#mainly in just being stumped with where to go next

[cy-cyborg]

Tips for drawing and writing amputees: The prosthetic needs something to hold onto

Prosthetics need to be able to hold on to the body.

If you're giving your amputee something similar to 99.99% of modern prosthetics, this will be done through a socket. This is a ridged cup made perfectly for the amputee that holds the prosthetic onto the body. Older prosthetics (mostly anything before the 90's) made the prosthetic socket intentionally tight in spots, which is what held it in place. Some people with sensitive skin still use this style of prosthetic but they've mainly fallen out of use in favour for suction sockets. These sockets create a vacuum seal that holds the prosthetic in place. These can work in two ways, either just by forcing excess air out of the socket and creating the seal that way, or for some legs, sucking that excess air out and into an "ankle" mechanism to offer some extra suspension and padding in the step.

Some prosthetics will also use additional measures as well as suction, such as pin-locks, where the amputee wears a sock with a screw at the bottom that clips into a mechanism at the bottom of the socket, or a prosthetic with movable panels that can be tightened via cables running through the socket.

I've used all of these except the pin lock socket, and they all have one thing in common: The sockets need as much space as possible. For prosthetics using suction in particular, this is to spread out the amount of force being applied to the leg. If all the suction is being applied to the end of the stump, it's going to get sore and could even damage the skin. If that same amount of suction is applied to a much wider area, it's going to feel less intense. Likewise, older prosthetics needed as much space to work with as possible too, as applying tight pressure to a small area as opposed to a larger surface to keep the tension isn't good for your skin or muscles in that spot.

For this reason, the sockets will take up all of the space available without limiting movement, meaning they will go all the way up to the next major joint. An amputee who lost their hand through the wrist will have a socket that goes all the way to their elbow. An amputee who lost their leg through or above the knee will have a socket that goes all the way to their hip.

Sometimes, if an amputation is particularly close to a major joint and there isn't a lot of space left between the stump and the next major joint, prosthetists will opt to immobilise the closest joint and take the socket all the way up to the next major joint. This was something I've actually discussed with my prosthetist. My left leg is amputated below the knee, but I only have a few centimetres of space below the knee. That leg occasionally needs revisions, meaning they take the very tip off of the stump to help correct issues with weird bone growth, scarring, infections etc, but if I get another revision, my leg will be too short to comfortably wear a socket, so my knee will need to be immobilised and my leg will become, functionally, an above knee amputation, despite still having the joint. This is rare, but it happens on occasion, showing that sometimes that need for space trumps even the use of a still functional joint. It's really important.

I wanted to bring this up because I see a lot of people draw sockets on their amputee's prosthetics, but they're much too tiny to be comfortable!

I did mention most prosthetics use a socket, but not all do. Some old prosthetics did not have sockets and were held in place using other methods.

This is a "prosthetic" my prosthetist found in his company's back room. He's not sure when it was made, but together we came up with an estimate of it being made around the 70's for a through-hip amputee (meaning someone who's whole leg was amputated with no stump at all)

It's designed so that the user would rest their hip on the cushion and use the handle to hold it in place and move it in time with their walk. This kind of mobility aid isn't often used anymore (me nor my prosthetist have seen one out in the world), and seems to have faded in use during the 80's as sockets were invented that could better hold onto the hip and pelvis for through-hip amputees and the use of wheelchairs for amputees became less stigmatised.

There's also A new type of prosthetic has been developed called the Osseointegration prosthetic, which also doesn't use a socket either. These are very rare as they are incredibly expensive and still very risky, but these prosthetics bypass the socket and implant the prosthetic directly into the body through a rod planted inside one's stump bone. This rod has a clip at the end of the stump, so the external part of the prosthetic can be removed as needed (and replaced). The reason they are risky though is that they are EXTREMELY prone to infection. I only know one person who had this implanted successfully, but he has to be very careful to keep his leg clean or else it will get infected (and it frequently does, he's constantly on antibiotics). Everyone else I know who got it had to get it removed.

With time these implants will get safer, but we are a very, very long way off from that right now.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Firsts

Hardersson x Baby!Reader

Part of The Big Adventures Universe

Summary: Your first week at home

You get to come home the day after you're born.

Thankfully, you sleep the entire time though Pernille stays in the back with you just in case. It's a little strange, she thinks. The last time she was home, she was pregnant. Now she has you.

Your name is decided the day you come home and you do little but nap and eat. You're a little devil that first night and wake up on the hour, every hour to cry and feed.

Pernille has to get up because she's practically your walking food source but Magda gets up in solidarity too (though it's mainly to coo in awe at you).

The next day is more active. Magda drives you all to the registry office where they finalise your name and then to the embassies to register you as a citizen of Denmark and Sweden.

You seem to like the car because it sends you to sleep every time but dislike leaving it because you cry and whine until one of them holds you nice and tight.

You seem to like affection though. You're most content in Pernille and Magda's arms and you get all wiggly and weird when you're put in your car seat or crib. Magda can't quite tell yet if you just like their presence or if it's because of their warmth. Either way, she doesn't really care, more than happy to give in to your every need.

She takes a lot of pictures of you, sending them to family members who lament about not being able to visit but promise to book tickets to Germany very soon.

The exhaustion kicks in around day three. You haven't settled since your last feed of the night and Pernille's practically falling asleep in her seat as you suckle at her insistently.

Her eyes slip closed every few seconds and she has to wrench them open each time just in case something happens to you. Magda looks to be in a similar state as she lies on the floor at Pernille's feet, snoring softly before lifting her head when Pernille nudges at her.

"Huh?" She asks groggily," Wha's...Wha's goin' on?" Her words are slurred and she blinks the sleep from her eyes.

"She needs a change," Pernille says, unlatching you and handing you down to Magda.

Magda mechanically takes you, still completely exhausted but still awake enough to hold your properly.

You scrunch up your face in annoyance when she strips you of your babygrow and changes your nappy. It's one of the few things Magda can say that you absolutely hate. You screech loudly and kick out your little, uncoordinated limbs while Magda scrunches up her nose at the smell.

You're a little darling most of the time but she absolutely hates changing you. She thinks it's a fair exchange though. Pernille's barely producing enough milk to keep you full so there's none to express and put in bottles for Magda to use to feed you so Pernille stays as your sole feeder and Magda does the changing.

The little stump where your umbilical cord used to be looks fine when Magda checks it, a habit she has found herself doing ever since the nurse said that there was always a slight chance of infection. She tickles your stomach to distract you as she slips on a new nappy and buttons up your babygrow again.

"There," Magda says," All done!"

She picks you up and brings you into the crook of her neck. You're rooting immediately, trying to suck in her collarbone like it's going to get you milk.

Magda laughs a little, patting you on the back softly.

Day four and five happen much the same with the three of you trapped in your sweet little bubble at home.

Day six doesn't have much excitement either apart from the Wolfsburg chat blowing up when Nilla finally lets slip that Pernille has had you.

Most of the day is spent on a video call with you propped up on Magda's chest as Pernille shows you off to the camera. Everyone coos and awes over you as you yawn and clench your little fist.

Pernille swipes a finger against your cheek to show off how much you like to eat because you automatically move your face towards the pressure and start trying to root, searching for her breast.

It causes a fresh wave of coos to sound from the phone.

It makes you demonstrate your startle reflex expertly as your eyes go wide and you fling your arms out.

Magda likes to say that she knows you're going to be smart when you grow up just by how strong your instincts are but Pernille's planning on waiting until you're at least strong enough to hold up your own head to make such judgements.

"She's so pretty," Noelle coos from where she's squished between Ewa and Sara on the screen," When can we come to see her?"

"Pernille will come to you guys," Magda says as she holds you a little tighter with a wink to the camera. "We're keeping her to ourselves right now."

"Unfair," Ewa complains," Why can't we get baby love too?"

"Baby love is reserved for her mothers right now," Pernille laughs as she begins to say her goodbyes to everyone.

"How long do you think you can hold them off?"

"Probably until you leave. Frido, though, should probably get told before Nilla blabs to her too."

Magda sighs deeply. "I'll text her later."

"You better hurry," Pernille says," Or you're going to get a very angry phone call later."

On your seventh day at home, you let Magda know how you feel about her taking you from Pernille's breast before you're ready by spitting up all over her back when she tries to wind you.

Somehow, you've even gotten some under her shirt and she can feel the milky mixture slide down her skin.

Half-delirious from sleep exhaustion, Pernille finds this hysterical and laughs until she cries as Magda can do nothing but writhe in disgust.

"Pernille!" She whines," Stop laughing! Hold her so I can change!"

Pernille is still hysterically laughing as Magda feels your spit meet her waistband. To your credit, you're not crying or anything. You're just happily blowing spit bubbles out of your milk as Magda wriggles around.

"I've got her, I've got her," Pernille giggles as she takes you and mops up your face," Go and change. You smell."

"It's her fault!"

"Don't blame, princesse! She's just a baby!"

[dumbkiri]

hi!! how are you? i hope you are having a lovely day and staying hydrated.

i just would like to request a tobio x fem!reader where reader is the younger sister of oikawa and because of the "bad blood" between the two, she gets tired and lectures them about how they should stop their petty fight and, at least, be civilized with each other. (though oikawa is mainly the petty one 😂)

it's a bit messy, so it's okay if you don't decide it or completely change the plot.

btw, i absolutely love your fics!!! and i definitely am a fan of yours!!!

𝐁𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬

ᴋᴀɢᴇʏᴀᴍᴀ ᴛᴏʙɪᴏ x ꜰᴇᴍ! ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

The Karasuno Boys volleyball team were excited to be invited to the Karasuno’s Girls volleyball tournament. The tournament was called ‘Spring Days’, it was showcasing the popular teams of Japan and they couldn't wait to see all the cute girls there.

Then they were all smacked in the face when Kageyama offhandedly said that he wouldn’t be there to support the Karasuno girls. 

“What do you mean you’re not going to support them! They always support us!” Hinata shouted at his grumpy teammate. The orange haired male was currently shaking the life out of Kageyama. 

Then Kageyama scowled and began wrestling Hinata as he said, “Because I would be betraying someone important to me. She plays for Shiratorizawa.” 

“Eh?” Hinata stopped shaking Kageyama and just stared at him blankly while being held in a chokehold by said male. Then he whispered so the rest of the boys practicing wouldn’t hear them, “Someone important? Like a girlfriend?” 

“Is that a problem?” Kageyama casually asked, pushing Hinata away. He picked up his drink and started gulping down the water in his plastic bottle. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shrugged his shoulders, “It’s a good thing I get a free ride there, but don’t expect me to cheer for our school.” 

“We are there to support our team, Kageyama,” Sawamura crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at the young teen with his dad stare, “And if I don’t hear you cheer for them, you will not set for two games- no three games.” 

Kageyama deflated and looked off to the side in thought. You would understand the punishment he was getting and would want him to do what’s best for him. But your attitude was going to be different during the game. “Fine, but if our school faces Shiratorizawa, you’re gonna wish I cheered for her instead.” 

The boys watched as the volleyball nerd went over to the net getting ready to practice some sets. They had no idea what he meant by that and left to join him for practice. 

…..

Saturday came quicker than the boys anticipated, nonetheless they sported the Karasuno jackets and walked into the large stadium with giant smiles on their faces. They all loved the feeling they got walking up to the court, so sometimes it was weird for them to be watching and being the supporting students. 

Kageyama was glued to his phone, messaging his girlfriend non-stop. Hinata would definitely peek over Kageyama’s shoulder, but he would always be pushed away with a hand in front of his face. The boys were seated in the first row and had an amazing view of the court. 

Kageyama was doing perfectly fine until he heard his rival speaking from afar. “Ah, the poor little trashy crows have to play against my amazing little sister. I can only imagine how giant the point difference is going to be.” 

Kageyama looked to his left to see two empty seats. That was until that annoying voice still praising his sister got closer. His dark blue eyes looked up to see brown ones glaring at him. Then another male popped up from behind the curly brown haired person.

 “Ah, Kageyama, you’re here to support [Name] as well?” Iwaizumi asked, walking in front of Oikawa and greeting the stumped black haired male. 

Kageyama bowed his head then said, “No, I’m not allowed to cheer for her or else I won’t be a setter for three games.” 

Iwaizumi sat down next to him and chuckled, “I get it and I’m sure she would as well. Did you tell her?” The older teen got comfortable and looked at his old teammate. 

“I’m afraid she’s going to give the Karasuno girls a hard time if I did,” Kageyama admitted with his eyes directed hard at the ground. 

A loud laugh caught their attention and Oikawa leaned back into his seat with a smug smile on his face. “[Name] is so going to crush your trashy team solo! If I were you, I would tell your other halves to forfeit now.” 

Iwaizumi elbowed Oikawa’s rib cage causing the male to lurch forward with a holler. Before Kageyama could agree with his rival, his loud teammates came into the picture with heated glares, “What makes your snotty sister so special, huh?” Tanaka shouted while Nishinoya stood behind him with a fist in the air, “Ten bucks, our team does the crushing instead!” 

“Deal!” Oikawa shouted back with one hand holding his side while Iwaizumi shook his head from the lack of awareness these idiots had. The usually grumpy male leaned over to Kageyama and whispered, “You do know that your team is going to make trashykawa super rich after this game?” 

Kageyama crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled back, “I tried to warn them.” 

“Welcome all to the Spring Days tournament where talented ladies from all over Japan showcase their volleyball skills.” 

The female announcer excitedly proclaimed in her microphone. The males couldn’t focus on what she was saying because a new group arrived behind them and this group wasn’t going to go unnoticed. 

“Oh my, is that Oikawa Tooru? The big brother of our baby eagle, [Name]?” 

Kageyama peeked a glance at his rival and saw the instant disgust on the male’s face which caused a bit of happiness to appear on his own face. Kageyama thought this was a perfect karma moment for the smug male. 

“You do well to address my little sister by her last name. Just because she trains with that guy, doesn’t mean you cannot show her or myself some respect!” Oikawa pointed at a very tall third year student. 

Ushijima looked down at Oikawa with his eyes and stated, “Your sister likes the nickname the team gave her and she has all our respect because of her skills. At least she took my advice to join the girls team at Shiratorizawa unlike you. She’s being nurtured if that’s what you care about.” 

“Don’t word it like that, it makes you sound like a pervert! Also that’s because I don’t want to be your teammate! You’re the one that brainwashed my poor sister! I should have persuaded her to spend her time elsewhere!” 

“What, like Karasuno?” Tendou snidely said with a snicker. 

Kageyama could feel the tension from his captain and vice captain as Daichi spoke up with a fake smile on his face. The third year Karasuno male turned around and asked Tendou with that cheap smile, “Something wrong with Karasuno?”

Tendou hummed and shrugged his shoulders, “Ehh~ You don’t really see people with skill choose Karasuno unless they’re rejects,” He looked at the back of Kageyama’s head, “Or useless dreamers.” He stared at the rest owlishly. 

“That’s enough out of your mouth,” Semi joined in and told everyone to focus on the game which is about to start. Everyone had their feathers ruffled up in some way and it was because of their snide remarks to one another. 

“For our first game, we have Karasuno vs Shiratorizawa! Please welcome them to the court!” 

Kageyama pulled out his backpack from under his chair and everyone looked at him suspiciously. He didn’t pay attention to their questioning glares as his eyes were on a girl who looked around the arena for him. Of course, your knees were not covered by your usual white and purple knee pads. 

It only took another minute for you to find him and you ran over to the stands with a giant grin on your face.

 “Tobio, thank you so much for bringing them! I forgot I left them at your place!” You huffed out and sat down in front of his backpack digging in it without any permission. You found your knee pads and took them out with a sigh of relief. “You just saved me from running ten laps back home.” 

“It’s no problem at all,” Kageyama responded with a gentle smile on his face as he admired your look. The rest of his teammates were baffled by the look of his face and how pretty you were. You seemed kind, way kinder than your older brother. 

You slipped your knee pads over your shoes and comfortably on your knees. You looked up at Tobio and blushed at the soft look he was giving you, but you could tell he wanted to tell you something. “Is something wrong, Tobio?” 

“Yes!” Your brother shouted standing up from the bleachers, “He’s not going to cheer for you! But don’t worry, you have me!” 

“And us!” Tendou shouted from a row behind. You laughed and pushed yourself up from the floor. You weren’t going to tell them that you didn’t notice them because of your attention to your boyfriend. 

“Is there a reason why you’re not going to cheer for me, Tobio?” You asked with a pout on your face and he stood up immediately to comfort you. You loved this about him, he was pretty shy, but he made sure to keep you happy. 

He looked at his team then to you and explained, “They didn’t believe me when I said that my girlfriend plays for Shiratorizawa and said that if I didn’t cheer for the Karasuno girls then I wouldn’t set for three games.” 

You laughed and gave Kageyama a quick hug pushing him gently back onto his seat, “Eh, don’t worry Tobio. I was just teasing you. I know I will always have your support! Anyways, what’s the bet?” 

“You know about the bet?” Hinata questioned bewildered by your psychic abilities and you scoffed with a smirk on your face as you gestured over to your older brother, “Please, if my brother doesn’t force someone to bet on my skills then he’s not my Tooru.” 

“We bet ten dollars,” Oikawa said and leaned back while Iwaizumi shook his head in exaggeration. 

Then you rolled your eyes and fixed your knee pads a bit while saying, “I would have gone higher, older brother. But that’s okay, I hope to see you all in the finals.” You winked at Kageyama and shouted over your shoulder as you walked away, “I better not hear the both of you talking smack to one another. It throws me off my game!” 

Oikawa sat back in his spot and glared at Kageyama, “Why were her knee pads at your place?”

Kageyama shrugged his shoulders and zipped up his bag. The words from you not even seconds ago being forgotten because of a cruel idea in his head. He was tired of Oikawa and this was for sure going to get him riled up.

Kageyama turned his head and smirked at Oikawa, “Maybe because she spends most of her time on her knees.” 

“I dare you to say that again!” Oikawa shouted while being held back by Iwaizumi who had to hide his blush from his former teammate. He wasn't expecting Kageyama to be that bold!

“I meant what I said!” You shouted, giving a glare at your rambunctious brother.

..........

Thank you for your support and I hope this was a fun read for you because I had fun writing it!!

[smthngcl0ver]

"UH. HIIII"

> "Pleasure to make everyone's acquaintances, you all seem very lovely! I should go hide now <3"

I'mm baaackkk with another blogg because I need one where I actually know the direction I want to go in.

MAIN INFO !

(Call him a Stupid Rabbit, its funny) - coguhs go check out @agenteighter they're the reason Clover exists (both with the Division Soders and just in general, their lore n ideas do end up playing heavily into Clovers lore and some unseen ocs that arent on this blog. Alsooo check out their ask blog @ace4thespades !!) - Clover goes by a lot of names, mainly the Clover and Pawn. Club is a name reserved for their coworkers and boss, As it's his actual name. - Pawn goes by He/It, though accepts They/them to shake it up on occasion. - It is 24 years old (originally 27 when i started the blog, but, uh, explodes) - 5'4. - He is LOUD, and talkative, there's no hiding how he feels either his emotions are on its sleeves. - Clover is a henchman, Working for Mafioso despite his... Apparent listening issues. Its sheer luck that things go as planned when He's involved. - Technically a survivor, if he was in the game he'd be a skin for mafioso tbh,,

VV [ TAGS! ] VV

"Oh, Heyyy theree! Never seen ya before." - First interaction "You're back?" - Continuous interactions "Let's leave this to my luck." - In Character "Good to see ya again." - Interactions w/ Other Henchmen "Why didn't you come back?" - Interactions w/ @ace4thespades 's Chance in specific /evil "Boss!! I listened this time I promise!" - posts w/ Mafioso “Miss Eunoia! You're here!” - Interactions w/ Eunoia "Jeez you're tall, stop that." - Interactions w/ Killers "Ok so then you- And dont forget to -" - Interactions w/ Survivors "I think i lost the gamble" - Out of character

[ Clovers Ref Sheet!! ]

VV { RULES / INFO } VV

- Don't be TOO rude, I'm aware I'll be loud and probably a bit annoying on this blog unlike how i was with Nico. - Pleasee do not bring Politics onto this blog, I'm Floridian and using this blog (+Nicos) as an escapism thing - Flirting and being slightly suggestive is fine, but please, not too much, and No NSFW at all. - Magic Anons are chill with me, just don't go overboard! - If you dent like my blog, that's ok! just don't show up to say that, you can always block my account ! - This is my second ask blog, both of them are meant to be Forsaken ocs, but @m00nlitphotography has a LOT more ties to Block Tales. - my main is @m0nochromat1c btw ! - I still don't exactly know how to run a rp blog, and I'll still be active with Nico, but I decided I needed an oc who I could actually have match how I act, so I wasn't stumped with interactions (Because I really want to interact with blogs!! And I get really excited when people entertain my nonsense!) (I will still be running around the usual parody blogs I like, but now I'll be more likely to come off Anon) - INTERACTIONS ARE SO COOL AND LOVELY!! AND I'D BE REALLY HAPPY IF PEOPLE INTERACTED WITH MY GOOBER! - same with shipping tbh, again bro's an oc and that's unlikely but I'd giggle and kick my feet. - cringe is dead and I'm 6 feet in the floor -I'm 18! and a freshman in college! I take online classes this year but that's likely gonna change next set of classes I take. However, that doesn't stop me from being active at ALL. - I also yap.. a lot if you couldn't tell, so check tags! - This is all for fun! I wanna be joyous :3

CLAIMED ANONS - Evil Anon , Angel Anon, Document Anon

[little-miss-dilf-lover]

Ican I ask about a thirst (this is my first time requesting one)

With either bucky or Spencer reid where they're finally undressing for sex and the reader has a bunch of tattoos, mainly silly, like a fish where the tail is a foot, or a whale tiptoeing on human legs? Giggly laughter? Sweet loving?

this is actually so cute!

(I do thirsts as slightly more in depth ask replies/ chattery suggestive crap. so it’s kinda like im talking to you directly about your idea and running with it)

READER WITH RANDOM TATTOOS.

im gonna go with bucky (sorry spence)

I so love the idea of it being so casual, so like you’re kissing, undressing each other for your first time together. and bc he hasn’t seen all of you before he hasn’t seen all your tattoos. he’s seen ones on your arms and legs/ where clothes don’t always cover. but not all of them

so he’s taking off your top and looking over you and eyes dart across etc. and he’s like “what’s that?” and he’s nodding to the one on your rib

and bc you’re so used to them you forget they’re there. so your like “what’s what?”

and he goes “that. that drawing” and gestures to it. also he’s asking quite sweetly, like he’s intrigued

and you look down and go “oh” and laugh and say about how it’s a jelly fish with crab claws, or a fish with a foot for a tail (like you said) or idk something. and he laughs and then he’s onto asking about the next one. he has no idea what they even are, but so he’s interested. so you explain again how it’s something random

and maybe you’re trying to initiate things sexually again but he’s still amazed by the cute dumb little doodles. and so he asks more about them and it’s all very sweet and cute and you’re both laughing about it while you share stories of them. explaining how some you regret but some you love

maybe he likes how carefree you are and so you’ll balance each other perfectly

LOVE the idea of it being after sex and you’re cuddling in bed and he’s stroking over your arms etc. and maybe bc you’re warm and the ink lines are more raised

so he’s tracing over one, lining the doodle and he has a really cutely confused look on his face. and he’s trying really hard to work it out but he just can’t

so you go “you’re never gonna guess it” and it’s said sweetly and like you’re amused

he’s like “I just can’t figure out what it is”

so you say “I’ll give you a hint” and then say “it’s an animal”

and that just stumps him completely. “an elephant?”

and you laugh and go “sea animal”

“jellyfish?”

and then you give in and laugh when you say it’s “a whale with legs”

and he does one of those “no”s like its disbelief. and he’s chuckling and lining the next one and says “you might as well put me out of misery and tell me this one now. I’ll never guess it” and it happens to be a ‘normal’ one and you go “no, that one’s just a slice of pizza”

and he does his cute laugh and shakes his head. and you hold his hand over a few more and graze his finger over the tats and explain what they are

[caesarinsalata]

*Ahem*

Uh... So....how about a Part 2?

(I literally accidentally just shat out the next part in the same day 🤣💦)

PART 2

A few days later

“He should be awake by now…”

“Just give him time. Losing a limb is a lot of stress for a small kid.”

“We could only do so much using alchemy, so we'll just have to see when he wakes up.”

“I think I saw him move!”

Edward’s body was so heavy like something was sitting on his chest. His eyes fluttered open as he groaned and made an attempt at sitting up.

“Ed don't move!”

Too late. The moment his muscles strained against his weight, a shockwave of sharp stabbing quickly struck from his stump up through his hip. A yelp caught in his throat as his upper body slammed back down onto the mattress.

“He's going to need more herbs… go transmute some more numbing agent.”

His breathing was shaky. Before he could reach for his wrapped limb, someone grabbed his wrist to stop him. Another stab of pain followed by a deep pulsing sensation assaulted him before he could look to see who it was.

“Who-?”

“You mustn't touch it.”

“Wha-?” Opting to attempt just lifting his head this time, Ed craned his neck to look down at his lower half.

“My….my leg…”. A hitched hiccuping sound came out of Ed's mouth as his eyes grew wide again. He thought it was all a sick trick of the mind or nightmare of some kind. This can't be real! It's gone! Where is it??

“Where is my leg?!” Whipping his head back, Ed shouted and threw a tantrum, the pain getting unbearable as he tossed his limbs around. Blood seeping through the dressings.

“Edward! Ed, stop! You're hurting yourself!”

“Give it back, damn it! My leg! Where is it?!”

Everyone in the room had to hold him down. Unfortunately someone had to put pressure on his upper thigh to stop the wounded limb from being damaged further. The pressure shot another, more intense, bold of pain through him and he wailed.

Shortly after he ran out of air to scream with, the pain became too much and he passed out again. Everyone sighed.

“It's better if he stays asleep for now…”

“I've got the medicine!”

“Hurry and bring it over, we might have to reseal his wound. He threw a fit and about gave himself a head injury.”

Inspecting and redressing his stump, they gave him the numbing agent that should also help with keeping him asleep for a few more hours.

“Why can't we see him!”

“Kids, please, I know it may seem unfair, but he needs to rest. Any more stress and it'll never heal.”

“But brother is all alone in there! He needs someone there when he wakes up!”

“The alchemists that specialize in healing abilities are doing what they can. You have to be patient. You'll just be in the way. I'm sorry…”

Hohenheim was doing everything in his power to keep Al and Winry from barging into Ed's room. It was the boys’ room, but they needed a solitary area for Ed's recovery. Al was moved into Winry's room, when she visited, mainly for moral support.

The kids pouted and were about to cry for the fifth time today and that wasn’t counting the amount of fluids they collectively lost on the day of the incident.

They didn't know what to make of the sounds heard from the throne room. First it was just yelling. The most jarring part of the whole thing was a moment of silence then all they could hear was the scream of pure agony bouncing off the stone walls. Before they could escape the library/play room to even see what it was, Trisha, Ed and Al’s mother, came running in to check on them, not knowing where the scream was coming from.

She had held them as they all shook at the sound of what they believed was Hohenheim letting out a cry and then running by the archway. The curtain in the doorway fluttered at his speed and all the three of them could see was an adult man carrying someone and nothing but blood following after him. An unnerving copious amount of it. Al and Winry didn't register who or what it was until Trisha gasped. In that split second, she could make out an unconscious Ed in Hohenheim's arms.

“Edward…?”

Then it began to make sense to them. Who else could that scream have come from? And Hohenheim looking out of his mind and frantic only meant one thing. Edward was hurt. Bad. Trisha didn't want the kids to see anything so she held onto them as she closed her eyes. Al and Winry couldn't help but stare at the stream of blood creeping in from under the curtain between the stone floor seams.

Needless to say, everyone was traumatized that day, but they didn't appreciate not being able to see Ed to make sure he was actually alive. The only thing they could go on was the kicking and screaming from Ed's room a minute ago. But it was quiet now.

“I hope my brother is okay…”

“He'll be okay, Al… He's too stubborn to die.”

They both looked at each other ready to cry again.

[theanomalystoppingclockman]

He's looking around the shed, his brows furrowed as he tries to see if there is anything useful in the small building.

He sulks when he doesn't see anything, leaning against the pole with an annoyed expression. He huffs," ... Kay, nothin' useful in here so far.... Maybe I could summon my knives?"

His clock eye starts to glow, and he attempts to summon his knives.

Of course, that doesn't work either. His power fizzles out, leaving him empty handed. "Wha- that should've worked! Why didn't it..?"

As he's attempting to figure out what went wrong, he doesn't notice a shadow forming in the corner of the room. The shadow slunk closer, and with it an aura of darkness followed.

Chrono tensed as a voice right next to him spoke up," Ah, you're awake. Good."

His head shot up to the voice's direction, and a yelp of surprise leaving him. There from the shadows stood a being, them glitched and seemingly changing shape. They were flickering between different characters, sometimes looking more dogish, and sometimes mimicking a rainbow monster. They smirked," Did you enjoy your nap?" Their voice seemed like a mixture of voices.

He blinked, before realization filled him," you- You're the one who kidnapped me!"

They sighed," Yes I did. It was quite easy to do as well... You are terribly unobservant of your surroundings."

"Why you-" He growled, before another realization filled him. "wait, where's Light? I swear if you hurt them-"

They scoffed," You mean that useless anomaly that was hiding in your hood? Please, they weren't worth the effort. They're fine. Besides, what I mainly wanted was you..."

" me? What would you even need me for?", he looked confused.

They smirked," To put it simply, I've heard many things about you... How you go after my kin, all in the name of 'protecting the timelines'.. How you kill so many of us..." They kneeled in front of him," I have been waiting a very long time to meet you."

Chrono tensed,"Yer... Yer an anomaly?"

They clapped," Ding ding ding! You put things together! Wonderful! Really! Not much of a surprise from the Anomaly Slayer.."

"i-... Why did you- why have you been wanting to meet me? Why?", The multiverse traveler was stumped and his voice mirrored it.

" Well, there's plenty of reasons. Amongst several of us anomalies you're pretty well known.. it's like, meeting an infamous individual. I wanted to see if you really were all that... Although, now that I look at you, you're just a weak little creature without a world..."

"wah- hey, I'm not weak!", Chrono protested, him shooting a look at the other.

"oh yes, you are. Your emotions , they make you one of the weakest of the bunch! A weak link in the chain, able to break so easily-"

Chrono jolted forward, the ropes keeping him in place as he shouted," Shut Yer trap already!" He feels anger filling him and he demands," Enough of this! Why did ya kidnap me?! Why are you doin' this?!"

The being grinned sharply, him leaning forward until him and Chrono were eye to eye. He spoke," Isn't it obvious? I thought you were smart enough to figure it out, anomaly slayer....",They put a hand to their cheek, their brow raising ," Unless.. you don't know, do you? About what you really are? It's actually the reason you're in this predicament and why I am doing this in the first place..."

Chrono gives the other a look of pure disbelief," What in tarnation are you talkin' about? Of course I know what I am!"

The being chuckled, his expression bemused," Oh, I very much doubt that... Tell me, what makes an anomaly, hm?"

"wha-.. what makes them?" His brows furrow, caught off guard by the question," i-... They're..." Confusion filled his expression and he couldn't seem to figure out the answer.

The other continues , their voice a fake pitying one," It's ironic really. You hunt us down, killing so many of us, and you don't even know how we come into being?"

"i-", a look of alarm crossed Chrono's expression," Now hold on a minute-" the ex-mailman jumped as the anomaly's clawed hand grabbed his face, their hand covering his mouth.

They snarled, their red eyes glowing brightly," I wasn't finished, anomaly slayer." Their dark aura increased, and it caused a blast of fear to fill the clock man.

Chrono tensed, his mismatched eyes pinpricks. The anomaly then chuckled, enjoying the fear it was putting in him," As I was saying, it's real ironic... You see, I've learned plenty about you... I know more about you then you do yourself even!" Their claws dug into his face, him wincing as pricks of pain came from it," Someone aught to teach you where we anomalies come from! So, that's exactly what I'm going to do... "

They waved their free hand," You see, anomalies are glitches. Made from codes of fallen worlds, or destroyed ones. Depending on the world, we are all very different. And depending on how much of a certain code we have, our looks and memories and personality changes... Do you see where I'm going with this?"

Chrono's eyes are narrowed at the anomaly in front of him, although he is also a bit conflicted and confused. That seemed answer enough to the anomaly," Hm. I see you don't... Well, let me make it clear in your thick skull."

The anomaly slammed Chrono's head into the pole, the multiverse traveler letting out a pained muffled yell. The anomaly grinned cruelly," Your world was destroyed, was it not? By an anomaly? Don't you ever wonder how you survived?"

The impact made a loud crack sound echo in Chrono's head , and pulsing pain soon followed after. His eyes were shut tightly, and ringing was in his ears. The pain was unbearable. Tears formed in his eyes, almost falling but Chrono managed to hold them back.

The anomaly had let go of Chrono, and the goggled man's head fell forward as he let out a pained noise. Chrono was shaking, and his head felt like it was going to explode from the pain.

As the anomaly waited for the clock man to recover, they continued," not just anyone survives a world getting destroyed by an anomaly... Your body would go along with the world you inhabited and fade out of existence... Just like your husband did."

Chrono's head shot up and he snarled," you little-" he's struggling against the ropes trying to break free. The pain was still there, but his anger was managed to somewhat overcome it enough.

The being just raises a brow, his voice condescending," Oh, was that a sore spot for you? You poor thing..." Then they scoffed," ugh, your emotions for him sickens me..."

Chrono is growling, and he snaps," Just get to yer point already! What in the hay are you tryin' ta get at?!" He's ignoring the sharp pangs of pain that are currently shooting through his head.

The being hums," My my, you're an impatient man.. ah, i suppose i could throw you a bone.. You see, as i said your body couldn't have survived... And so you are technically not alive. At least , not in the way you were... Don't you ever wonder why you have powers now when you didn't before? Why you are different?"

Chrono's glare increased, and he's pulling in his binds. He shouts," I- I dunno!" Then some of that anger faded into more of a perplexed one,"... I.. never really... Thought about it I guess.."

The being laughed," Well... I think you should." Then they smirked," And I know exactly why you are so different...."

They leaned closer , their face now close to his. He leaned back with a quite confused expression , them grinning as they spoke," You and I aren't so different, Anomaly Slayer... Both of us beings created from codes, formed together from a world that was destroyed. The only difference is that all your codes came from a singular character in that world, and so was your memories..."

Bewilderment formed on his face before realization filled him again. A a horrified shocked expression formed on Chrono's face," wait, you can't possibly be meanin'-"

" I am, Eddie Dear.", The anomaly looked like it was enjoying this way too much, a giddiness to their voice as they interrupted him," You are an ANOMALY, An imperfect copy of the actual Eddie Dear from that world....."

A horror of sorts filled Chrono, a chill shooting down his spine as the anomaly finished," You are JUST. LIKE. US... And by the end of this I'll make sure you know it..."

[scrawnytreedemon]

Little thing, little thing, Weak and small, I must Admit your pluck impresses Me, but nothing more,

Big eyes, blue eyes, face Like a newborn fawn's, You have no idea what you're Coming up against, and it Shows,

A dance of blades, hardly so, It's like teaching a toddler to Waltz, but I deign myself Nevertheless, because when You rule a world of demons, You get little chance for such Menial prance,

But stay out of my way, you, Run along and play in the Flowers, as befits your kind, I am good, I am kind, but Only for so long, and behind My painted lips, dear, I bear Bloodied teeth,

You, however, are either Stupid, stubborn, or both, You have a word for that Irritant in particular, 'Brave,' I can't help laughing, at the Insistence on bestowing valourance To a trait like that,

But I'm a busy man, a busy, busy Man, and you'll solve yourself Soon enough, either by sense or By impaling yourself, on their Blades or your own, What a lovely thing it'd be, Your sweet ichor drenching so Sacred an edge, defiling both,

So I thought,

But, as destiny would have it, You prove yourself harder to Shake than that, Harder to Lose, like a parasite-- Though I suppose you're more free than That, eh? May-so a gadfly, rather, Yes, I like the sound of that, I must move along, Don't follow me, Not unless you want me to devour You, too, like I did all the other little Boys and girls who strayed too Close,

The weeks pass by with little Complaint, and I'm permitted to Search in peace, I am not, However, a fool, nor to be taken As such, and I know you haven't Stalled, not for a moment, I learned that, a little while ago Now, I think, that you will not Rest, not until you fulfill your Purpose, that purpose so bestowed Upon you, written into your heart Since before time began, That which you mistake for 'love,' My boy, It occurs to me here that we have This alike,

Ha, What idiocy, To compare a snake and a worm,

The insurgence at the bridge Comes like a trip into icy waters, I vow then to have your blood, To gorge myself on every scream, Every drop, until there's nothing Left of you, and my stomach strains, It's all my fault, really: show a man A little mercy and he inevitably thinks Himself your equal! You, I will swallow You, whole or in pieces, Whatever proves least resistent,

Damn it to shit! Pardon my language, But how, oh how, am I supposed to Find that spirit maiden now? Every ray of sunlight seems a flick of Her hair, every glint of dew a sparkle In her eye, the opalescent glimmer of A half-intact Goddess Plume yet Another mirage, yet another mockery Of her manifest glory-- Though perhaps Not so, they were hers once, after all, Either way, I get the feeling you live Like this, too, waiting for magic signs, To see her again, Dear me, it almost sounds like I'm in Love, doesn't it? I'd fall, dear, if just To set you fuming, if only to have you Watch on with horror and a jealousy Greener than your robes, They say Two's company and three's a crowd, And I love a good show, the only Question is, how long will you be Performing?

You dance better, faster, and it sends Me into a rage, You don't even have the goodness to Cast a meaningful glance when I show Myself to you, offer you a sight so lovely, A chance to behold that which is wrought By gods before you die, you spit in the Face of my master and his mother before Her when you harden your gaze as much As you do mine, Tell me hero, what would Din make of you, Turning your nose up at her handiwork? Wrath, indignation so righteous it makes One sick, a retribution so divine it sends Waves of nausea down your spine, Now raise that sword boy! Hit me like You mean it! Surely, boy, you wouldn't Make it so that your goddess chose a Whelp, would you?

Do her justice if not yourself, though I'd Say there's no difference between the Honor of the servant and that of his Master, Glory flows forth as disgrace reflects Back, and you paint a lackadaisical Image, O sacred youth,

You wouldn't need 'bravery', not if You knew your place, not if you Truly bore witness of your security As crusader, paladin, defender just And mighty, There would be no need for this 'Valiant' act, this psuedo-gallance,

I ought not to deign myself to such Lectures, really, I am not your Teacher, and you are not my student, Nor my brother, or my lover, my friend or My son, It's a flaw of mine, really, being so Overcome with setting things straight, It does neither of us good, and I Suppose it must make a pitiful image Of my master, but I cannot help it, Not anymore than your friend can Help speaking of numbers and Probabilities, of walking you through Procedures myriad done a dozen before, I think, sometimes, maybe, if I were of meagre flesh, demonic Or divine need not matter, I'd Be a teacher, You make me ache, a little, I wonder why,

I don't see you, after that, Not face to face, but whenever I can spare time, and you're Out there, clambering among The turf thick and dusty, fingers Knotted in the rope-like vines, I watch-- Distantly, I'd assure, But that would be a lie, and in Truth, there've been many a time Where I'd wait just behind your ear, Where when you fell asleep, Deeming, foolishly so, might I add, That this wretched land would be an Apt place to do so, I'd chase the Monsters from your bedside, Pluck the walltulas from above your Head, and when the weather turned, When a storm would come thundering Down your way, I'd take what I can, And wake you, with many tries, again, Might I add, I don't know how you live, I don't know Why I let you, all I know is that it's Getting late, and you ought to run along, Sky child, Hear your birds can't fly at night,

Time, time, time, even time can be bent, And as I do, you follow me through even Still, How romantic, I'm almost touched, if it Weren't for her and not I, because now Instead it's not only an irritant, but a Detriment, Why, silly boy, do you wish to throw away Your life?

My patience is running out, You're too quick, boy! Things like These take time, can't you see? Can't you understand what it takes To be me?

Up, up, up we go, walking in the air, Dancing in a flamelit sky, No better place for a final greeting, a Final meeting, a final waltz, the Last ballet to end it all, You're in your best clothes, worn And thin, and I my best skin, Bearing my finest diamonds, The clanging of pearly sword against a dermis Jet black and glimmering, We're going off like fireworks, We're brighter than all the stars in The night sky,

You've grown so much since then, Since you were that wide-eyed fawn, Scrambling for purchase in Skyview- Temple, you've actually grown out your Antlers, now, a young buck, pride of the Forest, now, Pride of mine, It makes me ache, And I realise, with horror, That I don't want to fight you,

You have made me soft, so soft,

And that is your greatest offense Of all.

—Waltz of the Gemset Deer

[hanafubukki]

not a request but just a bit inspired for other characters roles in the cliche royalty otome au, we have ace who's a theif that wants the crown jewels but then aims for your heart instead, epel the farmer boy who you met due to sneaking out to participate in a festival and finally azul, the cunning merchant and one of the kingpins of the criminal underworld, who wants the position of being royalty, but falls madly inlove for you and now wants a genuine connection and relationship

Hello ☺️🌺🌻,

It’s funny that you bring up the thief, I had a similar idea but didn’t know who to choose it for. Namely because I am biased, so when I think of thief and tomes games, my first thought goes to Lupin from Code Realize. He is one of my favorite charming male leads and I always found him cute and funny with how he tried saving Cardia. But the idea of ace being a thief? and trying to steal your heart? that's adorable.

Cliche! Royalty AU Otome Game: Diasomnia Ver. ,  Ridde Rosehearts Ver.

For Ace Trappola 

He was a famous thief known across many countries for stealing valuable items. 

He would mainly steal and donate it to those in need, but made sure to keep enough for himself and his family.

Now, this thief was smart and he knew how to blend in.

His acting skills was top notch, he could fool even those who had years of experience.

His next goal was to steal the Crown Jewels...from your family. 

Ace had somehow infiltrated the security in the palace. 

and he had chosen to personate a nightshift guard, but he didn't account for you.

You were looking at the Crown Jewels.

Contemplating the pressure of being a royalty, when you noticed him.

you took one look at him and...

“Who are you?”

Ace did not expect you to ask him that, fully expecting you to think he was a guard.

you looked at him and shook your head.

“I know all the guards in this palace. You are definitely not one of them.”

Ace was stumped. 

Now what does he do?

but you took that choice out of his hands, you simply threw the jewels at him.

stating that he could keep it, that he surely must have a reason to steal from your family.

but what really got him?

was when you went, “Choose a better disguise next time Phantom Thief, wouldn’t want to get caught so easily now would you?”

Oh.

Oh? 

Now Ace was interested, he threw the jewels back at you. 

saying he didn't need them, rather he was interested in something else.

Your heart.

Epel, my sweet, feral child. I love you so much especially after your ghost marriage and book 5 shenanigans.

You had escaped from the palace.

You were tired from your royal duties and you just wanted a break.

your kingdom was having a festival and you wanted to attend.

So, like the otome lead you are, you got your maid to cover for you while you went undercover to the festival.

There you stared in wonder before throwing yourself into the festivities.

you were munching on a confection when you heard a commotion. 

a group of men were picking on a...girl? No, it was definitely a guy about your age.

He was going feral and kicking all their butts.

After watching the men run away with their tails tucked between their legs, you clapped in amazement.

Epel was surprised to see you and how you were praying him.

He couldn’t help it. 

he started developing a crush on you.

and you?

you dragged him around with you to enjoy the festival, saying how he should let some idiots ruin it for him.

Yeah, he definitely developed a crush for you.

Maybe...you would love to try the apple products his family sold?

Azul, azul, azul...no matter the franchise, must you be the shady mafia character? the answer is yes.

Azul was famous for being one of the leaders of the criminal underworld. 

He wanted a connection to the royal family.

what better way than blackmailing the royal family or seducing you?

He planned to seduce you because less chances of being poisoned that way. 

So, he set up a place where he can disguise himself as nobility and slowly win you over.

problem was that once he met you, he could help but fall for you.

you completed him, you had invigorating conversations about laws and finances, and the time he saw you connivingly  handled your council.

he couldn’t help but fall for you.

now, he didn't want to just get into power, but because he truly loved you.

now, how to go about stealing your heart?

[barnes-lothbrok]

Against the World

Request by @rachelcarroll1819

Could you do one where the reader is Lagertha younger sister and in a relationship with ivar the boneless( they dont have to be full sister amd she was born a day after ivar and ended up being raised by her sister with the boys) 

I tried ♡

Warnings - mainly fluff, death of family, blood.

Word count - +1k

*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*

It was a cold and stormy night when the doors to the Great Hall were thrown open. Ragnar, who had been stumped in his throne, sat bolt upright, spilling ale into his lap.

He froze, eyes wide at the sight before him. His ex wife stood in the doorway, blood covering her face and hair under her cloak hood with a tiny bundle squirming in her arms. 

Ragnar stumbled towards her as his eldest son Björn stood dutifully next to his mother, looking battle worn himself. 

With shaking hands, he gently pulled the blanket to reveal the baby's face. This wasn't the babe he'd left for dead in the woods, they were smaller and were wailing at him like he'd deeply offended them.  

Revealing the child eased one fear but caused more confusion. Frowning, Ragnar spluttered some incoherent words as he tried to wade through his drunken mind.

Was the baby his? How? How long was a woman with child for again?  

Laughter broke through his thoughts as Lagertha laughed in his face, Björn and a few of their company joining in. 

"By the gods, Ragnar. You are going to cause yourself an injury, " She chuckled "Stop thinking so hard, she is not yours" 

"Then who's she?" The voice of his wife startled him once more.

Aslaug walked through from the back, cradling a bundle in her own arms. Now that was the baby he'd left, the one he'd just been mourning and drowning his guilt for.

Ragnar looked up to the roof, cursing the gods in his mind, for putting him in this situation. He looked between the two loves of his life, staring at each other, appearing as a mirror image. 

Aslaug cradled her precious boy to her chest as he stoically stared up at her. She was a vision of elegance, royalty and grace, a princess.

While Lagertha looked the opposite, as she hushed the screaming bundle in her arms. She was a vision of bravery, bold and regal, a warrior. 

"This is YN" Lagertha smiled down at the baby who began to calm "My baby sister" 

Lagertha looked back up to Aslaug. "I wouldn't be here if I had another choice. My childhood village was attacked by raiders"

She stroked the little one's cheek as she spoke, as if to ground herself, to make sure she was real.

"I've lost so many, they murdered my younger brothers. My mother died protecting her, just hours after she was born" she looked behind her before looking to Aslaug again "who you see before you is all I have left" 

Behind Lagertha and Björn stood only a handful of men and women, all covered in blood and injuries, some worse than others. 

After a few moments and a glance back down at her son, Aslaug spoke with a knowing smile. Before the birth of her son, she had dreamt of a girl but not her own.

"Come sit, warm yourselves. You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Kattegat is your home too" 

There was a sudden commotion of tiny feet hurrying into the hall.

"BJÖRN" a small Ubbe barrelled towards him before a smaller Hvitserk attacked his legs. Sigurd toddled behind his brothers to greet their eldest. 

*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*

As the years passed you grew up with the chaos that was the Ragnarsons. 

Soon after your sister's unexpected arrival, Ragnar and a group of his warriors raided Francia. Many did not return including Ragnar, leaving Aslaug widowed and with four young sons to raise alone.

Lagertha saw an opportunity to make the thriving town of Kattegat like one that many had never seen before. A town ruled by two queens, in order to give subtlety to their families. 

The sons of Ragnar kept their prince titles and in turn you gained the title of princess. 

You were by no means a dainty princess though, no matter how hard Aslaug tried to make you one. 

You were your sister's ward after all. A mini version of her, much to Aslaug dismay.

One girl among four boys, she had hoped you were to be a daughter she always dreamed of. 

While Aslaug tried to teach you to be a proper little lady, Lagertha encouraged your wild side. Often cheering you on as you held a poor Sigurd in a headlock at the breakfast table, for teasing Ivar. 

You were often found covered in mud and muck from play fighting with the brothers, charging after them with sticks or attacking Björn by climbing over him while Ivar attacked his ankles.

Each of you were always careful around Ivar but never left him out, you most of all tried to make him feel included. 

When playing battles you and Hvitserk were his warriors, protecting him while he planned how your team would win against Ubbe and Sigurd, joined by Björn when he was around. 

As time passed play skills would turn into practiced battle skills. 

As you grew older, feelings for Ivar grew too. Having been so close all your lives, it surprised no one when flirty comments were thrown into the mix of playful teasing. How glances and smiles would linger longer than before and the way your cheeks turn blush pink if he made comments or suggested things a little further out of the friend boundaries. 

Your first kiss was shared around the back of the Great Hall. Ivar had become jealous of you sitting in Hvitserk's lap.

It had been the result of a dare by Sigurd for losing a game of Tafl against him. He knew Ivar had a crush on you and that it would make his blood boil and oh boil it did. 

He blamed you for the feelings driving him crazy, for growing beautiful and for being you. He blamed you giving him this urge to kiss you all the time. According to him it was all your fault, he felt this way, to which you yelled back.

"Just kiss me then!" 

After what felt like a lifetime of him frowning at you, he yelled back. 

"Oh, I will!" 

He cupped your cheeks and pulled you into him, his lips crashing with yours before it turned into a heated, messy kiss. Noses bumped, teeth clashed and lips were bitten as each fought for control.

From that moment on your relationship blossomed  from childhood friends to lovers. Unsure of how the others would take the new relationship, the pair keep it secret for a while.

In your minds, it was you and Ivar against the world. 

*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*×*

Unknown to them, the family already knew.

They had all placed bets on when it would happen. 

Hvitserk sat smugly at the table, with a pile of his winnings from gold and jewels to Ubbe's best dagger and Sigurd's lyre with a mountain of food in front of him. 

He had been whispering for weeks in Ivar's ear about taking you as his own, to which he knew Ivar would break. 

[echos-newlegs]

I’m feeling a little angst with a sweet ending, 39 and 41 with Crosshair?

Stop Hiding

Sure thing, thanks for the request as well!! I appreciate it a lot 🥰

Crosshair x Reader: “Were you ever going to tell me?” and “You can’t just lose your temper anytime you get slightly upset!”

Warning: angst, sarcasm. Rude comments. Crosshair being insecure.

Words: 1.2k

"I am fully convinced you never even graduated kindergarten," your voice bounced off the walls to his ears. Watching as crosshair snapped his eyes up to glare into yours. The bickering had been going on for a while now. The two of you were getting worse and worse. Tech barely even knew why. 

"Kindergarten? I'm a clone. Schooling was programmed into me, di'kut!" He snapped.  Rolling his eyes while he twirled the toothpick between his lips. 

The rest of the gang left the two of you there to 'work it out.' That was going great, wasn't it? A stubborn ass, and you. Someone who is also stubborn. Having to work out whatever.. Whatever this was.

"Oh, because they knew you wouldn't be able to be taught." You snapped back to his response. He didn't want to admit it, but your words were truly hurting him. Out of everything in the books he hated being belittled. You could call him all the names in the book, but the moment you started treating him like he wasn't enough. Or that he was stupid. Of all things. He wanted to shut down and cry a little. Though he never would. 

"Could you stop calling me that!" He nearly screamed. Pacing back and forth. 

Your smirk fell. Thinking you finally stumped him. Thinking maybe, you won. 

"Calling you what-?" You asked, and he gave you one of the scariest looks you've seen him direct towards you. His mouth was in a pout, brows furrowed. Nose scrunched as his fists balled up. 

"Stupid! I'm not, I didn't choose to have knowledge programmed into me! I didn't ask to be a walking weapon!" His voice cracked and he had to coil back. His chest heaving out of frustration and anger. 

"Alright, then stop being so rude to me! What'd I do? I have been nothing but nice to you, and you come at me so I retaliate!" You admitted. Growing equally frustrated. "I thought we were working things out for a while there, Cross, but you keep shutting me out and I'm tired of it." 

He wouldn't make eye contact with you now. His eyes watching the cracks on the floor. Fists still balled. Knuckles white. 

"Crosshair. I'm sor-" "Don't." He interrupted you. Walking off for the back. 

You were left standing there. Your stomach felt empty, and your head was pounding. The two of you had never gotten this into it. Ever. 

You waited what felt like it was hours, but it was probably only fifteen minutes. Approaching the back where his and his brothers bunks were. You normally fell asleep in the main room of the marauder. Especially with how Crosshair had been treating you. 

You stood in the doorway. Watching as he laid curled up on a top bunk. His back facing the wall. A small idea crossing your mind. Though you knew it was probably more dangerous than anything. 

You climbed up the side of the bunk. Throwing your legs over to sit next to him. Though he only coiled further away from you. Nearly pressing himself into the wall in attempts to escape you. 

Your hand reached out to touch his hair. Hesitating when he flinched, but you returned your hand. You and the bad batch had been together for years. All of you close friends, and you and Crosshair? You used to be close, but over the years it had been rougher and rougher with each passing day. 

Your hand ran through his hair. Rubbing his scalp gently as he slowly eased into your touch. 

"Crosshair.." he didn't respond, but you continued anyway. "I'm sorry." 

"Shut up," he grumbled. Moving to lie his head in your lap. Wrapping his arms around your waist while you continue to run your fingers through his hair. 

"I said shut it, Cyare." He snarled. 

Your face heated up at the name. The boys had taught you some Mando'a. Mainly Tech, plus Crosshair used to call you nicknames all the time. Some meaner than others. 

So the name made your stomach flutter and your lips curl up. Though you didn't say anything about it. He hadn't called you the name in what felt like ages. 

"Wanna talk?" You asked after a few moments. Crosshair grumbling something under his breath. 

"What?" He sighed. Burying his face on your side. "I don't know.." 

"You don't have to, Cross." He nodded. Letting out a small, "ok." 

He laid like this for a while, and you began growing impatient. "But you can’t just lose your temper anytime you get slightly upset, it makes me think I did something wrong." You told him. Feeling his grip tightening around you as you continued to play with his hair. 

"I'm just upset, all the time, and I just.." he sputtered out some words. Face twisting up as he tried to think of what he was trying to say. "Tech told me you liked me." He spoke, and you tensed up. You had told the clone about your feelings for his brother so long ago you almost forgot. No, you did forget you told him. 

"What-" "just shut up, please." He scoffed, and you nodded. "Sorry." 

He sighed. Rolling onto his back with a groan as he stared up, but not at you. More so the ceiling. Avoiding your eyes. 

"You're fine." It was quiet for a few more seconds. "I just.. I panicked and didn't want you liking someone like me." 

You were watching him. Absent-mindedly tracing his jawline. Watching as his eyes darted around. His head tilting into your touch ever so slightly. 

"Like you?" He nodded at your words. Looking up to your eyes. 

"You deserve better than me." He admitted. 

You chuckled, watching as his brows furrowed at your eye roll. "So you decided to make me feel like you hated me?" He shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?" 

You rubbed his chest a bit. Watching him relax back against your legs. "Yeah, but when were you going to tell me any of this?" You asked. Watching his shoulder shrug again. 

"Never, I guess. Figured you'd meet someone else instead of just calling me stupid." He scoffed. Frowning a bit, and you sighed. Glancing to the side, and then back to him. "I'm sorry about that.. I didn't mean it that way. You were just pissing me off and it was all I could think of." 

He snorted. Sitting up to sit next to you now. "I know, you aren’t the brightest with comebacks." He added. Licking his lips with a sigh. 

You groaned. Shoving him a bit. "Shut up," "Thought you liked it when I talked to you? I can't be nice and shut up. Pick one, ner Sarad." He added with a coy smile. "I can make you shut up," you added matter of factly. He cooked a brow. "Oh yeah?" He asked, watching as you leaned in closer to his face. Your lips getting closer and closer. To the point where your nose grazed his. 

"Yeah, can't hear you if I ain't in the same room, twig." You spoke with a snicker. Pulling back and jumping off the bunk before he could close the gap or pull you back. Smirking at his grunt as you left him with nothing. "That's not making me shut up, you said shut up, not quiet, hey, get back here I'm not done with you!" 

Tag List

@murdertoothpick

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[simiansmoke]

@koopzilla

It had been the usual twilight hour - one that DK often spent in a make-shift gym along the ocean shore a few steps shy of one of the kingdom's many boardwalks. To call it a gym was a stretch as it was more of a fallen coconut tree next to its stump, but that was all that was needed to bang out some bench press sets.

One moment he was getting ready to go for a PR with Diddy to spot, but mainly to add more weight onto the tree, and the next - he was being showered in the distant heat of the approaching burning castle. Ah great, what did that bozo want? Catching his little buddy's gaze after shaking loose of the sky scene, DK nods. They had been through this sort of drill before. "Grab Dixie and keep'em outta town. I'm going." Not waiting to hear of any protests, DK turned and raced off with knuckles thundering the salt-washed wooden roads. The city had just started showing signs of awareness to the sky visitors when he reached the bottom of the capital's towering fortress and began to climb.

It was a lot quicker to reach the top by kart, but he had more than enough power to clamber up and hoist himself over the edge. "Dad, hey Dad!" He hollered, figuring Cranky would be out and gathering some security to deal with the unannounced invasion. Once he found his balance, he caught a glimpse of his dad a ways off, cross-armed and peeved behind the iron bars of his personal sized cage.

"Yes, yes I'm aware." Sounding more inconvenienced than worried (the old bastard), Cranky squinted down at a device strapped to his wrist and tapped. "-and your response time was far from your last record, might I add!"

"Is this really the time to time me?!" DK huffed, regarding the group of squat invaders in their red rain slickers and hockey masks worked on hooking the cage to a pulley system that would lead it up to the floating base. "Hey! Step a-way from the old man...-!" Having begun his charge forward, and bowling through several minions in the process, he was close to leaping on top of the cage and ripping it open from the top when a rather spikey Koopa slid a spear through the bars to press against the Kong king's cheek. Cranky himself didn't seem to notice, but he was pretty gifted in the art of becoming a statue to the point where he scared the shit out of DK at times walking down a corridor filled with them.

"Stop there! That's as far as you go."

"...seriously?" Poised halfway on one arm, a fist curled tight at the end of the other. "What are you losers doing here anyway? Let my Dad go!"

"All in good time, all in good time." The Koopa assured and gestured toward the platform lowering to the cobblestone roof. "You are wanted in the main hall. We will escort you." As if on command, a few of the shy guys approached DK from all angles.

"Uh huh, right. YEAH right." The Kong snorted, slamming his hands on the ground hard enough to rumble it and cause a few of the poor shy guys to fall over cursing. "Why would I do that for?"

"Forgive the boy, he's a bit on the slow side." Cranky side murmured.

"Because! Bowser has demanded an audience, and if you don't go - your King will!"

A long pause later fraught with a side-long look towards Cranky's cage, DK heaved a sigh of annoyance, gaze dropping to his knuckles. "...fine, I-"

"Just take me up there already, the boy is no negotiator for this kingdom." Cranky interrupted, ornery as always and inconvenienced by the unexpected drop-in.

"Ugh! Can you like, believe in me for five seconds, Dad? I might let you out when I get back!" His fur twitched furiously as the shy guys slid up by his side again. He wanted to slap them all off the platform as they all headed up, but the Koopa's spear still remained in place by the side of his prisoner. The brief flicker of concern in Cranky's eye is the last thing DK sees before turning his head to regard the gap between platform and base that he hopped to and scrabbled up on his back legs.

It wasn't a long walk to whatever the main hall was, but he was a tad pissy when he got there. Mainly because the shy guys thought he needed six different ropes tied around him (like seriously is there one looped around his thumb too?) Standing on his back legs just to upset the little shits holding onto the ropes tied around his wrist (and partially drag them into the air) DK huffed. "Seriously - I said I was coming, dude. What are these even for?"

[nephilim-problems]

Hi guys! This is a new fic I came up with where the reader is Barry Allen's ex-wife and she moves to Virgina and becomes a part of the BAU. It's basically a cross over between The Arrowverse and Criminal minds. Let me know if you want more 🥰

I had been working at the BAU for 3 years and I felt like I was in a family but what type of person keeps secrets for their family? Everyone is the answer but I felt guilty for hiding a whole half of my life, and my slight crush on my boss. I mean it was only a slight crush I found him very attractive but he of course was my boss and he would never go over that professional barrier. I tapped my pen against my desk, feeling like I had read the same line on the same report 7 or 8 times. This job was great except for the paperwork. The paperwork was always the most boring part. 

    “Guys we have a case,” J.J said walking into the bullpen. 

    I looked up and saw Hotch wasn’t in his office and Rossi wasn’t either. They were probably already at the round table. Morgan came around my side as I push my chair in. 

    “He’s probably already at the table sweetheart,” Morgan said putting his hand on the small of my back. “We should probably head there too.” 

    “Yeah we should,” I sighed letting him lead me away. 

    “There goes my weekend,” Prentiss said taking a seat next to Rossi. 

    “You had plans this weekend?” Morgan asked sincerely as we sat down. “I stopped making plans years ago.”

    “I still like to try,” She smiled. 

    “We wanted to take Henry to the zoo this weekend but I guess Will will have to go alone,” J.J said, sending a text I guessed to her boyfriend. 

    “I actually didn’t have plans so,” Reid replied, making me chuckle. 

    “I wanted to go check out that new restaurant down the street, but I guess there’s always when we get back,” I laughed as Garcia set a case file in front of me. 

    “Happy friday my darling profilers you are going to central city, Missouri, 3 women found dead all dumped by the side of the road going into the city. All 3 showed signs of torture and rape and then there is this, which is why the central city police is calling us in,” Garcia spoke but all eyes wen wide after we saw the pictures.

    “He removed their tongue,” J.J said looking disgusted. “That’s new.”

    “Actually this is the second time we have seen this. The last time was when Holis Walker killed 4 people in order to promote his book,” Reid replied. 

             "So rage maybe?" I said. "Maybe these women mean something to him."

             "He shows remorse with the way he dumps the body," Morgan replied. "But he's so angry when he kills them." 

              "Either Way we have 2 days to find this girl alive. Wheels up in 30," Hotch said, collecting his case files and bolting out of the room. 

               I started to collect mine when Penelope, Emily, and J.J sat around me. They had left all their stuff on the table where they were sitting and they were all staring at me. 

               "So when are you going to tell Hotch you have a crush on him?" Emily asked, staring into me. 

"I-I don't have a crush on Hotch," I chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "He's my boss, that would be completely wrong."

"You think you can hide that from some profilers?" J.J asked, smiling at me. 

"I am not hiding anything," I laughed when suddenly I saw Morgan coming up behind Penelope.

"Baby girl, why are you picking on her," Morgan asked, setting his hands on her shoulders. 

"Oh we're just teasing little miss (Y/N/N) about her crush on hotch," Emily said causing everyone to laugh. 

"And I just said I didn't have a crush on Hotch," I said standing up. 

"Sweetheart we all know, its okay," Morgan laughed, making me uncomfortably shuffle towards the door. 

"I definitely do not have a thing for Hotch," I replied walking towards the door. "I have to get my go bag before anyone else starts in om my supposed crush on hotch." 

I heard laughter from behind me but ignored it and ran to grab my bag. I quickly scooped the bag up and ran to meet the team. 

Soon we were sitting on the jet discussing the case when the pilot announced we would be landing in 10 minutes. That was Hotch's que to start handing everyone a job. 

"Rossi, you and agent Prentiss head to the abduction site, Reid, you and Agent Allen head to the dump site, J.J, Morgan, and I will head to the police department," Hotch finished then Morgan cut in. 

"Reid and I were actually hoping to head to the police department," he said and Reid looked suspiciously at him then turned back. 

"I wanted to start the geological profile," Reid smirked unconvincingly. 

"Okay I will go with Rossi, Prentiss, you head to the crime scene," Hotch replied, sighing and looking over the file. 

"Actually, sir, I would like to go to the abduction site if that's okay with you," Emily smiled. 

"I'll go to the dump site then. We will meet back at the station when we're done,"Hotch replied. 

The rest of the team smiled at each other before looking at me. I rolled my eyes at them and crossed my legs. They were absolutely right though, I did have a massive crush on Hotch. It started as just thinking he was hot and wanting to feel him thrust into me then I found the comforting side of him. I had gotten kidnapped while on a case Morgan joked it was a "rite of passage". It wasn't terrible. He had cut me a bit but when the team had broken open the door to his house it startled him enough for me to wiggle out of my restraints and attack him. Eventually I had to stab him just as Hotch broke in. He doted over me for weeks making sure I was okay and that he was always there if I needed to talk. It was very cute and it made my feelings for him grow more intense; however I was going to deny it until I was blue in the face. Even if it was no use because I was lying to a group of profilers. 

It was an uncomfortable ride to the dump site. I was trying to focus on the file in front of me but it was unbearably hot in the humid Missouri weather and for some horrible reason the a/c wasn't working. I was closer to using the file as a fan than actually looking it at. Hotch had taken his jacket off and loosened his tie which had me on edge. It looked as hot as I felt. I couldn't take my eyes off him but I didn't want him to see me. 

Soon the car was stopping and I was hopping out thankful to be out of the car but somehow it was hotter outside. 

"Hotch I can see the body was from here," I said standing on the other side of the car. 

"So he wasn't trying to hide her," he replied. 

I followed him down off the street and across the crime scene tape. 

"He has to have stayed here awhile. Posing on the victim, her hair is brushed, and her fingernails are painted. But he could be seen from the road," I said, throwing my hands in the pockets of my pants. 

"So he doesn't stand out," Hotch replied. 

"Or he parked his car and hid himself from view." 

"Then the car was plain enough not to raise alarm." 

"We're in Central City Hotch. I lived here for a bit, the locals are helpful. If they saw a car parked here at night they'd probably stop to ask what's wrong." 

Hotch actually looked a bit stumped for the first time since I had started working at the bau. 

"Then he has to have a van or truck," Hotch said.

"That's big enough to conceal her and him but something you wouldn't stop on the side of the road to help," I said stepping around the scene. "What about city or park trucks?" 

"They're large enough to block traffic from seeing him," Hotch paused. "Let's head to the station to meet with J.J, Reid, and Morgan. Hopefully Reid has something with the geographical profile." 

With those words Hotch was off with a phone to his ear I assume to Garcia. I followed close behind and slid in the car with him and we took off to the station. It wasn't far. We talked about the heat mainly and Central City. When we pulled up to the station I got queezy. This meant I'd have to see Joe and Barry again. It was a life I was hoping would never clash with this one. 

Hotch parked and we walked up the steps to the central city police station. It looked just as I remembered it, beautiful. J.J came fast approaching and stopped in front of Hotch. 

"Hotch, Captain Singh may have brought us in but the officers aren't cooperating. Detective Joe West was the officer assigned to this case." J.J said, stopping us in our tracks. 

"Is he cooperating?" Hotch replied. 

"For the most part yeah," J.J said tapping her thighs which she only did when she was frustrated. 

"They won't cooperate because of the flash," I piped up and they all looked at me confused. 

"Who is the flash?" J.J asked. 

"He's a vigilante from Central City. The U.S government has kept a handle on any information about him to keep from a vigilante crisis," Hotch replied. 

"If central city has the flash, why are we being called in?" J.J asked. 

"The flash is good at catching people but he isn't a detective. He can't find these women like we can," I replied. 

"I don't care about the flash right now, the only thing we should be focused on is finding this girl in the next 40 hours," Hotch said walking by J.J and into the bullpen. 

I followed and saw Joe talking to Reid and Morgan in a small glass room on the other side of the bullpen. I basically ran over and opened the door so excited to see Joe again. Then I saw Barry standing with them. 

"(Y/N)," Joe called out. 

"Joe," I smiled as he grabbed me into a large hug. 

"It's so good to see you," he said, squeezing me tightly. 

"It's so good to see you too," I smiled, parting from the hug and pulling Barry in. I hadn’t realized how much I missed his hugs. 

"It's been awhile (Y/N/N)," Barry said and I could hear the smile in his voice. 

"Yeah, I've missed you Bares," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. 

"I missed you too," Barry mumbled as I pulled away. 

"You guys know each other?" Morgan asked. 

"Yeah, I was in college and I lived with Joe, Barry, Wally, and Iris," I said feeling a bit happier. 

"Barry has been helping us with the forensic side of things," Reid replied. 

"How far did you get with the geographical profile?" I asked 

"Not very far," Reid said, making his nervous smile. 

"Don't tell Hotch that," I smirked and patted him on the shoulder. 

"We're thinking male, white, late 20s early 30s, sexual sadist," Morgan said, throwing the file down. 

"Hotch and I think he might work for the city or parks. He's got a truck that gives him enough privacy to pose the victim and brush her hair," I said. "And the only thing we could think of was city and park vehicles." 

"I already called Garcia to check for white males in their late 20s early 30s that have access to city or park vehicles," Hotch said standing over me. 

"That's almost anyone," Joe replied. "Anyone who works for the city, parks and recreation, police, or even just rich CEOs who donate." 

"Can you get me a list of all those people?" Hotch asked. 

"Yeah," Joe replied and started walking. "Barry, I'm going to need your help." 

"Coming Joe," Barry replied. "(Y/N/N) you s-should come by for dinner. Iris would love to see you." 

"I'll make time for it Barry," I smiled and squeezed his arm as he left. 

"Sweetheart, why didn't you tell us you were from here?" Morgan asked. 

"I'm not from here," I laughed trying to brush him off. "Iris, Barry, and I went to college together. We've kept in contact the best we can but things have happened." 

"Oh yeah what things?" Morgan laughed as Emily and Rossi came in. 

"The victim put up a huge struggle," Emily said and I silently cheered. "She threw anything within reach at him. We found bullet holes in the walls. We think she had a gun." 

Suddenly Morgan pulled out his phone.

"Hey baby girl it's Morgan," he said and we all knew he was calling Garcia. "I'm going to put you on speaker." 

"Hey Garcia, did Alyssa Smith have a gun registered to her?" Emily asked, putting her hands on the table. 

"Yes she did own a gun. She also had a hunting license," Garcia replied. 

"Did any of the other 3 victims?" Hotch asked, setting his hand on the lower of my back. It sent chills down my spine as I tried to focus. 

"Yes, all 3 victims had gun licenses and hunting licenses," Garcia replied. 

"Thanks baby girl," Morgan said. 

"Anything for you my love," Garcia replied as Morgan hung up the phone. 

 "You know, cases where victims have and use guns scare the shit out of me," I said, taking a step back and feeling slightly sad when Hotch took his hand off of me. 

"Thats our only pattern," Reid sighed. 

"I don't know if you've noticed but central city isn't exactly a hunting gun owning town. Most people don't own a gun unless you work in law enforcement," I replied. 

"Detective West said  law enforcement was on our list of people who had access to the vehicles we are looking for," Hotch said. "Get Garcia on the phone. I'm going to see if I can check on that list." 

"I'm going to talk to Barry and see if he has any contacts who saw anything," I said, starting to walk towards the door. 

"J.J make sure this doesn't get leaked to the press," Hotch said following. "Agent Allen, I need to talk to you." 

"Uh, yes sir," I said walking out and standing on the side. 

[cresvalkyrie]

Well, I’ve talked about Artemis yesterday, so now it’s time for Orion’s backstory!

CW: gender discrimination, mentions of transphobia, child neglect/abuse, death

So Orion is the eldest child of the family, roughly 13 years older than their sister Artemis. Their father was a high-ranking member of the police force, whereas their mother worked as a semi-successful wildlife vet. They were a descendant of the Viator Clan through their mother’s side, and was supposed to be next-in-line as host if it weren’t for her refusal to continue what she believed was a backwards, bloody family tradition.

Growing up, Orion had dreams of becoming a musician (though they had a childhood phase where they wanted to become a Pokemon Champion). Their father disapproved of their aspirations, believing them to be “overly soft” for them and wanted them to pursue a “tough” occupation - namely, a soldier or a police officer like himself.

Because of his own ambitions for Orion, he forced them to undergo all sorts of training in preparation for their “future".

While Orion hated every moment of it, they never spoke a word against it. They believed that their father only had the best interests in mind, so they endured it in silence. Eventually, they and their father came to a reluctant compromise: as long as Orion completed their daily quota of training, they were free to pursue their hobbies for the rest of the day - whatever it may be. Even with the compromise, their father continued to make snide remarks about Orion’s interests and passions in an attempt to discourage them.   

When Orion was around 13, their mother unexpectedly fell pregnant. Neither her nor their father had planned for it, but they were excited for their new arrival nonetheless. However, no one was as ecstatic as Orion when they heard the news, as they had wanted a younger sibling for the longest time.

It only went downhill from here. Their mother was caught in an accident and went into premature labour, only to die in childbirth. Orion was fortunate enough to be able to stay by her side as she lay dying, promising to take care of their sister in her stead. Their father wasn’t so lucky, and she was already long gone by the time he arrived to the scene.

Their father never got over the death of their mother. He blamed his infant daughter for taking his wife away from them, and treated her with varying degrees of cruelty depending on his moods. On his “good days”, he’d simply act as though she never existed and continued on like it never happened. On his “bad days”, he’d explode in violent fits of rage, hitting and destroying everything he could get his hands on. Sometimes, that would be Orion or even Artemis. 

Because of this and the promise they made to their mother, Orion was forced to raise their sister by themself. They also did their best to protect her from their increasingly unstable father, frequently at their own expense.

When they were around 14, Orion discovered they were non-binary. They tried to come out, only to quickly go back in when they were bullied and/or harassed for it. Their father, especially, was the worst of the lot; it was mainly because of him that Orion decided to take it back, out of fear and concern that he would take it out on Artemis.

Despite everything, they and Artemis shared a very close bond in the short time they were together. It was because of Orion’s influence and her positive memories of playing the mainline Pokemon games with them that led her to dabble in competitive battling, just as Orion had done before her. In fact, they even participated in the online Reborn League for a while, only to forfeit after they got stumped at the final leader (that being Lin).

When Orion turned 18, their father suffered a stroke and died days later. While this wouldn’t have changed much, Orion was due for their mandatory national service and so they were unable to care for Artemis for at least a few years. Because of this, they decided to drop her off at their only living relative - their grandfather - and then return for their mandatory service.

Disaster soon struck when the train they were on derailed due to a failed hijack, falling into the straits it had been crossing. The incident left many of its passengers dead, with its few survivors maimed for life. Orion would have been subjected to the same fate as their fellow passengers, if it weren’t for Nostra’s timely intervention. She teleported them away from the derailed train, and the next thing they knew, they woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom with no clues other than a telepathic message - “come to Reborn”.

And the rest... is history.  

[silentprincess17]

This is for your requests (congratulations on getting 200 followers, by the way!) — perhaps a ST fanfic? The fandom (and I) are desperately being deprived of such quality fan content of the ship (I also need something to hold me over while I wait for the next chapter for “A Level Crossing”, haha). If possible, could you do a modern AU of the ship? I know it’s kind of hard to do, considering the setting haha, but it’s just a suggestion; I’ve always wanted to see what ST looks like in a modern AU.

Hello! Honeslty I feel you with lack of ST! So! Here is my take on modern AU Spirit Tracks!

1) Link and Zelda are 18 in this fic! (As Link is canonically about 13 (?) In ST, and he’s already a Royal Engineer I’ve shuffled some of the education systems around so they’ve both finished university by 18.

2) In terms of understanding my modern rail map version- I have essentially coloured on train lines onto ST’s train tracks. Imagine that there are two lines going either way for trains pulling in/out of a station to run a cohesive service. The connection centre is the Tower of Spirits, with the Circle line being the “tourist line” if you want to go on tours of the more fun stations. Here is my map:

For better formatting here is the AO3 link!

Otherwise off we go on tumblr below:

A New Itinerary

Summary: It's Link's first day on the Royal Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme... How hard could things get?

(Spoiler? Very hard. Especially if a Princess on an escapade decides to jump on board)

Kindly beta read by @zeldadiarist, @zeldaelmo and @braidy-maidy :)

To say Link was a little nervous would be an understatement. Yes, he’d been relaxed about it all, but that was mostly because he… um… had forgotten about it? And now it was staring him in the face after a very short journey on the quiet Forest line early this morning, he wasn’t sure he was entirely ready.

Last week, he received his graduation certificate at Hyrule University, completing his course in mechanical engineering, first class honours. Better yet, he’d already secured a master’s specialising in train engines, which he’d complete whilst on an apprenticeship with the Royal Hyrule Train Company. It was a prized apprenticeship, one that many sought after, mainly because of the chance to graduate as a Royal Engineer. Link was still somewhat reeling from processing he’d even been accepted, barely a month ago, and now it was his first day. Already!

He swallowed, took a deep breath, and entered the train office at Castle Town, where the headquarters were. Today, he was to receive his instructions for his first few weeks on the job. What he liked about the apprenticeship was the ability to rotate through the roles. It was encouraged to both work on actual engineering inside trains, as well on the train service, in order to gain a true understanding of the system, its flaws and thus devise the optimal solution.

Yes, he’d memorised that from the acceptance letter. No, he wasn’t totally besotted with it.

Link had already had a year’s worth of exposure on the tracks, with his mentor Alfonzo, the train enthusiast from Adoba Village that had allowed Link to shadow him on the job for a year as evidence of commitment and enthusiasm. Yes, he was ready. Ready and rearing to go!

He walked up the reception, trying to swallow and wet his dry throat, about to voice who he was, but that didn’t end up happening. He spotted Operator Niko and changed course to meet him.

The elderly man had a smile on his lips as he stumped the cane down with each step. Link was suddenly reassured- this was the man who’d done his interview! Whew, this was going to be easier than he thought. “Ah! Link! It’s your first day today? Wonderful to have another talented student to officially join!”

His cheeks flushed. “Thank you.”

“Right, I’m sure you’re wondering what you’re going to be doing so let’s have a look at the rota…” with a gnarled hand, Niko slowly fisted the slate off his waist, and started to curse at the device. “Back in my day it was all pen and paper. Mind you not that the fingers could handle a pen anymore. Ah, old age. No one warns you of these things.”

Link stumbled for something to say. What was there to say? Why was he so nervous? “Don’t worry lad, we’ll get you set up in no time, remind me if I forget- I need to give you a slate for your studies plus work… I’ve just got to find the rota first… stupid email. How do you search for things again… right. It’s that magnifying glass.”

Link nodded, then realised Niko wasn’t looking at him, so he wouldn’t see. “Yes.” Spirits. Did everything always feel this awkward on your first day?

“Okay! So you’ve been placed as a driver for the next month. The idea is to experience what running a train is like in practice. You’ll have a session with Officer Alzonfo in about…” He checked his watch, “30 minutes. He’ll teach you everything you need and then you’ll be in safety simulations, have a check up to ensure you’re fit, and then tomorrow you’ll hit the rails with your mentor…” Niko flicked the page, “Oh.”

He shuffled closer, “Lad, you’ve been placed with Staven as your mentor. He’s… not… particularly keen on teaching. But if he doesn’t show up, or if you’re confused, you come find me okay? I’ll try my best to sort it out for you. I’m not sure why he’s still on the programme but… something about portfolios something something probably.”

Link nodded again, this time even more frightened.They couldn’t expect him to go handle trains with just one day training right? Okay, so technically he’d shadowed a driver for a year BUT- this was something else!

And yeah, he'd gone inside the engine room once to see the installation of an engine he’d helped design for his final year research project but… Niko must have seen how tense he suddenly became and he stepped closer, a hand resting on Link’s wrist. “Don’t worry Link, in two months you’ll be in engineering proper, and I hope you’ll have some rejuvenating ideas after your time on the tracks!”

For what felt like the millionth time, he nodded. And he could only hope it would all work out.

*

4:15 am the next day, freshly trained in the mechanics of automated train operation, as well as the back up emergency controls and general safety netting, Link tilted back and forth, trying to stave off the innate need to just close his eyes whilst he waited for Staven to show up.

His slate lit up with an incoming call, and he answered.

“This Link?”

“Yes?”

“Right this is Staven. Various issues have happened this AM, I’ve got to cover the Central Hyrule line. Alfonzo reassured me you’d shadowed him for a year, so you’d be fine handling a train on the quieter Forest line. Okay?”

“What– you mean without supervision?”

“Look we have CCTV everywhere and the train operators in TOS will control everything, just make sure people mind the gap and don’t knock into each other too much at peak.”

TOS? Oh- Tower of Spirits. “But-”

“You won’t let me down now will you? You’ll be fine. Call me if anything goes wrong. Going into the Tower now, I’ll talk to you soon. Bye now.”

Um. Okay, so, that was that. Link was trying very hard not to panic, his fingers shaking as he opened up his contacts, hovering over Niko’s name. He had about 5 minutes before the train he was scheduled to drive (supervised!) on was supposed to leave. Would that be enough time to find a replacement? He didn’t want to be that guy who cancelled trains. He knew how frustrating that was as a commuter.

Before he could press the button, a heavily bundled person, with a huge burgundy coat, and a beige hat and matching scarf wrapped around their face, with blonde hair sticking out in front, bumped into him. “Oh! Look, would you please just step aside! Some of us have places to be! You’re literally in the middle of a narrow corridor, at least move to the wall if you want to be an obstacle!”

What? “Um. I’m… sorry?”

Whoever it was pushed the top of the hat slightly higher, so he could now make out a pair of blue eyes as deep as the ocean stretching beyond Aboda. He was momentarily startled, and he felt himself start to flush red. It was a girl. A… a very pretty one at that. She scrutinised his uniform, sticking an arm out and gesturing to the silent train on the left. “Are you the driver of this train?”

“Um.” That was a hard question. Was he?

“Well if you’re not, who is? It’s supposed to leave in three minutes. Normally, the doors are already open. And we leave on the dot. I cannot be delayed.”

She heaved right up close to him, and he leaned backwards reflexively, “I simply cannot! Do you understand? So who's driving it? Where are they? When are we going to leave?”

“Ma’am-”

She leaned closer still and Link wondered how much further back he could go (side note: she smelt nice). “Do not ma’am me! They only ma’am you when something’s wrong! I can’t be late! I need to change over at -” She suddenly stopped. “Wait, you're a stranger. I shouldn’t tell you all of this. But you’re in a Royal Hyrule uniform. Can you help or not? Should I go to the help desk? Is there a help desk? Is it even open at this Goddess-forsaken hour?”

Why was she ranting at him so much? He was having a bad time too! “It’s my first day!” He blurted out. “It’s my first day and I was supposed to be under supervision for this service, but apparently my supervisor is busy on another line and asked me to do it alone, and okay, fine, I have some experience with driving trains but I’ve never done it alone and I don’t want to let everyone down but –” He took a breath.

She blinked, and then whisked back to her original position, out of his personal space. “Oh. I realise I might have come across a little strongly.”

“Just a bit.”

“I’m sorry.” She held her hand out, “My name is Zelda. I am… somewhat preoccupied with leaving as early as possible before um, well, to reach my destination faster because uh, interconnections, and there are fewer trains on the other side...”

He wanted to raise an eyebrow. He decided not to, seeing as they were off to a fresh start. “I’m Link. Recent mechanical engineering graduate, new apprentice of the Royal Hyrule Train Company. Nice to meet you, Zelda.”

A smile broke out on her face, half incredulous. (She really was quite cute.) “Really?”

He laughed. “Really. It was a good wake up call for sure.” A smattering of chuckles broke out between them, before a somewhat awkward silence descended. The clock ganged at half-past, and suddenly, Zelda jolted.

“Oh no. Link, I really need your help. I realise you might not be the most experienced but I really- it is imperative I leave as soon as-”

“PRINCESS. PRINCESS IS THAT YOU?”

She became ramrod straight, panic flaring across her face, before she shoved him towards the front of the train. “Oops. I apologise in advance but we really need to go! Can you drive? Safely-ish?”

“Um yes? Sort of-” No hang on what was he agreeing too? Just because of a pretty girl? He needed to call Niko! “No-wait-Zelda-”

“Link, if you must know, I’m the Princess and I’m currently running away! I can’t have them catch me!”

He only had the capacity to stare in shock. He thought that name was familiar. Damn him and his memory!

“Don’t- look- there’s no time! Once you start driving-” she directed him to open up the train carriage door, and then enter the driver’s seating area with another key. He stumbled through the steps, and all of a sudden he was in the driver’s seat, Zelda next to him and she was flicking on the light button. “Zelda I can’t in good consciousness-”

“Link. We’ll do it together. I watched a lot of Hy-tube videos. It’s all good. Also, don’t worry about anyone finding out you’ve gone rogue. I’ll provide a very good excuse: I ordered you. There.”

He started at the engine start up, before her hand found his. “I’m really sorry. But this is important, I promise. I’m not going rogue for no reason. And those at the castle just don’t understand. I’ll explain more on the way. Will you please help me?”

Well frankly, he didn’t understand either, but whilst he wasn’t sure what was going on, he understood her desperation, and somehow, he trusted her enough to know she wouldn’t be doing this for no reason. Something about how upfront she was made him think she wasn’t one to lie.

“Okay, look. We’re going to call my boss first. And if he gives us the all clear, then we’ll go. Whoever it is chasing you can’t get in here. And they won’t be able to get on board the train because”- he reached over and locked the doors shut- “there.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

*

Niko seemed happy enough to let him go, it was early enough that there shouldn't be much trouble, and he believed Link had sufficient experience to do it. If they didn’t get the line up and running, there would be backlogs, which meant everything else would be delayed. And then the complaints would shuffle in, and that wasn’t something anyone wanted to deal with. So, whilst Niko tried to find someone, Link would run the service independently, with a promise to phone in at any slight indication things were going wrong.

They completed the mandatory safety checks together, with Niko just about managing to video call, (Zelda ducked underneath the chair) before Link settled back into the driver’s seat and then they headed off.

Zelda was very excited to be in the driver’s carriage. She leaned out of the windows, hat and scarf off and golden hair flowing in the breeze as he ramped the speed up. He was nervous about keeping on top of all the signs, but she was a major help, acting as his partner in deciphering them and implementing them accordingly.

By the time they reached the first junction, Link was considerably more relaxed, the motion controls coming more easily, the gear changes simple enough to do, and he eased into the routine he had watched Alfonso do for all of his train journeys.

She swung back down into her seat, abuzz. He figured now was as good a time as any to ask what she was escaping from. “So, ready to tell me why you’re sneaking off?”

She sobered, “Right. I do owe you an explanation. Firstly, I really am quite sorry for my outburst Link, but it is justified. I… I-I well it’s actually a long story. My ancestor, from aeons ago… Do you know the story of the Princess who became a ghost?”

Uh… he um… he now really regretted not paying attention in history class. “Not exactly.”

“Well, long story short, there was an evil chancellor, he stole her body to reincarnate an evil demon inside it, and he broke up the train tracks that covered this land. That Princess traversed across the land with a boy in green, as they sought to restore the tracks and rebuild the prison the demon was put in, and reclaim her body. In the end, they succeeded, and the demon has been sealed since.”

“Wow. That is some… trip. I remember being told it as a fairytale when I was a boy.”

“Yes well… Legends are based on real life events. I suppose no one really wants to believe in them because the implications are pretty dire. We’ve got records of this, weapons that Hero used that are still in the castle’s armoury. So… it really did happen. And it’s my responsibility as the current Princess to make sure the spirit tracks are maintained. If they vanish again then- well. Suffice to say, I do not… want to risk losing my body. So I must check them, and ensure everything is still intact.”

Link wondered if that was all there was to it. Was she really running away for a historical trip on the tracks? When did these events with the past princess even happen? Surely it had been a long time… Maybe there was more to it but she didn’t want to share…

He was distracted when she pulled out a map, when they came to a red stop light. “Look here, Link. We have restructured the train system in the electrical revolution where we converted to electrical trains and modernised the entire system. Half of the tracks we no longer use.” She fingered several faded lines up to a… tree? And another to a place deep in the forest.

He stared in shock. “Wait so there are more tracks than what we have? More stations?”

“Yes! Theoretically anyway.”

His mind whirled, “but… but those aren’t electrified. How are you gonna reach them?”

“Right again. I need to hire a steam, or indeed, a renewable-energy powered locomotive, and travel to those areas.”

Oh! Renewable trains! He’d been working on a prototype for that for a while now. It was what his master’s project had focused on, actually. He’d constructed the electromagnetic power source, and the wiring inside, just the shell of the train was needed to outfit the whole thing. But he couldn’t exactly impose on her, not when she was only taking a train that he happened to be driving. Not to mention he’d just started his apprenticeship so there was no way he could go with her… still he was curious. “Where do you think you’ll get one?”

“I… I don’t know yet. I hope there’ll be someone who can help in Aboda. The best train engineers live there.”

Oh…? “Do you think you’ll be able to drive alone?”

She shuffled. “I um. I may have assumed I’d find a driver too.”

She… really wasn’t prepared. “That’s a lot of maybes, Zelda.”

“There’s only so much planning one can do! Not when you’re under supervision 24/7 and this isn’t a permitted venture!”

Actually, there was the one thing that still didn’t make sense to him… “But this is a good thing, no? Why are you running away to do it? Surely it’d be easier to do if the castle organises it?” That way she’d also have a credited royal engineer to hand, plus a train, and it would make life considerably easier.

A sharp frown emerged, and she huffed. “You’d think so! But no. Apparently this would be unnecessary, and a waste of time as well as resources. But I’m funding it using my own money. I do work, you know. I worked in Castle Town’s Central Library for months to save up! As for time, well, I’m leaving at the most convenient time. Everything is set up for my coronation, Hyrule is stable and steady, we’re in the ends of the spring recess so technically most people are on holiday for the next two months anyway…”

He cleared his throat. “Well, I can at least help with the first thing. I’ve got a train… somewhat ready that will work on those tracks… if they do exist. But I’m not sure how I can help with the driver situation though. I’ve only just started out so I-I am not exactly qualified as a Royal Engineer and I am not entirely sure how my leave w-works…” he stammered, suddenly backtracking, “that’s not to say you even want me to do it- I- it just felt right to offer…”

A light sparked in her eye. “Aw. Thank you very much Link. But you’ve only just started your apprenticeship. You are very kind for offering, but your studies take priority! I’ll find someone… hopefully. There might be a retired engineer…”

He glanced at her through the side mirror. It didn’t sound like she had much organised for this venture, which didn’t entirely seem her fault. “Still… I’d like to help.”

They were almost upon Whittleton, and Link started to slow the train down, notching down a gear, one at a time. He eased into the station and they hopped off. It would be a five minute break here to allow everyone to transit and settle any goods in, before they headed on their way down to Aboda. This was the quieter end of the line, and it was ridiculously early, so Link wasn’t surprised when only three people aside from Zelda and him popped out.

Zelda gaped at the woodland houses. He chuckled. “I’m going to guess you haven’t visited?”

“No? This is like one of those secret stations hidden on a line. I’ve”- she stumbled on the first step down from the platform in her haste, and he scrambled to grip her hand and stop her from falling, “-ah-thanks Link. Well I was saying I’ve never… gone… on a public train before. I’ve always travelled with the Royal Engineers, in trains that go to one destination only.”

He tried to not look too surprised. But never? Although perhaps it made sense from a security perspective. Still… “Have you never snuck out before?”

She shrugged. “Well no. There was never any reason to. Most of my diplomatic meetings take place in Hyrule Castle because it’s typically easier for everyone to commute there. I’ve only gone to Aboda once in the summer as a holiday before-”

Her voice caught, and her gaze shifted off him and latched onto one of the villagers instead. “Well Link, I must ask about the Hyrulean Forest… I imagine these people would best know the details of what might await. We’ve only got a few more minutes right?”

What was that about? He checked his watch. “Four.”

“Okay! I’ll see you a bit?”

Was… did she not want him to come with? He was rooted to the spot, the words of offering help dying on his tongue as she speed walked away, and he slowly backpedalled into the train, letting the door to the driver’s section shut behind him.

Just what had happened to him? He was starting out on his apprenticeship! He had big things to focus on! He was driving a train alone! Why did he care so much about this girl he met a whole twenty minutes ago? Hell, he’d even been half minded to accompany her on this journey.

Shaking his head he refocussed. Fine. He could freely admit Zelda intrigued him, and he wanted to help her. Okay maybe because he had a small crush. Who wouldn’t? And her story, her answers, her silences all captivated him. But there was a line as to where that help could extend to, she’d drawn it, and he wouldn’t cross it.

So, he remained silent as a knock resounded on his door and he opened it to see her slightly breathless, a journal of sorts clasped to her chest. “I didn’t actually know if I should sit with you or-”

He shrugged. “Whatever you want. We’re setting off though, so strap in if you’re gonna stay here.”

He wouldn’t let himself get distracted again.

*

They pulled into Aboda Village with relatively few passengers. Some people had clearly set out early on the train to maximise their holiday. Aboda was busy this time of year, the beaches crowded, the shouts of children screaming echoed through, even reaching the train station.

They hadn’t talked much on the way back, Zelda lost to her journal, and he focussed on actually driving the train. He was left to stew in his thoughts. He wondered if he’d ruined it all. Maybe he’d misinterpreted something, but it was too late to say anything, as he clamped on the brakes, and eased the train into Aboda station.

“Well here we are ma’am.”

“You don’t have to be so formal,” she punched his shoulder. Oof. That hurt more than he was willing to say. But it was good to know he hadn’t majorly offended her somehow. Maybe she had just wanted some privacy as she asked questions? Or she didn’t want to force him to follow? And he technically hadn’t said anything either at the time, nerves fried. It was a relief to know he’d just been overreacting.

“I was just joking Zelda!”

“Well it’ll teach you to not do it again. I’ll hopefully see you at some point? Who knows you may be driving one of the main trains I’ll come across!”

He smiled. “Well, if you ever need my train, just… let me know?”

She pulled her phone out. “Will do! But maybe we should exchange numbers anyway? For uh… for just keeping in contact?”

His smile grew as he thumbed his number in. “Good luck, Zelda.”

“You too!”

Link slumped back into Aboda, finally exiting the last train he was responsible for, at 16:30 pm. That was the start of the peak time, evening wise, and the new driver would take over from there and carry on until midnight.

Wow, what a first day. He slipped out of the carriage, performed the final safety checks, made sure no one was hiding inside, before he remotely transported the train into the depot just north of Aboda where it would undergo night maintenance. Another fresh train was pulled out, with the driver entering shortly afterwards.

Link signed off with Niko, before finally walking down the sand-filled path to his small flat on the western edge of town. Spirits above he was so ready for a nap.

In fact, he was already half-asleep, and so missed the bundle of blonde hair knocking into him the second time that day. At least he knew who it was this time around. “Zelda?”

“Oh fancy seeing you here again!”

He raised an eyebrow.

“What? I was just taking the day to um, explore the beach.” She held up a beach umbrella, and a bottle of sun lotion. “It’s a really nice day out!”

“So… you’ve explored the beach for…” He made a show of checking his watch, “8 hours?”

Her forced smile disappeared. “I don’t really know where to begin. I tried looking for an engineering club I read about on Hyrule Net, but I don’t think it exists. I was mistaken for thinking there would be plenty of train drivers with… appropriate trains, not to mention ones I could… trust to bring me on a journey.”

A sigh escaped him. He didn’t really know what to say. “Well, it’ll be peak time soon so you’ll get lots of trains going back to the castle… Have you eaten anything? If you want- I mean- I know a few good restaurants in town and we could eat something before you head off?”

“You know, that does sound nice. I could really do with a fish and chips. I had that once as a child here and nothing ever reached that same standard.”

Laughing, he started off towards the centre of town, “that’s the one good thing about living in a seaside town: endless fish and chips.”

*

They ended up by the beach, shoes off, feet in the sand with greasy fingers from their meal. Zelda had long since abandoned her disguise, hair flowing around them, her laughter chiming in the soft breeze. Conversation flowed freely between them, over what they’d studied, to their favourite colours. The sun was slowly setting, behind them, when Link’s slate started to ring.

It was Staven.

Link swallowed down the last chip, before answering. “You alive yeah? Nothing drastic happened I should know about?”

Frowning slightly, Link replied, “uh, no.”

“Well make sure you send a report next time. It’s been four hours since you clocked off, why isn’t the report in my inbox already? And you’re on the same schedule for tomorrow by the way. I won’t be babying you.”

“I’ll um- I’ll just do it now-”

“Right-o. Report, and then bed. Goodnight Link.”

The slate went dark just as quickly as it’d come on.

“Well, he’s a right prick.”

Link choked.

“What? Seriously! It’s your first day and you ran a whole service solo. He should be grateful! Not patronising! This is your time off! You’re allowed to do what you want! Not to mention, I bet you had no idea you even had to do a report. Or even, what’s supposed to go in it!”

He stared stupefied. “You got it bang on the head.”

“All universities are the same. Politics was just like that. Check your intro email, hopefully it has some details. If not just say it all went well.”

They had a search on his slate for one, found a blank template for report and filled one in, submitting it to Staven. Link had a realisation whilst they were typing together though.

“Hey, Zelda?”

“Hm?”

“This is my free time, right?”

“Yep. Make sure they don’t impinge too much on it! You’re working now so you’re guaranteed time off at the end of the day. I wish this applied to being a Princess, but alas.”

He shuffled a little, scrunched his hands together. “So… I mean, if you want, we could… we could go to those stations? Those tracks? Just outside my shift time. I don’t… I don’t see why we wouldn’t be able to go. I just sort of need to finish building the train but…” he hadn’t had the courage to look at her until that point.

“You’d… really do that?”

He was sincere when he nodded. “This way, I’ll come pick you up from the castle, and we can do a bit at a time. This way, your council won’t be too upset with you. And it’ll give us both guaranteed time off. Plus… you’ll do what you dreamed of doing.”

A smile as bright as the sun lit up on her face. “Awesome! Okay. Okay we can really do it Link!” She reached for his hand and squeezed excitedly, and his heart thumped doubly hard. And then realisation dawned on her face and she whipped her gaze back to the coast line. “Wait. What time is it?”

Oh. Oh no. “… uh, 7:34? Oh Goddess! The next train is in 3 minutes and after that it’s a 30 min wait. Put your shoes on, quick!”

A mad dash to the station, promises of texts later when she’s reached home, and plans for to meet tomorrow were hurriedly organised as the train departed and Link finally made his way home.

That wasn’t at all how he’d expected his first day to go. And yet, he couldn’t be more excited. He stumbled into his apartment and headed straight for the fridge, the run making him ravenous for some ice cream. After that, it was going to be a 5 minute shower and sleep. He set the alarm two hours early so he could start constructing the train before his shift started, shoved two spoonfuls of ice cream in before rushing to the shower.

Despite his fatigue, a smile broke out on his lips as a message from Zelda pinged in- the train was a fast track to Castle Town so it would be there in twenty instead of the usual 30 minutes.

Tomorrow… was the dawn of a new adventure.

[charlesandmartine]

Tuesday 28th February 2023

It was a short stay perhaps but we've had a great time on the cattle station with Dave and Kaylee. They were fantastic hosts and despite being incredibly busy were prepared to spend time with us to show how a station works day to day. Today we have had perhaps our longest journey yet. It was 485kms and due to take some 5 hrs so we quit our jobs as cattle station hands and hit the road. The first challenge was to get the Nissan off the station; a move of 3kms to the main highway along an extremely rough red dirt track constructed mainly of mud ruts and potholes. Now let me make it clear to anyone choosing to buy a Nissan X trail. This is an SUV but is definitely not an off road vehicle. We took it extremely slowly sometimes making good progress and other times thinking something important has just dropped off. Much scraping at times too. Anyway Rental cars are able to go places other cars cannot and before long we tumbled out onto the Warrego Highway A2 also named the Matilda Way and on our way to Longreach. Not tempted with chicken racing we pretty soon slipped past the Queensland's Outback Central West sign as we ploughed on North. Then once again we passed through the dingo fence. No-one seems to know which side the dingoes are supposed to be. I'm not too sure the average Dingo knows either. They have been seen both sides I'm told. The route took us through Augathella then Tambo where we stopped for a flat white and a short stroll. Very pleasing town which appeared to have a preoccupation with teddy bears and also boasted a very nice Dennis fire engine built in England but deemed unreliable so it was replaced! Next stop had to be lunch so we pushed on to Blackall. A different place entirely with strong roots with the newly emerging Labour party, somewhat given a push because in the late 1880s employers were dropping the rate paid for sheep shearing and upset about this shearers were clubbing together to do something about this. This was a proud sheep shearing area and on 20th October 1892 Jackie Howe won the World Champion Blade Shearer title for shearing 321 sheep in 7hrs 40mins. Not many people have done that! Also in this fair town was a thing called the Black Stump which is a blackened tree stump upon which early surveyors placed their theodolite on to calculate longitude and latitude readings which were used for mapping the area. Of course this was a replica because like many things in this country the original burnt down.

We continue on along Matilda to Barcaldine and then to our destination Longreach and the Staging Post Motel. We only just made it in time before the 5pm closure of reception. It really is rather nice. The rooms are constructed to look like stables with unashamed use of corrugated iron and oak timbers. Where would Australians be without corrugated iron! Copper piping and upturned buckets are rather eclectic design features. You'd need to see it I suppose but it kind of works. At least the air-conditioning works well, it's still 32 degrees outside at 9pm from a top of 38 degrees this afternoon.

Exciting day tomorrow as we push on to the most western point in our tour, Winton.