#it was a gunshot rather anything else. there has to be a bunch more stuff like this that never reaches the light of day

[burnoutbeat]

The absolute state of the law in all forms have failed so many people and then they get gunned down for being forgotten by the unforgiving system. I have no idea how we fix this but all I know is it needs to start from ground zero.

[pluckyredhead]

wip amnesty: super sons fake dating (but different)

So while I was working on It Wouldn’t Be Make Believe (If You Believed In Me), my brain abruptly gave me a completely different Super Sons fake dating scenario, insisted that I write two scenes, and then abandoned me entirely. There is like a 1% chance that I will ever finish this so instead I offer it up to you, my very patient friends. (Don’t worry, I have different Jon/Damian fics planned!)

Also, this completely ignores the Bendis run, because...well, you know why. SIGH.

-

Damian cast a weary eye over the guests assembled at the gala, the latest tribute of the Gotham elite to their own wealth and frivolity. He wasn’t even sure what this one was ostensibly raising money for, but he had a feeling most of that money had gone into the refreshments and entertainment rather than the intended charitable recipients.

He hated these things, but Father was in space with the Justice League, Richard was undercover, Drake was on Earth-3, and Todd was just generally unsuitable for public consumption. Once again it fell to Damian, as the heir to the Wayne name, to carry the entire family on his shoulders. He usually didn’t mind, except when it took the form of wearing a tuxedo and making small talk with empty-headed socialites.

Maybe the Riddler or someone would show up and try to steal everyone’s jewelry. That would be a pleasing diversion.

He saw Gracie Van Nuyck, daughter of one of the few Gotham families older than the Waynes, making her way over to him and quickly took out his phone. He was meant to be the latest irresponsible Wayne playboy; he could be rude and spend a whole party texting and not talking to anyone as long as he kept a stupid expression on his face.

He already had a few texts from Jon, he saw when he unlocked his phone.

giant kraken attacking honolulu

titans & i r teleporting over

u in?

Damian clicked his tongue.

I know you’re overriding your autocorrected capitalization to irritate me.

And I can’t. I have to attend this gala.

sucks 2 b u 🐟 🐠 🐬

“Damian Wayne.” Gracie had not been put off by his texting - in fact, she had her own phone in her hand. Damian dimly remembered that she’d once told him she was an “influencer.” She had influenced him pretty strongly to get as far away from her as possible, so he supposed she was good at what she did. “Look at you, all dressed up and looking like a snack.”

“Gracie,” he said. “Nice to see you.” He did not attempt to make it convincing, or glance up from his phone more than briefly.

Trust me, I’m aware. Everyone here is an imbecile and none of the hors d'oeuvres are vegetarian.

“Do you like my dress?” Gracie asked, giving a little twirl.

“Lovely.” Damian did not have Richard’s ability to give genuine compliments, or even Father’s ability to fake them well. It didn’t deter Gracie in the slightest.

“I have a proposition for you, you beautiful boy,” she said.

“I’m the same age as you.”

that blows. what about the orderbs?

Damian fought a smile. I also know you know how hors d’oeuvres is pronounced.

😂 😂 😉

“What’s that smile for?” Gracie asked.

Damian forced his facial expression back to neutral. “What’s your proposition?”

She held up her hands like she was illuminating a marquee. “Gotham’s new dream couple: Dacie. Or we could be Gramian, I guess, but that sounds horrible.”

“Excuse me?”

“You and me, joining forces,” she said. “Me and my millions and my beautiful body, you and your millions and your beautiful body...we’d be the toast of the glitterati.”

“You want to date me,” Damian said, flatly, disbelievingly. This was what Father and Richard’s inability to resist a pretty face had brought him to: being literally propositioned at parties by socialites who thought every Wayne was an easy mark.

“I want to date you,” she agreed. “It must be your lucky day. Well, night.”

Damian stared at her for a long moment, just enough to let it become uncomfortable. “No,” he said finally, and turned back to his phone.

once weve kicked this things ass i bet i can bring u some shave ice before it melts

Bring the kraken instead. It can eat everyone here.

“No?” Gracie repeated.

“No, thank you,” Damian said, as a sop to good manners.

He glanced up. She looked bewildered. It might be the first time she’d ever been told no in her life. “Why not?”

“I’m seeing someone,” he said. Totally untrue, but a reason she couldn’t argue with.

Not that she didn’t try. “Oh? Who’s the lucky girl?” she asked, her expression calculating.

Damian raised an eyebrow. “Not sure why you would assume pronouns,” he said, more to wrong foot her than anything else, though it was true that gender didn’t make much difference to him. He disliked most people equally.

Her eyes widened before she recovered herself. “My apologies,” she said. “Do I know...uh, them?”

Damian’s phone buzzed in his hand. It was a selfie of Jon, with Billy and Lian pulling faces behind him and a tentacle snaking through the air above their heads. Idiots. He fought another smile.

Stop taking selfies before you get drowned.

“It’s a long distance relationship,” he said. The last thing he needed was Gracie tracking down Colin or Maya or someone and pestering them.

no its cool we made friends with it

i gave it ur shave ice

sorry

“Oh?” Gracie asked. “Where do they live?”

Out of the corner of his eye Damian could see that she seemed to be on her phone too, so he felt even less bad about ignoring her. “Metropolis,” he said, because it was the first city he thought of. You traitor, he texted Jon.

“Innnteresting,” she said. “Well, it was worth a shot. See you around, hot stuff.” She brushed a kiss in the air near his cheek and sauntered off.

Damian blinked. That had been...relatively painless. Maybe the whole night would go by so quickly and easily.

He checked the time. Three and a half hours to go.

Tt.

*

Jon had heard the noise before he stepped outside, but he hadn’t really processed it. Metropolis was a noisy city, and if there were no gunshots or cries for help, he had gotten pretty good at tuning it out.

Which was why he was so surprised when he walked out of his apartment building to be confronted with a sea of reporters flashing cameras at him.

“Jon!”

“Jon Kent!”

“Jon, over here!”

His heart stopped. Had they somehow found out he was Superboy? Which meant they knew about Dad, and Mom was probably in danger, and all of his friends, and…

“Jon, long have you and Damian Wayne been dating?”

What?

“Back off, you vultures! Leave him alone!” Uncle Jimmy emerged from the crowd, red-faced and disheveled. He put one hand in front of Jon’s face and the other on his shoulder. “No comment! He has no comment! Come on, Jon, back inside.”

Thoroughly baffled, Jon allowed Uncle Jimmy to steer him back into the building.

“Hey, Frank, don’t let any of them in unless Mr. or Mrs. Lane-Kent says it’s cool, okay?” Uncle Jimmy said to the doorman.

Frank, who Jon had known since they moved here when he was ten, put his imposing frame in front of the door. “Absolutely not,” he said.

“Thanks, Frank,” Jon managed, and waited until he and Jimmy were in the elevator and out of sight of the reporters. “What the heck is going on?”

“You’re a social media sensation, kiddo,” Uncle Jimmy said, and held up his phone to display a picture of Damian wearing a tuxedo and looking elegantly bored. “Apparently Bruce Wayne’s kid told someone called ‘GraceFace’ that he was dating a boy who lived in Metropolis, and she told her three million Instagram followers. A bunch of them found this photo.” He swiped to show a slightly blurry picture of Jon and Damian in Centennial Park, clearly taken on a cell phone by someone moving quickly. Jon remembered that day but hadn’t realized anyone had recognized Damian, though it did happen. “And someone figured out your name.”

“And assumed I’m the boy Damian is dating in Metropolis,” Jon said, putting it together. “Wait. Is he dating someone in Metropolis? Did he mean me? Why would he say we were dating?”

Uncle Jimmy held up a finger. “No, first question before that: how the hell do you know Damian Wayne?”

“Uh.” Jon paused. Uncle Jimmy knew all about him and Dad, since he was basically Dad’s best friend, but not any Gotham secret identities, and Jon was pretty sure both Damian and Mr. Wayne wanted to keep it that way.

Uncle Jimmy’s eyes flicked to the counter that showed what floor they were on. “And before we get to your apartment...any chance you want to give me the exclusive on this saga of young love?”

Jon’s mouth dropped open. “Uncle Jimmy!”

“What? I’m a reporter, it’s in my blood!”

“I’m telling my mom you asked me that.”

“No, please, tell your dad. He can only heat vision me or throw me out the window. Either way it’ll be quick.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m telling Mom.”

[dixtrich]

BLAKE DIETRICH ( HE/HIM ) is a MALE, TWENTY-FIVE year old SOCIALITE/GANG MEMBER who has been living in Moorbrooke for TWENTY-FIVE YEARS. Right now, they are currently residing in ELMSETT GREEN. It has been said that they look suspiciously like NICHOLAS GALITZINE and if they had to choose a song to describe themselves, they would choose WITNESS by MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE.

Baby boy Blake was never the golden boy as much as he tried. Since he was born, he caused nothing but trouble for his mother at least; his father never paid much attention, being honest. He was born during a camping trip; Ms. Dietrich started with contractions and even bleeding while swimming in the lake. She was hurried to the hospital and because of that, he was named Blake which means Son of Lake.

He was second to an older brother named Quade: the football star in high school, the one everybody talked about and you cannot blame them! He was quite the charmer, quite the… manipulator. Blake always stood in his shadow, but he didn’t really mind, Quade was the only one who ever really paid attention to him. You see, his father was an important business man while his mother was basically a socialite back when they lived in New York before he was born. They moved to Moorbrooke because little towns were in that season. Blake’s dad kept going to NY to keep up with his office job and sometimes the mother would go with him to update her wardrobe. ( more to come on the parents later ).

The matters of normies never affected them much until there were some news about a possible gang in town and still, it was a rather unimportant thing... until they took Quade.        SPOILER: Quade is alive.

The family mourned so much for a month and afterwards, they just closed Quade’s bedroom door and kept it like that forever, ignoring the memory of their son and ignoring their pain. Blake didn’t find the truth of what happened to his brother until he was around 17 years old. Quade came to him in the shape of a beast, not quite literally, but on his window appeared the silhouette of a man with a mask. Long story short: Quade was alive, he had faked his death by hands of the gang to start anew as the new leader said gang that had been terrorizing Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont. This gang was called THE PACK and their distinctive nature was the use of animal masks to hide their identities; Quade as leader, was the only one allowed to use a human skull mask.

Blake was inivited to join him and since Quade was the only one who accepted him, he said yes. Anything for his big brother. He joined The Pack under the identity of HELLHOUND. While using the mask, far from being a regular mid-twentieth boy, Blake became a strategist and a killing machine with guns and cars. He was the image of anarchy itself disrupting order and creating mayhem anywhere he stepped. Gunshots, arson, uncontrollable parties and so on. Hellhound followed the leader’s rules with eagerness as long as he could rip apart and destroy whatever or… whoever.

But nobody knew! For everyone else, he was still one to go to church every Sunday, attending cocktail parties to pass the time and getting ready to join his father’s company; although he had secretly started taking some online courses and clases of history and literature because his main goal in life was to become a poet.

A strong Gryffindor, Blake is playful and madly loyal; one to pull at your hair during mass but one to follow the rules when he is under Quade’s orders. Bad Boy ‘til the end, he has a reputation for getting in trouble, but nothing ever too damaging to actually get arrested. Not a favorite of the cops most likely. Secretly sweet and with a secret knack to bake and write, but these are not hardcore so people don’t really know about them. Loves attention, used to get in trouble at school so his parents paid attention to him.

I am sure I missed a bunch of stuff but I wanted to get this out asdlkf. Will be updating!

Fun facts:

Is actually really good with kids!

Loves bubbles smh.

With the mask on, he is a whole different person and can act more feral.

Sadistic tendencies.

He loves playing pretend and being a good boy at important rich people’s parties.

Out of the mask he is teasing and even kinda immature, he will stick his tongue out to you and everything if he finds out that annoys you.

You can see him competing in illegal racing at least three times a week!

The Pack is mainly into weapon trafficking and doing just anything that pays good enough.

Is good, but being good never brought him any good. Very street smart and of quick thinking, but Quade manipulates him just too much.

Aesthetic:

A BIG SPECTRAL BLACK DOG THAT STARES FROM YOUR BACKGROUND

ABSOLUTE ANARCHY.

AN IMPROPER COMMENTARY DROPPED QUIETLY AT CHURCH THAT MADE THE PRISTINE CHOIR GIRL GIGGLE.

SECRETLY PLAYING ROBIN HOOD BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY KNEW YOU ARE HELPING YOU WOULD BE DEAD, OH SO DEAD.

THE THIN LINE BETWEEN REBELLIOUS HEROISM AND BRUTAL ANTAGONISM.

NEON LIGHTS GLOWING THROUGH THE WINDOW AS YOU MAKE OUT IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.

THE SMELL OF SULFUR SHORT BEFORE CLOAKED FIGURES SURROUND YOU OMINOUSLY.

Connections:

Someone attacked by the gang maybe.

Members of the gang ofc!!!

Fwb, exes, crushes that go either way. GIMME THE ANGST.

Childhood friends/acquaintances

Someone that knows he is part of The Pack.

Good influence

Bad influence

Tbh just anything pls!

Pinterest board!

[taiblogcomics]

Robin the Readership of Plot Development

Hey there, beta chat programs. Looks like it's time again to review another terrible issue of the New 52's Teen Titans. But not just any issue, as I intoned at the end of last week's review! No, my friends. We've got a gimmick to this issue~

So, it's the anniversary of the New 52's beginning. Like, not today. Back in September, actually. But in the comic's timeline that we're following. It'd been a year of publishing their reboot, and I don't know if you remember this from the last time we covered it eight years ago when it was new, but what they did to celebrate was this: Zero Month. All of the comics--at least, all of the ones that hard survived as far as 12 issues--spent the anniversary month putting out a 0th issue to explain some backstory. It helped it some cases! Others... not so much~

Here's the cover:

So every cover of the Zero Month was like this: washed-out grey background, character breaking on through to the other side, and not much else. Some folks who remember back that far might remember Catwoman #0 having an infamous pose, but otherwise all these covers were identical in composition. There's really not much to say about it. When every issue released that month had roughly identical covers, none really stood out, which is not what you want in a cover~

So the comic opens with the taunting phrase of "Before the New 52"! Which it's really not. "Before the New 52" would imply the old continuity. But all they really mean is "before the events of issue 1". Anyway, this is an origin story for Tim Drake. We start with three full-page splashes of him doing a bunch of gymnastics for a crowd, which includes his parents. I was afraid it was going to jump right into the essential parts of Dick Grayson's origin, but with Olympic prospects instead of circus stuff. Fortunately, nothing happens here, and he finishes his routine with no ill effects and heads out to meet his parents.

Like in the previous continuity, Tim starts with both parents. Which is noted by the person watching him in secret--Batman. Yes, in this continuity, Batman's already scouting Tim rather than Tim seeking out Batman of his own will. Batman notes that he doesn't want to recruit a new Robin, not so soon after Jason, and not while Tim still has a family. That's... kind of ominous, Batman. ...Are you the villain? Speaking of Tim's family, though, his dad meets him in an extremely ominously-lit room and tells his son that it's okay to want more and be bigger than just this family. Come on, Dad, that foreshadowing is way too much.

Just to prove me wrong, Tim sneaks out of his room that night to go apply for a job: Batman's apprentice. Heck, he'll even settle for an unpaid internship. He's deduced that Batman's HQ is in the old Gotham Aviary. He's wrong, but Batman is content to let him think he's right. In fact, every clue he's followed has been something Batman's planted. Tim puts out the armour-piercing bit, though: what happened to the previous Robin? Batman scowls and disappears, telling Tim he'll never see him again. That seems highly unlikely, given how many comics Batman was appearing in at the time~

Tim's not ready to give up, though. See, he wants to follow his dad's advice and become something bigger than not only his family, but than himself too. And so he keeps trying to find ways to get Batman's attention. Unfortunately, he gets someone else's as well. See, he's been using his hacker powers to transfer money out of criminals' accounts into charitable organisations. This is pretty cool. The problem is, he's now targeted the Penguin's stash. The Cobblepot fortune has been stole, and the Penguin is big mad about it.

The Penguin traces the activity back to Tim--I guess he's not that good of a hacker--and sends some goons to his house. Batman arrives just in time to save Tim from a shootout. And to this book's credit, it doesn't end in the tragedy you think it will. Tim's parents both survive the gunfire and are placed in witness protection. But to keep them safe--and to give Tim that "life bigger than this family" they keep talking about--they agree to have Batman look after Tim instead. And Batman decides that the best way to keep an eye on Tim is to make him his partner, just like he wanted. Superman may be the Man of Steel, but Batman is the man of irony~

And so, Tim Drake forges his own identity as Batman's partner. He opts not to wear Jason's old uniform, mostly out of respect for Jason, but also because have you seen Jason's old Robin uniform? In fact, to set him aside as his own identity even more, he opts to call himself Red Robin rather than just Robin. Sorry, Tim, but "Batman and Red Robin" will never catch on as a popular name. Anyway, he's already begun his research, looking into stories of metahumans his own age. And... that's the end! It ends on yet another splash page, depicting him and Batman as crime-fighting partners, even though this is the zeroth issue for a team book without Batman in it~

This issue... is not that bad. It’s a fair origin for Tim Drake, I suppose. I’ve never actually read A Lonely Place of Dying, which was Tim’s origin in the pre-New 52 continuity, so I don’t know how it compares. At the very least, this one surprised me for a New 52 origin. I’m very glad they didn’t kill off Tim’s parents, even if they more or less removed them from the story anyway. That’s always what made Tim unique, that he still had supportive parents around. And while they may no longer be around in the technical sense, at least it didn’t end in gunshots and tragedy.

The other major change is mostly Tim’s motivation. In this, it seems Tim’s doing it more or less to prove something to himself, to make himself into something bigger. In the original? Again, I haven’t read it, but my impression of the story was that Tim noticed something change in Batman’s demeanor after Jason Todd’s death. He thought Batman needed a Robin to balance himself out, and volunteered himself for the job. And that’s what impressed Batman: that Tim volunteered for it, rather than letting tragedy lead him there like it did for himself or Dick Grayson. And that, I think, is a bit of what’s lost in this origin. And that Batman’s so pissy about it. “You didn’t discover anything that I didn’t let you find out” and all that. That’s dangerously close to the same rhetoric as Harvest~

Next week, we’ll get back to the main story, and the story will get back to sucking~

[justreadingfics]

Looking For a Heartbeat (11/?)

Pairing: Bucky Barnes X Reader

Series Summary: You and Bucky used to be in a relationship. Feelings were hurt, you left. It’s been two years and you’re back. You both will handle the reunion well, won’t you?

Chapter Summary:  A little help from your friends.

Word Count: 4.4k

Warnings for this chapter: angst, pregnancy stuff.

 A/N: @nedthegay is the angel helping me with this story. Links are ruining posts, you can find the masterlist link on my description. 

 The symphony of knocks on your door would be more than enough to wake you up, if you had been able to get some sleep at all at night. Lying on your bed, you move your forearm to uncover your eyes and see the sun peeking through the curtains. You haven’t even realize it’s morning already. The knocks grow louder, taking a low grunt out of you.

“I’m coming,” you half yell, forcing yourself up. You have to stand still for a moment, waiting for the small but annoying dizziness to go away until you manage to lumber to the door.

“Good Morning,” Wanda greets you while Nat is right beside her, holding a long glass filled with something looking like a smoothie.

“Here,” she says, handing the glass to you, “Drink it up.”

“Good morning to you, too, Ms. Black Widow,” you say, accepting the drink and bringing it next to your nose. Your eyebrows rise with surprise when the smell isn’t awful, but instead feels quite decent.

“She made it herself,” Wanda’s grin is bright, “Said it would be good for morning sickness.”

Your head snaps to your friend, stunned.You’ve never seen Nat doing anything in the kitchen that didn’t contain vodka before. She shuffled her feet, looking at the floor before looking up at you.

Nat huffs and rolls her eyes, “There’s a thing called Google these days, you know? Now will you let us in or not?”

“Oh, yes, by all means, please get in,” you jest, giving room to both of them to pass. You take a sip from the ice cold smoothie before shutting the door and guiding them to your bedroom. You hum in satisfaction and lick your lips, it truly tastes good and the coldness seems it’s really going to help with your new buddy, morning sickness.

“Wow, thank you, Nat. It’s delicious,” You exclaim, taking a seat on the middle of your bed, resting your back against the headboard.

“Of course it is,” she deadpans, positioning herself next to you, while Wanda sits on the chair in front of the bed.

“How did you sleep?” Wanda asks.

“Didn’t,” you mumble, taking another small sip from the smoothie.

It’s quiet in the room as you gulp down the cold drink. Licking your lips, you can see Wanda’s bouncing leg  and Nat’s clenched fists. Their uneasiness and expectation are palpable, the need to ask but not daring to…

You let out a long sigh and ends with the silence, “I’m keeping it.” You can’t stop the small smile curling up your lips when you hear yourself saying it, “I’m keeping the baby.”

Your gaze shifts from one to the other and the previous expectation is replaced  by what it seems like… surprise? Confusion? You really can’t blame them when. Actually, you were the first one to be surprised by your resolution and the feelings it’s been making surface inside you.

“You know, I’ve always heard I should be strong,” you say, resting the glass on your lap, “And I learned love, boyfriends, family… all of that wasn’t important. It was a distraction, a weakness,” you chuckle without humor, looking at your friends.

Wanda has her lips pressed tightly together, while Nat rests her head back on the headboard, her face turned and focused on you. She nods for you to continue.

“The thing is, ever since I saw that positive result and I realized I’m going to have a child, a little person to take care of, I’ve been feeling stronger and stronger. More than I’ve ever have.” You take in some air and let the smile come back to your face, tightening the grip on the glass in your hands. “I feel empowered; I feel like I could fight a thousand HYDRA agents singlehanded. I want to fight and make this place a safer and better place for this baby.”

You bring one hand to your belly as you stare down at it, “There’s a bunch of new feelings rising inside me, and I’m stronger because of it.” You nod to yourself as a single tear trails down your cheek, “I want this. I want this baby.”

When you look up, you see Wanda sporting a huge, watery smile on her face. Turning to the side, you catch the soft look on Nat, a rare and beautiful vision. Before you could do or say anything else Wanda swiftly climbs on the bed to sit facing your side and promptly puts her arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a tight hug. It almost makes you spill the smoothie in your hands all over the sheets, as she nuzzles into your neck. Giggling, you reach behind her to place the glass safely on the nightstand.

“I’m gonna be an auntie.” She cries out. “You’re gonna be an auntie, Nat.” She adds, pulling back to look at her.

At your other side, Nat smiles and nods to both of you, “I guess that’s what’s going to happen, huh?” She takes your hand into hers, squeezing it tightly as she adjusts her body and turn it to you, prepping a kiss to your temple.

“Oh My God,” Wanda covers her mouth for a small second before speaking again, with widened eyes, “Bucky is going to be a father. When are you going to tell him?

Just like that, the bubbling joy inside your chest freezes and you can feel the smile leaving your face as your stomach swirls.

“Well,” you breathe, “about that…”

“Y/N?” Nat frowns, as if she’s the one who can read your mind instead of Wanda, “You have to tell him,” She adds, her voice firm.

“I’ve tried to…”  You let go of her hand and shift on the mattress under the questioning eyes of your friends, “I called him last night, right after you two left.” You explain, chewing your cheek before continuing,  “I told him I had something important to tell him and asked if he could come over. He was a fucking dick.” You scoff and shake your head replaying the phone call in your head.

“What happened?”  Wanda asks as her eyes squint. .

The wounding memory assaults you like a gunshot made of pain and anger. You want nothing except to never talk about that, but you tell them all about your last conversation with Bucky instead. “… and I told him it was important but he said he had absolutely no interest in what I had to say. He wouldn’t meet me, and there was I nothing I could say to change that. So I said nothing.” You fold your legs up and brace your arms around your knees, as one of your legs keeps bouncing.

“Oh…” That’s all that slips from Wanda.  

“Bucky’s a fucking asshole and I wanna punch his fucking guts,” Nat says, making you tilt your face to her, “However… and I know you don’t wanna hear this right now, but I have to say it,” her expression is soft, like her voice, when she talks next, “Maybe you should’ve told him over the phone anyway. This is huge, I don’t think it’s something you should be petty about.”

“Nat…” Wanda calls in a reproving tone.

You feel your features and your muscles stiffen defensively, “He said he didn’t want to know what I had to say-”

“Come on, Y/N, we all know Bucky. I’m sure if you had told him what it was about he would’ve changed his attitude and would listen, you can’t be selfish right now-“

“Nat,” you raise your hand and interrupt her, “Tell me something, if I had told you I’d rather not go forward with this pregnancy, what would you say to me?”

Natasha sighs, looking to the other way briefly, seemingly understanding your point before you even make it. She faces you again and nods, resigned, “I would have said it’s your decision to make and no one else’s, because it’s your body. You make the rules.” She purses her lips.

“Exactly,” the fight doesn’t leave your tone yet as you unconsciously move farther from her and closer to Wanda, “I’m far from perfect, but I’m not a monster. I know he has to know about the child, it’s his as much as it is mine. But this pregnancy,” You place a hand over your belly and Nat’s gaze follows the move, “this pregnancy is mine. As far as I’m concerned I owe him absolutely nothing right now.” You spit as your breathing grows erratic.

“Calm down, Y/N, it’s ok,” Wanda tries to soothe you, resting her hand on your shoulder.

“Picture that:” despite Wanda’s efforts, you keep on with your rant without taking a breath, eyes bored into Nat’s as she doesn’t make a single move to interrupt you, “Despite my fears, because, yes, I was damn scared of his reaction when he knew, I called him. The guy is fucking annoyed by my mere voice even if it’s the first fucking time I’m calling after two months of complete radio silence and says he wants nothing to do with me or what I have to say…” you blink rapidly, replaying the words in your head.

Nat’s eyes downcast and she folds her arms in front of her.

“What did you expect me to say after that? Hey, guess what?” You change your voice into one filled of fake cheerfulness, “You want nothing to do with me? Ha ha, not happening because I’m fucking pregnant?” You let out a huff, “I know it seems petty and selfish, and maybe it is, but I don’t care. He crushed me last night, I felt like shit. I don’t need this right now.”

“We get it, dear. Please, just try to breathe.”

Wanda finally gets your attention as you turn your watery eyes at her and do what she said, taking in and out deliberately long and slow breaths. You’re not sure what’s stronger inside you, the anger of being confronted, the sadness from the memory of being rejected when you were so excited about the news, or the shame for being called out on something you know you could’ve handled better…

“I know he’ll find out eventually,” you speak again, this time calmer and steadier, “And that’s ok,” You turn to Nat again, “That’s really ok.” You nod at her, wanting her to believe what you’re affirming, “It’s not even about him, it’s about this kid who will deserve their father to at least know about them, no matter if he decides to take part of this or not.” You lazily caress your belly, looking down at it, before addressing to Wanda, in a small voice, “He didn’t seem like he would be happy about it last night and I wouldn’t bear that at that moment, when I was so excited on finding out.”

Her hand is tight and comforting warm on your shoulder. You wonder if the gradual serenity growing inside is her doing…

You give her a tight lip smile, before continuing, staring ahead and avoiding both of their looks, “This pregnancy is something entirely unexpected and new for me. I need peace to live through this, to learn how to be a… a mother.” You pause when the word comes out of you. The tension in your throat from holding back tears becomes too much and you let them free, feeling the heat of them running down your face before hastily wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand.

Wanda and Nat settle in silence, letting you take the moment to yourself and articulate your thoughts again.

“He doesn’t want the drama of loving me into his relationship and I don’t want it while I’m pregnant, either.” You sigh and nod to yourself, “Right now, the only people who know about this are in this room and I wanna keep it that way, at least for a while.” You look at one and them at the other, receiving reassuring nods in response, “I’m dealing with this alone. It’s just me and my baby.”

“You’re not alone.” Nat finally breaks her silence.

You turn to her and exchange a wordless conversation. One of the many you two have had during your friendship. Full of understanding... Despite your rant, you’re glad for having her, the friend who won’t accept your bullshit and will always bring you to reality. But you’re also glad you were able to make her see you side of things too. Her eyes are tearing up as she shrugs and twists her mouth. Definitely another “non- Black-Widow” look.

“I’m sorry.” She mouths to you.

You extend a hand to her, which she accepts promptly.

“Of course you’re not alone.” Wanda covers the hand over your belly with hers, resting her head on your shoulder.  

You sigh, feeling more at ease with their support, “Sooner or later he’ll know, and then I’ll deal with whatever comes from it,” you whisper.

“We’ll be here for you,” Nat reassures.

“You have to tell Heloise, though.” Wanda raises her head from your shoulder and you look at her, “She needs to check on your meds and, oh,” Her eyes round as she’s remembering something, “We need to schedule an appointment with an obstetrician or will you prefer a midwife? We have to think about this.”

“Yes.” You nod, smiling, loving how she uses ‘we’, “All of that. And Nat will have to make me one of those every morning.” You point at the up till now forgotten smoothie on the nightstand.

Nat only grunts her response.

~~~

A couple of days passed until you managed to set up an appointment with an obstetrician you three agreed was qualified enough. You didn’t want to see any of the doctors from the tower yet, due the risk of being exposed, but considering the super soldier status of the father, you pondered that soon a doctor with more know-how on the matter would be safer to your baby.

If, even for a second, you thought you would go through this alone, you were so very mistaken. Wanda and Nat went with you to the appointment and acted like a couple of helicopter moms, asking questions, exposing your bad habits and taking notes on all the recommendations and prescriptions.

They were there during the first ultrasound as well. You’re 9 weeks into the pregnancy and the moment when you see the tiny, almost imperceptible smudge on the screen and hear its accelerated heartbeat was the moment you remembered you had a heart too. You felt alive and strong. More than ever. There were tears and laughter while Wanda and Nat held your hands. The doctor offered pictures of your little bean and they wanted one copy each.

You took two home...

As the days pass, keeping the secret has become one of the most difficult things to do. All you want is to scream to the World and especially to your friends about your baby. But you decided it was to best to keep it to yourself so you stick to your plan, avoiding meeting anyone on the mornings, while the sickness was worst, avoiding get togethers to drink and also going to the gym with everyone else, since you’re not allowed to do heavy exercises, and explaining why would be a handful.

At least you have Wanda and Nat to talk about everything. Oh, and Heloise. You told her on your very next session and you were relieved when she told you the medication she had prescript before were safe to use during pregnancy.

Now, obviously, the main subject in your sessions has been your pregnancy.

“Have you talked to Bucky again?” She asks, studying you from above her glasses.

“No, and I don’t wanna talk about it.” You straighten your posture on the chair, “I haven’t even been thinking about him, to be honest.” To your own surprise, you’re saying the truth. Bucky hasn’t been in your mind lately, even though you know it won’t be for long.

“No? And what have you been thinking about?”

Looking down to your lap, you watch yourself fiddling with your nails. You twist your mouth to the side before you bite your lower lip. The thing is that  since finding out about the baby the excitement that came has lessened, and the little hint of fear has become a monster inside you, lodging in your thoughts.

“I’m gonna screw this up, I know I will.” You blurt it out in an exasperated voice, looking up at Heloise again, who quirks a questioning brow at you, “Do you know how many time I’ve hold a baby in my life? None. Zero fucking times. I have no idea how much a baby weighs, where would I even put my hands…what if I drop them?

“Y/n-” Heloise tries to get your attention.

“Their bodys are so fragile and tiny,” You watch your hands as you shape them to mimic a newborn’s size, “What if I hold them the wrong way and hurt them?”  Their little neck seems so soft … What if I don’t have breast milk?” You bring your palm to your forehead, staring at nothing as you keep your frantic questions, “What if they choke up while I’m feeding them? Oh my God…” You pant and your hand drops to your mouth briefly, “I haven’t thought of that before…”

“Y/n-” Heloise tries a little louder.

“Besides, I’m fucked up,” You scoff and shake your head “The only logical thing is I fuck up with this baby’s head too, I know I will… And I’m doing this alone, the girls are amazing but at the end of the day, I’m the mother, the responsibility is mine, oh fuck-”

“Y/N!”

The yell coming from Heloise is enough to stop your monologue, as your wide eyes snap at her.

“My dear, Y/n,” She says, calmly this time. You stare as she scrunches up her face and rubs her temples while still holding her pen. “You’re gonna give me a headache.”

Your head tilts as you squint at her, watching as her hands drop from her head and she writes down something on a blank page of her little notebook.

“All valid concerns.” She keeps writing as she speaks, “But, as qualified and amazing as I am-”

You sigh.

“I can’t help with all of them. So, here’s something I think it’s going to be perfect for you.” She finishes writing and rips off the page, extending it to you.

With the page in your hands you read an address in it.

“It’s a support group for…” she ponders for a moment, “parents without a partner.” Heloise seems pleased with her choice of words.

Your eyes roll, “You can say single mother.”

“And hurt your pregnant feelings? Never!” She mocks outrage, placing a hand over her heart,  “Besides, it’s not just for mothers, there are fathers there as well.” Her face light up as if an incredible idea has come to her mind, “Oh… this might be even more interesting than I thought…” She smirks and wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

Catching her meaning, you huff, lying back on your chair, “Jesus, Heloise, I’m pregnant…”  

“My point exactly. Just wait until the pregnancy hormones hit you hard and leave you horny as fuck.  Then we’ll talk.” She states with a straight face, pointing at the walls behind her with her pen.

“Will this be helpful? For real?” You ignore her comment.

“It will.” She speaks more seriously, “A friend of mine is the mediator. She’s a specialist. Trust me.”

“Well,” You fold the little paper and reach behind you to tuck it in your back pocket, “I’ll give it a shot.”

~~~

“Dear God, Steve, can you just stop?” Bucky huffs, interrupting whatever his friend had been saying.  

“Stop what?” Steve asks from across the table, gulping down his coffee as he rests the cup back on the wooden surface. He looks at the man across the table with his brows furrowed in confusion.

Bucky waves his hand around his friend, “Doing whatever it is you’re doing to make the staff and customers here all so damn fuzzy. Can’t you hear the whispers? The dirty mind in these people…” Bucky glances up to the ceiling of the small coffee shop and puffs, before taking a sip from his own coffee.

A rush of red creeps up Steve’s pale neck to his ears, but he still manages to give Bucky a small cheeky smile and shrug, “Can’t help you with that, pal. I’m doing absolutely nothing.”

“Show off.” Bucky scowls.

Steve chuckles, “I miss this, Buck. It’s been a while since we last went for a run and coffee together.”

Bucky flicks his eyes up to him, before dropping them to his hands playing with the cup of coffee, “You’ve seen me a week ago, at the pizza house.”

“Yeah, I know, but I miss this.” Steve shakes his hand back and forth, “You and me only.” The smile curling his lips has a touch of nostalgia, “And I miss you in the Tower. Everyone does.”

“I know,” Bucky agrees softly and glances at his friend, “It’s the same for me. But I need this time away, you know I do.”

“Yeah, yeah… but for how long?” Steve forehead creases, “How much time away will you need? Two years didn’t seem to be enough before…” he trails off.

The not so subtle hint dropped doesn’t slip from Bucky’s attention. His jaw clenches and he shots a warning glare at his friend, “Just don’t, Steve.”

“Okay, okay, sorry.” Steve raises his hands to the air in a sign of surrender, “I don’t wanna fight with you.” He leans his elbows on the table and takes a good look of his friend, who grabs his coffee for another sip, “How do you like the new apartment? How’s Brooklyn?”

“Not the same. Too crowded. Too loud.” Bucky answers grumpily.

“Yeah, nothing is the same these days.” Steve sighs, “Have you been sleeping well?” He nods towards the evident dark circles around Bucky’s eyes.

“They haven’t stopped,” Bucky breathes, knowing what Steve’s question really is about, considering he was the one – besides you, of course-  who had been helping him through constant nightmares back in the tower, “Anna spent the night one of these days… I’m kind of glad I wasn’t able to get a wink of sleep that night, to be honest…”

“Oh yeah, and what kept you awake?” Steve asks, before bringing his cup to his lips.

“Y/N called.” Bucky clears his throat.

“Really?” Steve’s eyes well up “What for?” He leans over, giving Bucky his full attention.

Bucky focus on his fidgeting fingers over the table. “She… it seemed like she had something to tell me. But I- I didn’t let her speak.” He can’t help the shame fastened on his voice. He glances up at Steve, “Do you have an idea of what she wanted to tell me? Is she… is everything ok with her?”

“Now I’m allowed to talk about her?” Steve asks, tilting his head.

Bucky grimaces impatiently. “Come on, stop being a punk.”

Steve taps on his thighs and leans back, “I don’t know, but now that you mentioned, I haven’t really been seeing her much these days…Last time I bumped into her she was leaving the tower early in the morning with Nat and Wanda. They seemed to be in a hurry...”

“Would you… would you check on her?” Bucky’s shoulders slump and his voice is small, almost pleading, “I was kind of a jerk and didn’t listen to what she wanted to say. It could be important. Just… just see if she’s ok. But, please don’t tell her I asked.” Bucky swallows.

After you hung up the phone he had felt like throwing up. He was disgusted at himself. You called in the middle of the night, two months after no contact at all and he didn’t have the decency to at least try to listen. He treated you like shit, instead. You said you wanted to meet in person… But he is terrified to meet you…He’s afraid of himself in your presence. The thing is he made a commitment with Anna and he knows it’s what’s best for everybody if you two stay away from each other. But he simply can’t shake off the feeling that you might be needing him and it’s been killing him inside.    

“Of course,” Steve’s voice brings him back to the present. “But I don’t see why you don’t do it yourself.” Steve shrugs, folding his arms in front of his chest, “And maybe you could apologize for being a jerk, too.”

“Steve…” Bucky groans and his head drops.

“No, Buck I mean it. Sorry but I can’t stand still and quiet while I see my best friend being such a  thickhead dumbass. This little arrangement of you and Anna…” He points his finger at Bucky “It will only make things worse, can’t you see?”

“I thought you liked her.” Bucky snaps.

“And I do. We all like Anna.” Steve adds, “She’s always been sweet and all, but I don’t know.” He clicks his tongue and shakes his head lightly, “She used to be your therapist for fuck’s sake. Have you forgotten about that?” Steve opens his arms in a questioning sign, “Don’t you think this is at least a little messed up? I mean… I’m not saying she’s doing something deliberately… It just seems like she’s so in love with you she doesn’t even realize she’s getting into a dangerous territory. Besides, you don’t love her that way and you’ve been lying to yourself if-”

“I don’t get you, Steve. Whose side are you?” Bucky cuts him off, tilting his chin up and crossing his arms over his chest, staring at the other man.

Steve’s expression softens, but the concern still traces his face and voice, “You know damn well whose side I’ll always be on. I just think there’s no way someone won’t get out of this hurt…Odds are it’s going to be the three of you.”  

“Listen,” Bucky breathes in before he gets up. He stops right beside Steve and puts a hand on his shoulder, “Just check on her, will ya? And then give me a call.”

He pats Steve’s shoulder and walks away, leaving his frustrated and worried best friend behind.

[jq37]

The Report Card – Fantasy High Sophomore Year Ep 6

The Fall of Fabian Seacaster

OK, let’s do this.

We pick back up with Kristen and Riz who are still outside Garthy’s room. Kristen’s Detect Good and Evil from last week pings Garthy as well as the general aura of the Golden Gardens which is protected in the way a sanctum sanctorum would be but with celestial energy. Riz and Kristen improvise a not super cogent plan that involves ribbon dancing and knocking over barrels before Riz just decides to cut to the chase and ask Garthy’s guards to send for Sandra-Lynn. Once she comes out (still looked sexed up and pretty annoyed) they’re not quite sure what to ask her and Riz wants to bail but Kristen (who has cast Zone of Truth, tried to muscle into Garthy’s house, and gotten smacked down physically by Sandra-Lynn) says that she’s worried about Sandra-Lynn because she’s “not poly but [she’s] acting poly.” Being directly called out is enough to snap Sandra-Lynn out of it (and to think about Fig’s reaction) so she agrees to get her stuff and come back to the gang’s suite.

Meanwhile, Fabian is hanging out with Bill’s cult of 20-ish warlocks. They’re all super glad to see Fabian--who they assume has been sent by Bill to help them--and they want him to regale them with the tale of how he slew his father in battle. Fabian tells them the story which, as you all know, isn’t a story about besting his father in a hard-fought battle so much as it is about a story about bittersweet mercy killing. They are less than impressed, especially considering they want Fabian to defeat Captain James Wicklaw who has promised to kill all of Bill’s followers. Ego stung, Fabian says that he may not have bested his father but he did (help) kill a dragon and, more importantly, he’s gonna lead them into an ambush against Captain Wicklaw (who he sees, presumably looking for him, with 30 men).

Oh boy.

Fabian telepathically alerts the Hangman that he’s about to get into a big fight before slamming down a door and full-out attacking Captain Wicklaw. He’s able to get a good couple of attacks in and Wicklaw misses his first couple of attacks but then Fabian fails an intelligence save with a Nat 1 and gets stunned while Wicklaw tries to open his skull and eat his brain.

Meanwhile with the rest of the Bad Kids, the Hangvan alerts Gorgug that the Hangman has sped off and everyone assumes Fabian is in trouble. They all do their best to get to him as quickly as possible and, even though these scenes are intercut with Fabian’s I’m going to summarize them all at once:

Fig (w/ Gorgug in tow) Dimension Doors as close to the Hangman as she can. Then, Gorgug has the idea to try the classic pirate move of grabbing a rope, cutting the weight, and instantly flying to where on the ship you want to go. They try that and begin flying towards Fabian at terminal velocity, both dislocating their arms. Fig passably disguises herself as Jemina Joy (even with quadruple disadvantage) and tries to get a wizard to teleport her to where Fabian is but they’re going way too fast for anyone to hear her. Gorgug (also with quad disadvantage) tries to throw a hand axe and, on a nat 1, almost cuts the rope they’re swinging on.

Gilear is fully passed after a back-slap from Fig.

Adaine casts fly on Riz (because his rogue speed means he can make the most use of it) so he can go get Garthy to see if they have any teleport spells. Then, she gets on Baxter with Kristen and Sandra-Lynn (plus Tracker who follows in spectral wolf form). Kristen tries to bring up Sandra-Lynn’s relationship stuff again and Adaine casts Tasha’s Hideous Laughter on her. Adaine tries to pull from the jacket to get something to help her get to Fabian faster and she gets a Razor scooter.  

Ragh drives the Hangvan towards Fabian’s.

Riz finds Garthy who takes him to a room, pops out neon angel wings, and does some kind of teleport spell that almost seems like it moves the space closer to them rather than the reverse.

But, none of this really matters because Brennan says none of them will be able to make it to Fabian before 22 rounds of combat. Woof.

Still in the first round of combat, 2 of the warlocks manage to hit Wicklaw and break Fabian out of his grapple (right after Wicklaw says that he’s eaten many of Fabian’s siblings but let’s put a pin in that because we have so much to get through here). Fabian declares that all spells are on him for the remainder of the fight (which is maybe the last funny thing he says all night). Then, 6 of the 20 warlocks on Fabian’s side die to gunshots from Wicklaw’s men. Fabian sends his men forward then falls back and attacks with his crossbow. Wicklaw mocks him for abandoning his crew so viciously that I feel like he should have spontaneously taken a level in bard. Brennan rolls for the ten still living pirates who never got names and only one survives. Then he rolls for the named pirates (Alistair and the three I haven’t mentioned yet because this episode is A Lot--Chungle-Down Bim, Old-Young Benjamin, and Creaky McBarrel) and only Creaky dies. In two rounds, Bill’s cult is down to four (plus one guy who peaced out after Fabian said he didn’t actually brutally murder his dad).

Fabian’s tactical retreat shakes the confidence of everyone but Alistair who stays loyal (even as he gets wrecked on his next attack on Wicklaw). Chungle-Down Bim is so disgusted by Fabian’s cowardice and performance that he tries to Eldritch Blast him and misses. He says, “Yeh ain’t no pirate and Bill would spit in yer eye.” Fabian has to hold back tears. He, with a heartbreaking mix of trepidation, reluctance, and resolve, asks if there are any ropes he can use to escape. Roll a perception check. He does.

Natural 1.

Sure, Brennan says. There’s a rope that looks like it will 100% guaranteed hold Fabian’s weight. Fabian goes for it--leaving behind a stunned and crushed Alistair--and finds that it’s actually a clothesline. He goes plummeting down a quarter-mile towards the ground but, before he actually hits, he hits a bunch of other ropes and, on his last possible chance, is able to save from splatting and taking max fall damage. Lou opts to take some damage anyway because he’d feel like he was cheating otherwise.

The rest of the group shows up through their various means and all immediately assume that Fabian got jumped. Fabian is meek in a way we’ve never seen before. I’m talking Adaine with Jawbone in Prompocolypse meek. He doesn’t tell them what happened and he answers all the questions with short yesses or no’s as much as possible. The healers heal him (plus Fig and Gorgug) up and take him back to the suite. The Hangman asks if he’s alright. “No Hangman,” he says. “It’s all bad.” Cathilda brings him kippers but he feels like he doesn’t deserve them.

Garthy has a little tete-a-tete with Fig about their tryst with Sandra-Lynn. Garthy is all about getting down but not if that person is in a monogamous relationship (even though they’re against them on principle). Fig (who has been avoiding her mom since the top of the ep) says she’s only mad at Sandra-Lynn (she says Sandra-Lynn, not Mom--oof) since Garthy didn’t know better. It just sucks that this happened to Jawbone. Jawbone as in Jawbone O'Shaughnessy? asks Garthy. Turns out he’s visited (many times) and they’ve boned (super hard) which, honestly, totally tracks.  

Because she didn’t get a full night of sleep, Tracker can’t keep the Moon Haven spell up all night which isn’t great. Kristen can also gather than she’s too tired to remember anything that happened earlier in the night (ie: things about Sandra-Lynn and Jawbone). Fig, concerned that she might get mind controlled again without the Moon Haven up asks Adaine to tie her up (this actually happens before the above conversation with Garthy).

Sleeping arrangements are Fabian, the Hangman, and Riz as a bodyguard in one room and everyone else in another. Adaine trances a little early so she can regain her spells and be awake in case anything happens. Brennan makes everyone do wisdom saves. Kristen and Adaine roll high and Adaine gives her TWO (2) NAT 20 portent rolls to Fig and Gorgug. That leaves Riz and Fabian, but we’ll get to them in a minute.

Adaine wakes up from her trance and she sees Ragh get up early as well. He says he’s going to get some food. Adaine, vigilant as ever asks Ragh who his first kiss was. Ragh acts confused for a second, and then screeches and attacks her, waking everyone up. He’s been dominated. Adaine goes for a Tasha’s Hideous Laughter and subdues him. Also Fig is able to escape Adaine’s magical ropes so maybe she’s not the best person to do that next time.

Meanwhile, Fabian is having a nightmare. He dreams of Wicklaw trying to eat his brain and Chungle-Down spitting in his face and his betrayal of Alistair. He sees the ghosts of the warlock  cultists entering hell and his disappointed father. And then, he’s approached by a man. A man with a familiar, non-threatening sounding, yogurt-offering voice. Fabian, like Adaine before, feels very strongly that if he looks at this man’s face, something terrible will happen but he does take the offered yogurt and agrees to go with him without looking at him. He’s taken to a lovely, sunny, kind of museum area dedicated to Bill Seacaster. Fabian thinks it’s very nice but he starts to notice that though there are many pictures of Bill and Hilariel, there are none of him. He asks why. The man says that Fabian needs to look at him. Fabian is hesitant. The man says that Fabian really needs to look at him. The yogurt in Fabian’s stomach curdles, weakening him (and me because yogurt grosses me out on the best of days and this is not the best of days). The man turns Fabian’s face to look at him and Fabian finds himself looking at a doughy, middle-aged Fabian Seacaster. He laughs hysterically and Fabian wakes up, plunged into the sea.

Elsewhere, Riz wakes up in his room. Fabian is gone, he’s paralyzed, the Hangman has been stabbed through by Fabian’s sword and is leaking oil, and Kalina is sitting on his bed. She was able to get in with the Moon Haven spell down. She speaks to him unsettlingly casually. She sounds almost friendly as she demands Riz and his friends stop looking for the Nightmare King’s crown on the pain of their lives. Riz, a grizzled old knight to his core like all of Murph’s characters, can’t wrap his head around why she would be doing this. It’s simple. Power. She psychologically toys with him, saying that Riz throws himself into his cases (which she seems to know quite a bit about) to distract himself from how sad he is about his dead dad. Then, she says that Fabian is in massive danger and if Riz doesn’t play ball (pun not intentional but it’s staying in), he’ll die. Riz assumes she knows where the Nightmare King’s crown is and she asks why he’s sure she knows which makes him think she actually doesn’t know. Riz, who sleeps with his sword because he’s rightfully paranoid, uses it to Misty Step outside but he’s still paralyzed so he just hits the ground and breaks his arm.

Kalina meets him outside, tells him Fabian is long gone, and tries to bargain with him: information about his dad for information about what he knows. Riz counter-offers that he’ll tell her about where the Nightmare King’s crown is if she guarantees his friends’ safety. She doesn’t care about the crown. She wants to know what Riz knows about her. Riz agrees (to save Fabian) and tells her everything he knows except that he withholds the information about Adaine’s mom being involved and tries to withhold the information he got from Ragh but he accidentally gives himself away without saying Ragh’s name. That’s enough for her to put two and two together though and she leaves to kill Ragh’s mom.

Back in the sea, Fabian has to make three Constitution checks. He rolls two nat 20s in a row for the first two and is rescued two flying imp monsters (presumably sent by Kalina) who drop him off at the edge of town. Fabian, absolutely destroyed, rips off his eyepatch and takes off his Owlbear jacket as he makes his way back. He rolls one last Constitution check. Nat 1. He’s got pneumonia. Cathilda shows up in the Hangvan to pick up Fabian.

The rest of the group is still shaken up by Ragh’s attack. They snap him out of it and someone gets Garthy. Post Riz’s encounter with Kalina, Ragh bursts in, devastated and says that someone from home called and said that his mom died. The whole group is immediately suspicious because--post Gorgug/Zelda debacle--they know they shouldn’t have signal. Ragh tries to call another number and all he hears is laughing on the other end. When Riz (healed up by Garthy) looks, he sees that his phone shows 5 bars for a second. Riz, Tracker, and Sandra-Lynn also see the flicker. Possibly illusion magic. Tracker and Garthy can also now suddenly see the Shadowcat in the picture (but it doesn’t seem like the rest of the Bad Kids can). Riz thinks Ragh’s mom is in serious danger but not dead yet.

Garthy has the idea to send the group to the Leviathan Library so maybe Adaine can learn a Sending Spell to communicate with their various parents and allies in Solace. They give Adaine a note that says to let the group safely use the library addressed to one Aida Aguefort.

Fig checks in with Sandra-Lynn to see if maybe she was under the influence of something more malevolent than alcohol when she cheated. Sandra-Lynn cries, and admits that she just F’d up but that they should deal with the problem at hand for now and that’s where we end, with the bulk of the group en route to the library.  

Detention

Fabian for Everything

Oh Fabian.

Fabian, Fabian, Fabian.

I don’t think I have ever seen a series of events so driven by a single character’s careless actions.

Truly, almost every single bad thing that happened in this episode can be traced directly to Fabian losing his entire chill at the worst possible time.

All those warlocks, dead (And Alistair either dead, seriously hurt, or set on the path to show back up with a vendetta later on down the road).

Because Tracker didn’t get her 8 hours, she couldn’t do the Moon Haven properly which is why Ragh got mind-controlled, the Hangman got stabbed, and he got brain-jacked and dumped into the ocean.

It’s why Kalina got to Riz. It’s why Lydia’s in danger.

And it wasn’t just that what he did was dumb, it was also completely unnecessary. There was no plot reason for what he did and he wasn’t forced into it. It was a completely character driven decision and it was bad, y’all. It was pretty much an absolute fail parade.  

Honor Roll

Brennan and Lou for Absolutely Stellar Roleplay

Everyone had their moments this episode.

Siobhan and Zac made some clever choices. Ally brought some needed levity. Emily subtly continued her emotional threads about Fig’s relationship with her mom and her distress over her actions while mind controlled. And Murph had that absolutely stellar scene in the back half of the back half of the ep with Kalina.

But Brennan and Lou 100% carried this episode.

Brennan is such a good DM that I feel like it’s almost easy to take for granted. Like, if you visit a town, you’re gonna talk about how how cool the shops, and food, and events were. Not about how well the roads are paved. But if the roads are all janky and potholed and stuff then it’s a big issue.

This episode clearly took a major turn from whatever was supposed to happen but Brennan deftly kept pace with all of Fabian’s wild choices and made sure the roads were paved before he got there.

So much of this episode was just Brennan talking to one other person (Fabian and then Riz during the Kalina scene) and he nailed all of it. The disgust from Chungle-Down. The betrayal from Alistair. The concern from Cathilda. The quiet but sinister lilt of Nightmare Fabian. And the affable, dispassionate, Just Business evil from Kalina.

And Lou. Everything Fabian did this episode was an extremely bad idea but it is exactly what Fabian would do in the situation. Lou played him completely consistently, even when it clearly pained him to do so. 

When Lou rolled a nat 1 on his perception check for an escape rope, Brennan essentially handed him a fully loaded gun and said shoot yourself, and Lou grit his teeth and he did it.

Mad respect to both of them for keeping the tension and gravity going for a full three hours basically. That was lightning in a bottle. D&D is an amazing game.

Random Thoughts

I know there’s a significant chunk of the fandom that ships Riz and Fabian and, can I just say, RIP to y’all.

It really was narratively cool that we started out with the Sandra-Lynn plot in this crazy, over the top, comic scene and then ended with the quiet conversation between Fig and her mom on the same topic. It really was a through line throughout the episode without over-shadowing the main drama. This episode had a clear A and B plot just like a scripted show.

Also if Garthy is a powerful as Brennan is making them seem, wild that the NK and Kalina were able to bust through what is supposed to be super sanctified ground, especially since Tracker--a jr. cleric--has been keeping them at bay by herself.

Zac: This is a real Axford move.

Also Zac: I don’t understand what’s gonna happen if this goes well.

Riz and Murph Equally: We’re so stupid.

I think it’s funny how players in D&D tend to treat Zone of Truth like it forces them to spontaneously say things that are true rather than just preventing them from actively lying.

The kinda wild thing about how this whole mess started is that Fabian’s character development is part of why it happened. When he told the warlocks about the dragon and his dad, he gave everyone else their due credit, didn’t hog the spotlight, and didn’t lie/embellish the truth to make himself sound cooler. That in turn disappointed them which made him relapse into S1 Fabian who attacked Gorgug on the first day of school for absolutely no reason. I was actually going to give him major credit for that before he, you know. Made some other choices. He absolutely gushed about how cool his friends were and then invited exactly none of them to his terrible plan.

Lol at Lou being like, “I rolled to get Alistair to make a better speech?”

Bill’s cult of about 20 guys has collectively sent him like 350k gold. That’s insane! They’re all so poor!

Lou playing Fabian very confidently making an absolutely suicidal decision, and then surfacing to laugh hysterically for a full thirty seconds out of character about how he’s for sure gonna die, was such a mood. It was like Lou was being held at gunpoint by Fabian for the entire first half of the session.

Big props to Zac for trying to get everyone in on the action by suggesting the Hangvan would see that the Hangman was gone and let the group know.

OK, so now let’s talk about that line about Wicklaw having eaten many of Fabian’s siblings. Hoo boy. You know this episode was wild because that line was said and never followed up on. What might have been a headline in a different episode was a footnote in this one. No big surprise that Bill would have fathered a ton of kids. That pretty much tracks, as Adaine said last ep. I feel like this was something that was going to come up regardless, Fabian just forced it to be right then and there. This dude hates Bill so going after his kids seems like an obvious move (unless he’s bluffing I guess, but I doubt it). But, like, did Bill know about these kids? Was he fully ignorant? Willfully ignorant? Did they know they were Bill’s kids? Are there any left? Can Fabian please have a little pirate sister because I would love that so much you don’t even know.

You think Lou expected to say (loosely quoting), “I try not to cry in front of Chungle-Down Bim,” when he woke up that morning? Idk but I can tell you that I didn’t expect to hear it and feel strong emotions about it.

Chungle-Down Bim, which is short for Bimothy.

Lol, Brennan makes Emily rolls with Quadruple disadvantage and she still gets a 15 because she has a plus 11 to persuasion. No wonder she’s so quick to slam the disguise self button if there’s even a sliver of a chance it’ll work.

Adaine getting a useless Razor scooter on the way to try and help Fabian and then being like, “Well, I’m still gonna keep it,” was such a funny beat during the tenseness of that fight scene.

I need you guys to know that this is a mindflayer ability: Extract (Ex): An Illithid that begins its turn with all four tentacles attached and successfully maintains its hold automatically extracts the opponent’s brain, instantly killing that creature. Truly what was he thinking? You’re gonna eat his brain? Go ahead because he clearly isn’t using it!

You know the part of Princess Bride when Wesley is giving the “To the Pain” speech to Humperdinck? I feel like that’s what Brennan did to Fabian this episode. “Oh you think I’m going to kill you? No, that would be too easy. This fight is to the pain. You will watch your allies get slaughtered until you are forced to betray them or die. You will escape but in the most clownish fashion possible after breaking your most loyal ally’s heart. You will be beset by your concerned friends and forced to either own up to your horrible life choices or stew with them and lie by omission. You will be the reason your ultimate enemy is able to break in and attack your friends and you will be forced with your worst nightmare before being unceremoniously dumped into the sea. You won’t die. You’ll just wish you had.” Absolutely brutal.

Anyone else feeling a possible villain turn from Allistair? Dude’s a warlock so he’s already prone to dabbling in questionable power sources. And Fabian really did him dirty. I was hoping he’d at least get Kristen or Tracker to try to see if he was around anywhere for a heal but he just went into shellshock shutdown mode and they bounced. We didn’t see him die on screen so I feel pretty strongly that we’ll be seeing him again in some form.

Also, maybe I’m way off, but did you guys feel like Fabian missed a clear opportunity? I thought he was gonna ask his dad for help. Or, at least try and talk to him before the fight. Clearly it’s possible because the warlocks are doing it. Just pray for some infernal intervention or guidance or powers or something? Worth a shot when you’re in such a bad situation anyway.

Fabian never did tell the party what was going on. They all still think he was ambushed and forced into a fight somehow. I really can’t wait for the truth to come out. I wonder how long he’ll sit on that info. He better tell them before they fight Wicklaw again and they find out that way.

Every single player playing up their concern for Fabian and making a point to presume he was in the right and that it had been a wrong place/time situation to make him feel even more like garbage was *chefs kiss*.

The Hangman basically acting like a big metal dog and pressing itself up against Fabian to comfort him is weirdly adorable.

“Anyway, I’m gonna go get tied up.”/“What?”

Also I love Adaine’s reaction to being asked to do it. She’s like, “What? I mean, I’ll do it but, what?” Sidenote, Fig said she was gonna ask Riz as her first choice but that’s also a terrible choice! He has like a minus 2 strength modifier I think. Ask Gorgug!

Truly, the entire episode can be encapsulated in the fact that Siobhan was sitting there with two nat 20 portent rolls but sidelined and useless because Fabian decided to go completely rogue.

I have to give Adaine big credit for checking to see if Ragh was mind controlled because whenever I’m watching a show where a bad guy can shapeshift or possess people, I always think, “Why don’t they just have a codeword or something?” This is one of the few times I’ve seen it properly executed. Genre savviness saves lives people.

Fabian’s rolls really matched his decisions this week. It was like the dice were punishing him with all those nat 1s on crucial checks.

Also, Brennan being like, “You get pneumonia” was lowkey hilarious. Just like, insult to injury. What’s next? He’s gonna die on dysentery on the Oregon Trail?

I wonder if Fabian is considering chronomancy-ing this away? The thought for sure crossed my mind. Also, everyone was joking about everything being all a dream, but that’s something that could happen in this campaign without it being cheap because it’s been set-up that that’s the kind of bad guy they’re up against so I’m staying vigilant.

Ragh coming into the room and, voice cracking, announcing that his mom was dead cut me up so bad. And I thought it would be not as bad on my rewatch. Nope, still awful. I can’t believe I like him so much now. This is like a Steve from Stranger Things level turnaround for me. Also, the chat was absolutely blowing up when Murph was like, “I tell her everything,” without excepting Ragh’s info at first. Brennan is a nice DM for reminding him about that (despite the absolute ravaging of Riz and Fabian otherwise this ep).

Also gotta give a shout out to Murph this ep for playing Riz so well during the confrontation with Kalina. His steadfast, simple, “We can’t stop. It would be wrong. Fullstop,” mentality is so pure. Riz is such an interesting character. When he tried to withhold info, Murph said, “I have low deception.” That’s who Riz is. He’s a rogue with low deception. He’s sneaky but only in pursuit of justice. No guile at all. Kalina, who is as casual as he is wound up and amoral and he is knightly is such an interesting foil for him. I’m very intrigued to see how this develops.  

Like I said in the recap, Garthy and Tracker can now see Kalina in the picture, even though neither of them saw her when she broke in (that they know of) so the plot thickens there. I’d go into it more but I really don’t have any new theories off the top of my head and this was honestly the least of my worries re: this ep.

Also, she says that all of her abilities come from serving the NK, and she had the abilities since she was working with Pok so this doesn’t seem to be a new development. I will say though, based on the info the group got, I really thought she was gonna be a more ancient being, you know? Maybe it’s just a title and she’s just the latest tabaxi to serve him and get it? I dunno.

Truly the mood for this episode was dawning horror. Things just got progressively worse in new and interesting ways every single scene.

Speaking of, let’s talk about Fabian’s vision. First of all, Brennan did a great job real-time DJ-ing that scene. The switch to that creepy music was very unsettling. Second of all, the chat exploding when Brennan started doing That voice and everyone for a brief moment thought that maybe, Maybe, Gilear was the Nightmare King, was delicious. But, on to the important stuff: When this happened to Adaine, my guess was that if she had looked at figure, it would have been a representation of her anxiety which I think was like 65% correct based on what happened to Fabian. Her worst possible future for herself is probably herself ruled by anxiety to the point of uselessness so she would have seen that version of herself. Fabian’s worst possible future self is essentially Gilear. Which, on behalf of Gilear, ouch. But, yeah, I see why it would be. And, honestly, NK-Fabian was worse than Gilear. Gilear is pathetic, sure, but he’s pathetic in pursuit of his own goals. To be stuck in his dad’s shadow, devoid of any other purpose is the antithesis of Fabian’s whole making a name for himself thing and a sick twisting of his very real pride in his dad. It’s a real raw nerve to hit, especially right after his colossal failure that left him feeling unworthy of even his favorite snack.

I’m really glad Fabian looked at the face of his nightmare. Brennan pushed him a little (in that fantastically unnerving, cajoling yet demanding voice) but I think he would have done it anyway. Like, it’s good information for the team to have and, if anyone was gonna get hit, it made most sense for it to happen right then, when Fabian was already at basically his lowest point. Both Adaine and Fabian felt like something horrible would happen if they looked at their nightmare and I’m wondering if there’s a mechanical effect to that or if it’s just psychological. I feel like there might be some not yet revealed mechanical effect going on but, when your players are as devoted to the RP as Lou (who, again, asked to take damage from his fall even after Brennan was gonna let him off with just the shame) you can get away with just giving the character trauma and having the player hinder their own actions based on it.

Titles for this recap that I rejected include Actions and Consequences and Keyfish 2: Pirate Boogaloo (because the first part of this episode truly felt like the CritRole Keyfish incident but spread out over an hour and a half).

Yet another thing that would have been a headline item in another recap but is just a footnote here: Aida Aguefort. That’s gotta be a sibling, ex, or parent (in my order of probability). What is an Aguefort doing running a pirate library? Are they as chaotic as the other Aguefort? I think it would be very funny if Arthur is this dude in a high position in a “normal” town who is just feral and Aida is living on this insane pirate island but, like, a completely normal librarian.

Oh, speaking of Aguefort, Kalina called him out on his child soldier factory and, listen, I know she was just trying to hurt Riz but she doesn’t not have a point.

Kristen was able to discern that Tracker probably won’t remember what happened with Sandra-Lynn but I hope she keeps track of that info because if Tracker rolls high perception and finds out that she semi-willfully kept that information from her, she might be miffed.

Are all of Bill’s dead warlocks gonna work on his hell ship now? Didn’t they become warlocks specifically because they were bad at being pirates?

I notice the group didn’t wait for Fabian even after Riz presumably told them what happened. I also notice that Cathilda was able to find Fabian right away which is interesting.

Adaine solemnly Razor scooting at the front of the party towards the library is low key hysterical.

Fig better hope it doesn’t get back to Jemina that she was being impersonated.

Also, that plan was crazy but super not the craziest thing Emily has ever done and Brennan backed her up on that. He was like, “This is good. This isn’t Hilda Hilda,” which is where the bar is because Emily is crazy.

Fig: We’re gonna fail./Gorgug: We’re gonna die./Adaine: And, more importantly, we’re gonna fail school.

Riz’s “How about no dead friends,” one-liner was so good. Unfortunately, it didn’t do anything to stop his paralysis. Ouch.

I’m assuming Kalina was asking what he knew to see if there was anyone she needed to kill because they knew too much about her? Because, otherwise, it seems like unimportant info for her. I was thinking when it was happening that she needed him to give her that information so they could take it from him and he wouldn’t have it anymore, like in a weird Fae way, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It’s probably just the simple thing.

Garthy doesn’t leave the Golden Gardens which is probably good for game balance. You don’t want to give the players a super powerful ally who has no reason not to help them at any given time. That’s rife for PC abuse.

I have to say, after last week, I was hoping we’d be done with the pirate stuff halfway through the ep and en route to Falinel but this was such a turn. I was saying to someone last week, it’s very tempting to try and predict where a D&D game is going by using typical narrative structure as a guide but that only halfway works because you really can’t account for the improvisational nature of it. I absolutely could not have guessed that this is what this episode would be and I’m glad.

Goes without saying, this ep totally snatched the crown for Most Heart Attacks Given To Me By BLM from Family in Flames.

“The game isn’t about what you plan; it’s about what happens,” sounds like a line from an inspirational Ted Talk, and not from a man who, minutes later, said that a pirate named Chungle-Down Bim wanted to use a teenager’s mouth as a toilet.

“I feel drunk from anxiety.” Same Ally.

You wanna know how many pages of handwritten notes I have for this episode? If you guessed 16, you’re right. And I was so into the ep, I forgot to keep track of crits, which is why I had to watch it a second time.

Emily proposing “felettes” as the feminine version of fellas.

“How many HP you at?”/”I’m not telling you.”

Just, the idea of this warlock drawing on Bill’s power to try and attack his son is so raw.

Brennan, being asked by Zac if he can help with Emily’s crazy plan: You absolutely may not and, in fact, take five points of damage.”

Siobhan: What do you have to lose?/Gorgug: *Rolls a nat 1 and almost severs the rope he and Fig are holding on to*

Garthy plays the harpsichord (I have in my notes harpsichord and not harp so I’m going with that) post-coital which is definitely a choice.

The shot of levity that Brennan injected between the big fight and the NK invasion by having Garthy know Jawbone was great. I knew it was coming as soon as Fig said his name, but the comic timing was still perfect. Apparently, Jawbone’s stories are crazy even by Garthy’s standards, which is wild.

Also funny, Fig being tied up as combat started. It didn’t end up making a difference but, at a certain point, when enough bad things have happened, piling more bad stuff on top just becomes funny like, yeah. Of course. That tracks.

Ally: Sleep when you’re dead, which might be this episode.

Riz and Gorgug (and Allistair) each roll one nat 1. Kristen rolls a nat 20. Adaine has 20s for both of her portent rolls (which she gives to Fig and Gorgug). And Fabian rolled an amazing 2 Nat 20s (in a row) and FIVE nat 1s.  

Edit: Oh, forgot to say! Next week there won’t be a game because Thanksgiving is happening in the States. Early Happy Thanksgiving for y’all in the U.S. who are celebrating. I’m thankful for a week off to recover after the ordeal that was this episode. 

[Footnote: This ended up cracking 6000 words, in case you’re wondering about the ways I choose to spend my time. Shoutout to y’all for reading these and justifying the dissertation length brain dumps my dumb, former English major brain compels me to produce for absolutely no good reason.]

[thedoctor1002]

Idk, I never posted one of my fics here but guess I'll try ~

Also, English is not my first language so feel free to correct me QwQ

Fandom: Psycho-Pass -season 1- (is this still a thing?)

Characters: Kogami Shinya, Sasayama Mitsuru, OC

Prompt (it was in Italian, so I'll translate): write a story using three among these words: cloud, dusk, thunderstorm, storm, hull, bay, shelter, sail, night

Title: Log date: 2110/02/28 (Friday) 22:04

---

The lights of the bay flicker dynamically before your eyes.

They dance hypnotically, of the same cyan colour of your office’s walls, but with a whole different beat. They drink the red and white trails from the traffic, they shatter and multiply in the tears of an inclement rain. I know how much you hate it, you just can’t stand going on recon with an umbrella. On the other hand, I love it.

Rain brings us close together under the waterproof cloth and I manage to observe details that neon lights often hide from me: the precise way you part your hair, the last few drops of the jasmine perfume on your jacket, your long lashes. Shion thinks they’re fake. We always fight over it, can you believe me?

After all, you’ve never been the kind of woman to wear such frills. 

A notification arrives, the acid light of your impalpable PC breaks through the sacred dark from where you pretend you don’t see me. It digs your silhouette and paints you like a ghost on the huge windows of the Public Safety Bureau.

Your jet-black hair lay on your back like varnish pouring over the white silk of your blouse.

“Pulling an all-nighter, Inspector Matou?” I ask casually, exposed. With you, after all, I always am: you’re the only one that can shush my shitty jokes.

But this time you laugh slightly: nothing more than a spike, a trembling breath that shakes your ribs and lips.

“The forecasts say that the storm won’t stop until tomorrow morning,” you tell me, sitting at your desk, “also, I’ve been delaying this paperwork through all week, it's about time I get it done. Might as well do some overtime and get rid of it, don’t you think?”

“You’re such a workaholic.” I label you, realizing how lucky I am being allowed to do it: Ginoza, that prude, would have never let it slide “You should leave some for the rest of the precinct: make 'em earn their wages.”

A tired smile crosses your face as you tap your fingers on the keyboard. It’s so clear you’re trying to avoid my glance.

You used to look for it.

You looked for my eyes at briefings, in that discrete way that eventually shocked everyone. You looked for them among alleys, as soon as you heard a gunshot or the chocked sound of a fight.

And when you found me, it felt like a 7 miles free fall.

“How are the legs going?” I dare to ask. I see the hollow structure of your new shins below the hem of your pencil skirt. They swing a bit underneath the glass of your desk. You didn’t lose your damn tic, your right heel shakes like the needle of a sewing machine even when you seem calm.

You shrug and drink the bottom of an already empty glass of water.

I shouldn’t have asked. It breaks my heart, to see you like this.

You don’t give me an answer and massage the back of your knee with a sigh. Lately, I feel like you’re avoiding me.

You’re turning back into the one you were before: uncompromising, cold and distant. I wonder if the bunch of ingrates downstairs have been calling you Dobermann again. I wonder if you’re still as relentless.

You worry me: your stress level is getting darker and darker. You don’t want old Kasei to take issues with you, not again.

I can imagine how you must have felt, the night when this mess happened.

You most likely got pissed, if I do know you.

I mean, did they really think I got away on my own? I bet you never doubted me: no one knows an Enforcer better than its Inspector.

“Runaway?! Have you lost your minds?” Sasayama?!”

Those were the first words you said when they rescued you. You spoke them way before cleansing your lungs from the rotten water of the river, way before asking Masaoka if you’d have ever got back to feeling your lower legs. They hurt like hell and you had to pull them around like sandbags.

“They got him” you panted, holding tight on your mentor’s coat “They took him away, I tell you!” The one that kidnapped him wasn’t a latent criminal. The Dominator didn’t activate, not even when they shot me. Please, believe me. Check on the log files, please.”

Crime coefficient: 0.

I know that bug still haunts you.

Cause, after all, it’s can’t be anything else: who on earth is that Makishima to fly under the Sibyl Sistem’s radar? Who can fool a network that knows your crimes before you do? And how is it possible that the silhouette that kneecapped you and threw you into a river could possibly be innocent?

You haven’t lost your mind, Inspector: the Dominator betrayed me, too.

Don’t think I don’t know how pitiful must have been, the next three days.

Makishima isn’t real. Forget it, it was just a delirium. You were in shock.

It was the trauma, dear. It was a breakdown. It was burnout syndrome.

You’d use some holiday, darling. Take a week. Take two. Go somewhere far, no, better: just stay at home. Go to therapy. Keep yourself busy, don’t think about it. Work. Also, don’t work: it wears you out!

They put you back on your feet in less than six hours, but nobody allowed you to join search parties. Heaven forbid your stress level getting any darker. Heaven forbid that yet another good Inspector gets demoted among those damn Enforcers. But, still, in the whole IT section, there wasn’t a single nerd that could get that night's logs. That's one funny thing, ain't it?

Woman, sometimes I wish your damn head wasn't that hard. I wish you didn't follow the Forensics to get a lift, so soon after the deed.

At least, you could have listened to Kogami. Shit, didn't you see how pale he was? You didn't even need the Dominator to read him, his stress level was mindblowing!

You should have believed him when he told you you didn't want to enter that alley. First off, it was already full of other detectives and analysts. I have no idea what kind of business you had to do in there. Second thing second, Kogami has an eye for certain matters. Do you think he didn't notice I’ve always been all over you? Not gonna lie, maybe I told him about you, once or twice.

But no, of course, you had to get in.

The software that taught you how to walk on those carbon stilts made you stand your ground and bark a "For fuck's sake, Shinya, move!" worthy of the Dobermann’s reputation. Even those who hadn't been called out made way.

But your new legs didn't hold you, when you saw what they had made of my corpse.

I'm sorry, Katsumi, I never wanted to upset you like that. 

You know how much I would have rather have a more heroic death. I don't know, like, in the middle of a shooting, saving the day. It would have been much classier, less tacky, less trash. I think I deserved it, that's all.

You stop typing and rub your temples. You shelter what’s left of your lipstick behind your hand. I wish I could kiss it off, instead of watching you consume it in a ruby red halo in the notch between your thumb and your index.

You lift your eyes only for Kogami, who’s passing by your office like a nurse in its night shift.

“So?” he asks in a whisper, putting more care in that question than I could have ever done. More than anybody could have ever done, because he’s the only one that gets you, right now. You two seem like the only ones who lost something.

You shake your head slowly, staring at the monitor and the dangerously high Crime Coefficient on the display.

“It's not working” you wail softly, misty-eyed. I can’t believe it, is it still you?

“They’re gonna kick me out anyway, if it doesn’t lower quickly” you continue, with that realism of yours. I used to call you a jinx for that but, at the end of the day, you always got our backs. “It’s for the best if I just resign. I’m gonna keep what's left of my dignity, at least.” 

The dark profile of my best friend looks through me, as he sits on the armchair next to mine. He would like to say something, a word of encouragement maybe, we all know it in this damn room, but numbers shut our mouths. 

“You could become an Enforcer” he proposes.

Goddammit, Shinya, did we work with the same person? Katsumi as an Enforcer?

And there you go, shaking your head. You hold your face in your hands and let your raven hair hide your visage. 

“Can you imagine me, following orders? I do know how to work, I can do it better than three-quarters of our colleagues and I’ve never had problems remarking it. They’d eat me alive if they had the chance. Dogs celebrate on the corpses of lions.”

“But lions remain lions and dogs stay dogs.” Kogami finishes, stealing my lines. 

I notice the slight trembling of your finger, as you tap your touchpad to send that last confirm.

In a few moments, the system will have your resignation registered. Your profile won’t unlock your Dominator anymore and in a few days time, just enough for you to collect your belongings, you won’t even manage to enter the office.

Who’s gonna explain to old Kasei that there's more of your stuff here than in your apartment?

I’d ask you what do you plan on doing with your life, but tonight’s decision seems definitely brave enough to call it a day.

I look at the tabs you open in your browser, they mirror in the windows behind you.

Air travel.

Argentina, Cuba, States, New Zealand, Germany, Kenya. You go around the world in 80 seconds flat, you multiply your chances and spread them all through the air in front of you, in a complex diagram that doesn’t lead anywhere.

I never wanted to take you away from your home, you don’t deserve this. 

You cover your eyes with a hand and use the other one to pick a random selection from your atlas.

Greece.

“Well, at least it’s on the sea.” you wrap up, condensing in a handful of words the only satisfaction you can find in starting a brand new life.

You two stare at the transparent screenshot of your flight, the countdown on the web page seems way too joyful.

“It’s so exciting, Katsumi Matou! Check-in your luggage. Your journey will begin in: 06 days: 17 hours: 34 minutes: 21 seconds”

20.

19.

18.

Seconds pass by, in complete silence.

“Do you think it would be a burden to him?” you ask Shinya, “Do you think he’d understand?”

Who would have guessed that a cynic one like yourself could believe in the afterlife? I wish I were here to ask you. I wish we could have spoken about life, death, sex, about things long gone and things yet to be.

His hand squeezes yours gently, as he looks at you in the eye, hoping to stop the train to Paranoidland from setting off.

“It’s not your fault” he reassures you as he can: the both of you wouldn’t make the average person’s empathy.

But he’s right, though, it really isn’t: I know you’ve done anything you could. It’s always been like that.

“Maybe I owe him” you draft “Even if they don’t believe in Makishima, maybe one day I could have proved he exists.”

The teal of your Psycho-Pass would suit you wonderfully, if it wasn’t a description of your mental health.

What could you possibly do in these conditions? You’d have ended up in a cubicle, filing loss and theft reports. You would have never made it to the dossiers, surely not to those of such a controversial case. Making you end up in a study room would have been my final bullshit. I’m happy with your choice, really. I would have loved visiting Europe someday.

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Kogami rebukes you, externalizing what I’ve been thinking all along: “I’m going to look out for your man: your team has already given way too much. I’m gonna find him, Matou, cold case or not.”

You nod, but it’s clear you don’t believe him. I can read through you, you’re a terrible liar.

I don’t think you don’t trust him, most likely you’ve done the math and figured that working on an independent case is far too difficult for an Inspector, let alone for an Enforcer.

And there it is, my fall. After an exhausting chase, you finally look into my eyes, even though -according to Shinya- you’re most likely staring at the void.

Despite being used to such races, believe me, I’ve missed you.

“I’m just so sorry.” you finally whisper, giving me a bitter smile. 

Try and stop me, Ginoza, tell me once again how inappropriate it is: I don’t mind anymore. I get up and I don’t hesitate while holding you and leaving a kiss on your hair, shamelessly.

“I’m going to grab some coffee” I announce, walking backwards to the door like a shrimp, just to look at my dearest friends a bit longer. “I’d get you one, but I’m short on coins. Maybe next time.”

“See you, Inspector.”, Kogami greets you, leaving alongside me.

“Be good.” you wave back, as we were all to meet again tomorrow.

Walking through the dark alley, I can hear an excerpt from our last conversation through the opaque glass of your office.

“You’re jerk, Sasayama!”

I can hear you laughing out loud, through the crackly recording. You laughed at my gall, with that warm, strong, sweet voice of yours, mocking me. Admit it: mine, after all, were the only compliments that could make you blush.

It’s incredible how we managed to joke even inside a car that was taking us on a crime scene. To an external eye, we might have looked disrespectful. Truth is I’ve always feared death so much I just had to laugh at the reaper.

“Oh, come on, what would it take? Come with me to the Precinct’s New Year’s dinner, the 17th is around the corner!” I kept annoying you, as you were too busy driving to mind my dumb flirt attempts. I still can’t get how we never had an accident. “Be good, Katsumi, give me a joy to live for!”

“You could always ask Shion, you know? You always give her more attention, after all.”

I hear the subtle sound of the wheels stopping, the parking brake cracking and it’s like Ogishima’s outskirts appear before my eyes, in that same January night. That place gave me goosebumps, but I would have hated if you understood it.

“Here we are” you announced, with still a bit of resentment in your voice. You unlocked the passenger’s door and I remember I left your Dominator in the car’s trunk: I didn’t want you to follow me. Not that time.

“You scare me when you pay so much attention” you commented, noticing how serious I got “will you tell me why are you insisting so much to keep on searching? Kogami got the guy. Tomorrow we go, we arrest him and it's thank you, next.”

My answer has been recorded as a distant and muffled noise, but I still can trace it: “He’s not the one, I tell you. I have another suspect, but I need a more solid base. And you’re staying, Inspector.”

“Staying?! You’ve gone crazy!” you laughed, locking the corporate sedan behind you “If something were to happen to you, or worse if you didn’t come back, Kasei would…”

“I said you’re staying: it’s dangerous.”

“Sasayama, our work is dangerous,” you replied, contemptuous, understanding that clearly among the gear I brought I didn’t count yours and going back to the car to get it “One more risk won’t make a difference: if I have to drop dead, it can either be here, at home or god knows where.”

“Will you join me for the precinct’s dinner, though?”

And here is a sequence that the voice recorder surely can’t have grasped, but that I could remember even in a thousand years. You cast an outraged glance over me from above the trunk’s door, panting through a half-smile. You shook your head, tucking your hair behind your ear. And finally, after refusing my invitations since 17th November, during lunch break, you smiled shrugging.

“Deal, come on, just make way” you sighed, as your heels echoed on the wet concrete “Still, you’re a jerk.”

“I recorded it: you have no excu-”

The audio file interrupts.

End of recording.

[butcanijustnot]

Falcon and The Winter Soldier Fan-Script - Episode One - My life is a garbage dumpster that is also on fire, Poetry by James Barnes.

Author: Crystalline / @butcanijustnot

Fandom: Marvel x reader

Tagging: @idontgiveaflyinggrayson69,  @sci-fi-guy2442

Summary: I wrote a whole damn episode for FATWS because I’m damn excited.

Word Count: 6000 roughly

~SCENE ONE~ EXT. OUTSIDE APARTMENT - DAY

Episode opens as the camera pans along the wall and window of a normal looking modern apartment. Grunts can be heard, along with the sound of rustling fabric and zips/Velcro straps.

BUCKY BARNES:

(Voice-over)

You know when someone goes out of town and asks you to look after their pets while they’re gone?

INT. INSIDE APARTMENT - DAY

The camera is focused on BUCKY BARNES as he sits in an old-fashioned armchair, looking bored as he stares off at something the audience can’t see behind the camera.

BUCKY BARNES:

(Voice-over Cont.)

That’s basically what I’m doing now. Except my friend is a little further than ‘out of town’ and ‘their pet’ is less of a cat or a dog and more of a-

Scene shifts, now showing BUCKY’s perspective. He’s staring at a hallway full of doors.

One of the doors fly open to reveal SAM WILSON, dressed in his falcon suit which has been resewn and repainted to match the Red-White-Blue Captain America colour palate. He jogs up in front of BUCKY BARNES and the scene freeze-frames on him

BUCKY BARNES:

(Voice-over cont.)

A jerk.

Scene resumes.

SAM WILSON:

(Sighs and gestures to his suit)

Okay, how do I look?

BUCKY:

Like the American flag threw up all over you.

SAM:

Perfect.

BUCKY:

(Gesturing to the wings)

You look like a parakeet, or a parrot. (Smirks) Samuel want a cracker?

SAM:

(cutting him off with a groan)

Just tell me I look nice, idiot!

BUCKY:

(sighs, glares at SAM and then deadpans)

You look nice, Sam.

SAM:

Thank you.

Sam turns and walks back down the hallway, disappearing into the same room he appeared from.  

BUCKY:

(shouting after him)

BUT DO SOME SQUATS IF YOU WANT AMERICAS ASS

SAM:

(offscreen, insulted)

HEY!

Camera shot widens to show OLD STEVE ROGERS in an armchair next to BUCKY.

OLD STEVE ROGERS:  

He’s right.

SAM: 

(offscreen)

Oh, Shut it, you!

---RUN TITLE CARD---

~SCENE TWO~ INT. DOORWAY - NIGHT

BUCKY BARNES and OLD STEVE ROGERS are standing at the open front door, the two characters facing one another as they speak.

STEVE:

Are you sure you don’t want me to stay, Buck?

BUCKY:

Steve, you’re 105. Go do old people things. I’ll be fine here.

STEVE:

Because I can stay if you want.

BUCKY:

No, Steve, you’re okay.

STEVE:

I just want to make sure you’re going to be alright here.

SAM:

(Offscreen)

He’ll be fine!

BUCKY:

See? Sam’s here. I’ll be fine.

STEVE:

Okay, well call me if you have any problems or if you need anything.

BUCKY:

Steve?

STEVE:

Yes?

BUCKY:

Leave.

STEVE:

Fine, alright. (Yells) Bye Sam!

SAM:

Goodnight, Geiser!

OLD STEVE ROGERS leaves, and BUCKY BARNES shuts the door behind him. He pauses, staring at the closed door for a second with an almost-sad expression on his face. He shakes his head, turning on his heel and walking back down the hallway towards the kitchen, where SAM WILSON is eating dry cereal straight out of the cardboard box and staring of at the wall. BUCKY BARNES looks at him, confused.

BUCKY:

Hey, man, are you okay?

This snaps SAM WILSON from his thoughts and he looks over at BUCKY BARNES

SAM:

Yeah, I’m fine. (Eats cereal)

BUCKY:

Are you sure about that? Because you look like you’re having an identity crisis, and you promised me you would give me warning next time that happens.

SAM:

I’m not having an identity crisis!

(Sighs)

I’m just worried, man. I’m Captain America now, and I have no clue what to do.

He pauses, shaking his head.

SAM: (Cont.)

How did Steve do it?

BUCKY:

(Jokingly)

What, be a safety risk to himself and others? I think he was just an idiot.

SAM:

(Laughs)

No, no. How was he so… Good? All the time? It seems impossible but he made it look effortless, like he was just always like that.

BUCKY:

He was. It was exhausting.

SAM:

THERE! Like, how am I supposed to live up to that! I’m not a super-soldier or a genius or someone with any sort of superpowers. I’m just Sam Wilson, idiot with a bird backpack.

He starts pacing.

I never expected to be a superhero, but I dealt with it. Then I never expected to be a well-known superhero, but I dealt with that too, but this… I’m CAPTAIN AMERICA now, and I don’t know if I can deal with that…

Pause

BUCKY:

You’re having an identity crisis.

SAM:

I’m having an identity crisis!

BUCKY grasps SAM’s shoulders and looks him dead in the eye).

BUCKY:

I’m willing to do anything to support you, but if you play Taylor Swift again, I’m jumping out that window. (gestures)

SCENE CUTS and SAM WILSON is lying on the floor, curled up in a ball with his back pressed against the foot of the couch. The floor is strewn with candy wrappers and ice-cream containers. BUCKY BARNES is lying on the couch, absentmindedly eating gummi bears. ’I knew you were trouble when you walked in.’ plays softly in the background in addition to the soft drone of the TV.

SAM:

I’m just saying there is no way I’m not going to screw this up. There is literally no way.

BUCKY:

(Snorts)

Of course.

SAM:

(Looks up at him, insulted)

You’re stunningly unhelpful!

BUCKY:

Okay, sorry, I promise I am trying to be reassuring. I’m just saying, of course you’re going to screw it up at least once. Steve screwed up a bunch of times.

SAM:

(Annoyed)

When?

BUCKY:

Sam, he was an ice block in the ocean for almost a century. Do you know how badly you have to screw up for that to happen?

Sam’s expression is unreadable for a moment, then he laughs

SAM:

Yeah, I suppose. I just can’t stop doubting myself. Every time I try to think about anything, my brain just starts running into over drive thinking about everything I could do wrong. What if I can’t save someone? What if I’m the reason someone dies?

BUCKY:

Alright, I can help you.

Hops off the couch and moves to sit at SAM’s side

BUCKY: (Cont.)

I know that you’re stressed because you have no idea what you’re going to do, and you’re terrified that you’re going to screw it up. The reason that I know this is because Steve acted exactly the same way when he was first picked up the Shield.

(Pause)

But Steve knew what he was doing. Not as Captain America, he was as much of an idiot then as you are now, but when he needs to make a decision this important, he knows what to do. He gave you that shield for a reason, and that’s because he knew you could do this.

SAM:

(slowly nods)

Yeah, I suppose that makes sense, thanks. Hey, why didn’t you take up the shield? I know Steve would have picked you as his first choice.

BUCKY:

He asked, but I declined. I didn’t think I could do it. And not in the way you’re thinking. I literally could not spend time in that suit doing those things and not be reminded of some of the worst times in my life. I still have too much stuff going on in my head.

(Sighs)

The world needs a Captain America, but that Captain needs to be a reasonably stable human being that people can rely on. You might maybe screw it up, but I think I’d melt down. Much as I hate to admit it, you’d be a better Captain America in your sleep than I would be making my best effort.

SAM nods. There is another pause.  

SAM:

So, how did Steve start being Captain America?

BUCKY:

He started punching Nazi’s but I don’t think that’s a real option for you.

SAM:

Actually-

BUCKY:

(Interrupting)

Let’s consider something else first. (Pause) I mean, apart from that I think he just put on the suit and started running around. Was in TV, a couple of old movies. (Suddenly clasps Sam on the shoulder excitedly) You should be in-

SAM:

(interrupting)

No! I’m not doing that! Come on, there has to be more than that!

BUCKY:

(Annoyed)

Sam, unless you feel like doing experimental steroids, I don’t know what to tell you!

SAM:

Hell no!

SAM sighs, then reaches over and grabs a laptop off the table, bringing it into his lap and opening it.

SAM: (Cont.)

Okay, I’m just going to google him. Do some research, learn everything I can. I’m sure I can figure something out.

BUCKY stands and stretches, shaking his head.

BUCKY:

Alright, and while your driving yourself insane, I’m going to get some sleep. Goodnight, cuckoo bird.

SAM mumbles a goodnight and BUCKY EXITS. Sam goes back to staring at his laptop. Everything appears to be rather calm. The scene freeze-frames.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

Had I known what was going to happen that night, I would have handled that whole situation every differently.

A series of images flash up on the screen, too fast to be properly seen. These are scenes from later in the episode, showing the trials from last night. SAM on the street, SAM fighting, SAM losing.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over cont.)

But I didn’t.

And I completely blame myself for everything that happened next.

~SCENE THREE~ INT. APARTMENT - MORNING

It’s morning. BUCKY BARNES emerges from his room, still hazy with sleep. He heads for the kitchen, mumbling to himself. He opens the fridge and starts poking around.

SAM 

(Offscreen, sounding unsure of himself):

Hey man, you’re up early…

BUCKY:

(Not looking at him, still staring into the fridge):

Yeah, how’s are you? Better question, how did stalking Steve go?

SAM:

Uh, I mean, my night was interesting…

BUCKY:

What do you-

BUCKY finally looks offscreen at SAM, and his expression turns to shock. The camera shifts to SAM. He is dressed in his Captain Falcon gear, which is torn and shredded, riddled with gunshots and covered in his own blood. SAM opens his mouth to speak, but before he can the scene freeze-frames.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

This is the moment I realised Steve was not paying me enough for this.

Not by a long shot.

Scene resumes

BUCKY:

(Out loud)

What the fuck!

SAM:

(Quickly)

I can explain!

BUCKY:

How, Sam?!? How can you possibly explain this?!?

SAM:

I… I just… I can, I promise! But I need a minute first-

Sam pauses, swallowing and swaying slightly on the spot

SAM: (Cont.)

Because I think I’m going to pass out.

BUCKY rushes forwards towards SAM, stabilising him.

SCENE CUTS and Sam is lying on the couch, BUCKY sitting next to him and nursing one of his many wounds. He pressed too hard and SAM hisses in response.

SAM:

(Whining)

Careful! That hurts!

BUCKY:

(Annoyed, glaring at SAM)

I’m glad! This was astronomically stupid of you, and you still haven’t explained any of what happened! Frankly, you look like you got dragged through a thorn bush backwards!

Sam is silent, embarrassed.

BUCKY:

Oh my god, I swear if you wrecked Ms. Andersons roses, I’m going to kill you.

SAM:

No, nothing like that! I just- Just let me- Okay, I’ll explain.

SCENE CUTS to last night, after BUCKY went to bed. Sam is scrolling the web, reading various articles. He finds a series of videos labels ‘Captain America PSA’s’, and shrugs, clicking on it. These are the videos from ‘Spiderman: Homecoming’, and as SAM continues to watch them, he starts laughing like a maniac.

BUCKY:

(off-screen, banging on the wall and yelling from the other room)

I DON’T CARE IF YOU LOSE YOUR MIND BUT CAN YOU DO IT QUIETER?!?

SAM:

(Voice-over)

You were kind of an ass about it.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

I have the vaguest memory of this.

(Pause)

Why are you telling me all this? None of it explains why you look like hell.

SAM:

(Voice-over)

I’m getting there.

SAM closes his laptop, sighing and rubbing his face with his hands. He stands, leaving the living room and heading to his bedroom. The Captain Falcon costume is on a mannequin in the corner of the room. SAM crosses the room to stand in front of the suit, looking it over.

SAM:

He just put on the suit and started running around…

He swallows, reaching out to touch the fabric.

I can do that.

SCENE CUTS back to the present, with SAM and BUCKY on the sofa. BUCKY looks both disappointed and pissed off. BUCKY reaches over with his flesh hand and hits him on the forehead, not hard enough to hurt but hard enough to send the ‘you’re an idiot’ message clearly.

SAM:

(Insulted)

OW!

~SCENE FOUR~ EXT. SHADY DARK STREET – NIGHT

SAM WILSON is walking down a street, now dressed in the Captain Falcon suit, mumbling under his breath as he walks.

SAM:

(Whispering)

I can do this; I can do this.

He coughs and deepens his voice, trying to imitate Steve Rogers.

SAM: (Cont.)

Hey, stop that! Stop right there!

He places his hands on his hips.

SAM: (Cont.)

I’m Captain America. I’m Captain America. I’m Captain America.

He drops his façade and sighs.

SAM: (Cont.)

What am I doing?

The turns a corner and finds a group of juvenile teenagers loitering in front of a house, sitting on the front steps or leaning against the fence. They’re smoking and drinking, being obnoxiously loud and taking up the entire pavement. SAM looks up at the block of apartments they’re in front of, and sees people peeking out from behind the curtains at the juveniles, looking very uneasy. SAM takes a deep breath.

SAM:

(Whispering to himself)

Here we go.

SAM walks up to the Juveniles, gesturing for their attention. They sneer at him, and one of them, THE LEADER, walks to the front of the pack and glares at him.

SAM:

What’s going on here?

LEADER:

Why do you care? You’re not a cop. (He looks at SAM’s suit and sneers) Nice costume. Where’s the party?

SAM:

Right here, apparently, that’s the problem. You’re loitering, you’re littering (he kicks a beer can away from his foot and back towards LEADER) and you all need to leave.

The LEADER’s expression darkens, and he looks as if he is about to speak. Before he can, the scene freeze-frames on him.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

Oh my god, you got beat up by children?

SAM:

(Voice-over)

No! Shut up!

The scene resumes.

LEADER:

(Annoyed)

What’s your problem, man?

SAM:

(Ignoring him, changing the subject by pointing at the drink in his hand)

How old are you all?

LEADER:

(Aggravated)

Listen, man, I don’t know who you think you are but you need to leave right now before things get ugly.

One of the GIRL’s sitting on the steps pipes up, interrupting and trying to get the leader’s attention.

GIRL:

Uh, guys?

LEADER:

(Brushing her off)

Just a second, Amy.

The girl, AMY, presses him further, rising from her spot on the steps and walking down to stand next to him.

AMY:

No, really, this is important.

LEADER:

(Aggravated)

Amy, not now!

AMY:

(Yelling)

THAT’S THE FALCON!

The JUVELINES goes silent, the group’s gaze moving between LEADER and SAM, then erupts in a series of whispers. THE LEADER looks at SAM and then AMY, then SAM and then AMY again. SAM gestures to the suit and takes a deep breath, trying to be confident, but as he speaks, he gives away how unsure of himself he is.

SAM:

Actually, I’m Captain America now.

AMY:

(Confused, stepping back)

What?

LEADER:

No, man, no. I’m an idiot, but I know what Captain America looks like. He’s like…

LEADER gestures above SAM’s head.

LEADER (Cont.)

taller and…

He gestures to SAM’s arms.

LEADER (Cont.)

bigger and…

He takes a step back and gestures to all of SAM.

LEADER (Cont.)

…he just doesn’t look like that.

AMY:

Dude, shut up!

SAM sighs and rubs his face with his hand.

SAM:

Okay, let’s try this a totally different way.

SAM presses a button on his glove and his wings extend with a thunk, red and blue. It’s almost intimidating.

SAM:

Leave.

The juveniles mumble to each other, before looking at LEADER. His face is unreadable for a second, glaring at SAM but eventually he sighs, shrugs and gestures for everyone to move somewhere else.

LEADER:

Not worth it, guys.

They leave, taking turns glaring at SAM as they go. SAM presses another button and his wings fold back into his suit.

SAM:

(Quietly, to himself)

No, I’m sorry, but I’m going to count that.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over, in disbelief)

Wait, that actually worked?!?

SAM:

(Voice-over)

Yeah. I mean, I don’t know why, but yeah.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

So, if the kids didn’t do this then who did?

SAM:

(Voice-over)

I’m getting there.

SAM shakes his head and continues walking, mumbling under his breath. After a moment, his attention is drawn to a telephone pole covered in a number of “Missing” posters. He frowns, stopping in front of it.

SAM:

(Quietly, to himself)

I thought they took all those down…

SAM leans closer to the poll, squinting as he trys to read the print on the poster.

SAM (Cont.):

Wait a second…

SAM rips down one of the posters and reads it over, looking at the image, the numbers, and all the other information with a frown.

SAM:

April 17… That’s yesterday…

SAM looks back up at the telephone pole, reading all the posters, tearing them off the pole as he reads them. He looks around, realising they are on every pole. He grasps the posters and looks over them again paying attention to the dates.

SAM:

April 10th, April 11th, April 11th April 12th, April 13th April 15th, these are… these are recent.

He pauses, looking at the photos.

Fourteen kidnappings in a month, eight in the last week… That doesn’t just happen, what’s going on?

SCENE CUTS back to the present, with SAM injured on the couch and BUCKY attending to his wounds. SAM gestures with one arm as he speaks.

BUCKY:

Excuse me for interrupting, I hate to keep bringing this up, but how the hell did any of this lead to…

Bucky makes a machine gun motion with his hands towards SAM. SAM gives him a dirty look in response.

SAM:

There wasn’t a machine gun! And I’m getting there! Just chill out!

BUCKY:

Sorry. So, you’re investigating missing poster people.

SAM:

I’m going to be honest with you, my first thought was aliens.

BUCKY:

Understandable. But it wasn’t?

SAM:

Oh no. It was worse. It was so much worse.

~SCENE FIVE~ INT. 24 STORE - NIGHT

SAM speed walks into a store, grabbing a city map from a wall and a notebook and slamming them both on the checkout counter. The checkout clerk, a tired old man, raises his eyebrows as he rings it up.

CLERK:

Nice outfit.

SAM:

Thanks, I’m Captain America.

CLERK:

(Hums) Interesting interpretation but okay.

SAM:

No, you don’t understand, I’m actually… (cuts himself off with a sigh) Never mind.

SAM hands over the money and takes the items.

SCENE CUTS and SAM is sitting on a bench illuminated by street lights. She’s looking at the ‘missing’ posters and then marking off points on a map in a red pen. These are the points where the people went missing. SAM leans back, looking over everything on the map and all of the posters. He groans, unable to find a connection.

SAM:

(Mumbling to himself)

Same time and all of them within the same mile radius…

SCENE CUTS and Sam is walking along a street, alternating between staring at his map, a poster and looking around at the streets. Apart from the fact that it’s pitch black, the streets look normal.

SAM:

Come on, what happened to you, Spencer?

He crosses the street towards a park, where he can hear voices. He enters the park and immediately regrets it, as the voices turn out to be the Juveniles from earlier. He sighs, walking past. The LEADER notices SAM and rises from his spot, walking after him.

LEADER:

(Calling out)

Are you following us?

SAM ignores him, staring down at his map.

LEADER:

Hey! Are you following us!?! I’ll call the cops; I don’t care who you are!

SAM looks up from his map, annoyed.

SAM:

I’m not following you.

LEADER:

Really? It certainly looks that way. You told us to move, we moved, now leave us alone.

SAM:

Like I said, I’m not following you. I’m just trying to figure out what happened to these people. You’re all fine where you are.

The LEADER is quiet for a second, looking at the posters in Sam’s hand, then nods understandingly.

LEADER:

(nodding at the posters)

You’re looking for those people?

SAM:

Yeah, do you know about them?

LEADER:

I know most people have given up hope of finding them.

LEADER pauses, before nodding gesturing over at the JUVENILES.

LEADER (Cont.):

Yeah, most of us knew at least one of them. It’s kind of a close community around here. Same high schools, church groups, family friends, that sort of stuff.

There is a pause filled with silence between the two of them.

SAM:

I know this is a weird request, but do you think you could help me? If you knew these people, you might be a smarter than the cops.

LEADER scoffs, rolling his eyes and crossing his arms.

LEADER:

I’ve been telling people that for years. Nice to hear someone else say it for once.

LEADER looks over his shoulder at the group of JUVENILES. They look back at him, mouthing words and making vague gestures. He responds with his own gestures, equally vague. He turns back to Sam.

LEADER:

I’ll see what I can do. Stay here.

SAM nods and LEADER walks back over to the group. They talk for a moment. LEADER gestures to SAM and the other teenagers look at him. AMY grabs LEADER’s arm and he nods. Eventually he walks back over to SAM.

SAM:

What’s the verdict?

LEADER:

(Sighs)

Can we touch them?

SAM:

(Confused)

…What?

LEADER:

Your wings. Amy wants to touch the wings.

SAM:

Oh, uh-

SAM pressed the glove button and extends his wings.

SAM:

I guess that would be alright. And then they’ll help me?

LEADER:

As much as we can.

LEADER gestures for SAM to follow him back to the group. While they’re walking, LEADER speaks.

LEADER:

I’ve got to warn you, some of us are pretty drunk.

SAM:

I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you say that.

LEADER:

(Smirks)

As you wish.

SAM:

Hey, Man, do you have a name?

LEADER looks at SAM, hesitant for a moment. Finally, he answers.

LEADER:

My name’s Jacob.

SAM:

Hey Jacob, I’m Sam.

JACOB:

Good to know.

SCENE CUTS and SAM is sitting with the group of teenagers. They’re taking turns running their wings over the metal of his wings. His map and posters are all over the floor, and the other kids are discussing and sorting them. SAM points to one directly in front of him.

SAM:

And this one is… Lucy?

Jacob quickly picks up the paper and passes it over.

JACOB:

Yes.

Sam looks at another teenager, a GIRL.

SAM:

And you knew her?

GIRL: (Looks at JACOB and then nods)

Yeah, Lucy Ashforth. A bunch of us knew her actually. 

SAM:

Where’d you know her from?

GIRL:

She was part of my church circle. Used to be one of the best members. I swear my grandmother liked her more than she likes me.

The group laughs. It wasn’t that funny, but hey, they’re drunk. SAM gestures to the group, but mainly JACOB and the GIRL.

SAM:

Tell me everything you know.

GIRL is quiet for a moment, taking a swig from her drink. JACOB pipes up in her place.

JACOB:

Family used to have a lot of money, but a hefty divorce and her, her brother and her mother were practically homeless. They were able to get back on there feet enough to afford a house here, but they were always living pay check to pay check. She was a good student, down to earth and sweet.

GIRL:

She was cool, but too devoted to hang out with us or anything. I really only knew her from Church. Then one day, she just… stopped coming in.

SAM:

That’s when she disappeared?

GIRL: 

(Shaking her head)

No, this was way before that. She came in one day and said she’s found somewhere else she felt could cater to her differently, better.

SAM:

Huh?

GIRL:

Yeah, that was basically my reaction. She said, she was going to this recovery centre for people who died in the snap.

JACOB:

Yeah, she went on about the place, and it actually seemed like it was really helping her, at least for a while. Place always gave me the creeps, and the guy that runs it always gave me that gut feeling of… ‘wrong’, but she loved it. She was actually coming home from one of her meetings when she was taken.

SAM:

That’s not ominous at all… (He gestures to the posters) Did anyone else here go to these meetings?

There were murmurs of ‘yeah, actually’ from the other children

SAM:

Yeah, that’s very ominous. Anyone thought about going to the police?

JACOB:

Some of us have tried, myself included, but they won’t listen to us. They think we’re idiot kids. Frankly I’m shocked you’re listening.

SAM: 

Well, you do seem quite knowledgeable about these people. Especially Lucy.

The group goes quiet and looks around cautiously.

JACOB:

Yeah. She’s my sister.

SAM’s eyes widen. After a moment, he finally speaks.

SAM:

I’m going to find who did this.

JACOB face is unreadable for a moment, then he half-smiles and clasps SAM on the shoulder.

JACOB:

Of course you are, man, you’re Captain America.

SAM:

You said this is a support group? Do you know where this place is?

JACOB: 

(Nods)

It’s actually on my way home. I’ll show you. (Calling out) Amy!

AMY jogs over, collapsing next to him.

AMY:

What up?

JACOB:

I’m taking Sam to the snap centre. Can you make sure everyone else get home alright?

AMY shrugs but nods slowly.

AMY:

Sure.

JACOB:

Great, thanks.

JACOB stands and SAM follows. JACOB turns to his group and gestures for their attention.

JACOB:

(Sternly)

It’s 2am, everyone go home.

The group mumbles but slowly dispels. JACOB taps SAM arm and starts walking.

JACOB:

Come on, lets go.

SAM follows after.

SCENE CUTS and JACOB and SAM are pacing down a dark street. They come to a corner and JACOB stops suddenly, flattening himself to the wall. He quickly peeks around the corner and then moves back immediately.

JACOB:

It’s your lucky day, they’re there.

SAM:

Yay me.

(pause)

Can I see?

JACOB steps back and SAM moves past him to take a look around the corner.

There are two men standing out of the front of a lit-up building with a bright sign that reads ‘Snap Support Centre’, acting as guards. Each of them is armed with huge guns. Neither look friendly. SAM ducks back to JACOB.

SAM:

Those are some big guns for a therapy circle.

JACOB:

(nodding)

Yeah. Huge. There’s even more inside. And there’s a mounted machine gun on the roof.

JACOB points to the roof, where true to his words a machine gun is resting dormant.

SAM:

(In disbelief)

Holy crap, they mounted a machine gun on the roof.

The scene freeze-frames.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over, appalled)

You said there was no machine gun!

SAM:

(Voice-over)

I should have specified. They never SHOT me with the machine gun.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

That’s not better!

The scene resumes.

JACOB:

Perfect for skewering birds.

SAM glares at him over his shoulder.

SAM:

(Sarcastically)

You’re hysterical.

JACOB chuckles at his own joke, then returns to being serious. There is a pause as the camera pans in on SAM thinking, looking at the armed men at the door. Then, the scene freeze-frames.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

Go home Sam.

SAM:

(Voice-over)

Okay but-

BUCKY:

(Voice-over, sterner)

Go. Home. Sam.

SAM:

(Voice-over)

And in retrospect I totally should have but instead-

The scene resumes. SAM looks back at JACOB, determined.

SAM:

I’m going to confront them.

He starts to stand but Jacob grabs his arm and pulls him back, wide-eyed.

JACOB:

Are you crazy?!? I mean, of course you are but do you have a death wish?!? Seriously, those guys are terrifying and they are not hesitant to threaten you at a moment’s notice. Granted, I’ve never seen them shoot anyone, but I would NOT put it past them. Those guns are scary.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

Finally, someone with some common sense. I like this kid.

SAM:

I have guns too; you’re weren’t scared of me.

JACOB looks startled, looking SAM up and down.

JACOB:

Well I would have been if I knew you had guns!

A man rounds the opposite corner, heading towards the men with guns. He’s wearing a trench coat, likely concealing weapons. They salute him and he salutes back. They have a conversation SAM and JACOB can’t hear. JACOB sees him and flattens himself further into the wall.  

SAM:

Calm down, It’s okay.

He gestures to the new man.

SAM: (Cont.)

Who’s the trench coat man?

JACOB:

That’s their leader. His name’s Father Adam but everyone calls him Father Ash. He’s weird, right? I get total weird vibes off of him, but all the adults think I’m crazy. To busy drooling over him or whatever.

SAM:

(Looking at FATHER ASH)

No, I’m definitely getting some weird vibes here.

JACOB:

(relieved)

Thank you!

SAM clasps JACOB on the shoulder reassuringly.

SAM:

I’m going in there-

He sees JACOB about to argue and quickly cuts him off.

SAM: (Cont.)

You can’t convince me otherwise, I’m a stubborn son-of-a-bitch. Thank you, Jacob, you’ve been very helpful. Now, go home and stay safe.

JACOB stays still for a second, before standing and nodding.

JACOB:

You’re crazy, man, please don’t die.

SAM:

(Jokingly)

If you insist.

JACOB half-smiles and nods before turning and walking away from SAM. Looking back over his shoulder as he leaves, crossing the street and finally disappearing down a side alley. SAM turns back around and stands, taking a deep breath before rounding the corner towards the Snap Centre. The three men notice him as soon as he rounds the corner, and the two guards reach for there weapons. FATHER ASH dismisses them and they relax slightly, still glaring at SAM warningly. FATHER ASH steps towards SAM, extending his arm, overly friendly.

FATHER ASH:

It is late, my friend! You must me something of a night owl!

SAM:

Yeah, something like that.

FATHER ASH:

Is there something that we can help you with? You shouldn’t be walking the streets alone, what with people disappearing left right and centre.

SAM:

That’s actually what I’m here about. I’m investigating what happened to them. Do you have any idea what’s going on? Or why it hasn’t been in the news?

FATHER ASH:

(Ignoring his question and mocking him)

And do you always dress up as Captain America when you investigate serious crimes?

SAM:

Actually I… (gives up) You know what, yes, yes I do. It makes me feel powerful. Nobody messes with Captain America. There, I’ve told you something about me, now you tell what you know.

FATHER ASH:

(sighs melodramatically)

Someone is targeting my flock. They’re good men and women just looking for some help after the Snap, they don’t deserve this.

SAM:

(waves his hands to stop him)

You aren’t answering my question. Do you know what happened to these people or not?

FATHER ASH:

Of course not. I’m always here at my centre.

SAM:

Except for today.

FATHER ASH:

Except for today.

SAM:

That’s convenient.

FATHER ASH glares at SAM, taking threatening steps forward until he’s nose-to-nose with SAM.

FATHER ASH:

Are you trying to insinuate I am somehow responsible for their disappearances? 

SAM:

I’m not saying anything; I’m just looking around and this place drew a lot of attention from my sources.

The scene freeze-frames.

BUCKY:

(Voice-over)

Your sources are children, Sam.

SAM:

(Voice-over)

He didn’t know that! Shhh. Things are about to get interesting.

The scene resumes. For a moment, there is no movement, FATHER ASH and SAM silently facing off. Suddenly, FATHER ASH punches SAM square in the gut. SAM staggers backwards, gasping. The two men raise their guns and begin shooting, but SAM extends his wings and tears up into the sky, curving around and kicking one of the gunmen. The other gunman tackles him away and SAM stands in time to see FATHER ASH pull a pistol out of his coat. He shoots at SAM, most bullets missing. The first gunman grabs SAM from behind, pulling him into a headlock and suffocating him slowly. SAM futilely claws at his arm. The other gunman starts punching, first the face, then the stomach. As SAM begins to black out, FATHER ASH speaks.

FATHER ASH:

Stop! We’ll be seen! Leave him!

GUNMAN:

But sir, what if he dies on the pavement?

FATHER ASH:

Then he dies on the pavement. Not our damn problem.

The gunman holding SAM drops him and he falls onto the pavement, gasping. The two gunmen recede into the Snap centre, but FATHER ASH kneels down next to SAM.

FATHER ASH:

The missing are gone, blessed by my hand. You cannot stop this; it is the will of god.

FATHER ASH stands and moves inside the Snap Centre, disappearing from view. SAM groans, vision blurry.

SAM:

Dick.

SCENE CUTS back to the present. SAM gestures to himself.

SAM:

And that’s how I got here, like this.

BUCKY:

…How did you get home?

SAM:

I stayed there for a while, and then I dragged myself home. It was only like six block, it’s fine.

BUCKY looks at SAM, silent and motionless, and unreadable expression on his face.

SAM:

Um… James? You okay? Still with me, man?

BUCKY:

That was without question the stupidest, most crazy thing you have ever done and I’m going to go as far as I physically can out of my way to make sure that never ever happens again.

SAM sits up, looking BUCKY in the eye.

SAM:

(Unsure)

Are you saying you’re not letting me go out there anymore?

BUCKY:

No.

Bucky reaches under the couch and pulls out an AK-47. He turns it over and loads it, before cocking the weapon.

BUCKY (Cont.)

I’m saying I’m coming with you.

[mind-writing0]

~Chapter 11~

They were all conveniently stashed in the dining room when the alarms went off

Piercing and non-stop, these blaring sounds went on around the Selected, shocking them into dropping their forks.

"To the back of the room, please, sirs!" King James ordered, his tone demanding yet understanding. He grabbed his wife, Queen Diana, around the waist and moved to a corner.

Prince Roman stood up, along with the other Selected, their silverware clattering onto plates of half-eaten food. His eyes met Virgil's, but only for a second, as he was not the one the prince was in search of. He saw Patton, paralyzed in terror, and stepped off of the platform intended for a royal family. Roman went over to him and grabbed his arm, pulling him along, the look in his eyes urgent yet comforting. Virgil felt his stomach tense, both from the intensity of the situation and seeing Roman's immediate reaction.

A few of the young men also had to be pulled along, and they were obviously too terrified to be in such a position for long. They finally got to the corner, a clamor of loud noises all around them. The butlers had pulled metal blinds over the windows, and it sounded as though heavy objects were being thrown at them.

"Sorry, sirs, we do have a bit of a...rebellion...as I am sure you've heard." The king stated, still clutching the queen even though she seemed fine.

The initial shock had faded, though the noise of the intruders still rang. Roman was seen talking with one of the other Selected, as he was making rounds, and he soon came to Virgil.

"Are you alright, my dear?" He asked in that odd English-American accent of his. No one really talked that way except for him, and Virgil wondered why he chose to speak that way if it wasn't learned.

Virgil didn't even mind being called my dear in that moment—he was too concerned with the sweeping relief he felt. "Yes," He replied tensely, then he waited a moment to muster up the courage to continue amongst all the shouting. "I—I wanted to thank you. For the jeans. And not kicking me out? If you're not...I don't know. I'm really sorry..."

Roman nodded, his hands behind his back as he looked both professional and lost in thought. "I can see why you did it, now. It did seem rather improper, in hindsight, though it does make a funny story. Perhaps we could tell it one day, lacking the intensity?" He sighed and looked down at his well-polished shoes. "Who am I kidding? You always seem mad at me...if it wasn't for your seemingly average caste and political standing, I could pinpoint you as one of them." He nodded towards the door, where there was more banging and yells.

"I'm not mad," Virgil said immediately, "and I'm definitely not a rebel. What's the deal with them, anyway? Like, do you guys know what's going on?"

Prince Roman nodded and looked over at his parents cautiously before continuing. "Well, in all honesty, it appears there's two very different types. Father won't listen; he claims they're all the same, but I believe there's two groups. One is the Northern rebels, they are less brutal. In my theory..." he looked around again. "I think they're looking for something."

Virgil gasped at the sudden idea of what secrets this palace could hold, and the idea of this group fighting to find them. Or they could just be petty thieves, though there could be a safer way of stealing riches. "What do you think they're looking for?"

"I'm not sure," Roman whispered, "but it is rather frustrating to be done with an attack and walk into your room being a wreck. You have no idea how many cameras and scripts I've had to replace."

"Cameras and scripts?" Virgil grinned, glancing over at Roman out of gratefulness of having something normal to talk about.

The prince blushed, "Yes, I'm interested in photography and theatre. Laugh all you'd like."

"No, I think it's cool. Most of the lower castes don't get to have interests; they just study what they're born into."

"Oh," Roman stopped in his thoughts, his eyes screaming guilt.

"Yeah..." Virgil shuffled awkwardly. This was one of the reasons he could hardly stand the idea of having a relationship with the prince. While they did get along—aside from some issues with Virgil's temper—how were they supposed to get along on politics from two very different viewpoints. Think of politics..."What's with the other group? Do you know what that want?"

Roman looked more tense than before, and Virgil had the urge to switch back to the scripts before things got more intense than what was going on outside. "Well...the other group is the Southern rebels. I believe they are only here to cause destruction, but they shouldn't be so quickly dismissed. They...they kill people, Virgil. I—I've only seen bits and pieces, but...it's horrible. That's why I believe this attack shall—should be credited to the Northern rebels. If the Southerners were responsible, there would be gunshots, and the Northerners never kill."

"Oh," Virgil said simply, his stomach sinking. "I didn't realize..."

"It's alright," Roman replied, though it wasn't. "If any of the rebels are after anyone, it'll be the royal family. I am in much more danger than anyone in this palace." His voice tried to remain smooth, but it cracked as if he were about to cry or have an anxiety attack. "Though I must remain strong for my country. As an old leader once said, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself'."

Virgil nodded, though he had no idea where he had heard that. All history lessons seemed strain or censored, even if that seemed ridiculous. He briefly remembered a tattered history book from when he was little. His mother kept it locked away, but Virgil got to it somehow. He was punished for the secrets he learned, though he hadn't learned much.

"You seem awfully quiet, my d—Virgil." Roman corrected, "Would you prefer for us to put these troubling thoughts aside for now?"

"Yeah," Virgil agreed, and he couldn't help grinning at the way the prince spoke. "So, how have you been handling the other Selected?"

"It's been alright," Roman commented, looking anywhere but at Virgil. "If you consider not arranging any dates in the hopes of ignoring them until they go away alright."

Virgil laughed, a surprising sound to hear amidst such a situation. "Well, I had a suggestion on how to start. My other friend, Lance, is really nice. He likes Cuban culture and comedy, and he's a talker, so you mostly just have to listen. Go ahead, Roman." He patted the prince on the back, but he had stopped cold in his tracks. "What's wrong?" Virgil asked.

"You called me Roman. Just Roman, with no prince or Your Higness beforehand." Roman muttered.

"Oh, sorry! I didn't mean anything by it." Virgil replied nervously. Weren't people, like, burned at the stake for that?

"It's alright, Virgil." The prince said, "I actually quite like not being addressed as royalty for once. It makes me feel like...like we're really friends." Then he walked off, to talk to Lance or someone else, before Virgil could say anything else.

The attack didn't continue on for much longer. The shouts ceased and the doors were eventually opened by a nervous maid. "I'm very sorry, please don't mind the mess."

"Nonsense," the king muttered, and Virgil couldn't tell if he was dismissing it out of kindness or mumbling annoyances.

They were all let out, and the Selected headed upstairs to their rooms. Many were surprised and upset when they saw the damage, and Virgil thought that maybe he was the only one Roman told of the different types of rebels. Though he had only just grasped the concept, he could already tell by the side effects that this was the Northern rebel's responsibility. When he opened his door, his room was wrecked. Pillows unstuffed, suits thrown out of the closet, books with pages ripped out strewn across the floor. Virgil's flustered maids were apologetically cleaning up. The black haired boy knelt down to help.

"Oh, no, sir, you don't need to help." Romelle pipped up, picking up some books.

"Don't make a big deal out of it," Virgil smiled at her. He had to be a bit gentler with her, as she seemed more fragile than the others. "It is my room, after all."

So they cleaned for a while, occasionally making small talk, though they never delved too personally into any of the stories to be kept a secret. After about an hour and a half, there was a knock at the door.

"Oh, no." Romelle whispered as Virgil answered it.

Roman stood at the door, his arms crossed. "Sorry," he held his arms at his side. "That was improper. I'm just a little upset, considering they took my Wicked script. Why would they even need that? Oh, well. Has everything been alright around here, fixing everything?"

"Yeah," Virgil replied, "I only really have a few books and stuff that needs fixing, they ripped—" he looked around at his maids, all of which were attentive to the point of eavesdropping. "They caused some damage. Hey, Katie, would you mind getting us some tea? Allura and Romelle can go with you, and you can take your time."

The maids, immediately sensing the request behind the words, giggled as they left. Virgil rolled his eyes with a smile, "Sorry about them. They're crazy, but I like them."

"Yes, they do seem like a characteristic bunch." Roman noted, his tone surprised as if he'd never seen a server with a personality before.

"So," Virgil, out of habit, sat at his new piano bench. "What are you doing here? Did you find something new?"

"How rude!" Roman said, "Can I not simply see my best and only friend?"

Virgil grinned, "I guess so." He looked down at the piano. "I could play a song. I know how to sing and play a lot of instruments, but that's pretty much it."

"Still fascinating, nonetheless..." Roman muttered. "Speaking of you being my talented and special friend, I wanted to arrange something." He moved to lean against the closet door.

"If it's another date—"

"No, no. I've learned my lesson. But I do believe it would be much more efficient and fun if we had a symbol, like something we do when we need to talk."

"A symbol?" Virgil asked, trying not to laugh as he shuffled through the palace's hand-picked pretentious music sheets. What was this, elementary school?

"Like, running a hand through my hair—no, that's too common. Pinching my cheek? No, that looks odd—"

Virgil interrupted his brain storming. "How about pulling on your ear?" He asked jokingly.

Roman looked as though he'd came upon a brilliant solution. "Great idea, Virgil! See, that's why we're friends. Okay, I regret to say I must go speak with the other Selected. I hope to be pulling on my ear soon." He winked with a small bow, then glanced for a moment at the purple and black swirled rose sitting solemnly in its vase. Then he left, and Virgil was left grinning when his maids came in with tea.

~~~~~~

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Wow, we have a big taglist! I’m glad all you lovely people like the story! 🥰 let me know if you wanna be added!

Taglist

@its-the-cat-queen @notalwaysthevillian @the-doctor-demigod-wizard @avocados26 @2-many-fandoms-to-chose-from @randomsandersides @misera-libera @kawaii-harmony @seeyoube @dabby-the-disappointment @kaioanxiety @toxicity-levels-critical @sandersfandersblog @tryingtoohard-noclue @amazable01 @hazelswann @ray-iplier @thats-so-crash @thatsthat24 @shootingace @marshmallow-the-panda @sortablue @random-artsy-space-dude @galaxy-lilies-main @magicaldestinayspaceunicorn @theunoriginaldaisy @lydixa-petal @sombraplayslazertag

[silver-falling-star]

for the first person OC asks: i started to go through and pick individual numbers and then realized i was picking basically all of them so fuck it, all of them for chris & shannon

Oh sweet jesus, okay ima just put this under a readmore b/c this is gonna get long.

1. What is your name?

Shannon: “Shannon Miller”

Chris: “Chris Mitchell”

2. Any nicknames?

Shannon: “Shay, and any petnames my girlfriend has for me.”

Chris: “Kind of hard to make a nickname out of a one syllable name.”

3. Gender stuff?

Shannon: “Cisgender woman.”

Chris: “I’m genderfluid and prefer they/them pronouns.”

4. Sexuality stuff?

Shannon: “My sexuality is girls.”

Chris: “I have more important things to do than date people. I’m ace.”

5. How old are you?

Shannon: “I’m 43, though I probably look older.”

Chris: “32 in 2012, 52 in 2032. I’m older than Shannon by 9 years.”

6. Any distinguishing traits?

Shannon: “My hair is always dyed some vibrant color, and my clothes outside of work are very flashy.”

Chris: “I try to look as basic and androgynous as possible. But I guess my hair is about as fiery as a Weasley. Now if I’m in my hero suit, I guess the fact that I look like some mutated freak is pretty distinguishing.”

7. How did you get your scars?

Shannon: “I’ve got some scars that have long since faded from dumb shit I did as a kid.”

Chris: “My nose is dented from when a kid threw a rock at my face when we were playing baseball with a rock and a stick. Though…. the big scar on my back comes from radiation and fire burns.”

8. Anything you’re ashamed of?

Shannon: “Id… rather not talk about that.”

Chris: “Plenty, starting with anyone who’s died as a result of my actions.”

9. Do you have any pets? Do you want any?

Shannon: “No pets, but both mine and Aliza’s schedules make having any pets difficult. Maybe when we retire.”

Chris: “I have two cats, Wellington and Fae. Wellington is a four year old tabby I found in the wheel well of a car, Fae is about a year old black cat I adopted from the shelter.”

10. How would you describe yourself?

Shannon: “Athletically chubby butch with great hair and an even greater fashion sense.”

Chris: “Androgynous ginger mechanic with no distinguishing features. Looks like if you mixed a jock and nerd together.”

11. How would your friends describe you?

Shannon: “Well to quote one of my friends: ‘That bitch who switched my nameplate and didn’t tell me until I got an email from the SAC about it.’“

Chris: “Hopefully something like ‘Determined and willing to help.’ I don’t want to put words in her mouth though.”

12. How would your enemies describe you?

Shannon: answered here

Chris: “I honestly couldn’t give two shits.”

13. What are the top three songs you can’t stop listening to right now? 

Shannon: “Running in the 90′s is always a classic, Smash Mouth by All Star is good meme material, and Honeybee by Steam Powered Giraffe because I’m a sap for a good love song.”

Chris: “Can’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Sweet Caroline by Niel Diamond, and Dancing Queen by ABBA. I have a thing for the older music.”

14. Do you have an aesthetic and how would you describe it? 

Shannon: “The 90′s personified, because I love how bright it all is. Contrasts with the black suits I wear to work everyday.”

Chris: “Practical, durable, and unnoticeable.”

15. How do you normally dress? 

Shannon: “At work I wear black tailored suits, usually with some colorful tie. Off duty I wear bright windbreakers, baggy jeans, and anything that really screams lesbian honestly. Oh and you can’t forget the heelies.”

Chris: “Blank t-shirt, cargo pants with plenty of pockets, and converse. When I’m working in the shop it gets covered with a heavy duty set of coveralls.”

16. How do you normally wear your hair? 

Shannon: “Pixie cut with the sides shaved close, usually dyed some bright color.”

Chris: “Just touching the base of my neck and swept back. If I’m working in the shop, I have it pulled up into a short ponytail. When doing hero work my hair is shoulder length and unkempt. I’ve tried brushing it out, trust me, never stays.”

17. Who is closest to you? 

Shannon: “Aliza, my girlfriend.”

Chris: “Winnie. I trust her with my life.”

18. Who have you lost?

Shannon: “I’d rather not talk about that.”

Chris: “More people than I’d have preferred to lose before I’m 70.”

19. How do you feel about your family?

Shannon: “It’s complicated. They raised me and cared for me and empowered me to pursue my dreams, and I’ll always be grateful for that. But when you’re from a small town in a rural area, they aren’t the most accepting of the whole sexuality thing. They’ve gotten better, but I can tell they’d honestly wish I would settle down with a man. Sucks for them though, I’m perfectly happy where I am. My brother is the one exception who’s accepted me from day one, and I’m grateful to him for that.”

Chris: “They’ve been nothing but supportive of me and my interests. I was worried when I came out that they’d reject me, but instead they warmed up to me changing my name and my fluctuating pronouns. My parents have worried about me of course, I am their oldest kid after all who doesn’t exactly fit the mold of what my hometown might call normal. They also basically adopted Winnie as their fifth kid after meeting her once, they’re a loving kind of people. My siblings are great. We get on each others nerves sometimes and definitely have had our rough spots, but in the end we’re there for each other. Even if my little brother is a little shit. I can only hope they’ll take the truth of my superpowers and being a superhero as well as they have everything else.”

20. How do you feel about your culture?

Shannon: “What culture, I’m from hicksville USA, we got farmland, coal mines, and racism. I guess our music is nice but everything else feels like it doesn’t even really exist.”

Chris: “I’m from an area with a bunch of mountain people. Our culture involves hunting, illegal shine stills, meth labs, and pot farms. Don’t go into the wrong side of the hollar or you might not come out, all that. Though the sense of community there is pretty strong, even if its very much a ‘you grew up here so you’re one of us’ way. I can take parts of it and leave others.”

21. Is there anything either would dislike about you?

Shannon: “Yes to both and its mostly that I’m gay and dating another woman.”

Chris: “I should hope my family doesn’t dislike me. As for my uh, ‘culture’, my gender identity for sure. I’ve had the odd look here and there growing up. And some classmates not quite sure what to make of me.”

22. Any regrets?

Shannon: “Loads, but I try not to let them control me. What happened in the past is in the past.”

Chris: “More than I care to admit and I get more every day.”

23. Any vices?

Shannon: answered here

Chris: “My video games I guess. I dunno’ I don’t think I have that many. Bad habits sure, vices eh, take it or leave it.”

24. Any phobias?

Shannon: answered here

Chris: “My old boss figuring out I know what he did, random facilities conveniently in the middle of nowhere, the government locking my ass up as a test subject, I could go on.”

25. Any triggers?

Shannon: “Explosions, not a big fan of fireworks because of it.”

Chris: “Explosions, gunshots, head trauma, my anxiety can be a trigger sometimes if I’m stressed out enough honestly.”

26. Any hobbies?

Shannon: “Skateboarding, fishing, camping, going to the gym, things that keep me active honestly.”

Chris: “Engineering new tech, video games, I stream on twitch from time to time. I still also enjoy reading comics and building complicated lego sets.”

27. Is there someone or something you would die for?

Shannon: “Aliza, justice, my team, if I have to go down so a criminal can be apprehended, then so be it.”

Chris: “My family, Winnie, saving the people who need saving.”

28. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Shannon: “I try to be an optimist, otherwise I’d end up being very bitter on the job.”

Chris: “I’m in the middle, and it entirely depends on the situation.”

29. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Shannon: “Introverted-Extrovert. I enjoy people but I need my alone time.”

Chris: “Introvert. I’m fine with small groups but I don’t like large crowds. Though, I have to put on an extroverted front as Equinox. Equinox is more of a people person.”

30. Are you brains or brawn?

Shannon: “More brawn than brains but I’m not stupid.”

Chris: “Why not both?”

31. Are you passive or aggressive?

Shannon: “More aggressive than passive in a work setting. At home I’m passive.”

Chris: “More aggressive.”

32. What are you best at?

Shannon: “I am very talented at finding good campsites.”

Chris: “Creating new technology. I am an engineer by education.”

33. What are you worst at?

Shannon: already answered

Chris: “I’m pretty shit at shooting a gun larger than a pistol.”

34. What is something you want to be good at but are really bad at?

Shannon: “Skating, just so I can prove to Aliza that I can indeed master any form of wheel based sport.”

Chris: “Managing my anger.”

35. What’s your place in your world or the world you’ve entered?

Shannon: “I’m a special agent at the National Agency of Superpowered Persons, or NASP. I help manage the superhero team that protects Detroit.”

Chris: “I’m a mechanic by trade and one of the world’s first superheroes when the occasion calls for it. Recently picked up the hobby of unwillingly being flung through alternate dimensions trying to find our way home. Hopefully we end up doing what the main character in Quantum Leap couldn’t do and get home.”

36. What’s your place in your peer group?

Shannon: “A fellow agent and occasionally boss. Friend group is different but you said peer group not friend group so eh.”

Chris: “I honestly don’t know. My peer group is limited to my friend Winnie and two bank robbers I’m still trying to get a handle on.”

37. How do you feel about your story?

Shannon: “Well aside from the trauma, I feel okay about it. Could do with superheroes who don’t break the law on a regular basis but you take what you can get. Not that all of them do that.”

Chris: “I just hope I can get some fucking rest soon. All this stress is going to make me go grey before I’m ready for that. Or it could kill me, who knows at this point.”

38. How do you feel about your author?

Shannon: “They suffer from executive dysfunction and more of the story exists in their head than on paper. But thats fine.”

Chris: “I have two and I only vaguely know what one of them has planned for me.”

39. Do you know your ending? How do you feel about that?

Shannon: “Yes and I’m not looking forward to it.”

Chris: “Yes and no. I know what one of them would LIKE to make my ending, but who knows if that will end up being what happens in the prime universe.”

40. Any AU’s you wish you lived instead?

Shannon: “I do quite like the idea of being a bartender with the other three fed characters in the biker AU. That’s got lots of fun antics going on in it.”

Chris: “The everyone lives AU is significantly less painful and more meme-filled.”

[princeandreis]

great comet -- explained!

so I was talking to @viennaleia who just recently started listening to great comet, and I remembered how hard it was for me to figure out what was going on. it involved a lot of googling, re-listening, genius lyrics, and wikipedia summaries. a mostly enjoyable but rather difficult process. so I decided I’d make an easy summary for those of you who are as confused about great comet as we all were when we started out!

warning: there are obviously hella spoilers ahead for great comet (and war & peace), so read at your own risk!

a few things -- 

one, this summary goes song-by-song narrating the plot and filling in gaps. great comet is an entirely sung-through show, so you aren’t missing any scenes by listening to the soundtrack. 

two, I’m using the Broadway version of the soundtrack to narrate. I’m not sure how different the off-Broadway version is.

three, I’m gonna try to keep this as bare as possible. I love great comet with my whole heart and I could talk about all of the themes and motifs and everything forever, but I’m trying to keep this just as a summary so people have less of a hard time with the plot.

so here we go!! this is gonna be super long so buckle tf up!!

act one

prologue ~ introduces the characters and tells you what you need to know about them. pretty self-explanatory so I’m gonna leave this one here.

pierre ~ he’s so complex that he can’t be summed up in a few words like all the other characters, so he gets his own introductory song. puts pierre’s existential despair on full display.

moscow ~ natasha and sonya, the two cousins/bffs, arrive in moscow to spend time with natasha’s godmother, marya dmitrievna, who is well-respected in society. they’re there to pass the time before their fiances get back from the war (in the book the circumstances are a bit more complicated, but we’ll ignore that for now). natasha talks about how much she misses her fiance, andrey, whose family she’s about to meet for the first time. marya assures her that all she has to do is make sure she gets along with andrey’s sister, and everything will be fine.

the private and intimate life of the house ~ offers the audience a look into how things are at the house of andrey’s family (princess mary and old prince bolkonsky, their father). bolkonsky is abusive and manipulative, which has left mary feeling like she’s the only one who can take care of him. she expresses her loneliness, and she and her father discuss natasha, who is coming shortly for tea. bolkonsky shows off his crazies.

natasha & bolkonskys ~ natasha arrives for tea, and it’s awkward. I mean awkward. natasha and mary immediately hate each other, but try to mask it with cold politeness. bolkonsky shows off his crazies, pt 2, and is super rude to natasha. she leaves in tears, leaving mary feeling horrible.

no one else ~ natasha sings about her love for andrey, begging him to come home. it’s beautiful and sad and fantastic. she just really loves him, dude

the opera ~  marya takes natasha and sonya to the opera, which is natasha’s grand moment of coming out in society. she’s wearing a more revealing dress for the first time, since she’s now considered a woman. she is flattered and bewildered by the attention she receives for her beauty. helene and dolokhov come in together, and it’s revealed that she’s cheating on pierre (her husband, who’s not there) with dolokhov. the opera begins, and natasha doesn’t understand it. she becomes kind of intoxicated (idk this part’s super weird sghjfdkhsdjfmv) by the lights and the crowd. anatole enters in the middle of the opera, and natasha is captivated by his looks. the opera continues, and anatole and natasha ogle each other from their seats and it’s weird. the opera concludes and anatole enters natasha’s box.

natasha & anatole ~ natasha and anatole get to know each other a little. and by that I mean anatole is super thirsty and natasha doesn’t know what to do about it. she is frightened of how much attraction there is between them. anatole asks her to come to a ball that’s happening at his house soon, but she doesn’t give him a straight answer.

the duel ~ anatole greets pierre, his friend, and invites him to go to the club with him and dolokhov. pierre accepts. they go to the club, where a raucous party is happening. pierre drinks a bunch and talks about his alcoholism and sadness. anatole tells his sister helene (whom he’s probably sleeping with on the side OOF) and his friend dolokhov about how thirsty he is for natasha. he knows she’s engaged, but doesn’t care. it also turns out that anatole is also married, but it’s a secret to everyone except pierre, dolokhov, and helene. dolokhov taunts pierre about how he’s sleeping with pierre’s wife and everyone knows it. pierre drunkenly challenges him to a duel (for honor reasons and whatnot). dolokhov agrees, because he’s a bitch and a “crazy good shot.” pierre shoots dolokhov, but he doesn’t really mean it and regrets it right away. he stands straight up, fully ready to die, but dolokhov misses, and is taken away to be cared for. pierre is declared the winner. anatole asks helene to get natasha to come to their party, and she agrees. he helps the inebriated pierre get home.

dust & ashes ~ pierre reflects on his brush with death, and regrets how much of his life he’s wasted looking for truth in places he’d never find it. he also talks about love and stuff and it’s full of cool themes. it’s drunken existential crisis 101, but he decides he’s ready to change and live a better life. inspiring af 10/10.

sunday morning ~ natasha and sonya light a candle in front of a mirror and look into it, which is a russian fortune-telling tradition. natasha thinks she sees andrey lying down, and is frightened because she doesn’t know what that means. she reflects on what has happened with anatole, and wonders if she’s being unfaithful to andrey because of her confused feelings. marya leaves to confront prince bolkonsky about how rude he was to natasha. helene shows up while natasha is in her room trying on dresses.

charming ~ helene uses her charms and flattery (and a fair amount of bad logic) to convince natasha to come to the party at the kuragins’ (her and anatole’s) house. natasha agrees to attend.

the ball ~ natasha and anatole dance together, and anatole tells her he loves her. she resists his advances initially, but he puts a lot of pressure on her and kisses her. she admits she loves him, too, and they promise their love to each other.

act two

letters ~ people write letters. pierre writes to andrey at the war, updating him on life in moscow. he reveals that dolokhov will recover from his gunshot wound, and discusses natasha’s arrival in town. (if you didn’t know, pierre is super in love with natasha, who’s an old family friend, but he doesn’t really know that himself yet.) pierre talks about how he’s done a lot of reading as he searches for the meaning of life, and he’s used that study to do some funky math to “prove” that he’s meant to kill napoleon (yes, that napoleon. pierre really hates napoleon). natasha struggles to write a letter to andrey explaining what’s happened. she receives a letter from princess mary, who still feels awful about what happened between them and wants to try to be friends. natasha has no idea how to answer. anatole sends a love letter to natasha (which was written by dolokhov). he asks her to elope with him, and she agrees. she falls asleep with his love letter in her hand.

sonya & natasha ~ sonya finds and reads anatole’s love letter, and figures out what’s going on. she tries to convince natasha that what she’s doing is a terrible idea, and not just for her sake. sonya worries also for the sake of their family’s honor and wellbeing, since a scandal like this would ruin them. natasha doesn’t listen, and scorns her cousin’s advice, even telling sonya she hates her. she writes a letter in response to princess mary, telling her that things are over between her and andrey.

sonya alone ~ sonya resolves to protect natasha from ruin at all costs, even though natasha is extremely upset with her. she watches her cousin become distant and dreamy, and figures out that natasha has some kind of plan in mind with anatole. she misses natasha’s friendship, and will do everything she possibly can to keep her from harm.

preparations ~ anatole runs into pierre, and tells him he’s running off to get married. pierre, not knowing who he’s talking about, teases him since he’s already married. anatole and dolokhov prepare for anatole to abduct natasha, carry her off to poland, and marry her. dolokhov tries to convince anatole it’s a stupid idea, but anatole won’t listen and he relents. balaga, the driver they hired, arrives.

balaga ~ this is a fun song that’s just kind of a break from plot. it explains how balaga is a longtime friend of anatole and dolokhov’s, and is an absolutely insane driver who loves drinking (especially while he drives).

the abduction ~ anatole throws his “bachelor party,” so to speak -- it’s his last hurrah before eloping with natasha. pierre joins in, still unaware what exactly is taking place or who anatole’s running away with. the party sets out for natasha’s house, where anatole’s plan is set in motion. a maid leads him into the house to collect natasha, but he is stopped by marya. he and dolokhov make their chaotic escape.

in my house ~ marya scolds natasha for her actions, and sonya tries to comfort her. natasha throws a temper tantrum, and refuses to admit she or anatole did anything wrong. she goes back to waiting for him at her window.

a call to pierre ~ marya sends an urgent letter to pierre, begging him to visit her. she explains the situation, and he’s infuriated. he reveals that anatole is already married. marya asks him to send anatole away from moscow, and he accepts.

find anatole ~ pierre rushes around moscow trying to find anatole. he enters a club, where patrons are gossiping about the elopement. pierre shuts down the rumors, preserving natasha’s honor. natasha is told that anatole is married, and she is destroyed by the news. pierre returns home, where helene is with her brother. pierre insists on speaking to him alone, to which he agrees.

pierre & anatole ~ pierre confronts anatole about what he has done, threatens him, and demands any letters he has from natasha. (onstage, natasha poisons herself.) he then tells anatole that he must stay out of moscow forever. anatole leaves for petersburg.

natasha very ill ~ sonya reflects by herself. natasha has poisoned herself and is safe now, but is still very sick. andrey is due to return, and tensions in the house run high.

pierre & andrey ~ andrey returns, reunites with his old friend pierre, and they discuss what has happened with natasha in his absence. he has heard the rumor that she wanted to elope with anatole. andrey tells pierre that even though he knows it would be the right thing to forgive natasha and ask for her hand again, he just can’t do it. he leaves pierre with all the letters natasha had written him.

pierre & natasha ~ pierre visits natasha to return the letters. he fully intends to despise her for her foolishness, but his heart is broken by her childishly pitiable state. he does his best to comfort her, even though she despises herself for what has happened. he tells her that were he not a better man -- and unmarried -- he would propose to her right then and there. grateful, natasha gives him a loving glance and leaves the room in tears of relief.

the great comet of 1812 ~ getting into his sleigh, pierre reflects on all that has happened. something has radically changed within him because of the way natasha looked at him, and he feels hope for the future. he sees the great comet of 1812 in the sky. this specific comet is supposed to be an omen for terrible tragedy, but for pierre it symbolizes joy and new life. the show ends with a sense of peace, hope, and love.

[queenof-fiction]

Hurricane (Dean X Reader)

*Gif credit goes to demondetoxmanual*

Prompt: A hurricane takes human form

Pairings: Dean X Reader

Words: 2295 (Look at me getting back into the thousands)

Warnings: Cursing.

Pronouns: She/her

Summary: Y/N is definitely something else when it comes to hunting. She can be almost insane, sometimes acting on impulse, but has been around for about as long as the Winchesters. Y/N was well known to, but the Winchesters never crossed paths with her. This story also takes place from Dean’s point of view rather than Y/N’s.

I really like this one and I hope you guys do too. Please let me know what you thought about it.

“Sammy it’s time to go. I’ll be in the car.” I explained while grabbing my keys and walking out to baby. I started her up and smiled as she roared to life. Sam soon walks out and tosses his bag into the back. I pull out of the motel parking lot and then we are on our way to our next hunt.

“Here check this out,” Sam said pointing the phone screen at me before reading it. “Man found dead in his home Saturday morning.” “Alright, that could just poor health. Anything really.” I explained, but Sam continued on.

“That makes this the 5th man to die this week. It even says he was in good health. I think we should check it out, Dean.”

“Where at?” I questioned.

“Memphis, Tennessee.”

We were now on our way to Memphis Tennessee. Sam was sitting there listening to some podcast on his phone which caused me to turn the radio up even more.

We arrived in Memphis a little over a day later. After a large amount of research on the case and lore, we narrowed it down to either, Witches or hellhounds. Then we figured that Hellhounds wouldn’t have done the job so clean. There would have been blood and gore everywhere so that leaves us with the other option. Damned witches.

We pulled up to an old, dirty looking motel and checked in. It wasn’t the best, but it would do. I noticed one other car there, so it was pretty vacant.

We took all of our stuff in and then went down to the corner diner for dinner. I was definitely in the mood for a double bacon cheeseburger. As usual, Sam ordered a salad. We sat in a corner booth, where I was able to see the whole dinner. We ordered and was in the middle of eating when the door swung open and a girl with Y/H/C walked in. A few heads turned her way, then went back to what they were doing. She looked familiar, and I had an idea. She may have been someone I had hooked up with before, but I wasn’t sure.

She sat down a few booths down from us. She didn’t look at us or showed us any attention, which means she probably didn’t recognize us. It wasn’t until one of the waiters, about the same age as her walked over to her. That’s when I knew who she was and that it was best for us to go.

“Will it be the usual, Y/N?” one of the waitresses asked. Y/N. Y/N? Y/N Y/L/N? The same Y/N that many hunters refuse to hunt with, while many others would love to hunt with. Surprisingly we have never hunted together, and Bobby specifically warned us not to. They must have had a few go-arounds, while Sammy and I were either dead or in another state. Bobby used to say how great of a hunter she was, but we were still warned to stay away. He said that she was something else and not to cross her path. He said, and I quote, She was a hurricane that took human form. I must have had a confused look on my face or was staring for too long because Sam noticed started to question what I was looking at. He went to turn around and look, but I kicked him under the table because it was best if she didn’t know about us.

“Dude, I think that’s Y/N over there,”  I whispered to Sam. His face went from confused to shocked within a matter of seconds.

“I thought she was busy in Florida,” Sam whispered.

“Yeah, well I guess not, because that is definitely her there,” I muttered.

“Maybe she’s on another case and didn’t see the witch one.” Sam tried to grasp.

“I highly doubt that,” I said looking back over at her. She had papers spread out over the table which is probably case information. I looked back over at Sam. “I’ll be right back,” I explained before getting up and pretending to walk to the bathroom. I walked into the bathroom for about a minute before walking back out. I noticed that now she was gone, but left all of her stuff on the table. I did a quick glance around the room before walking over to her table to get a look at some of the papers. I moved on over to get a better look at it. It was a bunch of new articles from the past week here and a bunch of old news articles from previous years back. I was really confused as to why she had so much on the past when I didn’t hear someone walk up.

“What are you doing?” I heard someone ask. I spun around to see Y/N standing there with her arms crossed. “I can’t even go to the restroom without people searching through my stuff.” She muttered and started to collect her papers and shove them into a folder.

“Wait, Y/N. Stop.” She spun around and was no more than a foot away from me.

“How do you know my name?” She asked aggressively.

“I’m also a hunter, my name is Dean Winchester and that's Sam Winchester, my brother,” I explained. Sam got up and walked over to us.

“The Winchesters. I think I might have heard a few other hunters say your name once or twice.”

“Wait, so you have barely heard of us?” Sam asked. I was surprised that she didn’t know who we were.

“Well, I have but I just don’t really care.” She admitted. It was almost like a slap to the face. I can kind of see where Bobby was getting at when he said she could be a handful.

“So, I heard that you worked with a really close friend of ours. Bobby Singer? Do you remember working with Bobby.” I asked before Sam could say anything else.

“How could I forget Bobby. That bastard was sure a piece of work, but he was a good hunter. I respected him and we got along real well. Sometimes bumping heads, but we did real well together. How is he anyway? Haven’t heard from him in a long ass time.” She asked.

“Bobby isn’t with us anymore. Bobby died on a hunt with some leviathans but a gunshot to the head. He fell into a coma and never woke up. We did, however, had to deal with ghost Bobby. That’s a story for another day.” I explained. For a second it actually looked like something actually affected her. She basically shook off the feelings that she had before looking back up at us.

“That’s terrible to hear. Anyways I’m assuming you’re on the witches case?” She asked. Sam and I nodded. “Well, since it looks as if I’m ahead, the two of you can head on out to your next case. Leave this one to me.” She said assumingly. Like we would actually leave. I wouldn’t normally care if another hunter wanted to take up a case and let us go, but since she is assuming and basically telling us to leave I am not going to go. I looked back down at her.

“Well, we have had our fair share of cases. I think you should leave this to us before you get hurt out there.” I replied. Something in her eyes darkened.

“Boy, I swear to go, that attitude better not be because I am a girl. If you think you can do better than me, because you are a boy, then there’s the door. You see I’ve heard stories about the two of you. I haven’t died once and you both have died how many times now? So who here is actually fit to do this?” She remarked. I hated the fact that she was right. I can’t let her know that she was right though.

“You see people brought us back because without us you would probably be dead.”

“Actually, I never had to be brought back, because they wouldn’t let me die in the first place. Also, I am smart enough to know how to not die. Thanks. Do yourself a favor and let me take over. Maybe this time you won’t die.” She smugly replied. I huffed irritated. What do I even say to that?

“You know what, Y/N? Why don’t we work on this together?” Sam asked. I looked over and glared at him. What the hell. I don’t want to work on this with her. Her of all people. I barely get along with my own self. Let alone her. Son of a bitch. I wanted to say no, but she reluctantly agreed to it. I grunted and walked out of the dinner and sat in the car. I slammed the door shut as hard as I could. Was I pouting? Yes. Did I have a reason to though? Yes. I huffed and crossed my arms.

A few minutes later Sam walked out with Y/N following behind him. She waved at me and got into her car and drove off. For a while, I thought that I won, but I never win, do I? We pulled up to the motel and Whose car do I see there? Hers. Of freaking course. I looked over at Sam.

“Really? What is she doing here? I figured since we now have to work the same case as her, that we would do that away from her.” I muttered angrily. I would rather be working with Lucifer himself, rather than her. Hell, she could probably give Lucifer a run for his money. I parked right outside our door and got out. I grabbed the motel key and swung the door open, luckily enough we weren’t sharing a room. I would have definitely lost my mind after that.

I didn’t really talk to Sam that much the whole night. I basically just took a shower, had a beer, and went to sleep. It wasn’t until 3 a.m. when Y/N came knocking on our door. I angrily got up and swung open the door.

“Yes. Can I help you?” I asked angrily.

“I know where to find the witches.” She explained before letting herself in. “Listen if you want to get on top of this case, then that means more research, less sleep. Like Bobby used to say, you must know more about them, than they know of you. He learned that from his friend Rufus when he first started out. Anyway. I figured around 5 we go kill these bitches and then we can all go on our ways.” She rambled on and on. She was still full of energy. I swear to go she just downed a whole pot of coffee. She was pacing back and forth while rambling on and on about this case. I have never been so irritated by a hunter in all of my life and believe me I have dealt with some annoying hunters in my time. None of them, however, came knocking at my door at 3 a.m. to talk about a case.

I muttered and walked away. “Go back to bed. We will worry about this in the morning.”

She rolled her eyes and walked over to Sam who was standing in the middle of the room half asleep. She whispered something in his ear and walked out. Sam smiled and shook his head before going back to bed.

Just like she said, we were up at 5 a.m. to go kill some witches. It was a basic witch hunt. Got thrown into a couple walls, nothing unusual about it. Sam was the one to kill the witch, which I think Y/N found annoying, but she claimed that she didn’t care as long as it was dead. We were done and ready to head out by 8 a.m.

I was leaning against the baby talking to Y/N and Sam. I guess she wasn’t too bad once you got to know her a little bit more. She just has such a love and passion for hunting and has been hunting for about as long as we have, which explains why she was so well known. She ran into Bobby during a hunt. They were hunting werewolves down in Georgia, where she actually saved Bobby’s life. They were on the road together for a little while, until some family business came up and she had to go. After that, she and Bobby lost touch.

We started to say our goodbyes and that next time we are in the same area that we will catch up. She shook Sam’s hand as she said bye to him, then turned to me. She shook my hand and said bye, but as she let go I noticed she left a piece of paper in my hand. She winked at me before jumping into her car and driving off. I unfolded the paper to see her name and number written on it. I smiled and shook my head before slipping it into my pocket.

“She’s sure something, isn’t she? She really seems to be invested in hunting, doesn’t she? I asked Sam.

Sam just started laughing. “Dude, that was a prank this morning. She literally came in waking you up, because she heard how much that bothers you. Literally, anyone who has ever hunted with you knows how much you hate to be woken up.” Sam explained. I pulled out my phone without even replying to Sam and text Y/N.

Me: Wow. Really? You just had to go there?

Y/N: Got you, Deano ;)

Me:.....Whatever.

[itsthesinbin]

A Reminder (Roadhog&OC&Junkrat)

Thank you, again, to Zephos for commissioning me! I love your oc and the plot you gave, so I was able to crank this out pretty fast!

Warning: This has some violence and blood, but nothing too graphic.

The oc in this fic is 15 years old, and this is purely platonic. If I catch anyone being nasty they’re gonna catch these hands.

This is a bad idea, Jenny thought. This is a REALLY bad idea. Roadhog and Junkrat- outcasts of Junkertown- guard their farm with as many traps and explosives as possible. But damn if Jenny wasn’t going to get some of the damn good scrap they like to hoard for themselves.

Greedy bastards, keeping all the good equipment and scraps to themselves… Let someone else have a chance at having good weapons, assholes!

Jenny stalked through the sparse, coarse grass that surrounded Roadhog’s old farmhouse. She’s sweating, can barely see as it gets darker, and nearly got her arms and legs caught in bear traps and explosives along the way. Good thing she knows how to disarm these simple traps.

The garage was so close… Whatever fuckin’ deity is up there, please look after her as she tries to creep in.

A slow series of beeps began as she set off a tripwire. She took a sharp inhale through her nose, scrambling away from whatever fucked up explosive Junkrat built to guard the garage. She screamed as a harsh rope clenched around her leg, yanking her up into the air. The explosive nearby beeped rapidly.

This was it. Her face was going to get blown off, and who knows what these two are going to do with her body.

She screamed as the crudely-made mine exploded into… a bunch of confetti. She got hit with pieces of metal, but was able to cover her face without it doing too much damage. She stared, dumbfounded, at the colorful strips of paper floating to the ground.

“Seems we caught another one, Roadie,” she heard, faintly, from inside the house. A man cackled, his footsteps uneven as he scurried out onto the porch. Someone even bigger stomped out after the squirrely man. She couldn’t look behind her, towards the porch, but she knew who they were. And she knew she was dead. She swallowed, thickly, as they walked over to her.

The two walked around, so they were in her sight. She looked up at their faces, seeing Junkrat’s grin, and Roadhog’s mask. Her eyes widened, and she took a few ragged breaths as the blood began running to her head.

“Tiny little thing,” Junkrat laughed, poking at her cheek with his peg leg. Jenny smacked the appendage away, nearly knocking the man over. “Feisty, too!”

“L-Look, I’m sorry- I’ll go I-I was just… I’m trying to find scrap-”. “So ya tried to steal ours,” Junkrat huffed, crossing his arms. Jenny swallowed again, trying to think of a way to defend herself. It’s so hard to think when the fear of death stabs at your heart, and the blood rushes to your head.

Roadhog’s hand moved, and his infamous hook dangled near her head. She stared at it, trying to ignore the awful feeling of her eyes watering and her tears pooling at the top of her eyes.

“Any last words, little pig?” Her mouth opened, but her brain wasn’t working right.

“Uh… what’s my meat gonna be used for- bacon or a pork roast?” Junkrat couldn’t help but snort at that one, a manic giggle escaping his mouth. Roadhog sighed. Hoping to appeal to Junkrat’s comedic side, she spoke again.

“Maybe instead of killing me, you can keep me around and I’ll hunt for Truffles?” Another laugh, another growl from Roadhog. Jenny let out a shaky grin.

“I may be a potbelly, but I got more fat on me than actual meat- you wouldn’t like it anyway”. Junkrat cackled as she patted her stomach.

“This one’s actually pretty funny, Hog! Not all the mess with the crying and the piss that we gotta clean outta the traps”. Oh, gross… Junkrat crouched down, sharp grin catching her attention.

“You’re lucky I’m feelin’ generous tonight, kid. How about you stay here tonight- don’t need you screamin’ when some raider or something tries to come by in the night- and we’ll send you on your way tomorrow”. Not wanting to make him angry by turning the offer down, she nodded, not able to find her voice. Junkrat stood, nodding to Roadhog.

“Cut ‘er down, Hog”. Jenny screamed as she suddenly fell to the ground. She groaned, not wanting to move after the painful landing. Junkrat laughed, grabbing her arms and pulling her up. She almost fell over again, but the tight grip on her small arms kept her upright.

“So,” Junkrat started, wrapping an arm around her roughly and nearly dragging her inside. “What’cha comin’ here for, again? Scrap?” Jenny nodded slowly, trying to ignore the giant looming behind them.

“I, uh… need some good scrap and, uhm… equipment to make some… some thingamajigs for myself”. What the FUCK was the word she wanted to use? Junkrat let her go when they were inside, giving her a curious look.

“Thingamajigs?” “You know… big stabbies”. Junkrat snorted loudly, cackling and coughing a bit from the sudden laughter. Jenny felt her pale cheeks flush in embarrassment. Even the stoic guard behind them chuckled.

“BIG STABBIES! Ya mean knives, mate?” “YEAH those”. He snickered, walking to the small kitchen. He mumbled “big stabbies” to himself, before a whole new round of laughter poured out of him.

She slowly walked into the living room, looking around curiously. It was decorated eccentrically- showing that Junkrat had been squatting here for a while. Junkrat’s little logo was on many papers and broken pieces of inactive bombs. As well as a spare peg leg.

Some… weird costumes were hung on a coat rack nearby, but she really didn’t want to know what they were for. Canisters of some kinda… stuff were laying around, as well. Jenny avoided moving anything on the floor as she, slowly, sat on the old, nearly broken couch.

Roadhog moved over to a small station that’s clearly his- spare gas masks sat on the table, and extra lengths of chain hung on the sides of the bench that made up his sitting area.

Junkrat plopped a glass of semi-clean water on the table in front of her, almost knocking the rickety coffee table to the ground.

“About your big stabbies,” Junkrat started, ignoring the glare Jenny gave him. He grinned slightly, flopping on a dusty recliner that let off a plume of dirt and grime.

“You got a blueprint on you, kid?” “Why would I bring a blueprint with me from home? Work on the go?” “Don’t get snippy with me,” Junkrat snapped, leaning back into the chair. Jenny took a sip of the water, grimacing at the taste a bit. Warm, dirty water. Yum.

“Left my blueprints at home. I was hoping to pop in, grab some scrap, and hurry back home”. “What kinda knives you tryin’ to make?” Jenny grumbled a bit, trying to get her thoughts together to describe her project.

“They’re like… knuckle-knives. Brass knuckle grips with pretty long blades”. Junkrat looked at her, curiosity and excitement in his eyes. She shifted nervously, avoiding looking at him for now. She was still a little nervous about ending up dead.

“Sounds pretty good, if you like getting your hands REAL dirty,” he laughed- a sick sound that makes a shiver crawl up her back. Roadhog grunted from his spot.

“Leave her alone, Rat. You’re freaking her out”. “Ah, shut up, Hog- if she’s talkin’ about slicin’ people up, it ain’t gonna bother her if I make a few cracks about it”. Jenny chewed on the inside of her cheek, taking another swig of water to avoid the conversation. Junkrat, not picking up on obvious social cues, turned back to her.

“So, you got anyone in mind to use those on? If not, I have a couple’a ideas,” he laughed, manic giggling- and grin- returning. Roadhog let out a low rumble. Jenny couldn’t tell if he was laughing or growling in annoyance.

“N… no one in mind, no. These are mostly for, uh… self-defense. I just… thought the designs were cool,” Jenny replied, looking down at the table. Junkrat mumbled- she caught the word “boring”- before looking her up and down.

“You even old enough to hold that thing right?” She frowned, sneering at him a bit angrily.

“I’m not a baby- I’m fifteen”. She heard Roadhog stop for a second behind them, but didn’t turn to look at him. The behemoth slowly returned to whatever he was doing as Junkrat barked out a laugh.

“Fifteen?! How’re you walkin’ around Junkertown at night, trying to steal from US?! You’re young AND stupid!” Jenny was quiet. Yeah, she was kinda stupid tonight. Just… blinded by the idea that she COULD do this. She didn’t think about if she SHOULD’VE.

Right now, she REALLY wished she hadn’t. This man was making her uncomfortable, and she was still worried she’d get a limb blown off, or her gut ripped open by the giant hook quietly jangling behind her.

“Anyway,” she started, crossing her arms. “I think… I’d rather just try and get home”. She stood, heading towards the door. She heard Roadhog stand, and stomp after her, making her pause. He gripped her shoulder tightly, before opening the door a crack.

Screaming could be heard from near the entrance to the actual town, as well as a few gunshots. She didn’t even realize a whimper left her throat as Roadhog shut the door.

“You’re staying here,” he said simply. “Rat, leave her alone before I throw you out there to the dogs”. Junkrat feigned hurt, putting his metal hand to his chest in mock horror.

“I can’t believe YOU’D threaten ME, Roadie! After all we’ve been through together!” Roadhog grumbled, pushing Jenny back towards the couch. He went over to the wiry man, grabbing Junkrat by the back of his shirt. He all but dragged him to where his sleeping area was, making Junk whine and almost lose his footing multiple times. He was all but tossed onto the mattress.

Jenny watched as Junkrat grumbled and flopped onto his side. Roadhog sat down in Junkrat’s old spot, passing something to her across the table. Jenny looked down, seeing a barely-good apple.

“Not much- gotta get more food soon,” he huffed, leaning back into the worn recliner. She picked up the fruit, biting into it without much thought. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she swallowed that first bite.

Being scared for your life sure makes you hungry.

She avoided looking at him. Jenny didn’t even know if he was looking at HER, with that mask in the way.

“Your parents know you’re out here?” She paused, giving him a look that told him to drop the subject. Thankfully, he did. She’s sure Junkrat would’ve pressed the matter until she threw something at him. Even then, she doubts that would deter him.

“.... I’m actually gonna leave the building, alive, right?” The question didn’t surprise Roadhog. Junkrat was… finicky with who he did, or didn’t, like. Many people came in when he finds them funny, fewer came out after he decided they weren’t. Roadhog sighed, and nodded.

“Yeah. Rat may be an ass, but he doesn’t like hurting kids”. If he can avoid it, anyway. Some people have gotten caught in the middle of their heists- in the wrong places, at the wrong times. Jenny wasn’t satisfied with the answer, but she went back to eating anyway.

The silence was unsettling. The only sounds were her crunching on the apple, and the small riots going on outside. She forced down her current piece of apple, looking back up at the giant in front of her.

“Where… am I sleeping,” she finally asked. He let out a small hum, nodding to the couch she was sitting on. It was lumpy, half broken, and she knew she’d wake up with a sore neck and back. She knew better than to argue, though. Can’t be picky when these men wanted to kill her just a while ago.

He got up, going over to a box against the far wall. He pulled out a ragged blanket and an old pillow, tossing the items to her. The pillow hit her in the face, but she caught the blanket. Both smelled stale. Guess they don’t get guests often.

“Thanks,” she mumbled, tossing the apple in a nearby trash can. Roadhog nodded, before finally going back to his own sitting area. She wrung the blanket in her hands, bringing her feet up and tucking them under her.

There was no way she could sleep here. Maybe she could try and escape later- when they’re both asleep, and the thieves nearby finally go away? That’s her best bet… She doesn’t want to end up as another blown up arm on the yard for someone to find on their property.

She dropped the pillow against the arm of the couch, slowly laying down and covering herself with the blanket. She didn’t even know she drifted to sleep.

Roadhog looked over when he heard her quiet breathing. He stood, walking as carefully as he can towards the couch. He peeked over the back, seeing her sound asleep. He huffed out a quiet laugh. She was either stupid, falling asleep in a house where the men were ready to kill her, or just exhausted after fearing for her life. After hearing her talk about her future weapons, he can’t decide which one is more likely.

With her asleep, he took off his mask to breathe. Rubbing his face, he sat back down at his bench. This kid was a moron- everyone in town knew not to try and steal from Junkrat and Roadhog, let alone just go onto their property unannounced. And she came here to take some damn scrap you could find literally anywhere?

He chuckled. This kid had balls of steel. He could respect that, but there were much better ways to get what she needed.

He finally stood after another hour, heading over to his own bed. He dropped onto it, rolling over to face the wall. He wasn’t worried about this kid trying to attack either of them. They’re light sleepers.

She woke up about forty-five minutes after Roadhog fell asleep. She took in a sharp breath, slowly sitting up. The lights were out. Both of the men were asleep. Rubbing her eyes, she threw the blanket off of herself. Alright, they’re asleep. Everything’s quiet- everyone is quiet. She can make her way back to her tiny home in the town.

Man, she really should’ve just risked the junkyard.

She checked to make sure the door wasn’t trapped, then slowly opened the door. She slipped out, closing the door behind her. She stared out into the dark slums, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Okay… she’s about to go back to the town, at night, without a weapon, when people were recently being attacked and possibly murdered.

That’s safe, right? Sure it is!

She took a deep breath, puffing out her chest, and striding down the actual path off of the trapped property. She made sure to keep a good eye out for any stray traps or mines that could be littering the path.

So far, so good. At least, until the door behind her slammed open.

“OI,” Junkrat screeched. “WHERE YA GOIN’, YA IDIOT?” She screamed, booking it down the path and out into the streets of the slums. Roadhog slapped Junkrat on the back of the head.

“Come on,” he grunted. “Why bother, Hog? If she wants to get herself killed, that’s her problem- not ours”. Roadhog let out a growl, putting his mask on and grabbing his weapons.

“If you’re not going, I am”. “Alright, alright- let me grab me launcher”. “Hurry up”.

She didn’t even know if the men were chasing her- she didn’t bother to stop, or look behind her. Not that she would really be able to see them, anyway. She can barely see in front of her, let alone- and, down she goes. What did she run into?

“Well, look at what we found”. Ah. She found some motherfuckers. She tried to catch her breath, grunting as her arm was grabbed and she was yanked up. A woman grinned down at her, dirty black hair nearly covering her missing eye.

“I know you- the little scavver that hangs around the junkyard. What’re you doing in the slums, girlie?” Jenny stayed quiet, opting to try and struggle away from the grip on her arm. The woman in front of her grabbed her jaws, forcing her to look up.

“When I talk, you answer, got it?” “Fuck you”. A harsh slap sent Jenny’s head jerking to the side. The woman snarled.

“You don’t talk to me that way, shrimp-”. An explosion caught everyone’s attention. A hook suddenly caught the person holding Jenny captive. They screamed as they were dragged back, only to be silenced by a junk shot to the face. The woman stared, slack-jawed, at her companion’s bloody body. Roadhog snarled, swinging his chain at his side.

“I suggest you get outta here, before my friend here turns you into a pile’a mush,” Junkrat laughed, popping another grenade into the air. It soared over the woman’s head, landing just out of range of her. It scared her enough, though, and she hightailed in the other direction.

Roadhog threw his hook anyway, snatching it around her and dragging her back. She screamed as the barbs dug into her stomach. Roadhog grabbed her shirt, lifting her up.

“You even think about touching her, and I’m dragging you to the outskirts myself. Got it?” Knowing better than to call Roadhog on a bluff, the raider nodded. He pushed her to the ground, where she scrambled up and ran with her tail between her legs.

Too shaky to stand, Jenny sat on the ground. She trembled, watching her attacker run as fast as she can towards town. Roadhog put his chain on his belt, before going over to the girl.

“You tryin’ to get yourself killed,” he growled out, moving to help her stand. Once she was on her feet, he let her go. That lasted for about five seconds, before she caught sight of the bloody mess nearby and, promptly, passed the fuck out.

Roadhog quickly caught her, grumbling a bit as he picked her up.

“.... Come on,” he finally said, walking back to the house. Junkrat followed, mumbling something about how he wishes he could’ve actually blown something up. The younger junker stared at the unconcious girl, then at his companion.

“When’d you get such a bleeding heart, Hog?” Roadhog was silent for the longest time. He let Junkrat open the door to the house, and he went to put the girl back on the couch. Roadhog stared for a moment, before letting out a tired sigh. He covered her up with the old blanket, his hand lingering on her shoulder for a moment.

“Brings back some memories, is all,” he said quietly, going over to his bed. Junkrat grunted, showing he heard, before dropping onto his mattress. Roadhog took his mask off again, looking over to make sure she was actually asleep this time. Her quiet breathing was overshadowed by Junkrat’s snoring and whining. Roadhog sighed, getting in the bed and laying down.

Hopefully everything will settle down, tomorrow morning.

No one woke up until after noon.

Roadhog was first up, as usual, but the stress from last night made him sleep in way longer than usual. He was making whatever tea they have left, when Jenny shot up from the couch. She patted herself down, as if expecting herself to be missing items- or limbs.

Roadhog walked over to her, setting down a glass of water and some toast and eggs on the table in front of her. She blinked tiredly, looking at the food, then at him. The events of last night finally came to her, as her eyes widened when she recognized his mask.

“... Thanks,” she said quietly, taking a sip of the water. At least it had ice this time. She slowly ate the toast, stomach growling after she took the first bite. He grunted in reply, nodding to her. He sat across from her with his tea and egg sandwich. He pulled off the mask, setting it down to eat.

Jenny looked at him, taking in his scarred face and thin beard. He had an underbite, and it sometimes looked like his bottom canines poked through his lips, giving the illusion to tusks. Fitting, for him.

“... Thank you for… saving me, last night,” Jenny finally said, after getting half way through the small meal. Roadhog nodded. Junkrat yawned loudly, getting up and putting his prosthetics on. He fully stood, heading to the bathroom.

“You make me breakfast, Hog?” “Yeah”. Junkrat grumbled out an acknowledgment, going to the toilet. Jenny stared after the half-naked Junkrat, cringing as he just begins to scratch his ass on the way to the bathroom. She turned back to Roadhog.

“How do you put up with him,” she snickered. He smiled slightly, a small huff-laugh escaping him. He shrugged slightly, taking another bite of his food.

“... I need to get home, soon”. Roadhog nodded, wiping the crumbs off of his hands and taking a swig of his tea. Once he swallowed it, he spoke.

“I’ll take you, soon. Need to get food, anyway,” he said. Jenny finished her own food, finishing off her water as well. She fiddled with the blanket across her lap.

“You don’t have to do that,” she said. “You’re probably busy- I don’t wanna send you to the other side of town for no reason”. He shook his head.

“Don’t wanna send you alone, with her still around”. Jenny kept quiet about that.

“... At least, once I get home, I can get my weapon and work on my damn knives,” she mumbled. Roadhog fixes his mask back into place when his tea was gone, getting up to take the dishes to their dirty sink.

“You can bring your equipment here. Use my scrap to make your knives, instead of going to the junkyard like you’d have to”. Jenny hesitated, brow furrowing and lips pressing together.

“What’s the catch,” she asked, narrowing her eyes. He shook his head, watching Junkrat going to get his food and sit at a stool.

“No catch. Just expect Rat to get nosy and try to butt in”. “Mate, I just got up, I don’t care what you’re talkin’ about right now,” Junkrat snapped, making Jenny flinch a bit. Roadhog chucked a small bolt at the other man, making Junkrat yell in pain as it nailed him in the temple.

“Shut up. She’s coming back to fix her weapons. She’ll use my workbench,” Roadhog said. “Don’t want you bothering her when she does, got it?” Junkrat glanced over, tired grin on his face. He held up two fingers.

“Scout’s honor, Hoggy”. Roadhog mumbled out a “shut up”, going over to his bed to grab his things. Jenny stood as well, assuming he was getting ready to take her home.

“I’ll be back, Rat. Don’t blow yourself up until then”. “Can’t promise nothin’,” Junkrat laughed, downing his tea as Roadhog led her out of the door.

Jenny took the lead, letting Roadhog fall into step behind her. He towered over her, his intimidating height and stance making everyone back off and let her through.

“... You really won’t mind if I come back?” “No,” Roadhog answered. “Just don’t get Rat worked up”. She has no idea what that means, but she’ll try her best. She wonders if that means just… talking about weapons, in general.

“... Why’d you even help me, last night? You could’ve just let me go”. Roadhog was silent. Slowly, he patted her head- almost affectionately.

“You remind me of… certain things, from a long time ago, kid. Might just be getting old, but,” he hesitated, removing his hand. “... Might just be getting old”. Jenny remembers some stories of the older junkers- the ones who were around before the Ominium exploded. She can get an idea of what he’s talking about. She nodded, letting the subject drop.

She stared up at the door to Junkertown, watching it slowly open. She hesitated, before looking back up at him.

“Mind if I go ahead and come back with you, after you’re done?” He snorted a little, patting her back.

“No- although, Rat might”. “He can get over it”. Roadhog let out an actual laugh, albeit a short one, making her grin.

“Yeah. He can”.

[officialthiamlibrary]

Welcome to another profile on Behind the Screens, giving you personal insight on who your favorite creators are and what they do when they aren’t wowing you with their creative ability.

On this profile, we’ll learn more about Tagan, also known in our pack as ThiamFresh or CaptainMintyFresh. The author of Airplanes, Sweet Talking, and a plethora of other Thiam prompts and stories, Tagan shares bits about her life, her writing process, her ideal road trip buddy, and her tips for creating tension-filled relationships.

Hi, Tagan! Let’s start off simple. Using a sentence, where the word count is either equal to or less than the number of letters in your two favorite Teen Wolf characters’ name, tell us about yourself. 

Theo Raeken + Derek Hale = 19: I’m Tagan. Love to write and act. I have a terrible sense of humour. Generally an accident prone mess. 

Talking about Teen Wolf characters, which five characters would be on your Ultimate Paintball/Laser Tag team and why? 

Theo, Malia, Allison, Liam, Stiles. Right, so I want Theo because like boy’s a master tactician/manipulator and he’s ruthless. Boy would 100% shoot 10 year olds to win and that’s the kind of person I want on my paintball team. Malia, again, she would have no qualms about just decimating the other team. Allison because she is an amazing shot; her role would be stealthing her way through the field to take people out/sniping everyone else while the ‘ground team’ does the closer stuff. Liam because he’s athletic and competitive. Stiles because he’s good at coming up with plans, plus...you know..he’d be really good bait for the other team.

Omg he would be! Now, before those characters blessed us with their existence, we found love and OTPs in other ones. What would you say were your first ships, way back in the day?

I’m not sure if this counts but Ant and Dec? I thought they were married but if not, then Monica and Chandler or Spike and Buffy. The first fanfiction I read was for Dramione.

And, how did you land in the Thiam Family? What about Theo x Liam drew you in?

I really liked their scenes in 6A (And some of the scenes in 5 but honestly, I hated five as a whole and watched it out of duty more than anything so I just didn’t have the enthusiasm to get into a ship.) Theo was the first bit of 6A that i actually really liked and a lot of that was just down to his sass and a lot of it was directed at Liam. And then the car key scene had me cackling with laughter. There scenes were just..fun in a way the rest of the season lacked, at least to me. So I was pretty invested in their whole dynamic and then there was ‘Being the bait’ and ‘do you know how to ride a horse’ and I was pretty sold. I went to search for Thiam content then but didn’t find any so just went back to writing the fics for other fandoms I was doing then and didn’t really mind.

But then 6B came out and the second I saw Theo on screen I was thinking “wow i can’t wait for him to see Liam and realised I was a bit more sold on them than I had planned to be and so I searched the tag again and went onto AO3 and read the few fics there but there really weren’t many. 

I’d gotten stuck on all the fics I was doing for other fandoms and so put up a request for prompts and Thiamkey gave me a bunch of headcanons and prompts and then people seemed to like them and started sending them in and then I just...talked to people and they were all lovely and we had all this amazing content coming out every week from the show and more people climbed aboard the ship. More fics being written, more prompts being sent.

Honestly, i just wanted to dip my toe in the water, write a fic or two while I waited for other people to write their own but then i suddenly found myself up to my neck in Thiam and not regretting a second of it.

Let’s jump into writing. Before we dive into the Thiam pool, if your writing process was a person, describe him or her. What does he or she do? Wear? Listen to?

My writing process as a person would probably be a toddler in a room full of toys but instead of playing with them, she just hiding under furniture and has five different conversations with five different imaginary friends at one time. She’s messy, with chocolate ice cream smeared over her face and her hair tangled into nots. She has no real idea about what’s happening but is excited none-the-less. Will have constant tantrums and cry then be excitedly squealing in the next second. ACDC would be playing in the background.

And your writing Kryptonite? How do you fight it?

Procrastination. I’m really bad at focusing on any one thing. Like, if i’m watching a new episode of a show, I’ll play solitaire in the corner of the screen because otherwise, I’m too unfocused to be focused. If that makes any sense. So when I’m writing I have to have a conversation open with someone or have just done a puzzle or something that’s fried my brain a bit so I can focus on writing, but I often end up getting too focused on the other thing and not getting any writing done.

As for how to fight it, I honestly have no idea? I just kinda flit around and hope for the best.

Well, clearly it works for you, so cheers! Do you write novels or short stories about original characters, as well? If so, can you share one you’re particularly passionate about?

Yes i dooo :) I write books. So I’ve written three so far and have like 12 in the works. (There’s a YA series in there which is why there’s so many) um..I’m not sure what i’m particularly proud of so i’m just pasting the first scene I found in my emails which is a scene from a zombie book I wrote called Autumn

Autumn Excerpt:

Sometimes I could forget, for a moment. When the sun was high in the sky and we were strolling through an open field. Weapons held loose in hand, rucksacks tossed over single shoulders. When we were throwing a bottle of water between us, talking about now pointless things, sharing stories and silly jokes. Laughs etched onto our faces as we'd forget all about it. About the past months and the horror we've seen, the people we've lost.

But then a stray would stumble into the field or we’d hear a distant scream and it would come rushing back. Hands quickly going back to locked tightly arrowed our weapons, smiles slipping from our faces.There were also times I couldn't forget, not even for a second. When we lay on rough roof tops, looking up at the dark sky willing to sleep, to get lost in a dream but I could hear it, the scratching of nails against brick, the snap of teeth hitting together and the low, guttural moans. At these times I’d think, this will be the last sound I ever hear. The huffing of the dead, the wet slapping and slurping as they tore and chewed on flesh.

On these nights I’d try to comfort myself, Say that that nightmare sound wouldn't be what I heard, I prayed for a gunshot, dreamed of that rather than the sounds bellow me. Because, these days, you go out one of two ways and a gunshot was everyone's silver lining.

When you mentioned YA series, my back straightened haha. What’s the title of your series? A synopsis for what it’d be about?

Oh god, so the longest one I have to find a new title to because it’s called Gifted and is about people with superpowers and now there’s that The Gifted show out about people with powers so that’s a bit awkward.

Me and my friend wrote a webseries when we were like 14/15 and although we only filmed a tiny bit of it, we actually had the whole thing planned out. Three seasons, 40 episodes and when we stopped working on it I was like “dude can i turn this into a book series?” and he was like “Yeah go ahead.” So I started writing a bit of it.

Gifted follows the story of three childhood friends as they get powers and deal with all the usual coming of age stuff while getting caught up with other people with powers. The first book will be done in alternating POV between the three friends, but that will slowly expand to incorporate the more important characters met along the way.

There’s lots of whump, teenagers dealing with depression and PTSD.  Basically i tried to write a new fairly light hearted story about kids coming of age and dealing with typical super power problems, but then accidentally put them through the ringer and turned it into a mass of character study and angst.

Final question before the barrage of Thiam questions lol. Characters often find themselves in situations they aren’t sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you were in a place like that and what did you do? 

The last time I found myself in a situation I couldn’t get out of was this summer and I cried a lot and then made scathing jokes to the reasons I couldn’t get out of the situation with a sunny smile that left the situations unaware that I was trying to figure out how to word a letter that told the situations they need never situate themselves anywhere near me ever again. (I have yet to send those letters.)

Wow, yeah, I’ve been there before. I hope you find the strength/courage to send those letters one day. Since we’re talking about personal experiences, would you say that any of your life has poured over into your Thiam writing?

The only one I can currently think of is the scene in Sweet Talking where Theo’s tired and listening to Liam, Mason and Corey hang out and thinking about how he’ll never really fit in.

My brother had a bunch of friends round before I wrote that chapter, or at least that part of that chapter. I moved away from my home town/all my friends (there’s literally 1 friend but whatever) 3 years ago and haven’t made any friends since. My brother keeps telling me his friends can be my friends but I‘m always the odd man out and it’s just really lonely so I was definitely channeling some inner loneliness into that.

Let’s say you could escape it all and venture on a major Airplanes-esque road trip. Who would you take (real or fictional)? Where would you go? And what is one shenanigan the two of you would run into?

The Queen. I just think it’d be really funny, not to mention you could get in like everywhere for free.

Honestly I think if the queen wasn’t available, I’d want to go with @thiamfanartlove. We’ve only been talking a little while, but we get on really well and I feel like we’d be equally ready to do a bunch of dumb stuff on our journey. I’d want to go around Europe. Hit up @thiamkey on the way and a few other people. 

We would 100% get into a fight at some point because neither of us have any chill. Like, someone would insult one of us and the other would just be down to fight and then it would turn into an all out brawl with us against the world. (We would lose, but it’d be a good story, at least.)

Truth. And one story we’d demand all the details on. You’ve talked a lot about some trivia, inspirations and spoilers for Airplanes in your livestream, which are linked here. So, my questions to you are more about the technique side of your writing, since it’s always amazing to learn from you all.  

You incorporate great character studies into your stories. What would you say are some tricks you use to portray what your characters are thinking?

I think, just finding a way to resonate with the character you’re writing. Even if it’s a character you think you have nothing in common with, I promise you somewhere there’s a memory you have that fits something they’ve felt. 

Liam’s POV was really weird to me at the start of airplanes so I chose to focus on something I could personally understand. Which was the need for freedom but anxiety at what it might cost the other people if you take it and that..kind of self hatred for the anger issues and wishing everything could change. You find a common thread and write that and soon enough you find yourself understanding the character, even in situations or with feelings you’ve never personally been affected by.

I don’t know if that makes any sense? But basically yeah, find common ground and that one scene you can write and then work from there.

And, the tension between your characters. How do you build that tension when it comes to relationships to avoid the instalove phenomenon?

ANGST! I dunno, the easiest way for me to slow down the instalove is the characters being more preoccupied with other stuff than their love lives. I think just..keeping it as real as possible. In my personal experience, love at first sight is rare. You can’t fall in love with someone until you know them so a lot of it is just..giving the characters these little moments that bring them closer together, making them have those conversations that you’d have with your best friend and just slowly drawing closer and closer together as you get more comfortable. Especially in Airplanes when it first starts Liam’s in a pretty bad place mentally. He’s really drained and feeling the weight of everything he’s been through so his mind was just so far away from romance that it seemed wrong to have him noticing any feelings for Theo until he was a bit happier and had healed a bit. Not to mention all the baggage the two have.

Having a character go through that process of questioning their sexuality is fun as well. I mean, Liam so far in canon has been written as straight and that’s a lot of fun to play with because you have that whole realisation process where he has to figure out that what he feels for Theo isn’t entirely platonic and that it’s different from how he feels about Mason or any of the other guys in the show and that can be a really challenging thing to do. Not even in the ‘Oh coming out is scary’ way just in the heteronormative straight until proven otherwise sort of way.

I mean i’m Bi and that took me like...21 years to realise? And it wasn’t that I didn’t have little crushes on girls before it was just I’d never noticed them for what they were. For me the only reason it clicked was because I realised I was Asexual and that my ‘well I don’t want to bone a girl so I’m not gay’ was kinda pointless thing when I realised that I didn’t even want to bone guys. It was just what was expected. Once I took that away and sat down and thought about it, it was suddenly very clear to me. But most characters won’t have that specific nudge so it can be a fairly long road.

Just, to stop instalove think about what they’re going through, think about how you fall in love because the realisation may be instant but the build up is usually gradual. You notice it in one dumb moment but to actually get there, you have a long list of bits where you get to know the other person and you deal with your own personal issues and stuff.

For building tension, it’s again just building up that relationship. You start off small with touches that make the heart speed up before they’re more comfortable and grow closer. Honestly, the best way is just to focus on the friendship first and the romantic relationship second because then you get the familiarity and that’s when you can start having your characters realise there’s something else there and that suddenly makes all these little touches a lot more terrifying and confusing as they try to figure out what it means. 

That’s perfect though. And the gritty realization that most people have about those they’ve fallen in love with since they’ve usually gotten close to that person by that point is terrifying and emotional, so I can now see where that tension comes from! Anything else you’d like to say, in general. The floor is all yours.

Umm okay. I am always accepting prompts but it willlllll take me a while to get to them because i have quite a few and don’t really go chronologically but more where the inspiration hits and sometimes, like with airplanes, that’s my own story rather than a prompt but my ask box is always always open for more prompts.

Upcoming works, I have no idea. Right now, I just want to finish airplanes and then see where I go after that. I do want to play around in the airplanes universe a little bit more after the fic is done with, delving into Theo’s POV for some of the missing scenes and I also might do a short pack scene where you have everyone realise Theo and Liam are gone in the morning in Idaho.

The reason I like sharing my work is because I like the idea that maybe I can help someone and maybe that sounds dumb--but to me--reading is a major escapism technique. I used it a lot when I was younger and this fic and the comments I’ve gotten have just made me so insanely happy because it seems like, maybe for a few people, I’ve reached my goal in helping someone through a bad day or to relax and just forget their worries for a while. And that’s the whole reason I like writing and that’s the first time I’ve ever really felt that and I literally cried when someone told me my updates helped their shitty week before because...that’s the whole reason I want to get into writing or acting as a career and to see I’d achieved that goal was just awesome.

If you’ve sent me a nice message on tumblr and I haven’t replied, it’s not because I didn’t read it or I don’t like it or whatever you might think. It’s because i’m a hoarder and now have a folder wth screen shots of all the nice messages in it, so that I can look at them when I’m having a nice day.

Really, I just want to say that I see everything you guys send or make or comment and I appreciate every single one and just thank you. Life’s been tough for me lately but getting to write for a fandom as accepting and kind as this one is really really amazing and your messages have picked me up when I’ve felt worthless so many times. Just keep being awesome Thiam fandom! And thank you for being so welcoming and supportive of everyone that joins.

Aww thank you! We’re so happy to have you in our fandom and to have Airplanes, your prompts, and other stories. I, and others have shared the same sentiment, agree with you that this fandom is amazing and so supportive of one another that it almost seems surreal! So, go us, lovely pack! 

To finish us off, what’s next for you? Both in life and in the writing world?

For life, I’m hoping to get some acting roles for student films and stuff. Get myself a laptop so I can write more and a camera (eventually) so I can film the scripts I’ve wrote. I also want to send some of my books to publishers and generally try to make a life for myself out of the two things I love doing.

I have a bunch of books I’m working on and I really want to finish writing my YA series because it seems like it could be quite fun once I get a bit more into it.

With that, BTS presents ThiamFresh to you! As always, you can keep the conversation going; respond to any of her thoughts, ask more questions, send a prompt, or simply swing by for a chat with Tagan anytime. To dive into her works, check out both her AO3 and Tumblr. 

Tumblr: thiamfresh

AO3: captainmintyfresh

Ask Box: thiamfresh ask

A huge thank you to Tagan for being so open to answering our questions and sharing her tips on character stories and building tension. 

Some great news, for everyone who enjoys this series, we’ve decided to run Behind the Screens every Thursday. And, we’d love your help in doing it! 

Have a Thiam Creator you fan over, from any platform (AO3, Tumblr, Wattpad, Instagram, FFN, etc). Please send us their names. Bonus points if you include any questions you’re dying to ask them. Likewise, if you as the creator, would like to be a part of the Behind the Screens series, give us a shout too! We’d love to get to know you, as well.

Hasta Luego!