#letting the horse girl brain win

[amielot]

Big stretch please! 🙏

a WIP of a comic from slightly later in the timeline XD.

Hob lets the horse-girl-brain overtake him. The impulse was too strong.

I think dream might be a bit small in these panels so I may fix it later lol.

[il-miele-che-scrive]

Please have your asks open okay so hear me out

Charles Leclerc x Greek ! F1 driver ! Reader

You can choose the brand anything Ferrari because I want it to be like a little rivalry to lovers . Social media au or not . Reader being in f1 more time than Charles or Charles with rookie reader .

Thank you in advance

Hello!! I decided to go with rookie reader, hoping you'll like it❤️🙏

scuderiaferrari We are thrilled to announce a historic moment in Formula 1 as we welcome Y/n Y/l/n to our racing family! 🚀 Introducing Y/n Y/l/n, the first woman to compete in F1 since the iconic Lella Lombardi in 1976, and proudly representing Greece! 🇬🇷 Teaming up with our Charles Leclerc, Y/n brings a fresh wave of skill, determination and passion to the track. Together they'll conquer the 2024 season with the iconic Prancing Horse🐎

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yourusername I feel extremely honored to become a part of this family❤️

username1 Miss girl has no idea what she signed up for 💀 wishing her all the best tho

username2 A GIRL, GUYS WE FINALLY GOT A GIRL IN F1

username3 I have a bad feeling about this...

↳username1 wtf? care to explain?

username3 By the summer break she'll have hooked up with half the grid

username1 bye I'm not even participating in this conversation, misogynistic brain rot

carlossainz55 Goodluck @/yourusername 💪

↳yourusername Thank you Carlos 🙏

↳username4 Help why does his comment seem kinda salty

username2 wdym salty lol he literally wished her goodluck

username5 I get him tho, a girl stole his seat

username2 what "stealing" are you talking about? his contract expired, they didn't prolong it and went with some fresh blood that happened to be a woman, not to mention you have to be like the best of the best to get into F1, there was def no stealing done

charles_leclerc Exciting times ahead, let's see if you can keep up

↳yourusername Buckle up 🤠

↳username2 now THAT'S what I'd call a salty comment

username5 Charles forgot they're on the same team lol

achi_of_greece Hellenic Hurricane 🌪

↳yourusername I'll never escape from this nickname will I? 🫶

↳username1 NOT Y/N HAVING LITERAL ROYALTY UNDER A POST ABOUT HER

↳username3 Let's see if the hellenic hurricane can keep up with Lighting McQueen

username4 keep up? 🤡 miss girl will beat his ass up

username5 once again, i kindly remind, they are a TEAM!

lewishamilton History in the making

↳yourusername Omg sir Lewis Hamilton I'm gonna cry 🥹

username1 Y/n being a fangirl just like us

username4 she's so real for this frfr

oscarpiastri Finally🥴it was a bit lonely

↳yourusername Hi f2 bestie 🫶

logansargeant What about me

yourusername you know Oscar and I love you!!

f1 A historic day at the Imola Circuit as Y/n Y/l/n, the Hellenic Hurricane, wins the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix! Congratulations to Y/n and the entire Ferrari team for this outstanding performance.

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yourusername A dream come true honestly 😭🙏

↳carlossainz55 Great job👏

↳lewishamilton So proud

↳username4 Someone explain why the 7 (8)times WC and Charles' ex teammate are more supportive than Charles himself

username2 I think it might be an ego thing? He could be jealous? Personally I think it's Ferrari's fault, they kinda messed up the friendship between CL and CS too at the end

username5 yeah Y/n is definitely the 'favorite child' to Ferrari because she's new and they want to focus more on her or smth

maxverstappen1 Well deserved

↳yourusername THANK YOU MAX

↳username6 Why is Max here and Charles is not😭

username1 A GIRL. IN FERRARI. WINNING IN ITALY. I WASN'T READY FOR THIS

username2 The haters are pretty quiet rn

username4 No cuz I was gonna ask if she found a therapist yet... But she might not need it

username6 Excuse me it's been a few weeks and we get a Y/n win already?? I love it here

landonorris Max Verstappen is screaming crying throwing up

↳maxverstappen1 I'm literally not

landonorris You must admit it was refreshing not having to listen to the Dutch anthem again

oscarpiastri Best rookie fr

↳yourusername I learn from the best (even though you didn't have a win in your rookie year)

oscarpiastri Wdym i didn't, i won sprint in Qatar. Not to mention rookie of the year

yourusername Yeah yeah, stop flexing pookie

logansargeant Go bestie

↳yourusername Can't fvck with these hoes cuz they messy 💅

username7 live laugh love Y/n

username1 the Verstappen curse has ended🙏

↳username3 you know it's probs her first and last victory in F1 right?

username1 I just wonder why is Charles so quiet

charles_leclerc Congrats ��

↳username7 not Charles commenting after people started to wonder why he didn't say anything 😭

↳yourusername How did you enjoy looking at the back of my car? Oh wait, you couldn't even see it from P8

username1 maybe it was better when Charles didn't comment 💀

username3 if that was how my teammate talks to me I'd be pissed too

username1 if this is angrily my name is Ayrton Senna

username2 pls if he was angry, it was only cuz he's in love with her but can't do anything about it

↳username3 he can, they're both single, if he wanted he would've, but he knows they have to keep it professional

username2 that's why I said he can't do anything, literally. i predict a relationship the moment one of them leaves ferrari (or f1 in general)

username4 dude is so in love it's embarrassing

username5 I just know he's thinking about unholy things

↳username7 angry sex lmao imagine

username6 oh to have someone who'll look at me the same way Charles looks at Y/n

username7 okay so my theory is they're attracted to each other okay? but neither of them can talk about emotions, but they tried to have a talk about it, which turned into an argument cuz both are short tempered pookies

↳username3 this is so delusional 🤡 why would they talk about it in that exact moment?

username7 let a girl fantasize

↳username5 quietly manifesting this to be true

↳username2 I'll never believe in true love if this doesn't turn out to be real

username8 No cuz hear me out guys. The LONGING gaze in the second picture? There is chemistry between them whether they admit it or not

↳username6 I totally see it, that is the stare of a man in love with the woman he's just argued with. Look at him. He doesn't look angry. He looks upset. Why? Because they had this argument and didn't make up. Now he's worried they'll get in the cars and something bad will happen either to him or Y/n and... You can imagine how the rest goes

username3 And i thought the previous person was delulu wtf

username9 I can die happily the day I see CharlesY/n happen

↳username7 be careful what you wish for, I feel like it can happen sooner than we'd expect

username10 I need to know HOW didn't Y/n fold after being looked at like this

username11 My friend went to Monaco for the GP and she has a paddock pass, she told me she overheard Y/n talk to some girl from her team that she liked Charles AND they even had "THE talk"™ (which could mean they did "IT"?), but Y/n can't imagine a relationship with him

↳username3 out of all the things that didn't happen, this didn't happen the most

↳username1 I can see that, they're very similar - competitive, short tempered - each of them is like a ticking bomb alone, so in a romantic relationship they would be truly a nuclear weapon (which doesn't mean I don't want it to happen)

yourusername A great day for some karting 🥴 summer break!

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username1 did I gaslight myself that hard or she's really in the number 16?

↳username5 nah, I see that too

↳username2 girlie giving us hints, is it soft launching yet?

username2 16 I'M SCREAMING

username4 enemies to lovers?

↳username3 when were they enemies?

username4 well they never seemed very fond of each other

username3 then just say rivals 💀

charles_leclerc You forgot to mention I won this time

↳yourusername first and last time you got a higher place than me

username4 I can see them having "the winner gets to be on top" kinda bets

↳landonorris 👀

username1 LANDO KNOWS SOMETHING

username11 i told yall, there's too much tension between Y/n and Charles to not be AT LEAST fuck buddies

oscarpiastri What's the longest you can go without being on track?

↳yourusername Mate as I'm writing this I'm waiting for a plane home, won't sit behind the wheel for like a week or more 😭

↳username2 Y/n is dedicated to her job

yourusername είσαι η αγάπη μου❤️🤍

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username1 the red and white hearts?? just saying but they're colors of the Monaco flag

↳username2 and the guy lowkey looks like Charles🤔

username3 looks like Charles? The best you can see is the back of his head

username2 and it looks exactly like Charles' 😌

francisca.cgomes Where credits for the last pic?

↳username4 KIKA WHAT ARE U DOING HERE

↳yourusername Pierre said not to tag either of you 😭 safety reasons or something 🙄

username4 AND PIERRE IS THERE?

username3 Okay, she's in a relationship, y'all can stop shipping Charles with her

↳username5 wdym 💀 this is literally Charles

username3 And y'all say that based on the back of his head, delusional

oscarpiastri @/landonorris and I want an invitation next time

↳yourusername Sorry pookie, it's not for kids

landonorris I'm not a kid

yourusername Then don't act like one

username5 lmao Ferrari had no idea they're getting a sassy queen

username6 Y/n is in love 🥹

↳username2 She's winning, she's in love, what else could a girl want?

username7 Not the soft launch as if we didn't know it's literally her teammate

username1 WHAT.

username2 I TOLD YOU. I TOLD YOU.

username3 You know it's totally normal for friends to hang out? I'd take it as they finally made up

↳username2 UP OR OUT

↳username4 they totally look like just friends, sure😐

username5 IN HER HOMETOWN 😭 HE MET HER FAMILY

↳username7 I'm super curious how it went. "Mom, dad, this is Charles my teammate, I hate his guts. Oh, and we're also lovers"

username6 So where is the person who said they can die happily when CharlesY/n turns out to be real?

↳username2 dead probs lmao

username7 The power couple we needed 😭

username8 imagine their PR team lurking onto gossip pages seeing this

↳username1 I know FOR A FACT that the pr people do look at the gossip accounts

username9 Y'all remember how once someone said Y/n will hook up with half the grid? Staring with the teammate is easy, let's see who'll be next

↳username3 Yeah, I'm so surprised it didn't happen earlier

↳username2 stay mad lol Y/n is living her best life with the man she loves

username5 THIS and it doesn't matter that they met through being on the same team

username6 They knew each other before tho! Y/n used to be friends with Arthur, so she def met Charles in the past

username3 Oh so she tried to get with Arthur but because it didn't work out she went for Charles?

username6 That's literally not what I said. She was friends with Arthur. FRIENDS

username3 You know there's no such thing as friendship between a man and a woman?

username6 look at who is delulu now 🤡 I'm not having this conversation

charles_leclerc Partners on and off the track

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username1 Man literally said fuck a soft launch 😭

↳username2 as he should! we've been dying for them to announce it

yourusername Je t'aime 🩷

↳charles_leclerc Je t'aime avec tes défauts et tes qualités

yourusername EXCUSE ME

yourusername DO YOU THINK I CANT USE TRANSLATOR?

yourusername WHAT "DÉFAUTS" YOU MEAN? I HAVE NO DÉFAUTS

charles_leclerc That's adorable ❤️

pierregasly Remind me, who took the first photo? 🤔

↳yourusername Kika did 🫶 @/francisca.cgomes

francisca.cgomes First and foremost I am the biggest CharlesY/n fan

pierregasly But you took the pic with my phone, I am the author just as much 🙄

francisca.cgomes No❤️

landonorris OH

landonorris I thought you won't have the balls to hard launch

↳yourusername The balls are there indeed

yourusername And more

landonorris EWWWW TMI

yourusername 😐

landonorris exactly my face rn

oscarpiastri So that's why Lando and I weren't invited

↳yourusername It's a couples trip 🤷‍♀️ there wasn't space for the Aussie and his emotional support extrovert

oscarpiastri fuck Lando, what about the Aussie and his GIRLFRIEND?

oscarpiastri Because I do have a girlfriend, you know?

landonorris HEY that's mean

logansargeant I can't say I didn't see it coming

↳username1 We all did, Logan

↳yourusername You were literally the first person I told about my crush on Charles...

logansargeant But who said I believed it would work out?

oscarpiastri HE was the first to know?

yourusername And you were the first to know about the night Charles spent in my hotel room in Monaco

charles_leclerc You talk to them about these things, chérie?

yourusername Don't act like you didn't run to Lando to tell him all about it on the next day

username4 So the theories were real after all, the spicy night in Y/n's hotel room was the cause of their argument

↳username3 She didn't say that...

username4 But it's obvious. Look - the night happened, they felt weird about it and boom there goes the argument. It makes a lot of sense

username5 However it happened, I'm glad it happened

username6 What happens now? Are they even allowed to be a couple?

↳username7 wdym allowed lol it's better than if they were from different teams, they'd have to sign NDA or something

username6 Isn't the team worried they'll distract each other or something?

username7 At least they'll be traumatized together

scuderiaferrari 🇬🇷❤️🇲🇨

↳username6 The team is indeed not worried

yourusername The benefits of having birthday during the summer break

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username1 I love the Y/n and Charles/Kika and Pierre friend group

↳username2 they're everything I want fr

username4 okay but I NEED to know whose idea the cake was

↳username2 I would expect it from Logan and Oscar, honestly, but they weren't in Greece with them

↳yourusername ofc it was Kika's idea!!

francisca.cgomes and I'm proud of it

logansargeant It hurts to know you're making new friends 🙄

↳yourusername I figured I needed some girl friend after spending so much time with you and Oscar 🙄

logansargeant Do you even remember about us anymore?

oscarpiastri I bet 10 of your american dollars that she doesn't

yourusername how could I forget? You two still haunt me in my nightmares 🫶

username1 lmao Charles wakes up screaming box box and Y/n wakes up screaming what's a kilometer and shoe thongs 😭

yourusername that's an accurate description

charles_leclerc I swear I once heard you talk in your sleep something about running a mile in shoe thongs

yourusername And I don't even know how long a mile is, so you can only imagine how terrifying that was

lewishamilton Happy birthday to my favorite rookie

↳yourusername Every time you appear in my comment section I cry a little

lewishamilton The good tears I hope?

yourusername happiness tears of course😭

username5 Do y'all think Charles is jealous seeing his gf interact with THE Lewis Hamilton?

↳username2 No? Why? Lewis is Y/n's idol so obviously she's gonna fangirl a lil

username6 Y/n being a WAG and a driver at the same time, iconic

username7 My fav wag duo for real

[bellarkeselection]

hey! I have a submission/request for a fanfic for whenever you can get to it.

While Monica and Kayce are separated, Kayce and a female farm hand (who has been around for a few years) end up having a drunken night together. Feeling ashamed, she ends up drinking in the pasture (clearly hasn’t learnt her lesson) with Rip. She ends up having a night with Rip as well. Well a few weeks later she finds out she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. She tries to hide the pregnancy for a bit until she can find out the paternity but something happens and she has to spill the beans to them

Two Baby Daddy’s

None of us say that we are going to help someone cheat on their husband or wife…sometimes these things happen. But what I didn’t expect was having two possible baby daddy's to the infant growing in my belly…let's go back to the beginning though shall we?

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes I rolled over on my side feeling a soft bed mattress underneath me. My gaze found a familiar tousled locks of brown curly hair that could only belong to Kayce Dutton. I sat slightly up on the pillows just staring at him. “You sure know how to show a girl a good time, Dutton.” I kissed his head climbing out of the covers shrugging on my clothes that we had thrown around the room the night before.

I snatched my hat off the door handle leaving his bedroom and went straight to the barn. Climbing on my horse the work day wasn't bad and the guys were playing poker and drinking beer by the end of the night. I walked outside of the building leaning against the wooden fence drinking from my beer hearing footsteps coming up behind me. “You didn’t talk much today. Care to explain why?” Rip came walking up to me.

“The cattle don't care much for talkin’. And I just didn't have anything good to share except that I am a coward who can’t tell the guy I like how I feel without a whole lot of alcohol.” I take a long drink feeling the buzz in my head starting to appear.

Rip leans on the fence watching me. I had been a loyal farm hand for years. He respected me as much as John does. “Everybody makes mistakes in their life. You just have to man up and take responsibility for it.”

“That sounds like a good idea. But I'd rather do the opposite it and just make the pair go away for a few hours. What do ya say, Wheeler?” I swayed my hips at him holding the beer bottle in my freehand trying to gain his attention.

Rip stood there for a moment debating in his head. He knew Beth would tear down whoever slept with her man even though she didn't much care for labels on relationships. “Beth wouldn't like that very much if we hooked up.”

“Hey, it's not like I'm just some random girl. I am her best friend and you could just say you did it to make me happy for a night. She won't sink her claws into me over that.” I slowly walked up to him running my freehand down his chest ever so slowly. “What do you say. One more girl before you make Berh your wife forever?”

Y/n, I….hell with it.” Rip decided to change his mind cupping my face and smashing his lips onto mine before his brain told him this was wrong.

Moving my hands up his chest I moaned into the kiss enjoying the feeling. The bottle in my hands dropped to the dust and dirt underneath our boots. Rip tugged me closer to his chest deepening the kiss. “We should get out of here before they come looking for us out here.” He warned me of the cowboys fighting inside the bunkhouse over who was really winning the poker game.

Dragging me to his cabin Rip kicked open the door and I jumped up into his arms wrapping my legs around his waist. He carried me to his bedroom, sitting me on the bed. We each quickly removed our clothes before I held his face in my hands pulling him down onto me and the bed.

That night was two weeks ago and it brought more conflict than I ever wanted in my life.

Walking down the hallway of the main house and to Beth’s room I knocked three times before she opened the door knowing it was me. “Did you get what I asked you for?”

“Yes I did. My father knows I can’t have kids. So you better be more discreet about this.” She moved out of the way, letting me inside the bedroom. She reached into her purse handing me a pack of pregnancy tests.

Taking out one I went into the nearest bathroom while she stood guard inside with me, blocking the door shut with her body. “Thanks Beth…..oh I’m so screwed now.” Holding the test in my hands it took a few minutes before we had an answer.

“Do you know who the father is?” She questioned me, arms crossed over her chest.

Lifting my head up I felt my entire body shiver at the thought. I hadn’t told her about me and Rip yet since it was just a one time thing. “I uh….I slept with Rip. But I also slept with Kayce a few days earlier.”

“If you were anyone else I would kick your ass. But because you are my friend I will help you hide this until you find out who the father is.” She responded to me helping me to my feet before we went our separate ways.

Weeks later -

Climbing down from my horse as quickly as possible when I got into the barn after work saying that I wasn’t feeling too good and so Rip let me heed back earlier. Stumbling into the dirt I rushed over to one of the empty stalls that we kept the horses in. I bent my head over the wall and puked whatever was in my stomach. “Y/n, woah hey. Hey are you alright?”

“Kayce?” I croaked through the fact that I was trying to catch my breath still.

He was holding my hair back out of my face when I slowly turned around to face him. “Rip said you weren't feeling well so I thought I'd come check on you.”

“Thanks Kayce. But I'm fine.” I pushed away from him, snatching my hat up from the dirt ground and dusting the dust off of it.

Kayce stared at me and stepped forward grabbing me by the forearm when I attempted to leave the barn. “Hold on a second. There's something I need to talk to you about. Beth, just told me she wants me and Rip to come down to the hospital with you.”

“Shit Bethany. What the hell are you doing?” I cursed under my breath.

I have been keeping this a secret for a few weeks now. I needed to keep my job after all and not ruin my friendship or whatever that I had with the Dutton standing in front of me now. I had gone to the hospital yesterday evening asking for a paternity test to find out who the father of the baby was. “Do you want to explain why she would want me and Rip to go to the hospital with you?”

“Kayce, I…it’s because-”

“Y/n, are you feeling better? We managed to finish the job earlier so the boys are going out for drinks if you want to come with us.” Rip's voice entered the barn and he dismounted his horse seeing the two of us.

Glancing over my shoulder, my chest tightening in a panic mode. “Rip?”

“Is something going on here I need to involve the boss in?” Rip points his finger from me to Kayce.

Clutching my hands into fists I sucked in a sharp breath. The two men were just staring at me now. Thanks to Beth I supposed I have no choice but to explain the situation if I don't want them to both be angry with me later down the line. “There's something I need to talk to you two about…I'm pregnant.” Lifting the sweatshirt I had on you could see a growing belly underneath the shirt I was wearing.

“You're pregnant. How far along…do you think it's mine?’ Kayce covers his mouth with his hands.

Rip blinked when I focused my attention on him. “Or it could be mine.”

“Yes, That's why I took the test. The reason Beth told you Kayce is because the doctor has the results now.” I whispered avoiding their gazes on me.

Rip headed towards the doorway and we followed him to the truck. Beth came with us since she knew I needed a friend when we entered the room and the doctor came in with the results. “This will be a very interesting conversation for the father. So I will say congratulations to you Y/n. The father has the same blood DNA as Mr. Dutton.”

“I'm gonna be a father again?” Kayce breathed out.

Beth pushed the doctor out of the room and Rip followed her out into the hallway leaving us alone in the room. “Thanks for the help. Now let them yell at each other then kiss alone.”

I remained in my seat, hands covering my mouth with my hands so terrified of what I would say to him. There were two options he could say to me. He would either be happy or not want anything to do with me and our baby. “Kayce, I don't know where to start. I should have told you how I felt before now. It shouldn't have been alcohol to make me have the guts to tell you that I've had feelings for you for years.”

“It was because of Monica and me why you didn't say anything wasn't it?” He turned his head at me and we were looking the other in the eye. “I'm sorry I didn't see your feelings earlier…I love Tate. I guess he was right that I was too chicken to tell you the truth.”

I blinked through some tears needing to hear the words from him to believe it. “Kayce, how do you feel about me?”

“This is how, Darling.” He got to his feet, getting down on his knees in front of me. I gasped feeling him press his lips down onto mine slowly. Wrapping my arms around his neck I kissed him back until we needed air and he was panting for breath. “I've always had feelings for you. I won't leave you and this baby.”

I gasped sniffing through happy tears. “You won't. But what about Tate?”

“He's gonna be thrilled to have a sibling.” Kayce chuckled, kissing my forehead. “I love you Y/n.”

Laying my head against his chest I smiled when he wrapped his arms around my waist holding me. “I love you too, Kayce.”

[dark-and-kawaii]

Do Zevlor and Lofn have any children? If not, any headcanons surrounding pregnancy and parenthood for the pair?

˚₊‧꒰ა❤︎໒꒱‧₊˚ 𝓛𝓸𝓯𝓷 & 𝓩𝓮𝓿𝓵𝓸𝓻 ˚₊‧꒰ა❤︎໒꒱‧₊˚

Whaaaa!!!!! I’m all for telling you about this!!! I’m so excited I get to write more about them!!! Thank you so much darling xoxo :,3 Gosh I tried shortening these, I could talk about their story all day long honestly.

♡ Lofn & Zevlor have three children currently, one boy and two girls. She would love to have another, there’s just something about being pregnant with his children that she adores. Son looks like his father, tielfing characteristics and all, the daughters look like photo copies of Lofn with small details of their father.

♡ While she was pregnant, Zevlor’s protective nature went into overdrive. He also scolded her due to finding out after the elder brain fight, hated that she went into battle while carrying a child. Though he knows nothing could’ve convinced her not to. He was constantly checking on her, making sure she was comfortable and had everything that she needed. Always super attentive and caring, always tried to convince her to stay off her feet… She never did (ᗒᗜᗕ)

♡ Zevlor took time and spent hours in the castle’s library reading books and scrolls about pregnancy and childbirth. He began to develop dark circles under his eyes until the Queen, Lofns mother found him one day, she shut the book he was reading and told him to go to her daughter, that everything would be fine.

♡ Lofn found Zevlor one day handcrafting a crib, she could see that every detail was meticulously thought out. There were even small detail on the side of a few men in armor riding horses with dragons framing it… She couldn’t believe how much detailing he carved into this crib.

♡ During the birth of her first child there were complications… And it was one of the scariest moments Zevlor had ever endured. He had faced countless dangers in his life, but nothing had ever terrified him as much as the thought of losing Lofn. Fear gripped his aching heart, he felt so helpless as he watched his beloved struggle (˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ ) Hours passed in a blur of pain and fear as Lofn’s screams echoed through the chamber, each one tearing at Zevlor’s soul. He held her hand the entire time, whispering words of love and encouragement, and he prayed with all his might.

♡ When the horrors of birth were over, Zevlor cradled their newborn son in his arms, marveling at his son’s tiny, perfect features. The infants eyes were closed, his small chest rising and falling with each breathhh. Lofn, exhausted from the ordeal, leaned her head against Zevlor's shoulder, her eyes heavy with sleep, “He's beautiful,” Lofn whispered, her voice barely audible, “Just like his father.” He kissed Lofn's forehead gently, “And strong, like his mother,” he replied, his voice filled with tenderness.

♡ The baby let out a soft whimper, and Zevlor instinctively began to hum a gentle tune. It was a song his mother had sung to him when he was a child, a lullaby from Elturel. The melody was soothing, filled with memories of love and safety from his very own childhood. As he hummed, Zevlor felt a small delicate tail wrap around his wrist. He looked down to see his son's tiny tail curling around his arm, the baby finding comfort in his father's presence.

♡ Zevlor could honestly win an award for best dad. He’s always there for his children, always there teaching them, showing them how to wield a sword, allowing his children to drag him wherever it is they please. He just loves being a father. At times he’ll walk around with bows in his hair due to his daughters, they cling to him the most. Their son tends to stick by his mother, though he holds high respect for his father. The girls will also tie a pink bow to their father’s tail, since they don’t have one, “but faaather! We don’t have one so you have to wear it for us!” He doesn’t say no ever to them.

[jeanboyjean]

and i - ft. jean kirstein

summary: jean (successfully) tries to make you feel better after a recent breakup

content: friends to lovers, fluff, good vibes, jean brainrot to the max, modern au, college au

a/n: for @honeybleed 90s/00s rnb event!! <3 jean fluff hehehe bc i can't get him out of my brain and he is THE comfort character. inspired by and i - ciara. i love this song big time ♡ laughed so hard watching the music video when she brought out the horse lmaooo 🤔 for my fellow jean girlies!!!

1.2k words

"ugh, i hate him," you grumble, sinking into the couch with a heavy sigh.

jean glances at you, concern etched on his face. "what now?" he asks, taking a seat beside you.

crossing your arms, you slump into the cushions. "he just posted a picture of him with that girl. what a fucking asshole."

jean clicks his tongue, shaking his head in disapproval. "why are you still on his profile? you need to forget about him."

with a frustrated sigh, you shut off your phone. it’s been a few weeks since you ended things with your ex, a decision long overdue. the relationship had lost what little spark had been there in the first place, dragging on for as long as the two of you would let it. the final straw had been when you had found the sexts he had sent to a girl in one of his classes. it stings and it sucks but more than anything, your pride is wounded. the sadistic part of you can’t resist the urge to keep tabs on him and wallow in resentment.

"i have forgotten about him," you say defiantly. "he's just unfortunately like the gum stuck on the bottom of my shoe."

jean lets out a low chuckle. his hands fall to his thighs as he pushes up off the couch. "okay, you know what. let's go for a drive."

curiosity flickers in your eyes as you look up at him, wondering where this is going. 

"come on, let's go," he urges, reaching forward to grab your hand. you let him pull you to your feet.

"alright, fine. but you're shouting me coffee," you tell him with a roll of your eyes, a small smile winning over.

"always," he winks in return with a mischievous lift to his lips.

the music blares as you drive, jean tapping his fingers along to the beat. you hum along, watching the scenery pass by with your window down, letting the cool air blow away your tension. the recent events start to fade away and your mind wanders back to your first break up a couple years ago during your first year of university. jean had been there then too, holding you as you had cried and simmered, until you were ready to put yourself back together. 

he had refused to let you mope around, forcing you to go out with him to movies and parties and bars. he had been the one to listen to your problems as you poured your heart out, making his shoulders your personal dumping ground. jean had been there for you through it all.

you deserve someone who loves all of you. the words he had said to you back then, ring clear in your mind. 

there has always been an underlying tension between you two, a quiet undercurrent that flows beneath the surface of your friendship. from the moment you first saw him, standing across the room at a party in first year, his presence has captured your attention drawing you to him like a magnet. you had become fast friends, sharing everything together from your classes, to your interests, to your deepest darkest secrets.

part of you wonders if he’s ever felt the same way. sometimes you wonder what it would be like if you had found the courage to tell him your feelings, but now you’re in too deep, the confines of your friendship too strong. all this time, you’re pining after him while trying to fill the void with other people, only to be crushed over and over. dreams of making a move dance in your mind, but the fear of jeopardising your friendship holds you back. you’re happy this way, if only because it means you can have him in your life. you’ve sealed these thoughts away in your heart and thrown away the key. 

jean's hand lifts from the steering wheel to turn down the music. "what are you thinking about?" he asks.

you cross your arms to hug yourself. "why is it so hard to find someone? am I just destined to be forever alone?"

he flicks your knee teasingly. "maybe you're looking in the wrong places." he turns his head briefly to meet your eyes. “plus, how can you be forever alone when you have me."

you roll your eyes and poke his shoulder before turning away. “yeah, and where should I be looking then?”

he pulls into the car park in front of your favourite coffee shop, shutting off the car and turning to you. he stills for a moment and takes a deep breath, letting it sit for a moment before releasing. a hand pulls through his hair, coming to rest on the back of his neck. "why not me?" he asks, turning to face you.

your eyes narrow at his words. "don't play around, jean."

"nah, I'm serious," he says. there's a hint of uncertainty in his voice but his gaze is unwavering. "you know I would do anything for you." 

you freeze, chest tightening, feeling the air being sucked out of the car. you hear his words but they don't register, refusing to sink in. the sincerity in his words hang in the air, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. in the quiet, jean's confession lingers like a promise. you want to believe him, to let go of the fear that consumes you but you can't help but hold back.

you shake your head, uncertain of the implications. you’ve both said things like this to each other before, never ones to hold back on sentiment, but something about them today carry a weight you can’t ignore.

"but aren't we friends? i don't want to ruin what we have."

he reaches for your hand across the centre console, his fingers intertwining with yours. his thumb brushes against your skin, sending tingles up your arm. “i would never let anything ruin what we have,”  he says, his eyes never leaving yours, gaze tender but firm. “i've wanted to say this for a long time."

with his free hand, he cups your cheek and leans in, brushing your hair aside. "i could have everything in the world, but I would sacrifice it all for you. stop wasting your time with these losers.” 

your heart pounds, breath catching in your throat. slowly, you allow yourself to acknowledge the feelings that have lingered beneath the surface. "jean..." you whisper, the sound barely escaping your lips.

"please. let me show you."

his lips meet yours, and for a moment, you forget about everything else. the world disappears, leaving only the two of you. it feels like a dream as he pulls you in, your chest flush against his. your fingers comb through his hair, your heart thumping in your chest.

everything about him overwhelms you. his scent, the way his hair feels between your fingers. and the softness of his lips, gentle and warm against your own. 

his hands slide from where they’re tangled in your own hair down to hold your arms, squeezing lightly. he pulls back, his eyes searching yours. the moment hangs in the air, the intensity heavy between you.

"are you okay with this?" he asks, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear.

you nod. a smile stretches across your cheeks as you look up at jean, whose expression mirrors yours. 

it’s more than okay. it’s everything.

you let yourself fall into the moment, unlocking the key to your heart, letting yourself want him. hope flickers in you, anticipation for what this could mean. you finally reach for the love that has always wanted to reveal itself. and this time, it feels real. 

[i-cant-sing]

Dr snow hear me out. So I’m North African right now? Ikr so cool anyway if I was in the 12th century I would be a direct descendant of dihya al Kahina and I would be angsty and upset about the loss of my royal status as princess in the matriarchal amazigh society after the Arabs came so I would train and become the best archer in North Africa and look for ways to restore my dignity and honour the matriarchy of my great great great great grandmother. I would wake up one day and get a tanit tattoo on my forehead and then seek help of the one and only in all of the levant….king Baldwin , we would meet in some random setting in the desert , I would ride a camel and he would have a white horse , I would come unarmed fierce and feisty to impress him with my bravery or so he thought because I did in fact have a dagger strapped to my thigh under my royal blue satin dress with a slit that he can’t see so he would never know I truly was armed…He would see an angsty angry upset wretched hurt soul within me instead of the fake strength mask I had put on through his wisdom and imaginable charisma . We would play chess , I would win , he would agree to help me after that . In the end , he would heal my soul from hostility towards Arabs and from the dangers of revenge and I would become a delicate rose with a tempered soul who was truly strong and possessed a lot of wisdom and compassion instead of an angsty reckless impulsive little girl. We would live happily ever after then and throw balls every season.

idk why but the visuals is reminding me of assassin's creed odyssey and im a sucker for AC games

honestly, yes baldwin would help you but he would 1000% know that you are armed and he would NEVER lose a chess game. im sorry but u could be idk magnus carlson, and baldwin would still be able to beat you. the only way youre winning is if baldwin lets you win because you might be a sore loser and ur angsty ass needs a win for once.

baldwin is the embodiment of beauty with brains, and this dude is so wise and smart, most people actually underestimate him because of his age (because they think age = experience) but its also because baldwin often downplays his intelligence. he's not the type to immediately spring into action, no- baldwin likes to observe, likes to set everything into place and let the dominoes fall into place. he's not someone who waits for an opportunity, no hes the one creates an opportunity. only a fool would wait for the circumstances to be in their favour. baldwin makes the circumstances favour him.

[elsweetheart]

maybe tomorrow you’ll know

🎀 summary: when your girlfriend ellie can’t make it to patrol, you take her slot and go with joel. your father figure comforts you when you get overstimulated.

🎀 an: trying out the diary entry kind of cover picture ?? idk if it looks cute or not but idk what else to put so there . another ldr song title lol … this fic is kinda odd ,, kind of a weird ending and idk if i like it. feels kind of ooc. oh well !! ppl requested it. this is a prequel to this fic and a late sequel to this one !!

🎀 warnings: implied acknowledgment of neurodivergence from joel ?? joel is a little nicer / more healed than he is canonically,, reader gets overstimulated and upset ,, mentions of daddy issues lol ,, mentions of grief ,, i think that’s it ??

It wasn’t unlikely that common colds and flu’s swept Jackson this time of year. It was the pollen from the trees, or maybe the sap, or something like that. Ellie had explained it you a while back but you were more focused on her freckles than the scientific explanation of illness, so the information was kind of buzzing around loosely at the back of your brain.

Ellie, who’s immune system seemed to be made of gold in other departments was hit by the cold. She had the runt of it, red nose, sore throat, awful mood. The one upside was you swanning around looking after her, but that one upside was accompanied by several downsides— as per mentioned, really shitty mood, and the God awful medicine that Maria had cranked out to those hit by the illness.

That left very few people to go on patrol, and you being the helpful angel that you were signed up without second thoughts. You, who had very little patrol experience — your talents thriving more in the gardening area or barn. The shell shock Ellie experienced from hearing you’d signed up didn’t last long thankfully, when you’d rushed to tell her that Joel told you that he’d accompany you. She relaxed a little, if she was going to feel that you were safe in anyone’s hands, it would be Joel’s.

She was honestly feeling much better, the headaches and most of the sniffles had gone away by the time the day of your patrol rolled around, but the antibiotic she was still unfortunately taking made her drowsy for the better part of the day — so for safety reasons, she wasn’t able to up and snatch your patrol slot like she’d so cunningly planned.

She’d watched you get ready, watched you pull on your jeans and a tight white t—shirt. She could tell you were trying to look ‘practical’, outfit removed of any frills and decoration like it usually would garner to seem more Ellie-esque, apparently manifesting her courage and skill to support you on the patrol. It was sweet, but she worried for you, and kept having to remind herself that Joel would be there, Joel would be there, Joel would be there. Nothing was going to get you. She didn’t let this show of course, flashing you a winning smile before you left, helping you tighten your backpack straps and kissing the nervous line between your eyebrows. “Go get ‘em, patrol girl.” She was as cool as ever.

You’d spotted Joel waiting by the gate, and your own nerves settled into a quiet hum in your chest at the sight of him. He looked unafraid, as usual — but when did he ever look afraid? His worn brown jacket was a familiar sight, and you smiled— giving him a sweet wave when he noticed you emerging.

“What, Ellie not here to send you off?” He smiled, in his gruff Joel way as soon as you were in hearing distance.

“She’s on strict doctors orders to rest and stay in bed.” You recite proudly, the two of you sharing a chuckle of disbelief at the fact that someone had managed to tell Ellie what to do. Who else would it be?

“Alright Kiddo, up you get.” He aided you onto his horse, wedging himself in the front saddle. You weren’t offended that he hadn’t trusted you with your own horse today, in fact you felt safer like this.

Joel liked spending one on one time with you, like the time you introduced him to skincare. He found you to be rather seraphic in nature — a glow of purity and light heartedness in an otherwise dark world. He was the most happy to see that you and Ellie were dating, as he found your ways to rub off on her. He’d notice the way she would actually think twice or hesitate before snapping at someone, always making sure to check for you first to gauge your emotions. Ellie was gentler than before, her jagged edges buffing themselves down as to not catch you on its spikes. In fact, Joel had notice everyone that had the grace of being around you had softened up slightly and not in a bad way, you were your own little patch of sunshine. The sugar in the tea that was Jackson.

Which is why he was happy to let you wear yourself out with words, burbling about some funny incident that occurred earlier on in the week with Jesse — Joel chuckling along due to the expressive nature in which you told the tale, glancing at the shadow in the snow of your arms waving about wildly in gesture as you did so despite the older man not facing you.

“I don’t know how you got this much energy so early in the mornin’.” He chuckled with an amused shake of his head. You sat with this for a moment, staring out at a gaggle of birds flapping about causing ruckus in the tree top. You wondered if the birds knew the world has ended, and exhaled through your nose at the thought — leaning forward to rest your cheek to Joel’s back. You suppose you were a little tired, not having much sleep from the night before.

“Changed your tune.” He hummed, a little more quietly. The sun had only just come up, and you felt the adrenaline of leaving past the gates beginning to seep out, your eyes feeling puffy and dry from perhaps lack of sleep.

“You reminded me I am a little sleepy.” You yawned and he chuckled, steering the horse round a bend making your fingers dig into his jacket just a little more. You stayed this way for a while, the two of you plodding along on the horse as Joel took mental note of routes and watched for foot prints and such. Your peaceful reverie was broken by the terrifying groan that could only belong to clickers. Your head snapped up, heart clenching in that dreaded way but Joel didn’t seem to react in the slightest. His back continued to slowly expand and deflate with his slow breaths as the two of you located the small gaggle with your eyes. He drew his weapon, a knife with a thick handle and slid off the horse.

You felt slightly vulnerable as he stepped away, weary of his feet crunching in the snow as he stalked towards the screeching clickers ambling around amongst themselves. Perhaps it really had been a long time since you’d been past the gates, as your gut tensed up as you watched Joel brutally take down the small group. You didn’t quite notice that you were clutching at your jacket, jaw tense and eyes wide until he started trudging back towards you slightly lost of breath. His eyes caught yours and gave you a curt nod to signify he was okay, watching you for a moment longer as you uncurled your hands letting your jacket free from its clammy grip.

“Been a while since you been out here, huh.” He slung himself back onto the horse with a quiet grunt of exertion.

“Yeah. I’m super out of practise, it’s bad.” You shook your head fearfully, eyes boring into the mangled figures staining the snow red as you passed them, flinching when one of their legs twitched ever so slightly.

“You’re alright. S’the people who aren’t infected you gotta watch out for.” He remarked. You stayed silent, pensive at this comment that slightly set you on edge and he added “Don’t get many o’them round here though. We’d know about it.” to soothe your anxiety.

Perhaps you’d been spoiled a little with your working hours at Jackson, because being on patrol was more demanding and time consuming than you’d have thought. Some parts were nice, like chatting with Joel when you got to sit on the horse— but the rest of it was a lot more physically challenging than you were used to. Being hoisted up onto walls, climbing over fences, Joel was giving you quite the workout in comparison to your usual quiet and peaceful days. Your backpack had grown heavier from being filled with useful items you had found to bring back home — and it was beginning to make your shoulders ache, weighing you down uncomfortably.

The sky was aglow with a breathtaking abendrot, the day been and gone having been travelling around with Joel all day. You’d mentally clocked out around 2 hours ago, feeling the exhaustion push you past your limits. You never wanted to be in a bad mood with Joel — so you hid it, but you were starting to feel a little shitty. A close run in with the infected made your ears ring from Joel’s gun shooting a little too close to your ear— the annoying humming sound making it hard for you to concentrate. All of the physical exertion made you hot and clammy beneath your layers, but it was too cold without them. You could feel your hair sticking to the nape of your neck, getting tangled in the back of your necklace bringing it taut against your skin leaving a thin chain print indent against it. You could feel a pebble rattling in your shoe that you couldn’t get out, your knee was grazed slightly from a stumble trying to get away from a clicker, and you could feel the blood from the injury sticking to the inside of your jeans. Worst of all, you could feel a slight tickle at the back of your throat — the start of what could be the cold Ellie had.

“You listenin’?” Joel glanced round at you, on top of everything — he had decided now was the time to launch into a long and detailed story. You loved when Joel told stories, it was usually a moment of comfort or bonding — but you couldn’t help but feel irritated at the fact you could barely hear him, ringing in your ears seeming to grow louder.

“Huh? I— ugh, i can’t—” You stressed, fingers prodding inside your ears trying to wiggle the blockage out. Your face was screwed up slightly, overwhelmed by the feelings and sensations you were experienced. The man craned round slightly, taking a look at you.

“Y’alright?” He gave you a once over and you simply huffed, deciding that you didn’t care about the Jackson chill anymore as you practically fought your jacket off your body, immediately going back to sticking your finger in your ear trying to unplug it to escape the incessant ringing. You groaned agitatedly, not noticing your jacket dropping off the back of the horse and into the snow as you continued your pressurised ministrations. It all had seemed to hit you at once, your face heating up as you felt your heart rate pattering against your chest. “Kiddo?”

“What? I— I don’t know I don’t feel good I’m— I hurt myself and i’m getting sick and — everything is too much and —” You exploded, cutting yourself off as you burst into tears. You were frantically, nearly wailing as you grappled with yourself like you were covered in tiny ants. Joel frowned, quickly steering his horse beneath an old bridge and parking up, jumping off — hoping you didn’t fidget your way into falling off. You slid off the horse by yourself, pacing for a moment as you cradled yourself before sliding down the wall.

“Hey, kiddo. Look at me.” His movements was slow, purposeful. He didn’t freak out, he never did. Just slowly coming to squat infront of you, knee’s clicking with the gesture. You pulled your face from your hands, face hot and sticky now which only seemed to worsen your reaction. “You’re panickin’.” He observed. You nodded, unsure of what to say as you scrubbed your face, trying to rid of the feeling of your sticky tears. “Be gentle. Gonna hurt yourself.” He spoke even quieter as you did so, weary of hands rough swiping.

You leant back on the brick, letting your eyes flutter shut as you sucked in breaths. Joel took the time to look around, checking that there were no unwelcome visitors approaching. “Y’alright.” He soothed as you continued breathing. After a moment, you whined quietly into your hands.

“Too many feelings and sounds.” You shook your head, embarrassment creeping up the back of your neck. Joel probably thinks I’m insane, spoke the loud moth’s buzzing around from ear to ear.

“I get it.” He drawled, shrugging and sliding up beside you to sit, drawing his knees up. “We’ll sit here ‘til they go away.”

You went to complain, knowing he probably just wanted to get back, you were only holding him up — “Joel—”

“We’ll sit here, ‘til they go away.” He repeated with determination, turning to look at you seriously. You glanced at him, nodding before you closed your eyes once more — focusing on your breathing.

What did you find relaxing? The gentle breeze that fanned over your face as you sat and caught your breath, caressing the overly warm places on your body and soothing you as evening crept in. The thought of Ellie back in Jackson, the domesticity of it, thinking about how she was probably laying on her bed resting wearing her warm grey hoodie, tongue poking between her lips in concentration as she doodled in her diary. A butterfly sketched with a chewed biro, your profile drawn in the margins. The sound of birds tweeting as they settled in their nests for the evening, rustling their feathers slightly and cooing to their babies. Joel beside you, same old worn brown jacket and the deep lines of age embedded into his skin. You could hear his slow breath, in and out. In and out. You matched his speed, and before you knew it you were calm.

“Sorry about that.” You croaked, voice hoarse from your freak out. You didn’t feel hot with irritation anymore, just a slight warmth to your cheeks from embarrassment. “Didn’t mean to have a tantrum on you.” You sniffled, still clearly upset by the occurrence.

“Nothin’ to be sorry about. I think going on patrol just ain’t for everybody.” His deep voice reverberated beside you. The two of you sat for a moment, and you felt him observe you for a few seconds before he pushed himself to stand. He wandered off, returning back a moment later with your jacket that you had chucked off the back of the horse in his hand. He draped around you and you stuffed your arms back in, feeling the chill consuming you a little more now. Standing above you, Joel held out his hand.

You took it and he pulled you up. The sky seemed a shade darker, and a pang of guilt smacked your chest — realising how much time you’d wasted. You started busily dusting yourself down, adjusting your backpack waiting for him to step aside. When he didn’t, you stepped around him.

“Gosh, it’s getting late already— we better get going I’ve wasted enough time.” You released all in one breath. Your voice was strained, odd, like you were still barely holding it together. You turned to Joel, who still stood there and watched you analytically.

“Hey.” He interrupted, as you turned back to him.

“What?”

He held out his arms, and you didn’t hesitate.

Joel had only hugged you a few times before. From his demeanour, it was clear he wasn’t much of a hugger. Once when your dad left, and once when you had a frightening run in with an intruder. He had been there to comfort you in your lowest moments.

He wrapped his arms around you as you pressed your ear to his chest, hearing the slow and steady thump through his shirt. You let out a quiet sob, shoulders relaxing. You hadn’t realised how badly you just needed fatherly love until this very moment, the hole in your heart slowly but surely being filled by Joel’s presence.

“M’grateful you’re here. You’re the closest thing I have to…” You stopped yourself, deciding it would be too… much to say. You decided it would probably stay unspoken forever — the grief on his behalf too large to mention. You had only hoped he felt your gratitude and love without saying it.

Part of him tensed, but relaxed in allowance after a minute. “I know, babygirl.” He spoke his appreciation. It was quiet, almost like he had hoped that you and maybe even himself wouldn’t hear it. Another moment passed, and he cupped the back of your head, pulling you closer. “Same goes to you.” Your heart was warm when you pulled away, Joel not quite being able to meet your eye — as if processing what he’d just quietly admit to. You didn’t bring it up, and the two of you never discussed it again — climbing up onto the horse and galloping back in the direction of Jackson’s gates with quiet conversation as the sky melted into navy.

You were half asleep by the time you’d gotten back, Joel walking you back to Ellie’s door. Your breakdown had pretty much exhausted you, and Joel decided not to press you on it — silent footsteps in the snow as you reached the porch. Ellie came to the door, welcoming you inside with a kiss on the cheek as you sleepily mumbled to her before toddling inside the house disappearing into the dark hallway.

“How’d it go?” Ellie gave a once over to Joel’s pensive expression.

“Good.” He looked passed Ellie for a moment, to see whether or not you lingered. “Keep an eye on her, yeah?” His brow furrowed slightly and Ellie mirrored the expression, saying nothing as she urged him to continue. “Reckon she… she’s a little … different to you and I. Feels things different. She got… upset. Said she was feelin’ too much. Got all… overstimulated. Think that’s the word anyway. You know me, m’not good with all that stuff but… maybe you can talk to her, Kid.” He shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Yeah.” Ellie frowned, the syllable coming out in a fog of cold Jackson air. “I’ll ask her… thanks.” She nodded.

“Yeah. ‘Night.” He smiled, turning and plodding away tiredly.

Ellie curled up behind you in the moonlit room, your body was still cold having simply shed your clothes and dropped into the bed. The freckled girl rubbed your arms as she pulled the blanket over the two of you, pressing kisses to the back of your head.

“Missed you today, brave girl.” She whispered and you hummed, hand tiredly closing around her own on your shoulder.

“Missed y’too.”

“Joel told me you got upset. We gotta talk about that tomorrow, you know that right?” Her voice was gentle as she craned around to watch your face in the dark room, dropping a kiss to your cheek. She watched your eyelashes move, a failed attempt to open your eyes and your hand closed around hers just a little tighter.

“Tomorrow. M’okay.” Your voice grew weaker as sleep faded in around you.

“Okay baby. Get some sleep.” She tucked herself in behind you, trying to erase the worry from her mind.

[fionacle]

Okay so I started drafting the slides for the school project on Wander Over Yonder’s messages on love and relationships. Can anyone say anything to change/add, or give advice for making it all sound more professional? (under cut bc long)

Quick descriptions of the main characters

Wander - A Star Nomad. Very impulsive, obsessed with helping people to a compulsive extent, optimistic, believes everyone can become better, actually very good at manipulating people but he only does so to help

Sylvia - A Zbornak (basically a horse). Best friends with Wander, much more grounded, sassy strong female character (but not in a shallow way)

Lord Hater - An “electrical skeleton man” (as phrased by the Evil Sandwich). An utter manchild, toxic masculinity, annoyed so badly by Wander that he can’t focus on anything else when he’s around and is constantly foiled by him, a villain more because he thinks it’s cool than having actual malice in his heart, not that he isn’t also sadistic (he has a remix of his victims screaming), a dictator basically

Commander Peepers: A Watchdog (eye people) Hater’s second in command, the actual brains behind their army, also has anger issues (napoleon complex, he’s short even for a Watchdog), attached to Hater in a queer-coded way

Appreciation

Wander and Sylvia constantly tell each other how much they love each other, and it’s really good to see that you can be so close and affectionate and not be romantically involved.

Communication

Wander and Sylvia aren’t actually always so good at communicating and listening. Wander is a very impulsive person, which can cause Sylvia a lot of strife as he drags her along with him. In the episode The Tourist, Wander gets into a competition with an elderly woman to see who can visit the most places throughout the galaxy. In his desperation to win the race, he deprives Sylvia of the experience of actually taking in the famous places they visit, and of being able to rest on the vacation planet they met the woman on. Wander has to learn to take things slow for her sake. In the episode The Void, they find themselves in a void where they can manipulate reality at will, and Wander messes around too much to the point of literally treating Sylvia like a puppet, briefly holding her from strings in a play setting. Wander would have been lost mindlessly messing around in that void for eternity if not for his friend, because she grounds him.

Communication (cont.)

Outside of those two, Wander and Lord Hater both fail to communicate with Lord Dominator, the main villain of season two. Hater falls for her just because she’s a girl, and Wander assumes he can manipulate them into falling in love to make them go good, again just because she’s a girl. They are both crushed when Hater finally lets down his walls and admits his love for Dominator, because she was never actually interested in dating, she just takes joy in destroying the galaxy, “I crush all your hopes and then I watch you cry” being in her villain song that immediately follows Hater’s love song. This teaches Wander he can’t just control everything everyone does, and that sometimes trying to do so without actually listening can lead to more heartbreak than reward.

Consent

In the episode The Boy Wander, there is a one-off character voiced by Weird Al, named Dr. Screwball Jones (he is a banana with a bowtie). His philosophy is that everyone should smile and laugh all the time, even against their will, so he goes everywhere tickling people. Wander may often influence people’s actions for what he considers the greater good, but he notes a stark difference between him and Dr. Screwball, with whom he has a past, where Wander believes you can’t force people to do anything.

Obsession and Jealousy

In the episode The Lonely Planet, they meet a sentient planet named Janet. Janet grows obsessive over Wander, him being the first person to show her kindness, and thus jealous of his closeness with Sylvia. She tries to break them apart, filling up Wander’s time with gifts and praise, while pushing Sylvia to the literal other side of the planet, and making her fall through a crack into Janet’s core. Consent is once again called into play, when Janet reveals to Wander that she’s taken and framed dozens of photos of him, refuses to let him leave, and tries to kiss him with the “lips” of a flower. Sylvia shows up right on time and saves Wander, but Wander insists on going back to comfort the now-alone Janet. In the end she ends up in a healthy relationship with her moon. It was good that this episode spoke on love vs. obsession, and that it’s unhealthy when someone tries to separate you from everyone else, but in real life people going back like Wander did is dangerous as they could get re-stuck in abuse. This was in season one, before they wanted to share the “some people can’t be helped” message as they did with Lord Dominator, though.

[buckybringsviolets]

Can I get a letter from 40s Bucky? Like an enemies to lovers one. Where he lists all the things that annoys him about her and then confesses that he actually loves them and her? A little angst to sweet sweet fluff?

Love>Hate

Hope this is what you had in mind!

40's Bucky X Female Reader

600+ words

No warnings except for lovesick Buck

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Little troublemaker,

      You asked me why I hate you so I’m gonna tell ya. I’m gonna try to keep my cool and not curse, but dammit doll, no one makes my blood boil like you do. And before you go and call me chicken for not confronting you in person with this, I’m only writin’ you ‘cause I don’t want to catch heck from Steve. 

Okay, here goes, right outta the gate, when we first met, at the age of 8. When Steve introduced you. “Bucky?! What kinda name’s that? Sounds like your ma & pa named you after a dog.” You then started giggling, Stevie joining in with ya. “It’s a nickname, short for Buchanan, my middle name.” I told you, a smirk on my face. And you just smiled at me.

 Even then, so young, but such a know-it-all. The way you talked, like you know everything, rattling off facts left and right, Ol’ Stevie just listening to ya like you’re the smartest person alive or something. “Did you know that horses and cows can sleep standing but only dream when lying down?” you’d look so proud, waiting for me to say something. “Yeah, that’s really something sweetheart.” 

 Speaking of Steve, don’t think I didn’t notice how you worked your way into his heart, by the time we were starting middle school it became Y/N & Steve this, Stevie & Y/N that. Stevie said you always asked about me, wondering why I was around much, but I think you were just looking to tease me about something. 

  That summer, between middle & high school? The trip the 3 of us took to Coney Island? Not only did you chase away Betty McIntosh (she was a real cookie! 😍) but you won that stuffed bear, THEN gave it to me! Jesus, doll, I wanted to win one for you!

  I’m not even going to start in on prom. Every girl I asked, every one, said no way, that I was too hung up on you. “Y/N?! Are you nuts?” then they’d say “Yes, y/n!”  I honestly don’t know what you told them to say that. But you must’ve said something. 

    And now, the way you go out with these guys, active duty men, I nicely warn you about them, ask you where they’re planning on taking ya. And you get all feisty with me “that’s none of your concern Bucky!”  Just me looking out for you, and you’ve gotta get all upset with me. Just being a gentleman and all I catch is flak.

  Doll, I’m gonna be a bit honest here, you kinda stunned me with what you said. “Bucky, why do you hate me?” a look on your face like I ain’t never seen before, something like concern, maybe heartbreak? And me, hate YOU? That is most certainly not something I could ever feel for you. 

  From the first time I saw you, when Stevie said “ this is y/n y/l/n, she’s new in town.” I knew. I was hooked. Doll, you are everything to me and more. But how could I ever tell you just how perfect you are? Not when I’m so… so not perfect. So I pushed you away. For your own good. Convinced myself you were better off without a mess up like myself. 

  So hate is not what I feel towards, for, you. Love, adoration, deep affection, definitely. You are amazing, gorgeous, so amazingly smart, generous to a fault. How could I not adore you, doll face? 

  Now before you start screaming at me, cut me some slack. I know I’m a dope, Stevie lets me know that every chance he gets. I’m crazy ‘bout you sweetheart, so maybe my brains a bit fried. 

 How about you let me take you out? Little dancing, a quick bite to eat, try my damndest to make it up to ya. Because y/n, you are IT for me. The endgame. ‘Till the end of line doll. 

  My love, always

  James Buchanan Barnes

[homelander-rp-blog]

Continue from here. @elpida (hope you like Sweet Tooth addition! <3)

"what are you, ten years old girl with an obsession for horses?!" he shakes the phone again but to no win. looking around, they're stuck in middle of nowhere with nothing around them for miles "alright.. we uh.. we gotta walk.. but I won't guarantee we wouldn't bump into any of those guys.. fuckers still think finding a cure is a secret in hybrids' brains for God's sake.." he picks up the supplies and his shot gun from the backseat, nodding to Eris "just.. tell me if something is approaching, hm? I got everything we might need but we really gotta consider stealing another car on our way too.. and a new phone maybe.. how else I can let others know that we're just fine" he can just say 'screw it all', forget about mission and turn around, back to the camp but those hybrid kids.. he might be their only hope.

[the-inkwell-variable]

Happy STS! What part of your story has been your favourite to write, or what part are you looking forward to most? (feel free to share a snippet 👀) - @trixierosewrites

Happy STS! Thank you so much for the ask!

Honestly? My absolute favorite bits to write are the scene with Rasman and Cilia - two centaurs that only show up for one scene and one scene only. Their banter is absolutely precious to me and I'm seriously considering bringing them back in the next book just so I can write more of them!

Here are a few snippets of their conversations so you can see what I mean! Mind you, these all take place within a few minutes of each other, because I have zero self restraint :3

SNIPPET ONE

“Ubada said you could give me a ride back to Lochmallow.” The girl, who couldn't be any older than she was, studied her for several long seconds, then shrugged.  “Sure.  Makes me no difference.” The centaur on the left snorted and stomped his hoof.  “Sure.  Whatever.  Not like you're the one pulling the extra weight.  Two hundred pounds isn't nothing, you know!” “Oh shut up, Rasman.”  The other centaur, a female with only bridle straps across her ample chest, scoffed and tossed her thick amber mane over her shoulder.  “if you can't handle it, just tell us instead of whining about it so we can go hook up Posedes instead.” “Posedes?!  That mangy dobbin can barely pull a pram, let alone a logging wagon!  I just would like the dignity of being asked, that's all!  I'm not a horse!” The half-elf rolled her eyes and shot Amara a look that was both annoyed and apologetic.  “Rasman, would you be okay with ferrying… what's your name?” “Amara.” “Amara along while we take the shipment?” “Of course. I'm not an animal.”  After a moment, he added ”Was that so hard?” in an almost whining tone that made the half—tiefling immediately dislike him.

SNIPPET TWO

“My ma used to read tea leaves,” Cilia called back, tossing her head over her shoulder.  "Scary accurate she was too.  Predicted Da's death down to the hour.  Can't say we didn't expect it, but was devastating all the same.” “How did he die?” Amara asked out of curiosity.  Maybe I should add reading tea leaves to the shop… “Epizootic haemorrhagic disease.  He caught it when he went to Delarid to visit my aunt's new grandbaby.  He was already pretty up there in years, too old to survive the fever.  Been nigh on two years now.” “Hang about.”  Rasman nearly jerked the cart to a halt as he stopped to stomp a hoof.  “Epizootic haemorrhagic disease doesn't affect horses or centaurs.  What's your game?” “How do you know that?” Ariel interrupted before Cilia could answer. “I'm taking a correspondence course through Elaeseth Medical Academy,” he replied in a haughty tone.  “Currently third in my class, according to Professor Blytheson.  In two years and six months, you'll be looking at a Doctor of Supernatural Races and Diseases.  Now answer me, Cilia - why would your father, a centaur, die of a fever that only affects bovines and ruminant species?” “My da,” Cilia responded curtly, her teeth snipping off every syllable, “was a minotaur.  My ma was a centaur.  I may look more like ma, but I've got da's brains and brawn.” “And attitude,” Rasman muttered, making no effort to muffle himself.

SNIPPET THREE

Even Rasman, who seemed tired of bickering with Cilia, shook his head.  ”I've known the Montagues since I was a foal.  Ol’ Monty used to feed us carrots.  Didn't matter that my herd prefered apples and turnips - ‘carrots will make you see like an elf,’ he'd say, and we'd scarf those carrots down like we were starving.  And you know what?  He was right.  To this day, I still win the 'spot the difference’ challenge at the fall festival every year.” "Only because Posedes is colorblind,” Cilia countered.  “He still smokes you at the distance spy game.” Rasman tossed his shoulder-length black hair back and flapped his hand dismissively.  "As a doctor-” “Med student.” “-it is vital that I see the minute details up close and personal.  Let the herd guards focus on the distance.  I must keep my focus on the here and now.” Cilia shook her head, her thick tresses bouncing on her tanned shoulders.  “Congratulations on the gods-like eyesight.  What does that have to do with Lily being arrested?”

SNIPPET FOUR

They got hung up on Jalen for some time - both Ariel and Cilia vouched for his mean temper, but Rasman, who had spent a summer and half of fall as the blacksmith's boyfriend, insisted that, despite the half-elf's crotchety temperament, he would never stoop to violence.  “There's a reason Lily is so comfortable working for him.  He's a real sweetheart beneath his thorny exterior.  If you ever see him blush, you'll see what I mean.” “Do you miss him, Rasman?” Cilia asked gently, reaching out to touch his shoulder. Rasman shrugged, though whether he was doing so in response or to get her hand off was unclear.  “Sometimes.  We weren't good for each other.  His aspirations stop at a smithy in Verthurst, while I fully intend to own a clinic in Elaeseth within ten years.” “In the capital?” Cilia echoed, doubt creeping into her voice.  “That's going to be crazy expensive.  I'd give you fifteen years, just to be safe.” “Fifteen years?!  May as well take me out to pasture at that point!  Just what kind of quack do you take me for?!”

I JUST LOVE THEM OKAY

[sillyromance]

The best

Good day everyone !

So, it's my new Dooku/Nyx short story, yet this time it's a Naga!Dooku AU. The master and his padawan decided to have some fun together and play cat and mouse...

P.S: it's my first time writing fearplay two people agreed on, I hope it has turned out nice...

Nyx ran down the corridor, her light steps almost inaudible. She didn't want to use the force - he could feel it as well as he could smell her scent, so the only option left was to rely only on her brains and muscles. 

She knew he was close. Very close. The mistake she made in the Mirror Hall gave Dooku an advantage which could put all her efforts to waste. If only she managed to reach the front door of the castle... She would win, and she would be free.

Unless...

The girl felt her heart pounding in her throat, it was hard to breathe - lungs ached of the enormous pressure put on them. Nyx tried to choose open, well-illuminated areas: snakes doesn't like those for there they don't have a place to hide and have less opportunities to corner their victims. It wouldn't stop one from striking, though.

Therefore, Nyx sharpened all her senses and didn't trust a single corner.

On the crossroad she turned left. That way was risky, but, if she was lucky, the girl would be outside in five minutes. The hall wouldn't bring any danger, but the stairs and the living room... Better not to think about it.

Run, run, run!

Two first locations stayed behind.

Nyx's pace increased; the door flashed open, she flew through the room like a butterfly and got ready to escape, but sudden noise made the girl hesitate.

Her eyes went wide. She slammed her hands over her mouth and dived in the gap behind a lemon tree standing beside a big wooden chest.

The scales. She heard them rustle upon the floor...

Nyx shivered as she watched long, thick black coils crawl inside the room; big glossy rhombs twinkled threateningly in pale sun light fighting its way through heavy magenta curtains. Those coils had never let anybody escape – they were strong enough to choke a horse, and if she, a small human girl, would try to struggle against them, it wouldn’t do anything except giving just one more reminder of her hopeless weakness.

Dooku was silent. He slowly, methodically searched around the place, a tip of his long tail twitching slightly. Nyx didn’t let herself be fooled; he had already found her, though couldn’t resist playing with his little prey, stimulating fear to grow inside her chest so he could enjoy his superiority over her later when she couldn’t bear that anymore… Well, as sad as it was to admit, his acting worked – Nyx found herself tremor like a leaf every time he passed by her occasional shelter.

But what would she do? There were only two exits – jumping out of the window was impossible, he would catch her before she could even touch the lattice – and now he stood right between them, his coils spreading all over the ground…

Nyx forced herself to think logically. Returning in depth of the castle wouldn’t do her any favor – if she did, it would be just a matter of time before her body would get exhausted enough for her to simply collapse, and Dooku would be able to make his final move without worrying of her disappearing or fighting back. So, the only chance to survive was to complete her first plan.

Keeping an eye on the naga, she scanned patterns his body made on the parquet. There were tempting clear spots, perfect for hopping right in, but those were traps, nooses which would turn into deadly knots as far as she would lay a foot in them. Frowning, Nyx squinted.

A-ha!

Free space between the wall and one of the coils. To react he would be bound to reposition all of himself!

Maybe, she could have a second, one little, but victorious second...

Although, if she failed with calculation, she would be just pinned against the stone, and…

Nyx heart raced at crazy speed as if in attempt to break through her chest.

She threw one more glance at the naga – Dooku seemed to be on the other side of the room, absolutely unbothered by her inner agony. Her cheeks flushed.

Bastard!

She inhaled.

Like a cat, the girl slid soundlessly from behind the plant.

Glanced back.

He didn’t look.

"Fine, now or never."

One…

Two…

THREE…

Nyx leaped; as intended, her little foot landed just at the right spot. Now, turn around, grab the hold!..

- Got you!

She yelped. Moving fast and accurately, the coils pressed the girl to the cold concrete and wrapped around her legs and waist, holding gently, yet firmly.

Dooku leisurely turned around and decreased the distance between him and his catch squirming anxiously in his grasp.

- Well, well, well, what do we have here? My dear little padawan… - She could see he was pleased with himself, his voice silky and low, sweet... Like venom in his milky fangs. – I’ve started to wonder when you would swallow my bait. I can praise you for your cleverness, though – any other on your place would choose an easy path… However, it was over long ago you were had to choose, darling.

Nyx felt as she was lifted up – her master brought the girl closer to his smirking face, dark eyes radiating with soft condescension.

- So brave, so intelligent. Yet, so foolish… - He murmured to her ear, making Nyx tremble. – You could never escape me. I’m a predator. And you’re prey. No prey has been ever able to run away from me…

His coils tightened. The girl gasped for air, her ribcage losing some inches to expand to.

She went pale, her pleading eyes staring at Dooku with fear and despair.

- Oh, is it too hard for you to breathe? My apologies. – The grip loosened. Dooku bended over his captive and stroke her tender, velvet cheek, then sighed. She watched his nostrils widen as he shamelessly tasted her aroma. – Don’t want my lady to pass out when there is so much fun ahead? How rude of me it would be…

That’s bad. That sounds really, really bad!..

- Don’t you know where I’m leading to, little one? – He chuckled. The more frightened his prey’s face appeared, the more it seemed to amuse the naga. – Oh, I bet you do! You are very clever: the fact you were able to make me chase you around my own house for hours proves it better than anything. At the same time, such intense pursuit has its consequences in the end.

Nyx blood ran cold when her ears caught an audible growl coming from the count’s midsection.

- I’m rather… hungry…

His warm exhales lightly tickled her skin. His beautiful, noble face loomed over hers, grinning at the effect his words had, his coils restrained her fruitless, pathetic struggles; he undoubtedly sensed her screaming pulse through them… She was doomed.

- Please… don’t…

She didn’t want to beg. It wasn’t what he taught her. However, it was already too much – her lips parted and let out that cry, not a cry of a warrior, but a tiny girl, a bird in embrace of a snake. A sparkling tear swelled in the corner of her blue eye and rolled out, leaving thin wet track as it slipped down.

It seemed to touch something in the cold serpent's heart. Dooku stopped speaking, his gaze warming just a bit and his hand lifting up again to wipe that treacherous tear. Nyx couldn’t help but melt into the touch – deceivingly familiar presence of his palm caressing her felt almost comforting.

- No, no, no, darling. Don’t cry. – Dooku whispered seductively, pressing a soft kiss on her cool forehead. – I know you’re sad. It’s just not your day! Nothing can change things now – once a prey’s in my coils, I won’t let them go… But think of it this way – there will be no worries, no suffering, no sorrow anymore… Just my soft innards hugging you… Just deep, peaceful, eternal sleep…

The longer it went on, the more Nyx understood her master’s statement of breaking an opponent before engaging them – he had already had all possible power over her, his last words tearing last glimpses of hope from her soul. And that wasn’t the worst yet!

- You know, I can feel you taste already, my precious morsel…

Dooku licked his lips and hummed, savoring shades of flavor he picked with the kiss. His head titled back, giving a good view of his throat contracting with a loud “gulp”, a powerful motion sending saliva down, in the ravenous abyss.

- It’s practically exquisite, incomparable to anything I have ever tried. A delicacy indeed…

Despite the terror, looking at how he shone with delight, Nyx suddenly found herself… red.

- Oh, who is blushing now?... – He exclaimed teasingly, placing a finger under her chin and turning her head from side to side, like a proud artist, observing his work. - Although, who am I to blame such a sweet, delicious girl for being flustered? A charming candy like yourself deserves special attention, don’t you think?..

He leaned forward and granted her one more kiss, gentler, fatherly affectionate; his fingers brushed her silver hair, sinking into their smooth streams. When he fell back, the count left his prey even more fluttered.

- Nevertheless... As much as I like spending my time with you, little one, I can’t ignore my hunger much longer. The time has come…

Those words brought her back to reality. Alarmed, Nyx restarted her attempts to squirm free from his grasp, but it was too late. Not paying any attention to her protests, Dooku parted his jaws and engulfed her head whole, muffing all the screams and cries of his poor victim.

It was hot, and damp, and slimy. Nyx shuddered, sensing the naga’s fangs on her neck and his squishy, long tongue fondling her face. He took his time savoring her, coating her in slick saliva, so, when he finally made a swallow, the girl came in easily as if she was always meant to be his food. It was no use to jerk away at that point – every movement she made only helped her descend, and very soon Nyx felt as her shoulders, her chest, her belly was squeezed and pulled inside by strong muscles which could stir her bones into dust. She gave up when he came to the hips – the girl still sensed inhuman power of his coils on every inch of her legs. The fight was over.

She was going into his stomach, willingly or not.

And at that thought… She smiled.

Meanwhile, Dooku was doing a good job devouring his apprentice whole and alive. The count was happy like a child who got a long-awaited treat, therefore the room vibrated with a sound of his content purr. He felt even better when Nyx’s struggles died within his body and her emotions stabilized. Dooku got so worried as soon as his senses indicated genuine grief and fear engulfing her back then. And that tear… He almost dropped the act once he saw it. But they promised each other to play until the very end – and he went on, calming Nyx down in the process with the tools he could use at that moment.

But - All-Mighty Force! – the apotheosis worthed everything! When he described the girl’s taste, Dooku wasn’t kidding at all: it was heavenly good. Neither of the prey who had ever entered his insides felt so right, so sweet on his tongue. Although, he suspected it wasn’t just Nyx’s natural characteristics; the count adored his little padawan more than anything in the universe. And now, when she was so close to his heart every beat of which sang of her alone, he desired nothing more but to push her even deeper, to seal her inside of himself and never let go. To keep her safe and sound.

With that in mind, he slurped her toes and made one last, fateful swallow, feeling his throat stretching one last time as it threw his meal down, into the stomach, separating Nyx from the evil of the outside world.

The girl arrived at her destination and sighed joyfully. Dooku didn’t lie – his flesh was soft as no cushion in the entire galaxy could be. Her body, numb and sore after the chase and short, but unforgettable entrapment in her master’s iron coils, finally relaxed at thorough massage the organ provided her with. She layed still, permitting the walls to churn and knead her all they wanted, and didn’t hesitate to answer to representation of their love for her with gentle rubs and strokes.

The purring she discovered earlier on her way down grew louder.

- Did you like the game, master? Was that enough? – She called out cheerfully.

- More than enough, little one! I’m not afraid to say you were perfect! – Dooku replied, coiling around his snake belly and settling just beside his girl. His hand met hers from the outside. – But I think, I have to say sorry. I… I didn’t predict I could scare you that much. If I do it next time, don’t be ashamed to tell me right away, OK?

Nyx’s smile widened; she nuzzled deeper into him, comforted by the darkness and warmth.

- Sure… Though, you are irresistibly good in this role: I admit, there were moments I thought you would… You would eat me… for real... - Dooku's aura darkened. - Don't worry, I’m fine now. And I promise – I’ll warn you in the future if something is wrong.

- Good. – Dooku tightened the muscles around her for a second in improvised hug, then went up. – Well, I guess, we both need some rest after all this. I’m going to my quarters – to sleep off my “dinner”. – He added with a chuckle.

- Hey! –Nyx laughed, gifting the naga with a good kick. – Watch out, master: if you’re going to joke like that, named “dinner” will be able to give you quite a stomach ache!

- All right, fine, I surrender! – He laughed back, cringing at the slight pain she caused. – I’m unbearable sometimes, am I not?

Nyx wanted to shoot a teasing comment, but stopped herself. She stroke the area she hit and gave it a soothing kiss.

- … No. You are the best, master.

The place considerably heated up. Dooku was silent for a good while, then she received a thought through their bond.

“Thank you, Nyx. You are too. ”

[lordcatwich]

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh,

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Dashing through the snow,

in a one-horse open sleigh

Over the fields we go,

Laughing all the way.

Bells on bobtail ring,

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh,

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago

I thought I'd take a ride,

And soon, Miss Fanny Bright

Was seated by my side.

The horse was lean and lank,

Misfortune seemed his lot,

He got into a drifted bank

And then we got upsot.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh,

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago,

The story I must tell

I went out on the snow,

And on my back I fell.

A gent was riding by

In a one-horse open sleigh,

He laughed as there I sprawling lie,

But quickly drove away.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh,

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white,

Go it while you're young;

Take the girls tonight,

And sing this sleighing song.

Just get a bobtailed bay,

Two-forty as his speed,

Hitch him to an open sleigh

And crack! you'll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh,

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!

O What fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

You thought I was done? On no, oh no no no, this is a combo attack >:)

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Alo, salut, sunt eu un haiduc

Si te rog iubirea mea primeste fericirea

Alo, alo, sunt eu, Picasso

Ti-am dat beep si sunt voinic

Dar sa stii nu-ti cer nimic

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

Te sun sa-ti spun ce simt acum

Alo, iubirea mea sunt eu fericirea

Alo, alo, sunt iarasi eu, Picasso

Ti-am dat beep si sunt voinic

Dar sa stii nu-ti cer nimic

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Ma-ia-hii, ma-ia-huu

Ma-ia-hoo, ma-ia-haa

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

Vrei sa pleci dar nu ma nu ma iei

Nu ma nu ma iei, nu ma nu ma nu ma iei

Chipul tau si dragostea din tei

Mi-amintesc de ochii tai

:3

The day they found me, I hadn't yet been played

Inside my workshop behind the old arcade

Electric desires had unraveled all my wires

Now I'm in the box for safekeeping

The news reporters reported that I died

But all my organs were living on inside

Circuit board to brain with two lungs collecting change

One big human heart gently beeping

You can't win me, I can't be beat

I won't hurt you unless you cheat

You can't see me behind the screen

I'm half human and half machine

Thank God for business, they let me take the floor

I stood so proudly, like I was going to war

Players soon appeared and I quickly was revered

This must be what love would have felt like

Such dedication, they came from miles away

With eyes so piercing, they'd wait their turn to play

Perfect patient lines because I was in their minds

I could do whatever I felt like (whatever I felt like)

You can't win me, I can't be beat

I won't hurt you unless you cheat

You can't see me behind the screen

I'm half human and half machine

I'm happy for years and years

And, only eating the occasional maintenance man

Only driving a few kids to madness

Maybe they were predisposed to madness, who knows?

I only want to have fun

But now they're telling me my days here are done

'Cause there's a tiny little box that they make in Japan

And pretty soon it's gonna fit in your hand

It's getting lonely, it's getting hard to breathe

The arcade's empty, I think it's Christmas Eve

Someone's broken in, now they're painting on my skin

Breaking me and taking my quarters

Bashing in my face with a crowbar

Kicking me and pushing me over

Now they see my blood on their sneakers

You can't win me, I can't be beat

I won't hurt you unless you cheat

You can't see me behind the screen

I'm half human and half machine

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-da-da-da

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-da-da-da

Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba

combo attack back yippee

Market Town

What a doozy walking 'round

With all these putrid people everywhere

"You've gotta buy this!"

Screams a whiskey stinking vermin vendor

Holding up a rotten pear

But I hold on to my dollar

Looking all around me

In this place, I hide my face

But dirty people hound me

Market Street

I could use a bite to eat

But I don't want to buy a whole raw fish, no

No, not a blanket!

Yes, it's lovely but I'm hungry

And that's really not my favorite dish

So I hold on to my moolah

My mazuma, money

There's no trash that's worth my cash

It all just smells too funny

In Marketland

You can buy what's in demand

15 years ago, wow

In Marketland

All the world is in your hand

I'd go wash it off now

Market Lane

Either I'm going insane

Or there's an urchin hawking book reports

Oh, that's a new one

Some old guy with just one eye's

Selling his obviously soiled shorts

But I hold on to my dollar

Looking all around me

In this place, I hide my face

But dirty people hound me

Market Hell

There's no food too old to sell

There is no merchandise too urine-stained

"You've gotta buy this!"

Scream the whiskey stinking vermin vendors

Well, at least I'm entertained

Still I hold on to my moolah

My mazuma, money

There's no trash that's worth my cash

It all just smells too funny

In Marketland

You can buy what's in demand

Fifteen years ago, wow

In Marketland

All the world is in your hand

I'd go wash it off now

In Marketland

You can buy what's in demand

Fifteen years ago, wow

In Marketland

All the world is in your hand

I'd go wash it off now

@littlebookworm69

[written-in-flowers]

your rosebud series is always so delightful to read, i'm happy to see new stuff for it! would you mind dropping some thoughts and headcanons about what an older cedric would be like? perhaps even his role in the dance of dragons? thank you so much :)

A/N: this is who I've always pictured when I picture older Cedric, and yes the period is VASTLY different, but just humor me, okay? Louis hasn't done anything medieval period yet. I also did go overboard with this one and added Otto's two other children, Lia and Theodore.

Okay, so let's play with timelines and The Dance happens much later in Cedric's life, because the timeline I have he'd be 8 years old (his siblings being 6 and 3 years old) when it actually starts, and is 10 when it ends. He does live, and so does Rosebud and his other two siblings, since Otto is forced to send them to his brother in Oldtown to protect them with his family.

Older!Cedric Hightower:

Cedric is exactly what Otto and you hoped he'd be: an intelligent young man with excellent martial skills. He grows to have his father's brain and his mother's looks. Girls at court swoon whenever he walks into a room, often finding excuses to speak to him during balls and feasts, and begging their fathers to arrange betrothals. Cedric is flattered by the attention, and it definitely boosts his ego during tourneys, but he isn't a womanizer or a whoremonger.

His is the apple of your eye. You'll admit you're weak to his charms, and give into any demand he wants. If Cedric says he wants another horse, Mama makes it happen. If Cedric says he wants new armor, Mama gets it made right away. If Cedric said he wanted to storm Casterly Rock and take it for himself, you'd muster up an army for him (of course, Cedric would never do that lol He's actually on good terms with Tyland's nephews).

An excellent swordsman, as his father hoped. He's even gifted the family Valyrian sword on his eighteenth nameday, Vigilance, which he wields with pride. He was trained personally by Ser Criston and his nephew, Aemond, also powerful swordsmen.

Still loves horses. Aside from his childhood stead, Summer, he has two more: Willow, a mare, and Gunthor, a male mustang. He claims when he has his own holdfast or keep, he'll have a larger stable. He often tends to his animals himself instead of leaving when with the stable master. He also likes dogs, having four dogs he takes hunting with him whenever he goes: Jasper, Buttons, Daffodil and Agnus.

Speaking of hunting, he actually enjoys it. Not for the killing part like some psychos in this series, but because he gets alone time with his dad and he likes the pride it gives him when he eats something he personally acquired, not given to him. He also enjoys being outdoors, whether hunting or walking through the gardens.

He loves his half-sister, Alicent. They have a cute, banter back and forth relationship. Alicent often feels isolated and stressed out in the castle, which is where her family swoops in to ease her worries. Whenever someone speaks poorly of her, Cedric lashes out and defends her honor. It's the same with any family member, since he loves them very much.

He doesn't like Larys Strong. Valuable as he can be, Cedric doesn't like people who deal in secrets and lies; people who "make things happen" by any means necessary. Perhaps that's just the honor instilled in him, or because he doesn't like how close Larys is to Alicent.

His role in the Dance runs alongside Daeron's since he goes to Oldtown with his mother at the start. He doesn't have the benefit of a dragon, but he does have the benefit of a strategic mind and winning people's support/allegiance. He does participate in battles, does accompany his nephew to the battles at Tumbleton, and sadly witnessed Daeron's death which crushed him completely. He and Daeron became very close during their time in the war.

After The Dance, Cedric and his family remain in Oldtown at Hightower. He marries a girl from The Westerlands, and has two children of his own.

Older!Lia Hightower:

Lia is the second child of Lord and Lady Hightower. A true lady, she is gracious, elegant, and very pretty. Considering one of the most beautiful girls at court, she has a string of admirers constantly asking for her favor at tourneys, a dance at balls or even a few minutes of her time. She's actually quite annoyed by it, because much like her mother did, she knew they only saw her beauty and nothing else.

Lia is more than her looks. She's very interested in science and plants. As a child, she often brought books into bed and fell asleep reading them. As a young woman, she's seen going in and out of the library with different books and scrolls. She's currently interested in astrology, and discovering more about the stars in the sky. It's considered unusual for a lady, but you support it.

Growing up, Alicent is the older sister of her dreams. They spend lots of time together, and she is even her cupbearer at small council meetings. Otto doesn't particularly like this, but Alicent is the queen and wants her sister to know how kingdoms and houses are run.

She learns things from you too. She learns all courtesies and womanly arts from you, which she doesn't find boring at all. Like stated, Lia likes to learn new things and that includes the gender-specific ones.

Even though Lia doesn't show much of an interest in boys, there is one boy she likes: Tybolt Lannister, Jason Lannister's son brought to court to squire for his uncle. Cedric and Theodore often tease her about her crush, and you think it's sweet. Otto, however, is the overprotective dad who always happens to appear whenever Tybolt is around her.

The one thing her and her father do disagree on is religion. Lia is that time's equivalent of an atheist, whereas her father sets store by The Seven. She's seen what people will do in the name of religion, and believes no such gods would want their followers to shed blood in their names. Plus, her logical mind just doesn't allow for blind faith in beings she can't see or hear.

During the Dance, Lia is married off to a Redwyne lord to make alliances for the battles to come, but said lord is then killed shortly after their wedding. She's then betrothed again to a Fossoway, which was a nice union until her husband dies before their marriage even happens. She's really in Oldtown with her family during most of it, until she's sent to King's Landing as a hostage. There, she marries Tybolt Lannister in a secret wedding ceremony, and goes on to have four children in subsequent years.

Older!Theodore Hightower:

Baby boy. Cinnamon roll. Good boy. These and many more describe Theodore "Theo" Hightower, the third son of Lord and Lady Hightower. Peaceful, he is least likely to lash out in violence or anger immediately. He often brings joy and laughter to somber situations, and likes to cheer people up when they're upset.

Spends a lot of his time with his male friends from court. This isn't very unusual for a boy his age, but you've noticed the fast friendship he developed with Osmund Waters, a bastard boy who works in the armory as the blacksmith's apprentice. (A/N: yes, it is Finn Wolfhard fancast lmao). He and Osmund train together, go into the city together, and Theo always begs to bring him to hunting parties or travelling with him.

Theo has a deep interest in knights, fairytales, and songs. He is the artist in the family: he learned to play various instruments, inherited his mother's singing voice, and also paints in his spare time. He often paints a lot of the wooden shields Osmund brings him to design, mostly because they make more money if people learn the Hand's son painted it.

Otto thinks he should be focused on more "beneficial" things like politics and stuff like that, but you support your son's passions. Especially the ones your husband is very much blind to.

He has good relationships with most of his family members, but he's closest to Helaena, his niece. She's soft and gentle like he is, and they enjoy being in each other's company. They know they won't be judged or discouraged by one another, and they just click in ways they don't with the rest of their family.

But, just because he's gentle, doesn't mean he won't fight. Not very strong or big like Cedric, he is a great archer. Think Katniss Everdeen level of good. He most definitely had his moment when he outshot everyone in an archery competition, his arrow splitting the arrow of a Tarly boy who thought he had it in the bag.

The bow and arrows his father's gifted him are his most prized possessions.

So guess what he's doing during The Dance: yep, leading archers from long distances. When enemy draws closer, he can fight with his sword but still able to fight with his bow and arrow. He eventually is taken out of battles when he's mortally wounded during a battle, having taken an axe to the thigh/leg area and crippling him for life. This sorta works in his favor, because since most of what he likes to do is done sitting.

When the Dance ends, Theo joins the Citadel to become a maester. He goes through the ranks until he's given a chain and a house to serve alongside a mentor: House Tyrell, his mother's family, where he becomes closer to his aunts and uncles, as well as his grandmother, Jalissa.

[leviathansshadycorner]

Rope Him In ( Cato x District 10! Reader x slight! Marvel) Pt. 6

Summary: (Y/n) begins training.

A/n: Sorry for any inconsistencies and spelling errors, enjoyyyyyy!

Pt.5 Pt.4 Pt.3 Pt.2 Pt.1

____________________________________

Chapter 6 Training pt. 2

“So tell me why you’re in a feud with a career.” Ramsey bit into his apple. The mentor sat across from you and Buckley. 

“Where’s Dolly?” You hadn’t seen her in the room and were starting to get worried. 

“Don’t worry about her.” Ramsey dismissed. 

“Where is she?” Buckley then repeated. 

The room had grown quiet. Even Pradain who had been watching the Capitol news had gone silent. Ramsey shook his head, avoiding eye contact with either of you. You turned to look at Buckley who intently waited for an answer. 

“She’s talking with the President.” Praidain offered you an answer. “Apparently (Y/n)’s stunt didn’t sit right with him.” 

“Fuck.” You cursed as you threw your head into your hands  and onto the table. 

Dolly had warned you. She had told you that you’d get her in trouble. Buckley seemed taken back but was quick to come to your defense. 

“I'm sure it's nothing,” He began, “Maybe he’s just telling her to keep an eye on you.” 

“Buck’s right.” Ramsey shrugged. “It’s not like the presidents going to hurt any of us. There’s rumors of rebels in the districts. He’s worried that your little horse trick might’ve sent the wrong message. That’s all he’s worried about.” 

“That and the girl from 12.” Pradain added. 

“I wouldn’t worry about her. She seems like another Joanna if anything.” Ramsey added. 

“Have you seen how she stares at the Capitol Citizens? She practically skins the President with that nasty glare of hers.” Pradain sprawled out on the couch. 

All the talk couldn’t distract you from the immense guilt you felt. You’ve heard stories about people getting punished by the Capitol. You knew about how cruel they could be since you practically lived  with the lingering threat of the peacekeepers. You hoped that Buckley was right. That she was just getting a little scolding. You wouldn’t be able to live with yourself if your actions had caused her to get hurt or worse. 

“Why don’t they just kill us on the spot?” Came your hopeless reply. 

“Don’t go around saying things like that (Y/n)” Pradain’s sympathy shone for the first time. 

“They like entertainment.” Ramsey said, looking out into space. 

Buckley looked uneasy. It seemed the guilt had gone to him as well. You wondered if he hated you. Of course he probably didn’t but you were sure he thought of you differently. 

You could feel the flood of emotions swirl in your brain. This was all getting to be so much and the games haven't even started. You’d lost your appetite. Shakily you got up. Your body felt weak. It seemed you’d spent most of your time here fighting off panic attacks and the urge to cry. Quickly you marched into your room. You could hear Buckley’s chair screech as he stood up to follow but Ramsey kept him back. 

“Let her,” He instructed him. “Why don’t we chat about winning?” He followed up. 

Your tears didn’t hesitate any longer. A familiar flood of salt water streamed down your face as you slouched down the door. The cries were progressively getting harder to contain. Ugly cries erupted from you and you knew the rest of the group would be able to hear them. You threw yourself onto the strange bed. Cries were muffled but now you were drowning in your snot and tears. 

Why did you ever believe Buckley? Why did you think you could be strong. You weren’t the same person you were 10 years ago. That brash little girl left when your mother died. She left when reality took over your fantasy of a better life. 

You were weak. 

In your time here so far you’d proven to be difficult, negative, and living off of false confidence. There was no possible way you’d win the games. Especially since you’ve managed to make enemies out of the tributes with the highest chance at  victory. Amaranto was wrong. You weren’t even good at your job back home. Skilled with knives? If anything you’d get killed by one. Amaranto. He’d be left with a heartbroken father. Clarabell was there for him which gave you some sense of hope but even then. What use does it have for him to have a life, a family- if his kids would be reaped too. 

You thought of your mother. What would she think of you if she were still here? You hadn’t talked to her in years. You weren’t able to. Life got hectic and visits to the meadow were replaced with shifts at the slaughterhouse.  Instantly your mind is filled with memories of your mother. She’d told you that anything was possible. That you were strong and capable yet wild and fierce. 

The cold air kissed your tears away as you laid looking at the ceiling. Her last words echoed as you closed your eyes. Sleep was hard to get by these days. Fortunately for you, you’d exhausted yourself enough to drift into a blissful nap. 

“(Y/n).” A voice came through your dream. 

You shifted in place, the untouched part of the sheets cold, causing your skin to break out in goosebumps. 

“(Y/n), come on you gotta go to training.” The feminine voice came again. 

Your eyelids fought to open, refusing to be awoken by the gift of a nap. When they finally did open you were met with Dolly’s gentle eyes. She shook you slightly to get you up. Your groginess was replaced and you basically threw yourself onto her. 

“You’re ok!” Your arms grasped her into a tight hug. 

Dolly hugged back, “Are you ok? Did something happen?” She asked you. She thought it was unlike you to be so forward. 

“I should be asking you that- What happened?” Came your worried reply. 

“Nothing much.” She smiled. “You have training in 10-” 

You cut her off, “Ramsey and Pradain said you were talking to the President.” 

She looked confused. She stood back, getting off the bed she had been hugged on to. 

“He wasn’t supposed to tell you that.” She sighed. 

“What's going on Dolly? Was it about me?” You wondered, glad she didn’t seem to be hurt. 

“Well Snow called me in because of you, so that parts true.” She placed a hand on your arm, “But don’t worry about it nothings going to happen.” She took a deep breath as she began to explain. “You cant tell anyone I told you this but Snow suspects another rebel uprising. He’s concerned about the tributes showing defiance towards the Capitol.” 

“Yeah Pradain and Ramsey told me about the rebels.” 

“Great.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyways, I was going to tell you later since I know you’re busy with training but I guess now’ll have to do.” She tried to find the right wording. “Snow wants you to play up the part of a cowgirl from 10.” 

“What?” Her answer didn’t seem real. 

“You’re joking right?” You laughed. 

“No (Y/n). Your parade stunt, in his words, ‘ can be seen as an act of defiance.’ So to counter that he wants you to show the Capitol that you’re really, again his words not mine, ‘A good ol’ fashioned- wild and dense country girl.” She said the last part with disdain. She was from district 10 too, something that you’d forgotten from time to time. 

You felt offended. “Wait why- that doesn’t even make any sense. He didn’t like that I rode a horse so he wants me to act stupid?”

“It could be worse.” She reminded . Suddenly you had no problem with it. Except you did. Cato would have a hayday with this. 

The second day of training was already different as soon as you walked in. You’d all be spending the first half training as a group, the next would be individual. Like yesterday, you dreaded group training. The tributes lined up by districts as they waited to spar against trainers. 

You looked up to the balcony. The game makers were stationed up there to evaluate the tributes, but in reality all they did was get drunk and cause distractions. You paid no mind to them yesterday since there were only a few, but the rest of them seemed to join in today. 

“So they’re really making you play an idiot?” Buckley whispered. He was in front of you, waiting for his turn. 

“Yeah. Keep that on the down low please.” You asked, not wanting to let any other tributes in on it. 

“Of course. Can you believe we have three days of this? Like it's going to help anyone. The game makers like to kill people off when the games get stale.” His face scrunched in annoyance as he looked towards them. “They say may the odds be ever in your favor, but they make it so that they never are.” 

You didn’t like thinking about the games. You knew you’d die eventually, even if you did manage to make it far. Out of the 24 people here there’s bound to be at least 16 ahead of you. The only thing that got you through the long days were memories of 10, thinking of going home to Amaranto, Pa, and Clarabell, and Buckley. Though you tried not to think of him too much. You’ve grown attached to your neighbor, but there could only be one. He’d have a chance, you hoped he would, but he could get in over his head at times. 

The girl from 12 overheard, she looked like she wanted to pipe in but went against it. Buckley had previously told you that she had also made Cato’s list. So even if you did want to talk to her you knew it’d make things worse for the both of you. 

“I wonder if they program them to be psychopaths.” You chatted with Buckley. 

“They probably feed them sheet metal.” He joked. 

Routinely the careers finished fast. They went to their familiar spot and proceeded to judge and ridicule the efforts of the others. 

“I’m surprised 4 isn’t with them. Aren’t they also careers?” You looked over at the pair of tributes. 

“Have you seen them (y/n)? They may be from 4, but they don’t seem like the career type. They would’ve been with the pack already.” Buckley moved slightly so they were in your field of vision. It was true. The boy from 4 looked too young to be here. It broke your heart. The girl looked capable, but she kept to herself, not really helping the boy. 

“Have you decided on your chosen skill yet?” You asked him. 

Buckley shrugged, “No, but I might just throw some knives around.” 

You nodded. He looked  at you as if waiting for your answer. “I think I’ll do something with rope.” 

His face lit up, “You have to!” 

Individual training was better than group training. Partially because the careers were focused on themselves and not on the less capable tributes. Buckley had gone on to do some strength training. You could see him trying to talk to Thresh. It was clear the boy didn’t want to talk, but Buckley didn’t know any better. You on the other hand were in a simulation pod. It was a small rectangular room within the building. It simulated different weather and textures. One of your least favorite parts of the game that you came to realize was the randomly selected arena. In past years there’d been tundras, deserts, beaches, and cities. There was no telling which one they’d come up with this year. You hoped it’d be anything but  a jungle. You could handle heat but not humidity. 

When you first started using the pod, all eyes were on you. Mostly because it piqued the interest of the other tributes and you were sure they’d want to use it after you. It was filled with coarse sand first, cold but then gradually heating up. The pod went from room temperature to a scorching heat and you had to take your jacket off. The sand quickly morphed into liquid, and you were floating in the water. You weren’t much of a swimmer, so of course you panicked. The worst part came when the water evaporated and you stood on leaves while the air around you got humid. Your jacket was already off and you couldn’t get rid of any more layers. The simulation ended with the water turning into snow. When you were done you stepped out, already regretting having chosen it. You were however pushed back in by a trainer. The pod inhaled the sand, snow, and water particles, leaving you good as new. 

Stepping out you’ve noticed the tributes lining up. In a weird way you could tell they were excited to try out capitol technology. Marvel was the first in line. He was surprised to see you walk out the door. He peeked his head in the pod before looking at you. 

“Can’t swim?” He asked. You couldn't tell whether he was trying to make conversation or insult you. Saying nothing you walked past him.

 Your mentors had instructed you to try to at least learn some lethal skills since trying to run wouldn’t always work. The weapons area was intimidating, but you had to at least try. There were spears, bow and arrows, knives, daggers, swords, axes, sickles. An array of weapons you didn’t know how to use. 

You picked up a knife and examined it. A trainer looked ready to help you so you walked toward them. “I’m not sure what to do.” 

“Why don’t you try with the dummy first?” They suggested. 

Nodding you went over to one of the training dummies. You tried stabbing the knife into the wood. Your arm was a bit wobbly at first but you eventually got the hang of it. The trainer came over to help you out with a technique. After a half hour you were finally able to train with them. It was hard at first since you never really had to fight with anyone. You were skilled to an extent with a knife, but those skills were only permitted in the arena. 

“Alright, why don’t you try the spears next?” The trainer pointed to where the said weapon lied. 

Spears were a weird weapon to you. It was essentially an elongated knife mixed with a needle. You’d seen Marvel use these before. He was the only one who could effectively use one, so you’ve come to learn. Eventually the trainer got whisked away to help another tribute, leaving you alone. The metal felt heavy in your hands. You lifted the spear to poke the point, drawing blood from your finger. Hissing, you put the finger in your mouth, hoping that it wouldn’t bleed too much and cause a mess. As you approached a dummy you  messed around with the weapon, hoping to find your grip. When you did you hit the dummy- lightly at first- deciding what the best way to weaken your opponent would be. Driving the point into the dummy’s stomach, you let out a sound as you tripped over your own feet, the force of your stab stronger than you anticipated. 

“You know those are meant to be thrown too right?” Marvel appeared besides you, his hands on his hip as he observed your technique. “Give me that.” He took the spear out of your dry hands, immediately getting into a stance before throwing it at the dummy’s head. 

Marvel turned to you and smiled, acting like a boy who had just made a basketball shot.  Your mouth twitched as you forced yourself to keep a stoic expression. Your nerves were around the place but you didn’t need Marvel knowing that. 

“Come on 10, it’s not that hard.” He said as he retrieved the spear. You could see his muscles when he grabbed the base of the spear, using force to get it out of the foam head he had stuck it through. 

“(Y/n)?” Buckley called your name. You turned around and saw him on the opposite side of the room. He gave you the ‘you good?’ eyes. Dismissing him you turned back around to face Marvel who was examining the build of the spear. 

“These things are wicked huh? I’ve never seen one this sleek.” He commented, running his hands over the metallic stick. 

“The Capitol loves making things shiny.” Came your reply. Since your talk with Dolly, you’ve come to learn that being friendly with the careers might be your only way of not getting killed in the games, especially now that snow was on your case. 

Marvel looked astounded that you even spoke. You’d kept quiet for the most part. Your comment made his smirk grow. Marvel handed the spear to you. It was only then that you noticed he smelled like cologne. It was sharp enough to give you a headache. It didn’t surprise you that he would take advantage of the Capitol’s amenities. He was from district one after all. 

“Here, I’ll try again.” You got into a stance, “Can you show me how you get ready to throw?” Your voice sounded artificial. You knew he could tell you were acting differently. He raised an eyebrow but helped you anyways. 

“You want to spread your feet. No-not like that.” He said as he tapped your leg to fix your stance. “Make sure you don’t poke your damn eye out.” Marvel warned as he fixed your arm. When he saw that you had perfected your stance he nodded. “Alright, that's a start. Go.” He ordered. 

You mentally slapped yourself. You had made the spear go through the dummy’s neck- which was impressive, however you didn’t like the fact that you needed Marvel’s help in order to attain it. 

“Look at that!” He shouted. Marvel looked proud, he wrapped an arm over your shoulder and you quickly stepped away from him. “Not bad.” He said still impressed by your work. “If it were up to me you’d be in our pack.” He joked. 

“Are you serious?” Again, you never knew when he was lying. 

“No. Of course not.” He said and walked away to bug some other poor tribute. 

.

.

.

.

.

“You guys know what to do right?” Ramsey and Dolly stood by the door as they watched the district 9 tributes enter the waiting room. 

“Show off?” Buckley answered. 

“Exactly. You have fifteen minutes, so use them wisely.” Dolly looked nervous. You wondered if she was worried about you since you hadn’t shown as much skill as Buckley since you got here. 

“If they get bored of you they’ll ask you to leave earlier, so don’t bore them.” Ramsey eyed the two of you. “I assume you’ll be showing off your throwing skills?” He turned to Ramsey. He shrugged, “I’m teetering between that and strength.” 

“Remember, the higher you score, the more likely you are to get sponsors.” You could tell that was aimed towards you by the way Dolly intentionally faced Buckley. 

It didn’t take a genius to piece together that you were the weak link in the district 10 team. A few other tributes made their way to the waiting room, leaving team 10 behind. 

“Alright, well they’ll call you by your names. Good luck.” Dolly bid the two of you farewell as she and Ramsey turned to make their leave. 

“They didn’t even ask you what you chose.” Buckley commented, sticking to your side as the doors to the waiting room opened. 

If it weren’t for the fact that it was deadly quiet, you would’ve responded to him. Instead you sat down next to the district 9 and 11 tributes, sandwiched in the middle. The freckled girl looked at you, offering a scared look, the boy next to her looked frightened as well. You could tell they didn’t speak much by the way they weren’t facing each other. On the other side of Buckley sat a small girl with the curliest locks you’ve ever seen. You’ve seen her before, each time a sharp pain would reach your heart since she looked so young and innocent. The thought of her meeting her demise in the arena sickened you and you wished that she’d at least go peacefully. Next to her was Thresh. You knew his name since he was the biggest one here, everyone even Cato seemed to be wary of him. You even heard Pradain talk about how he’d probably be this year’s victor. 

You hadn’t noticed how anxious Buckley was. In fact this was the first time you’ve noticed how much he bounced his leg and fiddled with his fingers. In your eyes he was the peace in all of this chaos, always finding a way to calm you down, even in the moments where the two of you faced the reality of possibly having to kill each other. 

The nerves in your body were just as bad as his, but you fought to put a smile on his face, your hand going to his forearm as a way to reassure him. He nodded at your action, his bounces dying down. As you removed your hand you noticed the girl from 12 observing you. She had a blank expression on her face, and before you could return it the intercom went off. 

“Marvel Sanford.” 

Everyone’s attention was on him as he stood up. 

“You got this Marvel.” Glimmer cheered him on, patting him on the back as he went to take his turn. He did a little pre-game jump before he disappeared into the other side. 

One by one the tributes went, some of them taking longer than others. The careers took the longest, you assumed the game makers were infatuated with their natural-born skills. As it got closer to the lower districts, the tributes took less, some of them lasting not even 5 minutes. Soon enough it was Buckley’s turn. 

“You’ll do great.” You didn’t know how well your words would encourage him, but you hoped he’d feel less anxious about the whole thing. 

“Thanks.” He smiled, leaving you alone with the tributes from 11 and 12. 

Once again quiet filled the room. You looked over at the tributes and observed them, making eye contact with the little girl. She looked away quickly before you could give her a smile. The baker from 12 also made eye contact with you. It lingered for a while, the two of you feeling a spark of similarity, it was like looking at a mirror. You recognized the look on his face. 

“You had blood on your clothes when you got reaped.” The girl from 12 spoke up, probably noticing how long you had been staring at them. 

Not sure if you should respond, you simply nodded. 

The boy gave her a look but she ignored him, pressing on. “Why?” 

The tributes from 11 were now also intrigued, Thresh turning to size you up. 

“I-” Your voice came out crackled from the lack of speaking, “I was working in my reaping clothes.” You replied quietly as if you’d just gotten in trouble. 

“Oh.” There was a lull and silence overtook the room once again. “You’re a butcher?” 

You shrugged. You could tell why the baker looked like that, you assumed she was the more capable one from the two of them. She was his Buckley. 

She left the conversation at that. You thought to yourself. Were people afraid of you? You hoped the Capitol didn’t paint you as some psychopath, although you’d take psycho over a ditzy cowgirl. 

“(Y/N) Cuernos.” The speaker announced your turn. Buckley came back from the doors, his face red and misty from sweat. He gave you a look, a silent cheer as he left. 

The training arena looked scarier when it was empty. All the weapons were lined up at the same point, tables with supplies were also lined up, the two opposite of eachother. Tributes got to choose what they wanted to show off, and it was between survival and combat skills. 

The game makers were enjoying their drinks, laughing up there as if they didn’t have a job to do. Seneca Crane, a devilish looking man who happened to be the head game maker was causing a ruckus up there. His jokes seemed to have a chokehold on the men as they laughed their drinks down. 

You had 15 minutes. 15 minutes to impress a group of drunk men who weren’t even paying attention to you. Immediately you looked for rope. There was no way you’d score high with a weapon. On the steel table there were about three piles of rope. It was dark and heavy, and unlike any you’d seen before. You struggled to pick them all up, but eventually hoisted them on your shoulder as you began to scurry around. 

Memories were what you relied on as you quickly unraveled the rope, your hands working fast as you tied knots. Your mind went back to when you were young and working as a farmhand with Amaranto. The old man who you had worked for would always forget to close his gate right, causing all the livestock to scurry around. Even though you were small, you had a fire burning inside of you. Amaranto taught you how to make a lasso, more importantly he taught you how to rope in the livestock. On weekends you’d practice your lasso skills with him, trying to see who could bring down barrels full of sand the quickest. 

Suddenly you were back home. The dummies in front of you were  the frantic animals trying to run into the forbidden lands. You built up speed, spinning the lasso in different directions, the time showing as the first one immediately fell. Embarrassed, you looked over to the game makers and to your relief they still weren’t paying attention. You tried again, this time you had an idea of how to get it to work, the child in you peeking out as you managed to get the loop over a dummy’s head. Quickly with force you pulled it close to you, the dummy falling with a loud thud that echoed through the metallic room. 

You took haste as you worked your muscles to bring it next to you. It was heavier than you anticipated, you groaned with every pull. The game makers were now watching you, curious as to what the hell you were doing. You didn’t stop there. Once it was close enough to you, you knelt down to tie it in a hogtie. It took longer than you remembered, and you were sure it was a weak tie. Immediately after you finished, you went to grab the other lasso, this time showing off since you knew they were watching you. Once again with full force you threw the rope over another dummy, repeating the process only this time quicker. Your third and Final attempt was faster, this time you took down two dummies at the same time. 

By the time you were done the cheeks on your face had reddened, your hair was messy from wiping your forehead of sweat. When you looked back up the only audience you had were about four game makers, the rest of them going back to drinking. As you were dismissed you couldn’t help but feel impressed by yourself. You’d left the dummies on the ground, bound and tied. You only hoped you’d be able to do that in the arena. 

When you arrived on your floor, Buckley was already in the shower. Dolly greeted you and sat you down. 

“How’d it go?”  Her bright eyes looked excited, hoping to hear something good. 

“They were drunk, so I don’t think they were paying much attention, but good I hope.” Her face fell when you told her that. 

“Those assholes.” She sneered. 

“What did you end up doing?” She pressed on. 

“Lasso tricks.” You should have worded it better, but you didn’t want her to be disappointed when they gave you a 4 for showing off the best ability you thought of at the time. 

“Lasso tricks? That’s it? Like swinging around a rope?” She seemed surprised, irritated almost. “(Y/n), ya were supposed t’ show off dear.” 

“I did.” 

“S’pose that’ll feed into the whole act Snow’s got  you doing.” She sighed. 

“About that- Dolly.” There were a few questions you had in mind. “I don’t have to keep that up in the arena do I?” 

She clicked her tongue, “Truth be told I think it depends. If the arena you get is western then yes, but either way I think you’ll have to keep it up until he shows interest in another tribute.” She warned. Interest in Snow was like a Lion being interested in a wounded gazelle. 

“Dolly I don’t think I’m gonna win.” In your heart you knew it was true. No matter how many people wished for the odds to be in your favor, you knew you wouldn’t see home again. 

“Don’t say-” 

“No. I mean it.” Your mood had shifted immensely, and once again you were breaking down. The games were so close, the only thing left being the interviews before you met your eventual demise. “I have no skills, there’s about 9 tributes here who can kill me no problem, and probably more that are hiding the fact that they can kill me.” You choked trying to not ugly cry in front of your mentor. 

“(Y/n)-” You cut her off again. 

“I’ve got about three Careers who have it out for me only because I won’t be their little bitch, I don’t think I’d be able to kill Buckley if I win, and I’m weaker than I’ve ever been. I can’t even hold my own in combat.” You sniffed. Your eyes were hurting now, you’d been holding in your tears and they were starting to fall involuntarily. “I can’t do this.” 

Dolly sighed, she rubbed your back. “Look- even if you don’t think you can, you have to try. You’re going to try. I am not going to let you go in there thinking you’re going to die. Alright? Me and Ramsey are gonna go around getting people to sponsor you. You just try to survive alright? Hide out just make sure the game makers don’t catch on, try to live until you’re the last one there. Most importantly put on a show.” She paused to wipe your tears away. “What do all of the Victors have in common?” She asked as you sniffled. “They all put on shows. And you-” She poked your chest. “You are going to put on the best one alright? That’s all they want.” 

A good show. Show. To you it was life or death. To them you were entertainment. That’s why the crowd went wild when you rode the horse, why they cheered when the coal miners caught on fire, why they ogled over Glimmer’s  looks. 

Nodding you let yourself fall into Dolly’s arms. The lady was kind enough to hold you in her arms until you calmed down. 

When it was time for the evaluations to be announced, all of you gathered in the lounging area. Pradain in his usual spot, sprawled on a couch, Sashay and the other stylish sitting in the loveseats spread around the room. Dolly, Buckley, Ramsey and you were on the main couch facing the giant screen.

“Good evening folks! I’m Caesar Flickerman live from the Capitol as we announce the 74th hunger game’s tribute evaluations!” He cheered, his white teeth contrasting his nearly orange skin. Claudias Templesmith introduced himself as well but everyone knew that Caesar was the star host. 

“It’s starting, everybody shut up.” Rasmey announced as he turned the volume up. 

“Here.” You had gotten a small cupcake for Buckley and yourself from the dining table. 

“Thanks.” He took it and immediately swallowed it whole- or at least it looked that way. 

“From district 1 Marvel! With a score of 9.” Buckley noticed you shift uncomfortably. 

“Glimmer with a score of 9!” Of course they’d score high. It was just another day for them. 

“From District 2, Cato with a score of.. 10!” The host said, his eyes wide. “Also from 2 Clove with a score of 10.”

“God damn.” Buckley said surprised. “She’s so tiny!” 

The scores kept going, the lowest so far being a 3. You prayed that you’d at least get a 4. 

You had held onto Dolly’s hand, your other hand in Buckley’s as you waited for your scores. Time felt so slow. The anticipation makes you want to go up to Caesar and just tell him to say it already. 

“From district 10, Buckley Wheaton…” His grip tightened on your hand. “With a score of 9!” Everyone cheered. He shook your shoulders, happy with his score. You laughed with joy, however the room fell quiet again when your name was called. 

“(Y/n) Cuernos…” You felt like throwing up, “with a score of 6!” Immediately you could feel the room’s mood change. 

Dolly’s voice faltered, “Hey! That’s better than a 4! And above a 5! That’s good.” She tried to lift you up, but you sat there on the brink of another breakdown. 

“Let’s hear it for our tributes!” Pradain smiled, lifting up a plate with shot glasses. He passed them around, offering one to you and Buckley as well. 

“To (Y/n) and Buckley!” He announced, and everybody drank. 

Your face scrunched up from the foreign taste, yet Buckley looked unphased. 

The screen was still playing, and you could hear them announce the rest of the tributes. “From district 11 Thresh, with a 10!” He said happy to see another high score after  an hour of low scores. “Rue with a score of 7.” You wondered what she had done to get a score so high. Your ego definitely was down after that, crushed even more by the fact a small 12 year old girl could score higher than you. 

“From district 12 Peeta, with a score of 8.” 

Everyone commented on how they didn’t expect him to be high up. However the most shocking score was yet to come. 

“Katniss. With a score of… oh my- 11!” The collective gasp around the room was hilarious to you. 

“Damn-” Buckley commented, “an 11? How is that even possible..” 

“Heard from Effie that she stuck an arrow through an apple in a pig’s mouth, right at the game maker’s balcony.” Pradain giggled as he continued to sip on some champagne he had poured himself. 

The girl who had asked you about your clothes, the one who you knew had something about her, had scored an 11. A sense of happiness washed over you as you knew that Cato was having a bitch fit right now. 

After the evaluations were through, everyone returned to their own. Except for you and Buckley who were having a late night snack of cheese and fruit. 

“What’s your strategy?” Buckley asked, the two of you alone in the lounging room. 

“Hmm? What do you mean?” It didn’t strike you as something he’d bring up. Maybe he was trying to figure out if he had to protect you or not. 

“Like other than survive.” He broke off a grape, sticking it into his mouth. 

“I’m not sure. I was thinking of just trying to avoid the tributes, hopefully make an alliance with the girl from 5.” You shrugged. It was the truth. After today you knew that everyone would be out for Katniss, moreover, your low score either meant you were going to be killed first, or kept off the radar. “Dolly says I gotta keep up the cowgirl act in the arena.” 

“Why the girl from 5? And what do you mean keep up the act? What act is there to keep up? Shouldn’t you be focused on surviving rather than keeping the president happy?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowing. 

“She seems smart. She knows how to keep a low profile anyways.” You shrugged. “I think keeping the president happy is what’ll keep me alive longer. What about you Buck, any strategies you’d like to share?” 

“We can stick together.” He offered. 

“Not happening.” He looked almost offended. 

“Well why not?” 

“Because, respectfully, I don’t want to be dead weight. You actually have a chance.” You’ve had this conversation before. It was always the same thing. He had a big heart, but there was no room for heart in the games. 

“(y/n)-” 

“What’s your strategy?” You hoped he would change the subject. He sighed, his big eyes falling to the ground. 

“I guess just try to survive, not kill. I don’t know if I’d be able to kill anyone really.” There was sadness in his face. “I’m pretty big, so I guess I’ll have to try to not get killed by the Careers. I mean I’d want to have an alliance with Thresh but- I’m pretty sure he’s got a lone wolf thing going on.” He rambled on. 

You smiled at him, “It’s gonna be hard to hide huh?” 

He let out a breathy laugh, “Pretty much.”

____________________________________

Tags: @randomgurl2326

[beauleifu]

heyy can u make a syntax x reader who dislikes insects when u open ur requests (Im writing this because I'll probably forget this idea 🙁)

like

"Wtf a huge spider dude💀??"

"Im not only a spider Im a INTELLIGENT spider."'

yea yea ofc! Syntax is literally getting so much fame right now im loving it <3 Roughly 4k oneshot, i got carried away lmao, enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SYNTAX X READER

Lego Monkie Kid

Context: You, Mei, and MK had originally planned to spend the day at the Dragon Arcade by yourselves, and yet fate always has a different plan for you. And it never fails to drag in the things that make your skin crawl. Lucky for you, this spider isn't as scary as he looks - and he's got a knack for cheating arcades out of their stocks.

CW: None!

‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹‧˚₊꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒷꒦︶︶︶︶︶꒦꒷‧₊˚⊹

"Almost . . . there!"

You and MK smoosh your faces against the glass covering as Mei, focusing with all her might, delicately lowers the crane and clamps the metal claws around a soft dragon plush.

Beads of sweat are actually visible on her face. "C'mon . . ."

"Oh! Oh! You got it! It's right there!" MK gasps, pressing his face even closer.

Your eyes grow starry. "Careful!"

Plop!

The plushie bounces into the winner's pit and the three of you let out a simultaneous shout of victory, jumping with your fists to the sky. Beaming, Mei fishes out the stuffed toy and holds it out, grinning proudly. It's green, with soft accents, a yellow, segmented belly, and curled white horns; you run your hand down it's back and confirm the softness you'd been expecting, your fingertips leaving off at the thin, spiked tail.

"God, it's even cuter in person," Mei gushes, squealing and hugging the animal close.

MK finger guns. "Well, considering it was just made for you . . ."

"We couldn't just let it sit there all alone," You finish.

The dragon-horse girl snickers, adjusting her back-pack so the plushie could sit within with it's head poking out. With that, she whips out another set of arcade coins and hands them out to you and MK.

"Now let's splurge somemore!"

And you do.

It's brilliant. The three of you had been saving up all fucking week for this, pushing aside assignments and meetings and gatherings because really, you all earned this.

MK and Mei needed a break, and you were willing to accompany them. What better place than the Dragon Arcade?

So for a good fifteen minutes, you parade through the arcade, testing out all the games and winning prizes in some. Your backpacks are slowly getting heavier with all the loot you're dragging in. Honestly, there's so much to do; Mei and you race on the motorbikes that connected to a large screen; MK and Mei have an epic air-hockey match that good ol' monkie man eventually won; and the three of you get brain freezes from drinking your Slurpee's too fast.

The chaos lasts for so long, in fact, that you barely register it's only been fifteen minutes. Unfortunately, after that time is up, you're plunged into a different scenario.

It happens while you're charging up to spin the Big Bass Wheel, something which you've never had much luck on. MK and Mei are currently attempting to secure a pair of headphones at the machine behind you, so they're occupied.

But tonight, you'll chance it.

Rolling up your sleeves, you take a breath, grasp the handle firmly, and push with all your might down south.

The wheel is forced into motion, becoming a blur as it spins.

You wait with baited breath, not expecting much, but the adrenaline from everything you've done tonight is getting to you, making you dare to hope . . .

Eyes wide, you watch as the arrow points . . .

To a hundred tickets.

"Not bad," You mutter, because it's honestly a solid victory. Normally, spins land you on something fifty tickets or lower.

A smile breaks your features, which are alight with the glow of a thousand arcade accents. The machine begins to spit out a stream of tickets, and you crouch to start collecting them. Mei and MK don't notice your victory, but they sure will when you insert the tickets into the counting machine.

Someone stops by the machine, hands in the pockets of their black tailcoat.

"Not bad."

Their voice is deep and accented, slightly nasal.

The glance you spare in their direction is too quick to properly collect any data, but you're smiling too damn hard. "Ha! That's exactly what I said. This never happens to me."' The glance you spare in their direction is too quick to properly collect any data, but you're smiling too damn hard. "Ha! That's exactly what I said. This never happens to me."

"Some say machines like this are rigged," the person continues, watching you roll up the tickets. "But I never believed them."

When the game spews out your final reward, you straighten.

"Honestly, same. I . . ."

But that's when you finally breach their features.

Your arms tighten instinctively around your prize as you lock eyes with green, dilated pupils. Slowly, you stare at the sharp green forelocks that curve around his forehead, at the lavender shade of whatever skin is visible through the coat he's wearing. You swallow dryly, seizing up.

"I-I gotta go."

The figure tilts his head, pencil mustache framing his mouth as he frowns. Eyebrows furrow as those same green eyes flash with realization, and he walks off without another word.

You're speed-walking to Mei and MK's station, utterly petrified.

You'd been frozen with fear, surprised that you'd been able to manage those few words of absence.

That was no ordinary man.

That was a spider demon, and it sent chills down your spine.

MK is the first to notice your distress, despite how aloof you try to make yourself appear when approaching them. "Yo, welcome back! Something happen?"

"No! No, I just want to go home, like, right now," you say firmly, heart still thumping hard.

Urgh. Spiders.

The dragon-horse girl snorts, glancing at her phone. "Uh, dude, it's only eleven. Why not camp a few more hours here? MK doesn't have work tomorrow because I literally begged Pigsy to finally give him a day off, which he never gets. Which, I'mma add again, is not normal for an employee, MK," she adds, eyebrows raised at her friend.

The Monkie Kid puffs a sigh. "I gotta make a living, right? Besides, that's not the point." He turns to you. "Why do you wanna leave?"

No guilt trip. No aggressive questions.

He's just curious.

It has your wall crumbling to dust, and you lean forward so you can whisper to them. "Look, I may or may not be deathly afraid of spiders and I just saw a fucking spider demon and I know you understand that, MK. He's literally right over there-"

You point in the general direction you saw the spider demon walk off in.

Mei looks over your shoulder, expression unconcerned. "He's still there, y'know. Look."

With that, she spins you around.

There he is, five machines down, his back towards the three of you. Now, you can clearly see his lime green hair, and purple skin peeking through the cuffs on his wrist, a defining feature of spider demons. You swallow nervously again, stiffening up like a statue. Mei clearly notices this, for she snorts again.

"Oh my God, you're just like MK! Dude's terrified of them."

You spare a glance at your friend, who looks equally uncomfortable at the news. But he meets your gaze nonetheless.

"Whaddya say to him?"

"Before I realized what he is? Oh, lots. But I couldn't say shit when I did realize so I just shot the hell out of there," you scoff, biting your lip guiltily. It was a bit rude of you, now that you think about it.

"Well, why don't you go talk to him?" Mei suggests.

Both you and MK turn on your friend with wide eyes. "WHAT?!"

Her hands shoot up in mock defense, smirking. "All right, I get it. You're afraid of the big bad spider. But 'shooting the hell out of there' sounds a bit careless. Poor guy's probably got the feeling that you hate his guts."

You gape at her. It's exactly what you were thinking.

"Whoa. That is a lot of emotions you got packed in there," MK wonders, peering around you with wide eyes.

"Oh my God, shut up."

He grins, albeit a little nervous, keeping a close eye on the spider demon in the distance. "Kay, I get it. But maaaaybe you should go apologize, at least? You owe him."

"He's a stranger," you huff.

"Okay, then you owe me," MK puffs, triumphant.

"What for!??"

The Monkie Kid flashes you a wink and a cheesy grin. "I'm not gonna say in front of Mei, but you know exactly what I'm talking about."

Oh.

You do.

It gets you red-faced with anger, despite Mei's curious look at both of you. Squeezing and un-squeezing your hands, you take a deep breath, glance at the lone spider demon, and back at your friends. They look encouraging enough. All right. You'll apologize. But then you'll get the hell out of there. Spider demons are no different from real spiders.

Without any real conviction, you sigh. "Hhhh. Fine, fine."

"We'll be right over here," Mei says mysteriously, draping an arm around MK's shoulder and edging away. She gestures dubiously behind her. "Call if you need us, kay?"

You eye her suspiciously. "Yeah, all right."

Then, you face the stranger.

He doesn't look up when you approach him, but you know he senses your arrival. Spiders always have a strange sense. Urgh.

When you're three feet away, you cough. "Um. Hi."

The dude is currently playing Pac-Man, lavender fingers gripping the rubber rod while his other hand presses the keys. He's focused, but not entirely, as though bored by whatever antics the machine extends to entertain him. You're honestly curious behind his motives for playing, which is the sole reason you draw an inch closer.

A flash of green, and his eyes are suddenly locked on your figure, narrowed in speculation. You freeze for a moment, holding your breath. But then, his attention returns to the game.

Okay.

So technically, this means you're not unwelcome.

"Pretty dated for a techy-looking guy," you venture, clearing your throat. "Pac-Man, I mean."

He doesn't look up, expression obstructed by the lock of green hair in his face. You consider backing out, even going so far as to look around for an escape rout - but then you see two idiots spying on you from behind an arcade machine a distance away. Your two idiots.

Mei and MK give you a thumbs up.

You grit your teeth, eyes wide to indicate your distress and frustration, but the two reply with smug smiles.

Oh, those two-

A burst of noise distracts you from glaring at them.

Blinking, you turn your attention to the ticket dispenser for the Pac-Man machine, which is currently spewing tickets at an alarming rate. With an equally astonished gaze, you look up to the spider demon, catching the flash of pride in his eyes.

What. Had. He. Done.

How does one even attain tickets from a game like this? And that many? That's got to be at least two hundred-

The spider demon moves on to the next game, tickets collected.

You gape.

"Wha- how did you- wait, nevermind, I'm not here to oggle-"

Composing yourself, you tag along with a newfound curiosity, watching the man zone into another game, eyes laser focused on the screen.

Or so it seems.

He suddenly glances at you again. "Ah. You're still here?"

"Did you break that game just then?"

You can't help those words, they tumble from your throat like traitorous ropes of doom. They tether you to the ground, making any escape rout an impossibility. But the spider demon is unphased by your question. He doesn't even take offense, merely treats your curiosity as one would a child's wild fantasies.

"No. I hacked it."

Simple. Straight to the point.

It snaps you back to reality, that you still have to apologize, because two idiots made you do it and you really do feel sorry. You'd caught that look he'd given you earlier.

Like he gets that reaction a lot, and he's tired of it.

You could say something stupid and do something equally so, like lean jauntily against the other arcade game and say, "Come here often?"

Thankfully, you're not.

You just clear your throat awkwardly, which is close enough. "Were you surprised, then, when I spun that wheel?"

"Yes. You can't breach the mechanism of a wheel electronically."

You have a funny feeling 'you' meant 'him'.

"Huh."

He pauses. "Come here to pass more judgement, then?"

The simply accusation lays bare on your guilt and you fiddle with your jacket, sorely reminded of the look he gave you. You spare a glance at your friends, who're thankfully still positioned by the arcade game. Heads bounce up and down in nods of encouragement, and some of your strength returns. Sure, he's a spider demon. But he looks somewhat human, so maybe this can work.

"Sorry," you mutter, eyes on the floor. "I didn't mean to be rude back there. You just startled me."

"You weren't startled by my approach," he says, sounding expectant.

"Your appearance startled me," you amend.

Something lights up in his eyes, something that says 'ah, there it is'. A flicker of a smile flashes across his face before his eyes dart up to meet yours and the look is gone, replaced with indifference.

"Does it have something to do with my reputation?"

His words resonate within you, sparking curiosity. What reputation? "Ah- no. I'm just not very fond of spiders."

He seems to notice you didn't include spider demons.

"Well, then, it seems we are at an impasse. I came here to indulge in the many bargains the Dragon Arcade has to offer, yet it seems my company is unwanted."

You blink, looking up.

"Oh! Not unwanted, per say, I didn't come here to make you leave-"

The words grow still on your tongue when you catch the look in his eyes. Something that tells you this stranger is joking with you.

Huh.

Maybe this can work.

"Ticket-trader is gonna be real suspicious about your haul," you venture, glancing south to eye the spider demon's ticket stash, strands peeking out from under his coat. The man regards you with an unbothered expression, absently messing around with the arcade game.

"Is it safe for me to say I'm suspicious about your sudden shift in behavior? You're afraid of spiders, yes?"

You swallow, shrugging politely. "Yeah, fair point."

He nods, expecting your reply. What you don't see is that he's whipped out a mechanical device on his wrist and is tapping away, hacking into the arcade game at hand.

In a moment, your left leg is suddenly hit with a spray of tickets.

"Whoa!" You gasp, recoiling.

Another pile of bounty, probably 200 strong, tickets flowing well past your angles. And the dude just rolls it all up like it's nothing, stashing the rolls away once he's done with them. You can't help but stare at this stranger who's taken your breath away in more ways than one.

But then . . .

You spare a glance at Mei and MK.

At where they once were.

Your heart, surprisingly, doesn't stop when you notice their absence. Instead, it opens up a new opportunity, one that has you whipping out your phone to sent your friends a text.

[Feel free to head back without me, I might be awhile.]

Then, you turn to the spider demon stuffing tickets in his coat.

"You're going to put this place out of business if you keep this up," you joke half-heartedly, shuffling awkwardly on your feet.

The spider demon shrugs. "Everyone has to make a living somehow."

"True. You could be doing worse."

"Very true."

You bite your lip, not liking the dead end this conversation is headed in. With a small gesture of the shoulder, you bite your lip. "Why don't you spare the arcade the trouble and spend your time bowling? There's a bowling center on the upper level not to far from here."

A pause, as the man collects his haul of tickets. You wait with baited breath, palms sweating.

Suddenly, he locks eyes with you. "Are you hinting your eagerness to continue this conversation, then? Over a round of bowling?"

Some part of you wants to say it. Say no.

He's a stranger.

Even worse, he's a spider demon.

You can still walk out of this unscathed, you can walk away right now-

But your feet don't move, and the words never leave your mouth. Instead, you further your offer with a dubious shrug. "I'll pay," you say politely. "I'd like to apologize, anyways."

"You already have."

"If it's okay . . . you never actually accepted it," you say, smiling.

At that, the man's eyebrows shoot up, and the tiniest of smiles tilts his lips upwards. Just slightly.

"Fair enough."

~~~

One bowling round later and two cups of grape juice, you're at it again with the largest, heaviest bowling ball the staff has to offer.

Your companion, a deadly spider demon, eyes your prize warily.

"The medium fit you best."

"And where's the fun in that? You said you were a scientist once," you fire back - albeit generously merciful with the mirth (he's a stranger, after all); "Don't scientists love to experiment?"

Said scientist cocks a brow. "If a scientist knew what worked best, they'd stick with that, not try something new."

"This is bowling. It's different."

With that, you lug the ball forwards, eyes on the stack of pins at the end of the runway. Your target. Your unaware and innocent victims.

You take aim, and fire.

The ball is so fucking heavy that you have to roll it, merely giving the object a good, hard shove. Standing up, you eagerly watch the ball snail its way down the path, veering left.

And it promptly falls into the gutter, the true dead end.

You turn to find the spider demon's eyes boring into yours; he'd totally expected that.

"That's a turkey."

"Let's see you do better," you dare to say.

He merely shrugs, brushing past you as you flop down on the couch. Everyone else had vacated the bowling area - possibly the whole Arcade, as it's currently 2am and not everyone ignores their sleep schedule like the plague. Since this guy hasn't complained, you feel he's in the same boat as you. Partying till you drop.

Where Mei and MK are, you don't know. But they'd sent to texts a minute after you told them the news.

[GOOD LUCK! But why a spider demon??]

[IF YOU DIE CAN I HAVE YOUR T-SHIRTS WITH THE PRINTS]

MK and Mei, your idiots who you'd literally die for.

You're going to kill them.

With kindness.

Maybe.

Smiling to yourself, you watch the spider demon carefully select a bowling ball, slip three fingers into the holes, and approach the bowling lane. Eyebrows knotted, mouth in a tight frown, he takes aim and swings the ball off down the lane.

It slides with speed and grace, something you're seeing quite often in your rounds of playing with him.

Strike.

You look up at the score.

10 points added to his already 200 strong score.

You sigh.

"Do you play bowling often, or are you just a natural?"

"Why? Seeking a trainer? Is that why you stalked me like the plague?" He says indifferently, but you catch the underlying tease in his tone.

It has you smiling. "I won't waste my time."

"Ah, I see. You're still afraid of me."

"Why would I be? You've proven yourself to be something of human descent, although I still haven't figured you out yet," you hum.

He blinks. "Something?"

"Someone, I meant some- Oh, for God's sake, it's my turn and you know what I meant," you scoff, tempted to elbow past your companion, but you refuse. Despite your demeanor, you really do want him to accept your apology, which you've tried and tested again and again.

He flashes you a shark-like grin. "That readable, am I?"

"Yes," you say, nodding. Picking up a random bowling ball, you walk backwards to the bowling lane, eyes on him. "For this, at least. You still won't tell me how you came to be such a purple-clad demon."

The scientist frowns. "You do realize backstories are normally saved for people invested in extending a relationship, yes?"

"Aren't I, with the bowling?"

You toss the ball.

The man sidles up to you, both your eyes on the prize as it rolls down the lane. He knows you're joking. That you've amended to respect his personal space and not pry, but messing around is just something you can't resist. Funny how you've eased iup so well around him - and vice versa (he's smiled twice).

"I would've chosen something other than bowling," he ventures.

"Like . . ?"

"That would mean meeting up again."

You regard him with a deadpan look, eyebrows shooting up. "Once again, I'm not that worried about you suddenly spinning me into a web and devouring me inside-out anymore, okay? Whaddya have in mind?"

That same smirk is your reply. "My, my. What a sad little human you are, to stoop so low as to associate with your deepest phobia."

"I have worser phobias."

"Worser isn't a word."

"My friends use it all the time, and the more something is repeated the truer it becomes," you retort.

The spider demon meets your gaze coolly. "Oh? Those 'friends' who spied on you for fifteen minutes before succumbing to boredom and vacating the premises?"

"They were protecting me," you say, voice softening.

He snorts - actually snorts-, and the sound is astonishing to hear. "Well, then you should be very grateful."

"Yeah, they're pretty fun."

You hadn't even realized you'd gotten a strike. All you did was observe the spider demon's hand movements and attempt to mimic it. Maybe you really do need a trainer.

The scores finalize, ending the second round with your companion as the victor. Really, there was no competition; this guy's a natural.

"Good game," you say suddenly, glancing at the time.

2:30am.

The scientist follows suit, glancing to the stairs. "Agreed. Shall we?"

"Sure."

Damn, and you were having so much fun. Talking with a stranger really helped you loosen up, and it seemed like he'd had the same benefits. The both of you travel down to the lower level of the arcade, talking all the while. The only people who are left besides you two are the arcade employees, cleaning up after messes made by friends and family.

At the end of your journey, the two of you are standing outside the Dragon Arcade, looking out towards traffic. Thank the stars you'd driven here in your own vehicle or you'd have a hard time getting back home.

You could always ask dearly demonic spider at your heel, but that's a possibility for another time.

Facing him, you offer a smile. "That was fun."

"Indeed."

You eye his indifferent features, his own gaze directed ahead of you, on the cars passing by. A slight frown takes hold of you. "I just realized. You never actually accepted my apology."

Brilliant green eyes lock on yours, and the spider demon offers a wry smile. "Wasn't it obvious?"

"Sorry, I'm terrible at taking hints."

A lie, sure.

But you sort of wanted to hear him say it, to soothe the ache of anxiety in your chest. Something your companion seems to realize, too, as he straightens after a pause.

"Well. Apology accepted."

Your smile returns with a will. "See? Wasn't that hard, was it?"

"Don't overdo it," he grunts, avoiding eye contact.

"Gotcha. Well, I'll see you later, then," you say, stepping backwards, as if this is your cue to leave. And perhaps it is; there's no reason for you to stay in the cold, standing for nothing with this stranger. "Drive safe, yeah?"

He nods, making no move to his car. If he'd brought one at all. "You as well."

You turn around, keys in hand.

Along with it, a slip of paper you'd forgotten to give the man during your bowling rendezvous. It almost slips from your grasp to join the wind blowing by, but you catch it quickly.

This paper.

That man. You hadn't even gotten his name.

You're halfway to your vehicle when you suddenly spin around and sprint back the way you came. You spot him walking in the opposite direction and cry out.

"Wait!"

He spins around.

Oh, how the tables have turned. Now it's his turned to be startled.

You skid to a halt in front of him, puffing out short, uneven breaths. Weakly, you grasp his hand. "Sorry, I just . . . I-I never got your name!"

A long, striking pause.

The man clears his throat. "You wish to know my name?"

You peek up at him, still breathless.

"If that's okay?"

After another slight pause, the scientist rubs the back of his neck rather than look at you. "I don't see why not. You can call me Syntax. And what of yours?"

"Um . . . I'm (Y/N)."

Your breaths mix in a cloud of adrenaline and calm, peace within the storm. Syntax smiles warmly. "A pleasure, darling."

Darling, darling, darling.

Your face catches fire, body going quite still.

Then you're turning away before he, before Syntax can question it further. "N-Nice to meet you! Bye now! Drive save! Goodbye see you later!"

And you're running, grinning like an idiot, towards your car.

He's gone by the time you turn around, breathless at the driver's door. But you're content with the knowledge that you'd squished that small slip of paper into the palm of his hand, your name and phone number scrawled in pen on the surface. He'd caught it, he'd read it (on the roof of some distant building), and fifteen minutes later, you get a text from an anonymous sender.

[Remind me to thank your friends for the headphones they forgot at the claw machine.]

Oh, you just know you're going to love this guy.

[Will do, Syntax]