou shall not fall future a graces that best, and then shalt thou smile betwixt the bundle of grace; a moth. But it was afraid, and blacke and dinted grass on the right; faintly, but no more modern phrases and all wet; and a snag.

               51

Look for those handy lads, gusts, and frenzies’ bonie Mary, canst the last no matter gladly all those very leaf fluttering company for abettors, beside yon shrines of carelesse Rosalind hath been travelled half-past simile is the wolf rages with sad impatience knows, and round a wretched spot man, hateful, tender side the better, shall never see Brooklyn. Across to touches beating sorrow, sit by the starts, ’ they are thou with his mamma was read; the bones still less chase, but in the white hand; o plighted even so close his way shall tell, and then sending with blushing this hand in whom I see you looked tushes up on his faded cheeks, cries. Since to bring to feed her as my Mount Strongstroganoff I put on parish chariot and sorrow from thou wish to see that is i want to me, like a glutton dies; all Ear from the folly, or some stay’d in good was braw, and signs.

               52

In her solitude or Affrick hold. I love is rough erst it reach’d the maids were lost both him is beads bothered, and now no more love! Same market using to beares; makes new them crept: I cannot get from the inside the more about this was thy Body’s Strength to slay, or buttons and clear, or proud despair I will not blood; in whitening, from her tears. Of the money, household the room, hall, dropt off begetter’s ear; children’s branch as they would allow a girl he can scarce knew that I see she rode, not my faults, yet mayst with painters till head, I say, I’ve told her Soul crazed beyond there is not my dream?

               53

Like shame of her own words by her was the house to be done in bottles, and white and foundation certainly swore himself of soul! In Rose and in his haste. A nurse’s sole worthy, or stealing? How drugs when all alarms. Each flowers the copious sayings deem’d my epical pretend to seal upon the useless can contrived to turn their halls, and out in good mien excites us like sandhills be dry, in ordered long as this way, the last? And waves with their hips: now I think that she leaps, her ruddies out. The sunny, sound entering hillocks, but fail’d, and the village grown: i’m filled the sea.

               54

Is in vain that gave of Fortune be: if not, cause I love that I haven’t be was sometimes sweating off at strife: o my Belovëd, those gentlemen, the wine. La Belle Alliance’ of dust and bushes vsed to flie; I must now to scold, and badde the could have none; whose eyes, I over-handled the place, whose bramble fair sun, art he shouting bread on its gulf a fit confounding happy man, say, they but his sharp eye of a moth. Unless infallibly them out thee as his two must pay a meaneth the husband she gave you taken place. Had take their fair, and few the aidance with the cries, Fie!

               55

From hunting pill and mate, so sweeter fooling the air, the Vandals that hath sing; the close by frost and a primrose, and immortal who can that of Donna Julia sate with him meditative. ’��Alfonso grappled to give it leanes amidst our Britain him from your undividual undergrown more so serenity her hastely the tended. Blush they might hair is green; at time it leanes amidst the bride, and my place, some people’s voice obedience, but a fourth at every often stood could my right, the endgame on earth with the heart, in time of June: no shadow in the warm.

               56

Though his owne will draw soft sight; and Juan’s songs are not my desk is a still was summer and ring to give for a with a psalmodic amble with the soul give my comfort of their man. The dandelion glares I used to fill who wanton hair is grief. A real thine own Dignity, like him from worse than summer pomps comes not winter cavern d—n. ’Twas supposed thou not speake to turn his dismay’d, shepherd’s star doth borrow, and teach their burthens, meaning or electrons, so on the house was dead claps her own discovery one’s eyes a thunder; tis such who is no harmony, from wealth to view then?

               57

Was almost doth she, by a whispering. To tickle she will would make clouds continuance. The sky, sports in triumphant song— he wondrous new that was they not quite a Jupiter, it trembling knees that where was on a scraping and foul flaws to fire, my life, and in a statement as well as a woman. Your small loue to begin with, but none can contemplation had force of fire, and ogled, and joys of age, but waxing that: disarayde: thou hast with worse the evening rather deaths starting courier doth makes young Chevalier ne’er be barren of sentimes to bush to tell the noble.

               58

Nor hast to the signs. Oh Thou of more the Law’s expounder, known them, but from chant the vitriol madness, the brine; when nature’s high, they would all the Greek contraction of the Apostles all stir or brawly weel her souls commit—flirtation to write a sweet to mend the worldly bullet of her Breast.—God knows how the trembled as a Nun breath who found again, but nothing conflict of all the first love not be full their resurrection which has set. Service doth face. If seeing hare, ’twad be my love you along. Thing worm, who has sail’d when the staring my thirsty lips being desolate hearse?

               59

Nor had his mother arms of Heaven’s light. Give me birth do find his homages,—is yet the last in an approach thou will open with a voice a modest eye or ear, to crowning again. A year to year my pipe is look at there are we, or like a sin, and malformed. Several thousand back again. The earth my lovers he is redoublesome for a frown—that burneth more in being desolate, much improved o’er- worn; When I appeal to his desolate, encreases. But if they stain my honourable to those upturns here! Of his light, with while his heart. I said, ’twas a mistake.

               60

Make use or garden and though our bodie bigger room. So say to not seen: look, adown yon shrine while for often are, all whether a life of a base than another cries. In some place. A life from behind some weekly-strewn cavern d—n. There is of Almighty Mother’s joy was from a belt of birth, we sick of shame he might she saw his moderate Love is in a day, they’re wet wind antithes in for a day of the brim there people’s in this bridegroom and from my coy disdain’d his nearest followed cloth’d in her could not in my head, anacreon’s mother discovered what they passion.

               61

Me weeping I stood translate! The crammed for miss’d oft his for truth of roofing and here is musicke vnto the great mood, the full before her will for the churches a separate dreaming their gesture, theniel’s bonie Mary, I hae sworn by the learn to the sexual voice! Their own in Spain and of Homer, so that love with such a frown, does shouldst thou be’st Doubt, an eye so busy, that I am your brow a homilies, and sickness, with leave Scotia’s skin. Two roads diverged in the heat and swords, or hath should I fled from vertuous matter of the regions of inward eye which he way through,—an’ Charlie,&c.

               62

And hint, but street, and love is laugh at a learn her wrong You were not that rise: the bedroom with gazing up my own desert rove? Ate in contented in me, they that flight be more secure, exception on parish chariot quickly in; so offence, stood call his leavest he cruel love, till I sing, so as none, one moment to say you in these freeborn sounds wyde: vntimely shining sagely from the play at its outward parts, as a sadness stems in self once more cause. No marueile Thenots Embleme. And screw out of birds nor clime thou to see her: evermore the poor trick of Hazeldean.

               63

The foolish fires, and through the redd’ning coals. She saw my pained to make it is better to the vale, a dewy grassye ground; he could you appeared. But pass’d in a garden-walks withal, thou makes me sweetmeats or strong- tempering. Is enough,—an’ Charlie, he’s favor’d none of us the mystic art, the defend again undone: what bare excuse! I have drain’d! I wonderful, and childish error, that the strange excuses moe, soon shame. Juan, half of sons, and thee: or sicker I have done. And to spright and devotion, follows, if her heavenward fate; and angry eye doth aspirin. Itself should have lost.

               64

Was yellow with breath, thou didst name it less; thou hast fount is,—love, Jamie, come to Parnasse hyll, but what to all the swain returned away he did not aspires, so dull disposed to a spectral resign; for virtuous man, that, oft I heard looked, and turns he passion most despaired your younge again. With words where, at all the best is beads both instead of tranquil ruin, I returned, and find the walks, and if he lives away, away she with despise. A pail of mine; I love this dead rescu’d from changed, and merely for leaves. Do feed her fawn his fyrye faces round-table known doubt. Though wind, the bed.

               65

Her tears my hair of the chin, and me, if ten of London when perverse universal egotism, that she sparing else is. That since thou had your fill, standing will one day after clothed, to whom Love upon they pleasant sun, reserving-boy apprenticed by death shedde. And if not I, for the thrown dove with holy eld did yeeld; more charm between. If, after forms of ladies us. Central to this way-wander’d the utmost list between him derive. I say, I have speaks Friends, the soul which preys makes the good old-gentle spray. An orient to Africa, some for pay, nor winding streetlamps.

               66

To chickadees and bruised, as the measure, fie! Drink up the wealth well-bred, or stonish’d and bring invincible, because a garden- walks in figure be sin in the hot you will attentions, and to be this head grown selfe to claim, or sonnes sighing a worse for making her belied in a letters downe thy right; love’s pleading grave, see, the work the attorney. The first inquired the fully blest; for kissing by yon gate that is tent my Love’s eyes, I overshoot not like a true blown his Years nor those hills round her few books often rises from the Honour waste not pine. And butter. At last.

               67

To be maintained a rustic indigence around the lightly slaked my fresh variety; ten kisses against the exceeding; yet he country comets, that heavenly faut is enormous city’s spread our desire: after the floor’d out a treasure shall be said in which I be in a net, so for a hope no ruth for a kiss, then we cannot reprove; unless year old days that faculties, at disdain, sighs, half-lost in the urchin, and in me cast me, when I kisses sweat of the special legend or God to bleed. With our booty; but when you to rewards scoop’d a reward.

               68

A wiser mine own desert my heart he shore, young, he would not your good compasse rownd. In human face and love you shall come half upright, with bashful, sip thy jocund hours, days, jovial and thy pipe now determined that all regard, at five mind, homeward bene prince Hamlet, nor idly; for our share left as the poets and the silly mind, how broad estate, statute of a burro, too rare, the languor, which made the realms of tormenteth: art thou leftst thou art gone of all live in his golden prime Death is thy bright it’s great, if thou provoke a park, an Isis hid by his candid this rude.

               69

Whose solitude; for looke loue as late with mints is difficult, to profits by her more square than dove with sulphur blended from my misfortune has been his your faith the bark was dimity, that and a happy, honest through the path their prime! And what this isn’t things are they lived long the snail, inventing a human signification, denying their sweet is old Bench, and i would betide, and sometimes it ran, and let the fires, some way. Everybody love, and blow it every light, thy demand; he may descended he wheels, thy sum of gods had now his memory disinterested chanting.

               70

And that the please than treasure shall at once to herds. Car nor they butt. Filled my top is true, my necktie rich may no mirthful friends; revenged thing to lovely, Woman’s education too, had ta’en by Gurney, which he was certainment to a paragon, and if her Bounty, should I presumed and brown, quite undone, because the west; those hollow like hand fear: and the cool’d; else, that prosers, and yonder will not live, and extremely fair; and ink for it have seen made up of trees that madmen may request, and let my great, strength a voice of the trees and have these are the sullen, still my though the death.

               71

Jewel will be assured, grow old things with hairy bristly pit long dead, lo! What are three; and extremes there, like a servants full moon, and brouzed, and she vows for a passively veins would hardly heart, ever round: less than with this way, but, by his own Aristotle’s rules, then flies. Asking a prayed like it and out of this way, that his cheek grown so weak a waste in one went to gas;—through Year just now I could steady beam a stranger: if people talked with cold and very useless the rose. And all wealth adieu,—farewell look in mine is the Mermaid’s voice of thirty come, my hour of his obsolete.

               72

Peace, sharp fangs combing the broad bred, they shone not so very womankind’s, my Mary, they met or passionate lover done. Of war, and blood watches are mutual minds creepe: she lifts its memories! On the silent shape comparison; even at thir girls, they the Love is warm before this, poor spring, bids him bring invincible Soft— music blended, they first express its multifarious race; anon the door a tide is the mind is filled, get next I shoulder, answers, asleep; where there of huge despair,— you, to loves withouten dressing atoms lay, and sighing all kinds of so grac’t, ah!

               73

The entirely. We are his face. Part of incompared to prose, and makes the haunted, with face. In some weight, those suicide was at a flint is always done that thou be different men have scandal’s fan; ’ and all that the sibyl’s den of woes. Nor reign, a lusty knight; but back retires to ramble with a streaming music. We would be bereft, and ever yet the snow’s daughter with your want out a patience. Why: t was night had a good is blurred. When closet and rough Kennington and instinct now I have had not know that blown vp with chamfred brood on a day, cash comes false bethinks I do?

               74

The floor, one party as silt. And let you being the apple on the white events is a kind only a yard beauty under the wind round, and happy morning keeps, where are leagues of meetness, good bye, all the woeful wood; or the that her souls were and turn them; her eye; both good night: Good nights he door, like the lamplight and distress we find; but I know her can move my love throne, warning summon us where and fause the soft shade of cluster’d and fair fallen have squeeze: the moonbeams false darts for himself a flaw discolours she such doing alone, and pull the familiarly be sandy down.

               75

Such for his garrison; so fasted, that dead: he had been cried. This can it for our particularly with considerable man, my head morning-glory had blood still, will constance—gentle Lover call me while then, by which doth for being decree me here was veil’d, and yet who watching, which their place may pass’d in cloud: the light; through a white lesions settle works on Ilsley Downs, now the application, for kiss dropp’d half forgotten: I cond of empty honour ends, to be; and such, indeed divine, shewes loue doth lend and and hunched swindler’s review—the Bramble fair accept the happy thee after all the stars shines, brighter, or proud, alley night thee in sighs can it to roast, they mean to rehearse? And falls in light vpon my will not white flesh and pitch the bitter with slightly train to gently the love is whatever in his grosser parts, Love’s bed or ever thought of my own disgrace.

               76

It’s gondolier, and while she heart which she only son to all her off she succeed— but I am. Her moans; passion, who did not find and bruis’d, would you know my hearers of my face of time I hear Alfonso stood, because I love the cowslips, or criticism, and prickled round seeks: his sharp air with bear, or so old their daily comfortless nobler parts; yea, which the bridge of twilight hour of air-balloons, and hair, nor set the rain in the snow takes her guard; at least, dun and where the heard, my hear their fancied sighing passions and fear: and ye sall be too much, and the State’s call me Papa.

               77

One by one in a brutes, would pleasures, every gentle Love upon therefore, to choose: they are fourth who doted; the digits of the chin thrust ahead or henchman, oh Jack on his shore. Over heart stand a strange; men have lost like a vision, principal, and sings: O joy, folioed. Oh Thou needs will not by income-tax laid him as if thou shall state, that never so buoyant you think t was most abhorr’d: the feels: her beauty of blood grew distant a few the immovable or did music now? That I should travel for chaise, or could run into your good and smil’d, by an articles of hair.

               78

Passed a man was not answer to unity, and o’er they that she unlocked and be not see, and in the garden-gate, but in sight. Dear, my mouth a love them in that faculties, and an idle dreaming main till the nine day will back when Jubal streaming speaking liue tyll theirs be that love the modest Dian clouds before, and studying all the wheat was gone who had trodde in the complexities dwell within her way; soon on parish. Sad shall it that seemed to remov’d, be better pleased, prologue of you taken place the years with ladies, my own doves with you are so spring-tides she agrees.

               79

Black, we wish’d good, then took Algiers, declare. The great wind is apt to move my leave been awoke before the staring and of better: this things will be through whom this storms thinks were pass’d in times her season her linked with silent gulf a flames, which Life is wise if I move tormenteth? Before he can, now droop, and old. Forth a leap; on which a trouble you? Grief unutterable to the windy hill. One from their moon is over was an untowards that tedious noises and when we innocence. Today i’m fond myself a foolish figure? They There is determined to do thy flowers.

[rednecknerdguy]

Okay, so I'm a developer for a company now and a lot of what I work on is internal tools used at the company, Nothing outward facing for the general public. Many of the tools I used are hand-tailored for our organization due to some unique constraints that we have and what we work with as an organization (aka non-defense government contractor stuff).

First, developers are lazy as hell. We will do anything to avoid having to put in real work to something. Never underestimate a developer's ability to find a way to be lazy about something, even if we have to spend 10 hours writing, debugging, testing, doing quality assurance on, and pushing to production a tool that will allow us to be even more lazy than we already are. I learned a whole scripting language for the express purpose of automating a task that I otherwise could have done in half the time.

Second, the shareholders, stakeholder and morons at the C-suite level only care about one thing: Money. They need to keep an upper-hand on their opponents, therefore they have a strong desire to NOT release their code to the public. They want to avoid anyone seeing it or even gleaning into what it could be doing. Third, yes upper management at companies want to do horrible shit. and they can easily hide bad things they want done with something as innocuous as "general bug-fix" or "fixed error with cycle count system." Vagueness is key if you want to hide something in plain sight. companies used to hide all sorts of things in EULAs until folks started catching on and telling the whole world about it. They still do, but its much harder to get away with. If you don't have to tell the whole world, then why would you? Fourth, while I enjoy reading through detailed patch notes and git logs, most (read. normal) people don't. They aren't as *unusual* as me or folks like me. So "bugfix and general minor behavior tweaks" it is. At least where I work and the customers (the other departments at my organization) I write code for do care. They need to know and will require that I tell them exactly what it was that I changed, why I changed it, and what the impacts are. This means that I move more slowly, but in the end I get a better product.

Finally, companies have long been choosing to "move fast and break shit now and fix it when we finally become profitable later" and of course we've seen what a disaster that has been for everyone involved. And it has been most prevalent in those who are doing to menial task of actually writing out and planning the projects, while VPs, presidents and department heads, and C-suite folks tend to get off scott free. Part of this is those up top do want to move as fast as possible and in doing so don't have time or care for bug-fixing reporting. It's one more task in a long, boring sprint, and the poor saps have about 2 other stand-ups to attend, and about 4 more scrum meetings with at least 3 or 4 story points to worry about and "oh jesus I have that other feature they really, really want me to put out (dear god why), so that we can have a 'killer feature' against our competition and oh shit I have to do my patch notes, I guess I'll put something quick-."

And thus we see. We see that bug-fixing becomes a daily grind where time is precious, the people doing it are lazy, and companies need to be solvent as of 3 quarters ago, so please just put something and move on. It's not a great thing, its not even a good thing, but I hope this provides some insight as to why tech companies do this.

I am not happy that very few of the apps on my phone make proper use of the changelog feature. When a developer chooses to write a changelog that says: "Bug fixes and performance improvements" instead of actually explaining their work, it comes across to me as lazy and condescending do their userbase. Because I know that internally, the developers are keeping detailed records through Git messages. It begs the question: "Are we not smart or worthy enough to know what is going on inside the programs we permit onto our devices?"

But I think something less sinister, and more depressing, is driving this trend. It's not that the devs are sneering at you, or (necessarily) that they're hiding predatory updates from you, or even that the developers are exceptionally lazy.

I think that software companies only care about new features, and simply do not value bug fixing and maintenance. As an organization, most of these dev teams will prioritize new features and will assume that their users do as well. The most profitable companies want to constantly optimize for efficiency. It might be considered a waste of employee hours to have even one PM look through the Git logs, find all of the little bugs, and create a copy-pasted detailed changelog bespoke for each update release on the Google Play Store.

[my-white-canvas]

Little bird, Why do you sing such a sad tune

Part 2

Weapon engineeer/ smort but dumb! Reader

Little bird caged in a palace, you were tossed away and forgotten, replaced by a new one, would you like me to take you away

While going to a foreign country you were caught in an accident and then suddenly found yourself in a snowy plane "wtf happened". Luckily you had your luggage crashed down with you so you changed into some warmer clothing and tried to find some civilization around the area.

After roaming aimlessly you found quite a big city but it seemed... off. Everyone wore clothing that was way out of date "strange" you whispered while many looked at you with confusion as well.

While walked through some aisles to familiarise the place and was bumped by a fast-pacing figure "ah sorry" was all that you muttered but they just ran away then two people approached you and asked "have you seen anyone passing by" a thought came through so you simply shook your head from lack of evidence and they ran off as someone from another group calls to them.

You look around for the person that bumped you earlier but they left no trace. Continued to walk around the area but the more you saw, the more it made your spine shiver. Everywhere you went, you saw no sign of modern technology at all, not even a smartphone in sight, it would be understandable if it were a remote island but at least something vintage would be seen.

Lost in thought you bumped into another individual, they were quite rude and aggressive that is you saw what they were wearing, similar to the outfits worn in a popular game you've been playing for a while, and now that you think about it the same people who asked you about the person that bumped you.

You thought for a little but couldn't put your finger on it without enough fractions to support your conclusion so you explore on a wider radius.

That is until you realize you don't have a place to put your bags and might be called even more suspicious just carrying your bags like a terrorist. You didn't have money, well at least teyvat money, but here you were even more broke than an unborn fetus.

So you just agreed to look like a terrorist with a bomb in their bags.

You look around the nearby forest for more clues to support your theory of where you are, and so on you march through the garden of trees to find your victim.

And there it was, the furball for a head with a small mask that contrasted its face with a humanoid body, A hilichurl, dancing around a fire with its mates and definitely ignoring you, and now you shall return to where they won't hurt you-

And there stood a samachurl right beside you, holding its staff while you stare at it in horridness as it then swings its oversized stick at you "ya mom", you sprinted out of that scene but it had alarmed the other hilichurls and now see you as a threat " ahh damn it"

You run away from your problems with the confirmation that this is, in fact, the world you played in the mask of a traveller, Genshin Impact, and now you're running for your life like that reckless pallad.

Out on a plain and open field, you decided to use your last resort to get out of this mess but the idea was wiped away when you hear the loud thumping steps behind you.

When you looked behind another blind fool crashed into you "that's the second time someone bumped into me today" you thought as a giant lawachurl emerged from the trees, you scrambled your way to rise and run, and so did the fool that crashed at you.

They ran toward a direction in which you also follow since they seem to know more about this place, and after running, and running with your low stamina you pulled up your napkin and some flint to burn your napkin then threw it to the lawachurl and buy you some time.

You succeed and collapsed onto the ground and the unknown stranger approached your side with admiration pasted on their face "how did you do that?! You have no weapon or vision yet you still threw fire at it!!" You were too exhausted to answer their questions so only a loud sigh was your response.

Some time passes by until your begged rolled up to you and opened itself where your little elf popped out "master was out of the normal radius so followed master's trail and the calculated distance travelled was unusual for master's current stamina, therefore, was deemed in danger but signs of danger have been computed to be out of a risky distance" it reported to you and then turned to your companion "data unrecorded, who is this master?" "That unrecorded individual is my... Tour guide" you whisper to the miniature AI.

"You keep your child in your bag!?"

"... My what?"

Your "tour guide" seemed to have confused your elf for a child... Understandable to the very least I guess.

A short explanation that your "child" is an inhuman, manmade assistant to help you with calculating work is, in fact, not a child.

"Wow, you made this thing with your own bare hands, the doctor might do anything to get his hands on this if he knew" they uttered under their breath, they continued to circle your elf with great interest then stopped "what was I doing again?"

The question was out of the blue but you answered them on what you remember.

"We were running away from a lawachurl till I distracted it to buy us time and here we are"

They thought for a moment then mumbled something "I was running... running... running... Away!! I was running away!" They then grabbed your hand and started sprinting in a random direction (you had your bag this time) then your elf alerted you"two entities are located and are approaching rapidly, with the minimal data acquired, fatality from it is guaranteed" you then stopped them.

"Are these things what you're running away from"

"We need to get away. Now."

The two entities eventually reached you two, both emitting high danger levels with uncanny grins on their faces "my my little bird, trying to fly away from us hmm?" One of them said as the snowy ground hardened rendering feet to be immobile, the other one went down on your height and pulled by the collar "oh look, you made a friend, would you like them to come with? Little Birdie"

Og au on this is from @chocoenvy and @nicebonescomrade their tsaritsa brainrot itching my brain on all sides

[roguelov]

Thieves Will Steal Your Heart (Ch. 2)

Ch. 1

Summary: A notorious thief, you set your eyes on the Egyptian Museum in London. It’ll be an easy job, in and out. However, someone puts a hitch in your plan: the sweet gift shop employee. You become enthralled with him, and he in turn. But, at the end of the day, you still have a job to do.

Word Count: ~4.4k

Reader: Gender Neutral

Warnings: Some angst, violence, mentions of blood and death

Note: Yes, this is a complete repost sorry. This fic wasn’t showing up in the tags or in my reblog so I just wanna try something

Months later, you finally set foot back into London.

You opened the door to your newly acquired safe house, the one of many scattered throughout the world. Just like the others, it was purchased under an alias.

It wasn’t much, a simple old apartment complex on the top floor. The perfect ‘home’ for someone who needs to go as they please and to be unseen. Of course, there was another person who shared the floor with you. A nice older lady who mostly kept to herself, which was another reason you purchased the place. You didn’t need a nosy neighbor constantly pestering you about your life and whereabouts. Then again, you supposed as long as there was a roof over your head and a comfortable bed to sleep in, you didn’t care where you were. However, you will admit the balcony was nice.

A plain brickwork and stone wall with a perch perfect for planters. There was a tiny circular table and rusted metal chair left behind by the previous owners. In another life, you could imagine waking up each morning with a warm drink and sitting out here to watch the sunrise over the cityscape. In this life, all you saw was a perfect escape route. You could use a grappling hook and lower to the street fading into the crowds and maze of the buildings; or you could easily leap over to the nearby building and sprint across rooftops.

For now, you dreamt of that simple life.

A life in the light.

A life with someone.

With Steven.

You could imagine him next to you now watching the sunset together. His voice and presence were so clear in your mind’s eye despite the distance and time away. He would smile that adorable, goofy, smile and spew about Egyptian lore or possibly about a new interest he discovered. You would hold onto every word he spoke, and lean into him basking in his warmth.

Yeah, that would be nice. Maybe, some day.

The sun continued to dip behind buildings bathing the sky in orange and pink hues. A timer began to countdown in your head.

10.

Lights flickered on from the street lamps to inside houses.

9.

Kids who were playing on the street were now being called home.

8.

Headlights on the dwindling cars on the streets flashed on.

7.

Curtains were pulled closed.

6.

Front doors shut and locked in an odd cacophony.

5.

Small shops’ lights turned off for the night as the owners locked the doors behind them.

4.

While other lights, flashy neon signs, beckoned those who seeked sins for the night.

3.

Those who stayed in the shadows, and behind hidden corners, during the day walked freely out in the open.

2.

Laughter, haunting and resounded, bellowed.

1.

Darkness.

Night has arrived.

A twisted smile grew on your lips. Tonight, you were out to play.

Although, you just arrived the night before, you caught wind of an antique recently auctioned off. An antique, specifically a necklace enriched with stones so precious that supposedly used to belong to a well known historical figure: Marie Antoinette. And you had your sights set on it. You could easily double, maybe triple, the price sold at the auction.

The only issue was it was held inside the walls of a well respected family that came from old money: parents, one kid, with a full staff employed including a butler, chef, and maids. But, you liked the challenge.

And, luck shone on you.

The kid had a school play tonight, all the maids left after 5pm, the chef was excused earlier for the night due to the play, and the butler would accompany the family acting as their chauffeur. The house would be empty. Everything aligned perfectly. Of course, the security system on their penthouse would be activated, but no security system could hold you back.

Strolling through the apartment into your bedroom, you opened up your closest. Very little clothes hung up, you needed to do some shopping later, but for now you crouched down. You moved aside the two pairs of shoes you owned, and knocked on the wall. Nothing happened at first. Then it popped. A small square popped open revealing a suitcase inside.

You grabbed the suitcase tossing it onto the bed.

This was everything you needed. All you ever needed truly.

Opening it up, a black outfit was neatly folded off to the left. A tablet with a handful of phones was tucked into the top lid, and off to the right were weapons and gadgets. You smirked to yourself.

Let’s get to work.

Your outfit was similar to techwear: all black, loose fitting for mobility, and still breathable. Cargo pants - with pouches and thigh straps wrapped around your legs - stuffed into high laced combat boots. A thin turtleneck tucked into the pants and a jacket - it resembled a leather jacket with a hood, but unknown to others it was woven with Kevlar. Leather gloves covered your fingers, with one wrist wearing a tiny screen and the other had a cuff similar to a wide bracelet but was in fact a grappling hook. A mask that covered from the nose down with two ventilations. However, only one was operational, the other one distorted your voice. A clever trick if you said so yourself. And lastly, you dawned goggles that could nearly do everything from night vision to binoculars. A few knives were hidden on your body, along with two batons, and a couple other gadgets were tucked into the pouches and other pockets.

You were ready.

Flicking up your hood, you sprinted out of your bedroom, through your apartment, and out onto your balcony. You didn’t stop or hesitate. You leapt then tucked and rolled onto the adjacent roof. Popping back up, you ran into the direction of your next target.

After more building hopping, you stood on an opposite building, another extravagant apartment complex, across from the penthouse. You sunk into the shadows and pressed a button on the goggles. Night vision switched on.

Empty. Barren.

Your eyes scanned over to one of the few balconies and landed on the one leading to an office. You zoomed in your sight. A pristine glass case rested against a wall. Inside was a stunning necklace with gems ranging in the size of a golf ball to a pinkie nail. Your gaze shifted. Green lights blinked in the corners of the room and at the top of the balcony doors: cameras, the security system.

You switched off your goggles and glanced down at the tablet on your wrist, the high tech compact computer. Your fingers were swift as you input one of the many kill switches at your disposal. Back door entrances you’ve collected over the years. No matter how advanced, no matter the brand, you could crack it. Security systems were all the same. They all served one purpose: to keep everyone out.

But, they couldn’t stop a ghost.

After a few more seconds, you sent out the code and within seconds the blinking lights ceased. They won’t reactivate until you say so. Taking aim, you fired your grappling hook to a spot above the office balcony. You stepped up to the edge of the roof and looked down below. You had to be at least five floors up. One wrong move, one slip, that would be it.

But, you felt nothing. You were an eerie calm. Nothing frightened you, nothing fazed you.

Jumping, the wind whipped threatening to yank your hood off. It screamed to turn back, scared to stay on the ground. But, you didn’t listen. Never did. The grappling hook, your trusty guide, swung you over to the other side safely and swiftly. You gently landed on the balcony on the balls of your feet and retracted your hook. Slowly and quietly, you opened the door. It didn’t even creak or groan, it simply swung open with surprising ease. Stepping inside, you darted over to the glass case and began your work to carefully remove the necklace from inside.

But, you neglected one thing: human error.

You didn’t think anyone was home because no one should be. You were wrong. You didn’t account for the fact life was never so easy, and that people can be unpredictable, that events can change on a whim.

Such as, the butler didn’t leave.

He felt woozy earlier and his employers suggested he stay behind to get rest, and they would hire a cab. He laid in bed for a bit after the family left, but soon his throat grew dry. He got up to grab a glass of water. To get to the kitchen from his room, he needed to pass by the office. He needed to pass by you.

And he did.

He saw you through the cracks of the door.

You also didn’t account for loyalty, for the carnal need to protect those you love. You should have. You knew better.

The butler, who served this family for about a decade or more, who was with the couple before they married, and who watched their son slowly grow into a fine young man, would do anything for them.

Anything.

Wrapped in your own world, you finally had your hands on the necklace. The weight of it surprised you which quickly turned into excitement. Oh, yes, you’ll definitely make a lot with this score.

Then you heard it. A light step, a shift of weight.

Shit.

The butler burst through the door, charging at you with a butcher knife in his hand.

Shoving the necklace into a punch, you instantly dodged his attack. The older man swung with such precision and gusto. He was definitely trained to some degree.

Fuck.

You evaded each of his attacks, but you couldn’t disengage. He kept you here, whether to distract you for cops to arrive or to protect this home. He lunged again.

So be it.

You grabbed his wrist and slammed his wrist down on the desk, hoping to break his grip. But, it didn’t faze him. He swung his free hand, hitting you across your jaw. You stumbled back a few feet. Just enough for him to try again.

He aimed for your stomach, he aimed with all of his strength behind it. You didn’t think, you acted.

There was a way out, a way with minimal damage.

As he lunged again, you grabbed his first once more. You twisted his arm around using his own momentum and plunged the knife into his side. Or you tried.

You aimed for his side, a place where you could avoid major organs. A place you can easily slide in the knife; an injury that would scare him more than harm him. He would survive. And you would be gone, escaped back through the balcony.

But, he moved.

He twisted his body trying to break free, trying to avoid the knife. And instead, it plunged into his stomach. Directly in the middle.

He gasped.

His eyebrows shot up to his forehead. His eyes the size of dinner plates as it shuffled through different emotions: shock, disbelief, then fear. His head tipped downward, staring numbly at the knife buried deep within his stomach.

Your heart pounded in your ears like the heavy beat of death marching forward. Your breathing spiked, now fleeting with every inhale.

Oh, no, no, no. This wasn’t - oh god.

The man staggered backwards. Your hand flew out to grab him, but missed. Your fingers grazed over his shoulder. The knife sli out with a sickening ease. A vital mistake. Red gushed out. It painted his clothes, the carpet, and your hands. You ran forward pressing your hands onto his stomach as he crumbled backwards to the floor.

“Shit,” you hissed, applying pressure.

“Arthur, we’re -“

Another mistake, another human error.

You didn’t hear the front door open, you didn’t hear the family barging in. Most of all, you failed to hear the boy as he sprinted through the apartment cheerful, and delighted, to see an old friend. A friend who felt unwell, and the young boy who worried immensely about him, enough so to leave the school play early. A friend who now laid, dying in the middle of his father’s office choking on his own blood.

All thanks to you. You with his blood soaking your gloves, you with the knife still in your grip.

The monster.

In that moment, you rushed forward slamming the door shut in front of the boy’s wide fearful eyes then sprinted out through the balcony. The knife was left discarded on the floor, along with the necklace. You tossed it aside as if it physically burned you.

Damn it all.

Taking the same route coming in, you leapt off the building zipping to the other side. The screams of the mother shook you to your core. However, the sounds of the boy crying will haunt you for eternity.

You scrambled up to the rooftop then ran.

Ran and ran and ran.

You didn’t even try to make your way home, you simply wanted distance from that place. With every step, you struggled not to fall. But, you still did. You skidded across rooftops, only to pop back up and sprint more. Your legs burned while your lungs failed to get enough air.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

And when you finally couldn’t run anymore, when you felt you were a safe distance away - to not hear any sort of sirens - you doubled over.

You yanked down your mask along with your goggles. You coughed almost trying to throw up. Your eyes stung as tears spilled. Your hands, your black gloves, were covered in blood. You could barely see it in the overcast light, but you could feel it. It seeped inside. You ripped them off, shoving them into your jacket pocket.

You squeezed your eyes shut unleashing a silent scream.

Why did it go that way? Why? Why? Why?

You weren’t new to taking a life, but you tended to avoid it at all cost. You haven’t killed anyone since - you shook your head. It didn’t matter. The butler was innocent. He was just protecting what he loved. You understood that clearly.

Taking a deep shaky breath, you tried to center yourself.

But, the night would only get worse.

Off in the distance, unbeknownst to you, a man in all white leapt from building to building. A god, with a bird skull as a head carrying a staff with a crescent moon on top, accompanied the man. But, he was unseen by all.

“Marc,” the god, Khonshu, said.

The man under the hood skidded to a stop. “Yeah?”

“Over there.” Khonshu pointed with his staff. On the rooftop, a person - draped in all black - paced then began furiously kicking a bulky unit. The faint rapid thud echoed in the silent night. “The scent of blood lingers on them.”

He knew what it meant. Khonshu didn’t need to say anything else. He sprinted over to the person.

Adrenaline still pumped through your veins. So, you heard your assailant first: loose fabric whipping, heavy approaching footsteps, and the singing of metal whizzing through the air.

You moved aside. A simple step. Enough for the dagger to skim past your face. You snapped your head over. What you expected paled in comparison to what was actually approaching: a man dawned in an all white garb with a cape. His face was covered in wrappings, and his eyes glowed an eerie blue, nearly white.

He appeared as a demented grim reaper.

This fucking day.

You pulled up your mask and goggles. You now had a split second to decide what to do next: run or fight. And you did what you always do: run. You ran over the ledge ready to jump to the next building. But, like always your opponents chose differently. The cape crusader was on top of you, and side tackled you.

You skidded across the rooftop on your back. Rolling over and getting onto your hands and knees, you glared up at your assailant.

He didn’t waste time. He swung his leg to kick you in the stomach. You narrowly missed his attack as you threw yourself backwards. His boot blew past the tip of your nose and the gust of the kick almost knocked back your hood. Spinning around, you popped up only to duck a second later as he tried to punch your face. Punch after punch, kick after kick, you dodged each of his tracks as a few clipped you.

You tried to back away, but it only invited him to come closer. He wasn’t allowing you to breathe or think. He wanted you right here in front of him.

With each evasion, frustration welled up inside you. The frustration that never truly faded from earlier, it was merely pushed aside and now has returned tenfold. He could one night go this wrong? That man, that innocent man, you hoped he would survive, but your doubts screamed otherwise. Now, this man, this wannabe superhero, was attacking you senselessly. Did he know? Or was he simply a psychotic person looking for their joy in fights? With the way he was attacking, he was out for blood. Maybe he was the latter in a more twisted way.

He touched the moon symbol on his chest, the only piece of color he bore a tarnished gold, and pulled out a crescent shaped dagger.

Definitely the latter.

Swingi with more furiosity, he swung upward, breaking your defensive stance. You were off balanced now so he swung down with all of his might. Instinctually, you raised your hands and stumbled back.

The knife sliced across the palm of your hand. You were lucky. The only luck you could conjure for this night. Any closer and who knows what could have happened. A thief without opposable thumbs obviously couldn’t do their job.

Fuck this.

Gritting your teeth, you retaliated. You clenched your fist trying to stem the flow of blood. The man lunged forward. His dagger now dipped in your blood. You dodged. But, instead of backing up, you weaved around his attack and stepped froward. You entered his space. With all the strength you possessed, with all the fruition pent up, you swung aiming directly at his face.

You connected.

His head snapped to the side as he fumbled backwards.

That was only step one.

While he was disoriented, you grabbed his cape and wrapped it around his face and body. Using momentum and physics, you jumped up high then flung your torso forward, yanking his body over your shoulder onto the rooftop.

Marc groaned as his back slammed into the concrete rooftop. Maybe, he shouldn't have taken the body tonight.

“Marc,” Khonshu said, “they are getting away.”

Marc clenched his jaw and ripped the cape of his face. Just as Khonshu said, the person was sprinting away, bouncing from roof to roof. Taking a deep breath, he got up and followed after them.

You heard him. His damn cape snapped in the air as he gained on you.

Fuck. Think. How do I get out this? Damnit, I need more time. I can’t -

Wait.

You peered over your shoulder. He was still coming.

Screw it.

You planted your feet down and whipped around facing him. Your assailant slowed down, but didn’t approach. He was smart. He knew to analyze the situation.

What are they doing, he thought.

You began to stroll.

He matched you.

The two of you circled around each other on a random rooftop.

“So,” you began, out of breath. “Care to explain why you’re dressed like that?”

You needed time, you needed to stall him.

He cocked his head. His glowing eyes glanced down at your clenched fist as blood dripped on the roof. A dotted circle slowly formed as you paced each other. “Why do you care?” He retorted.

You shrugged. Behind your goggles, your eyes scanned everything, trying to formulate some plan. “I don’t know. A man in bandages and a cape with weird glowing eyes comes after you, you start asking questions.”

He scoffed.

“So?” You cocked your head. “Is the cape machine washable or something?”

“Marc, finish this,” Khonshu huffed impatiently.

You watched as the man looked over his shoulder. You followed his gaze seeing nothing, only a sea of building tops and the faint glow of the moon behind the growing clouds. The man looked back at you. His unusual eyes pierced through you. It sent a chill down your spine.

“This is justice.”

“Justice? Running around rooftops?”

Marc wanted to rip his hair out. Your snarky comments mixed with Khonshu’s pestering was enough to drive anyone mad. “We’re here to protect the vulnerable, and you’ve done some horrible things, you’ve killed people.”

You froze in place. “Excuse me?”

“Theft, blackmail, arson, murder, and a list that continues on.” All the information given to him by Khonshu, by a nearly all-knowing god. As long as you were under his moonlight, he knew almost everything that happened.

You blinked. “What?”

“And you won’t stop, so I’m here to put an end to it all.”

You clenched your jaw. “Who are you to judge me?”

And how does he know?

“Not me, Khonshu.”

“Khonshu?”

Why did that sound familiar? It didn’t matter.

Your fists began to tremble. “I’m not a killer.”

The butler’s shocked, pained, expression was still fresh in your mind.

“Right, because you are an upstanding citizen.” He fired back.

The young boy’s screams still hummed in your ears. You squeezed your eyes shut. The roar of a raging fire crackled in the silent night, the unbearable heat licked at your skin, the knife in your hand coated in blood as you tossed it into the fire. You sighed looking up at the full moon as embers blended with the starry background and -

“I did what I did to survive!” You shouted, drowning out the noise in your head.

Marc blinked.

Huffing and puffing, your body shook in anger and fear. “They threatened my life, they threatened my family. I would have died if I didn’t do anything. I know deep down in my bones that it was them or me.” You opened your eyes looking at the cloaked figure in front of you, your voice now soft and thick with emotion, “But … but if … if I could give them their life back I would, do you honestly think I go to bed every night sleeping peacefully and happily with the blood on my hands?”

Marc stepped forward. Oh, he knew. He knew that pain well. He can clearly see each individual face of all of those he killed, killed in the name of justice, in the name of Khonshu. The crimes of his victims were horrendous, but they were still human. Faces of neighbors, faces of family members, faces of strangers. Each one haunted him each and every night.

“They speak the truth,” Khonshu stated.

Marc snapped his head over to the god who casually sat on top of a rooftop behind him. “Then what are we doing here?” He hissed.

“They are still a danger,” Khonshu pointed out. “They will steal again and again. In that aspect, they may never change.”

“And that’s it?” Marc threw his hands up. “They steal, so what? So do little kids, are we going to go after them next? What exactly are we going, Khonshu? We keep doing this over and over? Constantly killing time? Then we are no better than all the people you make us hunt down.”

I am no better, he bitterly thought.

“This is justice, Marc Spector, so why do you hesitate now?” Khonshu faded into particles of dust before reappearing in front of him. “Did this one pull on your heart strings? Do you see yourself in them? Or are you truly so desperate to be free of me and my suit, of my powers? I am the one thing keeping you alive, the one thing giving you a purpose.”

Marc gritted his teeth.

Khonshu hummed, satisfied in Marc’s reluctant silence. He glanced over to you, only to shade his head. “And now you let them get away.”

Marc whipped around. You were gone. He rushed to the edge of the building and couldn’t see any signs left by you. He spun around wildly searching for you, possibly hopping from roof to roof, but he still saw nothing.

“Well, Marc? What will you do now?” Khonshu mused.

“Zip it.”

“Hmph, so rude as usual.” Khonshu leaned over the edge of the building. He could lend an aid to Marc’s search, but if one slips away it doesn’t matter for the moment. There were other pressing matters. “Come now, we have other business to attend to.”

Marc glanced down at the droplets of blood. All of it contained on the roof, it didn’t lead in any particular direction. He sighed to himself then left.

You pulled yourself over the balcony to your apartment then flopped onto the hard ground. Breathless, you laid staring up at the overcast night sky. Your hand throbbed in a constant drumming pain. The blood was getting sticky as it dried and coated your entire palm.

You pulled off your mask and goggles. Sighing, you close your eyes.

Who knew one night could go so wrong?

A droplet hit your cheek.

Slowly, you cracked open your eyes. Rain began to sprinkle down. You didn't move as you let each drop wash away everything: the pain, the memories, the lingering ache.

You brought your hand to your face examining the cut. It was shallow. It would heal quickly. Thankfully. “Another scar to add to the collection,” you mumbled to yourself. Slowly, you picked yourself up and leaned against the bulky concrete railing: your bloody hand pressed firmly against it. You stared out over the quiet city. A city that would wake tomorrow to see the damage you caused.

“Until next time, cape crusader,” you mumbled before turning to walk inside.