#like sorry you’re really nice and all but I’m trying not to space time travel here ok Hdbbddbsnsnna

[sickgraymeat]

Seeking medical care in 2023 is so wild bc ok so you’re in a building where abt every 10 ft of wall (at least) has a poster on it telling you directly that your symptoms warrant you being in that building, plus another poster saying how and why to protect yourself against contagions. And then ten different people blow their uncovered noses and dab on some hand sanitizer, complain about how they can’t hear you before you even begin to speak, and then laugh and roll their eyes when you tell them, citing nearly every bullet point on the posters directly behind them, why you think you should be there.

[etheralisi]

I’ve been thinking about in-universe media so. Heh. Why don’t we tumblrify the ending of the rottmnt movie

Update: here’s part 2 and 3+3.5

💫silent_swirl Follow

Nice knowing you guys

🥐ittybittyypastrypuff Follow

Wtf??? Where do you live?

⏱️lordoftimeandspace Follow

You can’t just ask someone where they live

💰rhymeonthedime Follow

op must be from new york. i’ve been trying to text my sister who lives there all day and when she finally gets back to me, it’s to send me a photo of her being chased by some weird??? fleshy???? car? i think the pink stuff was growing inside of it?

🥐ittybittyypastrypuff Follow

The hell is happening in your city?

🔥guess-ill-die Follow

The end of the world

🐛lugbugg Follow

🎙️do-re-mimimi Follow

Where else would you learn that?

14,056 notes

🚀jj-sails Follow

Alien invasion???? This is not how Jupiter Jim said it would go

267 notes

🦙dramallama Follow

So who had alien invasion on the 2020 apocalypse bingo card

🤠see-you-in-space-cowboy Follow

At this point no one is surprised 

#give it two months. somehow something will find a way to top this

12,435 notes

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

I lived bitch

🌑faded-moonlight Follow

Context?

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

No ✨

43 notes

🎨 asprinkleofrazzmatazz Follow

Sorry everyone  ::> ︵ <:: No more art until my hands are healed up. Doctor’s orders

🧸bear-with-me Follow

Are you okay? 🥺🥺💞

🎨 asprinkleofrazzmatazz Follow

♡ ♡ Achy. But I realllllly want to drawwwwwww

#I have so many ideas right now #currently trying and failing to draw with feet #but I am determined 

226 notes

👾aliens-among-us Follow

Time to storm Area 51 again

#they can’t stop all of us #look I just want to see aliens in person okay #if they can’t invade my city then what’s the point #I know they have to be keeping some of those pink blobs in there

67 notes

🟦 outoftouchoutoftime Follow

Hello

🏒 hockeyordeath Follow

JUNIOR! HELLO

I SEE YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE INTERNET

🟦 outoftouchoutoftime Follow

It’s Sensei’s fault

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

#I?????? #don’t just look at me it was purple too

5 notes

🛸 atomiclass9000 Follow

I smell the scent of betrayal in the air.

#not science posting #blue I’m looking at you

77 notes

✍️writingprompts Follow

You are a time traveller sent back to stop the apocalypse before it ever began. Only problem is: you aren’t sent back far enough.

🟦 outoftouchoutoftime Follow

Relatable 

💥zipzapzoom Follow

Umm???

4,522 notes

🕜has-lou-jitsu-been-found-yet Follow

Day 3667 of me posting: no

🪽angelofhell Follow

Wow this blog is dedicated

101 notes

🐝 dizzee-bee Follow

Why do aliens always invade NYC? What’s so special? Why don’t they ever invade Las Vegas huh? What about Boston? Where are my aliens in D.C? So many cities and you’re telling me they chose New York? If aliens really did invade I bet you they wouldn’t even come near it

🐝 dizzee-bee Follow

This post… aged

🐾 ultimate_cataclysm  Follow

Pay up op

1,356 notes

🦊redfoxtrott Follow

there’s something weird going on in this city. remember that time at the stadium? suddenly it’s a free for all on world domination i swear

🪩glitter-jam Follow

I thought the whole stadium thing was a publicity stunt

👋saysayonara Follow

I thought that was a rogue cosplayer 

#for real though. What even happened to them?

11,388 notes

🌎yes-the-earth-is-flat Follow

Wow. So tumblr thinks it can gaslight me int thinking aliens exits huh? Well think again

🌎yes-the-earth-is-flat Follow

Stop bringing up my username. You know im right

2,488 notes

🏒 hockeyordeath Follow

NO, MY KEYBOARD IS NOT STUCK LIKE THIS. EVERY LETTER I TYPE IS AS IT IS MEANT TO BE SAID. WITH PURPOSE AND VOLUME.

🏒 hockeyordeath Follow

IF MY USERNAME COULD BE IN CAPITALS YOU KNOW IT WOULD BE 

🛸 atomiclass9000 Follow

I can help with this

#give me one minute and some flavourless juice

122 notes

💃disco-girl Follow

My apartment was almost flattened by a giant freakin robot a few years back. And now aliens????? I’m moving

#guys I’m just. So. Done with all of this

67 notes

🎙️do-re-mimimi Follow

So did the aliens just up and leave? What’s the story here?

🎩man-with-a-top-hat Follow

There have been various sightings of lights across the sky. I have not been able to find any reliable sources on the cause, but the general consensus is the lights pushed the aliens back where they came from. 

🦇batarang Follow

This photo of some person swinging around the city has been making rounds on twitter

🐚seashellsshesells Follow

Pretty lights and vigilantes? 

5,993 notes

❌cant-think-of-a-user Follow

So what are we calling these aliens? They need a cool, alien sounding name ‘cuz all I’ve been seeing around is ‘land squids’, ‘brain goop’ and shoutout to that one discord user who used the words ‘pink gelatinous parsnip’ to describe them.

👊punch-moodi Follow

Have they ever seen a parsnip before?

🤏deadly-nerve-pinch Follow

What about Utroms? They kinda look like the aliens from Jupiter Jim’s Last Trip to the Moon 9

❌cant-think-of-a-user Follow

Isn’t your fandom super dead?

🤏deadly-nerve-pinch Follow

Say that to our 80+ movies. Your faves could never 

🚀jj-sails Follow

Fandom still going strong 💪 

🍎almond-apple Follow

Why does everyone keep on calling them aliens? Are we sure they’re not just failed government test subjects? Haven’t there been mutant sightings in NYC before?

❌cant-think-of-a-user Follow

Sorry, mutants???

👾aliens-among-us Follow

Nah it’s defo aliens

❌cant-think-of-a-user Follow

#so far 3 votes for Utroms and 22 for parsnips #sigh

3,751 notes

🫎duck-duck-moose Follow

Children are terrifying 

💤needsomezzzzzzz Follow

Agreed. But I feel like there’s a story here

🫎duck-duck-moose Follow

Was walking back from work, and I was like nearly home right? I turn a corner and there: a sea of cheering girl scouts. Who are they cheering on you ask? Their… cult (?) leader? Tearing one of those aliens apart with her bare hands. And the kids are just laughing and some are even joining in? They must have nerves of steel

💤needsomezzzzzzz Follow

Woah

🌽 sherlock_corn Follow

@  HOCKEYORDEATH Hey look at this

372 notes

💀outoftouchoutoftime Follow

Set a profile picture because apparently everyone’s blocking me thinking I’m a bot?

🥊 red_hotsoup Follow

Sorry CJ

9 notes

asprinkleofrazzmatazz said: Spread the sunshine ☀️ Post this in at least 5 ask boxes to let them know they make you happy

🥊 red_hotsoup Follow

Aww, hey Orange

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

Hey, where’s my ask

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

Orange?

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

Oh 

10 notes

asprinkleofrazzmatazz said: Spread the bugs 🪳 Post this in at least 5 ask boxes to let them know they’re bugging you

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

Two can play at this game

🎨asprinkleofrazzmatazz Follow

Jk ☀️☀️☀️

29 notes

🛸 atomiclass9000 Follow

I remember the good old days on tumblr. Back when my brothers didn’t know the name of my account. Back when they didn’t bug me in my inbox

🍞shortbutsweetbread Follow

Then make another one?

🛸 atomiclass9000 Follow

Gasp. And leave behind a username such as this? I’m attached.

🌽 sherlock_corn Follow

What about your sister?

🛸 atomiclass9000 Follow

You’re fine

⚔️ bluejitsu Follow

Favouritism 

128 notes

🐱sophinophie Follow

Whoever you heroes are

Thank you.  

❤️🧡💜💙

#I don’t know how you did it. Or what you even look like #but one thing is for sure and that’s that you are heroes 

189 notes

[thewritetofreespeech]

Could I request Lucifer finding out his s/o was once engaged but got divorced because her ex-fiancé cheated on her with another woman? The worst part? After finding out how much of a greedy, incompetent, and selfish woman his new wife is, her ex now wants to get back with her.

Lucifer x Reader - Running into an Ex

He usually didn’t like going up to the human world, but it seemed he was making exceptions for [Y/N] more & more. His will was weak when it came to their requests. Though he justified it by it only being fair for them to go on their dates ‘up top’ from time to time as they spent most of their time in the Devildom.

Plus with all the mischief, misadventures, and just plain in-fighting between him & his brothers, they could use a break.

They had just finished dinner at a restaurant almost as nice as Ristorante Six when someone called [Y/N]’s name out on the street like a common beggar. “I thought that was you. How have you been?”

“I’m…fine…” Lucifer could tell they were uncomfortable. Clearly this person was someone they knew but was not thrilled to run into. Sensing this would take a moment, Lucifer waved off the car waiting for them and told them to take another lap. “What are you doing here? I thought you moved.”

“Keeping tabs on me, eh?” His fake laugh was insufferable. “I uh…moved back with my wife last year. With the economy crash and everything, it was just better to stay back home.”

“Oh. Your mother didn’t mention it.”

“You still take to my mom? Well, I guess that makes sense. You two were always close. You look….great, by the way.”

“…thank you…”

The tension and conversation were getting tighter. To the point that Lucifer felt obligated to step in. “We should get going, [Y/N]. We don’t want to be late for our travels tomorrow.” He’s never wanted to return home immediately so much in his life, but he wouldn’t open a portal, or ruin [Y/N]’s trip, like that.

“Yes. We should go-“Wait [Y/N]. Can I…talk to you for a minute before you go? You don’t mind right, do you my guy?”

Lucifer glared at the man, but turned to [Y/N] who nodded and said it was alright. He nodded back and pressed his hand to the small of their back to let them know he was still there, but moved off to the side to give them space. Not that he couldn’t hear every word with his demon hearing.

“You really do look great by the way.”

“What do you want [X/N]? Shouldn’t you be home with your wife.”

“Gah…don’t say it like that…” The man scrubbed his face with the palm of his hand. Clearly a man defeated. “Look, I know now what I did to you was wrong. I shouldn’t have broken up with you, or our engagement. I just��.had cold feet about the marriage thing.”

Lucifer was shocked. He didn’t know [Y/N] had been engaged. But, if what the man said was true, then he could see why they didn’t mention it to him. It sounded painful.

“You didn’t seem too un-keen on the idea when you jumped right in to marry the woman you cheated on me with.”

“Grass is always greener…” Lucifer sneered at the man’s second untimely joke. He then stepped closer to [Y/N]; raising Lucifer’s hackles. “I wanted to let you know I made a mistake. What I did…who I’m with now…it’s all wrong. I wanted to reach out to you but I could never get a hold of you since everyone said you were abroad or something.” Yes, or something. “When I ran into you now, I knew it was fate. Please. Give me another chance.”

[Y/N] wrenched their hand away from them but stood their ground. “You think I would give you another chance after what you did?! I can never trust you. Besides, you’re married now. What are you doing to get a divorce and jump into another marriage just like that? Out with the old in with the new? Oh, I’m sorry, out with the new in with the old.”

“Hey! I came to you and told you I made a mistake. That I’m unhappy and I want to try again. The least you can do is consider it!”

“ ‘Consider it’?? So I’m doing you the favor here. In case you missed it, along with you being married, I’m here with someone as well.”

“That guy?? He’s too posh for you. A guy like that is just using you probably for sex or arm candy. Make him look more down to Earth. Do you really want to be with someone so far out of your league that you just feel inferior all the time? You should be with someone on your level. Like me.”

“I can assure you sir, the levels [Y/N] would have to stoop to be on your level would require excavation equipment to access.”

The man seemed startled by Lucifer’s sudden reappearance in their conversation. Also likely from his looming figure. Not his demon form, but not his full human disguise either. The full weight of his anger and disgust at this insect talking to [Y/N] like that making him seem probably 10 feet tall to the man.

“Please cease this horrendous display of accosting people on the street who had the unfortune of knowing you and go home to your wife. You may have regretted your decision in a mate, but I have not. There’s no way in hell,” [Y/N] snorted once at that, “that I am going to let you talk to them this way or ruin our evening any further.”

As if summoned by his magic, the car pulled up again beside them and Lucifer opened the door. “Come my love. We have no longer a need to be here anymore.” [Y/N] slide in and he closed the door, before turning to face the man again. “And should you ever be stupid enough to contact [Y/N] again with these ridiculous notions and your own inflated ego, I will personally see to it that you are torn limb from limb by wild dogs by the time I’m through with you.” His eyes flashed red once. Obviously startling the man who almost fell into the street before he rounded the car and got in on the other side.

“I’m sorry I never mentioned him before.” [Y/N] apologized as they drove off.

Lucifer shrugged. “Having met him, he doesn’t seem like a man worth mentioning.” He reached out his hand and clasped it with their own. Such a horrible person would not ruin their evening. And he would see to it that [Y/N] never thought of them again, as he would do everything in his power to make sure they felt love and adored. Second to no one.

[captain-pheonix]

Hello. I will call you Phoenix because that sounds very cool and you are cool and I platonically like you and enjoy your works.

Anyways I have come to request an all mercs + Pauling if you’re comfortable and want to write that. (If not maybe just Medic +whoever else you want to write for.) with a reader who has Schizophrenia? I’ve been going through some moments with it and the TF2 mercs are my comfort characters and your blog just feels nice.

If you aren’t comfortable with this feel free to block me or just ignore this ask entirely! Thank you very much!

A/n: GAHHH ILY PLATONICALLY TOO 🫶 ty for sending in a request, I’m so glad you enjoy my works! I try my best! I made sure I did some more extensive reasearch about schizophrenia/the real experience with it before I wrote this, please let me know if I should make some edits! (And other ppl reading this, also don’t be afraid to send an ask about making edits!)

Mercs + Pauling w/ reader w/ Schizophrenia (headcannons)

(Platonic or romantic!)

Pauling:

- will have some guilt about how she works all the time and can’t be there for you

- might send some gifts and call you in between jobs/travel, asking how you’ve been, asking if now was a good time or if you needed a distraction

- as soon as she gets the chance to come see you, she takes it

- asks over and over if you’re okay, because it’s been keeping her anxious on her jobs

- she’ll comfort you with sweet words over the phone if you call her for help

- reminds you to take your meds

Scout:

- absolutely clueless

- buys into stereotypes

- “the voices” type shit

- this guy is gonna need a thorough explanation as to how you feel all the time

- probably asks you how you’re feeling all the time too

- might be a little too quick to do his sneak-attack hugs

- likes hugging you a lot, so that could offer some grounding if you’re having delusions/hallucinations

- words of affirmation 10/10

- expect a lot of words…

- speaking of a lot of words, need an auditory distraction? The scout-o-matic is here! (Only $69.99)

Soldier:

- clueless prick

- thinks you’re some spy or something

- it might take the entirety of the team to convince him otherwise and try to explain it to him with your help

- might also buy into the stereotypes

- if you say you hear or see something that man is going to run around screaming with his shovel trying to chase them off for you (believes they’re real, but only you have magic powers to see them or something)

Medic:

- #1 meds administer

- does not buy into stereotypes, since he may know something about it

- (fw researching you heavy)

- dude is taking notes as you’re straight up not having it

- jk he goes to comfort you if he can after a bit

- you WILL be staying in the infirmary with him (sorry I don’t make the rules)

- will look into techniques to help you

Demo:

- you already know he’s offering alcohol to take the edge off/distract

- you have tried many times to tell him that that will not work

- if you had alcohol with your meds things would not end well

- offers himself as a napping space for being really exhausted (I’d take him up on that)

- he might already be passed out when you go to ask if you two can nap

- might wanna just scootch in there

Heavy:

- will protect you from the bad things (or at least try)

- if someone hurt pookie that’s no good it will not do

- offers protective bear hugs if you need something/somewhere/someone to cuddle up to and be distracted/grounded

Pyro:

- if you’re describing what you see to them, or have in the past, they might try to draw them with good old fashioned crayons and printer paper

- also schizophrenic 😭

- huge empathy from them

- but uhm they might also just straight up not know they’re schizophrenic, so bro could just be like “same”

- alright enough Gen z talk from me (there can never be enough)

- even if just hanging out with them makes you feel more comfortable

Sniper:

- probably feels bad for you

- opts to hang out indoors if hallucinations/delusions are not fun outside

- comforts you when you think you see or hear something

Spy:

- if he’s attempting to be subtle you might expect some noise cancelling headphones and other helpful tools show up at your door

- if you need a break from certain rooms he’s definitely gonna offer his smoking room

- gets you pill organizers for your meds if that’s something you struggle with

- offers lots of gentle comfort

- let’s be honest, this guy was clueless before you started talking to him about it and what it was

- now he just wants to offer help

Engie:

- probably pities you a bit

- gives you that Texan hospitality but may take a bit to understand you better

- will 10/10 make you something if there’s something he can make to help and if it’s possible

- gonna try everything in his power to make your life easier

————————

Hopefully I did okay 😭 ty for sending in your request!!

[wannabeschyulersister]

so long, chicago

Without the warmth of your things in the apartment, it looked sad and cold. The boxes that you packed were stacked along the hallway. Movers were scheduled to help you in the next hour.

Your belongings would be traveling across the country with you following.

After one last sweep of the apartment to make sure you weren’t forgetting anything, you stood at the large bay window facing the city. A city that you once considered home.

You’d miss Chicago. You’d miss the people that you’d met. The connections that you formed. The memories. The laughter.

The sound of the front door opening snapped you out of your thoughts. You turned and saw Carmen walk in. You didn’t expect for him to be home anytime soon. You’d hoped that you could avoid the last interaction.

“Hey.” You said softly.

He nodded, “I thought you’d be halfway outta town by now.”

“The movers should be here any minute.”

Carmen took off his coat and placed it on the right hook near the door. Yours would normally go on the left but it was currently sitting on top of one of your suitcases.

“Richie said you stopped by the restaurant last night.”

“Yeah, I wanted to tell him goodbye.”

“I guess that’s nice.”

“You guess?”

“What do you expect for me to say, (Y/n)? I love that you’re abandoning me and everyone you’ve met here?”

“Abandoning you?” You couldn’t believe that he really said that.

“We’ve been together for six fuckin’ years! One day you wake up and realize you don’t want to be with me anymore out of the fuckin’ blue!”

“Out of the blue?,” you raised your voice, “Carmen, I dreaded making that decision for months! You were so out of touch that you didn’t even realize that we had stopped acting like a couple long before I ending things.”

Carmen chuckled bitterly, “That’s not true.”

You hadn’t planned on leaving on ugly terms with Carmen. If anything, you wanted it to be civil. You were huge parts of each other’s lives. Under all of the pain and heartbreak, there was love.

“I was the only person trying in this relationship. You would get home at one or two in the morning and I’d try waiting around just so we can have a conversation after not seeing each other all day. I planned date nights and tried to pry you out of that kitchen to notice that I was practically falling apart at the seams!” You confessed. It hurt you that he hadn’t even noticed.

“Relationships are hard! That why you have to make them work!” Carmen was visibly upset at how the conversation was going.

“I was the only one fighting for this, Carmen! When was the last time you bought me flowers or texted me to see how my day was going? I barely even heard an ‘I love you’.”

“I do love you. So much that I don’t want you to go and move to San Diego. You belong here with me and- and with your friends. People that care about you!”

“Sometimes love isn’t enough. I’m tired, Carmen. Tired of feeling like I don’t mean shit to you. I need to be with someone that wants to be with me. I want someone that won’t make me feel alone when we are together.”

Carmen closed the space between you two. It was the closest he’d been to you in days. He still smelled of the cologne that you bought him for Christmas with a faintness of the cigarette he must’ve smoked before.

“I thought we’d spend the rest of our lives together.” He said softly.

“If you thought so, then why aren’t we married? I’ve had friends in shorter relationships that have taken the next step. I’ve waited for so long for you to ask me to be your wife and every anniversary that passes, I know that it’s not going to happen. I don’t want to leave. I really loved living here. This felt like home more than any place I’ve lived in, but I can’t stay here.”

“I’ve been a fuckin’ selfish asshole. I’m sorry. You don’t know how sorry I am. Please, I’ll make things up to you. I’ll change.”

“And when things get hard? When you get busy and stressed at the restaurant, then what? It goes back to how things were? I can’t put myself through that. I can’t take that chance.” It killed you seeing him so upset but when you broke up with him, it was like you could breathe again.

You were becoming the person that you used to be. You didn’t want to sacrifice yourself for someone else that didn’t give you the time of day.

Three knocks to the front door made you step away from Carmen. You opened the door and saw the movers with a dollie and a couple of extra boxes.

“Excuse me.” You felt Carmen grab his coat and brush past you. Part of you wanted to chase him down and wrap your arms around him. You didn’t want the last image you had of him to be so hurt.

As you watched the movers grab your boxes and take them down to the awaiting truck, you grabbed the letter that you wrote for Carmen. You planned to leave it on the kitchen counter.

You didn’t know if he’d even read it. Maybe he would rip it up into tiny pieces. Maybe he would read it over and over again.

It wasn’t up for you to wonder. You were at peace with your decision and that’s all that mattered.

[ford-pines-lover]

Sweet Dreams

stanford pines x oc

tags: fluff, college!stanford, sfw

word count: 1389

the summary: Ford and Celeste meet in college. Friends since first meeting. They travel to Gravity Falls together to study the anomalies there. Ford and Bill get too serious about the portal, Ford gets sucked away forever. Celeste has to learn how to live with Stan and try to get her fiancé back. Is that even remotely possible? What would be the cost? Would it be as dangerous as Ford always said it would be?

Prologue

College. A new beginning. Well. Kind of. I am sitting in the auditorium of a small school on the east coast. There’s creaky floorboards every time the speaker walks, the microphone is screechy every few words, and there is some less-than-motivational signage up. “Not your first choice!” and “We’re number two!” are the ones that stand out. The smell in this room is almost comforting in a way. It smells like an old library, but mustier. Not bad. 

Backupsmore University. The only school that wanted me (and a full ride) after I tried to get a full ride scholarship to Harvard or Berkeley, but my sob story wasn’t enough, clearly. Now I am stuck with people that don’t have the same aspirations as I do, but hey, there is at least one in a crowd that has big dreams. Not everyone here is here just for “the experience.”

I notice a boy in the crowd looking bored and restless. He was just like me. The boy had nice brown hair and glasses that made him look like a nerd. Well, I can’t say much; I also have glasses. 

“We’re number two!” The speaker ends his speech, and the freshmen are released to their respective areas. I sigh and attempt to hurry out of the auditorium, but I bump into someone. I stumble and regain my posture.

“Oh, um, I’m so sorry,” I say to the boy—oh, wait, it’s the boy I noticed in the auditorium. He stopped and looked at me, examining all my features before saying anything.

“No, no, you’re alright.” He smiled and kept walking. He had an intriguing energy about him that I couldn’t quite place. I watched as he walked down the hall, towards the library on this side of campus. Ah, so he is a nerd. It was so obvious. I chuckle to myself as I stride back to my dorm. I decided to room by myself. Something was telling me that I shouldn’t share my space with another student. They would be subject to my horrible sleep schedule and nightly romance reading. No, being serious, I just have bad study habits that I wouldn’t want to subject another person to. 

***

“The DNA of one organism is being split apart by helicase…” I mutter as I am jotting down notes for my Biology I class. I decided to study in the library today due to my wanting to explore the library. The amount of books is remarkable due to this being a school on the smaller side. 

I notice someone sitting on the other side of the library with a stack of books on quantum physics. Huh. Wait. No, that was the guy that I bumped into earlier. He looked so calm and focused on his subject. I wonder why he is at this school and not at some fancy science school. Well, perhaps people are thinking the same about me. Probably not, honestly. 

I get up to get another book and “accidentally” bump into him again. 

"Oh, whoops, so sorry,” I nervously chuckle. 

“No worries. It seems like we are seeing a lot of each other today.” The boy put his hand on the back of his neck.

“Yeah, no, it seems so.” I look up at him curiously. “I’m Celeste, by the way.” 

“Ford, Stanford Pines,” he smiles. We share a smile before he begins to speak again. “What are you studying?”

“Paranormal biology, you?”

“No way! I am working towards my PhD in the study of the paranormal.”

“That’s so cool! Would you want to be study partners? I don’t really have anyone else here.” 

“I don’t really either. My roommate seems like an interesting specimen, though.” 

“I’m sure. Everyone here at BMU is odd to say the least.” I think back to when we were being greeted at the door and there was a giant “BMU” mascot greeting us with some less-than-motivational words. “Why have more when you can settle for less?” The mascot would shout as we were walking in. It was a constant reminder that I could have been destined for more. There was something pulling me to greater things. 

“Oh, yeah, for sure.” Ford sighs and moves his books over. I took that as my cue to ask:

“Well, can I sit with you?”

Ford smiles, and I sit down next to him. His body language is tense, and he seems a bit sweaty. His mannerisms were very hesitant. He seemed to be hiding his hands. He was wearing a nice light blue button-down and some khakis. Ford seems too proper for this school, too... smart. 

“So…” I start, deciding I don’t want the awkward silence, “Why are you going to BMU? Clearly you’re worthy of more.”

Ford’s pupils shrank, and he gulped. Did I strike a nerve? Did I say something wrong? I start playing with my hair, occasionally pulling a strand out. 

“I-” Ford sighs and looks to the window. “Yeah, no, I know, it just didn’t work out that way, unfortunately.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” I try to comfort him, but I’m unsure of what to do. “I didn’t realize it was a sore subject.” 

He lightly smiles and goes back to studying. His notebook was full of equations and drawings. So was his textbook. Let’s hope he didn’t borrow that from the school; otherwise, he will have a field day. I chuckle to myself, going back to my biology 1 assignment. All of this is a review from my senior year biology class. My teacher was a professor before deciding she wanted to teach high school. She went super in depth, and right then I knew I needed to study biology. Everything about life and cells and the expansion of “what is life exactly?” was something I needed to be answered. That’s where the “paranormal/anamolous” studies came in. Our thoughts on “life” are too Earth-centric. What if life forms out there aren’t carbon-based? What if life forms don’t need oxygen to survive?

“You seem lost in thought, Celeste.” Ford speaks again, giving me a warm smile. 

“Yeah, I’m just thinking about how weird it is that I am a freshman in college,” Lies, “but you know life keeps moving.” I play with my hair, not really wanting to expand on the monotonous reason why I was lost in thought. I don’t want to bore him too quickly.

He chuckles, “I think about that all the time. One day I was the “King of New Jersey," and the next I’m sitting in a college library studying like hell for my PhD. Where did the time go?” 

We both simultaneously go back to our studies in silence and peace. 

A year passes by. I grow closer with Ford while still maintaining my studies. This college isn’t so bad. Just a couple more years.

Another two years pass. 

Knock knock

I know that signature knock. Ford always does two short knocks before entering my dorm. 

“Ah Celeste! There you are. I have some very exciting news to share with you!” Ford walks into my dorm with a winning smile. The light in his eyes could light a thousand rooms. “I just got granted 100,000 dollars to research! Isn’t that awesome?” 

I gasp and smile. “No way, Ford! That’s incredible!” I raise my hand to give him a high-five. Now that I think of it, I’ve never given him one. He hesitantly raises his hand and high-fives me. Or high-six? Why not a high-eleven? “So, whats next?”

He gives me a warm smile while also showing some nerves. “Celeste, you mean a lot to me as a research partner and as a friend. I bargained with the grant money people, and" Ford pulls out another 100,000 dollar check. “This is for you.”

I am dumbfounded. A check? For what? “I– Ford, what are you trying to say?”

“Would you want to join me in research of the unknown?”

I beam. “I would love to! Where would we go?”

His face lights up with excitement. “Well, I have been researching where the most anomalous things happen in the United States.” Ford reaches into his pocket to reveal a map with dots on it. Oddly enough, one dot is in my hometown. Interesting. “It’s all centralized in this one town in Roadkill County, Oregon. Gravity Falls.”

Sweet Dreams

here it is in ao3 for the ones that like to read it there :)

[superlarva]

They sat like that for some time.

Finally, here's Chapter 7 - Nightmare of Raising Dominoes! Sorry it took so long to post! Traveling's a pain.

Prologue: 00 Previous chapter: 06 Next chapter: 08

Summary: Rex and Cody meet up to go over some important information late at night. Fives has a nightmare.

CW: Child abuse (in a dream, but still), nightmares

^Please be careful, friends. The first part of this chapter could be distressing to some. I put a thing like this:

~~~~~

where the dream ends, so if you want to skip it, just scroll down until you see that.

Chapter 7 - Nightmare

The man slammed the car door, cutting Fives off from the loud argument outside the apartment building’s entrance. He could not hear what Rex was saying anymore, but he seemed mad. He was trying to push past some of the men, but they grabbed him and held him back, away from the car.

One of the men got into the driver’s seat and the car roared to life. As they began to drive away, Fives tried to turn to see Rex one last time, but the seat belt was constricting him. He could not move, not even an inch. It was pulled taught. He strained against the belt. Pulled against it. Tried to wriggle out. But it just dug into his skin deeper.

It hurt.

He let it hurt.

He wanted to see Rex.

Fives knew where he was being taken soon as he heard the first drop of rain hit the windshield. Kamino. White halls. Cold, hard beds. Ration bars.

Home.

He was going home.

Mom was nice as the men had handed him over. She smiled and hugged him and talked about getting him something nice and warm to eat. He knew as soon as the door slid shut behind them and the men were out of sight she would be frowning and hitting and yelling.

Fives stepped into the house and screwed his eyes shut. He jumped at the sound of his mom slamming the door.

Fives sat in the room he had shared with his brothers. They were all gone now, even Echo. He felt like he should be more sad than he was.

He was scared.

He wanted to go back to Rex’s apartment.

Fives could hear yelling from down the hall. That was odd, his mom did not normally have company. He climbed down from his bunk to listen at the door.

He could hear her voice clearly, although the words were too faint to distinguish. The other voice he also recognized and with a start he opened the door and ran down the hall towards it.

Rex had come!

Rex was here!

He was going to take him back and make everything all better.

But what if he didn’t?

No, he would. He was nice.

Was he really?

Suddenly Fives couldn’t quite remember.

He peaked around the corner to see his mom and Rex standing in the training room. He had heard them arguing, but now they were not speaking to each other at all. Both faced away from him.

Fives crept closer and softly called out to Rex. The man did not turn around. Fives pulled on the sleeve of his jacket, “Rex?”

Rex yanked his hand away and whirled around, face contorted in disgust, “Don’t touch me!”

Fives stumbled back, surprised, “I- I-”

“What did you think?” His mom turned to face him as well. She wore the same disgusted expression as Rex, “You thought he came here for you? You thought he cared about you? You? CT-5555? You’re just a failure. A failed experiment. You mean nothing.”

Fives looked over to Rex, “I-I’m s-s-sorry.”

“You’re suh-suh-sorry?” Rex mocked, a smirk spreading across his face.

Fives took a step back. Rex was supposed to be nice. This wasn’t right!

Rex stepped forwards and leaned down so his face was inches from Fives’s, “You’re a waste of space. You and CT-1409 should have died that day with the other three. I don’t want you.”

Fives turned and ran, but Rex grabbed his arm before he could escape the room. Rex yanked Fives back towards him so they were face to face again and sneered, “You really thought you could get away that easily?”

Rex was holding his arm so tightly that Fives thought if he squeezed any more it might pop off.

Fives’s mom knelt down next to him and poked his thigh, grinning, “You know, if we chop off his legs, he won’t be able to get away at all.”

Fives looked to Rex for help, but Rex was already pulling a long knife from his pocket and eyeing his legs.

“N-no!” Fives protested, trying to wriggle out of Rex’s grip.

“Calm down, sweetheart,” His mother said, petting his shoulder and sending shivers up his spine. “You’ll be just like your brother. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? To be just like your brothers?”

“No! No!” Fives looked frantically from his mom to Rex, trying to find any spark of the man he had first met only a few days earlier, but there was nothing comforting in Rex’s face. His skin stretched and sagged to make room for his wicked grin. The proportions bordered on inhuman.

It was not Rex; it could not be. Not the real one. Fives screwed his eyes shut and began to scream.

He screamed for Rex, for Echo, for Cody.

For anyone.

~~~~~

“Fives?”

Someone was shaking his shoulders. He was lying down now. He vaguely wondered if they had tied him to a table, but he was lying on something soft. He wanted to see where he was—he was so confused—but he did not want to open his eyes just to see Rex’s twisted face glaring back at him. He trembled.

The shaking stopped.

“Fives?” The voice asked again. It had a tremor in it almost as if it was scared. “Are you awake now?”

The voice sounded like Rex’s, and it sent a shiver down Fives’s spine.

“Cody,” The voice said softly, “Could you get the extra blanket from the closet?”

Fives laid stone still. Cody and Rex. Not mom and Rex. Had he been sleeping? Had it just been a dream?

He felt a hand run through his hair, smoothing it back, away from his forehead. Rex’s voice asked if he was awake again and Fives relented with a small nod.

The bed dipped as what Fives assumed was Rex—although he refused to open his eyes—sat on the edge, “Bad dream?”

Fives gave another small nod.

“We heard you calling out for us.”

Steps began to approach the bed and Fives tensed.

“That’s just Cody with another blanket,” Rex’s voice said as Fives felt the blanket being placed over him. “Is that better?”

“Mm-hmm,” Fives finally managed as the footsteps faded away.

“Do you want to open your eyes? It’s just me—just Rex.”

Fives cracked an eye open, half expecting to see the Rex from his dream hovering over him. Instead, he was met with a head of short curly hair bathed in golden light flooding in from the open doorway into the hallway, kind brown eyes, and a face wracked with worry.

Fives let out a shaky breath and opened both eyes fully, “R-Rex?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Are- are you real?” Fives reached up to touch Rex’s face.

Rex did not flinch away and did not look at him in disgust. He instead smiled and allowed Fives to prod at his cheek, “As real as you are.”

Fives let his arm fall back down onto the sheets, satisfied that he was no longer dreaming.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Rex asked softly.

Fives turned away and curled up, hugging his T-rex plush to his chest, “No, I’m fine. I’ll b-be quiet now. I’m s-sorry.”

Rex sat down heavily next to Cody at the kitchen table. The table was littered with papers and informational pamphlets. Before he and Cody had heard Fives screaming out for help, they had been going over the documents provided to them about the twins and had been signing the boys up for school, doctor’s appointments to get their vaccines, and therapy.

Cody crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back, “How is he?”

Rex shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, sighing, “He wanted to be left alone. Didn’t want to talk about it.”

“You know it’s not your fault, right?”

Rex looked up at his older brother desperately, “Of course it’s my fault! He’s terrified of me!”

Cody reached out and laid a reassuring hand on Rex’s shoulder, “He’s not scared of you, just scared of what he thinks you might do. He just met you and you know he’s had bad parental figures in the past. It’ll just take time.”

Rex nodded, but there was still a deep sadness in his eyes.

“Besides,” Cody continued, “When I saw you guys this morning at the hospital, you were thick as thieves. I think he trusts you.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, I do. I mean, when he was yelling our names, yours was the first he called for.”

Rex’s eyes scanned over the table and landed on the boys’ birth certificates, “Heck Cody, do you think she really called him that?”

“CT-5555?” Cody clarified before his eyes fixed on a point over Rex’s shoulder and he went white as a sheet.

Rex’s heart dropped, landing in his gut, as he turned to see a tiny hand disappear from around the corner of the hallway.

“Fives?” Rex bolted from the chair to reach the boy’s retreating figure.

Fives was wrapped in a blanket and in his haste to get back into Rex’s room, he tripped over the edge that was dragging on the ground and fell to the floor with a loud thwack. Rex quickly covered the distance between them and knelt down next to the boy.

Fives was silent for moment before he started wailing loudly, curling up into a ball on the floor. Rex looked back to Cody who was hovering uncertainly a few feet away, face still drained of color.

Cody met his eyes, a reassuring calmness spreading across his face, and slowly sank down next to the sobbing boy, “That looked like it hurt.”

Cody’s voice was gentle, and Fives let out a shuddering breath as he nodded in agreement.

“Yeah?” Cody asked softly, “Can you tell me where it hurts?”

“E-ev-everywhere!”

Rex grimaced, he had to give it to the kid, it probably did hurt everywhere given the massive collection of bruises and scrapes he was sporting when he had acquired him a little over 24 hours earlier.

“Okay. Do you think you can sit up for me?”

Fives acquiesced and was soon sitting with his back pressed up against the wall and his knees drawn up to his chest. Tears were still running down the boy’s cheeks, but his sobs were much quieter, “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t m-mean to l-leave the- the room. I-”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Cody interrupted.

Fives turned to Cody, looking a little stunned.

“He’s right,” Rex jumped in. “You’re allowed to go anywhere in this apartment.”

Fives turned his large confused eyes on Rex.

“I mean it,” Rex said before switching gears. He needed to make sure Fives was alright after that fall, “Did you hit anything when you fell? Are you hurt?”

“N-not really,” Fives admitted, wiping a tear away with his sleeve.

“Are you more upset about what I said?” Cody asked. He looked like he already knew the answer.

A fresh wave of tears gathered in Fives’s eyes, “I’m s-scared.”

Rex and Cody exchanged a glance before Cody ventured a cautious, “What are you afraid of?”

“That you’ll- that you’ll b-be just l-like m-m-mom!” Fives cried before hiding his face behind his knees.

Rex scooted forward and wrapped Fives in a tight hug, “If I ever do anything she did to you, you let me know and I’ll stop. I promise.”

Fives hugged Rex back and sobbed into his shirt.

They sat like that for some time.

At one point Cody got up and returned with a glass of water and a box of tissues. Fives seemed content to cry into Rex’s shirt, but Cody was eventually able to coax him into blowing his nose a could times and taking a few sips of water.

After the boy calmed down a little Rex decided they needed to clarify a few things.

“Fives?” Fives sniffled in response, and Rex continued, “First off, do you want me to call you Fives? Because you’re not a number. If you want, we can change your name. Change it to anything you want.”

Fives was silent for a moment before turning his head to the side against Rex’s shirt so he could speak, “I-I don’t like CT-5555, b-but I- I like F-Fives.”

Rex glanced over to Cody, then back at the boy, “So, we should call you Fives?”

Fives nodded, “Fives is what Eh-Echo calls me.”

“Okay,” Rex said softly, trying not to let his heart shattering into a million pieces for his boys show in his voice, “Next, it is very important that you understand that I will not let anyone take you back to her.”

Fives took a breath, “I- I don’t have to- to go back?”

“No, never.”

“Really?”

“I think you and Echo are stuck with me.”

Fives was silent for a moment and Rex’s heart sunk. What if he’d ruined it already and Fives did not want to stay with him? Suddenly Fives shifted his head up to look at him, his chin digging into Rex’s sternum. The boy’s face was full of hope, “Forever?”

Rex smiled, “For as long as you want.”

@marierg @stressed-cherry @ffdemon @renton6echo @bambambunny @tearfulsolace @rndmpeep @brokenphoenix99 @nerdy-valkyrie @xylionet @tazmbc1 @eyayah123 @the-bad-batch-baroness @sarcastic-nebula @ihaventpickedausername @sexysmeagolshitposting @emma-1409

[roxannepolice]

hi!!! hows it goin i’m here to dump my thoughts about simm!master/lucy vs ten and martha cause i have MANY. also a disclaimer before i begin that i’m white and that likely does color my experience as a viewer compared to a BIPOC viewer. anyways: i’ll start with ten and martha because by sound of drums we’ve spent all season watching them and its that already established dynamic which i think lucy/saxon are meant to parallel in a way. you have ten very much still grieving rose and his entire planet, which makes him try and push away any new companions for a bit. but he’s still looking for - and i think needs, in a way - this kind of connection where he can depend on someone, and ideally they could depend on him. however. ten sucks at this second bit. for the entire season. so he’s in need of this connection despite not wanting any whatsoever, emotional intelligence completely out the window right now since he’s grieving x2, and martha unfortunately walks in right in the middle of this. so you get this dynamic really starting from i’d say the shakespeare code wherein martha is carrying a lot of the weight in their relationship. ten will entrust her with the most deeply personal shit (like his memories of gallifrey, his feelings on losing rose, even in 42 where he’s like "i’m scared i’m so scared" where he depends on martha for emotional support) and then when martha’s like hey can i get some support here or something ten’s like “uh sorry all out too busy being sad” i mean that's a bit exaggerated/summarized but thats the vibe they have. in the beginning he doesn't even admit she’s traveling with him! he’s all “just one trip” “just one more” and refuses to make a concrete decision that martha really needs him to make already. and despite this emotional unavailability shtick ten still relies on martha quite a bit! off the top of my head you have 42(martha freezing/unfreezing ten as he screams in pain), blink (they get sent back to the 1960s… and only martha gets a job???), and. human nature. wherein martha endures racial abuse alongside lesser shitty working conditions in order to ensure the doctor doesn't get his body possessed or something. and in the middle of it this human version of the doctor falls in love with another woman(after basically uh leading her on for the whole fucking season) (sure maybe unintentionally but that's not the point here) who. also was racist to her she's not even a nice person. and her only friend in this godawful place gets possessed. and human doctors a dick to her. and i think. i reflect on it and i come to the conclusion that ten very much does expect martha to just… do his job for him sometimes. handle all the dirty work like making sure human him doesn't get distracted or hurt or die. and still immediately after is like haha we are in 1960 now. i will not get a job what is that. why do you want me to “communicate” or “pull my weight” you’re traveling across space and time lol.

and the master and lucy are a darker extension of this dynamic that i actually haven't really seen people talk about much!! the master is very clear about why he married lucy, and there is no love/admiration/respect whatsoever in there. it is purely a means to an end - her family gets him influence, and she helps him carry out his plans. he gives nothing to lucy, only takes. which is in itself a mirror to ten & martha - the audience knows ten isn’t intending to be malicious in how he treats martha throughout the series, but when paralleled to lucy & the master i think you really get a sense of the harm this can cause down the line. what resentment this kind of dynamic can lead to. and ALL THE WHILE martha is walking the entire planet for a year to save all of humanity while ten hangs out aged 100 with his little tent & dog bowl & seething sorta-ex-husband-boyfriend-whatever. i mean he doesn't have the best time either but he also doesn't have to do that much and also is perhaps a bit too happy about not being the last time lord to fully grasp that hey, uh, humanity's in pretty dire straits right now. martha watches as the master turns earth into a living nightmare, slaughters millions of people on a whim, turns ten into a 900-year-old tweety bird, and tortures her family for a year, only for ten to go “guys dw i can fix him lol we’ll just live in the tardis for eternity together” as if she hadn't had to fight for that too. and ten is still shocked-pikachu-face when she goes “yeah no i’m leaving. i gotta get out.” and that is very much similar to lucy's moment in a way! where she sees the doctor forgiving(without really considering everybody else's opinion on the Past Year), martha's mom talked down from killing him, even Jack is talked down from his confusion at the whole idea, and i think in that moment she goes. okay. you guys can forgive. you guys can let him walk away having just taken, taken, taken everything without any repercussions. i meanwhile have this gun and two years of pent-up rage coursing through my veins. and both of these moments - martha leaving, lucy firing the gun - come at a shock to the doctor and the master. i mean you can see the master's little "oh" face when he gets shot. even if he plays it up like he expected it after i don't think he considered it before. and i think on a certain level neither really expected to be called out like this - ten because he’s got the emotional intelligence of a baseball bat, the master because he doesn’t think humans are capable of wiping their own asses - so in both of these moments in LoTL theyre like "wait i didn't know you could do that"

anyways tl;dr thats why i think lucy and the master are a darker parallel to the doctor and martha in their own way. which feeds into the rest of the finale where the master is just showing the natural extremes to who the doctor is - this is that toxic dependency taken to its natural worst possible place, where you treat someone as a tool rather than as a person. the master's generally a great foil to the doctor but the series 3 finale is just a fantastic example of it i think.

OMG, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts like this! And I love your thought process here so much.

First, absolutely, Martha is the case of right person, wrong time... which is probably what makes hers my favourite companion arc - as I like to put it she travelled through hell and pulled her Virgil (because yes, the Doctor absolutely always has this guide role that brings Virgil to mind, at least in companions' first episodes) to the Earthly Paradise in the process. There's a lot of debates going on about whether Ten was leading Martha on, because on the one hand - well, he's very clear he's not into her romantically, on the other - ok, bitch, you made it clear the kiss doesn't mean anything, but also you hit off with flirtatious winks and end showing off time travel while also casually showing off your Adam's apple. Yeah, a girl can make deductions. And you're right that this superficial frankness is mirrorred in Master's relation to Lucy - though if anything he's crrepily keen on playing a caring husband, what with the 100% performative hug he gives her while the Toclafane are hacking a journalist up. Though I suppose in his head this is what the Doctor does as well when they comfort their companions. And let's give it to Ten - when he said he's not going to let Martha *checks notes* fry in a small capsule in far space because of a sentient sun, he does bend head over tits and does as promised. But historically it has happened that the Doctor's reassurances were hollow (future, but kind of most painful in Twelve assuring Bill he's going to de-cybermanize her only to later admit yeah not really an option... considering Saxon was there to witness this, I wonder if he marked this in his Notebook (of Rassilon) of Spiting the Doctor).

Ten's handling of the chameleon arch is kind of pathetic, thanks for pointing that out! Like, ok - if the Family gets a whole Time Lord lifetime it is a genuine threat to the universe, but his attitude of oh I'm just going to spend three months as a human in a random timespace, what could possibly go wrong, and anyway, Martha will be there to clean up any mess? is a mess. I do like John Smith's romance with nurse Radfem, though, not in the sense of shipping them, but more of an appreciation of the concept: a classic victorian/edwardian romance, but when you look at it from the persective of a BIPOC servant... it kind of becomes apparent both parties are dickheads. This does tie back to the Master in a way, because I think... want to think... that by the time the Doctor went oh no, we're better than a tyrant maniac that spent a whole year destroying the planet and torturing everyone in the room specifically, so we're not going to execute him, I'm going to put him in my nice spaceship and we'll have nice cuddle movie evenings instead, she was already hardened by the fact that he put her in an (unintentionally) tailor made emotional torture room for three months only to later reveal oh yeah, I could absolutely have handled them all along. Is just higher moral ground, innit?

I guess as all best foils do, the clue lies in the diffrences, though, right? Both Martha and Lucy end up deeply disillusioned with their respective semi-immortal twinks from space, but in one case there is still a disillusioned friendship (Ten's surprised Pikachu face, excellent comparion) and in the other there's only hate - and for good reasons! And where the Doctor grows to really respect Martha (and I wouldn't say he started off dismissive, I mean he is impressed when she tells him oh no mister, a doctor isn't something you just are, you have to earn the title) and is not just saddened but... humbled?... by her leaving, the Master shows up in EoT and is like Hey, my widow, did you miss me, hope you haven't remarried, that would be awkward to explain in the registry office :D!

*sigh* I suppose this is why tensimm is so special to me. It's 20 seasons of foil dynamic condensed into 5 hours. It really shows how thin the difference between the Doctor and the Master is. And how in the right circumstances, including the loss of the handy mirror villain to show how things can go wrong, a madman with a box can turn into an eldritch horror deciding the future of the universe. So, again, thank you so much for poining out yet another excellent parallel!

[jujumin-translates]

★ Main Story | Act 13 - Budding Spring | Chapter 25 - I’m Home

Izumi: Can everyone see everything okay? Is the sound working too?

Citron: “It is a-okay for me~!”

Sakuya: “I’m good too!”

Tsuzuru: “Sakuya, where are you right now?”

Chikage: “Isn’t that the Edo period?”

Citron: “Are you a time graveler!?”

Tsuzuru: “It’s time ‘traveler’.”

Sakuya: “Ahaha, when I told the supervisor about our remote rehearsal, he kindly lent me the theater’s stage to use for it.”

Izumi: I’m glad to see that you all seem lively. It’s kind of a relief since it’s been so long since I’ve seen your faces.

Tsuzuru: “For us, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since we’ve been talking on BlooCha.”

Izumi: Oh yeah, you did mention that you were going to try using that. Is it different from LIME?

Sakuya: “Because of our time zone differences, there’s a lot of times when we barely manage to bump into each other, but it’s still really fun. It’s kinda like a message board or collective diary.”

Tsuzuru: “If we get our timing right, it really does feel like we’re all in the same room.”

Masumi: “And you’re all just as annoying as ever when I’m trying to study.”

Tsuzuru: “That reminds me, when are you getting your temps, Masumi?”

Izumi: Huh, you’re getting your license?

Masumi: “I’m in driver’s ed right now. I’m just about to get my temps. I can’t wait to have you in the passenger seat, Director.”

Citron: “Leave the backseat to me!”

Sakuya: “You seem like you’d be really good at driving, Masumi-kun.”

Chikage: “I guess we’ll hand over the role of Spring Troupe’s designated driver to you, Masumi.”

Masumi: “I’m getting a two-seater.”

Tsuzuru: “You really only want Director riding along with you, huh?”

Izumi: Seems like Itaru-san is running a little late. Let’s go ahead and start warming up without him.

Izumi: The purpose of today is to prepare you for when you all come back next week and pick up rehearsals again, so just take it easy, okay?

Izumi: If you can move, move. If you don’t have the space, just run through your lines.

Izumi: I’ll let you know of any changes in direction as things pop up.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: --Alright, let’s stop here for a moment. It’s been a while for all of you, but you’re all doing a great job of remembering things.

Sakuya: “This is the first time we’ve done remote rehearsals, but it was kinda refreshing.”

Masumi: “We’re further away than when we’re in person, so it’s kind of like we’ve got to rely on your memory to know how everyone else’s acting goes.”

Chikage: “There’s still a bit of a timing delay due to our mode of communication, though.”

Citron: “I cannot wait to practice with you all phase to phase again~!”

Masumi: “Face to face.”

Tsuzuru: “By the way, Sakuya, your sword fighting really has improved a lot.”

Sakuya: “Huh, really!?”

Sakuya: “I’ve actually been really practicing my sword fighting skills for my current performance so I can apply them to when I play Romeo.”

Izumi: I can really see the results of that.

Tsuzuru: “Ah, right--.”

Itaru: “Sorry I’m late.”

Izumi: Good work today.

Sakuya: “Good work!”

Citron: “You are just in time!”

Izumi: Let’s start with the scene with Mercutio, Tybalt, and Father Lawrence.

Itaru: “Roger that.”

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Izumi: You guys were a little stiff at first, but once you started getting a feel for practicing remotely, you really managed to get back into the swing of things.

Izumi: It’s reassuring to see that Spring Troupe’s atmosphere hasn’t changed a bit.

Sakuya: “We’re still able to act together even when apart.”

Tsuzuru: “Even though we’re physically in different places, it’s nice to feel like we’re all still connected while standing on the same stage.”

Izumi: Alright, I’ve given you all my direction-related feedback, so let’s call it here for rehearsals today.

Masumi: “Do you have a minute after this then?”

Izumi: Sure, what’s up?

Masumi: “I just sent you a plan proposal on LIME. Can you take a look at it?”

*Phone notification*

Izumi: …A promotion plan? Huh!? Did you come up with all of this, Masumi-kun?

Izumi: (This is incredible, it’s got as much detail as a real corporate-level proposal…)

Masumi: “I’m doing an internship with the promotion department right now, and this is some of the stuff I’ve learned.”

Izumi: I see… I think this is really well organized and put together. I’ll be sure to discuss the contents of this with Sakyo-san.

Masumi: “Am I being useful?”

Izumi: Of course! It couldn’t have been an easy task for you to put this all together on your own. Thank you so much!

Masumi: “It’s nothing. I’m glad that I got a better understanding of just how hard you’re always working.”

Masumi: “So I want to help you from now on, too.”

Izumi: If you’re sure, then I’m glad. You’ll be a huge help.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

*Door opens*

Sakuya: “I’m back home!”

Izumi: Welcome home. You’re the first one back.

Sakuya: I was actually planning on coming back tomorrow, but the supervisor was nice enough to arrange for me to have today off…

Sakuya: I really wanted to be the first one home so I’d be able to say “welcome home” to everyone else.

Sakuya: It made me really happy to have everyone else say that to me when I went on my solo trip…

Izumi: I see. I’m sure you can’t wait to see the others.

Sakuya: Yeah. I want to practice with everyone as soon as possible. I’ve been thinking about my acting plans a lot while I was away.

Sakuya: Thanks to all the motivation and knowledge I got from the other theater company’s performance, I was able to come up with a lot of different ideas…

Sakuya: So I’ve got so much to talk about while testing out new things.

Sakuya: Actually--I’m gonna head to the practice room for a bit!

Izumi: Huh? Right now?

Sakuya: I just really feel like I wanna move right now!

Izumi: Ahaha, don’t tire yourself out too much, though.

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: One, two, three, four…

Sakuya: (This will always be the most relaxing place for me to be. It really makes me feel like I’m back at home.)

Sakuya: (That reminds me, I wonder where all the other guys are right now. I’m guessing Citron-san and the others who are overseas right now have started making their way back…)

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

tsuzuru has entered the chat.

tsuzuru: Morning

tsuzuru: I’m packing things up to start heading home now

Having some trouble because I don’t have enough space for souvenirs

tsuzuru: I wonder if I’ll be able to make all the souvenirs for everyone in the troupe AND my little brothers fit somehow

tsuzuru: Ah, right, better not forget my laptop

I’m gonna be working on stuff until the very last minute, so I need to remember that

Curry has entered the chat.

Curry: i’ll remind you about your laptop tomorrow

tsuzuru: Thanks, Masumi, what would I do without you

TorORo has entered the chat.

TorORo: i am jsUbt about to eatb Breakfasrb. i will beh heaDifn to the Airportb around noon. i caNnot waiite to Be surrounded by everEyone

UC has entered the chat.

UC: I’ve got a connecting flight, so I’m about to catch a plane to Narita. I’ll probably be back to the dorms around tomorrow afternoon.

Saku has entered the chat.

Saku: I got back a day earlier than I thought I would. I hope you all have safe trips back!

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

Sakuya: (Itaru-san’s rarely in the chatroom. He must be really busy…)

*Door opens*

Tsumugi: Welcome home, Sakuya-kun.

Banri: Welcome home.

Sakuya: I’m home!

Tenma: Practicing already? I’ll join you.

Sakuya: Thanks! Would you mind being my sword-fighting partner then?

Sakuya: I was just gonna take it easy, but I just get extra eager the moment I step foot in this practice room.

Tsumugi: I can understand that feeling.

Tenma: I’ll hang around until you’re satisfied.

Banri: Aight, I’ll help ya out with some of the direction-related stuff.

[ ⇠ Previous Part ] • [ Next Part ⇢ ]

[thornedrose44]

Thank you so much for sharing :)

I love all the layers you always manage to build into your stories and characters.

I fell myself drawn to so many of these, by especially by the idea of “The (Seemingly) Immortal Life of Lena Luthor”

(Okay this one seems to be the most popular from the asks. Basically, the plot is Kara has the long life span that comes with being a kryptonian. Kara and Lena get together and settle down post-canon, and Lena realises Kara is ultra depressed about being alone and outliving everyone so she invents time travel. She agrees this with Kara, but basically Lena time travels and jumps through Kara's lifetime to ensure that in a way Kara is never alone but Lena's jumps are random and she jumps around a lot. It's bittersweet because they go long spans without each other and Lena loses the nice parts of being based in a linear timeline which messes with her... but Kara gets company throughout her life and gets to grow old with her wife in a way.)

Anywho, here's the opening:

The (Seemingly) Immortal Life of Lena Luthor

“I thought you were going to wear the Vuitton?”

“The- which one?” Kara frowned, though it wasn’t overly noticeable considering her mouth was consistently only appearing as a thin line over the last couple of days. 

“You know.” Lean replied, hands moving to her own chest and raising a prompting eyebrow.

“The boob dress?” Kara spluttered, frown forgotten for the first time to be replaced by a shocked grimace. “I can’t wear that.”

“Why not?” Lena pouted, shifting to the edge of the bed, feet planting on the floor.

“It’s a funeral!” Kara pointed out, whirling round to face the other woman.

“My funeral.” Lena reminded, “Therefore, I should get a say in what my widow wears, right?”

“I don’t think there’s really a protocol for this.”

“Exactly, I always did make my own rules.” Lena said, getting to her feet and moving closer, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Kara’s ear, “You should put that in my eulogy.”

Kara merely sighed, gently grabbing Lena’s hand as it started to retreat back, and pressed it tight against her cheek, savouring the warmth and comfort.

“I’m here.” Lena soothed, shuffling closer and pressing a kiss to Kara’s other cheek.

“But you’re also not.” Kara whispered, eyes falling closed as she tried to make sense of her emotions. “How do I grieve you? Should I even grieve you?”

“Those are some heavy questions, my love. And I’m sorry but I don’t have the answers.” Lena confessed. “Do you want me to go?”

“I…” Kara inhaled a shuddering breath. “I think… me and the girls need some space but… can you stay close, just not…”

“I understand.” Lena promised, leaning back as Kara slowly let go of Lena’s hand. “I already promised to watch the grandkids.”

“You always know what I need.” Kara swallowed thickly, it hurt to look at Lena in that moment.

“I try, but I’m aware enough to know I don’t always succeed.” 

“Like making me attend your funeral?” Kara scoffed, immediately regretting the bitterness that leaked out - a twisted version of her sadness.

“The funeral isn’t for you. It’s for the girls.” Lena revealed. “I’ve confused their lives enough, I can give them a place to grieve and ensure you’re there to help them through it.”

“You’re a wonderful mother, Lena.” Kara insisted.

“I could have been better.” Lena smiled, eyes shining for a second before she blinked away the excess moisture.

“No, Lena-” Kara began, only for Lena to wave her away. 

“I’ll go get the girls.” Lena said, moving towards the door. “And wear the boob dress, I want everyone to know how hot my wife is.”

[wildflower-otome]

[Translation] Bustafellows Season 2 - Scarecrow Short Story

Source: Bustafellows Season 2 Stella Set Special Bonus Booklet

Scarecrow Short Story – Something pink or white

‘I’ll be right back.’

Once the waiter returned to the kitchen, the diner became quiet again. Although there weren’t many people there so late at night, the lights were as dazzlingly bright as ever. Because there were no customers to put coins into the old jukebox, and there was only the radio playing across the interior on low volume, it felt as if we could hear even the sounds of the lights flickering on and off.

‘What is it they call places like this again?’

‘Huh? Places like this?’

‘Yeah, you know.....empty parking lots and shopping malls, those sorts of places.....’

Teuta took out her smartphone.

‘Hold up!’

I covered the screen of her phone with my hand.

‘What’s with you, Crow?’

‘C’mon, don’t just go looking it up, let’s try and remember it together.’

‘Hmm-.....it was like, “something” space, wasn’t it.....’

‘That’s right, “something” space.....’

Looking upwards as she tried to recall the name, Teuta was muttering to herself. She looked so adorable; I couldn’t help but smile.

Going out for a late-night drive and then to a diner for a midnight meal like this had become a recent fad for Teuta and I.

With all the city lights on, it didn’t feel right that there was hardly anyone around. A period of time that made me feel strange, like we were characters in a glitchy video game. Fascinated by the feeling that it was as if we were the only two people left in the city, we sometimes went out for drives in the dead of night.

‘Liminal space!’

‘Eh-!?’

Teuta’s voice was so loud that I was momentarily startled.

‘Ah, sorry, that came out louder than I thought.....Hey, it’s liminal space, isn’t it? You know, places that make you feel sort of anxious just being there.’

‘That’s it, liminal space.’

In a place that should be familiar, an airspace that made you feel strangely uneasy. .....But to me, it was a world with just the two of us, where all the other NPC’s had been glitched out of existence.

‘Heheh, doing stuff like this really is kind of fun. Like we’re on a trip. Even though we’ll be going home straight away, it’s strange.’

‘I totally get it! I was just thinking of saying the same thing! It’s like we’ve gone travelling!’

‘Right? Going out like this sometimes is nice.’

‘You say “sometimes”, but you know this is the third time this week we’ve done this, right?’

‘1.....2, 3! You’re right!’

Teuta took my hand that was on top of the table and held it as if it were only natural. And I too, returned her grip as if it were no big deal. Even though it wasn’t something to be taken for granted, at some point it had become the norm for us. I wondered when exactly that had been. 

‘Thank you for waiting.’

The waiter placed two large bowls on the table. Once we gave them their tip, they quickly went back to the kitchen.

And then it became a world with just the two of us.

‘Ahaha-’

‘What’s wrong? Not what you ordered?’

‘Not exactly, we asked for ramen, right? But it’s gotten so soggy, it’s like thick noodle pasta.’

‘It really has, there’s hardly any broth left at all-!’

I hadn’t expected much from late night diner food, but I couldn’t help but laugh at ramen that had swelled up so much it had become noticeably larger in size.

‘.....It tastes good, but also kinda doesn’t. Heheh-’

It was the kind of flavour that made me laugh as I ate it. Well, if I had to say straight up whether it was delicious or not, it was pretty awful. And because it was late at night, I’d had to pay more for it than I would have during the day. But I didn’t care about the taste. In a glitched world with just the two of us, anything I ate tasted good. 

‘...............’

‘Teuta? Something the matter?’

‘.....No, I’m alright.’

‘.....You’re not alright. Just now, you were about to say something but didn’t, right?’

‘Yeah.....I was just thinking this was lacking a mouthful of something.’

‘This? Um, more than just “a mouthful”, the whole thing is kind of.....’

I started to speak, but then stopped. Because I could tell that Teuta was trying to find the words to continue.

‘.....These, pink things. I always used to eat two of them.’

‘Huh? Ah, those?’

‘Yeah. You know, they always have them. Those ingredients with the cute looking pink and white pattern. I always used to eat two lots of them. My brother always used to give me his before I even noticed. And I sort of, just suddenly remembered that.’

‘Teuta.....’

‘Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have talked about this.....Ah, it’s not like, a really sad story or anything like that, you know? I just sort of remembered it a little, that’s all.’

So speaking, Teuta laughed as if not quite sure what to do.

‘.....It’s not alright.’

‘Huh?’

‘It’s still not alright, is it? Isn’t there still more you want to talk about?’

‘But.....’

‘If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine, but if you do, go ahead and tell me. I want to hear what you have to say, Teuta.’

Teuta looked down for a moment, then after taking a small breath, opened her mouth to speak again.

‘When my brother disappeared, I never thought I’d recover. I really thought it was impossible, that I’d have to keep doing my best to pretend like I wasn’t sad forever. Of course, Luka and Adam were always there for me, but.....’

‘Yeah.....’

Teuta looked up and held my hand tight.

‘But, you know, now I feel like even if today was tough, tomorrow will be OK, and even if today and tomorrow are tough, I can believe I’ll be OK the day after that for sure. And do you know why?’

‘“Why”....because enough time’s gone by?’

‘Because that’s what you always tell me, Crow.’

‘Huh, me!? I’ve got something to do with it!?’

‘You changed my life, Crow. So, you see.....even if I only get to eat one of these pink things now, I don’t feel so lonely anymore. You get me?’

‘.....Haha, I see.’

I somehow managed to laugh saying, “You really mean that,” and squeezed Teuta’s hand back.....That should have been it, but it ended up taking a while for me to take in what Teuta had said. I had changed Teuta’s life.....hearing that, I felt as if I were about to cry despite myself. Not metaphorically, as in, another way to say that I was ‘happy’, but actual tears seemed about to overflow from my eyes.

‘......Here.’

‘What is it? Ah, the pink things.....’

‘You can have mine. In place of your brother, I’ll give them to you. That way you can still keep eating two of them from now on.’

‘.....Thank you.’

I wondered what kind of person Teuta’s brother had been. That said, I did know that a lot of things had happened with him. I understood that it wasn’t an easy topic. But if I had been able to meet the version of her brother that Teuta had loved so much, I wonder what we would have talked about.

‘.....Crow, what are you thinking about?’

‘Huh? Well.....I was thinking that I would have liked to have met your brother, to have gotten to know him. Ah, that is.....I know a lot of things happened but.....all the same.’

‘.....Thanks, Crow. By the way.....’

‘What is it?’

‘You already half ate these pink things, didn’t you?’

‘Ah, crap, you found out?’

‘There are bite marks on them.’

Laughing while she talked, Teuta still took up the half-eaten pieces and munched them down.

(.....I don’t mean to be down on myself, but truthfully, there really are times where I think that I’m no match for you. I think you’re a much better person than I am. Although even if I were to tell you that, you’d probably get mad at me and say that’s not true. Still, there are moments when I think I surpass you. When it comes to how much I love you, that is.....)

‘Whatcha thinking about, Crow?’

‘Huh? Nothing much? I was just thinking the ramen might get even bigger if I were to wait a little longer.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

Teuta laughed. I’d said the words hoping that she would laugh, and she had.

[keelt9]

Cap. 2

Part 2

Masterlist

That was the third time, his mind traveled to that moment, the reaction was the same, a soft smile on his face followed by shaking his head.

“Enzo, this is a good one, great job!” He heard about the headphones, that day he was in the studio recording the monolog, a part of it. 

He comes out to check the recording, he knows Mar, of course he does, but he doesn’t relate the connection, not until that day.

“Sorry, I'll go out for a second and come back in a moment.” She excuses herself leaving them hearing the final parts, a few minutes later she opens the door one more time.

“Just sit there and do whatever you are doing, for Christ sake!” Mar wasn’t mad; it's obvious from the giggle that follows that sentence. “Sorry, what do you think?”

“I can wait in the car!” Mar keeps __ pulling by her arm to get inside of the room. “It’s not like I’m doing this for the first time.” Mar comes out for her insisting that she will be more relaxed knowing she is at least inside of the building. 

__ bring her tablet with her, being two weeks disconnected from all her life already accumulated a good amount of mails and with Christmas in 5 days this just increased, she decided that minutes waiting for Mar will be enough for at least answering a couple of them.

After literally close the door in front of her eyes she just give up and sit in one of the couches and continue in her reading, when a mail come in, her mother and a document, Lucia keeps sending files to her childs for a feedback or a opinion with topic weddings but __ continue doing the same thing, let it the other emails hide them.

<At least try to read it> A message from Esteban popped in her cellphone.

<How do you know I didn’t read it?> The response she got was two emojis one for each sibling, rolling their eyes. 

Fine, is the only thought came to her mind while open a file with a bunch of pictures about flowers and wedding bouquets, the only answer she was able to write was, <So pretty, mom>, follow by keep working in what Enrique send it her before leaving Mexico; he started to work in the cultivation in a new zone of the ranch where the access to the water it will be continue but the grapes will be more expose to the impact of the cold and warm airflow; her task is design how they will set the storage by the time the harvesting begin leaving enough space for their “little” experiment.

“Ready!” Mar said opening the door, __ lost the track of time, what for her were just minutes turned into an hour, as she raised her sight she caught the glimpse of a familiar face turning around so quickly.

“__?” Mar waves her hand in front of her face, turning her attention. 

“Sorry, what do you say?” Mar smiles and points with her head to the exit. “I told you that everything seems fine in the loveland.”

Caro keeps texting to them about the updates of her date and everything seems to be really great, a nice restaurant, nice dinner and excellent company, she resumes in her last text.

“Hey Mar!” Mar closes her eyes and say <Please no, please don’t, just a few meters of the exit> and turns around with a smile on her face. “Matias, what are you doing here?” 

“I’m waiting for…” He just averted his eyes to the left side of Mar when his eyes recognized the girl. “Oh, we met again.” __ didn’t raise her sight of her shoes her mind working in the storage and the relocation of the barrels, until she heard, <meet again>

“Do you know each other?” Mar asks, seeing the frown expression in __. 

“No, just see one time.” __ answers. 

“Ok, amm, what you’re saying?” Mar changed the subject thinking he could see her the last time she brought __ to the storage. 

“Yeah, have you seen Enzo? I’m waiting for him to go to dinner but I couldn’t find him.” He keeps sending glances to __.

“No, he left the studio before me so…__ did you see him? He is tall, slim, really slim these days, he’s wearing a black pants, black hoodie.” Mar tries to describe him but in __ eyes seems like she already had the idea of what he looks like.

“Sorry, I was so distracted by some files until you called me.” __ shrugged her shoulders.

“I didn’t know you had two sisters.” Matias crossed his arms really curious about the girl with a hard way of looking; he isn’t dumb at all, already notice after the little encounter with these girl, Enzo has a little, almost unnoticed smile from time to time, he isn’t a credit that to that girl but it’s a curious thing.

“Because I don’t. She is __ Ovalle, best friend of my sister.” This time __ actually smiled and extended her hand for Matias to shake it. 

“Matias Recalt, nice to meet you __.” 

At that moment Mar sees Enzo walking out to the building, she points to him. “There he is.” Matias turns around and shouts his name.

“Well, you found him, it’s our cue to go.” Mar claps her hands. “Good night Matias.” She smiles __ and tingles her arm with __ turning around and keeps walking.

“Good night, nice to meet you __.” He smiles at her and she just waves her hand before walking to the car.

“Where were you?” Matias asked when Enzo reached him. “I’ven looking for you.” 

“I was talking with…people.” Enzo is trying really hard to look like always, unbothered. 

“Talking with people?” Matias has two options: push further to his evident nervousness or let it pass…for now. 

“Yes, people.” Enzo takes a deep breath to look into his eyes, but at the moment he does it, he turns his gaze at the first blink.

It took 3 seconds to Enzo recognized the girl who was sitting with her legs crossed, frown expression, and head bend to the left, like the girl who ran away after giving his ring; his intention was let it pass, so he keeps walking but the curiosity to at least know his name and if she works there increase in each step he walks far away, and started to getting slower.

<It’s just a question.> His subconscious justifies the stop he did at the middle of the corridor, he bites his lip and turns around.

He panicked when he heard the voice of Mar follow by the strange girl raising her eyes, he quickly turned around one more time walking faster to the end of the corridor and enter to one of the rooms where props are keep; as soon as he slowly close the door and hit his forehead to the cool wood he get it, why she runs like that. 

He waited for a couple of minutes to come out and got down where Matias must be looking for him, they agreed to go to dinner, and the missed calls confirm he is looking for him. What he didn’t expect was to find the girl and Mar talking with him. Thank God, when he was spotted by Mar, they apparently said goodbye and walked away. 

“Her name is __.” Matias says out of the blue in the middle of the dinner, taking out of balance to Enzo. 

“Who?” Enzo took a bite of his food, in his defense his mind was analyzing the next-to-last day of shooting. 

“Oh, the girl who ran away the other night. It’s really… how can I describe her?” Matias tried to analyze the “not mind” attitude but the soft expressions she can have when she seems interested or curious about something. 

“Odd? Atypical?, something like that.” He didn’t get the response of Enzo so let it pass, and change the topic, maybe after all he is already making stories in his mind.

[persephones-journey]

Seven Kings Must Die Thoughts…

Wait, Finan narrating was an option this whole time?! … Unfair

Irish king?…. It’s too much to hope that he’s related to Finan isn’t it?

Edward died off screen… damn didn’t even get the main character death lol

Oh no, Uhtred swore an oath…. (Cue ominous music)

OSBERT!!!!

Wait… he and Uhtred getting along?… Finan, you’re revising the story aren’t you?…

Athelstan grew into his faith?… no, where’s my little bastard boy?

Athelstan, your boy toy is cute but not worth it… and I’ve only just met him lol

Uhtred… that hand thing, yeah I find that very sexy…

The three of them seize Aegelesburg?…. Some things never change

Finan is finally getting the sleep he was deprived of in season 3 lol

So… two brothers fighting… not the two I thought but I’ll take it…

ATHELSTAN?! WTF?! …. Uhtred, that is your influence…

Wait… Uhtred lost his sword to some punks?… I don’t like it…

15 minutes in and we are 2 kings down…

Lord what now?… I’m calling him Lord Boy Toy.

Am I mourning the loss of the bastard boy in season 4 and 5? Yes.

Nice to see that Athelstan inherited Alfred and Edward’s tendency to put his dick in the wrong place…

Uhtred, sword of Uhtred… Finan, my love, I miss you already 😭

Osbert and Edmund being friends?… but… I wanted Osbert and Athelstan to be friends…

I should not be laughing at Athelstan and Lord Boy Toy praying away their sin of lovemaking but… I am lol

Ingrith dropping truth… the women Uhtred love die…

Also… where is Sihtric’s family? And doesn’t Finan have kids?…

Pyrlig?! Please live…

Athelstan is destroying stones that stood for generations?! Nah, I can’t get behind that…

‘Hump who you wish’ aww Uhtred said gay rights

Lord Boy Toy, I am going to enjoy watching Uhtred kill you…

Uhtred an enemy of God?… I mean, he was baptized 3 times and it never took so… perhaps lol

Osbert, baby boy no…

Athelstan, ho, don’t do it… don’t… fuck….

Lord Boy Toy… you thought you were smarter than Uhtred? (Laughing hysterically) there is finally someone prettier than Uhtred with the same amount of braincells lol

Wait.. they are only counting the Dane/Other kings not the Wessex ones?! That means that technically 9 kings die!… damn

Seriously?!… Although Finan tied up… sorry, my mind in the gutter

I’m sorry… we spent 5 seasons watching Uhtred try and get his castle back and now… well, damn, this sucks

Uhtred exiled?!… I hate it here…

The chicken jacket!!!

They want Uhtred to kill Athelstan?!… how does Uhtred always find himself in these situations…

LORD BOY TOY!!!!! I KNEW IT!

Uhtred choking out Alfred’s grandson… unsurprising really

Athelstan hitting Uhtred… okay, yeah, I too wanted to punch Uhtred as well

Nice to see that Uhtred and his pretty boys can still travel through space and time lol

No no no no no no… not Ingrith… please… not Finan’s wife….

WHY IS IT ALWAYS FINAN?!

…. I hate it here….

Osbert looking out for Edmund… like father, like son protecting the heir to the throne…

What is it about Uhtred that widowed wives of kings seek him out and befriend him… it’s gotta be the blue eyes…

Athelstan: Leave Uhtred, save yourself. Uhtred: 😳

Shocking how Uhtred completely disregards Athelstan’s wishes… Alfred is laughing in heaven with Edward…

Fought in many battles?!… like every single one of them lol

Oh no… the last shield wall… why am I getting emotional about it?!

Uhtred said areslings… (sobbing)

A sound mind?… Uhtred has never had that…

Osbert for the win?!

Lord Boy Toy needs to die

Wait… Is Uhtred actually gravely injured?!… I don’t… that has never happened before… I am tearing up…

Again, I need Finan/Mark to narrate everything ever from now on…

I knew Lord Boy Toy was going to die… he was too pretty

Of course Uhtred even dies in a dramatic fashion lol

Uhtred got Athelstan to swear an oath to him… I’m crying again

THE LAST 'DESTINY IS ALL'

Brida… Earl Ragnar… Clapa…

I’m not okay

Modern day Bebbanburg…

So… I’m going to need a day to recover from that… but yeah…

It’s over.

I want it back already.

[susiequaz12]

Whumptober 27

No. 27: “You drew stars around my scars; But now I’m bleeding.”

Matches | Scars | “Let me see”

Day 27! A continuation of Marlowe and Solomon's adventure. Last part was in Day 24. CW: nonbinary whumpee, immortal whumpee, vampire caretaker, nudity (consensual), branding, scars, talk of past injuries, forced feeding, negative self talk and bad mental space. Some angsty fluff and awkward tension.

- - -

They had finally made it across the river. The threat of the vampire encampment looming far behind them. It had taken another day or two to hike to the base of the mountain, where they had been camping for the past few days, regaining their strength before they made the trek over its peaks. 

Thankfully there was a small cave, hidden by some trees and bushes. Enough room to keep the sunlight out during the day, and the warmth inside during the night. A small creek ran by only a short trek away, filled with fresh fish and plants for Lo, and a source of clean water. 

It was perfect. 

Almost too perfect. 

But they knew they couldn’t stay there forever. The pair would take advantage of the amenities while they could. For Lo, that meant fishing and collecting as much food and drinking water as possible. For Sol, it meant ridding himself of the filth and dried blood that had been piling up over the past weeks of travel. 

He had barely managed to wash himself once they crossed the river, but they were pressed for time, trying to get to safety. And the river was too rough and dangerous to really take a beneficial bath. 

So now Sol was taking advantage.

The sun had just dipped below the horizon. Giving off enough light for the world to still be visible, but not enough heat to burn the vampire. It was the perfect time. 

He had stripped, wading in the shallow water up to his thighs, before lying down in the sand at the bottom and letting the water rush over his skin. He tipped his head back, feeling it soak into his long, dark hair, and carefully combed through with his fingers. He longed for some good soap- his hair had been greasy and tangled, and it was one of his proudest features. But the water would have to do as he soaked it thoroughly, combing out the knots. 

Sol flinched, ducking further under the water as he heard footsteps from down the creek bank. His heart paused its racing when he realized it was just the human, walking along the edge of the bank. 

Lo’s footsteps paused when they noticed the vampire soaking in the water- his cloak and clothes piled on a nearby rock.

“I- I’m sorry, I- I didn’t know you were over here, I thought-” Lo tripped over their words, averting their eyes.

“What are you doing?” Solomon asked, sitting up in the water. It barely rose over the top of his stomach when he sat down, baring his chest and shoulders to the open air.

“I’m just- just checking on my traps. I wanted to see if I’d caught anything I could eat tonight. I didn’t mean to interrupt-”

“You’re fine- you’re not interrupting.” Sol stated, moving back to work out the knots and tangles in his hair. 

The next few moments passed in an unbearable silence as Lo pulled the traps out of the water, revealing nothing but a few small crawdads and some weeds. The crawdads could be boiled, it’d give them a bit of meat. Better than nothing.

“Do you want to come in?” Sol mumbled, barely above a whisper. Before Lo could respond or protest Sol continued speaking. “The water’s nice, it’ll- it’ll be nice to wash off, I mean-” 

“Are you telling me I stink?” Lo teased, pulling the trap onto the bank. 

Sol flinched back, the water splashing lightly around him. “Okay, all humans stink. You have a certain smell-”

“A certain smell! What does that mean?” 

“It’s like, musky? Like earth, and- and firewood. It’s hard to explain.” Solomon glanced down at the water, seeing his reflection briefly below him, trying to find something else to say. There was a splash beside him as Lo entered the water, having quickly stripped of their clothes. 

“You- you seem to be moving around a lot better-” Sol mumbled. 

Lo nodded before diving fully under the water and bobbing back up, wiping their now wet hair from their face. “My foot’s nearly completely healed. It’s not perfect though.” 

“That’s good. We’ll wait til it’s perfect before we start the climb over the mountain.” Sol groaned slightly as he pulled at a particularly tricky knot. He really needed to brush through his hair more often. 

“Here- let me see.” Lo stated, and Sol felt the human’s presence at his back in the water. 

He didn’t resist as the human grabbed ahold of his hair, carefully unpicking the tangles and knots that he couldn’t quite reach. When the knot was released he felt Lo’s fingers combing through the strands, pulling them together at the nape of his neck, threading fingers through the strands at the top of his head.

“Lo- what are you doing?” 

“I’m braiding it. It’ll keep it from getting so tangled. You have nice hair, you should take care of it.”

Solomon scoffed, closing his eyes at the feeling of Lo carding through his hair. 

“It, it reminds me of my mother. But I never knew how to take care of it.”

Lo paused for a second before continuing to pull the strands through their fingers. “You had a mother?” 

“Of course. Vampires had to come from somewhere, we’re not born this way.” 

“I- I thought you- I-”

“There’s a lot of misconceptions. Every vampire is turned though, at some point or other in their life. My mother she- she had hair like mine. Longer even. But that’s all I remember about her- it was- a long time ago.” 

Lo’s hands paused- their mind flashing back to their own mother. Lo’s memory was faded and spotty over the countless lives they had lived, but they always remembered their mother.

Marlowe finished the braid in the silence, listening to the water rush around them. As they tied up the ends their eyes cast to the nape of the vampire’s neck, a circular brand embedded in their pale skin. They couldn’t help but let their eyes wander further- finally taking in a good look at the vampire’s body for the first time. 

He was no doubt muscular- strong, incredibly agile. But there were countless scars littered across his back. Whip marks, cuts, old burns, but the most prominent was the brand. Lo couldn’t help but let their fingers brush lightly across the raised marks, taking in the lines and curves of the symbol that they didn’t recognize. 

Solomon pulled away at the touch, splashing through the water as they turned around to face the human. 

“What the hell are you doing?” he snapped, instantly getting defensive.

Lo retreated away from them slightly, the light dimming further behind the horizon, the water suddenly growing colder.

“What- what happened?” Lo whispered. Their eyes automatically scanned towards the front of Sol’s chest, where just as many scars and lashes covered their body. 

Solomon sighed, turning away and pulling his knees to his chest. 

“It- it was a long time ago.” He whispered. His mind went back to the brand on his neck- the fire and racing pain that had grown in the pit of his stomach. Even now he could remember the pain- the shame and the agony as it had bit into his skin. Being held down by the others as they watched and laughed. Being told it was "a right of passage." "He should feel lucky." He hung his head on his chest, his voice soft and shaking.

“It was- part of the process. Of being turned. It’s done to all the new vampires when they find their tribe. It means they accept you- that you can trust and be trusted.” 

“That’s- that’s cruel.” Lo shuddered. They had felt a similar fire against their own skin. A branding iron. Or a match, or a torch. They just didn’t have the scars to prove it. “And the- the rest of it?” Lo asked carefully. Not wanting to push any more buttons or cross any more boundaries. 

Solomon’s voice got even softer and for the first time Lo could feel his vulnerability. 

“I- I had to learn. Symbols of- of my disobedience, and my mistakes. And now they’re- they're symbols of my betrayal.” Solomon clenched his hands in fists, watching the water rush around his skin. 

He had abandoned his family. Abandoned the only life he’d ever known with the only other vampires that had shown some semblance of care for him. For a human that he had insisted on saving.

Solomon brought his head back up as he heard a sniffle of tears from the human, Lo was wiping their eyes as they turned away from his gaze. 

“I- I’m sorry.” Lo whispered. Their breath light against the cooling air. “I can make it on my own, you don’t have to stay.” 

Solomon shook his head, the braid Lo had made falling over his shoulder. “Even if I wanted to go back I couldn’t. My fate would be worse than yours. Vampires don’t forgive easily.” 

Lo wiped away another strand of tears as the vampire moved closer in the water, grabbing their hand and pulling it away from their face. 

“Lo- I don’t regret taking you away from that place.” He whispered, leaning in so close that the human could smell the venom in his breath. “You deserved better.” 

Marlowe paused for a moment, holding their breath and taking in the closeness of the vampire, the nakedness of their bodies- the movement of the water around them, and Lo closed their eyes. 

They took in a shaky breath as the vampire's presence grew closer, the water shifting around them where they knelt. Marlowe opened their eyes to find Solomon staring into them, almost as if he was trying to read their soul.

“Thank you for, for rescuing me.” Lo whispered, finally matching the intensity of his gaze. “But can I ask one thing from you?” 

Sol responded with silence, and the human proceeded. 

“Feed from me. Please.” Lo continued before he could protest, cutting off his words. “I know you haven’t been feeding as much as you need to. You’ve been more irritable, and tired, and- and it’s the least I can do in exchange for the protection you’ve given me.” 

Solomon turned his head away, breaking the gaze the human had placed on him, even if just to hide his tears from Lo. He didn’t deserve to feed after everything they’d been through- after Lo’s countless injuries and deaths. The last thing they needed to worry about was having their blood drained by a blood-thirsty monster. 

He was forced to look back into the human’s eyes as they pulled his face closer, a small, gentle hand on his cheek. 

“Please, Solomon. I can’t see you starving yourself like this.” 

Solomon closed his eyes. The images of Lo’s body being torn apart by the vampires flashed through his mind. Their blood spilling out onto the ground. More images of Lo being pinned down and violated- drained of blood against their will while Solomon stood by, helpless to do anything. And then images of himself- capturing Lo that first night in the forest, keeping them tied up and drugged, leading them like a lamb to the slaughter to his camp of hungry vampires. 

Lo rose higher on their knees and leaned in, pressing their forehead to the vampire’s, their breath warm and steady against his face. Solomon choked back a sob. They didn’t want to hurt Lo- never again. 

“Please.” They whispered, before gently guiding his head to the side of their neck, Solomon shuddered out another breath. “It’s okay-” Lo whispered. “Sol I- I forgive you. Now eat, please.” 

There was a cry and a strangled sob as Solomon wrapped a shaking hand around Lo’s waist, pulling them closer to him in the water. And then the most gentle bite into their neck- so soft that Lo barely let out a gasp as his fangs slid into their flesh. 

Solomon began to drink as he pulled the human closer into him, his arm curving around their waist, the other reaching up to cradle their head. Lo settled onto his lap underneath the water, their thighs tightening against the vampire’s hips, Lo’s chest pressing into his. Warm skin against warm skin.

Tears leaked from Solomon’s eyes as he continued to drink, holding the human closer as the light grew dark- the moon and stars peeking out through the budding night sky. 

Lo let out a sigh, their body relaxing as they began to feel limp and they slumped forward in the vampire’s embrace as he held them tighter and continued to drink- hopefully until he got his fill of as much blood as he needed. 

When the vampire pulled away, satisfied with his meal, Lo briefly found the strength to lift their head and smile, before passing out backwards into the water behind them. 

Solomon quickly scooped the human up out of the water, pressing their naked body into his as he rose, climbing out of the creek. He collected their trap in one hand, holding the small human against him with the other, and carefully lifted them against his body, straddling their legs across his hips, his other arm bracing across their back for support as he began to carry them back to their cave, leaving both of their clothes behind on the rocks. He could come back for those later.

Once he reached their encampment inside the cave he realized how cold the human was- and quickly laid them down amongst the blankets, bundling them up gently before he started the fire. 

Sol threw on his extra change of clothes, and set a pot out to boil, using part of it to make tea, and the other to boil the crawdads like Lo had showed him. 

He had eaten his fill, so it’d only be fair for Lo to have a nice meal waiting for them once they woke up.

- - -

Tag List: @imagination1reality0 @thecyrulik @whumpsday @termsnconditions-apply @spectral-whumpy-writer @raddyscoops @whumptober-archive

[erodasfishtacos]

Acting Up (mini blurb)

thanks sm to Sarah who generously donated to my ko fi. she requested a blurb about mlbrry going to get ice cream as a family so here you go! with a little harry in DAD mode.

—

It was a hot night and the kids were a bit stir-crazy, so was eight-month pregnant YN in the house while Harry had been traveling to play.

“Mama, what’d y’want?” Harry murmurs, hand rubbing her bump as they wait with one hand as he has Ezra propped on his hip on the other side.

“Everything sounds so good,” She groans as she looks over the menu, pregnancy hunger was a real thing.

Her bump was bigger than any of her other pregnancy and she was quite miserable - though trying to make the best out of it.

“I’ll buy y’the whole menu,” Her husband replies as he reviews the menu board in front of them as well.

“Then I’ll be as big as house,” YN quips, hands running through Cash’s curly locks as he hugs her leg

“Just more f’me to love on,” He hums happily, moving to grope her bum a bit until she smacks his off with an eye roll.

He sees out of the corner of his eye his oldest taunting his middle child with goofy faces.

“Easton, enough,” Harry scolds as he sees Cash’s eyebrows furrow as he gets frustrated with his older brother.

Six and four - what an age.

The oldest stops at the firm tone of his father, huffing and giving his brother a dirty look before moving to stand next to his dad.

When they arrive at the order window, a teenage boy steps over to greet them, his mouth drops open as he sees who it is.

“Y-you’re Harry S-Styles,” The kid stutters, his face flushing red and his eyes wide as he stares at the celebrity.

Harry smiles kindly with a chuckle, “I am. Are you fan? Pleasure to meet you.”

“Daddy, why does he know your name?” Cash asked in confusion as he peeks around his father’s leg.

“‘cause he plays babeball, stupid,” Easton replies with an attitude towards his brother.

“Mama!” Cash shrieks offendly.

YN sighs, cupping Harry’s hand on her belly for moment, “Order me a banana split with peanut butter and extra strawberry. I’m going to go talk to East.”

YN pulls Easton to an empty table with enough room for the five of them and also to accommodate her belly.

“Why are you picking on your brother?” YN uses her mom mode voice as she watches her son pout out his lip.

“He stole my dolphin stuffie earlier!”

Of course.

“Is that the proper way to treat him though?” YN questions directly, tilting his chin up so she can make eye contact.

“No mama,” Easton mumbles, struggling to keep his mother’s gaze.

“Will you say sorry to him when he comes over?” YN encourages.

He agrees, lisps out an apology before Harry hands him a bowl of chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.

After a few minutes, YN winces and stands from the table, a hand going to rest of her back.

“What’s wrong, mama?” Harry asks with concern laced in his tone. He was currently feeding Ezra little bits of strawberry that was dripping down his chin.

“Just my back is achey, I’m just going to stand and eat,” She grumbles, shifting her weight side-to-side as she takes small bites of her banana split.

“Stop it!” Easton whines when Cash sticks his finger into his older brothers bowl and submerges it in his ice cream.

“Cash,” Harry states, reaching for his middle son’s arm “Get y’hand out of your brother’s food, right now.”

Cash listens but snickers when he realizes he’s managed to annoy Easton.

When Harry looks back to his wife, he then hears Cash shouting, “No!”

The parents look back to see Easton with chocolate ice cream as his nice white shirt and Cash with a sticky hand of melted dessert.

“Cash!” YN scolds on frustration, they were really usually good with each other but today was not their day.

She sits down her food to rustled through the diaper bag for wipes. She cleans off Cash’s hands with a pointed stare as Harry reaches over to clean up Easton.

“You’re done,” Harry tells Cash firmly, picking up his son’s bowl that he hadn’t finished and dumping it in the garbage. “Y’don’t get ice cream if y’just goin’ to throw it.”

That sends the middle one into a meltdown and it makes it even worse when Easton taunts, “No more for you!”

It has Cash standing up and darting around the table but Easton sees him and gets up to bolt away from his grasps.

“Stop running right now,” Harry raises his voice, groaning when Ezra starts to whimper at the chaos and holds on to Harry tighter.

“Boys! Listen to your fa-“

Easton darts around his mother but Cash isn’t as agile yet and knocks right into the front of her calves causing her banana split to drop out of her hands and for her to stumble.

“Baby!” Harry panics, instantly moving forward to grab her arm and pulls her towards him so she tumbles into his chest instead of backwards.

“Oh my god,” YN whimpers, her breathing becoming quicker as her heart rate spikes from the scare, hands coming to her bump.

The boys are frozen still were they’re at. Eyes wide and tears welling at the fear their mother got hurt by them

“Mama, y’alright? Sweetheart, I know Y’got scared. Breathe for me,” Harry soothes more worried about his wife than scolding his kids.

“If I would have fallen,” YN is tearing up, anxiety spiking through her chest at the thought of the baby getting hurt.

Harry is breathing heavier than he’d like to admit too.

“Don’t cry, s’okay. The baby is perfect, y’keeing them so nice and safe, bein’ a perfect mama,” He assures her, kissing her temple and brushing away a tear.

Ezra is distressed too, of course the sensitive little boy is, chanting, “mommy, mommy, mommy.”

She clears her throat, smiling softly at her youngest boy, “M’okay, Ezzie. It’s all okay.”

“Mama, hold me,” Ezra begs, reaching out his arms to be switched to his mother but Harry holds him tight and shakes his head ‘no.’

“Not right now baby. Mommy doesn’t feel very good,” YN tells him, chest still pounding, back still aching.

And when their youngest starts sobbing, screaming that he wants his mother, well...YN starts feel overwhelmed by her two olders ones who are whimpering because they know they’re in trouble and Ezra tantruming.

“Sweetheart,” Harry can tell by the tears bubbling up along her waterline what’s going on, “Baby, y’okay. What do y’need?”

YN sucks in a deep breath, gathering her thoughts for a moment, “I just need a minute alone. You can have Easton and Ezra finish their ice cream. Then come after you’re done.”

“I can do that,” Harry replies sadly, he couldn’t stand seeing his wife upset or scared - it was one of the worst feelings for him.

When YN grabs the car keys and leaves towards the car, Ezra settles as soon as he’s being fed ice cream again. The boys hesitantly go back to their seats across from their dad.

Harry knows they’re young. They don’t understand what it would mean if they knocked their heavily pregnant mother over but it doesn’t mean aggravation isn’t running through him at the two. 

“Daddy...” Easton sniffles cautiously, kicking his feet under the table as his chest shutters.

“Yes?” Harry answers calmly, looking up from Ezra to meet his son’s gaze - the same green eyes staring back at him.

“Do you and mommy hate us?” His oldest asks as he wipes his cheeks with the back of his hand.

“No, mama and I love you two with all our hearts. But daddy is very upset with you two right now, do you understand why?” 

They both nod in agreement that they do.

“Why are we upset?” Harry prompts as he takes a wet wipe to rubs over Ezra’s strawberry stained face.

“Cause we made mommy almost fall,” Cash lisps shamefully.

Harry nods, “And we tell you very often that we have to be careful with mama because she’s got a baby in her belly and we have t’keep the baby safe.”

“Are we in trouble?” Easton voice is still quiver with his guilt.

“I’ll have t’talk to y’mom but if it happens again, y’both are goin’ to be in a lot of trouble and y’gonna get a consequence. Do you understand that too?” 

They nod in unison. Easton hadn’t touched his ice cream again, gets up to throw it away as he loiters - looking towards the car where his mother is sitting away from them.

Cash gets up to but slowly walks around the table to his father. 

“M’sorry daddy,” He squeaks tearfully, moving forward and digging his face into Harry’s bicep.

“Cash,” Harry soothes, grasps his son lightly under the chin, “I love you very much, okay? We just can’t do things like that. Y’need to listen to daddy and mama.”

He nods in understanding before crawling up into his father’s lap, right next to Ezra - who gives him an affronted glare when he realizes he has to share space with him.

When they’re done and Harry has let enough time past, he walks the little group of boys toward their SUV.

He opens the passenger side door where YN is reclined a bit, hand on her stomach and the air-conditioner blasting cold air on her face.

“The boys have somethin’ t’say,” Harry smiles softly, leaning over to give his wife a quick kiss.

“M’sorry mama,” Cash whispers.

“Me too, mommy,” Easton adds on.

“I forgive you both. You just have to be careful with me. You’re sibling is in here and we have to keep them nice and healthy, right? I love you two more than anything.”

-

[jellalism]

Diluc x reader: Don't leave me

SUMMARY: Your mind tends to travel to dark places at night and that keeps you up. Diluc talks you through it and reassures you.

WORDS: 864

CONTENT WARNINGS: Suicidal thoughts, one swear word.

NOTES: Reader is gender neutral. Established relationship.

Read below or on AO3.

It’s the middle of the night, but you can’t sleep anymore. The red-haired man next to you is still fast asleep, and you’ve been looking at him for a while. It’s the next best thing, you suppose. If sleep cannot be had, then at least you get to bask in Diluc’s beauty. Even when his hair is loose and unkempt, it still looks lush. And his face, gods, it is so perfect you wonder whether he is truly human, whether he is not secretly an angel. You don’t quite get why he chose you to be with, but you feel honored and blessed. And a little guilty. You can’t imagine you’re fun to be with right now. There’s been times that you were doing well, but lately it hasn’t been going great. Really, it’s been going terrible. Even with the blessing that is Diluc, you can’t help but feel somber. The sun may be shining, but that’s no use if it is obscured by a raincloud. And you’ve been holding on for some time, hoping the cloud would move away, but it’s been so long you are starting to wonder whether it will ever move. And if the world is perpetually blanketed by clouds, would it not be better to leave the world altogether…?

You get up, deciding it’s time to get a glass of water. Maybe that will help you fall asleep. Probably not, but at least it gives you something to do, something to keep you occupied. You sneak out of the room, careful to make as little sound as possible. You go to the kitchen and see a jug on the counter. You lift it up – bingo, it still has water in it. You put some in a glass and drink it. When you go back to the bedroom, you try to enter as quietly as you left.

When you are close to the bed, a sleepy voice interrupts. “y/n?” It seems your efforts are in vain.

“Sorry for waking you,” you whisper. “I just went to get some water.” You climb back into bed and lie on your side, facing Diluc again.

He grunts in response, still groggy. “Insomnia again?” You nod. “What’s bothering you, sweetheart?”

You stay silent for a moment. Do you really want to bother him with your worries? In the middle of the night?

Your ruminations are cut short by a hand caressing your cheek. “You can tell me. You are not bothering me.”

“A-are you sure?” you blurt out. Sometimes it feels like anything you do, any space you take up, is too much.

“Yes, my love. Sharing your troubles is not the burden you think it is. I’m glad when you tell me, because I get to know you better, and it means that you trust me. It means that the way I trust you is reciprocated. Please, don’t hesitate to tell me what is on your mind.” Feeling reassured, you take a deep breath. And speak. “I want to die. I don’t think it’s ever getting better anymore. I’ve been in this shit for such a long time now, I just can’t imagine it ever ending anymore.” There’s more to be said, more words on the tip of your tongue, but for now this is what you need to get out. Already at your first words, Diluc’s eyes widened, surprise showing clearly on his face. As you finish your short rant, his expression has turned into concern. And something else. His hand that earlier caressed your cheek now moves to your back, and pulls you into his embrace.

“Oh honey. That’s—” he pauses, clearly struggling to find words “—awful.” A silence falls again. Your face is resting at his collarbone. He smells nice, like the flowers from around the winery. And his body, wrapped around you, feels comfortingly warm. “If I could take all your pain away, I would. But that can’t be done. Still, I will be there to help you. Anywhere, anytime. If it feels like it’s never going to get better, remember that you’re not alone. I will help you, and there’s plenty of others who will do the same. You’re not alone, you’re cared for, and no one is ready to give up on your happiness. So if you feel hopeless, I’ll be there for you to lean upon.” He breathes out, warm air tickling your ear. You’re not sure what to answer, so in lieu of words, you bury yourself deeper in his embrace. Diluc responds by kissing your forehead. Seconds pass. Minutes pass. Just as you think Diluc has fallen back asleep, he speaks again. “It’s okay if you feel like giving up. Then just come to me. I’ll carry you when it’s difficult to walk. But…” He whispers something too soft for you to hear.

“What? I didn’t hear.”

You feel his muscles tense a little bit. He speaks again, barely audible this time. “Don’t leave me.”

Gods, how could you ever leave if he says that so earnestly? “I won’t,” you promise. His body relaxes. His hand goes to your head and gently plays with your hair. Slowly, you drift back to sleep.