#kids eye specialist near me

[healingtoucheyecenter]

At Healing Touch Eye Centre, we serve you with the best technology and latest and state-of-art equipments for treating your child’s eye. Our treatment services include all kinds of refractive eye errors, cross eye, early diagnosis of cataracts and also tumors. For early detection of any related eye condition a timely eye check-up is advised it is equally good for everyone ranging from infants till the teen age children.

[pedroscowgirl]

The Lie Detector Test

Hugh jackman x reader!actress

Warnings!!!: minors dni!!

mentions of: daddy issues , age gap (reader is in their 20s), smut (duh), oral!receiving, p in v, creampie (wrap it up), semi-public sex?, pet names (baby,princess), fluff at the end and lots of romantic kisses

lmk if i missed some!!

Words: 4.3K (i went a little crazy cuz I'm so down bad for this man omg)

A/N: This is the first time in years that I've written a fanfiction so pls be kind 🙈

You had just finished filming the latest blockbuster, and the studio had arranged a promotional event to build hype for the movie. The concept was unique and promised to be a hit: a lie detector test featuring you and Hugh Jackman, your co-star. The aim was to show a fun and candid side of both of you, offering fans an intimate glimpse into your personalities.

You remembered your first day on set with Hugh vividly. It was a sunny morning, and you were a bundle of nerves, excited and anxious about working with such a celebrated actor. Hugh had approached you with his trademark warmth, extending a hand and offering a reassuring smile.

“Hi, I’m Hugh. It’s great to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about your work,” he said, his voice carrying a genuine note of friendliness.

You shook his hand, grateful for his easygoing nature. “I’m thrilled to be working with you, Hugh. I’ve been a fan for a long time.”

From that moment on, your chemistry on set was undeniable. Hugh’s professionalism and charm made every scene enjoyable, and your natural rapport translated effortlessly on screen. Between takes, you found yourselves sharing stories and jokes, the lines between your characters and real life blurring as you formed a close friendship. But behind your confident exterior, you felt a tug of nerves whenever he was near. Hugh Jackman wasn't just any actor; he was the embodiment of the older, charismatic figures you'd found attractive for as long as you could remember.

You had always known you had some form of daddy issues. Growing up with an emotionally absent father, you had a tendency to be drawn to older, authoritative figures. Hugh fit that mold perfectly, and being around him made you acutely aware of your attraction to him. His deep voice, his kind eyes, the way he carried himself with such ease...it all made your heart race.

Fast forward to the day of the lie detector test, the studio was buzzing with excitement. The set was designed to look sleek and modern, with a large, imposing lie detector machine at the center. Cameras were positioned to capture every angle, ensuring that no reaction or subtle expression would be missed by the audience.

You took your seat across from Hugh, who was already connected to the machine by Lou, the lie detector specialist. The studio lights reflected off his charismatic smile as he settled in, ready for the challenge.

“Ready for this, Hugh?” you asked, trying to hide your amusement and the flutter of nerves in your stomach.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Just go easy on me, alright?”

You picked up the first question card, the icebreaker questions designed to set a light-hearted tone. You both took turns answering questions about your favorite movies, childhood memories, and behind-the-scenes antics from the movie set. The atmosphere was relaxed, filled with laughter and playful teasing, showcasing the easy relationship that had developed between you two.

Then, feeling a mischievous urge, you decided to go off-script.

“Okay, Hugh,” you said, leaning forward with a twinkle of mischief in your eyes. “How do you feel about people on the internet calling you ‘daddy’ or 'father'?”

Hugh raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the unexpected question. He took a moment to think before answering, “Well, I do have kids., so technically , I am a father.”

You tilted your head and smirked, not letting him off the hook that easily. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

Hugh chuckled, a deep, genuine laugh that filled the room. “Well, I don’t mind i guess” he admitted, glancing at Lou for confirmation.

Lou looked at the lie detector’s readings and nodded. “Truthful,” he confirmed.

“Good to know,” you said with a playful wink. “That was actually not a question on the cards. I just wanted to give the people with daddy issues what they want. You're so welcome.”

Hugh laughed again, biting his lip as he looked at you with a newfound appreciation. “You’re something else, you know that?”

You felt a thrill at the way he was looking at you, the playful banter taking a more intimate turn. “Just keeping things interesting,” you replied, your voice softening. Your heart pounded harder, realizing just how much he affected you. You could feel your palms sweating and hoped he wouldn't notice the slight tremor in your hands as you reached for the next question card.

The rest of the session continued in a similar vein, with flirtatious comments and lingering glances exchanged between questions. Each time Hugh's gaze lingered on you a bit longer, your heart raced a little faster. You tried to focus on the questions, but your mind kept drifting to the way he looked at you, the way his voice seemed to wrap around you like a warm blanket.

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

As the interview came to an end, you both stood up, removing your microphones. The studio crew began to pack up, the hustle and bustle of the set slowly fading into the background. Hugh caught your eye and gave you a small, knowing smile.

“Hey, why don’t we head to the dressing room? We can talk more privately there,” he suggested, his voice carrying a hint of something more.

You nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Sure, sounds good.”

You both made your way through the winding corridors of the studio, your footsteps echoing in the quiet halls. As you approached the dressing rooms, the anticipation grew, every glance exchanged between you filled with unspoken tension.

Hugh opened the door to his dressing room, allowing you to step inside first. The room was cozy, with comfortable chairs and a small table with snacks and drinks. You took a seat, trying to calm your racing heart as Hugh closed the door behind him, shutting out the world outside.

He turned to you, his eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that made your breath hitch. “You were great today,” he said, his voice low and sincere. He walked over to the small table and picked up a bottle of water, offering it to you. “Here, have some water. You’ve earned it.”

You accepted the bottle gratefully, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip. The cool water was refreshing, helping to steady your nerves. Hugh sat down across from you, his gaze never wavering.

“You know,” he said, his tone turning playful, “I think you might be even more captivating off-screen than on. It’s quite a talent.”

You choked on your water, caught off guard by his flirtatious comment. Coughing slightly, you set the bottle down and tried to regain your composure. “Thanks, Hugh,” you managed to say, your cheeks flushing. “That means a lot coming from you.”

Hugh chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I’m glad to hear it. I was hoping I wasn’t being too forward.” He paused, letting his eyes sweep over your outfit. “That dress, by the way, is incredibly sexy. It’s been hard to concentrate all day.”

Your pulse quickened at his words, the compliment sending a rush of heat through you. “I—thank you,” you stammered, feeling your cheeks grow warmer. The tension between you crackled like electricity, the air thick with unspoken desire.

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense and unwavering. “You really do look stunning,” he murmured, his voice low and husky with that sexy australian accent. “I’ve been wanting to tell you all day.”

You felt a thrill at his words, your heart pounding in your chest. The way he looked at you, the sincerity in his voice, made it hard to breathe. “You’re not too bad yourself, Hugh,” you replied, your voice barely more than a whisper.

Hugh smiled, a slow, seductive curve of his lips that made your stomach flip. “I’m glad you think so,” he said, his voice a soft rumble. “Because I’ve been wanting to do this for a while.”

The way he looked at you, the intensity of his gaze, made your breath catch. You could feel the tension building between you, the unspoken attraction simmering just below the surface. His hand moved from your hair to your cheek, his thumb gently stroking your skin. Your heart pounded in your chest, and you felt yourself leaning into his touch.

"Hugh," you whispered, your voice barely audible over the pounding of your heart.

He didn't reply, but his eyes said everything. He was as caught up in this moment as you were. His other hand came up to cup your face, holding you gently but firmly. You could feel his breath against your lips, warm and inviting. The world around you seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in this moment.

His lips hovered just inches from yours, the anticipation almost too much to bear. You could feel the heat radiating from his body, the magnetic pull drawing you closer. His eyes flicked to your lips and back to your eyes, seeking permission, waiting for a sign.

You gave the slightest nod, a silent invitation. That was all he needed.

Slowly, as if savoring every second, he closed the distance between you. His lips met yours in a soft, tentative kiss, testing the waters. The contact was gentle, almost feather-light, but it sent a wave of heat through your body. Your hands found their way to his chest, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt.

The kiss deepened, growing more confident and demanding. His lips moved against yours with a perfect blend of passion and tenderness, igniting a fire within you. You responded eagerly, your body pressing closer to his, craving more of his touch.

His hands slid from your face to your waist, pulling you closer still. You could feel the strength in his grip, the possessive way he held you making your pulse quicken. The kiss was everything you had imagined and more, filled with unspoken promises and undeniable chemistry.

When he pulled you closer, you could feel his bulge pressing against you, the sensation igniting a fire deep within. A rush of heat surged through your body, making you aware of how much you craved him. Every nerve seemed to tingle with anticipation, and the space between you crackled with unspoken desire.

His hands roamed your back, pulling you even closer as his lips captured yours in a heated kiss. The intensity of it made your knees weak, and you pressed yourself against him, desperate for more. You could feel the evidence of his arousal, hard and demanding against your stomach, and it only fueled your longing. A soft moan escaped your lips, and you couldn’t resist the urge to touch him, to feel every part of him.

Your breath quickened, each inhale filled with the intoxicating scent of him. Your hands moved with a mind of their own, sliding down his chest, over the taut muscles, until they reached his belt. Your fingers fumbled in your eagerness, trembling with the intensity of your desire. The thought of what was to come made your heart race, and you could feel the slickness between your thighs, a testament to how badly you needed him.

Just as you began to loosen his belt, Hugh’s hand covered yours, halting your movements. His grip was firm yet gentle, and the dominance in his touch made you shiver. He broke the kiss, his forehead resting against yours, his breath hot and ragged.

“Nu uh, not yet, babygirl,” he murmured, his voice a husky whisper that sent a delicious shiver down your spine. His eyes bore into yours, dark with desire and filled with a fierce determination that made your pulse quicken even more. “I want to please you first.”

The promise in his words made your heart skip a beat, and the anticipation of what he was about to do was almost too much to bear. Your breath caught in your throat, and you let out a soft whimper, the need inside you growing more insistent.

His other hand slid down your body, fingers tracing the curves of your waist and hips, igniting a trail of fire on your skin. His touch was both soothing and electrifying, and you arched into him, silently begging for more. The way he looked at you, with such intensity and focus, made you feel like the center of his world.

“Hugh, please,” you whispered, your voice barely more than a breathless plea.

He smiled, a slow, seductive curve of his lips that made your stomach flip. “Patience, sweetheart,” he whispered back, his lips brushing against your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. “I want to savor every moment.”

Hugh's hands were firm but gentle as he gripped your thighs, lifting you with an effortless strength that made your breath hitch. He set you down on his desk, the cool surface contrasting with the heat radiating from your skin. The room felt charged, every second stretching out as his intense gaze bore into you. Your heart raced, anticipation and desire coiling in your belly. He leaned in closer, his breath warm against your ear. "Can I take a look at your panties and take them off?" he asked, his voice husky and dripping with intent.

You felt a shiver run down your spine as you bit your lip, your body responding to his every word. You nodded, eyes wide and lips parted, but he wasn't satisfied with your silent answer. "I need words, baby," he murmured, his tone leaving no room for hesitation. His eyes held a command that you couldn't ignore. "Yes," you finally breathed, voice barely above a whisper. "I want you to take them off, please."

A slow smile spread across his face, sending a thrill through you. He slid his hands under your dress, fingers brushing against your thighs as he lifted you slightly. With deliberate, teasing movements, he peeled your black lace panties down your legs, letting them pool around your ankles. The air felt electric, every touch sending sparks along your skin. His eyes roamed over your now-bare form, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

"Did you plan for this to happen?" he asked, his voice laced with a playful challenge. The question made your cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. You met his gaze, a shy smile tugging at your lips. "No," you admitted, feeling the heat rise in your cheeks. "My granny underwear is in the washing machine." The confession hung in the air, vulnerable and oddly intimate.

Hugh's grin widened, his eyes darkening with amusement and desire. He leaned in, his lips brushing against your ear. "I think I prefer the lace," he murmured, his voice sending a shiver through you. The tension between you was unbearable, an unspoken promise of what was to come.

He knelt before you, his eyes dark with hunger and intent. The anticipation made your breath quicken as he placed his strong hands on your thighs, gently parting them and lifting them onto his broad shoulders. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through your body, and you couldn't tear your eyes away from his, filled with a confident, almost predatory desire. He paused for a moment, giving you a sexy look that sent shivers down your spine, before dipping his head between your legs.

The first touch of his mouth against you was like nothing you'd ever felt. You gasped, your body arching towards him as his warm breath and skillful tongue explored your most sensitive spots. He started slowly, teasing you with soft strokes, his lips and tongue moving with practiced expertise. The sensation was incredible, each flick and swirl driving you wild. When he began to suck on your clit, a moan escaped your lips, the pleasure so intense it felt like fire coursing through your veins.

You'd never been with an older man before, and the thrill of his experience, his confidence, heightened every sensation. His touch was commanding yet tender, a perfect balance that made you melt under his ministrations. His tongue moved in amazing patterns, drawing you closer to the edge with every motion. The excitement of this new experience mixed with the raw pleasure, making your moans louder and more frequent.

Then, without warning, he slipped two fingers inside you. They filled you perfectly, curling just right to hit that sweet spot. The sudden intrusion made you gasp and clutch at his hair, your fingers tangling in the soft strands. As you tugged, a deep, primal groan rumbled from his chest, the sound vibrating against you. The sensation was intoxicating, sending waves of pleasure through your body.

His fingers worked in rhythm with his tongue, and you felt a building pressure, the pleasure coiling tighter and tighter. The combination of his skilled mouth and the fullness of his fingers was overwhelming, pushing you towards the brink. You could feel his own enjoyment in the way he groaned against you, his voice low and resonant, spurring you on. Every touch, every movement, felt deliberate and precise, as if he knew exactly what you needed, where to touch to make you come undone.

As the pleasure built to an unbearable peak, you couldn't hold back. Your hips bucked against his mouth, your hands gripping his hair even tighter. His fingers and tongue moving faster, more insistent. The feel of his mouth and hands on you, sent you over the edge. Your body tensed, and then you shattered, waves of ecstasy crashing over you. The release was overwhelming, leaving you breathless and trembling. He continued to pleasure you through it all, his touch gentle but unrelenting, until you were spent and utterly satisfied.

As you came down from the high, your breaths ragged, he finally lifted his head. His eyes met yours, dark and satisfied, a smug smile playing on his lips. The sight of him, lips glistening with your pleasure, sent a final shiver down your spine.

You were still catching your breath, your body trembling with the aftershocks of pleasure, when Hugh pulled back and licked his lips, savoring the taste of you. His eyes darkened with desire as he leaned in, capturing your lips in a deep, searing kiss. The sensation was intoxicating; you could taste yourself on his tongue, a delicious reminder of the intimacy you'd just shared. His fingers trailed back to your core, seeking to reignite the fire, but you pulled away, breaking the kiss with a gasp.

"Please, Hugh," you panted, your voice laced with desperation. "I'm begging you, I need to feel you inside me right now, or I'm going to go crazy." The urgency in your voice was undeniable,your body aching with unfulfilled desire.

He chuckled softly, the sound a dark, velvety caress that made your skin tingle. "Oh, my poor princess can't wait to have Daddy inside her," he teased, his words dripping with amusement and lust. The nickname sent a shiver down your spine, making you bite your lip. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he watched your reaction, clearly enjoying the effect he had on you.

"Oh, so you really like being called Daddy, huh?" you purred, a teasing edge to your voice. "Well, I can arrange that for you." Your words were a playful challenge, a promise of more to come.

Hugh's lips curled into a wicked smile, and he pulled you into another heated kiss, his mouth claiming yours with a possessive intensity. As he kissed you, his hands deftly moved to unbuckle his belt. The metallic clink of the buckle and the rustle of fabric sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through you. You watched with bated breath as he stripped off his pants and shirt, revealing the chiseled muscles beneath. When your eyes fell on his impressive length, a gasp escaped your lips, louder than you'd intended. The sight of him, so big and ready, made your heart race and your core throb with need.

Hugh noticed your reaction and smirked, a dark, knowing look in his eyes. "It's okay, baby," he murmured, his voice low and soothing. "We'll take our time." He reached out, his fingers gently caressing your cheek, the touch tender in contrast to the raw passion between you.

As he stood before you, your eyes roamed over his body, drinking in the sight of his defined abs and broad, muscular chest. You couldn't help but stare at how well-built he was. "God, Hugh," you breathed, your voice filled with awe. "You're so sexy. I can't believe how ripped you are for your age." Your hand traced the lines of his muscles, feeling the hard planes of his torso. "These abs, this body... it's incredible." You looked up at him, biting your lip, the admiration in your eyes unmistakable.

He laughed and positioned himself between your legs, his hands sliding under your thighs to pull you closer. You felt his tip graze your entrance, the sensation sending a jolt of electricity through you. You couldn't help but moan, your body arching towards him, craving more. He paused, his eyes searching yours with a mix of concern and desire. "You okay?" he asked, his voice a husky whisper.

"Yes," you breathed, barely able to form words. "Keep going, please." Your voice was laced with anticipation and desperation, the need for him overwhelming.

With a slow, deliberate thrust, Hugh began to push inside you. The stretch was intense, a delicious mix of pleasure and pain as he filled you inch by inch. Your nails dug into his biceps, your fingers curling around the hard muscle as you adjusted to his size. "Oh my god, Hugh," you moaned, your voice breathless. "Fuck, you're so big."

A wicked grin spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He leaned in close, his breath hot against your ear. "Call me Daddy, baby," he murmured, his voice a deep, commanding growl that sent a shiver down your spine.

"Daddy," you whimpered, the word slipping from your lips like a plea. The sound seemed to fuel him, his hips snapping forward, burying himself fully inside you. The sensation was overwhelming, a perfect mix of pleasure and fullness that left you gasping.

As Hugh began to thrust in and out, setting a rhythm that drove you wild, the intensity of the moment heightened. The pleasure was almost too much, your back arching, head tilting back. Hugh noticed, concern flickering in his eyes. He reached up, cradling the back of your head with one strong hand, his touch gentle and protective. "Easy, baby," he murmured, his voice thick with desire. "Don't want you hurting yourself against the wall." The tender gesture made your heart flutter even as your body surged with lust.

He continued to move, each thrust deep and deliberate, his eyes locked onto yours. The connection between you was electric, every movement synchronized, every breath shared. His hands gripped your hips, holding you steady as he set a slow, torturous rhythm. The pleasure built with each stroke, an intoxicating crescendo that left you breathless and begging for more.

Hugh's thumb found your clit, and he began to rub tight, precise circles, sending jolts of pleasure through your already overwhelmed body. Your breath hitched, the sensation pushing you closer to the edge. His name fell from your lips in a breathless chant, a plea and a prayer. He picked up the pace, each thrust harder, more demanding, driving you wild with need.

"Come for me, princess," he urged, his voice rough with desire. "I want to feel you come around me."

The combination of his deep, commanding voice and the skillful movements of his fingers and hips was too much. You felt the tension in your body coil tighter and tighter, the pleasure building to an unbearable peak. With a final, powerful thrust, you shattered, your body convulsing around him as the orgasm tore through you. You cried out, the pleasure so intense it left you shaking.

Hugh groaned, the sound low and primal, as he felt you tighten around him. His movements became erratic, his grip on your hips tightening as he chased his own release. With a deep moan, he followed you over the edge, his release hot and deep inside you. The sensation sent a final wave of pleasure through your body, leaving you breathless.

As the aftershocks of your orgasms faded, Hugh leaned down and kissed you softly, his lips gentle and tender. The touch was a sweet contrast to the raw, passionate encounter you'd just shared. His hands caressed your skin, soothing you as you both came down from the high, the connection between you lingering in the air.

The room was silent except for your labored breaths, the intensity of the moment leaving you both in awe. Hugh pulled you close, his arms wrapping around you in a protective embrace. The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart, and the soft whispers of comfort and affection made you feel cherished and adored. It was more than just a physical connection; it was a moment of pure, unadulterated intimacy that left you both craving more.

Just as you were catching your breath, a loud knock echoed from the door, making you both jump. You barely had time to react before you heard Ryan's voice, muffled but clear. "Hey, guys, next time be more subtle, okay?" His tone was teasing, but there was no mistaking the hint of amusement. You blushed furiously, burying your face in Hugh's chest as he chuckled softly, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Noted," Hugh called back, his voice laced with humor. He looked down at you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Guess we'll have to be quieter next time, huh, princess?" He stroked your cheek tenderly, his expression softening. The playful moment broke the tension, leaving you both laughing softly, the bond between you stronger than ever.

[quinnylouhughesx43]

Chirps

requested

has been edited as of 4/27/24!!

summary: Luke’s long term girlfriend is a beautician. The team chirps him about his unruly curls so he goes to see her at work.

warnings: profanity

The work day had just come to a close when the bells on the door jingled signaling someone had just entered. Out of instinct your head jerked to look towards the door. Thankfully, to be greeted by your sweet boyfriend who usually wore quirky half smile. Only tonight he was your stress stricken looking boyfriend. After swiftly leaning the broom that you had in your hand back up against the wall, you quickly approached him. “Luke? Is everything alright? You look like you did the day of your draft…” You let your voice drift to almost nothing as you reached him. He didn’t make a sound. Only made grabby hands, just like your toddler nephew does, signaling he wanted to hold you. Moments passed where the only sounds were the music still playing over speakers and your alls breathing. “The guys are chirping me about my hair again. Even my own brother is in on it this time.” His mumbling almost inaudible as he’s pressed his face down into your neck. But after two years of dating and three years of friendship prior, you’re a Luke Hughes mumbling specialist. Luke lifted his head and rested his chin atop of your head.

He pulls out of the embrace and starts pacing while he keeps rambling about the absurd claims his teammates have made recently. “They’ve gone as far to point out that my girlfriend is a professional beautician for all sorts of people. Celebrities, athletes, everyday people, and I go around with an unruly mop of whatever.” He stressed the importance of ‘I’ and made a gesture to himself when talking. You grab ahold of him by the waist pulling him back into your arms. Unable to watch him pace any longer. “They go on and on about how they don’t know how you’re not embarrassed of me.” His voice waivers at the end of his statement. “You.. you’re not embarrassed of me are you?” His voice completely cracks, he can’t stay in your arms he has to look at your face. You feel a fragment of your heart break. Pulling out of the embrace completely, he turns away unable to look you in the eyes anymore. You can tell he’s struggling. You know he grew up with kids bullying him for his curls and how unruly they could be. Kids are cruel but they are kids. It’s something that happens growing up. It isn’t something that happens when you’re 20 and surrounded by professional athletes. Or at least it shouldn’t. Reaching out to grab his hand, you slightly tug him at him to come back into your arms. Loosely holding him with one arm, using your other to be able to lift your hand to cup his cheek softly. Running your thumb across his cheek. “Baby I promise you, the last thing I am is embarrassed of you. I am nowhere near being embarrassed. I love you every way that you are. Hair unruly. Hair fixed. I’d love you if you had me shave your head. But please don’t make me do that. I love your curls so much. You’re perfect the way you are.” Luke exhales a breath he was holding since you had pulled him back to you. “There is only a couple things I am and those are, proud of you beyond what words can express, in love with you more than you know, and the luckiest girl there has ever been to be your girlfriend.” The two of you holding eye contact, nothing but pure love shining in your eyes and contentment breaking through Luke’s. He slowly begins to relax. He is still far from letting himself forget and let go what’s happening with the team, but knowing that the most important person to him doesn’t care how he looks and when he looks it.

Taking a moment to contemplate a way to help him further feel better, you rub your thumb slightly across his cheek again, he leans into it sighing. “What if we experiment on styling your curls baby? I have different products for curls. Curly hair is all different, so we can try one and if you don’t like it we can try another?” Luke slowly nodded, feeling even better already. Although he trusts and believes what you just told him about loving him in anyway he looks, he also knows you’re doing this for him. He has always been your soft boy. Luke is apprehensive, always considerate, questions his actions, and wants you to be a part of his decisions. That is until you’re both having your alone time, then he is a completely different person. And well that is a story for another time.. Luke sat down in your chair waiting for you to gather whatever it was that you were going to try first. His eyelids were beginning to feel heavy, he knew it wouldn’t be easy to stay awake once your fingers were in his hair.

Only after a few short minutes of working working shampoo through his hair, his eyelids fluttered shut. It was so hard to have to wake him up to move back to the other chair. His groggy face was precious as he teetered over to the seat and plopped down. Moments later you looked in the mirror and caught a glimpse of his face. The sweet boy had fallen asleep again. Finishing up quickly you decided to let him rest instead of waking him to go home, you leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and a ‘I love you Hughes’ before cleaning up your station again.

After cleaning everything up, you locked everything up and decided to wake Luke up. You two really needed to leave. “Lukey, I’m done. Let me drive you home.” Instead he pulled you in his lap and mumbled an I love you. Giggling an I love you back, you patted on his chest and insisted he get up. “Baby please let me sleep” he whimpered. “You can sleep when I get you home. I’ll stay with you if you get up.” You bargained. He opened one eye to look at you. “Do you promise? You’re not going to just leave once you drop me off?” “No lukey, let’s go”

At Luke’s the two of you get changed into pajamas quickly. You are both so exhausted. Luke lays down first, so you have to crawl over him to “your spot”. “Hey (y/n)” Luke whispers. “Yes?” “Thank you for loving me for me and not for being in the NHL or for being rich or for having a boat or for having a-“ you cut him off with a soft kiss. “Luke, we met before you were drafted, before I knew you had a boat, before you had money. None of that matters to me now that I do know. Just like you said. I love you for you. and well your unruly curls are plus.” You say eliciting a groan from Luke. “Not funny. Goodnight baby girl, I love you.” With his last words for the night, you cuddled as close as you could into his side and let your eye lids close. Mentally telling yourself to text Quinn tomorrow to go off on Jack for what he’s done to Luke’s confidence.

**edited and majorly updated 4/27/24 ♡︎

[missmatchablossom]

The Champion's Babysitter

Pokemon x JJK AU

summary: you are the newest dragon-type gym leader, and you've just been tasked with babysitting the pokemon champion gojo satoru, who has not been taking his job seriously.

a.n.: fem reader, a couple of curse words, kinda slow burn romance, fluffy, cute pokemon interactions, 6.8k words. shoutout @silkspunweb for putting this AU in my head <3

~

“I’m sorry, could you please repeat that? I’m afraid I’m not following,” you asked, nerves overwhelming your senses as you stood before the four toughest pokemon trainers in the region: the Elite Four.

It was impossible not to be in awe of some of the world’s most renowned fighters. How could you just stand there, not shitting your pants, when you spent so many hours watching footage of their pokemon battles? You had the utmost respect for the four figures sitting before you.

Nanami Kento, the Steel-Type master

Okkotsu Yuta, the Dark-Type expert

Fushiguro Toji, the Poison-Type wielder

Iori Utahime, the Ice-Type genius

It was an honor to be granted a private audience with them upon their request. But your reverence was halted once Nanami began delivering the news to you.

“We are asking that you oversee the business of Gojo,” he said, looking you squarely in the eyes as he adjusted his glasses.

“Gojo, as in Gojo Satoru? Our current pokemon champion?” you asked incredulously, eyes flickering between the four people before you, desperate for clarification.

“The very same one,” Yuta answered, smiling at you sympathetically.

“What do you mean by oversee?” you continued, turning towards Utahime.

“As I’m sure you’ve already heard on the news, Champion Gojo has been neglecting his post as of late. Recent challengers have been showing up to battles to find him missing,” she responded, brows furrowing in distaste. The Frosslass at her side nodded her assent.

It was true, it’s been all over TV lately. The celebrated, undefeated champion has been ghosting any challengers. The footage that you see of him nowadays is of him lounging around at different cafes, snapping pictures of the sweets he’s indulging in.

Pathetic, you thought.

“His hedonism is causing a lot of uproar. It’s a huge pain in the ass,” Nanami added, as the others murmured in agreement.

“We’d like you to check in with him now and then…encourage him to take his position more seriously,” Yuta said, the gaze of his dusclops behind him unsettling you.

You blinked a few times.

“Why me?” you asked. The four exchanged loaded glances you struggled to decipher. You could’ve sworn that Yuta’s smile felt more mischievous than usual, like he knew something you didn’t.

“You’re one of the most promising young trainers we’ve seen in a long time. The gym leaders you’ve battled and your fellow peers have vouched for you as someone of great integrity, valor, and talent. We’ve seen it ourselves.” Utahime said, causing your chest to swell with pride.

“The decision to make you the newest Dragon-type gym leader was unanimous. We hope you don’t take that lightly,” Nanami revealed. 

“Thank you, it means a lot to me,” you said. You’d worked hard your entire life to become a gym leader worthy of the Dragon-type pokemon you hold near and dear to your heart. But they were still dancing around why they wanted you to do anything with the champion.

“Forgive me for asking, but what can I do that the rest of you cannot?” you pressed, ignoring the bored yawn from Toji.

“Gojo won’t listen to us. But we believe he will at least find interest in a fellow Dragon-type specialist, especially one as strong as you,” Yuta responded.

It was common knowledge that while our champion could wield any type of pokemon, he favored Dragon-types. Not many could say the same, as most trainers found it difficult to work with the stubborn, overpowering nature that is Dragon-type pokemon. 

Toji’s heavy sigh filled the room, the weedle around his shoulders tilting its head at you.

“Look kid, we’re asking you to be his babysitter. Follow him around, challenge him to battles, do whatever you need to get his ass back to work so he can stop being a pain in ours.” Toji stated gruffly, crossing his arms and leveling you with a look.

Nanami fired a look of quiet distaste in his direction, focusing back on you.

“My apologies for his tactlessness, but he’s not wrong. We know it’s a big task, but you’re the only one we can ask,” Nanami said, his Lucario nodding its head. 

“You might even learn something from him. Few people can say they got to train with Champion Gojo,” Utahime pressed, quipping her brow. 

She got you there. While you dedicated countless hours watching pokemon battles of each of the elite 4, you studied Gojo’s battles religiously. There was no documented battle of his that you didn’t know like the back of your hand, and no matter how many times you’d seen him fight, you always felt the same awe and respect watching his talent.

The elite 4 and their pokemon stared at you intensely, waiting for your response. How could you refuse, when some of the top trainers in the world were practically begging you for this favor?

“I’ll do it if you really think I can help,” you said, fiddling with your fingers nervously. 

All of them - minus Toji - notably relaxed their shoulders, thanking you. 

“We’ve synced up your pokedex with his so you can always locate each other. You have a pokemon capable of flying, yes?” Utahime said, handing you your updated pokedex. You nodded, slipping it into your pocket.

“Perfect. Why don’t you pay him a visit?” Yuta said, smiling angelically at you. It seemed like you didn’t have a choice, not with the way they were all looking expectantly. 

“All right. I’ll forward updates in the coming weeks,” you said, nodding to the rest of them as you turned to leave. 

Before you reached the exit, a soft paw pad touched your shoulder. You turned to face Nanami’s Lucario, which was holding out a can of lemonade in its paws. You reached out to grab the can, smiling at the pokemon.

“For me?” you asked, brows furrowing as the Lucario shook its head.

“For…Gojo?” you asked, and immediately the Lucario smiled and nodded. 

“Alright, I’ll pass it to him. Thank you,” you said, waving as you left. 

Once you were outside the building, you released a sigh. Salamence immediately popped out of his pokeball, letting out a mixture of chuffs and roars and he nudged you with his nose. 

You laughed, placing your hand under his chin and scratching.

“I’m alright buddy, I promise,” you said. You were incredibly bonded to all of your pokemon, but Salamence had a special place in your heart. He has always been your proud protector, ever since you came across him when he was an injured, weak Bagon.

Flipping open the map on your Pokedex, you located Gojo near a seaside town.

“Alright, ready to fly bud?” you asked Salamence. He roared in excitement as you jumped onto his back.

~

The soothing music of the waves against the shore always calmed you. Before you became a gym leader, you often visited the beach to relax and let your water-types splash around. 

You didn’t even need your pokedex to locate the champion, who was garnering attention from every person nearby as he sat at the local cafe. He was practically surrounded by people, the shine of his silvery hair being the only thing singling him out in a crowd so big. 

There was only one trick up your sleeve that was a sure-fire way of getting a crowd’s attention. Grabbing two of your pokeballs, you allowed Kingdra and Gyrrados to come out into the water. 

They both jumped in immediately, happily swimming around as you laughed.

“Alright you two, I need you both to execute plan sparkle,” you said. They voiced their agreement and immediately began performing a dual variation of the move dragon dance in the water, causing major splashes and ripples that began drawing the huge crowd of people away from Gojo and towards them.

You shot them a thumbs-up before making your way over to the champion. It almost pissed you off how nonchalant he looked, leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out, like there wasn’t anywhere he should be. His famous luxray lay at his feet, curled up next to a plate of what looked like poke puffs. Once he spotted you, he rose to his full stature, positioning himself in front of his trainer in a protective stance. You offered the Luxray a treat from your pocket, and the pokemon gently took it in his mouth before retreating to Gojo’s side.

“Champion Satoru Gojo,” you began, squaring your shoulders. 

He glanced up at you immediately, his cerulean eyes peeking out behind a pair of black sunglasses that sat perched at the end of his nose. His silvery hair was down, brushing against his eyes ever so slightly from the sea breeze. 

A hint of surprise ran across over his features, fast enough that you almost didn’t catch it.

“My name is-”

“I know who you are, dragon prodigy,” Gojo said, calling you by your nickname. 

He knows who I am?

“May I ask why our esteemed champion is here, instead of facing all the challengers you have lined up to defeat you?” you asked, crossing your arms.

He smiled at you, sending a stampede of butterfrees down your body. Gojo wasn’t famed for just his prowess in pokemon battle, no. He was one of the most famous champions for his beauty, especially with that signature smile of his.

“Looking to battle me, are you?” he said, crossing his arms over his head as he tilted his head down to get a good look at you.

“I’d never turn down a battle, but I’m not interested in your title, champion,” you said, a note of disdain in your voice. He raised a brow at you, as if he couldn’t believe a trainer didn’t want to become the coveted title of pokemon champion.

“Oh? Then why have you tracked me down here, miss prodigy,” he asked, reaching down to pet his Luxray. 

“I’ve been tasked with making sure you get back to work. Please return to your post so I can return to my gym,” you said, failing at keeping the bite away from your words.

He stretched his long arms up, humming to himself as he considered your command.

“How about this? If you can retrieve the one thing I’m craving right now, I’ll return to the Pokemon League for today,” he said cheekily.

“How am I supposed to know what you’re cr-”

“You have 5 minutes. Good luck!” 

Bastard.

You trudged back towards the beach, not bothering to waste your time on a fool’s errand. You were already mentally preparing your apology letter to the elite 4.

At least Kingdra and Gyrrados are having fun, you thought to yourself. 

Your two water types continued to dance around in the water, thriving off the attention of all of the onlookers. 

You felt his pokeball rattle against its spot in your pack before Salamence came out, seeming to sense your frustration.

“Can you believe it, Sal? The unbeatable Gojo Satoru is wasting his time here and ignoring his job. Think about how many people look up to him as champion!” you exclaimed, pacing as Salamence nodded his head.

That’s why they say never meet your heroes.

“He asked me to find his craving in 5 minutes. How the hell am I supposed to know what he’s craving? I barely met the man. I just know he likes sweets from all those interviews,” you admitted, shaking your head. 

Salamence suddenly began nudging at the backpack you laid on the ground, tipping it over until its contents began to spill out.

“Hey knock it off bud, are you hungry or something?” you asked, reaching to gather the spilled contents. You paused when you laid eyes on the can of lemonade given to you by Nanami’s Lucario.

“There’s no way,” you mumbled to yourself, holding the can in your hands. 

Worth a shot, I guess, you thought.

“Salamence, return.” Once your dragon was safely tucked back into his pokeball, you strode back to the champion, placing the can of lemonade on the table before him.

Gojo looked at you incredulously, then eyed the lemonade with a look you struggled to pinpoint.

“Satisfied?” you asked, bracing yourself for a rejection.

Instead, the sincere smile gracing his features took you by surprise. The way he picked it up made it seem like it was something precious, and suddenly the champion looked much younger.

“I am,” he said, moving to stand up to his impressive height. He towered over you, forcing you to look up as he stepped into your space. You gulped as you took notice of how stupidly handsome this man was. 

“You win for today. But I’m sure I’ll see you again soon,” he drawled, stunning you with a wink. 

You watched silently as he walked away, his enormous Charizard appearing before him. You gawked at the beautiful pokemon, the dragon-type lover in you urging you to come closer.

He was gone within seconds, leaving you with a lingering funny feeling, especially after seeing that last smile. It was nothing like the smiles you were familiar with - the arrogant smiles he wore after each victory, the charming smiles he put on for each interview. You grew lost in thought as you tried swallowing the urge to make him smile like that again.

What did I get myself into?

~

“Altaria, use peck!” you yelled, watching your pokemon dive toward the challenger’s Machoke. The Machoke stumbled back with the force of the hit, but quickly righted itself. 

“Machoke, use low sweep!” your challenger yelled, his pokemon wasting no time in kicking out its feet against your Altaria. 

Your pokemon dodged skillfully, evading the assault with minimal effort. After a couple more turns, your Altaria finished off the opponent’s pokemon with a final peck.

“And the winner is, our Gym Leader! Better luck next time, trainer Itadori,” your gym assistant said.

The boy named Itadori Yuji sank to his knees dramatically, placing his head in his hands as he yelled out in sorrow. 

“You fought well Itadori,” you said, offering your hand to him. 

“Wait, really?!” he exclaimed, taking your hand. His look of despair was immediately replaced with hope, reminiscent of a puppy.

“Yes, that Machoke of yours is quite strong. My advice is to work a bit more on type matchups,” you said, smiling as he eagerly noted your tips.

“Alright, just you wait! I’ll train even harder and I’ll beat you in no time,” he exclaimed, the fire once again alight in his eyes.

“I look forward to it,” you said genuinely, watching as he ran out of the gym in record time. And you meant it. While he was a little sloppy, he fought bravely, and with raw power you haven’t seen in a while. You could definitely see him challenging Gojo one day.

You reached up to stroke Altaria’s feathers, commending her for another battle well done. 

“Okay, the rest of you can come out now,” you said aloud, smiling as the other 5 pokemon in your party came out of their pokeballs and began cheering for your victory.

Suddenly, Salamence began growling towards the platform where you usually held your battles. A familiar figure sat perched on the steps, smiling down at you like you were old friends.

“Congrats on the win, dragon prodigy,” Gojo said, unaffected by the rising hostility from Salamence.

“Easy bud, it's okay,” you said, patting his side. 

“How long have you been here?” you said, struggling to comprehend how he evaded notice.

“Long enough to see you bullshit that battle with Yuji,” he said, pissing you off with his infuriating smile.

“Excuse me?” you asked, debating on letting Salamence go off on him.

“With your skillset, you’re capable of defeating his pokemon with a single move from each of yours. Yet each of his pokemon lasted longer than they should’ve,” he said meaningfully, his long steps quickly eating up the distance between you two. 

“Why is that?” he asked, suddenly much closer to you, ignoring the snarling from Salamence. 

You looked straight into his blue eyes, intrigued by how they were flicking back and forth between your own, studying you.

“Every time I defeat a challenger that way, it crushes their spirit. I’m still beating them, but I’m giving them a bit more confidence and practice this way,” you answered, turning away from him.

It broke your heart to see the look of utter defeat on each challenger’s face when you actually fought even close enough to your full strength.

Gojo hummed, shaking his head at you.

“You’re setting them up for failure. You’re giving these kids the false hope that their pokemon are strong enough to stand against your own, then when they finally get to the elite 4, they won’t stand a chance,” he said, piercing you with his words.

“Then they won’t have a single hope against me,” he continued coldly, watching for your reaction.

You never thought about it that way, how taking it easy on your challengers could be hurting them more than helping them.

“My advice: don’t hold back. I’d love to watch that beautiful fighting style of yours when you’re serious,” he said lowly, placing something cold in your hands before walking away.

You looked down at your hands quizzically, finding a can of lemonade. 

“It’s the best after a fight!” Gojo yelled over his shoulder before he left.

You stood in silence, mulling over his words over and over again. 

~

You slid your pokedex back into your pocket after confirming you found the right building. 

Pokemon Trainer’s School was written in bold letters on the first sign you saw. 

Your entrance into the building turned a few heads, and you earned a good amount of wide-eyed smiles and points as you searched the building for a certain champion.

“It’s the 8th gym leader!”

“The dragon prodigy is here!”

“Oh my gosh let's go get an autograph!”

You smiled and waved politely at each of them, making your way through each room until you finally spotted Gojo, standing in front of a chalkboard of a small class of students.

His eyes flickered to yours, but he continued talking as if he were expecting you.

“In order for you to defeat dragon-type pokemon, it’s best to use Ice and Fairy-type pokemon. But make sure to study the types of your opponent, and be weary of dual-types,” he said.

You narrowed your eyes at him, which he of course ignored.

“Ah, perfect timing. Class, we have a special treat for today! A lesson from the very own dragon gym leader herself!” Gojo announced, gesturing to you. 

You froze as 6 heads turned your way, various levels of shock written across each of their faces.

“A lesson from the gym leader herself, so cool!” the boy you recognized as Itadori yelled, pumping his fist.

You plastered on a polite smile as you walked up to the front towards Gojo, leaning into his space while the students were buzzing with chatter.

“Teaching them how to defeat me, are you? You’re such a dick,” you said quietly, nudging him in the ribs.

“Worried?” he countered, the grin evident in his voice. 

“You wish,” you snapped, trying not to smile. It didn’t bother you, truly. What you were really trying to wrap your head around was why the elite champion was spending his afternoon teaching such a small class of trainers instead of battling his own challengers.

“Perfect, then you don’t mind teaching us a lesson about how to beat dragon types then right? Thank you!” he said, moving aside to sit amongst his students. You flipped him off before any of the kids could see, then focused your attention on the students staring at you expectantly.

“Alright, dragon types 101 then,” you said, launching into a lesson explaining almost everything you knew about your favorite type of pokemon.

The students listened attentively, surprising you with their engagement and the thoughtfulness of their questions. Class flew by in the blink of an eye, and soon enough you were alone in the classroom with Gojo.

He let out a whistle as you sat next to him on top of one of the desks.

“You’re a natural. Ever thought about teaching?” he said.

“Not really. But that was nice actually, those kids are very smart,” you admitted, smiling at the champion.

From the way his eyes widened ever so slightly, it must have thrown him off, seeing you smile for the first time like that. 

“They are. I’ll bet you the future champion is among them,” he said sincerely, smiling warmly for once. 

It tickled at your chest, the way his different expressions made you feel. You felt greedy to see more sides of him.

“Is that why you’re here, instead of doing your job?” you asked softly, nudging your knee against him.

“I’d much rather be here training these kids to become the best, than have to waste my time battling a bunch of rowdy upstarts who would abuse the champion title,” he said truthfully.

“Is that why you’re avoiding battles? Scared someone will beat you?” you asked curiously, studying the way his long lashes fanned against his cheek when he looked down.

“Nah. More like I don’t want to bother with kids who have zero chance beating me. It’s way more fun to train these kids to become strong enough to beat me. I’d be happy to hand over my title to one of them, someday,” he said, nudging you back.

His words made you pause. 

“That was the most decent thing I’ve ever heard you say,” you said, thoughtfully, admiring the way the light of the late afternoon made his hair seem to glow.

“That's rude as hell,” he said, causing you to burst out in laughter. By the time you finished, you realized he’d been staring at you, making a blush creep up your cheeks.

“What?” you said, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear nervously.

“What do I have to do to make you laugh like that again?” he asked genuinely, unleashing a hoard of butterfrees in your stomach.

You raised your brows, waiting for him to crack a joke or say something stupid again. But he didn’t, he was serious.

“Go back to the Pokemon League and do your job, then I’ll give you an award,” you said, smiling at the look of interest on his face.

“Hmm, since you were so kind to teach my kids a lesson, I’ll go back to work,” he said, rising up to his impressive stature.

“But I expect my reward to be paid in advance,” he said, leaning down so his face was inches away from yours. 

You blushed furiously as his eyes flickered down to your lips.

Clearing your throat, you calmed yourself, plastering the sweetest smile you could muster on your lips.

“Close your eyes then,” you said as silkily as you could, trailing your left hand up his arm. 

The champion froze, eyes widening before he complied and shut them. You fought a giggle before pressing the can of lemonade against his lips, enjoying the way his eyes shot open in surprise. 

He grabbed the can from your hand before you dashed out of the room, giggling at your prank. You heard his hearty laughter echoing across the halls before you left.

~

It was a rare day off you had to yourself. No gym challengers, no chasing Gojo, just you and your Pokemon lounging at the beach. 

The elite 4 sent you a thank you letter, claiming Gojo’s attendance had gone up significantly since you started checking up on him. They told you to take the week off, and you gladly did. There was an odd pang in your chest, though. You had become accustomed to seeing the champion, used to facing the different challenges he gave you that would get him back to work. He was undoubtedly annoying and cocky, yet you dared to find yourself missing him and the way he made you laugh.

Beach. Enjoy the beach, you urged yourself.

Kingdra and Gyrrados were racing each other in the water, joined by a couple of wild water pokemon. Altaria was soaring with a flock of wingulls, showing off her speed. Goodra and Garchomp were playing in the sand, creating what looked like a giant hole. Salamence was content to be laying at your side, sunbathing next to you. 

You broke out of your daze once Altaria started nudging you with her wing. 

“What’s up Tari? Are you already done flying?” you said, sitting up as you pressed your sunglasses to the top of your head. 

You were taken aback to see that the sunny skies had been completely replaced with angry stormclouds, threatening to unleash their rain at any second.

“Oh geez, it’s about to start pouring huh,” you said, quickly gathering up your things. 

You returned the rest of your party to their pokeballs, where they would be safe from the incoming storm.

The rain began coming down heavily, and you dashed out of the sand to take cover under a tree. 

An ear-piercing cry startled you, and you turned to see two kids standing next to rocks by the shore.

“Hey you two! It’s dangerous to be out here when it's storming!” you yelled, walking towards the young kids.

They turned their identical faces towards you, both streaked with tears. 

“Please rescue our Eevee!” one of them cried, clinging to you. 

“She was swimming when the storm started. We can’t find her anywhere!” the other said.

You knelt to be eye-level with them, grabbing one of their hands in each of yours.

“I’ll find her for you, okay? But I need you both to stay hidden. It’s dangerous when it rains, the stronger pokemon tend to come out,” you warned. 

“Salemence!” you yelled, watching as your pokemon appeared before you.

The twins looked at him with a mix of fear and awe as he quickly lifted his wings to shield them from the rain.

“I need you to stay with him okay? He’ll keep you safe while I rescue your Eevee,” you said. They nodded, huddling together against your pokemon.

Salamence immediately roared in protest, undoubtedly refusing to leave your side.

“I need you to protect them Sally, please. I’ll be okay, I promise,” you said, dropping your backpack next to him. You grabbed the mouthpiece that allowed you to breathe underwater, then dove into the sea before you had a chance to chicken out.

The freezing temperature of the water was a shock to your system. You had to rescue this Eevee fast if you wanted to avoid frostbite. You had honed your body to withstand extreme climates as you trained alongside your pokemon, but even you knew you couldn’t last long in this weather.

You swam furiously, dodging every pokemon within your radius. Not all of them would charge at you to battle, but the rain made it practically impossible to distinguish which pokemon was what, and you didn’t want to risk finding out. While treading water, you spotted a blur of brown on a group of rocks.

Swimming closer, you spotted a little Eevee, soaked wet and shivering. The poor thing looked up at you with sad, scared eyes as you hopped out of the water to approach it. 

“It’s okay little one, I’m here to rescue you okay?” you said through chattering teeth. You struggled to feel your fingers, but you forced yourself to take out the pokeball you borrowed from the twins anyways.

“I’ll get you back to your trainer. Eevee, return,” you said, breathing a sigh of relief once the pokemon was safely back into its ball.

Tucking the ball inside a small pouch you carried, you dove back into the water. To your dismay, a school of tentacruels were gathering near the surface of the water, and you knew them to be aggressive. You’d have to dive deeper into the water to avoid being spotted, but you were running out of time before the cold would give incapacitate you.

Mustering all your strength, you swam the distance back to shore, unable to gather the energy to do anything except lean against a rock just beyond the reach of the water. 

Salamence ran to you immediately, the two twins hot on his trail. Once he reached you, he whined and nudged at you, but you were too cold to move. The continued assault of the rain didn’t help the excruciating chill you were feeling.

“S-she’s s-safe,” you bit out, shakily placing Eevee’s pokeball back in the hands of the twins, who cried as they thanked you. 

“S-sal, please g-get them t-to the p-pokemon c-center,” you said, your shivers becoming so violent it was near impossible to talk. 

Salamence whined, refusing to move. He covered all three of you with his wings, and you had no strength left to chide him for ignoring you.

You vaguely heard the twins speaking to you, asking if you were okay. But you could barely register their words with the cold seeping into your bones, numbing your brain and making you feel sleepy. 

“Shit,” you heard from a familiar voice. You felt his hand against your cheek before he released a hiss.

“You’re fucking freezing,” he said, and you cracked your eyes open enough to see the panic racing against his beautiful features. 

“G-gojo?” you chattered, wondering if the hypothermia was getting to your brain and making you see things.

“Salamence, please get the kids to safety,” Gojo asked. You heard Salamence growl in response.

“I promise I will help your trainer, but I can’t do that if I need to help them too. Please,” he said, surprising you with how softly he spoke to your pokemon. 

It must have worked, as you heard the beating of his wings that meant he took flight. Probably to the nearest Pokemon Center to bring the twins to safety. 

“Bear with me for a sec,” Gojo said, lifting you up with one arm under your legs and one across your lower back. 

“I’m f-fucking c-cold,” you said, shaking violently in his arms, wrapping your arms around his neck.

“I know baby. I’ll get you warm,” he said, breaking out into a sprint. You clung to him as much as you could, releasing your grip once the sound of the rain became muffled. 

He set you down gently against what felt like a wall of rock. The cold bit into your skin, but at least it was dry here. 

Gojo knelt to face you, taking your face in his hands. You leaned your cheek into his warm palms, feeling overwhelmed with relief at seeing his familiar face. 

“I need to get you out of your wet clothes, okay?” he said, not moving until you nodded. Once you did, he made quick work of your outfit, stripping you down until you were completely bare before him. 

Any embarrassment you felt was overshadowed by the determination in his eyes, the hard set to his mouth that you rarely ever caught without a smile. A part of you wished he’d crack a joke or say something stupid to piss you off and lighten the mood, but he didn’t.

Reaching into his pack, he swiped a hand towel and began silently running it across your body, drying you swiftly as you continued to shiver. 

His cerulean eyes shimmered with focus as he stripped off his own clothing, slipping his own shirt over your frame. You sighed with relief as the warm, dry fabric of his shirt soothed your chilled skin, hanging over you like a dress and enveloping you with his clean scent. 

“Better?” he asked, taking your frozen fingers into his hands, and exhaling onto them to warm them up.

You nodded, warmth filling your body with how gently he was treating you. Your eyes traveled town his toned torso, admiring how his body seemed sculpted out of marble.

“But won’t you be c-cold?” you asked, wrapping your arms tightly against yourself.

“Worry about yourself, prodigy. Your lips are blue,” he said, settling himself behind you in only his pants and boots.

He placed his hands onto your hips, lifting you slightly and settling you on his lap. You gasped as the warmth of his front began seeping into your back, his arms cradling you and he continued to wordlessly rub your hands between his. It felt incredibly intimate.

He’s just doing it to save your life, calm down, you thought to yourself.

He paused for a second, reaching his hand to grab something from his pocket.

“Charizard,” he said. Within seconds, the pokemon appeared before your eyes, staring down at you. 

“We need your fire. Please,” Gojo said, jerking his head down towards you.

Charizard nodded, laying down on its stomach, positioning the tip of its tail in front of you and Gojo. The fire at the tip of its tail provided you with immediate relief. 

After a while, the shivering racking your body subsided, and your teeth finally stopped chattering.

“Thank you. Both of you,” you said quietly, breaking the silence. Charizard made a sound that you took as “you’re welcome, I guess,” and Gojo’s arms around you tightened.

“You could’ve died, you know,” Gojo said lowly, his voice tickling the shell of your ear.

“I know,” you answered, squeezing his hands that held yours.

“Why would you put yourself at risk like that?” he asked more calmly than you’d expected, rubbing slow circles into your palms.

“I couldn’t just leave their Eevee out there. It would’ve died,” you said, observing the rain still heavily pouring outside of the cave. There’s not a single doubt in your mind that their Eevee would’ve lost it’s life had you not saved it, either from drowning or from hypothermia.

“Why didn’t you have your pokemon help you? You have water types,” Gojo pressed, leaning forward to rest his chin on your shoulder, causing you to shiver.

“I couldn’t risk any of them getting injured. They’re too precious to me,” you said.

Gojo heaved a heavy sigh, the warmth of his exhale tickling across the sensitive skin near your nape.

“You and your bleeding heart,” he said, a mixture of resignment and admiration in his voice.

“Can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same. But I would’ve at least called for help first,” he said, making you laugh.

“Right, how did you know to find me here?” you asked, warm enough to turn in his lap to face him. Your breath caught as you realized just how close he was to you, and you couldn’t help your eyes as they lingered on his perfectly pink lips.

You’d never been close enough to him before to see the little flecks of silver that made his eyes shine. His silvery hair was slightly damp from the rain, a few strands curling around his face that made him seem younger. He was devastatingly beautiful.

He reached out to tuck a stray piece of your hair behind your ear.

“I just had a sudden urge to see you. I’ve become so used to seeing your pretty face show up everywhere I go, that I got lonely when you stopped,” he said honestly. You smiled. 

“Imagine my surprise when I get here and you’re freezing to death. You really scared me back there,” he said, his throat bobbing.

He was frightened for you. He saved you. He cared about you.

You leaned forward, gingerly wrapping your arms around his neck in a tight hug. He returned it immediately, wrapping his hands across your shoulders. His hands traced small circles into your skin, as if he needed to keep touching you to make sure you were still there.

“I’m sorry. Thank you,” you whispered into his ear, rubbing your cheek against the silky skin of his shoulder. 

The two of your relaxed in the silence, the sound of the rain and Charizard’s breathing becoming strangely comforting.

The sound of a familiar roar shook you from your thoughts, as Salamence landed at the front of the cave, a package in his mouth.

“Sally!” you yelled, attempting to get up from Gojo’s lap. His long fingers grasped your hips, tugging you back down to him.

“You’re not warm enough yet. Stay,” he said, earning him a warning growl from Salamence.

Salamence shook off the rain at the entrance of the cave, walking towards you. Him and Charizard exchanged a few snarls, but neither of them actually made any moves towards the other. 

You stuck your arm out, and Salamence stuck his nose against your palm.

“You okay bud? You’re soaked,” you said, feeling the chill from the rain on his skin. He chuffed, depositing the package in his mouth beside you.

Gojo unwrapped it, finding a set of dry clothes and a few towels. The pokemon centers usually prepared these packages for extreme weather, and the twins must have alerted one of the nurses to send him off with one.

“Good job,” Gojo said, reaching out his hand to pat Salemence. To your complete surprise, Salamence accepted his touch, closing his eyes contently as Gojo scratched his chin. 

“Let’s get you changed and head out. I’d rather get you checked out to be safe first, that okay?” Gojo asked, rubbing his hands up and down your arms, checking how warm you were.

You nodded, wishing he would never stop touching you.

~

Luckily, you narrowly avoided hypothermia or frostbite thanks to Gojo. You were able to recover quickly, and before you knew it you were back at your platform inside of your gym.

“How many challengers do we have today?” you asked your gym assistant, feeding Garchomp a pokepuff. 

“Um, one,” he said, eyes darting left to right nervously. 

“Just one?” you questioned, noticing how your assistant looked more anxious than usual. You were used to battling 4-5 challengers a day, making sure to give your pokemon ample rest between. It was unusual for you to only have one battle.

“Yes ma’am. He requested he be the only one,” your assistant said, fiddling with his pokedex.

“Requested? Who the hell does this guy think he is,” you said, glaring at the trembling teenager. It was very bold to request to be the only challenger at a gym - it usually implied that the trainer thought very highly of themselves.

“The champion,” Gojo said, stepping up from the staircase, smirking at you cockily.

You furrowed your brows as you stared at the Champion. He was actually dressed in his fighting attire - a dark blue zip-up with his collar popped up, and matching pants. You had to admit he looked damn good in it, even though he looked great in everything.

“You’re challenging me today?” you asked, placing you hands on your hips as you gawked at him in disbelief. To your dismay, Salamence came barreling up to him, nuzzling his side like they were old friends. 

“Yup,” he said, happily complying with Salamence’s demands for pets. Gojo walked up to you, stopping just a few feet before you. 

“I challenge you, dragon prodigy. If I win, you’ll let me take you out on a date,” he said, flashing an infuriatingly bright smile at you as he winked.

You threw your head back as you shook with laughter. Only he would be extra enough to challenge you to a battle in order to ask you out.

“You’re on, champion,” you said, mirroring his own grin with your own. Salamence roared in excitement, undoubtedly itching to face off with Gojo’s Charizard.

“And don’t you dare hold back on me baby, cuz I sure as hell won’t be holding back on you,” he said, readying the pokeball in his hands.

“I wouldn’t dare. Lets go, Salemence!” you said, watching your pokemon ready his stance in front of you.

But you knew you had already lost - because you were going out with him regardless of the outcome of this battle.

~

Back at the Pokemon League

“Seems like the dragon gym leader succeeded,” Yuta said, smiling at the news article on his pokedex.

“Indeed. Gojo agreed to stop ditching work as long as we invested more funds into training schools,” Nanami said, kicking a ball back and forth with his Lucario.

“Oh, I was talking about her finally dating Gojo. But it was great that she helped us get him back to work,” Yuta said, showing Nanami the article he was looking at.

Newest Dragon-type Gym Leader spotted holding hands with Pokemon Champion Gojo!

The ends of Nanami’s lips curved up as he smiled, shaking his head.

“It’s about time. He hasn’t shut up about her for years,” Nanami said. Yuta’s light laughter filled the room as he handed his Dusclops an oran berry.

“By the way, why did you have Lucario send her that can of lemonade the first time she came here?” Yuta asked.

“Ah, that,” Nanami began, patting Lucario on the head.

“Gojo got that brand every time he won a battle, back when we were teenagers. I figured it would help her make a good first impression,” he said. Yuta laughed once more.

“Looks like it worked.”

~fin~

[multifandomlover01]

Spencer Reid Anxiety Comfort

Established Relationship

WC: ~1.3k

Disclaimer: Based on my own anxiety so I’m sorry if it’s not exactly everyone’s experience with it but I think I made it vague enough

Warning: depictions of anxiety (chest tightness), and anxiety attacks (crying, shallow breathing) but it’s not too graphic or detailed

Note: reader is a child behavior specialist (expert on children victims, perpetrators and witnesses; debriefs kids after they’ve been through a trauma) bc that’s how I view/write myself in the CM universal.

Gif credit: once-upon-an-imagine

—

Spencer and you were relaxing at home after a week long stressful case. The children were saved but there was a point where they very well might not have been. As the child expert, there was a lot of stress on you in particular, especially as you dealt with the parents and debriefed the kids.

As you were lying there on the couch in Spencer’s arms, you started to realize that your chest was tight. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. Spencer seemed to notice a shift in your body language.

“You ok?” He asked softly, a hint of concern in his voice.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” You say but you are indeed uncomfortable.

And he could tell by your tone of voice and body language that you were not quite relaxed.

“Is it the case?” He begins to caress your arm lightly. “Got you all wound up, did it?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s wrong? Can you tell me?”

“Chest is tight.”

“Yeah? Want me to help you relax? Do some deep breathing exercises with you?”

“Please.” You nod, your chest tightness getting more uncomfortable.

“Of course, hon. Just relax…let yourself fall back into me like this.” He caressed your arms more and pulls you back into him. Your back is against his chest. “Comfortable? At least as much as you can be?”

“Mhm.”

“Ok…I want you to take a slow deep breath and hold it while I count. Can you do that for me, sweetheart?” He wraps his arms around you.

“Yes.”

“Good. Now I want you breathe in for me and hold it, ok?”

“Ok.”

“Nice and deep, alright? Here we go. Taking a deep breath in for 1, 2, 3.” He whispers softly and takes a deep breath along with you. “Holding it for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…and letting it go for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.” He lets it go with you.

“Deep breath in for 1, 2, 3. Holding it for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Letting go for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. “

He repeats this and does it with you for several minutes as he holds you with just the right amount of pressure to assure you that he’s there with you. It’s not too much so as to not overwhelm you. The chest tightness slowly diminishes.

“Feeling better?”

“Mhm.”

“Good.” He kisses your head.

—

“Y/N?” He knocked on the bathroom door.

You didn’t answer right away but he could hear your shallow breathing.

“Y/N/N? You ok?”

“Y-yeah.” You call out, your voice wavering slightly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah!” You tried to say in a clearer voice.

“Can I come in?”

He heard a sniffle. He didn’t get a response and didn’t wait for one. He opens the door and enters the bathroom. His heart breaks when he sees your flushed face and red eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He says softly as he takes a step closer to you. “Why didn’t you tell me you were crying?”

You avert your gaze to the floor and don’t respond and he takes another step closer to you.

“May I touch you?” He asks.

He just wants to help. He hates seeing you like this. You know this. You look back up at him and nod.

“Ok…I’m going to touch your shoulder, ok?”

“Ok.” You nod and smile.

He puts an arm on your shoulder and caressed it. “Can you tell me what you’re feeling right now, hon? Chest tightness, chest pain, shortness of breath? What’s got you all worked up, hmm?”

“I…got really anxious about all of the reports I have to fill out. There were just so many and I wasn’t getting them done fast enough. And if I tried to work faster, the integrity and accuracy would go down and then I’d get in trouble for it and have to redo the reports. I’m nowhere near as fast and efficient as you are. I’m surprised Hotch hasn’t made me take courses to improve my efficiency.”

He listened to you intently. You had his full, undivided attention. He didn’t cut you off. He waited until you were finished talking.

“I can help you with your reports if you’d like.”

“I think I’m really supposed to be the one to do them.”

“We don’t have to tell Hotch.” He shrugs, trying to lighten the mood a little.

You chuckle lightly. “I think Hotch has our writing styles down pretty well. I think he’d be able to tell.”

“Are you sure?”

“Pretty sure.” You nod.

“You sure I haven’t studied your writing style well enough to fool him?”

“I don’t know…have you studied my writing style?” I asked curiously.

“A little, yes.”

“And you think you could convince Hotch that you’re not writing the report…of a debrief that I gave that you weren’t there for?”

“I’ve been studying you and your behavior pretty closely for years at this point. I think I’d be able to do a pretty good job.” He has a smug grin on his face.

“Ok Dr. Smarty Pants…care to put that to the test?��

“Are you saying you’ll let me?” He asks, hopeful.

“I’m saying I wanna see you try to write like me. And then we’ll see how it goes.”

“You won’t regret it, I promise.” He squeezed your arm. “Are you feeling any better? You’re not crying anymore.”

“No.” You chuckled. “That’s true. I’m not.”

“Distraction is a very efficient method of calming anxiety. So is deep breathing. Do you need me to take some deep breaths with you?”

“No. I think I’ve calmed down enough. Thank you, though.”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for. You wanna go see if I can forge your writing style, then?”

You chuckled. “Sure. Why not?”

“I’m hopeful I can do it.”

“I’m sure you are.”

You both exited the bathroom. You went over to your mountain of paperwork on your desk. He sat down in your desk chair. He looked over the report that you had stopped in the middle of and studied it for a few minutes. Then he picked your pen up and began finishing the report (which was already about halfway done). In a few minutes, he’d finished the report. He gave it to you to review.

“Read that and tell me you didn’t finish that report.”

You looked over what he had written. Your handwriting was replicated. Your choice of words was replicated. It was indeed impossible for someone who wasn’t he or you to know that you hadn’t written this whole report.

“See? I told you I could mimic your writing.” He says and smirks as he sees your reaction.

“I have to admit…this is pretty good.”

“Hotch will never know. Read all of them after I’m done to check if you must but for goodness sake, love, please let me take half of your load.”

“Alright, alright, fine, fine.” You relent.

“Thank you! You won’t regret this, I promise.”

You continued to get through your reports (he had already finished all of his. He’d been so engrossed in his that he hadn’t noticed you had been absent until he had finished and looked up from them to check on your progress). You eventually finished all of your reports.

“See? All done. And with time to cuddle…unless you’re too tired. If you are, that’s ok. I understand. Anxiety attacks and emotional release can take a lot out of a person.”

“I would love to cuddle.” You say as you get up from your chair.

“Don’t you want to look at the reports I wrote?”

“No. I trust you not to have written them as if a preschooler had. Come on, couch time.” You smile as you extend your hand to him.

He smiles and takes your hand. “Couch time indeed.”

You both go over to the couch. He sits down and pulls you into his lap, his arms wrapped around you. He nuzzled your neck.

“You’re ok. We’re ok.”

“Yes. I am. We are. Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome.”

[greatunironic]

title: these traces of available light (3/3) summary: “So when Hop asks, when Murray asks, when Owens asks, when the doctors ask, when the specialist asks, he says: fall of ‘84, Billy Hargrove, in the Byers’ living room, with the dinner plate. He says: that’s when the static started in both ears, worse in the left than the right, but both weren’t great. He says: some mornings I woke up and it was like I heard everything like I was under water, but it would get better as the day wore on. He says: yeah, sometimes I got headaches too, and that made the static more. He says: after Starcourt, but just before, it did get worse, yeah. He says: I’d been practicing lip reading for a while, because I think some part of me always knew. He says: it was just gone, after that: no static, nothing blurry, just silence with the occasional whine when Hop got that whistle right.” Steve Harrington, and life after death.

EXCERPT It’s November, and it’s 1988. It’s been five years, damn near to the day, since the vanishing of Will Byers, and everyone’s probably had better days themselves in the aftermath, he thinks — knows, actually. They do good with anniversaries, mostly, but there’s something about this one that’s just the tiniest bit different for most of them. 

Will’s keeping close, though he makes a show of rolling his eyes when Joyce finds every excuse under the sun to wrap her arm around him when he gets within reaching distance, and Jonathan comes up for the weekend too, under the pretense of laundry, as usual, though of course they all see through him, curled on the floor of Will’s bedroom, never quite asleep. The kids radio a little bit more frequently through the day, just checking in, and Dustin turns up for dinner most nights, tucking himself close to Will and Steve in equal measure.

And not that he says anything himself but Steve’s own nightmares have been bad lately. Worse, even, than they’ve been before, and he’s not entirely certain it’s all to do with the anniversary, the memories that follow all of them right now. Something has come unlocked within him all on its own, he thinks. It had been a long time coming, he’s sure, his heart and soul and body on the approach of a certain precipice and now he’s finally tipping over the edge. So many things have been driving him towards it, but his mother, in Boston, is the latest of them, he knows.

[mrsaguapapi]

Prologue & Chapter 1

A Blind Girl & Her Dog

"We followed the curse here, it unfortunately already killed the couple," Gojo says,

"Damn," Yuji says, "Well what are we waiting for lets go kill it"

"Not so fast buckaroo, Nanami and I think you two should go in alone. I wanna see where your abilities are at and whether you guys rely on Megumi too much"

"Ummm?" Nobara scoffs, "Yuji and I work just fine without that walking storm cloud. Come on let's show them" She says before walking off and Yuji follows.

"We'll follow you in after a few minutes and watch you from a distance," Nanami says

"Okay!" Yuji says in response

"Those kids are gonna get eaten alive" Gojo laughs

"Yep," Nanami replies, "Their cursed technique is great but they rely on it too much; they need to hone in their hand-to-hand combat and become more versatile with their weapons."

"Agreed, the principal is actively recruiting for a Combat Specialist, so let's see where that goes. Sighhhhh. Come on" Gojo says walking into the house with Nanami Following

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

The Vibe:

Most Men-Amber Mark

'Clunk Clunk Clunk'

My cane makes that insufferable sound as I walk down the bustling streets of Tokyo.  I hear the laughter and chatter coming from the restaurant with the outdoor seating on my left; and on my right, I smell a fresh brioche being taken out of the oven from the bakery on the corner. 

'Click Clack, Click Clack'

The sound coming from the heels of a business women more than 30 feet away.

'I needed that report yesterday Haru;  just have it turned in by 5 please'  She says before hanging up abruptly.

"Yikes" I whisper to myself as I take a sip of my tea

'Clunk Clunk Clunk'

I continue walking down the street eventually turning off the right into the neighborhoods; they're much quieter than before. As I continue to walk I can hear loud sounds of downtown fade away behind me. 

I'm on my way home from a long day of work at the restaurant, we debuted a new dish and the line was down the street for hours.  It is now 11 past midnight and I find myself operating on autopilot on my way home. It's about a 2-mile walk from my loft to the restaurant; takes me about 30 min but I don't mind the fresh air, it's become a part of my nighttime routine honestly.  It would be less draining and miles easier if I took a cab or an uber, but I need to keep my senses sharp. Every time I successfully make the walk home it's proof that I can continue to survive on my own.  Navigating through one of the most busiest cities in the world is almost a near-impossible feat for a blind woman after all.

Nearing the end of my walk I begin to hear strange noises coming from the home next to mine.  It sounds like a couple of people loudly talking and then the occasional scream or shriek maybe? And the smell, ughk, it was like someone put an industrial size fan in front of the city dump. I quickly find my way up the steps to my home and hurriedly unlock and open my door slamming it behind me to lock out the smell and sound.

"Phew" I sigh in relief, "Yukio!" I loudly call out. I hear the pitter-patter of clawed paws making their way across the hardwood floor and stopping at my feet. I fold my cane in itself and bend down to pet my pup.  She was a midsized short-haired dog and she is my eyes, my guard, and my best friend. 

"Hi, baby!" I laugh and pet her as she happily greets me, "How are you? Come on, let me feed you, sweet girl"

I walk to the kitchen and grab the dog food container that I leave on the left side of the counter. My home is very consistent with where I store my things, if it's out of place then it's lost. I live alone, I have no family, or friends that I trust in my home. Just me and my pooch and honestly I don't mind it. To live a life of quiet solitude is a near miracle considering the life I've lived. I grab her food bowl from the counter and pour some food in it and do a touch test to make sure it's enough and eventually place it down on the ground on the side of the kitchen island. 

While she eats I go upstairs and change into my sleepwear for bed. Tonight is just a pair of boy shorts and an oversized T-shirt. I walk to my bathroom and brush my teeth as well as brush out my long silk press, making sure I have no knots.

I make my way downstairs and grab my stashbox as I head to the back patio with Yukio.  While she runs around and does her business, I sit in my hammock and pack a bowl of the devil's jazz lettuce and begin to smoke; weed is very illegal here in Japan but the Chairperson of Japans National Public Safety is an old 'friend' of mine, so I'm not too worried.

The Vibe:

Ain't No Rest for the Wicked

I lay back in my hammock, relaxing in the cool spring air, I smell the blooming cherry blossoms in the breeze and listen to the sounds of the locusts making their music.

'Crash!'

'Fuck!'  I hear someone shout from next door

I spring up and turn my head in the direction of the noise, patiently waiting for another sound.  I wait for what feels like hours but in reality, no more than 10 secs before I hear another sound.

'Boom! Crash!'

'Black Flash!'  I hear a boy's voice yell before I hear the sound of an isolated explosion.

I get out of my hammock and run back inside to quickly grab the closest weapon I have stashed in my home. My karambit knife, I keep it hidden behind a piece of artwork on my wall; as well as an old school train conductor's hand counter. The sound from the counter will act as my cane, but in a smaller and more discreet way; it will create small sound waves that bounce off the surrounding surface, Human Echolocation.

Walking back outside I call for Yukio and she quickly runs to me, "Guard" I command to her. 

Yukio has been with me since day one of my blindness; I got her as a gift from my father when he was still alive. Freshly blinded and in the hospital bed, he told me to reach out my hand's palms out, he then handed me Yukio a tiny puppy at the time.

"From now on Himari, where you go she goes when you train she trains. The loss of your sight is merely a setback; we are warriors who use weapons, she is your weapon." My father said to me.  He presented her as a tool merely in my utility belt, but I knew he also intended for her to be my friend.  We trained together for years and eventually, we became an unstoppable pair on the job.

Yukio switched from her relaxed usual demeanor to her serious kill-on-demand attitude. I begin to walk towards the back gate of my yard that leads to the alleyway, Yukio quickly follows behind me making little noise.

'Tick Tick

I use the counter to gauge my surroundings, decide the area is clear, and turn left to walk to the neighbor's house. I approach the back door and get slapped in the face with some garbage smell as well as an overwhelming smell of fresh blood.

"Shit" I whisper under my breath, "Stay" I demand Yukio pointing to the doorway. I hear her quietly whimper and sit down.

'Tick Tick

From the sound of it, the house seemed huge, which makes no sense because every house in this neighborhood is about the same size.  This sounds like a mansion, with so many walls, and so much empty space.

Feels wrong here

"Itadori watch out"  I hear a female voice yell this time before another crash.

I take a sec to make sure there's no one nearby to ambush me and command Yukio, "Come" We quickly, but quietly, follow the sound, making lefts and rights down this maze of a home, until finally, we hear the sounds of a fight more clearly.  I eventually stop at the doorway where the fight is taking place. Yukio and I hide behind the wall listening and waiting to make our next move.

"Fuck! Why does he only move when we move!!!" The girl's voice yells in a huff

"I Don't know but it's making it damn near impossible to touch," The boy says in return\

The 'It' in question is unknown to me, I hear their heartbeats pretty clearly, but 'It' had none, yet it continues to move and attack. I can tell it was physically like a person but something was off.

What is this?

Also, the smell is coming from in here as well as that fresh pool of blood in the corner on the right. I hear them continue to try to attack it together for about 10 more minutes. They were very unsuccessful, barely making contact. As they catch their breath for a minute they stand still and the room went silent.

"On 3?" the boy asks

"I guess" the girl responds

"1..2..3!" I hear them both lunge forward at the same time, but I notice that the thing locks on to him first instead of the girl knocking him back and THEN her.

That's it

I've finally had enough of this sad fight and decided to intervene, quickly Yukio and I walk up in between the girl and the boy.  "Hey, y'all okay?" I simply ask starling them

"Jesus. Does it look like we are okay?" The girl snarkily replies

"I don't know" I truthfully answer in an unamused tone

"Dude, why are you here? It's like totally not safe" the boy says, "Can you even see that?" he asks and I assume points

"Nope," I say "But yall looked like you need some help"

"Well unless you can't see it, you can't fight it; and if you can't fight it, you are gonna die. So I suggest you leave with your, cute dog Lady"

"Thank you, my dog is cute," I say not being able to help myself, "You" I point at the boy, "It only moves when you move"

"No it moves when either of us moves" he retorts

"You can't tell because you guys move almost at the same time, but I guaranteed it's locked onto you man.  Easy way to prove it if you just take a step forward" I say looking in the girl's direction now.

"Fine" She steps forward and the thing doesn't move one bit.

I go ahead and do the same thing and once again it doesn't move, "See" I say, "We are gonna use you as bait. You begin to run that way" I say pointing to the left, "And she will attack"

"Sounds easy to me," She says, "Thanks strange dog lady"

"Okay" He sighs, "Ready Kugisaki?"

"As I'll ever be" She replies, "On your count"

"1..2..3!" He yells and begins to run in the other direction. The thing quickly locks on and follows behind him and almost instantly knocking him down. The girl did manage to get a jump on him and begins to hit him once but she want' fast enough; as she goes to hit it again the thing grabs her by the wrist and lifts her.

"Shit" I hiss before grabbing my knife and commanding to Yukio to stay.  I quickly run towards the thing and quickly slice through its arm that was holding the girl. My knife went through it like a hot knife to a stick of butter, and she and the arm drop to the floor. Not wanting to give it time to counterattack, I kneel and roll behind it slashing the back of the ankles making it fall to its knees before finally coming back around and taking its head clear off. I slide back and in a protective stance waiting for it to get back up just in case, but after about 15 secs nothing happened and I relaxed.

"Everyone okay?" I ask

"Yep" I hear the muster up

"Yea, thank you, that was kind of badass," the girl says

"Thank You " I chuckle, "Yukio, Rest" I command, "Come," I say wiping my knife on my shirt and tucking it in my shorts before I pick up Yukio to hug her. Both our heartbeats were about to burst; It's been a while since we've been this on edge, "who are you guys?" I ask

"Well I'm Nobara and he's Yuji" she replies

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Ari" I respond, "I smell loads of fresh blood, I'm assuming that's my neighbors then?" I ask

"Unfortunately yes," Yuji says

"Figures, I think I heard them dying when I got home. There were screams and yelling but I didn't think they were getting murdered in here."  I say a little guilty

"You couldn't have known," Yuji says

"Hey guys!" a random man says on the other side of the room. My head instantly turns to the new voice, "So that was unexpected" He says walking towards us. I hear that there is another set of footsteps following him, "Nanami Thoughts?"

"Nobara I'm disappointed you didn't figure it out, Yuji, I'm not surprised," another man says very bluntly

"Hey man, we aren't a full team right now, Megumi isn't hereee" Yuji complains

"Yea Megumi is the brain, Yuji the Brawn, and I'm also the brawn but hot"

The first man continues to walk towards us but specifically towards me stopping about a foot away and leaning over me looking down, "And who might you be?"  He asks in a happy tone, I'd have to assume that he is smiling.

"The nosey neighbor," I say taking a step back, "Are y'all cops or something?" I ask

"We're Jujustu Sorcerers, these are our students," the other man says unentertained

My blind eyes go dead, "Welp, you lost me at sorcerer so imma go home now. Dad always said to never ask questions you don't want to know the answer to." I say holding on to Yukio and clicking my counter beginning to walk away.

'Tick Tick

Whoa, the house sounds normal now, with less room, and fewer turns, it's like my home now.

"Weird," I say a little loud quickly stopping

"The cursed spirit locked us in a pocket dimension. As soon as you stepped in, you were trapped. It was lifted when you killed it" The first man responds, "What's the clicker for?"

"She's Blind" The other man chimes in

"No she's not Nanamin," Yuji says, "There's no way"

"He's right, I'm blind. The clicker helps me echolocate" I respond

"Like a bat?" Nobara says, "Okay batgirl, slay"

"Satoru Gojo," The first man says in front of me.

We all kinda stand there for a while in awkward silence.

"Are you- are you holding your hand out right now?" I say with a STRONG hint of annoyance before holding my hand out searching for his and finally connecting with him. He vigorously shakes my hand before pulling me to the other man, "This is my Best Friend Kento Nanami, shake the woman's hand Nanamin" he says in a childish voice

The man takes my hand and firmly shakes mine; his hand easily overpowered mine, it was big and firm. Yet he had a softness to him that sent chills down my spine., "I apologize for my colleague's behavior and the loss of your neighbors"

"Thank you," I say very genuinely

"What's your name?" Gojo says

"Himari Sanada, Nice to meet you all." I say clearing my throat, "Well, if y'all don't mind, imma take my girl and going home now. I'd say it's been fun but that would be a lie soooo bye." beginning to walk away

'Tick Tick

"Hey, you need a job? We're looking for a new combat specialist, our students are lacking in that area if you couldn't tell"

"No thanks. I've got a job good night" I say waving my hand before leaving all behind.

[hawkytawky]

An Arc's Chance Part 2 (Old)

Continued From

Qrow: Do you really need to know?

Taiyang: You're asking me to turn a blind eye to a kid who has zero training sneaking his way into Signal. So yes, I need to know.

Qrow: (Sighs) Fine. Jimmy's been having trouble with convoys being attacked on the way to Argus.

Taiyang: That doesn't really seem like something you would bother with, and I'd think James would rather have his own men take care of it.

Qrow: That's what he's been doing. Problem is that his specialists keep disappearing and the convoys keep getting raided.

Taiyang: Was he sending in new graduates?

Qrow: The first few probably were, but they've been sending in their "elites" for the past few runs.

Taiyang: Hmm, so whatever you're looking for is dangerous enough to take out Atlas' best. Or there have to be enough of them to overpower them.

Taiyang: Maybe some larger griffons, or a large lancer nest. Or some king taijitu couldve setup some nests near the major routes. Maybe even an emperor or two.

Qrow: ...Tai?

Taiyang: That or maybe the White Fang are kicking up their raiding and have gotten some stronger recruits. Or maybe one just has a knockout semblance.

Qrow: Please stop.

Taiyang: Of course, that part of Anima is thick with bandit gangs and tribes...

Qrow: ...You done?

Taiyang: ...Are you going after Raven?

To be continued

[marierg]

Of Light and Darkness: The Rising Darkness pt. 5

Rated: Mature (yeah check the warnings folks)

Pairing: Obi Wan Kenobi X Reader

WARNINGS!: DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE NOT IN A GOOD MENTAL PLACE! Death/ Dying, survivors guilt, depression, Suicidal thoughts/ ideations, PTS flare up, angst, talk of medical procedures and autonomy (previous denial alluded too), stress reactions, cursing, and Cannon typical violence. Uh yeah not light reading...

But also hurt/comfort, fluff, kissing, marriage proposals... so not all bad!

A/N: I take no credit for the movie dialogue that is all the work of the wonderful Mr. Lucas!!!! THIS IS A LOVING WORK OF FANFICTION!!! With that said I did take more than a few liberties but I tried to pull from the film/ books and meld it into a cohesive piece. Much love to all the prequels and the folks there in!

With all said I will take this opportunity to say that it will be a minute till the next part! I have to figure out how I want this to follow the series and frankly this part just wiped me out. Hope y'all enjoy!

Picture Credit: Deviant Art and pinterest;

Words: 9000ish... yeah it was worse before i edited. ENJOY!

“Droid get over here with that...”

“I need more bandages!”

“No you will not kriffing take my patient until I'm done with them! I don't care what your CO said, your CO can bite me!”

It was the chorus of an all to familiar ture that you awoke to, smelling blood and bacta and battlefield. Laying in a triage area surrounded by troopers and Jedi alike, cots or the red dirt floor shaking with the ever nearing hits of artillery. Every inch of your body aching as you swung your legs down, the ground began to spin. Yes, you knew this waltz well, but dear Force how you wished the dance would stop.

“Ma'am can we take this bed?”

Glancing up at the medic in his polished armor you observed the trooper on the litter. He bled from the socket where his eye should have been, long painful gashes in the wake of shrapnel. Making a give over motion you assisted the transfer, urging the injured man to lay back as the medic administered a sedative. Defaulting to work mode you began to assess the man. “The wound needs cleaning and fresh bandages then send him straight through to the surgeon.”

“We can't ma'am, surgery was hit. This is it till we can get the ships off the ground again.” The medic tilted his helmet at you in silent resignation.

“Dear merciful Force.” Pain, so much pain and death. “Whose in charge of this mess?”

The trooper points to the loudest of the beings working among the wounded. Braids covered in dust and mud, face weary but focused as she barked orders over the din. “You will return them to this triage and those troopers will receive care! I don't give a flying KARK you fucking droid, they've earned every opportunity we can give them!”

In all of her time as a rescue specialist, even after all the missions Tyra had never seen anything like this. It reminded her of the stories her grandfather told of the war on her home world. The small Jedi who assigned her the task had motioned with his staff and simply replied...

“For the Valkar search the field of battle, and the brave shall they return.”

Her squad had been at it for hours even after the small Jedi had returned with Kaboomie, Speedster and you. Tyra would have liked to see all three of you onto the nearest ship, but with the limited space available choices had been made. She saw to your care personally with some assistance from a Mirialan named Barris. Tyra would give the girl this, she was a good healer. Heck the kid had done her best with every critical case till she'd passed out from the effort and had to be laid down too.

Looking at the next set of incoming wounded Tyra prayed to every one of her Gods for strength. Not that they often listened to her cries.

“Glitch!” Making your way over you waived to the young woman. She was no longer that student you had taught, years in the field giving her a commanding edge. Then again she had always been more an adult than youngling, “Tyra!”

“Boss!”

The women embraced, relief marking both their faces. You were the first to pull back giving her a tired smile, “Report?”

“Same shit, different day. Thank the All Father I won't sing your tale tonight. Scared the hell out of us,” She tried to get you to sit but you waived the effort off. Figures that if the Boss is awake she's back to work. “We barely have transport up and going and even that's sketchy, never seen Deek so steamed. No tower, barely reliable comms, control of the ground is non existent. Top that off no surgery.”

“So I was told. Do we still have supplies?” At Glitch's nod you glanced around. There were two grounded troop transport ships that were heavily damaged near by. While those birds would never fly again they could still serve, “Do those still have power?”

“Yeah, why?”

You'd made do with far less before and these men needed a surgeon. “Get that equipment into the ships, we have work to do.”

Obi Wan had seen Anakin and the Senator to the transport off planet and then rejoined Master Koon at the forward operations. Masters Yoda and Windu were somewhere on the battlefield, but after the droids had barraged the operations center, communications broke down. Light turned to dusk before order was restored. Always in the back of his mind you were there, the image of your unconscious form on the bed as he had left. Were you awake now, had you been sent to a ship already?

“Sir, we've received multiple transmissions of men trapped in the catacombs below the foundry. What are your orders?”

Obi Wan looked to the Clone commander, CC-2224 as he had Identified himself, grim expression falling across his features. Those men would require special extrication, especially if there was structural damage. It would cost time and men that their dwindling forces may not be able to afford. On the other hand it would cost his soul not to at least try. These men had risked life and limb to save him and the other Jedi, honor dictated that he must endeavor to return their brothers to them. Glancing at the Commander's helmet Obi Wan gave a nod, “Gather a team and what equipment you can Commander, I will accompany you.”

“Sir, yes Sir.”

The man beneath the helmet closed his eyes in relief. His trainers had prepared Cody for many scenarios. Retrieval and rescue, negotiations, incursion drops, but never how to bury so many his brothers. Never how to deal with the guilt of sending them to their assured death. What they had taught them was to trust in their chain of command, so that is what Cody would do.

“Vessia raise that retractor... Yeah there! Ok, suction,” After a while the bodies began to blur together. Collapsed lungs, skull fractures, missing limbs... you didn't feel like a doctor, you felt like a butcher. “Alright there's the bleed. Clamp off, sew, then seal him up until we can get a transport.”

Most of what you were performing was considered stabilization procedures until the troopers could be seen on the hospital ship in orbit. As the only fully trained Doctor you had to hop from table to table when there was a question of need. It was a motley crew, former students some of whom you hadn't seen in years. Vessia who was in her intern year after Medical School was beside you, hands once uncertain now efficient and skilled. The Senators daughter had changed much, finding her purpose in healing. Maru, who was currently running the blood donation chair, had left the RRC active branch preferring to work on the admin side of things. Yet here he was alongside you all. You could feel his old terrors coming to the surface again, but he remained stalwartly working. The strongest of bonds were ever forged in the fire of combat, at least that's what Master Melri had often said.

Then there was the Padawan who had been left in your charge. Barris Offee didn't have the same training you'd had at that age, but she was a hard little worker and adapted quickly. She stood at the table to your back while Vessia handled procedures at the other. The normally peaceful Mirialan was now face to face with a healers worst nightmare and you felt horribly for her. Having to remind Barris again and again that she must refrain from any more Force healing and to focus on clinical work set a knot in your gut. It was a simple equation though, she could use her abilities to heal a few while injuring herself or help the many that would surely follow the first. The girl's frustration was ever palpable, but in the end had deferred to your command.

“Master L/n, I require your assistance.” Barris had never felt so helpless in her life. It was as if all the light of the Force had gone out, leaving only the cold of death that now surrounded this place. This man on her table was barely breathing, but surely... “What about him.”

Glancing down at the trooper you could see he was beyond even your ability to save. Multiple blaster shots including the one that had penetrated his helmet, it was a ghastly sight. And yet he struggled still for breath, his brothers looking at the two Jedi with hope in their eyes. You wished there was something you could do for this young trooper to save his life, but all you could offer was a peaceful passing. “I'm sorry Barris...”

“NO! You gotta try damn it! He's still alive!”

One of the mud stained commandos screamed, ripping off his helmet as others tried to console him. The crying man cursed, yelling how they couldn't let his brother die. Not his last batch mate. Storming right up, he barked in your face demanding you save his brother. It was in that moment that you saw Barris cry, silent sorrow rolling down her cheeks. Damn this day, Damn Dooku, but above all damn yourself for failing them all.

“I cannot save him. I would if it were possible, but I cant. I am so sorry.”

“Can't or won't!?” He screamed again, but in truth there was a part of Fi that knew. “Why... Why Why WHY!!!”

“I'm sorry... more than you know.” Turning to the young Padawan you pulled her close, whispering. “Barris. I must ask a difficult task of you.”

The girl wiped her eyes quickly, “Yes?”

Looking from her to the bed and then the other downed craft across the narrow dirt you sighed. As with so many things today it was the only comfort you could offer these poor men. “Take the stretcher and place this trooper in the curtained part of the recovery. Let them say good bye.”

Barris stood stock still, as though doused in ice. “What are you saying?”

“He won't last much longer Healer Offee. All we can do is ease one brother's pain and grant the other dignity in their death.” You could see the light slowly dwindling out of her eyes and hated yourself even more. Giving her a nod you turned to the newest patient on your table and started to glove up again. “Give them however long they need.”

Barris wanted nothing more than to run from this place, but that was not the Jedi way. They were keepers of the peace, guardians of the light even when they could not feel it's presence. Wiping away her tears she took hold of the litter and began to guide it. The Commando's brother took the other side, face scrunched in anger. Bringing a chair and a blanket, Barris covered the injured man as the other sat watch. “What's his name?”

“RC-...”

Barris shook her head, “No, I mean what do you call him?”

Fi hadn't expected the Jedi to ask that, it was a very personal and private thing. Most clones' names were known only to their batch mates or their training sergeant maybe. Looking into the young woman's dark eyes though he felt comforted that someone else would do such a kindness as to call them by their chosen name. To treat him and the others as men. “We called him Sen.”

“Hello Sen, I thought you might be cool. My name is Barris,” smoothing the blanket over the man she could already feel his breathing becoming staggered. Biting her lip she began to murmur, “Thank you Sen for saving us, for saving me.”

Fi watched the young woman as she tucked his brother in like a cadet, gently and with great care. She seemed as lost as any of them, hell nobody should be in this place. Taking his brother's hand, Fi gave it a squeeze, “It's what we were made for ma'am.”

“Barris.” She replied quietly.

Swallowing hard, he looked into her sad eyes. “Fi.”

Sunlight rose on the second day, not that Obi Wan could tell really. Deep in the dark of the catacombs he and the troopers searched. Hall by hall, digging into the places where transmissions had dissipated to faint cries and banging. They had come across some of the lost Jedi from the missing assault team as well as tracking down the missing clones. He recalled how you would feel agitated on many a mission needing the balm of action. It was the waiting that tortured him and the other men the worst now. Waiting for an attack, waiting to find even one being alive, waiting for this all to end.

“Sir! Up ahead,” Cody called as he desperately ripped into the rock. The slight glow from a HUD light breaking the darkness of the rockfall. “Hold on trooper, we're here!”

“Commander be careful,” Obi Wan spoke too late watching as more unstable rock started to avalanche onto the man. Racing over with the others everyone started to frantically dig both men out.

“Damn Stupid osik'ri... get himself killed!” Alpha 22, or Deuce, wanted to wring the commanders neck. But as they uncovered the officer, he thought better of it. Lifting the Commander's helmet, Deuce found Cody was struggling to breathe. The rock fall damaged the air intake, the bucket all but dead weight now. “Oiya! Take it easy Vod'ika... There ya go.”

“The...(cough) commando...”

Deuces nodded and continued digging as the medics took the injured Commander to the side. The Jedi, Kenobi, joined in. Digging until they uncovered the still lit helmet, slowly extracting the rest of the man. Shaking his head sadly Deuces thought the worst, until the Jedi gave a rough rub on a pressure point and the Commando drew a gasping breath. “Medic! Medic Up! Hey you keep karking breathing, don't you fucking die!”

“Easy he may have a head injury,” Obi Wan helped to ease the injured commando onto the stretcher. “Commander go with them to the aid...”

“But Sir, we need to...”

“CC-2224 you deaf or being insubordinate? Get your shebs to the evac, MOVE!” Deuces barked, “and get a new bucket while you're at it.”

Cody sheepishly tucked the damaged one under his arm, pausing as Kenobi tapped his shoulder, “Sir?”

“If you should see Master L/n at the aid station, please let her know where we are.” Obi Wan said it before he could decide against it. He wasn't even sure if you were still on the ground, but if you were he knew how worried you must be. “Thank you Commander.”

“Yes Sir.” Cody's curiosity was peaked, but gave a nod not wanting to inquire further. The Jedi had a funny look as he had spoken, but who was Cody to question it. He was a soldier, what did he understand past that?

“All father help us... hey get those new suture packs and IV fluids over here!” Tyra watched as the latest batch of wounded were off loaded. She hated that there was so little to be done, only start fluids and get them to the hospital ship for a dunk in a tank. Shaking her head Tyra lamented also seeing the young Jedi healer in a different form of pain as she tried to comfort the injured. Worst of all she hated seeing you half propped on a stool as you continued to do surgery along with her and Vessia, soldiering on because you refused to leave them in this mess alone when you should be up on that ship like the rest of the wounded.

This was madness at it's finest and Tyra could all too easily now empathize with her former mentor who had been so harsh in their lessons. Muttering to herself she readied to stitch up another incoming trooper, “Forgive me Bern, you were right... Hey Trooper what's your name?”

“Ma'am, CC-2224.” Cody saw the displeased look on the short female's face and offered over his name. “Is there a Jedi called L/n here, I have a message for them.”

“Yeah,” You hollered over the din, carefully pealing off the many layers of extra thick armor from the patient on your table. Turning to the medics you became brusk, “You need to strip them before they get here, I want trauma naked and injuries exposed! Pass it along.”

“I have a message,” Cody tried to stand but the pink haired medic who was cleaning the wound on his head shoved him back down.

“Tell her from here. Hold still or this will scar worse than it's already gonna,” Glitch smirked at her patient, giving him a wink. “Don't worry handsome, the ones who matter won't mind a bit.”

“Don't tease the poor man Glitch. What's the message?”

Cody had to peer at the Jedi from the corner of his vision, “Master Kenobi wanted you to know he was in the catacombs with our platoon. He wanted you to know...”

Your heart swelled and a brief smile crossed your face. You hadn't know for hours where Obi Wan had gotten too, if he was alright. It was a relief, one weight lifted from your shoulders. Closing your eyes in silent thanks you nodded to the man on Glitch's table. “Thank you Commander, I appreciate the update.”

Cody was a little perplexed at your reaction, until he heard the medic stitching his temple chuckle. Raising an eyebrow, the young woman she smiled at him.

“You just made her day, you know that.” Tyra smirked, lowering her voice so only the man could hear. “Boss won't always say much, but it's a great kindness you've done. And for that...”

The small woman bent down as she finished the last stitch, pressing her lips gently on his forehead. Cody froze as she kissed him, it was sweet and stars knew he hadn't imagined his first kiss to be like this.

“...you deserve a reward. Now you best go get another bucket cause this one is toast.” Glitch grinned at the blushing soldier on her gurney. As he began to walk towards supply she yelled to him, “Hey 2224?”

Cody turned back at the edge of the craft, “Ma'am?”

Tyra sauntered over to grip the top of his chest plate. The man was weary, looking perhaps a bit lost amongst the din. With a chuckle she pulled him down and gave him a real kiss. Nothing fancy, just a touch of sweetness on a bitter day. “You be safe out there soldier. And don't go messing up that sewing, huh.”

“Yes ma'am.” He smirked at the little thing as she swayed her hips back to the surgery. He wasn't sure if it was the kiss or the rush of being alive, but in that moment Cody felt he could take on the whole damn planet. Strutting towards supply the Commander felt ten feet tall.

“Glitch stop teasing the men and get back to work,” You couldn't help a slight smirk. Unprofessional as it was, you were pleased by the smile the man had as he left. In the present moment though the patient on your table had severe crush injuries and would need to be evacuated with the next load of wounded. Starting two intravenous lines you took in his injuries, both legs would need surgery and extensive rehabilitation. He was alive though and that was a miracle in and of itself. “Hey, what's your name?”

“A'den,” He tried to keep his eyes open.

You smiled down at him, “Well A'den we're going to get you well again. For now though I'm going to give you something for the pain, is that alright with you?”

He had never been asked before, never given the option. It confused him that this medic wasn't simply doing what was necessary, instead giving him the choice. “Ma'am?”

“It's ok if you don't want too,” You could tell he was uncomfortable in more ways than one, so you tried a different approach. “How about a little something to take the edge off, it won't make you disoriented like a sedative.”

“Whatever you think's best ma'am.”

“Good, lean back. Now I'm gonna have you moved to the staging area and soon you'll be on the ship.” You could see the moment the medication started to work, the man's body relaxing ever so slightly. He was so covered in dust that you had to wipe it away to get a better look. Even careful as you were he was skittish, like a newborn colt. Finally satisfied with your exam and that he would remain stable, you had A'den transferred to staging. Over and over it was like that through the night.

At dawn you saw the Council and other remaining Jedi start to trickle back into the staging area. They, like the troopers, asking if you had seen someone. An apprentice, a master, a batch mate; it made no difference Jedi or clone, all were searching. The lists were posted by the recovery craft; Alive, wounded, missing and dead. You could tell the answer by the sounds or lack there of after people looked. But every so often you would hear something that eased the pain just a little, you heard the happy cries of a reunion. It was few and far between but it was something to hold to.

You were on one of the two final transports out, lifting off as the last troop transport did. It was like a bad case of deja vu, Deek in the cockpit with you, Barris, and Glitch in the back. You felt old, especially looking at the two younger responders.

“Hey kid, how you holding up?”

Barris looked to the girl called Glitch, dazed and uncertain. “I'm sorry?”

“She want's to know if you're doing alright,” You pipped in from across the cabin, “Are you?”

“A Jedi...”

“Barris,” reaching across to take her hand the girl paused. How long ago had it been that you sat on that side of the jump seat? Had you ever been that wide eyed or young? It seemed now that you had always been this tired and old. But you knew that once, long ago you had been just as this young one here needing guidance. “It's ok to say it. I wish I had the power to save everyone, but I can't... we never can. You gave it your best and that's all anyone can ask or do. It's alright to mourn the losses, not just celebrate the victories.”

Glitch pursed her lips before speaking, “You showed them kindness and compassion whether you could save them or not. Ain't a finer thing you can do than that. It's ok to be human little space wizard, hell makes you one of us.”

“Master L/n?” Barris' voice cracked as the last of her reserve evaporated. She was like a water pitcher that had run dry, nothing left to give and hollow feeling. “How... how do you let it go? The men we lost, the Jedi?”

“In some ways I don't. I remember what the experience taught me and train harder, so that their sacrifice meant something. I wish I could say that this is the last time, that you won't lose someone again, but I can't.” Shadows darkened your face as the ship made it's approach to the docking bay. Giving Barris a kind look, you graveled out the last words. “It's in learning to walk with those ghosts that defines how we move forward.”

Mace waited as the last of the ships arrived from the surface, sentinel till all returned. The battle had been arduous, the aftermath unbearable. So many good Jedi lost, the galaxy in turmoil, and all because of Dooku. He shouldn't have let his bias paint his view of the man because he had once been a colleague. Now the Separatists had a powerful ally and the future of the Republic rested on the shoulders of the Order. Mace knew, felt the shifting in the lines of fate that this was only the beginning of the journey. That the path ahead would be just as painful, bloody, and long.

“Master Windu, have you seen Barris?” Luminara came to stand beside the Council head.

Turning slightly he nodded greetings to his fellow Jedi, “I believe she is with Y/n.”

“Safe hands then.” Luminara sighed in relief, what she wouldn't give to reverse time and ordered her apprentice to stay on Couriscant. What was done was done though, now all of them would have to deal with this terrifying new world. “I suppose we are the lucky ones.”

Watching as the craft door opened he considered the statement. Were they the lucky ones or were the ones who had passed and spared what was to come more fortunate? Mace observed as you escorted the young Padawan. He didn't miss as Master Undulii's breath caught at the sight of her apprentice, wan and weary. At least this Master still had her apprentice, not many today could claim that. “Luck has nothing to do with it. We trained them well.”

Barris walked slowly towards her Master, you and Glitch on either side. You knew all too well that hollow look in her dark eyes. The girl was past done and needed a long rest, more so she needed to stay somewhere the hell away from any action. It had been a baptism of fire and in many ways it reminded you of what had happened to Maru. But unlike the Bothan there was nowhere for this Padawan to hide from the conflict, no transfer to admin. Master Undulii, normally so serene in appearance, now stood with slumped shoulders and only the veneer of calm. Glancing at the more senior Master you knew she understood that this mission had broken the girl.

“Barris,” She paused feeling a ripple in the girls signature, tear streaks marring her face. Embracing her Luminara held tight, like when she had been a frightened youngling. “There now, you are safe.”

“Get some rest, you did very well today. Couldn't have run that aid station without you Barris.” You handed an injector to Master Undulii, a sedative. She took it with a grim nod of thanks. Glitch gave an affectionate pat on your Master's shoulder and left to clean up at the slop sink. Master Windu looked as tired as you felt. “Master...”

Mace pulled you into a hug, “I'm so thankful that you've returned safely.”

The dam within you began to crack, the air rushing from your lungs with a great sigh. Regret, sorrow, guilt all swirling and engulfing you whole. You were unable to draw breath for what felt an eternity, tremors in you hands that indicated a larger storm brewing. Master Windu pulled back giving your shoulders a reassuring squeeze, ever patient and guiding. Over and over all you could say was, “I'm sorry.”

“This was not your fault Y/n. You and Obi Wan did well. Your Apprentice did his duty and all of you are alive.” He was proud of you all. The three of you had conquered near insurmountable odds to simply survive this slaughterhouse. Mace could only hope that same fortune would continue to carry you through this conflict to come. Yet under the surface he sensed damage, the fissures within your psyche emanating pain. “I do think you could do with some rest though.”

“Pffft.... Right.” Taking a few steadying breaths you stuffed your feelings away for later as you had often done. It did not serve to have a breakdown in front of the head of the council, even if they had been your Master. Wiping away any stray moisture you felt as the fatigue hit, scrubbing your hands across your face. “Kark I could use some Kaf.”

“I believe that the mess hall can assist you,” Mace chuckled and shaking his head, “And there is someone on C deck who would be glad to know you're back.”

Even exhausted you knew better than to let your guard down, “Is Anakin out of recovery already? He should still be...”

Half bemused Mace muttered, “I'm certain that the boy would appreciate seeing you as well.”

Master Windu gave yet another piercing look, you continued to act unaffected. Best not to contemplate the possibilities on days like this. “Has Anakin really been giving you that big a headache?”

“We both know I'm not referring to Skywalker.” While Mace had to admire your extreme level of discretion, he had long known of your relationship with Kenobi. Part of him had made peace with your involvement given the dedication both Jedi continued to show the order; never succumbing to the temptation of possession. You two had been thick as thieves since apprenticeship, even for as many times as he had attempted to separate you with missions and training. After so long Mace had simply come to trust that you would do the right thing. He did however tire over feigning ignorance. “Please make sure that he's actually resting, as should you.”

Schooling your face and giving a practiced calm expression, you bowed. “May the Force be with you Master.”

Dooku had been troubled throughout the flight to Coruscant. He was nearly bested by the Jedi and their unexpected rescue by the clones, but then again he had managed to escape and accomplish his mission. He had not counted on the new army as a factor in his plans this early, it would have been an easier war to manage if the Council had been obliterated. None the less many key pieces had still fallen nicely into place and it would take the Order time to recover their losses

As he saw the glimmer of the city planet his mind fell back to your words. “Qui Gon died defending the galaxy from the evil that you embraced! Had he lived he would stand against you now!”

He was not an evil man. Dooku did as he saw necessary to bring order, but he was not cruel. Yes it was necessary to cull the opposing forces to make a victory swift, but it was not a choice he made lightly. The Jedi's compassion is what limited their vision, far too entrenched in their ways to effect real change. Sometimes one must break the chins that bound one to the old and outdated system, the one which found the Jedi central too. Landing in the abandoned works the Count stood and prepared to disembark.

Sidious watched as his latest apprentice disembarked the ramp of his craft. While not entirely pleased with the fallen Jedi's efforts, he proved a useful tool. With practiced ease Sidious gestured warmly to the elder man, “Welcome home Lord Tyranus.”

“The Force is with us Master,” The Count bowed in greeting joining Sidious as they walked into the complex. “I bear good news, the war has begun.”

“Well done, your skills are no match for the Jedi.” Palpatine chuckled in this throat, “And what of the young upstarts, have they been adequately dealt with?”

“They survived the encounter,” Dooku grimaced as your words rang in his head again, “Next time I shall...”

Palpatine waived off the Count's words, “Spare me. Soon enough they will be eliminated and together we shall control the galaxy. For the people, for the future.”

And what future shall that be, forged in the crucible of war, the Count wondered? Dooku knew well to keep his doubts shielded though, the Sith was a cunning being and not to be trusted. But it was better to reign in Hell than to serve in heaven. “For a brighter tomorrow shall our labors travail.”

Anakin woke in a darkened room, warm and quiet. It took more than a few moments for the fog to clear his brain. Raising his right arm he felt the cold shock of metal and not his fingers. Fingers that flexed and moved but...

“Ani? Are you awake?”

Turning towards the soft voice Anakin couldn't speak for a moment, simply staring. There were no words yet to express both his joy and sorrow. Joy at seeing Padme waiting beside him, her sweet face curved by a genuine smile because he lived. And yet how uncomfortable she must be cramped in this small sparse space. Anakin never wanted to see her deprived of comfort, not for him.

“Are you in pain? I can get the nurse,” Padme watched as Anakin shook his head, still very distracted by the new metal limb. She took his left hand in her own, “It's just temporary till you get a better fitting, they said you were very lucky. Y/n and Obi Wan came to check on you, they were both so worried.”

“Not worried enough to stay.”

“That's not fair Anakin.” Padme gave him a hurt look, “They were both worried sick. The doctor even said Y/n was badgering him from the aid station every hour for an update. Obi Wan stayed here until Master Yoda made him go rest.”

Anakin flushed in embarrassment at rightly being chastised. “I should know my Masters better by now, it was stupid of me to doubt them.”

“You've been through so much,” taking a cool cloth, Padme dabbed it across his brow. Putting the cloth aside she laced her fingers with his again. “How do you feel.”

“Like I had my arm cut off.” Anakin snarked. Then he saw how her face fell and felt all the dumber for it. He felt foolish for a great many things. Shaking his head on a silent curse, Anakin's temper flared, “I couldn't stop Dooku...”

“No one could, it's not your fault.”

“I'm sorry Padme, I should have protected you better.” The image of her laying limp in the sand flashing through his mind again. Regret lacing his voice, Anakin reached up to cup Padme's bruised cheek. Even past his faults as a Jedi, would she want him now that he was this defeated broken thing. A fool of a man who couldn't even protect his woman properly. Would she still love him with all his faults? “I would have liked to have held you with both hands...”

Padme's voice cracked as she took the cool metal prosthetic and pressed it to her other cheek, “You still can.”

“You don't have to stay,” He whispered, not meeting her eyes. People made rash statements all the time under stress, he knew that. Anakin was trying to give Padme a gracious way out of this, trying to do the right thing even if it killed him. Because in the end he loved her and what could he offer her beyond that? “I'm sure that you probably have more important things...”

“How dare you say that,” Padme's face scrunched, hurt to her bones that he had even said it. Her Ani ought to know her better, “I'm not leaving you Anakin and there is nothing more important to me right now than you. So never say that to me again.”

“Forgive me?” A small smile curled one side of his mouth. His heart surged and Anakin began to gently pull Padme into the bed. He needed to feel her safe in his arms, needed to show her the affection that she so deserved. His brave angel deserved every star in the galaxy.

“The bed's too small.” Padme grumbled but acquiesced, exhaustion causing her to ignore better judgment. Laying in Anakins arms, being held so gently, she felt safer than she had in weeks. She wanted to stay a little upset with him, but it was so very hard when she could feel his care in every touch. Still her voice carried a hint of exasperation, “Honestly Anakin sometimes I wonder what you think of me.”

“That you're the most beautiful woman in the Galaxy. That you've stolen my heart,” He didn't dare press further just yet, stars but he wanted to as he gazed longingly at her lips. Anakin wanted to hold Padme close for the rest of time, to kiss her till there was no question how much he loved her. He would worship the ground that she walked on no matter where that ground was. As he floated the blankets up to cover them, Anakin caressed Padme's face. Tracing from her eyebrow, the apple of her cheek. “There now, don't want you to be uncomfortable.”

“Me? You're the one who,” Padme paused mid sentence face falling as she began to cry. She had almost gotten the two of them killed rushing in, it had been reckless. The litany of admonishments at her actions rolling through her mind, she was a Senator and should know better! Agony and frustration shook her whole body, but Anakin only held tighter.

“Shh, it's ok. You're safe angel.” Anakin could feel her turmoil, wishing he could make her forget the past few days and their terrors. And yet if not for the past few days he would not be holding her now. No he could not erase it, but he would ease it. Gazing at her he put the full weight of his heart into the words, “I love you Padme, so much.”

“Anakin,” She hiccuped between sobs, words getting caught. She wanted to tell him she loved him too, that she regretted her earlier lie. Gazing into his eyes Padme saw the light of his understanding. He knew without her saying a word. Still her tears would not cease; for him, for his mother, for the dead, for the galaxy. “I'm sorry... I'm so frightened Ani.”

“Don't be afraid.” Restraint finally breaking, Anakin kissed her. First her lips then every single tear from her face, laying one last soft press to Padme's forehead. If his angel needed him to be strong for the both of them, then that is what he would do. Raising his hand instinctively to brush at her cheek he paused a hairs breath away remembering the metal. Instead he lowered it to move up and down her back carefully, still too afraid that he would do harm.

Tucking Padme's head below his chin Anakin began humming a tune, one that he heard often at Maffa's bar. Carefully soothing his new hand on her back as his flesh one cradled her head, a few of the lyrics falling loose. As her breathing settled and she relaxed in his hold Anakin murmured, “I'll always protect you, love you... Will you marry me?”

Padme had been drifting to sleep in the safe harbor of his embrace, lulled into a sense of safety. And maybe she would have overthought the question had she not been so exhausted, but not now. Emotions too raw, everything happening so fast, and she wanted what he offered so easily. He hadn't changed since the day she had met him ten years ago, still a kind and giving heart. “Yes, I'll marry you Anakin.”

“Then sleep angel,” Anakin practically beamed with joy, “You've made me so happy Padme.”

He swore she would not cry again, whatever he had to do she would always smile. He would be better, faster, the best Jedi in the Order. And after he brought peace to the galaxy and the war was over he would leave to be with her. It was a simple plan, but it was a start. He promised himself and her that they'd make it to their tomorrow, because love wasn't something to fear.

At least that's what he'd been told.

“Another?”

“Keep it coming,” You muttered, passing the cup back to Glitch to pour you another beer. Bumming a puff on Deek's cigar you slowly let the smoke waft out around you. Numbing your mind was not a solution to the problem, but you didn't want to deal with it at present either.

Deek threw an arm around your shoulders, “That shit'll give you cancer kid.”

“and yet you survive old man.”

He gave your head a hard noogie. “Smartass!”

You had gone to check in on Anakin and found Padme watching over him. Truth be told the affectionate look on the young woman's face was more than enough to put you at ease. There was a happiness when the two were together, one that you prayed never left. And so you had slogged down to the C deck in search of your own happiness.

Obi Wan had been fast asleep, looking the rougher for wear. You had indulged, just a moment, sitting on the bed and stroking his hair. The soft auburn strands feathering against your skin was soothing and a smile had risen as your Obi had turned gently into the touch. Stars knew he had earned a rest and that you should get some yourself. Instead you had pressed a soft kiss to his head and tucked an extra blanket around him before heading to the mess hall, avoiding the nightmares that you knew were waiting.

Should have figured that the RIC's would sneak a keg on board, wouldn't be the first or last. So you sat at the table playing Sabac and decompressed as best you could. There were other Jedi in the cantina and you had managed to wave a few over to join the group, stars knew they needed a reprieve as much as the others here. They would drift by for a time, visit, and then leave to meditate. Master Undulii had also drifted by, mostly to express her thanks to you and Glitch. She did not wish to stay initially, but Glitch had handed the Jedi a Kaf and patted the seat between the two of you. The Mirilan had taken the unconventional beings in stride.

“These are all students of yours?”

Giving a nod you sipped at your beer, it was piss water cheap but the best you'd ever had. “Yes, most of this bunch went through the academy class with Anakin.”

“I see and these classes are open to anyone?” Luminara hadn't encouraged her apprentice to further her medical training past what was necessary in the Halls of Healing. Now she considered just how under prepared that had left the girl, how helpless she may have felt. Barris would not soon recover from this experience that was certain and perhaps time away in an academic setting would do her well.

You could see the wheels turning, needing just a little nudge, “I'd be happy to have you sit in on a class sometime.”

“Boss, why do I have a feeling that this lovely lady could probably teach the class?” Glitch snarked while simultaneously keeping an eye on the pack of troopers at the end of the room. She recognized 2224, no it was Cody he said, and couldn't help grinning when he'd blush after realizing that he got caught looking her way. But she also knew that involvement would be a bad idea so she was relegated to teasing him. Hearing your grumblings Glitch poked at you again, earning a smile from the other Jedi, “Probably run circles around you in the aid station too.”

“Ha ha Yalvaberg, though you're not wrong.” Slapping down your cards you folded your hand, glancing in your peripherals at Master Undulii. “Open offer for anyone at the Temple, Barris included.”

“Speaking of little bitty, where'd she get too?” Glitch took two more cards, watching the group of troopers head out of the hall. Just as well she thought.

Luminara was perplexed, “Little bitty?”

“Barris,” Glitch clarified, “Good things in small packages.”

Luminara quirked a brow until you explained that it was high praise indeed to have earned a nickname. Setting down her mug she smiled at the young people here. There was a closeness to this group, a bond made of grit and pain that gave them a strength. It touched her that Barris was now counted among them, “She is resting, I think I will go check on her though. You have my thanks again and I look forward to seeing you in the classroom.”

You watched as the more senior Master rose, graceful as ever, and floated from the room like a cloud on the wind. Finishing your own beverage you bid the others goodnight and left too, not before an extended hug from Deek though. There was much said in that hug, things that didn't need words but were bone deep and true. That you were both glad to be alive, that you were both relieved that the mission was done. That you both prayed it was the last close call.

Even as hard as you tried to quiet your mind, the racing thoughts wouldn't cease. The guilt and pain, all like a great mountain on you. Wandering the halls of the ship you found your way to the recovery wing. Most of the troopers you had worked on made it through secondary surgery, including A'den who gave you a waive leading you to stop and speak with him for a bit. It was a reward that little squeeze of his big hand, the smile he gave. None of that was why you did it, but kark it felt nice. There was an officer who was also checking on the men, his commanding presence standing out from the others. There was no conversation between you, simply a nod of greeting and both going about your way.

Further down the line were the injured Jedi. And while they were indeed alive, many were far from well. Several apprentices trembled in their beds or looked on blankly. The few Masters whom were present to shepard them weren't in much better shape. The Masters whose eyes reflected the gutting of loss everyone here felt. They would all require a great deal of psychological help after an event like this, needed experts in that field and not simply the healers at the Temple. It would be a discussion with the Council, but for another day. Turning to leave you came face to chest with an old acquaintance. “I'm so sorry, I didn't see...”

“L/n,” The voice growled low.

Your stomach dropped. There was Master Adeva, Togorian glare ever fixed. This was neither the time nor the place for a disagreement, “I was just leaving, good evening Master Adeva.”

Carefully trying move around him, you were far too tired to reign in your emotions, only making it a few steps when he began to growl.

“Is it all worth it?” Adeva grumbled the thought out loud. The older being saw how your posture slumped at his words, not thinking how you had interpreted the statement.

Deuce was speaking with a couple of recently promoted sergeants when he heard the trouble. His face turned stony watching the two Jedi. Who the hells did this beast think he was, speaking to the little medic like that? Your response to the feline though, it ripped him like a blaster bolt.

“No,” tears streamed as the hopeless answer left your lips. Glancing over your shoulder to him you whispered. “I should have died and saved you the effort.”

One of the injured troopers came alongside Deuce looking just as pissed, but the Alpha waited to see what the Togorian would do. Both Clones were unarmed, but stood ready to protect. This one had fought for his brothers lives, for that alone she had his respect. He whispered to the other clone, “Find the Jedi Kenobi, now!”

“You would say that, after all the trouble to save you?” Adeva turned his head studying the small woman. You did not seem yourself. Not sharp tongued or quick witted, almost like it pained you to even move.

“Yeah, well I didn't deserve it anyway. Said it yourself I'm weak, an embarrassment to my Master, an abomination. That I should have died long ago...” you rambled out. How you ached for rest, your ribs hollow with nothing left to give or fight with. A sardonic little hum escaped you, “Sorry to disappoint you and survive again when so many more deserving beings should have.”

The Togorian was stunned, though he should not be surprised. After all he had spoken the vile, hateful words that you now repeated, had encouraged his Padawan to do the same. His ears flattened as his voice filled with shame, “L/n...”

“I'll make it easy, save you the trouble for next time...” It was a choice everyday, to live or to give it up. Most days you could be strong, others you needed to bolster your strength just to slog through. Not today though, today you just wanted the bliss of silent oblivion. If your brain were in a more sound state it would recognize that this was not right, but all you could feel was pain and death and failure. Holding up your saber you pressed it into his paw like hand with the end at your chest. Voice quivering you bore your gaze into his, “Go ahead.”

“What?” Tightening his grip on the hilt he saw you eyes close relief. It was such an antitheses to whom he had now come to understand you to be. It was wrong, this whole situation was wrong and Adeva found himself regretting having contributed to your longing for death. Slowly, carefully he placed your saber on the medical cart nearest. Your eyes were angry with him even as tears began to fall. “No, I will not do that.”

“It's like a damned cosmic joke...” Laughing in pain as your head fell in resignation. “I am a wraith that even death has turned it's back on.”

“Master L/n... you misunderstand me.” Dipping his head, Adeva tried to meet your eyes. He no longer wished to fight with you. No, that was the past and it was time to act as a Jedi should. “We caused you such pain for so long. We were wrong. I was wrong... about everything.”

You shook your head in confusion.

“You saved my Padawan, Hashi wouldn't have made it out of the arena had you not intervened.”

“I -” your words were cut short by a growl.

“You and Kenobi were captured, tortured, and still confronted Dooku.” Adeva saw you clench and fiddle with your hands. “And all I can reason is that you must think this mission, this galaxy, worthy to suffer so.”

“Someone has to protect it.” Your voice was small, barely a scratching of words. “I did my duty.”

“No, you did more.” It was in that moment that Adeva knew just how much pain his words had caused over the years, how much you had endured. How wrong and twisted he had been and for what? Pride and tradition meant little if one could not act honorably towards their fellow beings. Your eyes were dark as they gazed back at him, “I was so very wrong about you and though I can never deserve it... please forgive me.”

It was an odd feeling, whiplashed from one extreme to the other. A being who had tormented you so long, whom you in many ways considered an adversary, asking pardon for the wrong he had done. You wanted to stay angry, to yell and scream, to let every boiling emotion set loose; but to what end really? You might be short tempered, perhaps brash and overly passionate, but you were not cruel. To release such fury upon even this being... no you would never cause pain willingly.

There were also all the hopeless gazes looking to you from the beds, wondering if this was all there was to their future? How could the Jedi continue if they only fought among themselves, unable to forgive their brothers and sisters. Wondering eyes asking if this was how their order would fall from the light into the abyss of shadow. No, even if darkness filled the stars above, you refused to be the one to snuff out their hope for a better tomorrow. This would not be the day that you crumbled, this would not be the day you let the light perish from this place. As hard as it was, you chose in that moment to live and fight one day more.

“I forgive you.”

“This way Sir.”

“Oh wee one...” Obi Wan had been pulled from his bed by one of the troopers. All he had been told was that you were in trouble and it was all he needed to hear. The fact that he could only mildly feel your presence in the Force raised alarm bells.

“There Sir, look.”

Glancing ahead you rounded the corner with an escort of your own. Alpha 22 was flanking your side, a concerned look on his face. Obi Wan watched as you simply seemed to exist, as though a spirit trapped in the land of the living. There was no sign of your usual spark of liveliness and it sent a shiver down his back. The imposing trooper at your side simply guided you forward, firmly but with care. As the two men glanced at each other there was a silent understanding.

“Keep a close eye on this one, she's... in need of rest.” Deuce glanced down at the woman, deeply troubled by what he'd seen. He'd seen some of his Vod'e over the years who had cracked before graduation or from the treatment of their trainers. He well recognized that look in your eyes. Tilting his head Deuce softened his tone again, “You take care now Baar'ur'ika, want to see you at formation when we land.”

“I'll take her from here,” Obi Wan whispered as his arm came around your shoulders. It was a long walk back, every step of the journey made like you were shuffling through duracrete. He felt the raging torrent rippling from your signature even as your face remained placidly flat. Studying you carefully he knew there was something truly wrong. You hadn't changed, robes in need of incineration rather than cleaning. Worse yet you were silent, not uttering a word to him only holding his hand tightly like a lifeline. As he closed and locked the door Obi Wan gently cupped your face, “Wee one?”

Blinking at him you gazed wide eyed, but unseeing. Your mind was stuck on what had happened in the med bay, the terrible things you said. How could you have let that blackness out, how could you expose the others to your dark mind? When Obi Wan tried to grasp your arms you backed away shrinking into yourself, not wanting to hurt him too. You'd only contaminate him, you had to keep him safe. The thoughts raged again, the horrible images that Dooku had put in your mind rising like the tide. Was it torture or a vision, would they all die just like you had seen?

“Love?” Obi Wan watched as you started to shake and cry, hands flying to clutch your head. He fought to grab you then, bringing you with him to the floor as you screamed into his chest. Blood curdling agony escaping with every breath, eyes wild in fear. You fought his hold not seeing him, but instead some spectral horror. It took pushing his own calm upon your signature to placate the worst of it; he kept soothing your hair as he whispered through his own growing dread. “It's alright now, we're safe... we're all safe. Please Y/n come back, don't leave me now... please come back to me.”

You could feel the distant glimmer of his signature, that small flicker of light in the swirling dark, “Obi?”

“I'm here love. Tell me how to help, what did the devil do to you?” Kissing your forehead his face scrunched in concentration. You whole body shook frantically as your face blanched, but he was determined and pressed through the connection, “Y/n let me in.”

“No! You can't... not safe...” You were so frightened of hurting him, fighting with what little you had in you to push back.

“I'm not letting you suffer, not another minute. Now let me in.” Obi Wan lurched bodily as the first images came through, crying out in pain. Pushing further through the dark web, he grasped onto your signature more fully. You had both survived the arena and he wouldn't loose you now. It was as if Dooku had set a hurricane loose in your mind of all the dark fears you hid away even from him. Trying with all his might Obi Wan began to untangle the dark web in which you were caught, forcing more peaceful thoughts over the storm.

Things he knew calmed you, things that brought you joy. Images of forests and small animals you'd seen on missions, of nights at the diner, the memory of that first kiss under the stars. He felt as your body began to slacken in his hold, going limp as your cries softened to sniffles. Whispering against your head as he continued to soothe, “Stay with me in the light, don't leave. I'll do anything, but please stay darling.”

“I'm trying, it's so hard,” Your voice a whimper, “I'm so tired Obi.”

“Then let me take care of you, as you've done for me.” Obi Wan lifted your face from where it was buried in his chest, eyes bloodshot. They were still the most beautiful eyes he knew. “That's it darling, just hold tightly and all will be well.”

“P-promise?”

“I promise, just hold on.” Carefully Obi Wan carried you to the fresher. Hands steady and gentle as he cleaned the dirt away, holding you as your tears rinsed down the drain with the suds. He was loving in every way as he dried and helped you into fresh robes, laying with you on the bed. It hurt him to see you in such pain, what he would give to take it from you. “Any better sweetling?”

Curling into his body the errand tears still rolled down your cheek. “I'm sorry Obi...”

“Shh none of that wee woman, nothing to be sorry for at all.” You huffed and burrowed into his chest further on a little cry. Obi Wan sighed, slowly soothing a hand at your back. You always managed to find your way before, yet you lay so broken here in his arms. Perhaps all that was required was to remind you of whom you were, “You're so strong Y/n, knew from the first minute I saw you.”

Looking up through wet lashes you hummed curiously.

“It's true, really. You looked ready to fight anyone that would say a word about your Master at her service and then...” He hummed wistfully, “You glanced over and smiled at me.”

“I did?” You mumbled, trying to remember if what your Obi Boy said was true, honestly couldn't recall much of that day really. You hadn't even known Obi Wan then, but you do recall him and Qui Gon being present.

“Indeed you did. Only the strongest beings remain so kind even in the midst of such pain.” He'd only just returned to the order himself, feeling out of place and alone. Obi Wan had dutifully gone to the services, accompanying Master Qui Gon as he bid a friend farewell. Still he felt out of place, under scrutiny even in the midst of mourning. Obi Wan had glanced back at you, watching as he felt the ripples of your palpable sorrow and wondered how you stood so gracefully. Then you had glanced over during the funeral as though sensing his eyes lingering and smiled at him. You had seen him, another lost soul and smiled. He fell for you then and you had ever been a part of him. “Still the strongest person I know.”

“I'm not,” Your arms squeezed him tighter, voice choking on the words. “I wish that were true but... Obi I'm so tired of it. All the missions, all the rules, all the fighting and pain. I don't want to do it anymore...” Soft little sobs escaped despite your best efforts.

He knew, had for so very long. The Temple had always been a gilded cage and honestly even he had come to hate it at times. What would it be like to simply walk with you, unafraid of being seen or judged. What would it be like to have a home away from all of this, only you two? As much as it would pain him, Obi Wan was prepared to make that sacrifice, if that was what you needed of him. Then he felt your soft touch on his jaw and glanced down into your watery eyes.

“...But I'll stay for you... and Anakin. You're my family, I go where you go.” Kissing softly at the top of his chest you started to drift into the depths of your exhaustion. “I love you.”

“And I you, so very much.” His voice broke like waves upon the shore, “I promise you Y/n...”

Shaking your head on a hum you brought his face to meet with yours, lips gently embracing. Salty tears marred the tender joining, maybe that was the best the day could offer. Perhaps that was all there would be is stolen moments and little victories, but it was more than most. You weren't ambitious enough to think past now, living in this moment and nowhere else. No promises of anything but the next sweet kiss from your man. That was the only thing you trusted right now.

Obi Wan could feel just how tenuous your hold was, the way your signature flickered. Like embers in a banked fire, as easily rekindled as it was to be dashed out. So he pressed just a little more, deepening the kiss and tracing your features softly. Fingertips ghosting the line of your jaw till he could comb his fingers into your soft hair. There was more grays streaking through, not from age but from all that life had brought. Laugh lines and freckles that came with time, and not a one would he trade. The two of you had raised Anakin, survived so many missions and mishaps, earning every worry line and sign of age together. On a soft grin Obi Wan began to whisper, a secret just between you. “What would you do Y/n... if we did leave?”

“What?”

“If we left the Order, what would you want to do?” He stroked his thumb at your temple, humming his own contemplation. “I think I'd be a teacher.”

Watching the corners of his eyes crinkle made you believe, even for a minute, it might be possible. That after all of this you might be able to have what you wanted. It was a dangerous feeling, this hope, and not something that would happen until this matter with Dooku was settled. Your Master still needed your help, you couldn't abandon him or the rest of the Jedi now. But here, with your Obi Wan it was safe enough to dream. “I think... just a little clinic. Little younglings with colds and sore throats, school check ups...”

Obi Wan pursed his lips in thought, “We could have a massif.”

“You're more of a tooka person,” you mumbled.

Closing his eyes, Obi Wan murmured, “We could have more than pets... if you'd want.”

“Seems you've thought about this,”voice thick at the thought of what he described. You had secretly wondered the same from time to time, “A little boy maybe...”

“A little family somewhere quiet. Nowhere to go or missions to complete,” he chuckled, “We'd be bored to tears.”

“Boredom sounds good.” a bitter grin etched across your face, “But I have a feeling we won't be bored for quite some time my love.”

“No, I suspect you're right about that. I'm sorry we couldn't stop it Y/n...”

Pulling Obi Wan into another kiss you shook your head, “Not tonight... leave it till morning please?”

Obi Wan soothed you through the night terrors and held you tightly when his own came on. Yesterday the war began, but here in their bunk there was peace.

Even if only for tonight.

tags: @obislittleone @the-rain-on-kamino @a-rose-of-amber @aquaamethyst96 @stanny-uwu @nurseytypechick @just-dreaming-marvel @in-a-mellow-tone @acatalystrising @pickleprickle @iambored24601 @purplepandora666 @misscamptl @wannabakewithsomebody @obiknights @moostresskenobi @the-going-merry @ginger-swag-rapunzelre @iabrokengirl @lovelyxlily @annasun13 @foxperifoto @supernaturallover2002 @imherefordeanandbones

[specialagentlokitty]

Martin Evershed x reader - small quirks

Can we have for the crossover of ackley bridge and Winx can we have every time Martin sneeze he grows flowers in his hair? And Reader thinks it's adorable with Saul smiling at the two being idiots. - Anon💜/Could we have another part of the pumpkin imagine where Martin sneeze and flowers sprout up in his hair as well as anyone's who is near him. Maybe the animals follow him around and turns out that his mum had a bit of animal fairy in her due to his grandad being an animal fairy? - Anon💜

A/N: since these two were very similar Idecided to put them in the same post :)

Martin was getting the hang of his magic, the in and outs of it all, how it worked, his strengths and weaknesses.

You didn’t want to work him too hard, so you would give him afternoons off, letting him do whatever it was he wanted.

And he wanted to come watch the specialist training, watching as you went hand to hand with one of the students.

“(Y/N)s good.” Martin said.

Saul nodded his head slightly.

“Spent a lot of time training back then, I wondered how much of it (Y/N) actually kept up with.”

Martin glanced at your friend.

“Never.”

They both laughed, looking back to where you were now doing something else.

“Oh for god sake..” Saul sighed.

“I’ve got it.”

Martin began making his way over to you.

You were bored, and you had decided to see how many things you could swipe from the distracted students.

You could claim it as a test to see how good their senses are, but nobody would believe you. You were just bored.

You felt someone coming up behind you, and you stopped, turning yourself around.

“Hey Martin.” You beamed.

“Put it all back.” He said sternly.

“What back?”

He rolled his eyes a little bit at you.

“All the training equipment you’ve just stolen from them.”

“I never took a thing.” You huffed.

You crossed your arms and Martin rose a brow, reaching over he went into one of your many pockets and pulled out somebodies training knife.

“Return it.”

“Fine! Their reflexes such anyway.”

After returning the items to the very confused students, you turned to find Martin again, only to see him sat on a bench with a bird on his shoulder.

He was looking at it confused and you did as well, slowly making your way over.

“Is that a Robin?” Saul asked.

“I think so?”

Both of you carried on making your way over.

Martin looked at you both, and when he looked away the bird was gone.

“Making new friends?” Saul asked.

“It just flew over. It’s not the first.”

“Maybe they just like you.” You shrugged.

Walking over, you sat next to him, and Saul turned around to carry on watching the training.

He would sometimes input something into the conversation you and Martin were having, but focused most of his attention on his students.

Halfway through speaking, Martin sneezed and you looked up from your phone, and Saul turned around.

“Bless you.” You both said.

You looked at Martin, and reached up to his hair, taking a small white flower from it to show him.

“Handy skill?” You asked.

He furrowed his brows a little and pulled another flower from his hair.

“There’s flowers in your hair too.” He said.

You reached up, taking a small blue one out and you grinned a little.

“Who needs flower crowns when you just have to sneeze?” You snickered.

Martin chuckled a little, reaching up to take some flowers from your hair, and you slapped his hand away.

“No.”

“You can’t keep them in.”

“You gave them to me.”

“I sneezed! If you want flowers I’ll get you some.”

You grinned a little at him.

“I want these ones, try take them and I’ll slap your hand.”

You heard Saul snicker, and turned your attention towards him.

“Don’t know why you’re laughing you’ve got flowers in your hair too.”

“Your fucking kidding me right?”

Saul pulled his phone out to check, and he grumbled a little as he began to take them out making you and Martin laugh.

Martin stood up, holding his hand out to you.

“Come on, before he kills us…”

“He’ll kill you first…” you whispered back.

You gave him your hand and you both began to creep away.

But you did notice the bird following Martin.

“Have animals always followed you?”

“Now that I think about it yeah.”

You nodded a little.

“I reckon someone in your family was an animal fairy you know, it’s not a dominant trait, and generally only has small affects.”

“A what?”

You laughed a bit.

“I’ll take you to the library and I’ll get some books on it for you.”

He nodded and looked at you, smiling at the sight of the flowers in your hair.

When he sneezed again, some more appeared in both your hair, and going by the shout you heard across the field, Saul’s as well.

So you two didn’t think twice about breaking out into a run in order to get away as fast as possible

[wrenwrights]

My Konig Headcanons (Konig's Past)

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who read and enjoyed Afterlife. That was my first work on Ao3, and I really appreciate all of the Kudos and Comments. I checked my Ao3 and nearly jumped out of my computer chair, I was proud and excited that people liked my little one-shot. Again, thank you guys so much!

Since I started working on my little project, I've had to develop Konig's character since the fandom has given so little information on him. But, dear reader, that's honestly never stopped me before. So here is the headcanons/backstory I've got for Konig so far. It goes from childhood up to the point of meeting the main character. Now! Onto the headcanons! I'd like to mention first that these headcanons are specifically for the fic that I'm working on, and many are in no way to cannon to the actual lore of Call of Duty.

***

Konig's life before the military was a normal, caring one; his mother and father loved each other dearly. His sister (Sophia) was Konig's protector, walking him to and from school. His father was his idol, taking him hiking or wood working every Sunday. His mother was Konig's greatest love; she made Konig feel better when his classmates teased him.

And oh, how the other children teased him. At six, Konig was already about as tall as his eleven-year-old sister and weighed almost twice as much. He was just a big, sweet goofball of a child who knew why other kids laughed at him but didn't really understand why. His father used to frown at the sight of Konig's tears, patting his shoulder and saying, "Everything will be okay, buddy." Konig didn't have a lot of friends; actually, Sophia was his only friend, so his father's little pet name for him was like a soothing bandage over his lonely heart.

Then, Konig's father left when he was ten. No notice, no call, no apology; he just didn't come home from work one day. It tore the only life Konig had ever known out from under his feet. His sister shut down, distancing herself from Konig. His mother cried all the time. Konig couldn't believe that his father was just... gone. Not dead, gone. It was a fact he couldn't accept, and he'd ask his mother over and over if his father had called or was even home.

His father never came back, and Konig had to learn that tears solved nothing in life.

The military was where Konig really felt he flourished. He joined at 17, not really knowing what else to do with his life. He found some kind of peace and simplicity even during drills and operations, and he was good at it. Good at carrying out his orders, a good fighter, a good soldier. The military did something to him; it taught him how to deal with his anxiety, how to build up walls to keep everything inside, hidden almost.

He quickly went from a quiet soldier to a cocky and, dare say, arrogant man quickly rising in his ranks. His new mask certainly helped, not only with his own confidence but with his intimidating presence.

He'd tried hard to become a recon sniper, knowing that his sharp eyes and intellect were perfect for the position, but Konig's superiors looked at his size and saw another use for him. They used him as an insertion specialist, essentially a human battering ram that could slam his way through doors and tear through the battlefield. Often, Konig's handiness skills were used in human trafficking situations, breaking prisoners from their cells. It wasn't a job Konig detested, but with every mission, something weighed heavy on him. In many cases, the people he freed were scared of him, refusing to go anywhere near the giant man who had just ripped a door off of its hinges. Not that Konig blamed them. He had done things on the battlefield, seen things, had made decisions that had been detrimental to his team.

At some point, Konig joined KorTac, as a contractor. Taking missions for the highest bidder and leading his team (occasionally Konig took missions from Task Force 141 when they paid high enough). This is where Konig can say he met his first friend, Kim "Horangi" Hong-Jin. They were an unstoppable team. Konig became known for his ability in warfare strategy and his skills on the battlefield. The other operators respected Konig for his skills, his rank.

And this is where Konig meets the main character. I want Konig's romantic headcanons to be a different post, so for now, I'll leave it as is. Thank you, dear reader, for enjoying my Konig headcannons! I'm still working on my little project; every day, I get a little more done with it, and I'm so excited for it to finally be finished I'm shaking.

Until Next Time,

Wren.

[phenioxflame]

Transformers- Armored Alliance: Season 1 - Mission 1: Operation Corruption

The cybertronian moon showed its light above the planet. Lights from the city vaguely outlined the city from afar. It had been almost two decades since the corrupted council was defeated. After that, Optimus Prime took over as overseer of Cybertron, just as he did once before. Angel wing and Optumps both created Decepticon refugee camps for Decepticons who were targeted by rogue AutoBots. Cybertron was fine, at least, for now….

Six Autobots drove through the dark shadows cast by the broken and torn parts of mechs and ships; broken by the third war.

The lead autobot, Angel Wing, transformed and looked around. Her team followed suit. Angel Wing waves her hand over and points over to the broken door. Ultra Violet, the weapons specialist of Alpha, lifted the rubble aside. The team walks into the building.

“Is this the place”, Wolf Fang asks. She looks around to see if there was anything that didn’t belong.

“Yup”, Ultra Violet Continued, “But this place is dirty.”

“Angel Wing, why are we here”, May Flower asked.

“My father said the sensors picked up a few wandering autobot and decepticon signals near sector seventeen”, Angel Wing explained. “He wanted us to check it out.”

“Of course”, Silver Eyes said in annoyance over the radio, “Send Alpha to clean up the mess.”

“Come on, Silver Eyes, you know Optumis has been busy since the collapse of the council”, Tiger Lily said. She looks back and whispers, “Plus, with the new recruit she could learn a thing or two.”

“You know I can hear you, right”, Wolf Fang said in annoyance. “My hearing is just as good as my eyesight.”

“We’re at the checkpoint”, Angel Wing said. She looks at her comp and says, “Silver Eyes, track out locations.” She turns to the others and says, “Tiger Lily, Wolf fang, take the left. Mayflower, take the right. Me and Ultra Violet will look up ahead.” Angel Wing, May Flower, Tiger Lily and Ultra Violet take out their guns while Wolf Fang takes out her sword. “We do this quickly, and we do this with no casualties. Move out.” Angel Wing and Ultra Violet run up ahead and head to the upper floor. May Flower runs to the right side of the building and heads for the bottom level. Tiger Lily and Wolf Fang run to the left side of the building and head to the middle level. The two look around to see if there is anything out of place.

“You know, I heard a rumor about sector seventeen”, Wolf Fang said.

“What”, Tiger Lily asked.

“There was a couple living here about sixty years ago”, Wolf Fang said. “They were killed during the war, but they had a dark secret. They killed multiple decepticon and autobots.”

“And what does this have to do with sector seventeen”, Tiger Lily asked. She looked back and saw Wolf Fang gone. “Oh you have got to be kidding me. Wolf Fang Ichagawa, where are you?! This isn’t funny!” Tiger Lily looked around to see if Wolf Fang would stand out from the dust and darkness. “Wolf Fang….?” Before Tiger Lily could turn her head, Wolf Fang came up from behind, and scared Tiger Lily! “That wasn’t funny Wolf Fang! You almost made my spark jump out!”

“What’s wrong? Can’t take a joke”, Wolf Fang teased.

“Did you not just hear me”, Tiger Lily said in anger, “What wasn’t a joke!” Before Tiger Lily could scold Wolf Fang for her stunt, a shriek could be heard from up ahead. Tiger Lily snapped her head back and asked, “What was that?”

“That wasn’t me.” Tiger Lily and Wolf Fang walked over to the corner of the hallway. They poke their heads out to see an infected feeding on oil dripping from the wall.

“Is that…..?”

“An Infected? Yes”, Tiger Lily answered. Tiger Lily takes out her gun while Wolf Fang takes out her sword. “Can you take this one?”

“You bet”, Wolf Fang said. “Leave it to me.” Wolf Fang jumps up to the higher level of the building and runs to the far end of the room. Tiger Lily takes a breath before running out from the hall and shouts, “Hand Up!” The infected decepticon looks back and stands on its hind legs. Tiger Lily takes a few steps back while opening her comp screen. “Angel Wing, It's an O-Variant! He’s here!”

“I knew it”, Angel Wing said over the comp. “Keep your eyes open girls.” Tiger Lily closes her comp and shoots the infected decepticon. The infected decepticon runs to the far end of the room. Tiger Lily chases them and corners them into the wall. The infected decepticon growls at Tiger Lily once last time before being impaled by Wolf Fang’s sword.

“One point for us, zero for the infected”, Wolf Fang says, resting her sword on her shoulder.

“Silver Eyes, we got one of the infected”, Tiger Lily says over the radio.

“Good. May Flower, Angel Wing, and Ultra Violet are still going after the rest of the infected '', Silver Eye says.

May Flower walks down the hall with her flashlight in hand.

“If I knew we were gonna split up, I would have asked Celestia or Suu to come along”, May Flower said to herself. She took a breath and said, “It’s alright…. Be brave, May.” Before May Flower could look behind her, a shriek came from up ahead. May Flower shook in fear but pushed it in the back of her mind. She took out her gun and held it up. She took a few steps forward until she saw a mirror laying at the bent corner. She then heard a low growl come from the otherside of the shelving unit. She pointed her flashlight down to the mirror and it reflected off of the mirror. The light landed on the infected autobot who was looking the other way. May Flower took a breath and ran to the corner and shot the infected with a vaccination. The infected autobot screamed with pain and agony as it squirmed on its back. May Flower runs up to the infected autobot and injects it with a vaccination. The organic matter falls off clump by clump with only blue energon light coming through the autobots plating. May Flower runs over to the Autobot and scans them.

“Silver Eyes, I got a survivor”, She says. “I think this was the last one.”

“Copy that”, Silver Eyes response. “Angel Wing, we have a survivor.”

“Copy that”, Angel Wing says. She looks over at Ultra Violet hiding behind a shelving unit. She waves her hand to go and they run over to the empty room. They quickly raised their guns and Angel Wing said, “Armored Alliance! Stefano, Put your hands up!” No response. “I said put your hands up!” Stefano puts both of his hands up and looks back to reveal  his red glowing eyes.

“What the–?!” Stefano whipped around and extended his arm to aim for Angel Wing. Angel Wing moved out of the way and shot Stefanos’s arm with a vaccination. There was no effect.

“What’s wrong, Angel Wing? Can’t strike a nerve”, Stefano teased in a demonic voice. Ultra Violet runs up and hits Stefano to the wall.

“You're coming with us”, Ultra Violet said with a stern tone of voice. Stefano smiled demonically at Ultra Violet and tried to bite her. She jumped back and pointed her gun at Stefano. Stefano raised himself up with his organic tendrils and looked at both Angel Wing and Ultra Violet.

“He does not leave this building”, Angel Wing said, changing her gun into wrist guns. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Captain”, Ultra Violet said. Silver Eyes looked at the live feed from Angel Wing’s chest cam.

“Oh no….” Silver Eyes moves over to the second monitor and says to the others, “Girls, Angel Wing and Ultra Violet need help!” Angel Wing and Ultra Violet climb to the second platform and shoot Stefano from above. Stefano blocks all the shots and climbs up the wall. Before he has a chance to strike, a sharp pain comes from his back and he screams in pain. He looks back to see Wolf Fang impaling him brom his back. Wolf Fang looks up at Stefano and says, “Wow. you look uglier up close!” Wolf Fang jumps back while Stefano tries to scratch her. “Sorry, did I hurt your feelings?”

“Why you little….!”

“HEY!” Stefano looks up to see the origin of the bullet; Angel Wing pointing her gun at Stefano’s face. May Flower stabs the end of Stefano’s infected tail with the Spike. She looks at the data on the spike and says, “It’s the O-Virus. He’s modified it.”

“In only three years”, Silver Eyes said in surprise. “That’s not possible!”

“And it’s only the beginning….” Stefano roared with all his might; calling the rest of the infected by his side. “Now all will be realized!” Angel Wing and Ultra Violet jump on to Stefano’s back and stab him. Stefano shakes them off and runs out of the building.

“He’s getting away!”

“Not For long!” Angel Wing runs after Stefano with every strength in her body. She follows him outside and runs up beside him. She takes out her boomerang and aims for his front leg. Stefano trips and falls. Angel Wing catches her breath and points her gun at Stefano’s head.

“For almost a decade I have tracked you down”, Angel Wing said. “And now…. Your life will come to an end.” Stefano looks up at Angel Wing with his red eyes. Angel Wing looks away and says, “Goodbye…. Stefano.” Angel Wing fires a shot but Stefano quickly moves out of the way. “WHAT?!” Stefano towers over Angel Wing and says, “This is not over, my friend.” He roars and a space bridge appears behind him.

“Angel Wing!” Angel Wing looks back and sees Wolf Fang running down the hill. She looked back to see Stefano backing up. She raises her gun and shoots Stefano in multiple places such as the legs, arms and head. No effect. Before Angel Wing could act, Stefano was gone, and the space bridge closed. Angel Wing falls to the ground and looks up. She punches the ground in anger and frustration. The rest of Alpha runs down the hill and looks around.

“What happened to Stefano”, Tiger Lily asks, looking down at Angel Wing. Angel Wing looks up at Tiger lily and says, “He got away…. Through a space bridge.” Silver Eyes grips her hands on the control table.

“Does that mean… we failed the mission”, May Flower asked. Angel Wing lifts herself up and says, “No. You didn’t fail. This one is on me.”

“Cap, don’t say that”, Ultra Violet said. “We’re all responsible.” Angel Wing shakes her head in disagreement and says, “A leader bears the burden of a mission going wrong. This is my fault.” Ultra Violet scratches the back of her head and says, “Optimis isn’t gonna be happy about this….”

Angel Wing follows Sharp Sting through the hall of history. It had been a while since she had been in the hall of history since she and her father formed the armored alliance. She looked down, preparing herself for the meeting about to take place. Sharp Sting knocked on the door and then opened it.

“Optimus Prime? Angel Wing has returned”, She said. Optumis puts down his scroll and says, “Let her in.” Sharp Sting opens the door; turning to Angel Wing and bowing her head before walking away. Angel Wing walks in, closing the door behind her. She stands in her guard stance.

“How did the mission go”, Optumis asked.

“The target got away”, Angel Wing said. “I failed to take him in, and he escaped through the space bridge… along with several other infected Autobots and Decepticons.”

“I see”, Optumis. “I will inform Beta of the situation.”

“No.” Optumis looks back at Angel Wing. “I do not think this is the best solution.”

“Your reason?”

“When it comes to Wasp, he makes rash decisions that puts his team at risk”, Angel Wing explains. “Beta wouldn’t know how to handle Stefano properly. Father, let Alpha handle this one.”

“Very well”, Optumis says. “But where did he go?”

“The very place the O-Virus originated from: Earth”, Angel Wing said.

“Then go”, Optumis said. Angel wing nods her head and walks out of her fathers study.

Alpha waits outside the hall of history. Ultra Violet grips the side of her arm in worry. Silver Eyes puts her hand on Ultra Violet’s shoulder and says, “I’m sure Angel Wing is fine.”

“It’s not that”, Ultra Violet says. “We’ve been going after Stefano for almost a decade now. We should have caught him by now.”

“Come on, Girls, we all knew this wasn’t going to be easy”, Tiger Lily said. “We knew that when we joined the armored alliance we would have to face infected.”

“Yeah… but they’re gotten stronger”, Wolf Fang says. “And Stefano was infected too….”

“I’m sure Angel Wing has a solution”, Tiger Lily says. Angel Wing walks out of the building and sees Alpha waiting.

“What did your father say”, Tiger Lily asks.

“We’re going after Stefano”, Angel Wing says. Everyone looks at Angel Wing with confusion and says in unison, “What?!”

“I thought Beta deals with off-planit situations”, Silver Eyes says.

“Stefano is our case”, Angel Wing says. “And I don’t trust Wasp with dealing with Stefano.”

“So in other words……?”

“We’re going to earth.”

Sargent Strong Arm holds a communication device up to the light of the moon.

“Come on…..” Strong arm tries to get a signal from above, but nothing. She lowers the communicator and frowns. She had hoped that Angel Wing, her longest friend, would answer her call. She looks back up at the moon and thinks, “I guess she’s busy…. Oh well.”

“Come up here to jam out?” Strong Arm jumps and looks over to see her teammate, Side Swipe.

“Side Swipe, what is the matter with you”, Strong Arm yelled, annoyance taking over her brain. She kept on forgetting that Side Swipe could be annoying most of the time.

“For Someone who’s a sergeant, you get scared easily”, Side Swipe teased. “Remind me how many years you’ve been a sergeant for?”

“Ha Ha, very funny”, Strong Arm said sarcastically. “Ange you shouldn’t be talking when you have a fear of enclosed spaces.”

“What are you doing up here anyway”, Side Swipe asked. “Last I checked, you don’t have look-out tonight.” Strong Arm looked down for a second and then up at the moon.

“Do you know about Angel Wing”, She asked.

“Optumis’ daughter? I remember Optumis talking about her a few times before”, Side Swipe says. “Why do you ask?”

“I’ve known Angel Wing for a long time”, Strong Arm says. “Once in a while… We call each other to see how we’re doing and catch up. But lately…. She hasn’t called me.”

“She’s a prime, Strong Arm”, Side Swipe says.

“I know that”, Strong Arm says. “But she never forgets to call me. I’m worried.” Side Swipe could see the worried look on Strong Arm’s face. He looked down for a second and then looked back at Strong Arm and said, “Well, you can always talk to me if you need to.” Strong Arm blinked a few times and then chuckled.

“When did you become nice”, Strong Arm jokingly asks.

“I’m not always a jerk”, Side Swipe says. “And I know how you feel.”

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t told anyone about this…. But I have a little sister”, Side Swipe says. Before I met you and Bee, I would take care of her since our parents….”

“Side Swipe… I had no idea”, Strong Arm said with sympathy. She knew what that pain was like. She had lost her own parents during the third war.

“It was a long time ago”, Side Swipe said. “But I left her behind on Cybertron.”

“I’m sure you’ll see her again.”

“Yeah… I know I will.”

Silver Eyes types on the ship's computer while Tiger Lily puts guns in the extra locker. Wolf Fang lays on the hood of the ship and asks, “What’s earth like?”

“It’s beautiful, Wolf Fang”, May Flower says. “There’s no metal at all. There’s birds, owls and sea life. It’s beautiful.”

“You make it sound like a daydream”, Wolf Fang says.

“Do I?”

“It’s also where the O-Virus got its name”, Ultra Violet said.

“Um…..?”

“Oh please tell me you know its origin name”, Ultra Violet said.

“No…?” Ultra Violet sighs and shakes her head in frustration.

“Organic-Virus. That’s what it means”, Ultra Violet says. “And Earth is one of its origin points.” Wolf Fang shakes in fear for a moment and hides under the ship.

“I don’t wanna go….”, Wolf Fang says in fear.

“It’s gonna be alright, Wolf Fang”, May Flower says. “And Angel Wing has been to earth twice in her lifetime. We have nothing to worry about.”

“Do you think the earth has change”, Ultra Violet asks.

“I’m sure it’s still the same”, May Flower says. “It’s only been, what, thirty years?” Wolf Fang blinks a few times and asks, “Wait, how old are-” Before Wolf Fang could finish her question, May Flower covered her mouth and said, “What was that?”

“Nothing”, Wolf Fang said in a scared voice. She crawls away. Tiger Lily walks out of the ship and looks around. She looks over at May Flower and Ultra Violet and asks, “Have you seen Angel Wing?”

“Nope”, Ultra Violet says.

“I haven’t seen her since we got in here”, May Flower said.

“Angel Wing said she had something to do”, Wolf Fang said.

Angel Wing looks over the city lit by the cybertronian sun. She closes her eyes and remembers the conversation between her and her mother.

“Remember, Little one: those who are by your side will always be with you. In this life, or the next. But it’s up to you how you lead them.”

Angel Wing holds her relic tight to her chest.

“I’ll set this right”, Angel Wing thinks to herself. “I’ll set this right.”

Angel Wing walks into the ship cabin.

“There you are”, Wolf Fang says. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine”, Angel Wing says. “Is everything ready?”

“Yup”, Wolf Fang says. She turns around and says, “Everyone has done their part.”

“Good”, Angel Wing said. “We leave tonight.”

“I’ll give you my report when we arrive on Earth.”

“Be careful, Angel Wing”, Celestia said. “Stefano might know you're coming for him.”

“Don’t worry. Stefano is slick, but he doesn't know what we have up our sleeve”, Angel Wing said.

“We’ll miss you, Angie”, Dynasty Rail said. Angel Wing hugs Celestia and Dynasty Rail before walking onto the ship. The hatch to the back of the ship closes and flies off into the sky. Angel Wing walks into the command chamber where the rest of Alpha is at their post.

“You okay, Cap”, Ultra Violet asks.

“I’m fine”, Angel Wing says. “Where are we on the portal?”

“It’s almost charged up”, Silver Eyes says. “It won’t be long now.”

“Good.” Angle Wing looks at her relic and thinks, “I’m coming after you, Stefano. Be ready.”

FixIt works on the monitors until the sensor picks up a strange signal from the city.

“That is odd.”

“What’s wrong”, Denny asks.

“The sensors are picking up large amounts of decepticon and Autobot signals in the city”, FixIt says. “They’re not normal.”

“Something wrong”, BumbleBee asks.

“The sensors are picking up multiple Decepticon and Autobot signals in the city.”

“That’s not normal”, Strong Arm says.

“Why would a huge amount of Autobots and Decepticons be in the city”, Side Swipe wonders.

“We’ll go check it out”, BumbleBee says. “Grim Lock, stay here. Your our back up.” BumbleBee, Side Swipe, and Strong Arm transform and head to the city.”

The trio drive through the back alleys of the city. They transform into their standard form and look around.

“I don’t see anything”, Side Swipe says.

“This is where the signals are coming from”, Strong Arm says.

“Let’s look around”, BumbleBee says. The trio look down multiple alley ways. Strong Arm looks down an alleyway to the north and notices a crimson red puddle with metal parts.

“Lieutenant! I found something”, Strong Arm yelled. BumbleBee and Side Swipe walk over to Strong Arm and look at the crimson puddle.

“What is that?”

“It looks like ... .blood”, BumbleBee says, rubbing the continents between his fingers. “This isn’t normal.”

“And what are these parts”, Strong Arm wondered.

“They look like scrap”, Side Swipe says. As the trio look at the crimson blood and scraped parts, a shadow passes over them. The three of them look up to see nothing.

“What was that”, Side Swipe asks. Before BumbleBee could answer, he and the others see another shadow pass overhead. “Another one?”

“You two stay here”, BumbleBee says. BumbleBee grabs a big enough pipe and climbs up to the roof. Once BumbleBee gets to the roof, he looks around and sees an autobot with black-suited armor. The autobot looks back at BumbleBee with a menacing glare. “Who are–” Before BumbleBee could continue his sentence, the autobot pounced on BumbleBee and pinned him down. The red autobot chuckles and says, “Looks like I got a good one! I–” The autobot looks at BumbleBee with confusion. “Wait….. You're not infected. No matter. I’LL END YOUR SUFFERING!”

“WOLF FANG, DON’T HURT HIM!” Another autobot runs in and takes the red autobots hand. She drags them away and says, “He’s one of us!”

“What? You can’t be serious?” BumbleBee gets up and asks, “How do you know me?” The Autobot walks out from the shadows, takes off her mask and says, “A friend never forgets her friend. No matter how many years go by.” BumbleBee’s eyes widened and asked with happiness, “May Flower? Is that you?”

“There’s only one of me in all the world.”

“Wait… This bot is BumbleBee”, Wolf Fang asks. “I thought he was taller.”

“Sir?” Wolf Fang and May Flower look back to see Side Swipe and Strong Arm. Wolf Fang gasps with excitement and shouts, “Big Brother!!!”

“Wolf Fang?!” Wolf Fang pounces on her brother and hugs him from the ground.

“I missed you, big brother!” Side Swipe chuckles and asks, “What are you doing here?”

“Right, what are you doing here”, BumbleBee asks. “Last I heard, you went back to Cybertron.”

“Me and Wolf Fang are here on assignment with our team and Angel Wing.” Strong Arm looks over and asks, “Angel Wing is here?! When?”

“We came here a few hours ago”, Wolf Fang says. “We’re here for a criminal who escaped Cybertron.”

“Wolf Fang!”

“What?”

“A decepticon criminal”, BumbleBee asks.

“No”, May Flower says. “It’s an autobot.”

“SHIT!”

“What was that”, Strong arm asks.

“That was Silver Eyes”, Wolf Fang says. She takes out her comp. “Silver, Ultra, what’s your status?”

“We got a problem”, Ultra Violet yells. “We found two infected!”

“Infected?”

“We’ll explain later”, May Flower says. She turns around and sees Wolf Fang gone. “Oh, are you kidding me?! Where did she go now?!”

“Down here!” May Flower, Side Swipe, Strong Arm, and BumbleBee look down to see Wolf Fang running to a different alleyway.

“That kid!”

“She’s really your sister”, Strong Arm says.

“Yeah, but she doesn’t know when to stop”, Side Swipe says. He jumps down and runs after Wolf Fang. The others follow behind.

“Wolf Fang, stop”, May Flower yells into the radio.

“Silver and Violet could be in danger”, Wolf fang responded. Wolf Fang runs down another alley and sees Silver Eyes and Ultra Violet running away from a group of infected. “Get down!” Silver Eyes and Ultra Violet run past Wolf Fang. Wolf Fang jumps up and takes out her sword. Electricity makes the sword glow from within. Wolf Fang struck at the infected from the center and with its electricity, the herd of infected dies in an instant. “You two okay?”

“I think so”, Silver Eyes said.

“What happened”, May Flower asks. Silver Eyes and Ultra Violet turn back to see BumbleBee, Strong Arm, and Side Swipe.

“Bee? Is that you”, Ultra Violet asks is dissbelief. “It’s been too long.”

“Um, Silver? Violet? Where’s Angel Wing and Tiger Lily?”

“We thought they met back up with you”, Ultra Violet said.

“You mean you don’t know where they are”, Strong Arm asks. Before anyone could answer, May Flower’s radio turned on. She looks at the screen and sees that it’s Tiger Lily.

“Tiger Lily, Angel Wing, where are you”, May Flower asks.

“I’m afraid we’ve gotten ourselves in a bad situation”, Tiger Lily says, struggling to keep the infected back. May Flower turns off the radio and turns on Angel Wing and Tiger Lily’s location.

“They’re outside the city”, May Flower said.

“I know a shortcut”, Side Swipe says. “Follow me.”

Angel Wing and Tiger Lily shoot multiple infected from left to right.

“Where the hell did they come from”, Tiger Lily shouted.

“Move up the hill”, Angel Wing shouts. The duo run up the hill; the infected chasing them from behind. Angel Wing reloads her gun and shoots the infected behind her. Angel Wing and Tiger Lily run through the forest and jump down to an open field. The both of them turn back to see the infected fall down the small cliff; each body falling on top of each other.

“What the hell?” Angel Wing narrows her eyes to take a closer look at the infected.

“They’re brain waves are still active”, Angel Wing says.

“How can that be”, Tiger Lily wondered. Angel Wing walked up to the pile of infected. She uses her wrist watch and scans the infected.

“Their nerves are still active too”, Angel Wing thought. “They can’t be acting on their own.” Angel Wing noticed movement from one of the infected under the rest and moved back with caution. Tiger Lily takes a few steps forward to inspect but Angel Wing moves her hand in her way. The pile of infected gather up together; legs, arms and extra limbs growing at its sides. Angel Wing and Tiger Lily take out their guns and aim at the mutated infected. The mutated infected shrieks and gets on all its legs.

“Angel Wing…?”

“Hold your ground”, Angel Wing said. “We do not let this one get away!” The mutant charges Angel Wing and Tiger Lily. Angel Wing and Tiger Lily run to each side of the mutant and shoot it’s sides. The mutant charges at Tiger Lily and scratches her plaiting. Angel Wing jumps on top of the mutant and stabs it’s back.

“You okay?” Tiger Lily looks at the scratch and says, “Yeah. I’m fine.” Tiger Lily looks behind Angel Wing and sees a scorpian like tail rising up to the light of the moon. “Look out!” Angel Wing looks back and jumps out of the way.

“Angel Wing, we’re getting no where”, Tiger Lily says.

“I know”, Angel Wing says. “We need Wolf Fang’s sword.”

“That won’t be a problem!” Angel Wing and Tiger Lily look up to see Wolf Fang siluetted by the moon. She charges down and killes the mutant with the electricity from the sword. Angel Wing and Tiger Lily sigh in relief.

“Right on time”, Angel Wing thought.

“Angel Wing?” Angel Wing looked behind and saw a very old friend of hers. In fact, two old friends of hers.

“BumbleBee? Strong Arm?” Strong Arm smiles and runs over to Angel Wing and hugs her.

“I thought I would never see you again”, Strong Arm says. Angel Wing hugs back and says, “I’ve missed you, too.”

“It’s good to see you again, Angel Wing”, BumbeBee says.

“It’s good to see you too, old friend”, Angel Wing says.

“What brings you to earth?” Angel Wing looks back at Tiger Lily, then looks back at BumbleBee and says, “Can we talk back at your hide out?”

“So this is where you’ve been for the last two decades.” BumbleBee leads Angel Wing and Tiger Lily to the command center.

“You didn’t answer my question before”, BumbleBee said. Angel Wing and Tiger Lily look at each other. “Well?” Tiger Lily puts her hand on Angel Wing’s shoulder and whispers in her ear, “Can we trust him?” Angel Wing looks at BumbleBee and says to Tiger Lily, “He can be trusted.”

“Very well.”

“Over fortytwo hours ago, an autobot named Stefano Highway escaped Cybertron with a deadly virus”, Angel Wing explained.

“Virus? What virus”, BumbleBee asks.

“It’s called the O-virus”, Tiger Lily says. She shows BumbleBee data from the previous ten years. “Stefano used organic matter from earth and infused it with autobot, and decepticon energon.”

“So those bots where infected”, BumbleBee says. “How is that even possible?”

“Stefano kidnaped multiple cybertonians from the city and exsperimented on them”, Angel Wing says. “We had him apruhended, but she escaped though a space bridge.”

“And now he’s here on earth. Do you have a way to find him?”

“No”, Tiger Lily says. “Without a reliable signal, we’re in the dark.”

“Would we be able to stay here until we fins Stefano”, Angel Wing asks.

“Of course. You can stay as long at you need.”

“Thank you. Now, I have to go.” Tiger Lily blinks a few times and asks, “Where are you going?”

“To catch up with Strong Arm.” Angel Wing walks away.

Meanwhile in the forest: Side Swipe and Wolf Fang drive to a cliff.

“Whoa… the moon is beautiful”, Wolf Fang says. “It’s just like the moon on cybertron”

“I know”, Side Swipe says. “Actually, the moon here influences the earths seas.”

“Oh, so now your a scientist”, Wolf Fans teased.

“Um, no”, Side Swipe says. “When you live here on earth for two decades, you pick up a thing or two.”

“Right.”

“So, how did you meet Angel Wing?”

“I met her seven years ago”, Wolf Fang explains. “She saved me from the infected. She offered me to be her apprentice, so I took it. But Angel Wing and the others have been dealing with the infected even longer.”

“What are those things anyway”, Side swipe asks.

“From what Angel Wing told me, Stefano made the O-Virus from earth.”

“Why?”

“I have no idea. None of us do. But I’m glad to see you again”, Wolf Fang says. “I really missed you.” Side Swipe smiled and said, “I missed you too.”

Strong Arm and Angel Wing sit on the sign in the junk yard.

“I hear you became Sargent a few years ago”, Angel Wing says.

“Yeah. It kinda took me by surprise”, Strong Arm said.

“You earned it, Blue bird”, Angel Wing says. “You always said you wanted to be like your father, and you ended up getting your wish.” Angel Wing chuckles.

“What’s so funny”, Strong Arm asks.

“Remember when we where young? You though it would be a good idea to sneek into the police station and surprise your father.”

“I was young, Angie”, Strong Arm exsclaimed.

“But you almost gave him a heart attack!” Angel Wing laughs out loud.

“Hahah, very funny”, Strong Arm says sarcastically. “So… those monsters… is that what you’ve been dealing with for the last few years?”

“More than a few years”, Angel Wing says. “For me, I’ve been dealing with since 2004. When I formed Alpha, they’ve been only dealing with this for a decade. And Wolf Fang, only seven.”

“You never told me this when you came back to Cybertron”, Strong Arm said.

“I couldn’t. From what I’ve seen on earth…. The horror…. I couldn’t tell the people of Cybertorn”, Angel Wing says. “They wouldn’t see earth the same way again. But when I found out that a virus made its way to Cybertron, me and my father formed the armored alliance.”

“That’s why you didn’t talk to me those last few years.” Angel Wing looks at Strong Arm. It was true. After the third war was over, Angel Wing went underground when she returned to cybertron. Not once had she tried to contact Strong Arm, even after Strong Arm went to earth. Angel Wing puts her hand on Strong Arm’s shoulder and says, “Blue, I’m sorry. I should have called you when I came back home. But I was so lost back then… I promise I won’t leave you again. And, now that me and my team are gonna be staying for a while, we can make up for lost time.” Strong Arm smiles and say, “I think I’d like that.”

Stefano walks through the halls of a ship. Flesh patches hang from above.

“So they follow me to earth…. No matter. My plans will not fail. Hell will rise, and chaos will concur!!!!”

This is my new Transformers fanfiction! It's a horror series so I hope you enjoy.

[zestyderg]

FINALLY IT'S DONE. FUCK. THIS TOOK FOREVER.

Ok!!! So this is just Todd's experience with being the distraction while Dina looks for everyone's vivosaur medals.

WARNING: Todd gets hurt. Nothing too serious, he'll be fine

Todd approached Wildwest Tower, limbs trembling and heart pounding. Just outside the entrance, he watched as Joe spoke to Ptera, lightly holding its beak with both hands.

He couldn't believe he was about to do this...

The cowboy hadn't noticed him yet. Swallowing thickly, Todd shut his eyes tight for a moment and took a deep breath.

No matter how nervous he was, he had to do this, for everyone's sake.

Todd took a step forward.

"HEY!" He shouted.

Immediately, both Ptera and Joe snapped their heads in Todd's direction, and Todd flinched as two sets of eyes, one tainted a sickly purple, bore into him. Joe tilted his head as he regarded him, before giving Todd a toothy grin.

"Todd! There you are!" Joe shouted enthusiastically. "I was so worried about ya. I keep tellin' y'all to quit runnin' off on me but you ankle-biters never listen! Well, I'm glad that now at least one of m' flaplin's have come to their senses."

Joe took a few steps toward Todd. In turn, Todd took a step back.

"Why don't ya come on inside? It's gettin' late."

Todd was certain that despite being asked, he didn't exactly have a choice in the matter.

He shifted his eyes and stammered, "Uhmmm... I actually w-wanted to... uh- play a game first! Y-yea, that's it."

Joe narrowed his eyes. Todd couldn't stop himself from flinching a little under that intense gaze.

Please take the bait-

"A game? Kid, I still have t' track down yer runaway friends. What makes ya think I have time fer a game?" Joe questioned.

He took another step forward. He was only a few feet away from Todd now.

The boy tensed, inching backwards towards the path to Rainbow Canyon.

"Uh... but it'll be fun! W-we can play hide and seek! A-and after, we can go back to Wildwest Tower, just like you want! ...please?"

Todd shuffled his feet as he watched the gears turn in Joe's head. Not once did the man take his eyes off Todd, and Todd was quite sure that Joe didn't even blink.

"No," Joe answered flatly.

Todd squeaked as Joe suddenly lurched forward, and he spun around and bolted as fast as he could toward Rainbow Canyon. When he didn't hear the thudding of boots hot on his trail, he made the mistake of glancing over his shoulder and nearly shrieked when he saw Ptera diving towards him, Joe upon its back, and scowls of disapproval on both of their faces. Todd quickly veered off to the side, narrowly escaping the grasping claws of the oversized pterosaur. He dodged and weaved through each grab attempt using whatever cover he could until he recognized the beautiful layers of rainbow rock up ahead.

Upon seeing the entrance to Rainbow Canyon, the boy's eyes lit up and he pushed himself to run even faster. Finally, he would have better cover, and Rupert, from his spot somewhere hidden near the top of the canyon, would be able to watch him and keep the others updated.

All he had to do was buy everyone enough time.

Ptera swooped down and around Todd and extended its claws again in an attempt to cut him off. The air-type specialist gunned for the bridge leading into the canyon, and silently thanked the heavens when the pterosaur dove towards Todd but was halted by Joe. Todd knew Joe would not have Ptera potentially collide with the bridge and risk breaking it and making Todd fall.

As he put more distance between himself and Ptera, the boy almost couldn't believe it. So far, the plan was going surprisingly well. He had made it to Rainbow Canyon, had not been caught yet, and better yet, Joe seemed to be struggling a bit to actually get ahold of him. He could do this! He could run for way longer in fact! If Joe really wanted to catch him, he would have to put in the work! Dina will be sure to get everyone's medals back now that Todd had Joe's full attention. With this new burst of confidence, Todd raced on.

But just as Todd got his hopes up, a resounding BOOM rattled him to the very core and Todd spared a glance up at the sky. When had the clouds darkened this much? It was cloudy before but it was not this bad.

Wait.

Oh no.

Oh nonoNONONO-

Suddenly, all the confidence Todd had five seconds ago had vanished, and as he ran he began to feel sick to his stomach. A storm??? On Cranial Isle??? No one had expected this! Cranial Isle was bone-dry! It NEVER rained here! He and his friends didn't prepare for this at all! If it rained, the cliffs would be slippery, and... Todd tried to stop thinking about it. He needed a hiding spot. He couldn't just keep running. Not now.

The landscape lit up a brilliant pale blue as lightning raked across the dark sky. Ptera and Joe were once again in hot pursuit, and the first few droplets of rain had begun to fall from the clouds above. Todd's lungs began to burn as though Igno itself had set them ablaze, and his legs ached badly.

More and more droplets beat down on him, a light drizzle warping into a total downpour all too quickly. It was getting harder to see and one glance behind him showed that even his pursuers were becoming annoyed with the bad weather. He could just make out Joe clinging to his hat, and Ptera's eyes were squinted in irritation.

Those few seconds he took to look back were just long enough that he failed to notice the jutted rock just ahead of him, and he only noticed it just as the rock had scraped his leg. Todd hissed, stumbling forwards as he slipped on the wet stone beneath his feet. To his utter terror, he lost his footing completely, falling hard just on the edge of a steep cliff, and was met with the sight of the floor of the canyon dizzyingly far below him. He hastily scrambled to his feet when he noticed Joe and Ptera barreling down on him again, and desperately he searched for a hiding spot, ANY hiding spot. Joe was gonna GET him if he didn't find one!

As if on cue, Ptera cawed as it prepared to make yet another attempt to grab Todd. The boy forced himself to move, his wobbly, achy legs carrying him down a tight path into the lower levels of the canyon as he felt a claw lightly brush against his back.

There was another crash of thunder throughout the canyon and Todd jumped with a startled squeak. He was practically half running, half sliding along the narrow path at this point and had to grip various jagged stones to keep himself from slipping again. He ignored the stinging pain that came from his palms, and charged on through the storm.

The rest of the path up ahead proved incredibly harrowing to traverse. The wind had gotten worse, and it threatened to blow him straight off of solid ground and let him plummet to his doom below. A powerful gust slammed into him like Goyle's Wind Spear, forcing him to flatten himself again the canyon wall, and a familiar weight was suddenly pulled clean from Todd's head. The watery assault on his previously dry hair confirmed the worst.

His hat was gone.

With no time to grieve the loss of his beloved hat, Todd trudged on, finally passing that treacherous stretch of cliffside and onto a far safer part of Rainbow Canyon. He watched as Ptera struggled more to keep itself and its rider airborne. Still it made another dive for him and Todd managed to duck behind a boulder just in the nick of time, smirking to himself when large feet collided with stone and Ptera croaked in frustration.

It was a small relief that even now he managed to thwart Joe, and it was probably the only good thing to come from all this, but he couldn't keep this up for much longer. He was running out of energy. He needed a place to hide, and fast.

Then he saw it.

Just as he turned a corner, Todd laid his eyes on the mouth of a cave, big enough for a person to get in. Without further thought he made a mad dash for it. He could just barely hear Joe roar his name over the raging storm around them.

He hoped Rupert was watching...

As he stumbled into the cave, his eyes quickly scanned the place for somewhere to wedge himself into. Luckily for him, he found a hole in the back of the small cave, one he was certain he could fit in without too much trouble.

He promptly squeezed himself inside and finally he allowed himself to catch his breath, greedily taking in as much air as his poor overworked lungs could handle.

He laid there pitifully. He was sopping wet, and he had begun to tremble. Now that the adrenaline of being chased was wearing off, the heat had drained entirely from his tiny body, like he had been touched by Frigi itself. He didn't want to move. Everything hurt. If some part of him didn't ache it was because it was covered in small wounds that stung instead.

His eyes shifted to look at the huge scrape on his leg. On closer inspection Todd recoiled a bit when he noticed that no, it was a cut. A deep one, if he had to guess. It stung the worst out of all his injuries. At least it didn't bleed.

Todd closed his eyes for a moment. He was tired. So, so tired.

This was the WORST idea his friends had ever come up with! He hoped this would all be worth it in the end, and that this stupid plan WORKED or he WILL kick Dina's butt for this.

Todd clutched his knees close to his chest and sniffled. He contemplated on all the events that led to this point. He wanted things to be normal again. He wanted his friends. He wanted his vivosaurs. He wanted Barbaros. He wanted the old Joe, not this scary, murderous, overbearing man that wanted to keep him in Caliosteo forever. He wanted his idol back.

Suddenly, a thud from outside of Todd's little hidey-hole snapped him out of his thoughts. He could just barely make out the rustling of leather, and then for a few moments, that was it. Nothing but the onslaught of rain outside.

"Todd," came that familiar drawl. Todd held his breath.

"I know yer in here, Todd. Ya done runnin' from me now?"

The thumping of platformer boots on hard stone drew near. Todd pressed himself against the wall as much as he could. He could hear Joe growl. A whimper escaped Todd's throat, and he stiffened.

Shit.

It was silent again, and Todd watched the entrance to his hiding spot with wide, anxious eyes, waiting for any sign of movement.

To his horror, a long arm reached inside, its gloved hand slowly, methodically, began to feel around.

Feel around for him.

Oh nonono this was bad! Really bad!

Despite Todd's best efforts to keep his distance, he couldn't go further back, so Joe's hand simply came closer and closer, until it lightly rested upon his injured leg. The poor boy fliched involuntarily at the touch. Suddenly, the gloved hand tightly gripped him, and Todd yelped as he was forcefully dragged from his hiding spot and put face to face with Joe Wildwest.

"There you are!" Joe hissed, his teeth bared. As he spoke, small whisps of dark purple vapor trailed from his mouth.

That was new... and horrifying.

Todd shrunk away from the cowboy. He did not want to know what the vapor meant, but judging by every other new thing to happen to Joe, it was probably very bad.

Joe's eyes swept over the boy. He quickly took notice of the scrapes and small cuts on Todd's hands, but his gaze really lingered on the very large wound on his leg. Joe's face flashed with anger.

"Yer HURT?! What in th' hell did I tell ya earlier?! I told ya to come inside, that I didn't have time t' play yer little game. But ya just had to ignore me and make me come after ya. If ya just listened to me, this WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. I saw ya nearly slip an' fall, and yet ya still ran when I tried to save ya. WHAT WERE YA THINKIN', KID?!" Joe's harsh tone and the sheer volume of his voice made Todd curl in on himself.

Ooohhhh Joe was REALLY mad at him now! Joe had never yelled at him before. It was scary when the staff were yelled at but it was mortifying now that Joe directed his anger towards him. He DID run from Joe and send him on what must have been a very frustrating goose chase for him. What would Joe do to him? Would he punish him somehow? He was WARNED that Joe was volatile and that he could turn on him and his friends at any moment. Would Joe hurt him now? The man he looked up to and respected above all else, a legendary fossil fighter who saved his life before, now dangerous and unpredictable, might actually try to hurt or even KILL him. The worst part? He wouldn't be able to stop him.

Todd felt as though he'd been torn to shreds by the cutting winds of Ptera's Great Vortex itself. He tried to blink away tears and keep himself from trembling even more, but all his efforts to look brave and stay somewhat composed were in vain. After a shuddering breath, Todd just fell apart.

"I-I'm suh-sORRYYY!" He wailed in-between sobs that began to wrack his body.

The man went still, eyes wide with shock, and after a moment his face softened.

"Aw, Todd, c'mere," Joe gently pulled the kid to his chest. "My flaplin'," He soothingly ran his fingers through Todd's damp hair and wrapped him up in his coat. "Easy, small fry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean t' yell."

Todd sat there nestled in Joe's arms for quite a while. Joe murmured words of comfort to the young fighter, and Todd unconsciously clung tightly to the very much still-wet cowboy. It was only after he exhausted his supply of tears that the realization dawned on him.

Wait, he was ok? Joe wasn't gonna hurt him? He fretted over nothing?

After many shaky, deep breaths to better calm himself, Todd glanced up at Joe, wiping at his puffy eyes. The violet hues that nearly overtook the blue in Joe's own eyes had seemed to receed quite a bit. Those piercing yet glazed pale pupils remained the same though.

"That was a mighty big risk ya took to keep runnin' in a storm like that, Todd. Nearly gave me a heart attack, ya did. Scared Ptera, too. I don't want ya pullin' a stunt like that again, ya hear? An' listen when I tell ya not to do somethin'. I only want ya safe."

Todd nodded.

He didn't have the energy to do much else. He was exhausted. Joe had finally caught him, and Joe, as much as he didn't want to admit it, was warm. Todd felt slightly bad about having to stop Joe. Right now, he seemed rather calm, had not harmed him, and he was pretty cozy. Todd couldn't help but relax a little.

"I can't get us back to Wildwest Tower now. The storm's real bad, we have t' wait until it calms down before we can leave. Once we get back I'm patchin' ya up right away! That leg o' yours ain't lookin' too good," Joe explained. "Then I'm goin' back to lookin' for yer friends, and if I see those backstabbin' staff leader fuckers with 'em I'll rip 'em limb from limb." Joe's grip on Todd tightened.

Todd worryingly shot another glance up at Joe. Once again the purple taint tried to choke out the deep sapphire blue in his eyes. The boy wilted a little.

"And then, we can be safe an' happy, here in Caliosteo. Just me and m' flaplin's," the elder fighter cooed.

The only one who'd truly feel safe and happy with that arrangement is you...

Todd shuddered at the possibility of Joe actually succeeding in making sure it was just him, Todd, and Todd's friends together in Caliosteo for seemingly forever, and he especially dreaded the idea of the poor staff leaders being murdered by Joe. He felt sick to his stomach again just thinking about it. The last thing Terry, Stella, and Kent deserved was to be torn apart by a very unreasonably angry and controlling cowboy. Joe definitely needed to be stopped. The plan was important. Well, if they're gonna be stuck here for a little while then that just buys Dina even more time, so it was fine by Todd, even if he had mixed feelings about being stuck alone with Joe.

As he listened to the rain outside, he wondered how Rupert was doing. Sitting out in the rain and being forced to keep watch to ensure Joe didn't come back to find Dina raiding his tower probably wasn't fun.

Todd's eyes grew heavy. He really didn't want to sleep here, tightly wrapped up in the arms of a very much not normal Joe Wildwest in a random cave in Rainbow Canyon during a bad storm. Joe humming while he continued to comb his fingers through Todd's hair did not help in the slightest.

His poor exhausted body begged for sleep, and with a yawn Todd found himself burrowing his face into Joe's chest, breathing in the almost comforting scent of leather.

His eyes began to flutter shut. He hoped that when he awoke, Dina had found their medals, that they would be able to stop Joe and find a way to finally get him back to normal. For now though he'll allow Joe to hold him, just this once.

[indraprastheye]

How to Find the Top Pediatric Eye Doctor Near Me in Noida

Finding a skilled pediatric eye doctor for your child is essential for their visual development and overall health. With numerous options available in Noida, it can be overwhelming to choose the right specialist. You find the best kids eye doctor for your child.

1. Seek Personal Recommendations

Start your search by asking for recommendations from those you trust. Talk to family members, friends, or your child’s primary care physician. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into the quality of care and the best kids eye doctor’s approach with children.

2. Assess the Clinic’s Atmosphere

A welcoming and child-friendly clinic environment can make a significant difference. Look for clinics that cater to young patients with a pleasant atmosphere, colorful decor, and friendly staff. This can help reduce any anxiety your child may have about their visit.

3. Check the Range of Services

A top pediatric eye doctor should offer a broad spectrum of services. Ensure the best kids eye  doctor in noida can handle various conditions such as strabismus (crossed eyes), amblyopia (lazy eye), and refractive errors. The presence of advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options is also beneficial.

4.Consider Location and Accessibility

Choose a clinic that is conveniently located and offers flexible appointment scheduling. This can make it easier to manage regular check-ups and follow-up visits, ensuring that your child receives timely care without added stress.

5. Evaluate Communication Skills

The doctor should have excellent communication skills, not only with children but also with their parents. They should be able to explain medical conditions and treatment options clearly, and the best kids eye doctor in noida. Effective communication is key to ensuring you feel confident in the care your child receives.

6. Look for Hospital Affiliations

Doctors affiliated with reputable hospitals or specialized kids eye doctors or health centers often have access to the latest medical technologies and resources. This affiliation can be a good indicator of the quality of care and the availability of additional resources if needed.

Why Choose Indraprasth Eye Tech

For exceptional pediatric eye care in Noida. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate eye care for children. Visit Indraprasth Eye Tech to schedule an appointment with our experienced the kids  eye doctors.Choosing the right pediatric eye doctor is a crucial step in maintaining your child’s eye health.

[dentisthadfield]

The Importance of Family Dentistry: Comprehensive Oral Care for Every Generation

in the fabric of family life, staying healthy is like a thread that connects all generations. And one important part of being healthy is taking care of our mouths. Family dentistry is like a central hub for healthcare, where everyone in the family can get complete oral care. Let's look into why family dentistry is so important—it helps prevent problems, takes care of different dental needs, and encourages everyone to commit to having a healthy mouth for life.

Family Dentistry: A Lifelong Partnership for Oral Wellness

Comprehensive Services for Every Generation

Family dentistry is like a one-stop shop for everyone in the family, no matter how young or old. They offer a bunch of different services for all ages—from kids to grandparents. So, instead of going to different specialists, a family dentist takes care of everyone's oral health needs in one place. It's like having a dental team that knows how to help every member of the family.

Building Trusting Relationships with Your Dentist

One of the standout advantages of family dentistry is the ability to build enduring relationships with your dental care provider. This fosters trust and understanding, making dental visits more comfortable for patients of all ages. The familiarity that comes with seeing the same dentist for years can significantly reduce dental anxiety, creating a positive atmosphere for oral health management.

Conveniently Located

The convenience of having a family dentist nearby cannot be overstated. Searching for "dentist near me" or "dental clinic near me" becomes a breeze when your family dentist is just around the corner. Accessibility is a key factor in ensuring prompt care during emergencies and regular check-ups, promoting consistent oral health practices.

Preventive Care: Nurturing Healthy Smiles from the Start

Family dentistry is all about preventing dental problems before they even start. This means regular check-ups, cleanings, and learning how to take care of your teeth. For kids, going to the dentist early is not just about checking teeth; it's like a school for healthy habits that can stick around for life.

Family dentists are like the guardians of kids' dental growth, keeping an eye on things like teething, jaw alignment, and the importance of starting orthodontic care early. With regular check-ups and protective measures like sealants and fluoride treatments, family dentists build a strong foundation for teeth that resist cavities, making sure everyone enjoys a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Senior Dental Health: Specialised and Gentle Care

Addressing Age-Related Dental Concerns

Family dentistry acknowledges the unique dental concerns that seniors may face. From gum disease to tooth sensitivity, family dentists tailor their approach to address age-related issues, ensuring the ongoing well-being of the senior members of the family.

Denture Care and Maintenance

For seniors with dentures, family dentistry includes specialised care and maintenance. Regular check-ups, adjustments, and education on proper denture care contribute to the comfort and longevity of dentures.

For Adolescents and Adults

As children transition into adolescence, orthodontic considerations may arise. Family dentists, often well-versed in orthodontics, can guide families through this phase, offering solutions such as braces or clear aligners to address alignment issues and promote optimal oral health.

For adults, family dentistry continues to provide comprehensive care, including preventive measures, restorative procedures, and cosmetic dentistry options. Whether it's addressing tooth decay or gum disease or exploring teeth-whitening options, family dentists become trusted partners in maintaining and enhancing adult smiles.

Education and Prevention: Empowering Families with Knowledge

Family dentistry goes beyond just fixing problems; it's about giving people the tools they need through education. Family dentists spend time educating their patients about why good oral hygiene matters, how diet affects dental health, and the link between oral health and overall well-being.

This knowledge helps parents guide their children toward healthy habits, encouraging a proactive approach to oral care. When families grasp the importance of preventing issues early on, they can team up with their dentist to keep everyone's oral health in top shape.

Addressing Dental Anxiety: A Family-Focused Approach

Dental anxiety is a common hurdle for individuals of all ages. Family dentistry, with its emphasis on comprehensive care for every generation, is well-equipped to address this challenge. By fostering a family-focused approach, dentists create an environment that is familiar, comfortable, and supportive.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Smile Journey

In the tapestry of family life, the importance of family dentistry emerges as a vibrant thread, weaving through the smiles of each generation. Family dentistry is not just about caring for teeth; it's about caring for families. It's about creating smiles that reflect not only the health of teeth but also the well-being of the individuals behind those smiles. As we celebrate the importance of family dentistry, we acknowledge its role as a guardian of generational oral health, ensuring that each family member can confidently share their smiles with the world every step of the way. Whether you're in Hadfield or searching for a "dentist near me," the benefits of family dentistry extend beyond treatments – it's about fostering healthy habits, addressing evolving dental needs, and creating a positive and supportive environment for every generation. 

[sumithahemavathy]

Facts on Autism Spectrum Disorder | Best Autism Centre Near Me Bangalore | CAPAAR

As we perceive, children are always happy, cheerful, blabbering on their own, always spread a positive aura, and care a little about the world around them. However, you might have noticed a few children who show unusual behavior that makes them stand out from the rest. While some might not be comfortable in their social surrounding, showcasing abrupt anger issues, others may not respond appropriately or avoid eye contact when addressed.

Autism spectrum disorder may be the cause of why the little one portrays such unusual behavioral traits in their personal and social interactive mode with others. However, the extent of the disorder may vary, and the behavioral traits may not be the same for all.

ASD is a lifelong condition. Though it cannot be wholly cured, early detection and considerable support from infancy may help to bring notable changes in behavioral patterns in the young ones.

More about Autism spectrum disorders

Though the young ones grow at their own pace, they must get accustomed to a fixed set of behaviors within a specified age group. Let’s learn more about ASD and gain appropriate awareness about the condition.

The signs of autism at the nascent stage

Kids with autism find it difficult to grasp new ideas and work on the instructions given to them. The challenge becomes even more difficult when they have to cope in school. The little ones may find it difficult to respond to their names or pick up the necessary learning skills at school. The level of complexity may differ. Some may not have functional ability, while others may have a high level of functionality and learning ability but find it difficult to communicate the same when asked.

How is social well-being affected?

Communication becomes a major cause of concern for individuals under the spectrum of autism. They might not understand simple questions or directions given to them. They might become aggressive and show signs of disrespect when others try to speak to them. They may also speak in different tones or utter words or phrases that may be meaningless to the listeners.

What should caregivers do?

Taking appropriate care of individuals with autism becomes quite a challenging task. Caregivers should be well aware of the disorder and become a support system for individuals with autism. Children with autism should be given activity-based tasks, and they should be kept engaged with interactive questions all the time. Caregivers must give them specific directions like “Bring the red ball” Or “Give me the blue pen” to increase their sense of responding and develop their social skills.

Awareness regarding the condition of autism is the need of the hour. It is essential to bring your child to a healthcare specialist and be acquainted with a support group if your child is showing signs of autism at an early age. Together, let us build a world of inclusion and make the world a happier place by embracing diversity wholeheartedly.

For more updates visit: http://capaar4autism.com or reach us @ 9986455919