#it just needs to move along then u can refine it as u go

[luminous-studiess]

i have a very very very serious problem w mental blockage n deadlines and perfectionism right now (long story involving paper cramming in college a nervous crash/breakdown and my slow decline into terminal procrastination) so i decided to rewire my brain HARD RESET into “progress not perfection” by turning in the most efforty bare minimum thing (shows effort and commitment but basically the vibes are go girl give us nothing) on time . it was 2 pages 

[jamminvroomvroom]

4k celebration

congrats on 4k love - your writing is absolutely worth all of the hype and even more!!! i adore your work and so look forward to even more people discovering it.

i was hoping to request a lewis fic?? i’m such a slut for a good enemies to lovers situation, so maybe along the lines of reader is a fair bit younger than lewis, but there’s been all of this tension btwn them and it all boils over one night (smuttyyyyy) 🥴

we made up.

LH x fem!rival reader - 4k celebration

in which you can never just bite your tongue

eeeeek i love this request! thank u sm anon for ur sweet words, ur so lovely i hope i’ve done this justice for you! writing for lewis terrified me so this might not be my best work but we move! more lewis requests to come, let me know what you think <3

songs to set the mood: stargirl interlude by the weekend & lana del rey

warnings: 18+!! minors go away!! smut, swearing, degradation, praise, dom!lewis, some switch!reader, implied age gap, slightly inexperienced reader, enemies to lovers, blink n you’ll miss it size kink

2.6k words

you hide admiration with a scowl, curling into yourself, as far away as you can get from him. the couch seems to get smaller and smaller with every overly intelligent, carefully thought out word he says. each sentence seems to be coated in a thick layer of i don’t give a fuck. you don’t know how he’s so good a toeing the line.

after six years in f1, you still couldn’t work out why you didn’t like lewis hamilton.

maybe it was his cool confidence, the way he never lacked composure, while you were called an unhinged, delusional woman by every incel on twitter for so much as breathing. maybe it was his sky high stack of trophies, championships, podiums, wins. you weren’t even halfway close to touching his records. maybe it was the way he was diabolically, inhumanly gorgeous, a truly breathtaking creature. you paled in every single way compared to lewis, so how could you even begin to like him?

it was silly, really, pathetic even, feeling such childish disdain just because he was better than you. he was older, more refined, iconic in every single way that you weren’t. perhaps you’d get there one day, but you simply weren’t there yet.

you’re sat beside him in the press conference, sharing the couch with him, alex, lando, charles and max. it wasn’t the worst combination in the world, but anytime you had to sit in front of a gaggle of hawk-eyed journos and a million cameras with lewis, something unfortunate usually happened. never by design, but you just weren’t very good at saving face in front of the mercedes driver.

“do you think the podium is a possibility this weekend?” someone from autosport whose name you can’t remember asks.

“i’m hoping so, just need to keep the mercs behind us again, but i don’t think that will be that hard.” you respond, without even a sliver of a filter. the material of the sofa shifts as lewis tenses up beside you, inhaling sharply at your blatant disrespect. somewhere beside you, lando sniggers, and max is rolling his eyes.

it was no secret that you didn’t have the softest spot in the world for sir lewis.

“that’s assuming your car makes it to the end of the race.” lewis clears his throat, speaking with confident conviction. you turn you head to glare at him, painfully unable to take what you give. alex slaps his hand over his mouth.

“at least my car isn’t so bad that i’d rather go and learn the alphabet down at ferrari.” you scoff. you avoid the eyes of your comms officer, because if looks could kill, you’d be six feet under already.

“i think we’ll leave it there.” tom clarkson suggests, and you stand from the panel and storm away on trembling legs with a terrible ache throbbing between them.

there’s something about the pettiness, the reasonless back and fourth you two always seem to partake in that leaves you in need of a cold shower.

-

turns out, you have to apologise.

you spend the better part of an hour being bollocked by your press team, who, for some reason, don’t find it particularly amusing that you’d somehow managed to insult the lewis hamilton, ferrari, and mercedes in the span of two sentences.

so, there you were, begrudgingly trailing towards lewis’s hotel room. it’s on the top floor, because of course it is, it’s him. he oozes expensive exclusively, naturally above the rest. you twist your rings nervously, increasingly terrified of being in a confined space alone with the gorgeous brit. your knuckles rap gently against the wood of his door, intentionally weakly. you pray he won’t hear you and that you can just disappear back into the elevator and into your room, to pathetically let you hands wander between your clenched thighs.

but god laughs, and the door swings open. lewis seems startled by your presence, just for a moment though, leaning cooly against the doorframe. his lips pull into a faint smile. two things alarm you. first of all, he’s shirtless, bare from the waist up, a plethora of delicious tattoos on display for you to feast your eyes on. secondly, and somehow even worse, he’s panting, clearly just back from a work out in the gym. he glistens with sweat, and your mind goes blank, apologetic words die on your tongue.

“something to say, angel, or are you just here to stare?” lewis teases, the words rolling off his tongue smoothly. you pray for the ground to gape open, swallow you hole, suck you into hot lava.

“well, i was gonna apologise but i don’t think you deserve it.” you sneer, crossing your arms over your chest accusingly.

“didn’t think you knew how to apologise.” lewis grins sarcastically, mocking you.

“has anyone told you how arrogant you are?” you bite back, eyes narrowing.

“why don’t you come in here and i’ll show you just how arrogant i can be?” his voice has dropped a few octaves, seductive and low.

the proposition, the suggestion behind his words makes you fold immediately. you’d wondered for far too long about what he was like behind closed doors and under thick bedsheets, and if you had the chance at finding out, you’d be imbecilic not to take it.

you shove his muscled chest, pushing him back into his room. his hands find your waist, pulling harshly at the material of your loose t-shirt. he’s watching you intently, mesmerised by the angry flush on your cheeks tinging you pink. your eyes convey hunger, matching his, and you’re forcing him down to sit at the foot of his bed.

“why are you such an asshole?” you hiss, slotting your knees on either side of his so that you’re straddling him.

“probably the same reason you’re such a little bitch.” lewis growls, tugging you forward harshly on his lap. you feel his work out shorts ride up on his thighs, the material sensitive on your skin.

your pupils blow wide at his words, and you’re kissing him hard, teeth and tongues clashing messily. his lips are so soft, pillowy as they brush aggressively with your own and you lick wetly into his awaiting mouth. he’s addictive, minty, and you fall against his bare chest as he leans back into the mattress.

“i think you need to be taught some manners.” lewis grunts, flipping your bodies over like you’re nothing, and slotting against your body like a missing piece.

“i think the same could be said about you.” you breathe, sliding your hand under the waistband of his shorts. he chuckles quietly, the rumble reverberating through your own chest, cracking you open.

“try your best.” he whispers. your eyes roll back.

truth is, you’re not the most experienced person in the world. yes, you’re in your mid twenties, but a long term relationship with the worlds biggest loser and dedicating your life to a career in a boys club meant that you didn’t have the time to develop broadest set of skills. you didn’t have the luxury of letting loose in a nightclub with a stranger because if that information got into the wrong hands, you’d be slut-shamed off the face of the earth. so now, you found yourself a little bit lost under a literal sex god.

as if he can hear your thoughts, lewis pulls back.

“what’s the matter? do you want me to stop?” he’s softer than he ever has been with you, melting away in your hands, but you draw him back in, tightening your grip on the band of his shorts.

“no, no, i just…” the words die on your tongue. something in your eyes gives him all the information that he needs.

“do what feels right, good.” his nose brushes your jaw, kissing over it and you settle back into the moment.

“teach me a lesson.” you whisper, empowered in his hands, and he springs back into action, his demeanour slipping right back into what it had been.

“is that why you’re so bad in interviews? just want me to fuck some respect into you?” his lips tug amusedly when you nod rapidly up at him.

an experimental roll of his hips makes you keen, hand slipping into his braids and pulling hard. his eyes fall shut, lips parting to let out a soft groan, his eyebrows pinching from the rough pleasure. your fingers graze over the skin of his toned belly, finding sensitive skin that makes him shiver.

“you distracted, lew?” you taunt, with the only intention of riling him up.

his eyes snap open, hard and lacking any sort of warmth, and he tears your hands from where they rest on his firm body, swiftly pinning them above your head with one hand. he plants himself on one knee, balancing himself so that he can fiddle with the button of your shorts. he makes quick work of removing them, forcing the zipper down and skilfully manoeuvring them with just the one hand.

once they’re gone, along with the lace of your underwear, he forces your thighs apart, and slides his fingers along the seam of your cunt, slicking them up. you’re soaked and he momentarily falters, but he doesn’t let himself get too visibly affected.

“fuck, you’re so wet. been thinking about me, angel?” he teases mercilessly, as he rocks the first thick digit into you, twisting and curling until he finds the spot that makes you buck your hips.

“nothing to say now, hm?” lewis tuts, wetting his lips. the feeling of you squeezing so tight around just one of his fingers makes him choke out a moan. you can feel his hot breath fanning over your face, your eyes squeezing shut at the feeling of him filling you up.

“more.” you breathe, stuttering over just one word. he revels in how he’s managed to reduce you to this so quickly.

“you sure you can take it, angel? so fucking tight.”

“make me.” you plead, parting your strained thighs even wider for him.

he lets go of your hands, snaking down your body to get himself closer to where you’re dripping already.

“keep them there.” lewis orders, and you grip tightly onto the pillows to exercise restraint.

lewis presses his forearm over the plush of your belly, holding you down as he adds a second finger, watching in awe as it slips so effortlessly into your pussy. you’re mewling, fighting to buck your hips but the firm press of his muscled arm keeps you in place.

“so pretty for me, angel, soaking my fingers.” he notes, entranced at how responsive you are for him.

“want you inside of me, lew.” you whine, knuckles paper white where you’re fighting off the urge to reach down and touch him.

“wait.” he snarls, ramming his fingers even harder, grinding against the soft spot buried deep. “you’re gonna cum like this first.”

with that, he removes the barricade of his arm, bringing his spare hand to your clit, the pad of his thumb drawing calloused circles into the bud. you lose it, grinding down on his fingers like a woman possessed.

“that’s it, sweetie, fuck yourself for me.” lewis encourages, voice gravelly and low.

sparks shoot down your spine, nothing but white behind your eyelids as he lights you on fire. you can’t warn him, the words lost to the tense air of the room as you barrel towards your first release. he eases you through it, not letting up even a little bit, but it pays off when you can’t help but writhe against the cream of the bedspread.

“god.” you croak, flopping limp as he pulls out, crawling over you.

“learned your lesson?”

“not quite.” you flash an exhausted grin, abandoning your grasp on the pillows to slide them down his thick frame.

you trace the lion adorning his shoulder, the compass, each piece driving you further into utter delirium. your hands graze his waist, snaking around his abdomen until you reach the cross, tracing it until you reach words that keep him going.

still i rise the cursive reads, and he shivers as you rake your nails over it.

“fuck me.” you purr. your hands slide under his shorts once more, gripping at the curve of his ass. you push the material down over his thighs, and he happily kicks them away, his inked hands roughly spreading you even wider.

“desperate little thing, bet you go home after every race and fuck yourself silly wishing it was me, hm?” he adjusts himself between your legs, his thick cock nudging against you entrance, drenching himself in the mess he’d made.

you gasp out a moan as he slides deep, taking his sweet time. you can’t even comprehend his words, totally consumed by the brutally enticing stretch of him, your thighs shaking at the delectable intrusion. he hisses at the sensation of your tight warmth, his head falling to rest in the crook of your neck. lewis licks over the sensitive skin, trailing open mouthed kisses down to your collarbone. you feel the sharp graze of his teeth, gentle nips making you shudder on his cock.

“don’t leave a mark.” you choke, and lewis seems to get it, so he skims his teeth lower, sucking purple just over your heart.

you clamp down around him, allured by the tweak of pain, and it seems to spark something in him, his hips rolling into yours experimentally.

“you feel so fucking good.” lewis pants, his breath warm and wet on your neck.

“need you to move.” you plead, turning your head to capture his lips in an urgent kiss.

he pulls out, slamming back into you roughly, your tummy twisting with anticipation. lewis finds a rhythm that suits you both, hips hitting yours with every thrust, each one leaving you full and spent.

“gonna make sure you feel me for days.” he promises, yanking your legs over his hips. as he does, he hits deeper and you yelp, stars in your eyes. “when you sit in the car tomorrow, you’re gonna feel me and remember how to be a good fucking girl, not an attention seeking brat.”

you ramble his name, eyes flooding with tears of overstimulation, dumbfounded at how he seems to hit a new spot with every slide of his cock. he’s digging his fingers into the meat of your thighs, pulling your hips impossibly closer to his as he drives into you, as if he wants to become a part of you, moulded for an eternity. with the way your stomach knots, butterflies and adrenaline coursing through you, you’d comply; you’d let him do whatever he wanted to him anytime he wanted.

“‘m so close.” you whine, pulling on every part of him your hands can reach. a refreshed sense of determination builds in his eyes and he presses hard on your navel.

“so deep, can see it.” lewis slurs, eyes fixed on your belly.

those five words make you unravel, sending you hurtling over the edge. he can’t help but fuck you through it, hammering home while you spasm around him so tight that he struggles to move.

“fucking addicted to this pussy.” lewis groans, burying himself as deep as he can go.

you’re utterly enchanted as you watch him reach his release, gnawing at your bottom lip when his part in a moan, allowing gentle puffs of air to escape. his long eyelashes rest delicately over his cheeks as his eyes fall shut, your name spilling out of his mouth like a needy prayer.

you’re warm from the inside out, flushed and full when he settles, pressing his body weight into you completely.

-

two weeks later, you’re in japan, bored senseless in yet another press conference. lewis sits further down the couch, and you have to cross your legs every time he speaks. no one seems to notice, except him, of course.

when it’s your turn to speak, and you’re asked all about your little spat with sir lewis back in australia, you shrug, smirking.

“we made up.”

-

oof

-

taglist

@mcmuppet @japanesekel @vinvantae @ggaslyp1 @dr3lover @smiithys @rachstash @infinitebells @fizzpopsnap101 @gaily19 @icecoldtires @mysticalnightenthusiast @thatchickwiththecamera @oyesmendes @disneydaydreameralways @canyouseethesainz @ferrarifwendvale @fcbformulaeri @tony-stank3 @maih23 @soleilgrec @carolineworld @anthonykatebridgerton @allywthsr @iamasimpingh0e @ophcelia @lovelynikol16 @coffeehurricanes @jennx03 @blueflorals @lqvesoph @sidcrosbyspuck @better-dead-than-smeg @buendiabebeta @pjofics @kovalcin @wintergilmore3 @for-writing-shit @youdontknowmeshh @im-an-overthinker @jule239 @darleneslane @jazzy722 @weasleyswizarding-wheezes @therealone4r @pleasecallmeunhinged @theonlyadrienne @spideylovin @formulaal @carlandoxlestappen

if you wanna be added or removed lemme know! :D

[liannelara-dracula]

🛍Victoria Secret shopping with their gf? smt

Ohhh I’m so glad you asked this cause I was dying to do this. Sooooo thank uuuu. Also I think I’m just not going to put gifs of them anymore? Idk let me know.

———-

Sakamaki

Shu:

He doesn’t mind tagging along.

Like he usually sleeps through everything but not when this is going on.

He’s coming with u.

I think he likes black, red, and even the color beige on you.

Shu likes silk, Lacey patterns or minimal diamonds or sparkles on your underwear.

He likes if the underwear style is cheeky too.

Or better yet a thong.

He won’t tease you to much at store but like he’s helping you chose.

I think he’d walk around with you and just pick up things and picture you in them.

if he sees you looking at a thong or skimpy things prepare yourself.

“What dirty girl you are, planing to wear that for me.” He’d smirk.

“I don’t buy my underwear for you, I buy it cause I like it.”

Reiji:

When the girls at the store ask for your size to help you.

he cuts in to correct you on your size.

which leads you both to argue and the helper just laughs.

“I’m a c/s.”

“No you’re c/s, have you forgotten?”

“Reiji I’m pretty sure I know my size.”

but you of course you are shy about it and let alone annoyed.

I know most people would say he didn’t want to come but I think he’s the one that dragged you here.

This is because he doesn’t think you have refined taste to the degree he does. So he’s taking you so he can pick it out.

It’s an excuse to see you in the dressing room tho.😏

He really likes corsets but since we are no longer in those times he likes the bra bustiers.

Omg I have so many of those and I love them as sets.😂😂

He loves all the lacey kind and even elegant body suits.

He likes if the straps are elegant with detail to.

Reiji also likes if their are silky ribbons/bows or shiny trims to enhance the style of the underwear.

He’s favorite colors on you are black and dark purple. He also likes white.

Despite what he likes on you, he would also buy you cotton underwear bc it’s actually better for your body. Even if there not the cutest.

Laito:

Follows you into the dressing room but luckily you stop him.

“Uh, ladies only Laito?”

Likes black as well as some bright colors and red. I think he likes evergreen color as well.

The material is either lace or mesh. Or barely covering honestly.😂😂

He actually knows your cup size and isn’t afraid to help you.

Tho he will pick out super sexy kinds of sets and body suits.

“How about this one, I know it doesn’t cover much but it looks sexy.”

So you might have to stop him since you don’t feel comfortable.

He also backs you up in the dark corners to try and kiss you.

Tho you have to remind him this is not the place.

He picks out perfume too.

I think he also likes to see hot pink and black furry things on you as well.

He likes bras that show your nipples as well😏

Kanato:

All the cutest colors ever and just sweet looking babydoll dresses.

He loves lace, silk, and cotton.

He likes the pinks and purples as well as white the most and some baby blues to.

He likes the frills and ruffles and some sparkling trims.

Kanato prefers you where soft bras and not the cup kind.

He will also like if you buy some socks or garters to match.

If you ask for his suggestion he likes the ones with bows.

Most of the time he isn’t doing much but waiting for you to finish.

He thinks it’s kind of a drag.😂

But maybe if you try it on it’ll get him excited.

Ayato:

Just wants to know your cup size honestly.

Seriously is just an ass about it.

He likes red, pink, and black. I see him liking neons too.

The material can be any honestly.

I think he likes the sporty sets

And push up bras.

He also likes the small pj shorts on you to.

Likes to pick up random underwear and show it to you.

He will put the bra or underwear on himself just cause he’s so stupid.

“Look I’m Y/N.”

“Really Ayato?”

Of course it makes you both laugh tho.

He waits for you to try on things, he won’t go inside unless you want.

Might blush if you show him.

He pays for you and holds your bags.

Cause he’d never let you pay

He’d feel so bad if you did.

Subaru:

A blushing mess.

At least if you two are in the beginning of your relationship.

I think he likes the pinks and lilacs on you the most.

They have this signature lilac color and I just love it honestly.

anyways,  I think he’d try to help you only if you asked.

you honestly have to drag him cause he didn’t want to go.

tho if you two have been together for a while, he actually likes going with you.

minimal teasing.

I could honestly see him grinning at the thong in his hand.

He’d whisper in your ear for only you to hear what he had to say.

“You should wear just these tonight.”

Kino:

Wants to know your size.

He likes to pick out cheeky underwear for you.

I totally see it.

He likes to see different blues and probably pink as well as like nude or cream color.

He likes silk the most.

Loves when the undergarments don’t cover much.

He likes some floral patterns or just plain colors.

Also likes the sporty stuff too.

If you don’t know your size he just a bra up to your boobs to see if it fits.

Mukami

Ruki:

Can be really sweet or just a dick about it.

He doesn’t care about what you like he’s getting you what he likes.

And that’s that.

He loves blue, black or nothing on you.

Preferably dark blue.

Loves lace omg do not get me started.

Like that is his fav.

Loves small ribbon bows or minimal sparkles on your underwear.

Ruki likes the fancy bras and bustiers on you but he likes fabric bras on you as well.

He likes when the underwear is cheeky.

Likes the body suits that are lacey.

If see’s you picking some panties that he likes on you he will whisper in your ear only telling you they will come off later.

Yuma:

He likes that you invited him.

Was willing to help and doesn’t care about the color.

Or material he just cares about the style that’s it.

So he loves thongs or the bikini cut underwear the most.

You can’t change my mind about it.

He likes bras that flatter your body so something that shapes it well.

He mostly cares that your comfy.

If you don’t know your size don’t worry he knows.

He’s got it all covered.

Yuma will make you blush though.

“I like these.” He’d say playing with the bands that crosses in the back of the skimpy underwear he was holding.

“I don’t.” You say a little uncomfortable.

Kou:

He’s dragging you everywhere, making you try on so many different types.

Is pretty helpful.

Loves neons or bright colors

His fav on you is pink and he likes bows and patterns.

He likes flower prints and plain things too.

Knows your size and just never forgets it.

If you moved up in size he’d congratulate you.

Making you very embarrassed.

“Aww babe you got bigger.”

He’s just so weird like that.

He tried to get cute underwear over sexy underwear for you.

It’s just what he likes I guess.

He also thinks the babydoll dresses look cute.

Azusa:

He says he’ll wait outside but since you ask him he goes.

Azusa follows you around the store and just has no idea what you need him for.

He likes to see soft colors like white, beige or turquoise on you the most.

But he’s not opposed to other colors.

He doesn’t care about material he just wants you to feel comfortable.

And he thinks you look great in anything so don’t worry.

If you ever forget your size he tries to remember.

He likes to buy you perfumes there.

If you ask him which one he likes he gets confused since he doesn’t mind honestly.

He just wants you to be happy.

So sweet someone protec him.

Tsukinami

Carla:

He doesn’t mind helping you.

He’ll do anything for you and if this what you need he’ll do it.

likes white and red on you the most.

Prefers lace but is okay if you don’t wear it.

He doesn’t care too much about your underwear he just wants you to match.

And feel comfortable.

He likes elegant underwear the most.

And likes the perfume they sell.

Also loves ruffles or frills or bows on the undergarments.

Pretty much leaves everything to you and just pays.

Doesn’t mind giving his opinion if you ask.

Tells you look great in anything.

Shin:

Perv omg.

You didn’t tell him to come with you he just came.

He wanted to help but he also wanted to know your size to see if he was right.

Loves black and red on you and pink.

Shin likes lace as well as mesh.

He likes the sporty underwear too.

And push ups cause he never thinks you have enough of anything.

Of course he’s joking tho.

He will walk into the changing room and you will have to push him out of their.

Cause he sucks like that.

“Get out.”

“You don’t want me to help you put it on?”

“We are at a store, Shin.”

————————

♤ ˗ˏˋ 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑦 𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 ˎˊ˗ ♤

♤ ©𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔~present day ♤

[wesimpforxiao]

Inception:  Chapter 6

The City of Mondstat--what a gorgeous place to host the wind archon!  You admired the city gates as you and Ajax crossed the cobblestone bridge that greets guests and attendees alike.  The sour face a little boy made as your presence scared the pigeons away made you feel a little bad--it wasn't the first time you've interrupted his pigeon hangouts.

"I'll put our belongings in our apartment.  Why don't you take a look around the shops?  I'll buy you whatever you like once I've checked in."  Ajax removed the pack from your shoulders before you had the chance to answer.  "My day will be busy in a bit, so you'll be on your own until late evening.  I hope that won't be of any trouble?"

"Of course not.  Besides, I have friends here too."

Friends, only as in the wealthiest bachelor in Mond:  Diluc!  You had met him in the wilderness bordering Liyue and Mondstat, where you had been following a particularly rowdy group of Fatui under Childe's supervision.  It had been dark and gloomy, the land filled with thunderous rain that refused to let up, and you were vulnerable to those cryo vultures of agents.  Of course, this was during the time after your mother died and were beginning to contemplate causing trouble for the Fatui.

And like a dumbass, you weren't at all careful in the beginning.  That night you had bitten off more than you could chew--especially since you had never once used the vision in your pocket and your martial arts skills weren't as refined as they were now.  Luckily Diluc was on a similar mission and intervened before you were severely injured.  A deep respect formed for one another's resolves and you've been sharing intel with each other ever since.

So where better to go, than to Angel Share?  Shopping could wait until later when Ajax would be by your side!

Just as you reached the tavern, you spotted a particularly well-dressed man with long blue hair sitting at one of the tables at the entrance.  A few empty pints lay strewn about on his table, his cheeks a faint tint of buzzed-pink.  He seemed to be enjoying himself when he spotted you.  "Hey, fancy joining me here for a bit?"

"Hm?  Oh, uh, sure?  I don't believe I know you."  You sat across from him and eyed whatever it was he was drinking.  'Dandelion wine.'  You've tried it once before; it was light and airy, the fizz of alcohol tickling your taste buds with each sip.  You weren't a frequent drinker though, so it's been quite some time since your last taste of alcohol.

"Kaeya, Knight of Favonius," the man held his gloved hand out to you, and you took it with little hesitance.  The people of Mondstat were always warm and welcoming.  "Who might I have the pleasure of meeting?"

"Reed.  It's nice to meet you, Sir Kaeya.  Do you come to Angel Share often?  I thought it's unprofessional for knights to be seen at taverns." Especially since it's the middle of the day! Shouldn't he be on duty?!

"On the contrary, taverns are excellent sources of information.  Though I suppose I come here more often than what's considered necessary."  Kaeya's eye carefully narrowed as he studied you, a slight grin tugging at the corner of his lips.  "I've never seen you in Mondstat before."

"To tell you the truth, it's been like six months since I've last visited," you chuckled, making certain he didn't notice your interest in his interestingly-shaped pupil.  Maybe it was some rare genetic trait you've never heard of before?

"Oh? You must be a traveler then, no?"

"Not really.  I'm from Liyue, actually."

"Ah! The City of Contracts.  But I sense you're not native to Liyue."  You blinked in confusion as a smirk formed on his face.  "Your intonation suggests Liyue origin as do your clothes, but your enunciation says otherwise.  May I take a guess?"

Your seat creaked as you sat up straighter.  "U-Uh...sure..."

Kaeya leaned back in his seat and sized you up with a mischievous gleam in his eye.  He calmly took a sip of his wine, licking the excess off the corner of his lower lip.  After a few seconds, he appeared to confirm his thoughts.  "Mm, yes.  You're from Snezhnaya, no doubt."

A meek nod from you sent him chuckling.  There was a strange sense of danger lurking in your chest, tightening evermore as he watched you like prey.  Just who was this knight? Why did a dangerous chill run down your back?  It wouldn't be the first time people have shown their darker sides to Snezhnayan emigrants--"How did you..."

"Heh, don't take it so seriously.  I am a knight, after all.  They don't just let anyone get the job."  Kaeya took another, deeper gulp of wine this time and placed his pint down.  His smile was friendlier now, allowing you to relax back into your seat.  "So, are you here for business or pleasure?"

A faint blush reached your cheeks.  "Business, I guess.  But it's not mine. My...friend is here for business reasons, I'm just tagging along with him."

"Oh?  If he has a branch here, I might know him.  Who is this friend of yours?"

"Oh, his name's Ajax.  He's actually a toy seller."

Kaeya's eye widened slightly at this.  There are no Liyue toy sellers that visit Mondstat, save for travelling merchants.  "A toy seller? Fascinating."  He goaded you to continue with a nod.

"He's pretty private when it comes to work; doesn't like to mix it with personal matters.  We'll be staying here for a few days, so I'm sure you'll be seeing more of us."

"Is he Snezhnayan too?"

"...Okay, you're creepily good."

Kaeya gave you a lazy shrug and smirked.  "What can I say?  I have a talent for this sort of thing."  But when he returned to his normal posture, the mysterious glint in his eye was gone.  Something contemplative, darker, was lurking.  Something you didn't recognize nor understand.

And there was that flight-or-fight feeling again--

"There you are, ojou-chan!"  A hand landed on your shoulder, and you startled.  "I couldn't find you at the shops.  I spotted a floral store nearby.  Shall we check it out?"  Childe stared hard at the man you sat across from and feigned a warm smile that didn't reach his eyes.  "Oh? Is this one of the friends you mentioned?"

"Actually I just met him.  He's a knight!  Kaeya, this is Ajax."

Childe stiffened behind you.  You told this guy his name?!  A knight?! You--You! No.  This is to be expected; you don't know the truth to begin with.  "I see.  Well, Reed, we should get going--"

"Aw, why so cold?" Kaeya faux-pouted and readjusted one of his gloves.  He wasn't a stranger to the situation.  He knew exactly who Ajax was; the harbinger status reeked about him.  "Reed's told me all about you.  I'm honored to meet your acquaintance, Ajax."  The atmosphere seemed to freeze over and a thick tension settled over the table.

"...Can't say I feel the same," Childe spoke through gritted teeth.  He slapped another forced smile on and addressed you again.  "Aha, Reed, we should get going.  I only have a few minutes before my meeting--"

"Ah, your toy seller company?  What was the name again?  Even as a cavalry captain, I wasn't aware we had foreign companies in our walls."  His gaze was only focused on Ajax.

"Um...What do you mean?"  The grip on your shoulder tightened as a warning that went unnoticed.

"So you're truly unaware?"  Kaeya's attention dropped to you and something akin to sadistic pleasure lit up his expression.  "This will be quite lively indeed."  He took another sip of wine before standing to meet Childe's glare head-on.  "You've done an exceptional job at keeping her in the dark, if I say so myself.  As to be expected from someone of your status."

"Ajax, what's he talking about?"

"Reed, let's go." He nearly lifted you up himself.  Ajax grabbed your wrist and whisked you away in a hurry.

"You can't hide from the one that calls you friend!" Kaeya shouted after the two of you while Childe pulled harder at your wrist.

"What does that mean?" A glance back to the knight that held a knowing smile then to the man that held your arm gave you an unsettling feeling in your stomach.  Was there something that Ajax was hiding from you, and if so, what was it if it got the attention of a Mondstat cavalry captain?  "Ajax?  What's he going on about?"

His grip tightened until it almost hurt.  "Don't talk to him ever again."  He finally let go of you once both of you were hidden from the public eye in an alleyway, but the serious look in his eyes nearly made you flinch.  He never looked so--what was it? Angry?  Fearful?  Grim?  Perhaps the most frightening part was the emptiness in those blue irises, just like the day he returned from his disappearance...

"Whatever it is, you know you can tell me right?"  This got his attention and his gaze landed on you without looking at you.  "You're scaring me by refusing to talk."  You had thought that you two had grown closer on your way to Mondstat, but now it feels like you're moving backwards.

"It's nothing, promise," Childe flashed you with a pained grin.  "Just...stay away from him.  He seems to target my company a lot for no reason other than prejudice."

Maybe it was because it was a Snezhnayan company?  "Um, okay..."  He caught onto the hesitance in your eyes, and his hands lightly rubbed the sides of your arms as he peered down at you.

"Promise me.  I swear it's nothing bad."

"...I promise."  But for once, you were going to break it.  You knew this as you met his relieved gaze.  Something isn't right.  You've picked up on it before with how he wouldn't touch you when there were people around, or his nervous glances at the surrounding area before he approached you.  You weren't that stupid and oblivious to his behavior.  Perhaps you were trying to suppress that uneasiness whenever he was around, but it's become impossible to ignore now.

"Okay," he let out a small sigh of relief and nodded.  "I'll be working late tonight, so don't wait for me when it comes to eating and sleeping.  Can you do that?"

"I'm not a child, you know.  I'm more than capable of handling myself," you retorted with lips twitching upward.  "I'll be fine.  Do what you need to do.  I'll be around petting the cute dogs and cats all day!"

"I wish I could go along with you," he admitted before placing an innocent peck at your forehead.  "I'll be back later."

"See ya."  You stared at his back until it disappeared among the crowd and released a breath you didn't know you were holding.  A hand rubbed your queasy stomach.  Now to pet some animals for some anxiety relief as you think of what to do next...

Kaeya knew you'd be back later that evening at Angel Share.  He was an expert at studying people and if he had learned anything from those brief chats with you, it was that you were not the kind of person that's able to let his comments go.  So as he patiently sipped at his wine glass at the corner of the bar's first floor, the ringaling of the chime that indicated the entry of a new customer let him know you were right on time for the show.

Diluc raised a brow at you; he had caught a glimpse of your figure out the window earlier.  It was rare for you to travel to Mond, and even more so to not have asked for Fatui intel by now.  In fact, it was like you weren't in town for that information this time.  You nodded at him in acknowledgement.  

"Can I help you?"

Your eyes flicked to the knight in the darkest corner of the tavern.  "The strongest alcohol you've got, please."

Diluc watched you with concern for a moment before grabbing one of the bottles on the shelf behind him.  "You're a lightweight; I wouldn't recommend you drink on an empty stomach.  Have you eaten yet? I can make you something on the house if you'd like."

"That's okay, I'm not hungry."

"Very well."  A pint slid to you on the bar counter and you immediately downed a concerning amount without so much as pausing for a breath.  This earned another brow raise from Diluc, but he remained quiet as you walked towards Kaeya--who was already a bit tipsy and needless to say, unwelcome in this tavern.

Kaeya's lips curled upward as your footsteps got louder, and his eyes finally lifted from his glass to watch you plop down on the other side of the table.  "Well well well, I wasn't expecting you to speak to me after what happened this morning.  What's lil Reed want with me at this late hour?"

You swallowed the nervousness that ate at you with his sly stare and sat up straighter.  "Tell me what you meant this morning."

"Oh?  I don't quite remember which part," he swirled the wine in his glass.  "Care to enlighten me?"

"'You can't hide from the one that calls you friend.'"  Your finger tapped impatiently against the rim of your cup.  "What do you know that I don't?"

"Are you certain you want to hear it?"  Kaeya remained in his relaxed position with an arm across the back of his seat and a leg perched across the other.  You didn't answer, your gaze instead dropping to the alcohol in your cup to avoid his predatory stare.  It didn't feel safe with him eyeing you like you were food.  It was as if he was able to see the thoughts swirling around inside your head.  "It seems to me you already know.  You've only sought me out to confirm your fears."

"Maybe I want to be wrong," you mumbled.  The horrible fears that swirled in your heart weren't exactly unfounded; with what you know, they'd make more sense to be true than false.  Ajax was violent after he disappeared...looking for fights even after you said your official goodbyes...it wouldn't be completely out of the question to think he'd join the Fatui.

Kaeya eyed you carefully and a smile spread across his face as he sat forward.  "Well darling, I'd be more than happy to burst that hopeful bubble of yours.  The question is, are you willing to pay the price?"

"I don't care about the truth hurting my fee-"

"Ah ah ah," he lazily wagged a finger at you and sat back again.  "I think it's only fair that in giving you this information, I receive some in return."

"What about?"

"I've done some digging on you and your...honorary reputation in Liyue."

"That was quick."

"Isn't it?  You see, Master Diluc and I have a shared interest in the Fatui.  I want all the information you have on them." Known only to Kaeya, Diluc was carefully listening to this conversation and held back a scoff at this remark.  Diluc did tell Kaeya about your reputation, but only after the latter insisted you and your 'friend' were connected to the Fatui Harbingers.

"Deal."  Maybe Diluc doesn't like sharing his intel with the knights, but it wouldn't hurt to share the information with Kaeya.  You were all on the same side here anyway.

"Good girl," he tilted his head slightly and tipped the wine glass to his lips.  "Now that that's settled, go ahead and ask me."

You bit your lip and gathered the courage and anxiety that had been swirling in your stomach.  A quick gulp or two...or three of your glass and you spit your thoughts out before you could shrivel up on yourself.  "What do you know about my Ajax?"

The sadistic look in his eye only increased as he set his glass down for the first time in a literal hour.  He didn't even hesitate to answer you.  "Your 'Ajax' is none other than a Fatui Harbinger that goes by 'Childe.'"

You almost couldn't hear him with the obnoxious ringing in your ears.  "A Harbinger?"

"The same one that almost drowned Liyue all those months ago.  But I'm guessing you were already able to gather that much after this morning, weren't you?"  He held eye contact with you and another smile danced across his lips.  He could see the gears turning in your head as you struggled to digest this bombshell of information and it was oh-so delightful to watch unfold.  "I'm sure you've heard of the infamous 11th Harbinger since you're originally from Snezhnaya."

"The one known for numerous kills on the battlefield," you uttered absently while vacant eyes stared at the tabletop.  It hurt like hell to know the truth, but it hurt even worse that he was the same harbinger that tried to drown Liyue.  That tried to drown you.

"Ding ding ding."

You downed the rest of your drink without a second thought and slammed the pint onto the table.  "Diluc, I'm gonna need another.  Please."

Childe met Lady Signora at the Grande Goth Hotel and after having dinner with her and her highest-ranking officers, he placed his utensils down.  "As you've seen in my letter, some of my men are missing or going missing as we speak."

"You're asking for my help?"  The lady looked at Childe with an exasperated expression.  "I thought the Tsaritsa was correct in giving you the task.  Are you saying you are unable to find leads?"

He bit his tongue to keep from losing his temper with Signora.  It wasn't an understatement to say he was still salty over her deception with Zhongli that ended up making him look like a fool to the whole of Liyue.  "I only came to ask if any of your men had gone missing."

Signora's eyes narrowed slightly.  "Three."

"I could use those reports if you don't mind."

"They'll be at your disposal," she assured.  "How many men have gone missing under your watch, Childe?"

Of course she would ask this.  Childe grit his teeth.  "Twenty more.  A total of fifty are gone now."  Feeling her judgement, he continued with a more aggressive tone.  "There's little evidence to suggest they're being taken against their will, so my assumption is they're purposely abandoning their posts."

"Abandoning their posts?  The Tsaritsa only recruits the loyal.  Why would they turn against Her Majesty?"

"Your guess is as good as mine at this point.  Rest assured that I'm working as hard as I can with the information I've been given."

"And the vigilante I've heard rumors about?"

His heart sank.  "The vigilante in Liyue?  I've confirmed they have nothing to do with the disappearances.  The most they've done is broke an arm or two, and killing isn't their style.  They were clueless when I brought the matter up to them."

"And...?"

"It's not them," he sat up and deadpanned.  He had to be careful with his words now that you had managed to catch the attention of another harbinger.  They definitely wouldn't give you a free pass to harass their men as you please.  "There's no connection.  The working theory is the Fatui are abandoning their posts due to some third party.  There have been reports of cult activity as of late, though.  My bet is on that."

Seemingly satisfied with his thoughts, Signora took another sip of wine.  "Very well.  As long as you catch the person responsible, I won't need to bring my concerns to the Tsaritsa."  This earned a glare from Childe and he bit his tongue.

It was 11:30 at night when he got back to the rented apartment that he shared with you.  As expected, the lights were out.  Childe quietly made his way to the bed when he realized how cold it was, and you hadn't so much as left an imprint.  You weren't there, and you hadn't visited it to begin with.  

Shit.

The sinking feeling in his stomach only worsened as he ran full speed to that damned tavern you loved so much.  His hand shook as he turned the knob and opened the door, greeted by a redheaded bartender that did not look happy to see him.

"My apologies, but we just closed," he said as he dried a wine glass with a white cloth.  "We open at two tomorrow." He did his best not to act on impulse and kill the harbinger where he stood.

Childe crinkled his nose at this and looked to his left.  Sure enough you were sitting across from that stupid knight.  He couldn't see your face since your back was to him, but that didn't stop the pounding in his chest that made it difficult to breathe.  He ignored Diluc's annoyed protest and approached the table.

"Reed."  His hand lightly landed your shoulder, begging for you to turn around.  Instead of the usual flush of warmth he received from your vision, his hand was engulfed in flames.  His vision reacted just as quickly as he removed his hand, and the vapor produced flew to the ceiling.  The stinging he felt in his palm let him know he'd have blisters at the very least.  His eyes widened as he came to terms with what had happened.  

The pyrophobe used actual fire.

He tried again anyway.  "Reed," he called out firmly, careful not to let on the shakiness in his voice.  "It's late.  Let's get you home." His hand reached out again but before it could make contact, your shoulders befell into flames and you stood up.  He caught the devilish smirk on Kaeya's face as you did and scoffed.   "Stay away from--"

"Get out."  The words caught in his throat when a cold tone contrary to your vision reached his ears.  "Get out before I do something I won't regret."

"Reed--"  

"Get out, Childe."

"You might want to obey the lady's wishes," Kaeya egged on and finished his wine off.  "When women want to be left alone, they want to be left alone."

"You," Childe growled and moved to get past you.  "You--"  A wall of flame blocked his path to throwing hands, and it was at this moment that Childe saw the brokenness in your eyes.  They were bloodshot--you were no doubt drunk.  Your face was red and puffy.  You cried a lot when Kaeya told you, didn't you?  "...I can explain."

"There is no undoing this," you cried out and shook your head.  "You'll only dig yourself a deeper grave.  Get the hell out of my sight.  I never want to see you again!"

Reed, he pleaded silently, but red hair obscured his view of you.

"I'm going to have to ask you to vacate the premises, sir.  If you don't leave her alone, this constitutes as harassment and we do have a knight here that can arrest you."

"Tch.  Some 'knight.'"  The cocky grin on the cavalry captain only made Childe's hatred deepen.  As much as he wanted to stay and try to get through to you, he'd have to force himself to leave--a harbinger making ruckus in two nations would definitely not give the Tsaritsa a good look.

..........

You needed to cool off.  Diluc let you crash at the tavern much to your delight and less to his--he had insisted you come with him to his mansion since it'd be more comfortable for a lady, but you had refused and said the table you sat at was fine enough.  Kaeya had left some time after Childe had, chuckling at some joke he made about the situation that wasn't funny.  

The early sunrise gave you the opportunity to leave Mond before Childe could try to talk to you again.  Luckily you hadn't brought much with you on the trip anyway, so you just walked out the gates with the clothes on your back without visiting the apartment that man had rent you.  Surviving in the wilderness wasn't difficult and the nation of Liyue wasn't but two days' trip southwest.  You've made the journey many times when consulting with Diluc over Fatui intelligence.

You weren't but halfway to Liyue Harbor--one and a half days' journey--when you encountered your first lawachurl of the trip.  Usually they weren't near the roadside and they were easy to avoid, but this one was clearly agitated and actively looking for something to kill.  By the time you realized what you were looking at it was already upon you.  And if that weren't enough of an inconvenience, this lawachurl was different than the ones typically found in Liyue; it was purple.  Electro.

"Woah, what the hell?"  The words escaped you without you hearing them over the roar of the monster.  "You're not supposed to exist here--"  These were only found in Inazuma, a nation of islands several hundred miles away from the coast of the mainland.  What was it doing here?  They can't even swim!

"RAWWWWWRRRRRRRRR!" The beast bellowed yet again.  It leapt into the air and attempted to crush you beneath its feet.  Luckily you threw yourself out of the way just in time, the shock of the impact getting dirt into your mouth.  

You've never fought one before, but you've heard the stories.  They're a lot bigger in person.  If Childe hadn't reunited with you, you'd never be put in this situation.  That thought made your blood boil and skin flush crimson.  "Like hell you're gonna get in my way right now."  

"URGH!"  The lawachurl stumbled back when a wall of fire hit him.  

Small flames danced around your fingertips while you watched with an empty gaze.  "Maybe fire isn't so bad after all."

"Milady!  Stand back! We'll handle this!"  Your gaze left your fingers and greeted the Millelith.  Apparently this issue had somehow been reported to the Qixing...Were there more incidents like this while you were in Mond?

"What, you and your little spears?  You don't even have visions."

"Stand ba--"

"AWWRRR!"  The lawachurl charged at you with incredible speed.  It's fists crushed the ground where you stood, but a sharp gale roughly swept you off your feet.

"What--!"  Upon opening your eyes, you were greeted by particularly catlike eyes.  "U-um--"

"Don't turn your back to them," the man warned, setting you down on the tree branch he stood on.  Without wasting anymore time he disappeared before you and reappeared above the lawachurl.  He plunged his spear down through the top of the beast's head multiple times within a second.  It died not long after, its remains turning to ash that blew away with the light breeze that swept through the valley.

"'Them...?'"  There's more, a shiver rolled down your spine at the reward of your vantage point.  There are more.  Tens of them, all electro!  From what you could see through the golden leaves of the ginkgo tree you stood in, they were scattered across the yellow plains! How the hell did they...With widening eyes, your attention shifted down to the Millelith.  There were roughly ten of them, all battered down and overworked.  Tiny specs in the distance indicated these were the only ones left that could fight these things off.  

This wasn't some small random incident.  This was a battlefield.

Your gaze shifted to the mysterious young man that was killing the nearby lawachurls with the ease of a god.  This must be the Vigilant Yaksha Zhongli had told you stories of when you first began working at the parlor, right?  He certainly matched the description--

"Get down!"  The man shouted to the Millelith as he sliced through the air above them to intervene the lawachurls that nearly overran them.  "Useless!"  The Millelith weren't of any help to this situation; they were practically fodder and so easily slaughtered being the normal humans they were.

Your feet acted before your mind did.  Just as the yaksha cut through the air again, you punched the nearest lawachurl with a fiery fist to create a swirl reaction.  It died almost instantly.  The two of you nodded at one another, then he turned to the Millelith.

"These are matters for adepti.  Stay out of my way."

"Y-Yes sir!"  One of them said and ordered for another to report back to the Harbor to inform the Qixing of the situation.  As they began to jog off, you turned to the yaksha.

"That means you too," he summoned his mask.

"But I can help!"

"Tch. Don't underestimate the abilities of adepti."  The masked man turned to you, and the sight of it made your blood run cold.  How did Mr. Zhongli know about such an intimidating person?

You straightened up and puffed out your chest.  "There's lots of them. Wouldn't it be better if you had all the help you could get?"

"This is nothing.  I've already cleared the road that leads to Liyue.  You'll have a safe passage. Go now."  He didn't wait for your response and was already on the other side of the river by the time you blinked.

"Like hell I'm gonna do that," you grumbled with burning skin.  "Better I take my anger out on these things than wreck my room--"

A roar that was loud enough to vibrate your bones erupted from behind you.  A lawachurl had somehow managed to sneak up on you within mere seconds of the yaksha's absence, and he was already long-gone somewhere in the plains.  Startled, you spun around only for it's gigantic claw to swipe at you.

"Gngha!"  Your training kicked in and your forearm swept through the air to collide with it's claw.  The brute force of the monster's strength almost caused you to lose your footing--certainly a Visionless person would've been sent flying and severely injured--but you bit through the impact and dug your right boot into the soil.  The claw pressed further against you, the monster not expecting resistance but still refusing to give in, and electricity crackled in the air.  It pushed harder and harder until your knees nearly buckled under the weight.  "Tch...ngh...hAA!"

With flames dancing upon your skin from the edge of your boots to the forearm that was the only thing preventing you from being crushed, you pushed back twice as hard.  The fist of the lawachurl slowly but surely lifted away from you as you shoved.  The spot that was touching your forearm began to burn from the heat you emitted until smoke and the foul smell of burning flesh appeared.

The monster tried to pull away from you as pain spread through its claw, but your petite hands gripped its fingers and yanked them towards you with such a force that the entire being began to fall atop you.  "YOU'RE DEAD!"  The shadow of the beast that fell towards you blocked out the sun, but with a fiery fist you threw upwards and lit the way until it had burned through the body.  There you stood, quite literally in the carnage, with your body standing in the clear-cut cavity of the beast.  Just as quickly as it landed, it turned to ash.

Childe slowly relaxed his grip on the bowstring he held against his cheek and dismissed his weapon while you regained your breath.  So this is what you're capable of, he thought with a flicker of a smirk.  This is how mad he made you. You were cute when you were angry...how come he didn't piss you off sooner?  The sickly thrill he got at the idea of fighting you at your full potential was addicting, but as soon as it appeared it wore off after hearing the words you muttered.

"I swear to Rex Lapis if he ever comes near me again, I'll kill him."

He knew you meant it much to his delight and sorrow.  The fire burning brightly in your eyes was deadly, the deep passion of the flames that licked your arm slowly burning your skin...

You didn't so much as flinch as it did.

[twoidiotwriters1]

The believer (Din Djarin x Fem! Reader)

Resquest by: Me, lol. -Val

Words: 3, 343

A/N: Based on episode 15

"I mean it, Cara. You said you needed my help for important things. Being the commissioner of the new republic must be something better than just moving boxes” I complain leaving some on the ground. I walk to her desk.

“We are only relocating some files. Thanks for your help." She mocks. I roll my eyes. "We’re  almost done. Besides, you've already helped me enough by catching the bad guys. Who imprisoned all those thieves? " She tries to try fix it.

"I did" I say through my teeth. "Whatever. But do you promise this is the last one? "

"I promise. You'll see. Soon you’ll be with your Mandalorian. Although ” she frowns and gets up from her chair. “I just got a message from him. He says he will come today "

"What?"

She shrugs her shoulders.

“Maybe he can't wait any longer to see you. But I really need you to finish this "

I sigh. Why would Din come early? We agreed that I would return until Cara no longer needed me or… in case of emergencies.

"Well, where do I put this?" I try to lift another box, but it is heavier.

"Hey! No, we said only light things and you know it " she says, taking the box from me

"Whatever," I go back inside the office to look for more boxes.

**

After a couple of hours, I close the store’s door. I stretch my body and walk back to Cara's office.

Upon arrival, my heart races to see the armor that I already missed too much.

"Din!" I run up to him and throw myself into his arms. I put my arms  around his neck and he holds me by my waist.

“I'll leave you alone. I'll prepare everything,"  says Cara leaving.

I frown and pull away from him.

"Prepare?” I look straight into the visor of the Mandalorian. “What's going on? I thought you would come later "

"I'm also happy to see you," he jokes 

I smile.

"I'm sorry I didn't have a better welcome, but you didn't give me time," I say sarcastically.

"I don't think that matters now," he says changing his tone.

"Din, what is the problem?"

Din sighs and shifts uncomfortably.

"Something happened, I uh- sorry"

"Are you okay? Where’s the child? "

"They have the kid"

"What? Who?"

"Sorry, cyar'ika. It all happened so fast, I couldn't - I couldn't protect him enough ” says Mando, moving away a bit.

"Hey" I took his hand stopping him. "Listen. I'm sure that whatever happened, it wasn't your fault "

"You don’t know"

"Then, tell me"

"Moff Gideon. He kidnapped the child"

My body tenses remembering very well that monster. I clench my teeth.

"Where is he?"

"That's why I came, I need Cara's help." He sighs. "And from Mayfeld"

"Mayfeld? The idiot who tried to catch us in prison? "

"The same"

"Why the-? No, forget it. You'll tell me at the Razor Crest ”I walk towards the exit, but he stops me by taking my arm.

"The Crest no longer exists," he whispers. I frown and sigh at his tone of defeat. I take his hand and force him to follow the path.

“C’mon, we must not waste any more time. Nobody messes with my family "

**

"I don't like your new friend," I complain, sitting next to Din. "He's grumpier than you when we first met"

Din laughs at my pout.

"He's not that bad. He has been a great help"

"That doesn't take away the grumpiness"

"I don't find the charm in you either, princess," says Boba Fett. passing in front of us to open the cargo door. I grunt at the sight. Din puts a hand on my leg.

"Hold on, Cyar’ika."

We both got up to follow Boba along with his partner Fennec Shand. The four of us go out when Cara returns with Mayfeld.

Din steps forward while the others guard him closely and confronts the prisoner.

"Mayfeld"

"Hello, Mando. How long ” he answers, nervous. He looks behind Din and smiles slightly. "Hi gorgeous. It's nice to see you again "

I roll my eyes.

After explaining a bit about his value in knowing the Imperial protocols. We all went back to Boba's ship.

Mayfeld indicates the new course to Morak, where he must infiltrate an imperial database to find out the location of Gideon.

The new mission is to infiltrate to a secret mine, get to the refinery and get the information. A good plan, but after several years of being with the Mandalorian, I know it didn’t always turn out the way we expect. And the fact that they refine rhydonium, an explosive material, is not a good sign.

**

"I don't understand how he can be in a suit like this all the time," I complain, fixing the my  stormtrooper uniform.

"This one really sucks," Mayfeld continues, adjusting his boot.

Two guards to drive the truck with rhydonium and one to check the levels of the material, we replaced them as soon as they crossed a tunnel, it sounded like a good idea. But I can already smell the perspiration of whoever wore my suit.

Din walks towards us also wearing his black suit and helmet. He leaves his armor to Cara.

"Are you okay?" he asks me.

"The faster we do this, soon I will take this off"

"That interests me," I raise my eyebrow and smile. He tilts his helmet making me laugh.

The three of us get on the truck and the mission begins. We pass the tunnel and continue along the path in the middle of the forest.

Mayfeld tries to make conversation with us, but his attempts are in vain. Everything is going well, until an intercepted conversation warns us of certain complications with another truck ahead, and then we hear an explosion not far from us.

"You must continue" says Din "As long as you drive carefully and slowly, the Rhydonium will not explode"

"Good to know" answers Mayfeld.

"It's stable" I announce.

A knock to the side of the truck breaks the silence.

"Pirates. They are trying to destroy the Rhydonium ”says Mando.

We both go out on the roof of the truck and try to get rid of the pirates, but it gets harder and harder when more arrive. While we fight, Mayfeld makes sure the material levels don't overheat.

Every movement I make, makes my heart race, maybe I already have some experience fighting and Din has always helped me to defend myself, but this time it's different and I have to be more careful.

Our only salvation comes when we approach the empire mine. The whole army helps us against pirates.

I sigh in relief.

"Are you okay?" Mando asks. I nod. We both went back inside the truck.

Upon arriving safely at the mine, many people congratulate us on a great job. Of course, being the only ones who could pass an explosive for several kilometers with some pirates as an obstacle, should be cause for celebration.

We walked among the people, some soldiers, stormtroopers and other workers. Mayfeld tells us that a database may be in the dining room, so we keep pretending to know where we are.

When we get to one, Mayfeld steps forward.

"Good luck," Din tells him.

"Ugh, I can't take it anymore" I complain taking off my helmet. I straighten my hair as best I can and sigh. "Surely your beskar helmet is better than this, but I couldn't wear one all the time."

"You get used to it" says Mando.

"I can't go in," says Mayfeld, turning back.

"Why not?"

"There is Valin Hess"

"Who?" I ask.

"He was my boss" Oh no.

"Would he recognize you?"

"I do not know. I was just a field agent, but I won't risk it ” he says trying to leave, but Mando stops him.

"Make it quick so we can go"

Mayfeld denies.

"I can’t  do it, I’m sorry"

"No, I can’t. If we don't get those coordinates, we will lose the child "

"I’ll do it. Give me the data stick ”I tell them.

"Yeah, I don't think it's a good idea either," Mayfeld answers. "You have already attracted attention being a participant in the truck mission, if they see a woman in the database it will be more suspicious"

"That makes no sense"

“Maybe, but look around you. Any boss is a man, imagine what they would do without seeing you trying to enter the system "

“Give me the data stick,” Din interrupts. Mayfeld and I watch it.

"It won't work," says the bald man. "In order to access the network, the terminal has to scan your face"

I shake my head.

"There must be another way"

"Give it to me" Din repeats, taking away his memory

"No, wait" I try to take his arm, but he takes off and walks towards the terminal. "This will end badly"

"Since when has something gone well?" Mayfeld answers next to me.

My body trembles from nerves. Din must be desperate to even think about showing his face.

Mayfeld and I watch him from the entrance. Din walks to the terminal, presses some buttons, waits a second and as soon as I see his hands go to his helmet, I turn suddenly.

"Have you ever seen him without the helmet?" He asks. 

"No, I haven't"

He nods.

“And how do you…? You know. ” I frown at him. "What? Haven't you had sex yet? "

"That is none of your business"

"Hey, it was just a question" he defends himself. "Oh no" he says looking towards the dining room

"What?"

"We have a problem. Hess is talking to him

"Shit"

"I'll take care of it," he says nervously.

Mayfeld comes in to help Din, while my back is still turn on him. What am I supposed to do? I look around for an answer. Which comes when I see a crew member talking with other soldiers. She holds a datapad and the others sign on it.

It could work.

**

“We just call him Brown Eyes. Isn't that right, officer? " is what I hear when I get closer. Completely avoiding Din's face.

"Sir" I interrupt them. Hess turns to see me. "I need you to sign some documents regarding the delivery of the Rhydonium." Hess raises an eyebrow looking me up and down. I extend the datapad to him.

"Are you also part of that delivery, Lieutenant?" points to my uniform.

"Yes sir. They asked me to file the delivery, given the circumstances. Lack of staff ”I know the other two men are staring at me, but there is one look that makes me more nervous.

Hess nods.

"You are the only transport that delivered cargo today" he announces. “Let's have a drink. You too, Miss. We can celebrate," He smiles. " Brown eyes."

I sigh. The three of us follow Hess without saying anything. My eyes are fixed on the floor, but the problem widens when I get to the small table, Mayfeld and Hess are at my sides, leaving Din in front.

I use all my willpower not to look at his face, but I know he is watching me and it only makes it harder. I want to hit him, but that would force me to see his face. Dammit.

“You don't have to be so tense, Lieutenant. You can relax, we are in confidence ”says Hess offering a glass of alcohol. I smile taking the glass. "It’s  really surprising to see a woman on such a dangerous mission"

"It's part of the job, Sir"

“A good soldier, we need more troopers like that. Although, the women here are not as pretty as you. ” I clench my teeth. "Surely your companions agree with me" out of the corner of my eye I notice Din's hand clenched into a fist. "We can celebrate that too, can't we, boys?"

Din lowers his hand whipping his glass in a quick movement, causing the three of us to freak out and… it was just a reflection. My eyes connect with his. That alone was enough to make me lose focus.

Hess wants to ask about Din's behavior, but Mayfeld cuts him off.

"Shall we toast Operation Cinder?" He starts, but I can't hear the rest.

I observe every detail of Din's face. His facial hair, more than a shadow, his brown hair disheveled by the helmet, his profile, jaw, nose, lips and his brown eyes. I can't look away. 

Ever since I've known him, I've imagined what he might look like. He had only told me the color of his eyes and hair. I had touched his face with my hands, but I had never thought he to be… like this. Stars, he’s gorgeous. My cheeks are flushing like they never have before and he tries not to  smile. Son of a bitch. He knows my anxiety is about him. I feel like a silly teenager and the worst part is that I can't help it. To think that this handsome man is… mine. Stupid hormones.

After a few minutes, I shake my head and finally return to the conversation, which has become somewhat more tense. Mayfeld seems to argue and claim something about a past mission and Hess only apologizes for the flaws in that.

From one moment to the next, Mayfeld shoots Hess with his blaster. I turn to him and he seems surprised too, but it doesn't take long for those in the dining room to try something. I pull my blaster out of my stolen uniform and fire in self-defense.

The three of us were silent for a few minutes. Mayfeld has the helmet on Din.

“You did what you had to. We never saw your face ” he says looking at the wall. I follow suit until Mando hides his face again.

"Sorry" I whisper loud enough for him to hear me.

"Security in the common area" say some soldiers approaching. We shoot at them while looking for another way out.

Mayfeld climbs on the fence behind us, under the vents.

"Over here" He tells us.

Din follows him. I keep shooting until I see an opportunity to turn. Din extends his arm to me and helps me up. Both men manage to kick a vent. We leave the building to walk on the ledge until we reach a staircase that leads to the roof.

Thanks to Fennec and Cara who helped us by observing everything from a distance, we were able to return to Boba's ship safely. 

**

"We should talk about what happened," says Din, sitting next to me. It feels better to see him in beskar armor again.

After Mayfeld destroyed  mine and we set him free, the ship ride has a new direction. Fennec and Cara help Boba, although maybe they just want to leave us alone.

‘You must tell him. You're lucky I couldn't do anything to prevent you from going in the truck without suspicion.'

Cara's words echo in my head. But I ignore them, this is not the time. Din must focus on getting the baby back.

“We don't have to. Mayfeld said so. We never saw your face "

"Cyar’ika" takes my hand. "I don't regret doing it" I raise my head looking at his visor.

“It was necessary, I know. Everything is for the child, I understand it ” I grimace. “I know how much your creed means. I don't want you to feel bad about something that wasn't your fault. you had no choice "

"Listen to me" his hands go to my cheeks. “I could make any excuse for what happened, but I don't care that you saw my face. I could tell that you tried to look away and you don't know how much that meant to me ” he sighs.

"It was inevitable" I blush

He laughs. “You and the child are the most important thing and I would do anything to protect you. Regardless of my belief "

He leaves my face and now his hands travel to his helmet.

"Wow, wait, Din-"

"I want to do it"

He slowly takes it off and again I’m surprised to find his brown eyes. I settle in to see him. I touch his cheek and he closes his eyes, bowing to my touch.

“You’re part of my clan, my family. No more secrets, Cyar’ika "

"How could I be so lucky to have found you?"

“The lucky one is me. You never knew what my face was like and still you stayed by my side "

“It wasn't easy” I joke “But I know when a man is worth it. I don't regret staying by your side. And now less when seeing how incredibly hot you are, Brown Eyes "we both laughed

I move closer and press his forehead against mine, closing my eyes.

"I could see how you were blushing, Cyar’ika."

"Don't get too cocky"

**

‘He wants the permission of both’

'All right, pal. It’s time to go. Don’t be afraid ’

‘I love you too, my Little bean. We will see each other again, I promise. '

‘May de force be with you’

**

I stand in front of the door. After the emotional goodbyes, Din wanted to be alone for a few minutes. That happened two hours ago. I know my time is running out. This may not improve the situation, but I can't keep putting it off.

I push the button and the door opens. I enter the room and it closes again.

Din is sitting in his cot, his back to me, without his helmet.

“I know you don't want to talk and I don't know what to tell you that can help” I sigh “But you must know something. I have to tell you, Din "

I sit on the shore.

"It's not a good time"

"I can't keep waiting for that moment" he sighs and turns.

I lick my lips and fidget. He notices my movements, frowns.

"Are you okay? You're hurt?"

"No, I, uh. I'm good"

"What do you want to talk about?"

“Something happened when I was in Nevarro with Cara. Well, it happened a lot before, but I found out when I was there "He comes over and takes my hand" I know it's not the best scenario to tell you, but maybe I can take away your pain about the child- "

"Grogu"

"What?"

"His real name is Grogu" I smile nodding.

“Grogu will always be important to both of us, I am not trying to replace him in any way, it was never my intention. Although” I grimace “ I don't think I thought about this until it happened, but ”

"Cyar’ika"

"Yeah, right. I- uh. Din, I'm pregnant "

You never know what your partner's reaction to this news would be like and I, without a doubt never imagined being able to see this.

"We're going to have a baby?" He whispers. "Yours and mine?"

"Yes" I answer, unsure.

He shakes his head and frowns.

“But, you were in danger, the truck, with Gideon. Is the baby okay? Are you both? " he says quickly making me laugh.

"We are fine, Din"

"But-"

I take his face.

"We are both fine" that seems to reassure him. He's silent for a few seconds.

"Are you sure?" I nod. Little by little he assimilates the news again, now he smiles. He lets out a little laugh. "A clan of four"

My eyes water, I laugh too.

"A family"

"Allit"

We get closer at the same time. My lips collide with his in a tender kiss. Tears run down my cheeks. Din grabs me by the waist to get me closer to him, causing me to end up in his lap.

"Aliit ori'shya tal'din" he whispers near my lips. Family is more than a bloodline. "I love you, Cyar’ika"

"I love you too"

[kirislut]

HEY WOW 500 IS AMAZING U SHOULD BE SO PROUD😽 can I request backyard boy with Tamaki amajiki thank you

“backyard boy”

a/n: thank you!! also i got carried away and ended up writing a lot...idk how it even happened ack and it doesn’t follow the song exactly but uhm oops 💀

song prompt: “backyard boy” by claire rosinkranz

warnings: none!

taglist (open): @katsushimaa @meliorist-midoriya @animatedarchives @softieshoto @bbakougo @grow-a-smile-for-a-while @finndaydreams @deephasoceanmagic @nieve-blancas @bunnythepipsqueak

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

dancing and music was something you’ve always loved. to be able to let yourself go to move and dance around carelessly. it was like an ordered chaos, while you could move any way you wanted you still followed the beat. it was your form of freedom and expression ever since you were young. it was actually how you met your best friend, tamaki.

when you were in third grade, you were outside just dancing around to the music coming from the radio you brought outside. you were just having the time of your life, letting you body go as you smiled and swayed to the music. you only stopped when you saw dark blue hair through a gap in your fence.

being curious you walked over and tried to find a gap to see who was on the other side of the fence. you once overheard your parent talking about how the people had moved out, but it seemed that new people had moved in already.

you struggled for a bit, trying to find a good place to look but the hair was gone. maybe you had just imagined it? you didn’t think much of it, since your parent called you in to eat just after. but a few days later you were outside again, dancing and just enjoying the music from the radio.

once again you saw the hair, and this time an eye! but once you made eye contact it disappeared again. so now you were determined to find out who it was. and being the imaginative third grader, you can up with a simple plan.

so the next day you brought the radio out and let it play like usual. but this time you brought out a stool so you could peek over the fence to finally see who was watching you dance.

you waited until you saw the dark blue hair again, quickly you scrambled to climb the stool. peeking over you saw a boy who looked to be the same age as you, “hi!”

poor boy nearly died on the spot from the sudden intereaction. he looked up, surprised to see you from over the fence. however he didn’t say anything, just frozen on the spot from being spot.

“my name is (l/n) (y/n)! do you like to dance too? i saw you watching before! what’s your name too?”

little did you know that that intereaction would blossom into a deep friendship. it took time for tamaki to be able to properly talk to you since he was shy but you brought him out of his shell pretty well.

whenever you would play music he would come outside and the two of you would play together. he never danced until you taught him to. even then he didn’t really boogie down, just swayed to the beat with you. but you were just glad to have a dancing buddy.

it became routine from there on for tamaki to climb over the fence and hang out with you as music played. you even met mirio thanks to tamaki. but sadly you guys didn’t go to the same elementary school so hanging out usually took place in your backyard.

even if you wanted to, you guys couldn’t dance together forever. when tamaki told you he would be going to u.a. you knew that hang outs together would be limited since he would be training to become a hero afterall.

it was rough at first, you missed your friend and now crush. you knew that he would come home exhausted from training and busy with homework, but tamaki still tried to be with you whenever he wasn’t beat or was free from homework.

it became less and less frequent, and by his second year in u.a. it completely stopped. you would still catch glimpses of him but it was nothing more than a quick glance. it hurt you to think that he had forgotten about you, but he was busy and there was nothing you could do about that. becoming a hero was nothing easy. even so your backyard boy still had your heart. childhood crushes were never an easy thing to let go. your feelings were still present, just in the back of your mind.

you were currently in your backyard, just like the good ole days, but instead of dancing freely you were practicing a routine for your upcoming audition. while tamaki pursued his passion of heroism by going to u.a. you were chasing after your love of dancing by trying to get into a dance college.

music played from your speaker as you went through the motions of your routine. everything was going smoothly except there was a transition you couldn’t get down. your footing was always off each time you tried to do it. eventually you just became frustrated with yourself, stopping the music and sitting down to try and chill out.

however sitting wasn’t helping, but you knew what would. you played your dancing playlist on your speak and got up, getting a feel for the music first before letting the movement come naturally to you.

usually tamaki wouldn’t be at home, since u.a. established dorms, but he was allowed to go home after coming back from a dangerous mission. he sitting in his room, working on an assignment, when he suddenly heard music coming from outside.

he was suddenly filled with nostalgic memories from when he was younger, remembering how he would wait to hear music so that he could hang out with you. a realization dawned on him in that moment, you had to be outside. but another dilemma came to mind, how was he supposed to muster up the courage to talk to you again after so long.

after a minute of internal conflict he decided me might as well say something, part of him really missed your presence. tamaki made his way out of his room and went straight to the fence separating you both. as usual he peeked through the same hole in the fence to see you dancing around.

he felt his cheeks flush immediately, it had been a while since he had seen you properly. were you always this cute? he also noticed that your dance movements were more refined and calculated than just swishing you’re body around. you really blossomed into an amazing dancer, tamaki was completely transfixed in your movements.

he was always mesmerized whenever he watched you dance, he felt like a moth drawn to the flame of your movement. but he knew if he tried to dance like you he’d just crash and burn, dancing wasn’t his forte afterall. but he was fine with that, as long as he could watch you.

tamaki was caught up thinking about you, while watching you, that he didn’t notice that you were staring back at him.

“tama? what are you doing here?” your head cocked to the side, but embarrassment was evident on your face. before you weren’t shy about your dancing, but know it was different since your now crush was watching.

tamaki’s cheeks immediately flared up from being caught, it felt like the first time you guys talked again. “(y-y/n) sorry i didn’t mean to creep i just...” poor tamaki just struggled, how was defeating a villain twice his size easier than talking to you?

“tama it’s fine! i’m just glad to see you again it’s been so long, hop over let’s chat like before!” your enthusiasm came easy, but that didn’t stop the butterflies from rampaging in your stomach.

the shy male just nodded and easily jumped over the wooden fence, landing with ease. he stood there, the moment awkward as neither of you spoke. both of you were just admiring the other. just like how tamaki noticed the changes in you, you noticed the changes in him.

he was taller now, and even if he stood slightly curled in on himself you could still see the muscle he built up over the years of training hard. he changed from the cute, little boy into a strong, handsome man. but you couldn’t just oogle at him forever sadly.

“want to dance with me?” you weren’t sure what you wanted to say. well that wasn’t true, there was so much you wanted to say and ask but you just couldn’t figure out where to start. so might as well and indulge in your nostalgia and dance like in both of your younger days.

tamaki, even though was very nervous about his dancing skills, nodded curtly. besides, how could he say no to you? especially after seeing you smile so brightly, almost brighter than mirio’s smile, when he accepted.

you resumed the music, bobbing your head lightly then starting to sway and shimmy to the beat. tamaki however stood there, clueless and tense. they never him dancing at u.a. so he wasn’t sure how to jump in like you easily could.

lucky for him, you saw his hesitation and reached your hand out to him. “come on tama, even if we look silly well he having fun right?” again, how could he deny you? so he slipped his hand into yours, allowing you to pull him closer and also taking his other hand.

you bopped your head to the beat and tamaki did the same, just in a more rigid fashion. he was doing his best to follow along, it had been more than three years that last time he danced with you.

you started to pull and push his arms along with the song, shimming your shoulders back and forth as your own form of movement. tamaki was slow but eventually he got the hang of it, thanks to you.

after two songs you guys meshed together seamlessly, sure it was just the two of you sloppily dancing around each other while performing silly dance moves. but it was just pure joy and fun.

tamaki decided to do something bold, for once, and twirled you around. you smiled as you felt the air swish around you, but when he pulled you back to him. back in his arms, you were suddenly being bombarded by those previous butterflies.

for a moment the world held its breath as the two of you got lost into each other’s eyes. once again tamaki felt like he was being drawn to you, he didn’t even realize he was subconsciously leaning in closer and closer-

“tamaki! i need you for a minute!”

the moment left as quick as it came. the both of you pulled back from each other, faces flushed and hot from the prior tense atmosphere. “i need to go back now...” tamaki’s eyes lingered in the ground, a force taking over his lips. he didn’t want to leave already, he didn’t even have the chance to try and talk to you.

“right..” you sighed sadly as you watched him, you also really didn’t want him to leave. he just came back, you weren’t letting him slip through your fingers again. “hey tama, promise me we will dance again soon ok? and we still need to catch up after so long! just promise i’ll see you again ok?”

tamaki finally lifted his gaze back to you, seeing you standing with your pinkie held out to seal the promise. he really couldn’t deny you at all, but he didn’t want to anyways.

he nodded, a small smile on his face as he wrapped his pinkie with yours. you both squeezed your pinkies together then released, letting the hands return to each of your sides.

“bye tama!” you waved goodbye to the male as he hoisted himself on top of the fence, he looked back at you and just smiled shyly before pushing himself over and landing in his backyard. even though your time together was short, you knew you would see your backyard boy again soon. a promise was a promise afterall, and you intended to keep it. no matter what.

[sloppy-butcher]

could u write some hcs for kate and jane (like, separately) and a survivor whos completely whipped for them so in trials theyre always unhooking them, acting as a distraction when theyre being chased by the killer and theyd totally headbutt the killer and get hurt just so that jane/kate can escape safely. just literally anything to make sure they stay safe. thank u

i will absolutely write ANYTHING for the sweet ladies! thank you so much for the request and i hope these are good!

HeadCanons For Kate Denson and Jane Romero with an overly-altruistic S/O

Kate Denson

Many would say that Kate is one of the more subtle of the lady survivors. But when compared to the likes of Nea and Meg, anyone can be made to look extremely dainty and girly. Kate, however, sits precariously between refined and bat-shit crazy. She starts off quick and kept-to-herself but when fire sparks under her feet she can be pushed to do the most outlandish and unexpected. So imagine what it must have been like in that first trial with you and her.

Kate is getting chased by a rather pissed off Huntress when suddenly out pops a fiery head, screaming and rushing over with the grace of a giraffe on stilts. You holler at Kate, waving your hand over your head not only to greet the beautiful girl but also to distract the killer. Huntress goes to swing and you manage to push Kate just enough to narrowly miss the attack. She looks at you with wide, impossible eyes.

“Why did you do that?” Kate gasped, passing her attention between you and the killer who was quickly gaining distance again. You grin a most marvelous smile, “I dunno. Just wanted to help.” Kate scoffs. “You’d help me more if you did gens.” Then the chased started anew but with the addition of a rather annoying tag-along. She found you most bothersome but when ultimately she and everyone else escaped unscathed, Kate turned to with a bright expression. You smiled at her again, reaching out and grabbed her hand in yours and lifting in triumphantly in the air. You were too busy cheering to notice the gentle blush that accompanied her fond face.

That is how things would go from then onward. God help the killer that had to deal with your combined tom-foolery, when the two of you were together no one could be caught - it was simply impossible. If you were the first one to be found and chased, Kate would be by your side in a heartbeat. Oh, you’d die for her? Well not unless she dies first. However, like nuclear atoms, the two of you bounce off one another until you created a toxic reaction. Unstoppable and unbeatable.

In a fit of rage, you once slammed a toolbox into the back of the Trapper’s knee causing him to buckle slightly and drop your Kate. She fell gracefully and disappeared into the brush with a grateful ‘Thank you’ look. Later in that same trial when the Trapper had finally cornered you, Kate appeared and viciously grabbed at the various spikes sticking painfully from his back. Thrown off-balanced he chucked you in her arms. Kate looked down at you and raised a cocky eyebrow, “Just wanted to help.”

Kate waited for you at an open exit gate, arms open and calling as you ran with the killer still hot on your heels after a 5 gen chase. She explodes in delight as you smash into her wrapping your own arms around her body and hugging her close. She starts peppering kisses along your neck, with each one pulling away momentarily only to smile. By the time she reaches your face, you have already pulled her into your lips, kissing deeper and deeper and tipping her over slightly. She melts into you, giving you everything she has to offer. Finally, you break apart from your blissful embrace only to see the killer roll their eyes in either annoyance or disgust and hurridly shoo you out.

Jane Romero

Jane is the most regal lady. Though sensitive to others with a heart big and deep enough to swallow the ocean whole, she is able to always get the job done regardless of the strain it would put on her. She is a workhorse, bearing the yolk of her suffering with determination and diligence. She prefers to work alone however, it is easier to only blame yourself when things go wrong and not drag others down with you. But that all changed when you showed up. From the first moment you saw her at the campfire, back straight with one leg crossed over the other, you knew that she was the one. A most gorgeous creature, mother nature incarnate. She looked so beautiful bathed in the golden light of the fire that for a moment you forgot exactly the type of place you were in - oh right, this was purgatory. And you were all going to die.

You vowed then that as long as you could run, as only as you could breathe you would try your absolute damnedest to protect Jane, no matter the cost. And that’s exactly what you did. It started off subtle, always showing up exactly when Jane needed healing or assistance, and slowly progressed to you actively taking part in her chases. She taught you how to stun killers by jumping out of lockers and quickly you put your new skills to good practice, stopping killers who were gaining too much distance on her. Jane appreciated your help but never expected that there were deeper implications to your doting help. It was only after you sacrificed yourself for her did Jane finally notice everything.

She approached you at the campfire, eyes watery and fists balled. “Why did you do that!?” She demanded, standing over you looking like on the verge of a breakdown. Fearing the worse you rise to your feet and with palms open, you reach fr her. “Jane, dear, what is wrong?” Before you could make contact however Jane pulled away, “Why did you sacrifice yourself for me back there?” You frowned, confused about what she was referring to. At your expression, she scoffed, turned her head away, and wiping a hand over her face to catch her falling tears. She inhaled deeply, body shaking from the physical and mental exhaustion she had been enduring for so long. Your heart arched to ease that long-worn suffering. “You died...” Jane tried again, not daring to face you for fear of losing all control again, “You died back there. For me.” There was a stretch of silence between you two, one that allowed you a moment to piece together her tragic story. You had sacrificed yourself for her, taking her place at death’s door and giving a second chance at life. When you died you must have forgotten it all but when you caught wind of the muffled sobs Jane tried desperately to choke back. She moved you by doing almost nothing at all, your fingers burning for only an inch to move forward.

“You are so stupid.” Jane finally composed herself enough to speak without wavering. Her head turned to look at you with red, weepy eyes and a trembling hand clutched to her chest. “Why would you die for me? I had everything under control.”

“Because I love you.” You said without hesitation, taking a bold step forward, your heart calling out for her to please not block you out. Surprisingly, Jane did not retract from your approach and instead stared at you with the most heartbroken and sad face. Very quietly as if not even said, Jane whispered, “That’s what you said before.”

Jane would accept your love with the only condition being that you would never go out of your way to be stupid for her sake again. And though you did dial it back by some degrees, there were still some hairy moments like taking a hit for her when a killer tunneled or going in for the risky unhooks. She, of course, never appreciated your uncalculated actions and often scolded you with a lecture and wigging finger like a mother would a child. But afterward, when huddled by the warm campfire, Jane would wrap you in her sweet-smelling arms. She breathes out and the world would be good and she would rest her head on yours. No longer was this her burden to bear alone and how relieved she was for you.  

[soul-heart-and-beyond]

The Disgusting Truth

Versus!: @andy-squirrel-and-friends

As he was reading some papers in his study, the buzzard had been wondering about the results of all the latest information that F.O.W.L. had gotten so far. With Bradford and his old partner Black Heron having given away their main advantage in this little battle, this war of ideologies between Bradford and Scrooge, more minds had to be put on what the next steps would be for both sides. While not having that journal of Finch’s findings, they have been able to spy on Scrooge’s escapades and managed to do a last minute swipe for some of the ones already found. Now all that was left were a few more before that part of their plan was complete. If anyone with a brain was looking at their situation, it would go to using the genie they just acquired to bring about their goals and be done with it, although Brandon had suspected that Bradford would not go through with that plan.

By now, he was sick on how the older buzzard went about trying to justify his reason for not using such items, such tools that they have readily available at their hand to swiftly alleviate the situation and make F.O.W.L.’s goal a reality. Blabbering on about how they weren’t evil, just trying to bring about order into the world and not reckless evil. $*”If only there were a way to refine all of this. It has a goal, it has the intent, but..... it lacks the vision needed to see it through. Hmph, such wasted potential....”*$, the buzzard mentioned to himself silently as he truly was disappointed by how things were moving along. Yet, he didn’t really have enough time to finish the papers that he was reading as a message was being transmitted to him over his communicator. Picking it up and hearing for someone on the other side, someone who didn’t have the voice of any of the more ‘colorful’ portion of F.O.W.L. was asking for him. $*”Yes, Brandon Buzzard here. What do you want?”*$, he questioned with a nonchalant tone as he adjusted his glasses. Apparently, they had wanted him to start looking through the Money Bin for any leftovers there that they could use. $*”That is possible, however, it would be very unwise given that both Bentley and I no longer work for McDuck and Bradford terminated his relationship with him somewhat..... ‘in person’.”*$ He wasn’t given much to work with as the voice on the other side still told him to go and retrieve any salvageable items from there and come back with them. $*”Look, if I do this absurd task for F.O.W.L., I better have that transportation ready to drop me off and retrieve me along with anything I find. I rather not want to go through Bradford’s mistake so he can gloat about me following in his bad example. I do not work like that. Have that helicopter prepared and absolutely no buffoonery. Scrooge and his merry band of misfits, outcasts, and jokes may know of our presence, but I wish that the whole world did not know of it as well. Good day to you.”*$, Brandon replied with a more demanding and stern voice to compliment his distaste and underlying aggression for this mission he was tasked with. Why place him out on the field when this would have been a job for Bradford’s subordinate or the tech lass? Even someone as dull as Steelbeak would be more fit for this than him but perhaps they were still recovering their wounds from being spanked by an old coot and his several kids, the magic-wielding one aside.

Straightening his black tie as his dark magenta eyes peered over to some of the objects lying on his desk, Brandon’s eyes squinted as a small sigh escaped his nostrils before he headed out of his study. $*”This mission better grant me access to a small squad, as going in alone would be lunacy.”*$, he mumbled to himself as he made his way for the transportation department of the base so he could get his ride to the bin. It would be a long night, one that he would rather spend adapting his own plan to these latest events. Fortunately enough, he did get a small amount of Eggheads to escort him on this mission, four to be exact, and as they boarded a gray chopper, after securing their places it floated from the helipad point and flew off towards Duckburg. During the ride, he thought once again about how his future would be secured but stopped as he had just remembered where that would have gone. There were only two options, and he personally hoped that he would never have to resort to the second one. With that thought now quelled, he could prepare himself for the gargantuan task ahead of him, which probably did not help as this would be after Bradford’s small takeover to some of the defenses and obstacles Scrooge was having installed in the bin.

[lunarr-rrose]

Understanding and Increasing Facility Value - Fernando Angelucci, The Storage Stud

https://u109893.h.reiblackbook.com/generic11/the-storage-stud/understanding-and-increasing-facility-value-fernando-angelucci-the-storage-stud/

According to Fernando, when it comes to Self Storage, one of the most important things to understand is not only the value of the facility that you are purchasing today but also where that value can be once you’re done with your term of ownership.

It is also paramount to understand the current financials. Everyone runs facilities differently and it’s important to see the performance of a storage facility in 12 to 24 months.

You also need to learn where to add values. One of the things that you can do is to cut spending.

To understand more about Facility value continue watching this video.

Fernando O. Angelucci is Founder and President of Titan Wealth Group. He also leads the firm’s finance and acquisitions departments. Fernando Angelucci and Steven Wear founded Titan Wealth Group in 2015, and under his leadership, the firm’s revenue has grown over 100% year over year. Today,

Find out more at

https://www.TheStorageStud.com

https://titanwealthgroup.com/

Listen to our Podcast:

https://thestoragestud.podbean.com/e/understanding-and-increasing-facility-value-fernando-angelucci-the-storage-stud/

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

So, when it comes to self storage, I think one of the most important thing is to understand, not only the value of the facility that you're purchasing today, but also where that value can be. Once you are done with your term of ownership, let's say you're doing a value add on a facility. How do we go from point a today to this increased value, you know, 18, 36 or 60 months down the line. One of the very first thing is, understanding the current financials and not necessarily taking those, you know, built-in stone, if you will, carbon stone. So, everyone will run facilities differently. So, I think it's important to look at the trailing, you know 12 or 24 month performance of a self storage facility, but then also see where you can add value. So for example, the very easiest things to do is just to cut spending.

So for us, when we go look at a facility, the first thing we look at is the property taxes. And if there's any way that we can either contest, the property taxes or structure the sale in a way where we assign a lower value to the property and the improvements in a higher value to the Goodwill, thus dropping our taxable basis for the County. So for example, let's say I'm buying a $1 million self storage facility. I'm not going to write a purchase agreement for $1 million. When I'm most likely going to do is I'm going to write a, purchase agreement for $700,000 for the property itself, the land, and any improvements on the land. And then I'll write a separate purchase agreement for 300,000 towards Goodwill, which is like an imaginary value that's assigned to the business itself. The Goodwill can not be counted towards property taxes.

So, now the tax assessor is going to see that we bought the property, the land and the improvements for 700,000 and we'll tax us accordingly to the mill rates on that portion of the purchase. Now, that will help us drop our purchase or our property taxes pretty substantially. I've heard of some buyers, especially some larger REIT's getting really aggressive with the strategy and almost splitting the purchase price 50, 50 between land and improvements versus Goodwill. So, that's one method that we use. Another method is, you know, insurance and labor. We can always get better insurance quotes, especially if we're getting insurance policies that are specific to self storage, because they carry much less risk than say traditional commercial property. So, if you don't have a good insurance broker or risk advisor, they may not understand that and might just quote you general commercial insurance and the premiums can be much higher.

Another thing is, labor. What we've noticed is, it swings both ways. Sometimes, sellers do all of the management work themselves and don't pay them anything. So, all of a sudden what you thought was a 10 cap deal, because the expenses don't account for any managers, all of a sudden you put $50,000 back into the expenses to pay for a manager. And now all of a sudden your 10 cap deal drops down to 7.2 or a 6.5. And all of a sudden it's no longer as appealing. Now, one of the things you can do on the flip side say that you have a property that is just overmanned, they're using two and a half people, we'll say two managers rotating plus a part-time person when the facility doesn't warrant it, or maybe a warranted it while the property was leasing up.

But, now that it's stabilized and now just kind of humming along, you don't need people just sitting behind a desk playing solitaire going on Facebook. So, one of the things that we look at doing is number one, how many man hours do we actually need at this facility? And then, how much of that can we automate? Can we use technology for? So for example, one of the things that we can do is, we can go to on one extreme, you know, we can have the two-and-a-half managers for a, call it 80,000 or a hundred thousand square foot facility, or on the way other extreme as we go completely unmanned. We use a system of kiosks that almost looked like ATM machines that allow people to rent properties or rent units, pay for insurance, get a lock box, sign their lease, everything right there at the site.

We also so always mix this with a online strategy as well, where someone can just go to the website and rent a unit. They can sign the lease on website, or send it to their phone. They can sign it with their finger. These are all ways that we can drop the total labor load. What we found recently is that almost 80% of our reservations are done over the phone. About 10 to 15% are done online, and about 5% are actually done in person in the store. So, it's only 5%. If you apply the 80, 20 principle to this, we shouldn't have any managers because 80% of our revenue is coming from a phone call. So, one of the things that we can do is, we can just hire a call center and that call center will take all the calls. And if there's anything that needs a physical person at the site, we can schedule that on a one-off basis, pay that person hourly, or as an independent contractor, as opposed to putting them on salary and having them sit in an office for eight hours a day, in the off chance that once a week, somebody comes in for five, 10 minutes.

It's just not worth that time. Another expense that, we usually look at dropping obviously is going to be our mortgage expense. If you have really good loan brokers, you're able to pay more for properties because usually the way that we look at buying properties as a spread against the, interest rate. So, if we can get an interest rate on a property for 4%, you know, I'm willing to buy three, 400 basis points above that at let's say a 7% or an 8% cap rate, as opposed to, if I'm paying 6% on my money, a seven or an eight caps not going to work, and I'm going to have to start buying it at a nine or a 10% cap rate, which is very difficult in the environment we're in currently. And then on the flip side, how do you increase revenue? Maybe, the property when you do a competition study, the property is 20% below market rents.

Maybe all the existing tenants haven't, have never had their rent increased in the 10 years that the owners own the property. So maybe they're due to be increased up to say, 90 or 95% of what the street rates are. You can add and ciliary profit centers, you know, such as boxes and moving supplies or locks or shredding services or mailing services, U P S, or FedEx, wine storage. You can rent out moving trucks. You can rent spaces for storage, for cars, boats, RV's, there's all these little ways that you can just keep edging the gross revenue up. That after 12, 18 months, all of a sudden you've doubled your income and you've had your expenses, and now you're going to sell or refinance this property for four times what you bought it for. So, those are ways that we look at understanding and increasing our facility's values, just from a, like a non cap ex, capital expenditure model.

Another way that you can increase revenue or the value of that facility is by getting pretty creative, say, maybe you don't want to expand the facility cause you don't want to pay the cost to build new buildings. But you know that if the year facility had additional land to expand onto, that it sell at a premium to the next buyer. So, one of the things that you could do is, put lease options on all of the adjacent land and either execute it yourself and purchase that land while you own the property or assign that lease option to the new buyer. And that will increase the value of your property.

[cash-app-transfer-failedd]

What is wrong with me that cash app always fails my transfer?

In this difficult world, a huge load of Cash App is accessible that assists you with accepting or move installments. Notwithstanding, the money application is among one of them. This stage is profoundly refined as extraordinary compared to other Cash App. This plans to decipher you to move cash safely. It is a stage explicitly intended for both sender and beneficiary. It is viewed as the best portable-based Cash App which is more unchallenging than other installment move applications.

Seeing the application has an assortment of clients who are getting to it universally. Moreover, it currently becomes a typical danger to proceed with the Cash app transfer failed issues. It isn’t as such regular to determine the issues all alone. The following is an idea that will disclose to you the most proper ways, which will help you settle the worries. Peruse on underneath to go through the most proper ways.

On the off chance that the fixed transfer failed Cash app isn’t working precisely or absolutely, attempt to find the stretching. Never forefeet that the Cash app is not working, you are needed to survey the sum you are shipping off another gathering. Accordingly, at that point affirm if the equilibrium has been deducted. If everything is working out in a good way, check the progression of the exchange that you have made to think back if it is disrupted or fizzled.

Why did Cash App Transfer Failed?

It merits respecting, why is the transfer failed Cash app move bombed at times? Alright, referenced underneath is the solution to your inquiry. Assuming you’re not ready to send from your Cash app wallet, you are needed to follow the pointers that are referenced beneath. To fix the Cash app exchange bombed concerns, you should investigate the issue first.

Low web availability. It is the most essential worry that emerges now and again escorts to installment disappointment issues.

Embeddings unseemly subtleties like inaccurate card number, expiry date, and CVV number. This never-ending tends the client from making an ineffective installment.

If everything goes good in any case, still, assuming you’re not ready to send or get cash, the most likely possibilities are high that your record is briefly stoped up.

If you can’t make an exchange effectively, it very well may be conceivable that your card has briefly terminated.

In connection with cash applications, unconfirmed clients can send or get cash with few limitations. It surpasses the Cash app limit at the same time. In any case, this may likewise add to a fruitless installment with the other client.

For the appropriate proposal, utilizing obsolete forms of utilizations, ultimately bring about Money Application installment disappointment issues.

Common explanations For Cash App Transfer Failed:

We have referenced down the most regular purposes for transfer failed Cash app. Peruse it down to know more:

1. Internet Connection:

Internet Connection is a larger part of the essential issue among all. It is constantly used to analyze the online association at first. Normally, the Cash app requires the best online association. In any case, it won’t permit you to make exchanges effectively on low web availability. Consequently, you are needed to guarantee that your web is state-of-the-art and running the exchanges easily.

2 Cash app system:

There’s are a ton of purposes for Cash app transactions failed. For this, you disregard redesigning your applications. Check the form i.e., it is refreshed or not in like manner. Since it’s ordered to update the application given with Cash app.

3. Cash app restrictions:

It is an absolute necessity to check the sum before sending. Since clients may make the exchange in like manner. These restrictions could be raised to checks the ID. In any case, this should be possible by giving his complete name, date of birth, and that’s just the beginning. After precise confirmation is finished, clients can spend a great deal and get a limitless sum in like manner.

4. Survey Beneficiary ID:

Consistently Audit the Beneficiary ID accurately before beginning the exchange. As of now, the Cash app requests the total client’s subtleties. This beneficiary will assist with recognizing the exchange between two shoppers.

5. Id Approval:

Most of the non-checked have faced the transfer failed on Cash app. The Cash app is introduced on your gadget. You are not needed to go through loads of customs. Consequently, you are simply needed to affirm and refresh the qualifications likewise.

Before going to cover all the whole data of the theme, we might want to suggest going through successive explanations for Cash app transfer failure.

Transfer Failed on Cash App: All Settled Issues Exactly

Go through some of the fundamental activities that should any issues/obstacles.

1. Audit Record Equilibrium:

Before starting with an exchange, check Survey Record Equilibrium. Most of the clients don’t think about their Cash app accounts balance. Hence, their Cash app failed this transfer falls flat.

2. Unseemly Cards Connected:

There are loads of conditions when cards terminate are as yet connected to accounts. This client gets a mistake. Along these lines, you are needed to check the card number, termination date, CVV, and Postal division. Moreover, You need to update the card data when your card has terminated. Thusly, another card should be connected to the Money Application.

3. Legatee Subtleties:

It is Crucial to re-check the Legatee Subtleties. Be that as it may, in certain conditions, wrong data will bomb the exchange. Ensure you enter the correct data. On the off chance that the sum moves to some unacceptable location, it would not be feasible to get the cashback.

Quick Causes Behind Cash App Transfer Failed

Here we will talk about the fundamental justification the Cashapp Transfer Failed.

1. Check for web availability:

At whatever point you pay on a Cash app it is important to have a strong web network. In any case, you can interface your gadget to a functioning Wi-Fi association with complete the installment easily.

2. Embeddings wrong financial subtleties:

If you enter some unacceptable data, the installment will bomb as needs are. We should realize that all financial numbers are one of a kind. On the off chance that you embed some unacceptable number, the entire exchange will not be right. Unmistakably assuming you enter some unacceptable subtleties, the installment get comes up short.

3. Inadequate equilibrium:

More often than not clients make installments without checking the equilibrium in their ledger. Assuming your record has a Lacking equilibrium, it fizzles. In this manner, it is important to keep up the fundamental equilibrium on the off chance that you are utilizing a money application wallet.

4. Dismissed cards:

There are ordinarily you will get blunders like dismissed cards or others. In any case, this might be because of worker issues for the bank. Bank authorities reserve the option to hinder your card for security purposes. All the while, Clients can keep away from this issue by adding an alternate card to the Money application. You can contact the responsible bank to discover the explanation for the dismissed card. The Cash app has no job in this issue.

5. Obsolete application rendition:

Money application specialists update this application day by day to fix issues in the application. This improves execution. Likewise, refreshing the application is critical to effective installment. As some of the time, Why Does It Say Transfer Failed On Cash App, because of the old application form. In this way, at whatever point you are paying, make certain to refresh your application to the most recent rendition.

Be that as it may, assuming you have an issue, the Cash app Client care group is consistently there to help you.

What To do when you Face Cash App Transfer Failed Issue?

To start the cash move measure with another application through the bank,

Open the Cash app on your gadget.

snap on the ‘My Money tab’.

Tap on the ‘add cash’ choice.

Enter the instalment subtleties.

Click on ‘add’.

The cash can undoubtedly be move starting with one application then onto the next.

What is the Strategy to Fix the Cash App Issue?

There are huge loads of Cash app accessible out there. This unendingly assists with accepting or move installments around the world. Be that as it may, the Cash app is one of them. There is the best Cash app that permits you to move cash safely and securely. It is a cash move door for both sender and collector. It is a versatile-based Cash app and facilitates to move of installment in worldwide reach.

There are billions of Cash app clients in this world. Hence, this is when clients gripe about move bombed issues. This continues searching for investigating counsel anyplace, whenever. There can be numerous explanations for Why Does Cash App Say Transfer Failed. Along these lines, here we will talk about every one of the potential reasons.

It’s currently simple to tackle these issues in minutes by following the best tips out there. You don’t have to tense if your Cash App Failed Transfer. There are huge loads of explanations for the bombed installment of the Cash app.

Now and then individuals deal with the issue of slamming the Cash app. In any case, they never attempt to sort out why. All the while, Ordinarily the Cash App Cash Out Failed. Do you know the motivation behind why? 

What do You do if Your Cash App Move Fizzled?

How To Fix Cash App Transfer Failed, call the Cash app to consider focus to disclose to them the issue, they will tell u the situation with the cash. The Bank should not be holding your sum so the sum of course goes to your record.

On the off chance that the Cash app has charged your record, the cash needs to head off to someplace right, if the money application didn’t get your cashback, check with them which record has the cash gone. On the off chance that they affirm that the cash has gone into a specific record. Get these subtleties to suggested specialists and they will check and affirm.

Why the Cash App Move Fizzled for My Assurance?

The cash app move fizzled because the exchange was decreased to save your record. In any case, the record will be saved with cheats. This should be possible if there are unapproved and dubious exchanges occurring from your record. With this, the Cash app step by step excuses them. This is the motivation behind Why Does My Transfer Fail On Cash App.

That was all conversation of Cash App move fizzled from us today. As we wish to push 100% consumer loyalty. Previously mentioned, we have examined perhaps the most crushing issues: Trying To Add Cash To Cash App Transfer Failed. We’re certain you will track down all the applicable data above. This will very supportive and successful for you in the present moment just as long haul.

[eat-the-richard]

Why Super Mario Sunshine is kind of bad (and how to fix it)

It’s safe to say that in our current hellscape that there are few games in the Mario franchise with as strong of a following online than Super Mario Sunshine. And how could it not? It’s so unique and fun that most people could probably have a good time with it. But it’s interesting to note just how much this perspective has changed over time. 

When Sunshine came out it was considered by some to be the black sheep of the series. Or at the very least a noticeable step down from 64. There’s quite a lot wrong with Mario Sunshine. While there’s a great game at the core of this thing, there’s certainly a few miles of paint-like goop to sift through.

What’s frustrating is that a lot of these problems could have been solved with just a bit more development time. Mario Sunshine was rushed. This can be observed even without prior knowledge, but it becomes plainly evident when you look at some of the prerelease videos. In some instances it doesn’t even resemble the final product. Even at E3 2002, just three months before launch, there are a lot of noticeable differences to the final product.

Because of this rushed development, a lot of corners needed to be cut to pad out the game’s relatively lacking amount of content. The result is a game that is fun and well designed in some instances but a complete and utter disaster in others. 

The issues plaguing Mario Sunshine were emblematic of a Nintendo-wide issue. At the start of the GameCube’s life, many prominent franchises were rushed along development to meet strict deadlines to fill out the console’s thinning library and boost sales. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is a textbook example. A lot of people had issues with that one too when it came out. Despite some clearly dumb points about the game’s art style, there’s definitely a lot to say about how Wind Waker pads out limited content. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

Thankfully, in 2013, the Wind Waker received an HD rerelease for the Wii U. Alongside a hefty visual overhaul, there were many under the hood changes to make the game an overall smoother experience stemming directly from those 2003 critiques. Sailing is made way simpler and faster in this version and the Tingle-inspired back-half of the game is shortened significantly. These two changes alone make this version superior, at least to me.

In the years since, I believed that Sunshine could have benefited from a rerelease similar to Wind Waker. Not necessarily in terms of its visuals (which I think have held up rather well) but in terms of its structure. Some small changes to the way Sunshine progresses could really benefit it overall, and I believed, erroneously, that it was only a matter of time before it received this treatment.

But we live in a post-3D All Stars world, and Nintendo’s response is clear. They believe Mario Sunshine is perfectly fine as is. Just touch up some of the textures, give it a resolution increase, and you got yourself a solid product. And yeah, its still pretty fun like this. But its hard to look past the missed potential in refining some of Sunshine’s rougher edges.

Which is what I plan to outline in this video. If I were to be given the reigns to nosedive Nintendo’s current plans to revamp a 2002 GameCube game, what would I change? After a suitable amount of complaining, I’ll discuss a fan project that comes close to doing what I think Nintendo should do.

So sit back, relax and let me refresh your body and spirit.

The first changes I’d make have to do with the frame rate. It’s evident that Super Mario Sunshine was supposed to be a 60 frames-per-second game. Some prerelease footage even shows as much. But somewhere late in development, the framerate was capped at 30, making it the only 3D Mario Game post-64 to not reach 60. Using Gecko codes, it’s possible to unlock the framerate and play at a pretty consistent 60. It’s so consistent that it starts raising the question of why Nintendo didn’t implement this into the Switch rerelease. This code isn’t emulator exclusive either, it also works pretty well when used on Wii consoles. Also, a hypothetical rerelease using the source code wouldn’t even have to deal with this anyway. But it’s good that the game works so well like this even without more structural changes. I don’t really need to explain the benefit of an increased framerate, so strike that one down.

And with that out of the way, it’s time to outline the biggest change my hypothetical Mario Sunshine remaster would make. One seemingly small but with major ramifications towards the rest of the game. But first, some background.

Super Mario 64 took a pretty big risk back in 1996 by significantly changing the main objective of playing a platformer. It was no longer about clearing a level. You aren’t going through these areas to reach an end point. The objective is now to find certain major collectibles, in this case power stars. But the game doesn’t want you to collect all of them. I’ve heard a lot of discourse recently about the boot-out system, but even when I was a kid I realized that 64 kicked you out of every level not just to pad out game length but to keep you moving around the castle. 

64 is always inviting you to explore new areas with a constant trickle of new content the more total stars you collect. At first, the amount of stars needed to unlock a new level are small. The first area of the castle has every level besides Bob-omb’s Battlefield locked behind a small star total. And the amount needed to progress onto the next full area with five more major levels is only 8. But these star totals gradually increase over time, requiring 30, 50, and finally 70 stars to unlock new content. But what stars you got never mattered, just how many in total. This allows for free exploration where the player doesn’t have to think about where their next objective is. For instance, exploring pretty much every cardinal direction of Lethal Lava Land will lead you in the direction of a star. And because it doesn’t matter which star you get, it allows players to choose how long they invest in each level. Are the constant treks up Tall Tall Mountain or Rainbow Ride annoying you? Well all those stars are completely optional, you just have to compensate by completing more of the other levels. It’s an ingenious system that allows for a lower total amount of levels to feel more rewarding.

Super Mario Sunshine is practically begging to be like this. In fact, for the first few hours, that’s exactly how it works. New levels are unlocked progressively through getting Shines. But it doesn’t work in quite the same way. These shine totals are never outlined to the player. It shows you that you’ll eventually be able to use the Rocket Nozzle and has objects like the pineapple blocking Sirena Beach to make you yearn for a Yoshi. But you’re not told when these things are to be unlocked; it just sort of happens. Which is fine, it definitely makes the game feel more mysterious. But it lacks that forward momentum of 64 where your end goal is always simple and in the back of your mind. Oh, I need 30 stars to unlock this big door. Sunshine doesn’t have this despite literally operating in the same way. But it still maintains the ability to slowly unlock content to players through playing more of the game, which is good. And importantly, which stars you get for these gates aren’t important, just that you’re getting them at all. And if the game stuck to this principle, that would’ve been great.

Except it didn’t.

After the rocket nozzle is unlocked and Pianta Village becomes accessible, your total amount of Shines is never relevant again. Instead, game progression is contingent upon completing mission 7 of every level. Not every shine is valued the same according to the game. The progression is far more linear than in 64. You can no longer choose to avoid the Chuckster mission. Or the Sand Bird mission. Or the teeth cleaning mission. Or racing Il Piantissimo three times. Or fighting Gooper Blooper three times. Or fighting Petey Pirahna twice. Or defeating these same Piranha Plant Gatekeepers five times. Or even chasing down and squirting on Shadow Mario E L E V E N T I M E S. There’s a lot of repetition here which would’ve been eased simply by allowing the player to avoid doing these missions wherever possible. 64 had similar situations of reused content, but it’s not as egregious when there’s no incentive to collect stars you don’t want to. 

This structure is also weird because there’s a ton of extra missions in this game. Some of the game’s most, err, fun segments are hidden away in Delfino Plaza. These can be some pretty time-consuming tasks. You know what I’m talking about. But that’s not all. Every course also has some bonus shines. Every secret stage has an additional Red Coin challenge. There’s some “cleverly” hidden shines even within certain missions. There’s even a mission 8 to every level. Every level also has a 100 coin mission which, just to get it out of the way, should absolutely not spawn the shine somewhere 100 feet away from you AND boot you out of the level upon collection AND not be possible in every mission. Like c’mon, Mario 64 got this right on the first try. So Nintendo went out of their way to put all these extra shines in the game, and yet none of them matter towards game completion. Which makes me wonder what the point of completing them is supposed to be?

All this extra content, regardless of quality, would benefit from a system similar to Mario 64. In its current state, there’s not much of a reason to even bother with these extra missions, especially when some of them are of questionable quality. On that same token, there’s some pretty fun missions hidden in this extra content, and it’s a shame that they aren’t more important.

Well, with that...  

B L U E    C O I N S

I almost forgot about you!

Blue Coins are pretty despised. But in concept they’re pretty smart to put in a game like this. It’s kind of like the Red Coins but on a broader scale. They’re packed into every little tiny corner of the levels, giving players more of a reason to explore the pretty environments. And once you collect 10 of them, you get a Shine Sprite from the local beavers. If these Blue Coin shines counted towards a grand total for game completion, Blue Coins could give players a nice buffer to replace some of the games more questionable missions. But just like all of the extra content, Blue Coins matter not one iota towards finishing the game. So, the only reason to collect Blue Coins at all is if you wanted to collect them all.

And that’s precisely why people hate them. Because collecting all the Blue Coins is an absolute nightmare. Let’s not even talk about how cryptic some of these coins are because honestly I’ll be here all day. Let’s instead talk about how impossible it is to know how close you are to getting every Blue Coin in a level. You can intuit through previous levels that it caps out at 30 per level, but the game never tells you that. There’s obviously no Blue Coin tracker like there is for shrines in Breath of the Wild, so if you’re frantically darting around Noki Bay looking for the one coin you missed that's hidden inside a wall for some reason, you’ve only got GameFaqs and Jesus to help you at that point. 

To top it all off, just like the 100 coins missions, it’s impossible to get every Blue Coin in every mission in a level. Some blue coins are exclusive to certain missions. And it’s impossible to know how many are exclusive, which ones are exclusive, how many exclusives you’ve gotten, how many exclusives you need. Must I continue? This process is a disaster and gives Blue Coins a bad name. If they were put in a game like Mario 64, I feel like these things would have much more of a positive reputation. But as it stands these things are so toxic they’ve been reduced to POW switch fodder in later games. 

I think Blue Coins summarize the issue with the extra content pretty succinctly. In a game like Mario 64, they’re harmless. But in a game where none of it is tied to beating the final level, the only purpose they have is 100% completion. And 100% completion should never be the focus of 3D Platformers. Some players prefer playing to completion but there’s a reason why most don’t. Fully completing a game is a soul commitment as much as it is a time commitment. It’s saying to yourself that I am willing to go through all the unfinished, janky, and cryptic content Mario Sunshine has to offer all for the extensive reward of… a different end screen. So yeah, there is no reason to get 100% of Mario Sunshine’s content. Even completionists are going to be disappointed. Not only is this content useless towards Any%, it’s aggravating for 100%, since fully completing the game is so unrewarding. 

So, how do we fix this issue? Well to do that, let’s take a look at a mod that, in my opinion, does exactly that: Super Mario Sunburn, made by Epicwade.

The biggest change Sunburn makes is in its requirements for completion. Rather than Bowser being locked behind completing the seven Shadow Mario shines, the door to Corona Mountain is opened when the player attains 70 shines overall. If you recall, that’s the exact same amount 64 requires of the player to reach the final level. This change, by itself, adjusts Sunshine more towards what I would like it to be. But if you’re crazy enough to prefer the previous mode of completion, it’s still there as an option.

That’s not all, though. Now, when you collect a Shine, you’re no longer booted out of the level, and instead are simply asked to save and then you’re free to explore the rest of the level. My feelings on this essentially boil down to which mission I’m playing. I think the first two shines of Bianco Hills show this working pretty much perfectly. You squirt on the gatekeeper to get the first shine and then you’re immediately free to go forward and fight Petey Piranha. This feels far more natural than having to get booted out after the first shine and make the entire trip through the first half of Bianco Hills just to get back to where you just were. So in this case, it’s a positive.

However, Sunshine very often changes its course layout per mission. And when that happens, it feels a bit unnecessary to have to boot out of a level manually and boot back in just to get the next event to trigger. Sometimes you can chain getting a bunch of shines out in the open with a secret stage which resets the level upon entering the newly placed warp pipe at the end of it. But otherwise you’re stuck pausing and exiting. I feel this issue may be able to be streamlined by doing something like Mario Odyssey does, where collecting certain Moons boot you to the beginning of the level with the new mission unlocked. This might be outside of the reach of Sunshine modding at the moment, though.

This isn’t the only change set to make Sunshine more open. One of my favorite parts of the original game was that you could see other levels whenever you looked around. Turning at the start of Bianco Hills and being able to see not only Delfino Plaza but also the yet to be unlocked Ricco Harbor and Pinna Park was fascinating to me when I first played it. Sunburn takes this concept one step further by allowing players to travel from stage to stage. For instance, taking the river in Bianco Hills spits you out Ricco, and climbing a vine in Ricco allows you to travel back. This is a pretty novel idea and definitely makes replaying the game an entirely different experience, especially when combined with the lack of boot out. It does lose me a bit in how it necessitates for every level to be unlocked at the start. As I mentioned previously, slowly unlocking stages to the player by collecting whatever collectible they’re using allows for 3D Platformers to have constant forward momentum, which is lost here. But for those who’ve already played the game I think this is a fun option.

Other quality of life changes are strictly positives. In most instances, Blue Coins are now accessible from any mission in a level. I say most because it’s impossible for some of these coins to make the transition. But in the vast majority of cases, it’s been done. More coins have been added to each stage, along with Red Coins counting as collecting two coins just like in 64. This makes getting 100 coins a lot easier, especially when you’re doing multiple missions of a stage in a row. Two of the game’s weakest sections become far more manageable with these changes. There’s some smaller changes too, like being able to skip cutscenes, Blue Coins no longer bringing up a save screen, and Shadow Mario’s invisible health bar being restored. There’s also new content here, with additional secret stages being accessible from the main courses. Nothing mind-blowing, but it’s at least pretty neat to run around Outset Island as a FLUDD-strapped Mario.

Super Mario Sunburn addresses a lot of my issues with the original version, which was exactly the point. I’m not the first to bring up these issues, nor will I be the last. There’s so much potential within Super Mario Sunshine to be one of the best examples of its genre, so to see it fall short in such fundamental areas is undeniably frustrating. As usual with Nintendo, and even with other publishers, it’s often the community that sees itself to correct the issues with the games they feel deeply passionate about. Basically the only difference between Sunburn and an official Sunshine remake or remaster would be a significant layer of polish. That still might happen, but I’m not holding my breath at this point. So if you find yourself feeling similarly as I do about Sunshine, it might be worth it to check Super Mario Sunburn out. Here’s the download link again if you’re curious.