#memories of you as a dad will live for centuries man

[autisticburnham]

I've never really understood the obsession some people have with leaving a legacy, but I hope Stamets' little arc about it is going to end with him concluding that the best legacy he can leave is being a good dad to Adira

[fumifooms]

People should talk about Yaad and Thistle more. Weird granduncle that killed your dad in a petty impulsive punitive act, leaving you very scared of him as you live under his control for centuries. Imagine growing up hearing stories of the King’s brother, the kind, clever, collected and calm advisor and right hand man. But only knowing him by how warped he’s become, violent and erratic. He punishes you, too, robbing you of any agency by putting you inside of a doll. And then despite, he becomes catatonic and you’re left to take care of him in his brother’s body while he thinks you’re him. And then you see those slivers of that nice caring person you heard so much about in your childhood a millenium ago, and as he babbles about Delgal thinking he’s you, recalling memories and old habits, you wonder about how things must have used to be, before, and how they’ve changed irreparably. Today is melancholic again.

Yaad being like, Thistle’s sort of great-nephew who’s lived most of his life seeing him as being out of his mind and only a mirage of the noble attentive person he once was, now having to take care of him, someone who was an older familial figure to him… Seeing him gentle, soft and unhurried after all this time spent in an emotional anxious paranoid frenzy... Yaad and Thistle post-canon is so special

[stoat-party]

Every Fallout 4 Companion’s Approximate Birth Year (Part 3/3)

CVRIE — 2076

I assume Miss Nannies went out of production when the world exploded.

Codsworth — 2077

His box is still in your house during the prologue.

He also mentions enjoying the “months” he’s spent with you, though he might mean since Shaun was born.

Nick — 2175

We know it was over a century ago, but it can’t have been too far prior to the Gen 3 rollout around 2227.

I think Nick is the older brother, because it makes sense to start by creating a synth with stored personalities before trying to make one that develops a personality autonomously.

Longfellow — 2223

This man is only in his SIXTIES, they are LYING TO YOU

The Children of Atom were full-fledged on the Island when Longfellow was young. Confessor Cromwell is the one who sent them to Maine.

But he couldn’t have become Confessor until the mid-2250s, because he’s only FORTY-FOUR in Fallout 3, and he had a background as a trader before that! AND there still had to be time for the Children to travel all the way to Maine.

So Longfellow was born in the twenties, had his sad backstory in the fifties, and is about 65 in Fallout 4.

Strong — 2230

Strong could have been anyone, but I think he was either a divorced dad who would’ve been an accountant in another life, or just Mayor McDonough.

Hancock — 2235

Is 53-year-old Hancock controversial? Let me cook.

There’s support for the theory that synth McDonough was created before the election in 2282. We can assume the human had full gray hair at that point, because synths don’t go gray. So he was probably in his fifties at least.

John was younger, but he can’t have been that much younger. So he was probably ghoulified in his late forties.

Deacon — 2245

If you accept the John D. theory, this does put him a little on the young side, but it fits.

Gage — 2251

There’s not much backstory from his teens up to 2286, and I’m tempted to believe it was a shorter period. But he has late-thirties eyes.

…Eye.

Cait — 2260

Her parents helpfully drew the line at child trafficking, so we have a good idea of her age. She was 18 when she went into slavery and about 23 when she left.

Some time later, she spent about three years at the Combat Zone. Assuming some buffer room between the two periods, I put her at 27 years.

Danse — 2261

He’d have lived in the Institute for awhile, then Rivet City, then the Brotherhood.

He was already a paladin in 2277, but Maxson says it took him “many years” to become one.

Preston — 2262

I don’t know what it is about him that screams 25-year-old to me.

He joined the Minutemen at 17, then had “a few good years” before 2282 when Becker died.

MacCready — 2264

He was twelve in August 2277, and at that point he’d been mayor for three years.

He became mayor at ten. So he’s got to be nearly thirteen at the start of Fallout 3, which would make him 23 in Fallout 4.

Piper — 2166

Nat seems 13 to me. 

If Piper is old enough to have taken care of her as a baby, but not old enough to have significant memories of their mother, 21 sounds about wright.

Curie — 2277

Glory escaped the Institute in 2280, and she and G5 had known each other for some time before that.

Ada — 2281

Jackson seems to have created her reasonably recently.

Dogmeat IV — 2285

I think he is ouppy:)

X6-88 — 2287. 

Yeah, I said it.

This man thinks he’s so evil but he’s an actual baby.

My reasoning is that he wishes he had been there to see the University Point massacre in 2286, but apparently wasn’t.

It makes the game so much funnier.

If he was born earlier in the year, he could have been trained in time for the Kellogg flashback.

Part 1

Part 2

[thewertsearch]

pipefan413: The girl that day swore she would bring down the baroness and her evil empire. She would use the many secrets she'd learned over the years against her, and began carefully plotting her downfall.

Tell us more, Nanna! I need to know what you had planned!

The prank of the century, perhaps? Something that could rob Crocker of her money, power and reputation, all at once?

pipefan413: Years went by. The girl was nearly ready to put her plan into action. But then, just like that, the baroness disappeared. She was never seen or heard from again.

God damn it, we were robbed of a final sinister 'hoo hoo hoo'!

Perhaps Grandpa had pulled off his own plot, in the meantime. He knew Crocker was a piece of shit too, after all, and might have been just as vengeful as Nanna.

pipefan413: The girl was finally free, by a strange turn of events. But not without a final jab from the witch. It turned out that in her will she had left the entire company to the boy!

Well, that really does make it sound like Grandpa orchestrated this.

If he was running a parallel scheme to Nanna’s, then they missed an excellent opportunity here to reconnect, and team up against the Batterwitch. If they’d only communicated, Crocker could have been taken down that much sooner.

pipefan413: The boy, now a grown man, was already very wealthy in his own right. He had no particular need for the baking empire, but assumed control nonetheless, and integrated the company into his extensive collection of enterprises.

We can assume, of course, that this was all in service to Skaianet. Somehow, Grandpa became aware of his origins – the how is still a mystery, unless Crocker told him in private – and he was making his own moves in the background, making sure that Sburb arrived on schedule.

...actually, I do have one new theory about how he knew so much about Sburb. If my memory-bleed theory is true, then he could have learned about the game from his other incarnation, the rebooted version of Grandpa. That guy could know anything.

Anyway, Grandpa’s moves would have been a lot more effective if he'd had any contact whatsoever with Nanna. I know this was long before group chats, but damn. Get a mailing list, or something. Communicate!

pipefan413: She considered a reunion with her estranged brother, and once destined husband to be. But the days of longing for a future with him seemed to be from another lifetime. The chance had come and gone. She was content to let him live his increasingly elaborate life, while she sought a simpler one. pipefan413: Besides, now was not the time to revisit a destiny with an old star-crossed lover. She had recently become betrothed to a fine, upstanding gentleman. Soon, she would start a family. No, not one meant for heroism as foretold, but one that would make her happy nonetheless.

You have to wonder if Dad’s father is a character we already know, or maybe another celebrity cameo. I don’t really have any theories here, but given that Betty Crocker is now critical to the plot, Dad's father could be anyone.

[currentfandomkick]

Based on this post

Tim tried not to remember.

But when you die the first time from electrocution and get dosed with enough ecto-everything the first time you die, electricity becomes a memory trigger.

Static shocks from a sweater just reminds you of shock wars with someone warm, no specific images.

Somedays when you get hit with Nightwing’s escrima sticks, even low level, you get a flicker of fighting some Discount Dracula and brush it off as a hallucination.

A few rogues hit him with live wires in the rain. Those were always bad. Flickers of people in googles and the worst neon jumpsuits hovering over him, saying words he couldn’t hear. He always felt floaty after, and hid at Drake Manor in his parents’ closet.

His mom’s perfume and Dad’s rank colognes were grounding. those hallucinations were getting worse, sure, but you’re Robin, and as Robin you can’t let Batman down.

Nightwing needs a brother that he can trust to handle Bruce’s depression, suicidal-by-vigilantism, and escalating violence. Nightwing holds everyone else together. Tim can hold just himself and Bruce together and give Alfred a break.

Tim can do it, he swears. He can’t fill growing void Jason’s death left, but he can make supports for Bruce’s crumbling everything. He can be a safety net for Alfred, who is never given grieving space for his lost loved one. He can be the no-drama little brother Nightwing needs after Jason’s death.

But he will not touch being Bruce’s son. Especially after the JJ incident and the memory influx. Bruce is too much like Jack as Brucie, too much like Fruitloop as Batman.

Tim is not Alfred’s grandson or son. He’s a co-parent for Bruce in his time of need (and bullying the man back into someone Jason had loved once). Alfred can be his friend, bug not family.

Tim always honored the dead and mourns them, even when they don’t remember him. Even those that never knew him stretching centuries back. He learned from this life’s parents that bonds are sacred and their loss devastating. They showed him in archeology and actions.

And Tim, he. He’s doing okay.

After the Joker and Freakshow merging into one personas he was shocked over and over.

He heard Freakshow say to kill Sam in the memory.

Vlad strapping him down and zapping him over and over again. His parents vivisecting him despite his screams. Jazz killing them and helping him escape, only to die in Tucker and Sam’s arms in the car. Again.

He killed the Joker then and there. Gun shot.

After the Joker got him and he escaped, he was doing Fine, really! Spectra overlaid on Harley at times, cooing he’s a creepy boy with freaky little powers and his misery is her favorite food.

He has to be useful. Keep Bruce’s head above water. Keep Nightwing from worrying about him. Be the easy kid and he’s loved (conditionally).

His dad only showed up and spoke to him about sports he couldn’t get into, but his new step-mom softened him. He can admit to missing and mourning mom while relaxing so much with Dana.

Dana noticed him flinching at lightning, gave him a noise machine, and offered to get him noise cancelling headphones.

When he admitted his hearing got ‘a lot better lately’ as quietly as he could, she hugged him and told him she’d break the meta abilities to Jack for him.

It wasn’t like Tim hid the ‘tortured by Joker for a few weeks’ thing. Dad knew it was Tim that was nabbed. He also knew Tim was in a Robin costume for a cosplay contest, and found out afterwards how… well, Tim being Robin was.

There are a lot of open secrets in the family. In the extended Drake family, that includes the first Black Canary was Diana Drake, who had too-sticky fingers and was disowned when she kept failing to either improve in hiding it or stop. The meta abilities were low on Tim’s list of priorities as existing… breaking it to Bruce was a hard no-go. So mastering them quickly was key.

Dana asked if he’d tested his vocal range.

Tim had not.

They started with a piano to check. Tim… Tim went far above and below where Dana could hear as they switched to everything from dog whistles to playing with infrasound.

Jack walked in at some-point and they didn’t notice.

Tim was busy working out if hearing echolocation from the Caves’ bats is why he started getting annoyed when he was there that he finally saw Jack sitting there, watching Dana test him.

Tim braced for yelling.

He got a hug. And his Dad holding him too tight while whispering “please don’t leave like Diana”

Tim did break a bit. Not for long, but enough.

Jack finding the Robin suit was not on Tim’s bingo card during the time he was debating coming clean to his fellow Just Us members about his meta-awakening.

Nor was going to Wayne Manor to let Bruce know he was planning to take a break from Robin for personal reasons, only to find his Dad holding Bruce at gun point and demanding Bruce “stay the fuck away from my son”

Jack did hit Bruce with the butt of his gun after Bruce muttered something Tim didn’t hear.

Jack drove them back, the silence tight around his throat. Everything in him demanded he scream to get this growing thing out.

He slammed his hands over his mouth.

Dad pulled over and helped him to a warehouse, feigning needing to vomit.

Tim kept the pitch above human hearing as he screamed, screamed down and was shaking all over.

Jack rubbed his own ears for a moment before helping a collapsing Tim back to the car.

Jack called Tim out sick and the three had a Talk about him being Robin. Especially with his powers emerging.

“Look, B doesn’t know. None of his masks do.” He’d have heard it from Bruce by now if he had. “Nightwing doesn’t either.”

“Batgirl, and the purple one, if they know they’ll tell that prick—”

“Jack,” Dana warned. “Tim, does anyone have any reason to suspect anything?”

Tim took a deep breath and sighed. “No one but us. Diana did a good job severing traceable links back, and I’m not even sure if the current Black Canary knows her mom was from Gotham or believes the cover Diana gave out.”

Jack’s shoulders dropped as the tension drained out of him. “That’s, that’s good.”

“… you have to apologize for the gun at somepoint,” Tim grumbled.

“Not if you’re not Robin.”

“… i may have been debating dropping Robin and toying with making a new alias again.”

“… is this another Mr. Sarcastic thing,” Dana whispered to him.

“Dana!”

“What? I’m not detective but i did do my research young man,” she teased while jabbing a finger at him playfully.

“I—Tim what am I looking at, why is there no armor, and how are you bald?”

“Hahaha, how about we pretend that stint didn’t happen and go over conditions for me solving crimes—we all know i’ll find a way and my team is notorious for international incidents on low stakes, let alone what we’re willing to do for each other.”

Jack and Dana shared a look.

“No Batman.”

“No heroing in Gotham,” Dana added to Tim’s surprise. “Not until we have a better idea on scope, triggers and how you can control and manage your abilities as well as how out you want to be as a meta, in each identity. You can’t unring a bell.”

Tim sighed. “Got it, got it… so i can go on missions with Young Justice still?”

“I’m writing a note that Batman is not allowed near you,” Jack insisted. “He’s not willing to do what it takes to keep you alive.”

Tim took a deep breath before agreeing to that term, and asking to update Alfred and Dick on the matter.

Jack moved to stop him but Dana gave him the go ahead.

Alfred accepted the situation for what it was. Dick offered to sponsor him in the hero community in Bruce’s stead, and reminded him the Titans are always happy to have him, Robin or not.

Jack rolled his eyes but let it slide.

“So Young Justice Missions…”

“Is there an adult on the team?”

“Red tornado is our supervisor,” Tim answered quickly.

“…fine.”

“And Titan missions?”

“They’re adults, they can keep an eye on you,” Jack conceded easily. “Maybe one of them can help with the new,” Jack gestured to all of Tim.

Tim huffed at him. “Thanks dad, really means a lot.”

Jack waved him off. “Weapons check at the window, supervision on missions, and we keep working with your powers. You can tell who you choose, but if you want to be out as a hero, you will be making a new name and will not be patrolling Gotham under this roof, am i understood?”

Tim paused. “So in college I can or—“

“Tim,” Dana warned.

Tim sighed. “Got it… but i can still do casework that’s not in the field?”

“As long as they can’t trace you.”

“Great! And shit, I’ll have to let my rogues know.”

“ ‘your’ rogues?” Jack echoed in disbelief.

Tim smiled at Jack. “Yeah. Some are just mine, especially Anarchy. And Nygma is going to be so bored without me.”

Jack looked at the ceiling. “You just had to be Robin, didn’t you.”

Tim smiled. “Someone needed to, and its not hard to be light to Batman’s dark after the last one.”

The silence hung again. “No dying on me,” Jack warned Tim. “I’m serious.”

Details were ironed out on the days to come. Dana made him promise to call daily while he stayed with the Titans. To not run from her and Jack, please. He also had daily pitch practice, and was given noise dampening headphones as a disability aide for a general sensory disorder so Tim could better focus in classes.

Jack still didn’t trust Batman/Bruce for shit.

…And Tim can’t fault him. Not when he knows his dad wasnt joking about being willing to kill to give Tim a chance at being safe. And that the man who killed mom and put Dad into physical therapy died in jail a few weeks before they moved from a mansion to an apartment.

Tim isnt stupid. Drakes kill to keep their own safe. Bats don’t.

Tim…. Tim doesnt want to, and Dad respects it. Dana isnt the killing type, but won’t stop Jack or whoever he hires.

Joker’s persistent living status AFTER killing the second Robin didn’t endear Bruce to Jack in the slightest. Tim being tortured for weeks and awakening the family meta-gene only soured whatever mild distaste remained into visceral disgust.

Stephanie became Gotham’s Robin while Tim is now the YJ’s and Titan’s was the only compromise Jack would make.

Jack’s rules made more sense as Tim’s… memories(?) from his last life began to spill out. The mundanities of school and home were easily manageable. Making small memory shrines to his late friends in his last life soothed an ache in his chest. Tucker had a sand timer and random bits and bobs for tech, Sam got a few house plants and his old camera. Jazz had a teddy bear and a few psychology papers he thought she might enjoy. Dani got fudge and a few language books with a world map. He still felt guilty for not stopping her death. Technus got an old handheld he didn’t use anymore, Ember got incense and he played indi rock for her. Dora got a dragon figurine and a Disney princess folder with some dress designs he thought she’d like. Pandora has a few batarangs he scavenged and fixed. Frostbite’s was by the icemaker, and was gifted herbal tea blends in ice cube form.

Dana called it grieving and encouraged him to let it happen and let himself feel. He… tried not to think about Jack and Maddie.

Tim trippled down on cold cases to cope. Jack began to turn off the internet after 3 am, only to work again after 9.

He was managing. And working out pitches and how they relate to his emotional state.

The problem came with training at the Tower as Robin, the boy with no powers and working through joker trauma.

During a spar with Dick, Tim had a flashback to Dani’s End and Perfect Danny melting. His own fucking Death too!

It was vomit inducing.

He came to to Nightwing crowding him and murmuring, “breathe with me baby bird”

They didnt talk about it after.

Tim noticed Dick stopped using electricity during their spars altogether, and carefully stayed a certain distance from him in the field. Static picked up on it and Tim shook his head when he moved to talk about it. He just. Needed a bit more time.

He hated himself for it. For the concern causing and being so… useless.

He grabbed another stack of cold cases in Bludhaven and kept solving them, as Tim, Robin and left ghem for Dick to handle.

Dana and him would practice his range at home. Piano ready.

He forgot that plants snitch to Ivy.

Ivy tapping his window to state the dandelions found his singing ‘annoying’ and he’d be getting lessons in singing for plants “or else” was an experience he did not need, nor was he reporting to anyone until a few days later.

Dad took a deep breath and asked him if this is what he wanted.

Dana offered to move closer to her home town and job hunt there if it made Tim more comfortable.

Ultimately Tim ended up getting lessons in plant language from Ivy, as he could hear them anyways. It could be useful for when he works out a new vigilante identity in the future.

Stephanie catching him at Ivy’s while her big boy “Denny” was arguing with Tim about if Tim can shatter concrete with a scream yet given his voice is cracking every other word lately was not in his plans.

Stephanie was about to ask what was going on when Ivy chimed in with “now Timmy, Benny isn’t wrong about it if we go with a thin layer of concrete and you put some effort into it. You can go very low and it does freak out people when you follow the angry tree hum. Now, if you scream that it should be destructive—didn’t a cousin of yours have the same meta ability?”

Tim denied it as keeping cousin Diana’s secret was a family thing. Ivy finding it out with how hidden it had been was not in the cards. Stephanie overhearing was also far from ideal.

Ivy let it go eventually, and demanded Tim do more community service for the beaches. He had no objections, and just asked if she could not implicate him in her next murder spree.

Ivy agreed to ‘think about it’ before letting Tim go after he finished reorganizing some of her chemicals and cleaning her tools. Their agreed ‘payment’ for his lessons in plant language and her interest in his meta abilities being vocal based but having a major change in his hearing.

He wasn’t the first meta she’d taken an interest in helping, and Tim saw signs of others, bumping into a few before and none of them saying shit.

Stephanie met up with him a block away from Ivy’s lair.

She hit him like Sam used to. And agreed to say nothing until he gave the word.

Her reminding him of Sam ached in a way he wasn’t prepared for. Her agreeing to say nothing relaxed him more than he realized he needed to.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. But Ivy for help?”

“Plants outted me. Apparently my singing is disturbing.”

“It is, the plants have good taste.”

He let himself feel normal for a bit. Ivy doesn’t out metas or use them. She is going to kill though, and probably ask for a few warehouses as payment or bribery for her silence on his skills at a later date… which Tim could give her in a few years time as those were in the trust set up by his mother before her death.

Her offerings were given by everyone at home. Dana left her baked goods. Tim left his grades by her shrine when he wasn’t closing cases—the solved ones were left there for a day or so before he’d change them out. Dad spoke to her sometimes, getting her up-to-date on the gossip in their field and new achievements from colleagues they liked and failures from those she despised.

It was comforting.

Dad even knew Tim was planning to do landback with a chunk of ‘wasteland’ that the company kept dumping on, and was planning to rehab it beforehand. If he had slipped an army of sunflower seeds there a while back and gave Ivy a tip about it well… she was willing to trade info on a few cases that he fed back to Stephanie as Robin. Ivy may also catch him working a few cold cases now and then.

He’s aware she’s a dangerous rogue and will continue to kill. He also knows that when he focused on solving a string of women’s deaths and located the (still living) killer that the man was dead after their lesson, and before he submitted his findings to the GCPD cold cases department.

He’s not stupid. He knows she prefers to kill. But he doesn’t.

It makes working with the Titans on weekends awkward when Nightwing begins to notice Tim responding before the others and frowning into the air when the grass gives him tips on when events take place and for incoming company.

No one presses him on it. Static bumps his shoulder and passed a ‘talk when you’re ready’ note to him.

Then the fact Ivy did not hit him with cuddle pollen but did hit Stephanie as Robin and threw them in a room together was just plain embarrassing.

It also meant Ivy figured Tim or Robin had a crush on the other and just. Why?

He finally understood how Sam felt during Ember’s first appearance and he was made to lovestick… sort of. Stephanie koalaing him until they broke out and he managed to get them to one of the quieter Paramedics two blocks over wasnt the same. But close enough.

Dana did get the alert about him being near the attack, and she looked at him too much like Jazz had when she was concerned for his wellbeing.

He wondered what Tucker would say to all this. Two lives and two sets of parents later, and the one who checks him first is the step mom closer to Babs’ age than his father’s.

There’s a million jokes Tucker could make about that.

Dana and Dad had a talk about it, and Tim knew it was written just so he didnt hear it. He hears so much more lately its maddening some days.

He was given the upcoming three-day weekend to stay with the Titans, and Dana suggested asking Raven for tips on managing reincarnation memories.

Dad said he called for a “Jazz, Sam and Tucker” in his sleep a lot. A “Valerie ” on occasion too.

He wanted to melt into a puddle.

Dad muttering he’d find his first parents’ souls and get back at them his damn self didn’t help in the slightest… nor did seeing Dana hide Constantine’s business card in her tampon drawer.

He gave in a bit. His friends can’t know yet, not while he’s working it out. And Raven is Dick’s friend—it would get back to him too fast for Tim’s liking.

He knocked on the door.

“Tim?”

“Hey Virgil, is now an okay time for that talk?”

—

That’s what i got for now. May do another part if anyone is interested.

Also let me know if i missed any tags

[casinocarpediem]

▪︎■☆ Worship⛧🩸 ☆■▪︎

(Part 1.)

☆ 🔞!!VIOLENT AND VULGAR!!🔞

☆ cult!Miguel ohara / forrest monster/cryptid! Reader

☆ a little gift for @miguel-owhora !!

☆ violence is written in this work of FICTION. Things such as infant deaths or death in genera

☆ Hi!!! So I'm sorry for not writing as much but I've been verrrryyyy very busy‼️ (laughs and throws myself off a cliff) any who! Enjoy this little thingy!! I'm still in love with dad's cryptid AU after all this time 💕

°○☆Violence under the cut☆○°

Blood. Metal rust. And other animalistic things that would have a normal camper running for their lives. Then dying. Not out of some beast or an accident. But out of exhaustion. Limbs failing. Eaten away by the very grass of the ground only to be picked up by another predator.

Any normal person would run away. Any normal person would have thought twice before doing something stupid in uncharted woods.

Miguel was different. He was a cunning man. Frighteningly intelligent. Charming and observant and curious. Leave him in the woods with nothing and he's already built a somewhat stable community, sheltered and protected by... something out there. Something unexplainable. Something... you.

This was your forest. From the very beginning. Your memory is hazy of how your form, reeking of the more purer forms of mother nature herself, birthed upon the world to reek order. Not havoc. Not peace. Just a simple balance that you maintained for centuries.

You followed nobody. You didn't need to. And you killed if necessary. Or if you simply wanted. You had free will. Unbound by anything. Literally. Not even any mental constraints could keep you from moving through the night unexpected. Unlike any kind of animal the the world has ever witnessed.

Miguel was a different man. When he came into your forests, the winds tasted like he or his sheep didn't deserve to die. Unlike every other settler or founder who decided to try to poison your grounds.

You let him be. His little village growing with the so called refugees he gathered. Creating houses with the trees surrounding the area.

Surprisingly, they weren't greedy. They didn't chop down every tree they laid their human hands on. Because Miguel didn't allow them to. And you were greatful for that. But you paid no mind to his existence. Other than killing of unwanted organisms. But Miguel, or his sheep never dare trek past the space you let them in. And if they did, they didn't make a mess of their tracks.

Respectfully respecting the environment. Respectfully Respecting you.

Time went on and you continued to observe Miguel and his little underlings carefully. Usually under the darkness of the night. They seemed obedient to Miguel. You could smell a mixture of fear and adoration, and that drew you closer to him. After all, this was your domain. And you had the right to dive deeper into the minds of these obedient critters worshipping you in a way.

One day, Miguel comes along bringing a surprising, pleasant little gift. From out of his own home, he creeps towards the darker shadows of the village. Where the trees grow tall and strong. Uncut and left alone.

An infant. Brought to your feet. An offspring that smells very familiar with Miguel's species. Only, it's cold. It isn't breathing. You can't hear it breathing. Its wrapped in grey sheep's wool and it smells fresh. Like it had died the moment it escape the womb first breaths being its last. And he leaves it there on the mossy rock in front of the trees and walks quickly back to the safety of his own home.

A few hours pass. You're intrigued at the gift. You haven't received such offerings in centuries. So when this, frail human being offers a dead infant like a gift for the altar, your curiosity gets the better of you.

You snatch the child. In yours jaws... or your arms? It could be anything. You were an indescribable creature manifesting the more chaotic sides of nature after all. The little infant, you've seen it all before. Chubby, quite noisy, fragile. And most importantly, delicious. You cannot explain the slightes, but in all of your years of being in this realm, despite not having the needed nutrition you'd usually intake, human offspring has a certain charming flavor. Something you'd feast on with gusto. Maybe it was the fact that through the cycle of life and death, you've always defied both aspects. And the loss of something brought to this world so sudden felt like experiencing the gifts to be caressed upon your tongue. Consumed. And valued.

Miguel does this more often. Leaving you gifts. Little sacrifices. Whether it be piles of wheat or fish. Or, on other days when one of his "sheep" go disobedient, you find their corpse carefully gifted in the same spot on the mossy rock. Like a gift. A gift for your generosity of giving them their home, and protection. Your little gift mauled and torn apart limb by limb and licked ever so viciously. In a graceful matter. Until there was nothing left. Not a spec of blood or bone.

You favored Miguel out of the rest. And it's obvious as to why.

Miguel was a curious man. Perhaps a little too curious, so to say. So when he comes out with his little gift at night rather in the morning and stays there, waiting for you, you waste no time to throw him onto the ground. Your weight practically crushing him. And you bite his neck and drink his blood. A taste of the person who's been so devoted to... amusing you. He tastes like any other ordinary person you've eaten before. Salty. Metallic. A little sweet. But his flavor is laced with sheer utter adoration. Rather than fear. Curiously, you drink a little more. And in fact, he doesn't push you away. He doesn't grab his weapon and attempt to cut your throat. He fully accepts it. He holds you while you take your fill of his own crimson fluid.

And you don't kill him. You leave him there as you disappear into the woods. And he's even more insatiable.

[squirrellypoo]

Currently, what are some of your favorite iwtv fics? I’m pretty caught up on a lot of mine and need some recs

Sure! I’ll try to categorise and keep most to recent/currently updating ones just to narrow down my list. These are in no particular order! (And I am terrible at connecting AO3 and tumblr usernames so forgive me if I’m an idiot and missed some)

Vampire ones (mostly Loustat)

“Love like an ache in the jaw” Post-Dubai interview Louis POV where Lestat awakes and comes back to him, with all the pain, turmoil, and love that entails.

“Assignment” Modern AU with an anxious and stressed Louis requesting professional services to lose his virginity. Alternating POV between Louis and Lestat. (ongoing) by @riley-beautrelle

“In the White Room (L’homme Lestat)” Modern vampire story where Lestat is kidnapped by a mysterious organisation and forced to become their assassin while Loumand try to help/rescue him with help from Villanelle (ongoing) by @angstosaur

“Get him back” Romcom with show!vampire Loustat kinda in that weird post-QOTD/TOTBT stage where they’re friends but not together but still inseparable. And there’s Mojo! (Series ongoing)

“Making It Work” Modern show-based Loustat are alternating POV diary entries as they try to forge new ties with Louis’s family’s descendants… (ongoing)

“Half Past Dead” Modern post-Dubai interview with Daniel interviewing (& fucking) a down & out addict vampire Lestat in New Orleans

“The Vampire Detective Agency and the case of the Mozart Murderer” Modern alternate-canon thriller with Loustat solving a murder together in NOLA (ongoing) by @angstosaur

“A favor” PL-era Louis arranges the perfect birthday celebration for Lestat - a massacre at a mobster’s decadent party by @riley-beautrelle

“Epitaph” Each daily chapter is day in the life of Daniel Molloy in Sept 1973 as his life is changed forever when he meets a man who claims to be a vampire… (ongoing, daily updates in March)

Not-quite-human AUs (just trust me)

“Come (Back) to Me” Modern painter Louis is drawn to a painting an an old chateau and time travels back to the 18th century to meet the young marquis in the portrait… by @suikamelon6

“None of them your true nature” modern AU where casino boss Louis starts an affair with the owner Lestat, despite his troubled marriage to Antoinette…

Human AU

“Did you get enough love, my little dove?” Modern human AU with single dad Lestat raising Claudia after her mother Alicia died, and anxiety-ridden Louis finds a loving home at theirs while lusting after Lestat (ongoing)

“Against All Odds” modern human AU with French exchange teen Loustat in first love then complications with Nicki at uni (ongoing) by @moderndaylestat

“I hate you but I love you more” Human AU with teacher Louis and rockstar Lestat, divorced 11 years but crashing back into each others’ lives when they’re locked in a house together. Meanwhile, Armand comes to terms with the demons of his past while he navigates his relationship with Daniel. (ongoing, nearly completed)

“Memory is a monster” Modern human AU with rockstar Lestat losing his memory after a head injury and Louis, Armand, and Daniel vying to heal/have him (ongoing) by @angstosaur

“Bubble Wrap” Modern human AU with actor uni student Louis falling for clumsy writing student Lestat as he deals with his abusive upbringing and they navigate growing up and starting their careers… (ongoing)

“Like You Mean It” Romcom modern human AU with Loustat fake dating their way through 6 weddings and denying their attraction (ongoing)

[youngstarfishphilosopher]

I have another written request for you if that’s OK can you do hatbox ghost and his ghost daughter both as ghost but the hatbox ghost his ghost daughter is 3 years old

Ok

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Obviously you died when you were extremly young. And as a ghost, you wouldn't age physically or mentally really

So this means you don't really understand that Alistair is a bad man. You just see him as your dad.

And Alistair knows this. Normally, using it to his advantage.

You would find yourself helping him lure people or tricking people: more often then not without your own knowledge

And mortals seeing a small little girl all by herself, they're prone to chase after you in order to help

The other ghosts in the mansion have mixed feelings about you. They don't know what to make of you.

For one: You're Alistairs kid. Aka the man who has trapped them for years as well as made them live said years in grief, fear, and torment.

On the other hand, you're just a kid: A rather sweet and polite one at that.

And when you're not by your father's side ( which is hardly ever), you are not threatening in the slightest.

You enjoy spending time with Alistair, because you only have good memories of him. And Alistair wants to keep it that way.

He would never let you be around when He would do more devious acts, such as feeding on grieving souls or tricking mortals to their deaths.

But, it's when the dream team started living in the manor when problems started

It had been the first time in centuries since you had seen another child. So when Travis started living there, you became close due to you being the only ghost that Travis didn't find to be intimidating.

Soon you would start to learn that your dad isn't as nice as you had thought

And now it was just the dream team and Alistair playing back and forth with you: The dream team using you to help them defeat Alistair, and Alistair making you spy on the dream team for him.

[kurisus]

Noragami: Final Chapter thoughts

For the last time :') I've been making these for roughly half the manga's runtime, both in chapter count and years. Which is wild to think, but anyway, spoilers under the cut. One final time.

I really spent the first half of this chapter with bated breath alternating between being relieved that Hiyori is okay and grew up to be a doctor and everything, and stressed about where Yato was and where her memories were. Then Yato showed up, and I think I burst into tears out of hysterics. They really got me, I thought he was gone.

That aside, it was an excellent chapter. I was right when I said that this would just be an epilogue and the true suffering was over, but god. god. I'm relieved they gave me that open ending and the chapter was mostly good old-fashioned Noragami silliness. With the expected gut punches.

It's probably a good thing that Yuka never got to reunite with her brother, but at least knows that he's resting in peace. That he was given a proper burial by someone who, at the time, barely knew him but wanted to make things right anyway. Great now I'm crying again.

Hiyori's pocket with the little capyper keychain she bought forever ago. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

Yato's CPR being so intense it cracked Hiyori's ribs. god he was so desperate to save her. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

HER TOUCHING HER LIPS WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Fujisaki getting nostalgic seeing tall grass (as we know from the omake is called kaya) was weirdly touching. Though Father has faded, Kaya is the one that is still remembered. We never got to learn his real name, and while I am still curious about it, I can see the purpose--by not knowing his name, we the readers don't give him a lifeline.

That's not the only fourth wall lean in the final chapter. There was also Yato being able to save himself by becoming a meme, much like how the fandom and Adachitoka have memed on him for years as well.

Back to the chapter, it looks like Father's consciousness had always been lurking alongside Fujisaki's, maybe making him do things from time to time, which is really weird and creepy. Maybe he was dormant until the Yomi arc, but either way he's been doing this to a dozen other guys over the centuries. I'm glad the cycle was broken.

It's hilarious that Fujisaki tries to ask Hiyori out and she's just like haha not interested coo phone be upon ye.

I'm so glad the cherry blossom party has become an annual tradition with even more gods invited to the party. I'm also so glad that Yato refuses to release Kazuma and Bishamon apparently makes it a point to bully him about this whenever she sees him. But also, Kazuma doesn't seem to want to be released. He's just like yeah whatever man I'm glad you saved us. Cheers.

Side note, Kazuma's new glasses look a lot like the ones he was wearing in that 100 years ago flashback of him and Bishamon, around chapter 68 or 69 I think?

So we also get to see the aftermath of what happened to Yukine--he still transforms into a wolf every now and then, because much like how Nora transforms into a snakelike creature whenever she loses control of her emotions, his form is a wolf, and unlike Nora he's always been very emotional. So the nightmares come out and Yato's left with a giant wolf thrashing around in their shared living space lol, but at least his dad is there to hug him :')

WAIT STOP PAUSE EVERYTHING IT LOOKS LIKE THEY SHARE A BED NOW. I JUST COLLAPSED INTO A BALL.

AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH

The panel of Yato hugging him made me lose it again. THEY'RE SOOOOOOOO.

So we never did get to find out what happened to Yukine's father--but as I pointed out in the reread I did during December, I don't think it matters. Yukine wasn't going to exact revenge on him anyway because he's not the kind of person to do so.

The page of Nora reading Hiyori's diary also made me so sad. Hiyori's right--she probably did have parents who loved her, but she never got to meet them. One thing I noticed throughout this manga is shinki habitually chasing something relating to their pasts. Yukine craves a good relationship with a father figure, Kazuma is obsessed with Bishamon because he missed out on marrying a girl he loved, Daikoku acts like a dad to every child he meets because he died before having his own kids, and like Yukine, Hiiro craves the parental love she never had. And as Hiyori pointed out, being given a name by Father was like being given life.

Since we didn't get to see what became of her name situation, but Yukine still bears the Hagusa name, she must still have Mizuchi. If her master is gone, can she still draw borderlines? Does she hang around with Yato and Yukine still? Adachitoka didn't say Kofuku DIDN'T name her, so...

The way Hiyori remembered Yato because of his scent had me SOBBING, yall. She didn't forget, but she did solve her problem and it was solved by people, just like they've been saying throughout the manga. But now, they can be together again. Yato was away from her for some years, and maybe he'll leave for several more (it's been a repeated thing in the manga that he'll insist he has to stay away for her own good), but the point is that even if it's been years and years, she'll always remember him. It's open-ended, but that just means it can be my preferred ending of Hiyori not forgetting but choosing to distance herself. She'll meet up with Yato and Yukine every once in a while living her own, separate, fulfilling life. They've been watching over her all these years anyway.

And so, that brings us to the close. It's as happy an ending as we could have possibly gotten, and above all else, I'm relieved. I've been saying for...years, probably, that I want an open ending, but I really thought it was off the table with recent events.

Final hangups are the same as they were in my final reread (tagged under #Noragami reread on my blog), so I won't repeat them, but the bottom line is that I got everything I wanted out of this ending--except maybe a trio hug? But that interior illustration of the four of them, all smiling and happy, Yato's arm around his sister, made up for that. I kind of wish there was a Yatori kiss for real, but the panel of her touching her lips also assuaged that.

Anyway, I'm not sure what other manga would/will make me unhinged enough to type up monthly thoughts posts for years, but I'll be tuned in to whatever new Adachitoka has coming up. Whether it's a full series, a short series, or just a oneshot, I'll be reading every word. I'm also looking forward to getting the final volume once it releases here, and praying for an artbook announcement.

Thank you for reading! I have some posts to make, some projects to plan, and I'll be diving into the tag once more for old times' sake. This won't be the last of me!

[emilythedog661-tf2]

My TF2 Morden AU

Here is another instalment of my TF2 Alternate Universes, todays AU is about if the mercenaries lived in the 21st century in todays society, info is under the cut snd i hope you like it 😋

First we have the Mercenaries who aren't Mercenaries -

Scout - Scout who is named Jeremy Fast was born in 1996 making his 28 and he is a high school PE teacher for the boys, he is a good PE teacher but he been in trouble with the school a few times after parents complain that he's been flirting with the high school girl all between 13 - 16, he grew up with his single mom and his 8 half brothers and he is the youngest of the brothers, he's not sure who his dad was when he was younger but then he found out when he was 18 from his mom that his dad was a guy from france who met Jeremy's mom at the bar she works at while on a buisness trip, they then hit it off, had a one night stand then scout's mom had Jeremy, Jeremy's dad then disappeared after Jeremy was born but he still kept in contact with Jeremy's mom for child support, the only issue Jeremy has is that he can't seem to get a girlfriend, he went though dating apps, went out public areas like bars and concerts and even ask woman if they were single but nothing worked making him feel depressed that he can't get anyone to love him, another issue is that he has ADHD so he struggles to socialise full time and gets easily distracted, lastly, he's uses TikTok a lot to make random videos and he is a little popular on the platform but still can't get a girl to like him.

Soldier - Soldier who is named John Dow was born in 1979 making him 45 years old, he is a ex-military man who got let go from the military after being mentally unstable to be in the military, he found out from the military after being in it for 15 years that he has undiagnosed asperger's which was the reason the military had to let him go, John didn't want to be let go as he was used to being in the military for so long and he had nobody to go to as he was a orphan since he was 2 but he now on his own for a while with a single apartment that he bought with his veteran pension, he was also accepted to have a service dog for his asperger's and he ends up having a yorkshire terrier named Squibbs (This is based on my late yorkie with the same name and i just think it's funny seeing Soldier having a small dog like a yorkie as a service dog), the apartment he lives in also introduced him to his opposite neighbour named Dell and John is now having a sexual crisis as he has romantic feeling for Dell.

Pyro - Pyro who forgot his name was a firefighter but then he got into a accident where his body got completely burnt, he also gained severe memory loss after banging his head on a falling wooden board trying to get out the fire and now he stays in a care home as he started to act childish and unstable, he is not dangerous or unpredictable, he is just a lost and severely burnt human with mental issues that the doctor and nurses are trying their best to help him, he loves to draw, make balloon animals, is easily entertained and he has a big imagination but he can't seem to get his old memories back as he can't remember anything or anyone from his past life.

Demoman - Demoman who is named Travish Degroot was born in 1989 making him 35 years old, he is a workaholic who works many different jobs in his birth country of scotland and he is very well known in his hometown form all the jobs he has, his mother use to be a workaholic like Travish until she retired at 65, Travish's family now has loads of money that demoman got from all the jobs he done and he with his mother now have a nice house together, the jobs the Travish have is a cashier, a waiter, a carer for animals at shelters and rescues, a computer tech, a cameraman for some tv shows, a boom mic operator and other things, Travish is happy with his life and he doesn't seem to want to stop doing jobs.

Heavy - Heavy who is named Mikhail or Misha for short was born in 1968 making him 56 years old and is popular wrestler in russia, he has multiple awards and is a celebrity in russia, the reason he became a wrestler was to help his single mother and 3 sisters as they grew up poor and their dad died a few months after the youngest sister was born, Misha's baby sisters are now 34, 32 and 30 and they are happily living their lives thanks to Misha supporting them when they left home, the 3 sisters are now living happily with their husband with their kids and Misha loves his nieces and nephews like they were his kids, Misha is now living happily still being a celebrity and he also has a girlfriend named sylvia, the pair have been dating for 5 years now and they act like a married couple even if they aren't married yet.

Engineer - Engie who is named Dell Conagher was born in 1980 making him 44 years old and he was born in beehive, texas, he was raised by both his dad and grandad with no mother as she left after giving birth to Dell and his grandmother died of cancer a year before Dell was born so he had no mother figure, both Dell's dad and grandad did a good job raising Dell and he helped around his dad and grandad's family buisness which was a mechanical buisness, the buisness helped fix cars, machines and recently as of 2010, technology too, Dell learn everything about mechanics getting a few PhDs for it and when he turned 18, he moved out of texas saying bye to his dad as he grandad sadly died when he was 13 and he started a mechanical buisness in america, he was doing well with his buisness and he had help fixed loads of things over the years but he decided to keep living in a apartment when he has enough to buy a house, he then met his new neighbour, John and the pair hit it off really well with even Dell adoring John's Service Yorkie, after a while though, Dell realised that he was starting to get feeling for John and he was having sexual crisis as he didn't even know he was gay until he met John, sure he didn't have a girlfriend but he just thought he was too busy to think about having one but now he was have gay thought about John and he didn't know what to do with them.

Medic - Medic who is named Wilhelm Ludwig or Will for short was born in 1984 making him 40 years old and he was born in stuttgart, germany, Wilhelm was raised by doctor parents so Will wanted to be one too but he ended up becoming a pathologist instead, Will was very good at his job with examining the dead body and finding out the cause of death to the body during investigation for detectives and the police, he was so good at his pathologist job that he was called a pathologist sherlock as he would always get it right, he was soon hired by investigators in different countries to help them with examining dead bodies and he ended up helping to solve many cases, one of these trips he went to was australia and during a day off before going back to germany, he ends up meeting a animal photographer named Mike, the pair hit off talking about animals mainly birds and they decided to keep in contact with each other, the pair soon met up often with Will visiting Mike in australia and soon, the pair started to get romantic feelings for each other, Mike would also sometime go to germany to visit Will and the pair went to places where Will knew Mike would like.

Sniper - Sniper who is named Mike Mundy was born in 1994 making him 30 years old and he born to his bio parents in new zealand but then dumped Mike off at a orphanage when he was 6 months old, he was then soon adopted by his adopted parents when he was 12 months old and his new parents were elderly parents both being in their early 40s, Mike adored his adopted mother becoming a mama's bot but he has a love-hate relationship with his dad as his dad was grumpy, always wanted to argue and never showed affection but still loved Mike as a son in his own way, Mike growing up was always picked on by the other boys for being skinny and having elderly parents but he ended up being quite handsome when he got to his teen years, he soon moved out when he was 20 and lived in a small apartment a few mintues druve away from his parents, he got a job as a photographer for special occasions like weddings, baby showers, birthdays and other things and he ended up getting a lot of money for it, he then became a animal photographer from magazines and the pictures became popular making him more money, he did ask his parents if he could use some of his money to fix up the home but his dad rejected the offer saying the house was fine so Mike put half of his money to the side for his future while using the rest to buy a RV, he then sold his apartment and then traveled around australia to take pictures of animals and irs how he met Wilhelm, Mike liked Wilhelm as they both have a big love of bird and he never had anyone who shared his interests before so he was happy to have a friend, he soon realised though that he was getting feelings for Will and he hoped Will liked him back.

Spy - Spy who is named Jacque Voclain was born in 1976 making him 48 years old and he was born in france, Jacque is a very busy businessman and he works for a very popular french company, he's worked at the company for years going from a rookie to the CEO of the company, he has also traveled around a lot and it's how he met Jeremy's mom and accidentally had Jeremy with her, Jacque payed Child support to Jeremy's mom until Jeremy was 18 and he doesn't hear for Jeremy himself but his mom fills Jacque in on what he's done and what he's been doing over the almost 3 decades Jeremy being around, Jacque had never really met anyone else after Jeremy's mom and he did try to find someone similar to her but it never worked, Jacque hopes to meet up with Jeremy's mom again as he still loved her after all of these years but he wished she didn't have all those kids with different men.

That's all for now and i'll add more if i think of anything else, see you all next time! 😋

[buckrecs]

2022 Bucky Barnes Fic Rec Wrap Up 2

part 1 | masterlist

favorite fics from 2022 series fic recs

All of them are COMPLETE Series.

1. Fatal Attraction by @gayouijaboard

Bucky x Assassin!Reader

Bucky’s quite the flirt, even when you’re in the middle of trying to murder him

2. Lost Without You by @angrythingstarlight

Mob!Dad!Bucky x Reader

Soft Mob Bucky Series

3. should’ve been you by @classylo

Bucky x Reader, past Steve x Reader

a Stark gala, a cheating boyfriend, an upset reader, and her boyfriend’s best friend...let’s begin shall we?

4. kisses, cookies and such | candlelight & cuddles by @stevebabey

Neighbor!Bucky x Reader

Something had... shifted. Yet somehow, nothing had changed. You can’t put your finger on it, but sometime between then and now, there’s a difference. Well, that much was obvious — a lot of things had changed since Bucky and you became friends.

5. Something More by @tellmealovestory

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

After a bad breakup you ask your best friend to take your virginity. It’s just friends with benefits. What could possibly go wrong?

6. The Contingency Plan by @dilemmaontwolegs

Bucky x WOC!Reader

Bucky had promised he would find you after the war ended but you were planning on keeping your own promises to him, for better or for worse, so you were heading to Italy and to the front lines. Life in the war was fast, it was living moment to moment because you didn’t know how much time you had together. Then Bucky went missing and for a moment you had him back, all thanks to Steve, and despite your pleas Bucky went straight back into the fray of the war never to be seen again. When Bucky got his mind and body back in the 21st century he finds your name on a memorial for women who lost their lives or were missing in action during the war. He never had any idea you were still waiting for him.

7. Something Domestic by @fandoms-writings

Ex-military amputee!Bucky x Reader

Needing an escape from the loud and busy city life, Bucky comes to stay with you on your little farm. He didn’t expect you, a hardworking and beautiful woman with struggles of your own, to take his breath away and make life a little less dreary.

8. we’re fools. by @achillieus

Bucky x Reader College AU

for all bucky barnes knows, he hates clichés. and this thing between you two, happens to be the biggest one.

9. The Bienville by @indyluckycharlie

CEO!Bucky x Reader

Bucky is the young CEO of his family’s publishing house. A year into the role and working his ass off, he’s finally taking a much needed vacation (upon the advice of his well-meaning family and friends).

10. Greatest Hits by @lunarbuck

Bucky x Reader

You work at your family's record store, and Bucky lives next door. He comes into your store and asks you for some music recommendations. You soon realize that he has a lot to learn and make it your personal mission to show him the world he missed out on through music.

11. Obey by @waiting4inspiration

Bucky x Hydra!Reader

An assassin is brought in by Fury because he thinks she has a connection to HYDRA. Bucky recognizes her and knows how to handle the programming installed in her mind (much like his Winter Soldier programming). Things become challenging now that he is her new Commander and has the responsibility to look after and protect her from HYDRA.

12. Playing With Fire by @beccaanne814

Fireman!Bucky x Reader

What happens when two people who have nothing in common suddenly have to pretend to be in a relationship? Will the sparks between them ignite into something more, or is this romance doomed to crash and burn?

13. Strange Times by @/beccaanne814

Bucky x Reader

You have a certain type - smart, charming, and handsome as sin. For years you’ve been in love with the only man you thought possessed all of those traits, but a chance encounter with a Strange individual sends you and a certain ex-assassin on a journey of self-discovery. As you try to find a way back home, will you also be able to uncover the perfect man hidden beneath layers of guilt and self-loathing.

14. Invisible String by @oitommothetease

Mob!Bucky x Reader

James Buchanan Barnes, the owner of the most expensive-looking club in town and your new apartment. He was a dick and you hated him. What could possibly go wrong when you, the new girl in town, start bartending at his club to pursue your dreams?

15. A Weapon No More by @empyreanwritings

Bucky x Mutant!Reader

You made a promise to retire from the life of being used as a weapon after you escaped the Facility, but what’s one more mission? You wanted revenge on the doctor that created and tortured you for all those years, and S.H.I.E.L.D was giving you the opportunity to do so. Would it be worth breaking that promise?

16. Scars by @tokoyamisstuff

Bucky x Reader

Based on the Soulmate Prompt where whatever you write on your skin, it appears on your Soulmate’s.

17. Stepping Up by @i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend

Bucky x Reader

When Steve can’t go with you to your cousin’s wedding, he sends Bucky in his place. What happens when more than one person assume you’re dating?

18. Bucky’s Bistro Dates by @wonderlandmind4

Bucky x Reader

A Bistro owner is witness to Bucky Barnes bad dates.

19. Better by @captainscanadian

Doctor!Bucky x Doctor!Reader

Dr. James Barnes has it all: a loving family, caring best friends, and a successful career as one of the best heart surgeons in New York. He has everything he ever wanted his whole life… well, almost everything. One thing he never thought he could ever have was Y/N Y/L/N. She may have been a lot of things, but he loved her because she made him better.

20. Under Pastel Skies by @redgillan

Writer!Bucky x Artist!Reader

Bucky doesn’t need anyone, especially not a sugar baby. He isn’t that desperate... but she smiles so sweetly and she's endearingly awkward, and he’s so lonely. She’s an artist, a painter, the type of person who always puts others before herself. Throwing caution to the wind Bucky offers her a place to live, a place where she can finally paint whatever her heart desires. He doesn’t need much in return; a friend, a muse.

21. Save Me by @espinosaurusrexex

Bucky x Reader College AU

Bucky Barnes has never had it easy, which ultimately turned him into a caveman-like introvert with no desire to see the positive side of life. But what happens when the clumsily charming art student, Y/N, stumbles to his rescue, determined to show Bucky how truly wonderful the world is?

22. Summer Plans by @notimetoblog

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

Planning a trip with Bucky takes a turn when someone new comes into his life. Will it all change or can you still manage to have the perfect summer you planned?

23. i hate you but by @buckybarnesthehotshot

Bucky x Avenger!Reader

bucky and y/n can’t stand each other, but y/n needs help with her sister’s kids (enemies to lovers au)

24. Hello and Goodbye, by @sweetascanbee

Bucky x Adopted Wilson!Reader

You are Sam's adopted little sister, and he brings home a mysterious friend.

25. Dreaming of Better Days by @wizardofrozz

40s!Bucky x Reader

Steve always manages to find a fight no matter where he goes and Bucky is always ready to defend his best friend, until one day someone beats him to it. Bucky isn’t prepared to find you standing up for his best friend and he definitely wasn’t prepared to be so swept up by you. But most of all, he didn’t expect you to have such an important place in his future. 

26. Grease Lightning by @language-rxgers

Bucky x Reader

You’re on the hair & makeup team for your school’s production of Grease, and Nat has signed you up to do the makeup for the lead role of Danny Zuko- played by none other than Bucky Barnes. 

27. Snow by @delaber

Bucky x Agent!Reader

Tired of your constant bickering, Sam sends you and Bucky on a mission alone. When the worst possible outcome happens and you’re forced to spend several days together in a small cabin, you finally get to see a different, more pleasurable side to the man whose flesh you’ve always had a thorn in.

28. How to Make Small Talk in Five Simple Steps | How to Make the Right Decision in Five Simple Steps by @certifiedskywalker

Bucky x Reader

When people meet, they often use small talk as a means to negotiate and define the start of a new relationship. When you and Bucky meet, you both struggle to find the right words.

29. Next to Me by @sgtjbuccky

Bodyguard!Bucky x Reader

After an attempt on you and your identical twin’s life, your father calls in the Avengers for protection. Bucky soon realizes your father’s goal is solely to keep you sister safe, and decides that the times of doing the bidding of others are long gone, and takes your protection into his own hands.

30. Money, Power, Glory by @sergeantxrogers

Criminal!Bucky x Informant!Reader

James “Bucky” Barnes, New York state’s most infamous organized crime leader since the 1980s. With Bucky weaving through the fingers of local police and the federal government for far too long, they decide to go with plan B: you. Your job? Simple. Relay inside information back to the FBI, slipping through the cracks of Bucky’s fortress of a crime ring as an unknown imposter. The Bureau, however, has no idea you and Bucky are much more acquainted than you let on.

31. Blue by @softlybarnes

Bucky x Reader

James and Y/N take a road tip across the country to help Bucky’s recovery process. A question Y/N asks at the beginning of the trip sets Bucky searching his memories for an answer, one he finds he needs if he can move forward.

32. It’s All Fun and Games by @yikeswtfmate

Bucky x Reader MCU AU

A glimpse into Bucky and Y/N’s relationship, where they’re not together, but every single one of their friends would beg to differ.

33. A love that never leaves by @bitsandbobsandstuff

Bucky x Enhanced!Reader

Sometimes when you go looking for the past, you find things you never expected. When an accident brings him face to face with something he never knew he lost, Bucky Barnes begins to understand an age old truth – it’s so easy, sometimes, to love the things that destroy us.

34. Heart to a Gunfight by @lailannajacobs

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

You didn’t want to help Bucky Barnes make it through the party by pretending to be his fake girlfriend, after all, you had just met him. You also didn’t plan on the charade lasting as long as it did.

35. Café Crema by @wonderlandmind4

Bucky x Reader

The first time was an accident. The second time was coincidence. The third time is just unlucky. The fourth time is getting out of hand and the fifth may or may not be with intent. Otherwise known as The One Where He Spills Her Coffee.

36. If Only You Were Mine… by @bbgem329

Bucky x Reader Modern AU

You’ve been in love with Bucky Barnes since the moment you laid eyes on him. That was five years ago, when your older sister brought him home for a Sunday lunch and introduced him as her boyfriend.

37. желание by @sebbytrash

Bucky x Agent!Reader

Steve had drafted Bucky in to help with your training, not knowing you had feelings for him. Feelings? Ok, you were attracted to the man. Insanely so. And he hated you. Or at least that’s what you think, but is there more going on than you realise?

38. Awake My Soul by @foreverindreamlandd

Bucky x Reader Zombie Apocalypse AU

It's been five years since zombies first started walking the Earth, destroying anything and everything in their wake. Now, in this apocalyptic world, fighting for survival comes as naturally as breathing. The one thing you've learned ever since they arrived, though, is that the living can be so much more dangerous than the undead. When you stumble across two young, scared boys lost in the woods and being chased by walkers, you go against your better judgment and help them to safety. Little did you know that helping them would lead you to Bucky - an angry, grumpy, distrusting member of the camp Shield. Bucky has zero interest in having you enter his life. He's been hurt before and lost too many people to risk experiencing that kind of pain again, and he knows that there are secrets you aren't telling the group. Yet, when push comes to shove, and you're put at risk, he'll stop at nothing to keep you safe.

39. Fatality by @moonlight-prose

Bucky x Reader

After being dusted for five years he was back, except so were the memories he never had a hold of before. No longer did they sit dormant in his mind, but instead they attacked him day in and day out. Moments in time he didn’t believe were him. Until one returns to him and brings with it a piece of himself he thought he’d lost for good.

40. pretty woman, this is me trying by @captainsimagines

Bucky x Sex Worker!Reader

Bucky Barnes does not like to be touched. He’s completely ready to live a distant life and give up when the time is right. Until Stark hires him his own personal pretty woman. Over time, Bucky Barnes begins to learn how to touch again. How to feel again. How to love himself again.

[xomakara]

Forever Lost, Forever Found

(re-posting from my old account seulrinnie-rinrin/xomakara-secondary)

SUMMARY | You're cursed to live an immortal life since you had broken the rules of the Celestial Realm. You're banished to live the life of a mortal but cursed to live forever and watch everyone die around you. It's the modern time and you meet Choi Jongho, a man that resembles someone you fell in love with many centuries ago. PAIRING | Jongho x Reader GENRE/CONTENT | mortal!Jongho, goddess!Reader, non-idol au, fantasy, romance, angst, fluff,slight suggestive (not really, more implied lol) WARNINGS | It’s a fantasy setting so…like exile, betrayal, etc. I mean not really any warnings I don’t think. RATING | SFW LENGTH | 6,230 words TAGLIST | -- NETWORKS | AUTHOR’S NOTE | I think this took me like a few days to write…more like a few hours haha. This concept/idea was so fresh in my mind that I had to write this. And look! My first SFW fic in a very, very long time (not including my dad!Wooyoung fic out there lol). Thank you for all the love and support and please reblog, comment and like. Much love~

Transcending time and eternal life.

You’ve been alive for a long time - too long. You’re a divine being, a high goddess, cursed to live an immortal life ever since you broke the rules of the Celestial Realm because you fell in love with a mortal. You were banished to live the life of a mortal, but cursed to live forever and watch everyone die around you.

You’ve seen empires rise and fall, watched civilizations crumble to dust. You’ve loved and lost more times than you can count. And each time, the pain is just as fresh as the first.

But there’s something different about this man. The first time that Choi Jongho walked into the cafe that you were working at in this time period, you felt something inside you stir and awaken. He reminds you so much of the man that you loved in your last life, so much like him that it takes your breath away when he looks at you. He reminds you of your first husband that you fell in love with many centuries ago. The husband that made you broke the rules of heaven and sealed your eternal fate.

You know that you can’t get too close to him. If you do, he’ll just end up like all the others. But you can’t help yourself. You’re drawn to him in a way that you’ve never been drawn to anyone else before. There’s no logic behind it, but the second you laid eyes on him, you knew deep down in your heart that you were meant to be together… even if it was just for a little while.

The day he asked you out, you should have said no. Should have pushed him away. Your life has always been doomed to failure after all, hasn’t it? Who knows how long you’ll be able to keep him in the dark? What happens when he finds out that you’re a divine being?

’Just one date,’ you tell yourself. ’If it doesn’t work out, then I won’t see him again.’

That’s what your rational mind tells you, anyway. So you go on that date with him. One date turns into another. Another turn leads to another date. Then another. Before you know it, you’ve fallen head over heels for him. Because he makes you feel things that you haven’t felt in ages. Feelings that are not just from lust. He makes you laugh. And he brings back memories of better days.

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. You promised yourself that you would never allow yourself to get close to someone again. Never allow them to break your heart or make you feel things that you’ve grown numb to.

All those promises flew right out the window when you saw Jongho. When he looked at you. When he touched you. Every single time, your insides tingle and your blood runs hot. No matter how hard you try, you can’t stop yourself from falling deeper and deeper into him. Soon enough, you’ve found yourself completely enamored by him.

He’s helped you forget for a while. And when he kissed you for the first time, you’d forgotten all of your worries. All of your pain. For just that moment. Nothing else mattered except that his lips were pressed against yours, holding you tightly. Kissing you softly. Holding you close. And making sure that you didn’t go anywhere without him.

That kiss set off a spark inside of you that had been dormant for a very long time. It awoke a hunger inside of you that you thought was long dead. Jongho’s slowly drawing you back out of the darkness. Bringing back the person that you once were, the person that you used to be when you were with your first husband. He shows you a glimpse of the future, and it looks bright. For just a few moments, you let yourself dream about what could be. About how happy you might be. How good it feels to finally be loved again.

Every single night, you fall asleep with a smile on your face. Falling asleep next to him is even better. His arms wrapped around you, holding you tight. Feeling his warm breath against your neck. The feel of his chest rising and falling next to you.

And every morning, you wake up with the same smile on your face. Even though you’re broken. Even though you’ve been hurt again and again, you find comfort in the fact that you still have hope for a brighter tomorrow.

A future with him.

Tonight you watched Jongho as he slept. He moved restlessly, rolling around on his side, making small noises every now and then. His dark hair covered his forehead, framing his delicate features and you wanted to run your fingers through them. To stroke the side of his face. Touch him in ways you hadn’t been able to touch your husband in all these centuries.

When he shifted slightly, you realized that he was awake, his eyes fluttering open slowly. “Babe?” he whispered, his voice rough from sleep.

“Mmm?” you replied quietly.

He glanced at you, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “How long have I been asleep?”

You turned away quickly. “Not long.”

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Did I wake you up?”

“No. No.” Your face burned red with embarrassment. “I was just thinking.”

Jongho turned onto his back again and put his arm over his eyes. “About what?”

“Nothing important.” You ducked your head. “Just my mind wandering. You don’t need to worry about me.”

He lifted his hand and lightly stroked your hair. “If you ever need to talk…”

You smiled softly. “I know.”

You laid there in silence, staring at the shadows dancing across the ceiling, remembering all the times you were alone in your bed, wishing for someone to come in and comfort you.

You’re no longer alone.

You opened your mouth to say something, to tell him how much you appreciated him, but before you could say anything, his fingers traced their way along your collarbone, eliciting a shiver. “Why do you look so beautiful while you’re sleeping?”

You laughed nervously. “Do I? Why?”

“Because you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

With each word he spoke, your body felt like it was going numb. You reached for him, wanting desperately to hold him, to kiss him, but instead you simply laid your head against his chest, letting your fingers trail through his hair. You listened to the sound of his heartbeat, comforting and steady. The only sounds you heard were your own breath and Jongho’s quiet breathing. It was blissful in its simplicity, yet it felt like everything you needed to be happy.

Eventually, you fell asleep.

When you woke up again, it was still dark outside. Your eyelids were heavy and you could barely keep them open, but you knew you wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep if you waited any longer. So you stretched and got up from the bed, looking around the room for something to wear. All you could find was a white robe draped over a chair near the foot of the bed. Sheathing yourself in it, you went downstairs to see Jongho sitting on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. He gave you a smile when he saw you. “Good morning.”

You walked over to him and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

“I slept well.” His cheeks flushed and he looked away, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. He patted the seat next to him. “Come here, babe.”

Feeling like you couldn’t turn down an invitation like that, you slid into the seat beside him. Jongho wrapped an arm around you, pressing a soft kiss to your temple. You laid your head against his shoulder, closing your eyes. “Are you okay? You just seem out of sorts lately.”

“I’m fine,” you murmured. “It’s just been a long day.”

He nodded and kissed your head again. “Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

“Maybe some coffee would be nice. And a kiss too.”

He chuckled softly. “Yeah, I guess that would be alright.”

Jongho kissed your cheek once more and got up off the couch, heading towards the kitchen. You watched him go, the sun peeking out from behind the clouds casting a warm glow on his handsome face.

His black hair framed his features, brushing his eyebrows. He caught you staring and blushed, turning around. As he poured you a cup of coffee, you admired his broad shoulders, admiring the muscles flexing as he lifted the kettle. He turned around again, holding two cups of steaming hot liquid in his hands. One for himself and one for you.

“Here you go.” He sat the cups down on the table in front of you. Settling back in his seat, he softly kissed your lips. “Feel better?”

“Better.” You murmured against his lips. “So much better.”

He kissed you again and you leaned into his embrace, enjoying the warmth of his arms surrounding you. After several minutes, he pulled away, looking at his watch. “Oh, it’s that time already. I need to head out to work.”

“Can’t you skip work today?” You pouted.

“As much as I want to stay home with you, it isn’t possible. Sorry, baby.” Jongho leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to your lips. “I’ll be home as soon as I can, okay?”

“Okay.” You smiled, leaning in to kiss him again.

As he headed out the door, you lingered in the doorway, watching him walk down the steps. “Have a good day.”

“Bye, babe.” He waved as he stepped outside. The door closed and you found yourself all alone again. Looking around the room, you noticed a notepad sitting on the countertop of the kitchen. Glancing down, you saw Jongho’s neat handwriting scribbled across the page. You smiled, picking it up and opening it. A simple message that told you that he loves you and that he hopes you’ll have a good day.

The perfect reminder of why you fell in love with him.

You heard a ’whoosh’ from behind you and you didn’t even have to turn around to know what, or rather who, it was.

“Greetings, General Seonghwa.” You turned to look at the person that had magically popped into your living room. General Seonghwa, a divine being that you have known for centuries, stood silently in the middle of the room. He looked exactly as he did the last time you saw him, save for the fact that he seemed a little tired. “Thank you for gracing me with your presence and not showing up when he was still here.”

“This new mortal looks like the one that you fell in love with. The same one that you broke the rules for. The same one that got you banished.” Seonghwa walked towards you slowly, stopping right in front of you. You could see the concern in his eyes as he gazed down at you. “The Heavenly Emperor is worried about you.”

“If the Heavenly Emperor was worried about me, why did he banish me in the first place?” You asked, your voice trembling. “He banished me, General. His own daughter.”

Seonghwa shook his head sadly. “Even gods make mistakes.”

“Was it a mistake to fall in love?” You asked. “All the lesser gods and goddesses and other divine beings that cultivated into an immortal can fall in love. But a high goddess…no, the heavenly princess, the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, can’t? That was my mistake, wasn’t it? That was my punishment.”

Seonghwa raised an eyebrow. “For being brave enough to show your true feelings? Being so stubborn that you’d risk everything for a mortal man?” He frowned. “There are worse things than getting banished by the Heavenly Emperor. Believe me, Princess Y/N. Your father did you a favor.”

“You think so?” You asked. “That’s all you have to say?”

Seonghwa stared down at you. “We were lovers once, weren’t we?”

You sighed heavily. “Yes. We were. But that was so long ago. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“I suppose not.” He shrugged. “Still, I’m worried about you.”

“Why should you be?”

“Because you’ve fallen for this mortal.” Seonghwa said simply. “The mortal that looks like your first husband.”

You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. “Why exactly are you here, Seonghwa?”

“The Heavenly Emperor has lifted your banishment. He wants you to return home.”

“After a hundred, no, a thousand years after he banished me, he decides that he wants me back?” You snorted derisively. “Sure, that makes sense.”

“Perhaps he feels bad for banishing you.” Seonghwa shrugged. “Regardless, he sent me to ask you to come back.”

You sighed. “Fine. Tell my father that I will be in the Celestial Realm shortly.”

Seonghwa nodded. “Will do, Princess.”

After you said your goodbyes, Seonghwa vanished without a trace. You looked at the clock that adorned the wall above the mantelpiece. There were still hours before Jongho got home from work. Going up to your bedroom to get changed, you knew that you had to go to the Celestial Realm sooner rather than later. To get everything over and done with.

You went back downstairs and looked at the notepad that was on the countertop. You scribbled a small message to Jongho just in case he came home early, saying that you’d be running errands and that you loved him.

You took a step back and knowing that your banishment was lifted, you felt your spiritual energy return to your body and then you found yourself walking into the Celestial Realm once more.

“Welcome home, Princess Y/N!” The heavenly guards shouted as you stared at the city of the Celestial Realm. Bright lights and colors danced and fluttered throughout the sky, bathing the city in a golden light. The buildings in the distance glistened in the sunlight, reflecting the brilliance of the heavenly moon. To the untrained eye, it appeared as though they were glowing from within.

You saw the other gods, goddesses, immortals and even dignities from each of the three realms: Celestial, Earthly and Underworld. Each of them were happy to see you return and as you made your way towards the Jade Palace, you were greeted with cheers and applause.

You held no emotion on your face. These were the same entities that exiled you in the first place. You still hated them, and their attitude still pissed you off.

But you didn’t care anymore. In the beginning, you had hoped that you could prove to your father that mortals are worthy of being treated as equals. That love between humans and immortals could flourish and bloom into a beautiful flower. That love conquers all, and those sentiments remain unchanged. Even after everything that happened to you, you still believed in the human heart and its ability to open up to others, to accept others, regardless of their differences.

And now you had Jongho. The mortal that opened your heart and healed the wounds that had lingered inside of you for a millennium. The mortal that showed you what unconditional love really meant.

When you reached the Jade Palace, you followed the servants through the lavish halls and up the stairs until you finally arrived at the top floor. There sat the Heavenly Emperor, your father, imposingly on his throne. With his long, graying hair tied into a topknot and secured with an intricate gold ornament, he sat tall and proud, his white robe billowing out behind him.

Beside him was Empress Jihyun, your mother, clad in luxurious white robes. “Welcome home, my daughter. We have missed you.” Her face broke into a smile as she beckoned for you to join her. She wrapped her arms around you in a tight hug. “It’s good to have you home again.”

“Likewise, Mother.” You returned her hug and glanced at the other members of the court.

They bowed deeply to you, grateful that you were back. The emperor raised his hand and the entire Jade Palace came to a halt. All eyes turned to him.

“My dearest daughter, you have been gone for far too long. I thought I would never see you again.” His deep voice boomed throughout the palace. “Are you well?”

“I am fine, Father.” You replied.

His gaze softened and a gentle smile appeared on his face. “I have waited for this moment for many, many years.” He chuckled softly. “So I hope you understand why I feel relieved to have you back under my roof.”

He stood up and clasped your hand in his. “Come, let us retire to my private chambers. There, I shall tell you of how your banishment ended and how you came to be summoned back here.”

You stayed rooted to your spot, the other members of the court leaving. You took a deep breath and looked at your father. “Father, I can’t stay long.”

“Why not?” Your mother asked, looking at your father. “You just got back home.”

“You know why. I can’t just leave Jongho there waiting for me.” You said, looking down at the floor. “Time works differently between here and the Earthly Realm. What could be hours or days here are like years…I can’t do that to him. He needs me.”

“You wish to go back?” Your father asked. “Return to the Earthly Realm?”

You looked at your father. You couldn’t lie to him. Could you?

“Yes.” You breathed. “I wish to go back.”

Your father sighed. “You’d throw away your second chance at godhood, to finally be home, for a mortal man?”

“Yes, Father. Yes, I would. And I would do it all over again if I had to.” You let out a deep breath. “After thousands of years loving different mortals, Jongho is different. I don’t want to keep going through the motions. After everything that happened to me, he helped heal my heart. He gave me hope that things could be different. He gives me strength to move forward and find happiness again. I love him. Father, don’t you care about my happiness? Don’t you care about your daughter?”

Your father remained silent, thinking. Finally, he lowered his head and sighed. “You have become much stronger since you left, child. Much more compassionate and caring. You have shown me what unconditional love truly means. And while I may not agree with your decision, I cannot deny that you love him dearly. But you also need to realize that this decision won’t be easy. You’re a goddess and he’s a mortal. He will grow old and die, but you…you’ll remain young and vibrant forever. Your world will always be upside down and chaotic. Why put yourself through such hardship?”

“You haven’t seen how beautiful our relationship is. Our ups and downs, our joys and sorrows. Even when times are rough, we pull through. We’re better together.” You smiled sadly. “And if we could be together forever, wouldn’t you want that too?”

“Of course I would.” Your father replied. “I only want what’s best for you.”

“My love,” your mother laid a hand on your father’s arm. “I know that it’s unheard of, but why don’t we grant this man that our daughter is in love with, immortality? Give him an eternal life with her, as your son.”

Your father stiffened. “Impossible.”

“If you do that, perhaps you could persuade her to stay.” Your mother pleaded. “Don’t you want her to be happy?”

“Do you really love this man?” Your father demanded.

“I love him with all of my heart.” You answered simply. “And I promise that he loves me just as much. If I have to be banished by the heavens to keep him, then I would gladly do it all over again.”

“How do you know that he will even accept this?” Your father pressed. “What if he refuses? What happens then?”

“Then let me go back so that I can tell him. At least then, I’ll have tried.” You crossed your arms over your chest stubbornly. “I refuse to spend another day living this miserable existence alone. I am tired of watching people I care about die around me. Living a life without love. So please, let me try. Let me take this chance.”

“Alright.” Your father nodded slowly. “If this is what you truly want, then we will give it to you.” He patted your shoulder lightly and kissed your forehead gently. “However, there is one condition.”

“Name it.” You sighed.

“If he decides to become an immortal to be with you, then he will marry you. The marriage will be binding in all worlds, mortal and divine.”

“Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mother.” You smiled and threw your arms around them both. They hugged you back tightly. “Jongho and I will make sure to show you that our love will last a lifetime.”

“We look forward to seeing that.” You father waved you off. “Now go before I change my mind.”

“We look forward to meeting our future son-in-law.” Your mother laughed.

“Go and tell him.” Your father urged. “We await his reply.”

You let out a sigh as you plopped on the couch once you returned home from the Celestial Realm. You leaned against the cushions and closed your eyes.

This was a good start. Things seemed to have gone well, considering your fate.

That didn’t mean that things were completely rosy though. You still had to convince Jongho that he should choose to live an eternity with you, instead of continuing his earthly existence. Even though you wanted to stay by his side, you knew that the decision rested solely on his shoulders.

“I’m home!”

You blinked your eyes open. Jongho entered the room with a bright smile on his face. “Hi, babe.”

You wrapped your arms around him and gave him a kiss. “How was work?”

“Tiring.” He replied with a yawn. “I’m exhausted.”

“You must be drained.” You stroked his hair affectionately. “Why don’t you rest for a bit and I’ll fix dinner?”

“Okay, baby.” He leaned down to peck your lips again. “I’ll be right back.”

He ran off towards the bedroom, and soon you heard the water running in the bathroom. Once the bathroom door closed, you hurried into the kitchen and began cooking.

The aroma of food wafted through the house, and soon the delicious smell of sweet potatoes filled the air. Jongho walked in wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. He wrapped his arms around, placing his chin on your shoulder as he watched you cook.

“It smells amazing, babe.” He murmured, kissing your cheek.

“Go get dressed.” You giggled. “You’re being a distraction.”

“What about you?” He cocked his head curiously. “You look hot enough to eat.”

“Jongho!” You blushed furiously and swatted him playfully. “Later. Dinner will be ready soon.”

“I’ll be right back.” He grinned, winking at you before exiting the room.

Once you finished preparing the meal, you called Jongho into the dining room where you had prepared two plates. “Here.” You handed him the plate and watched as he sat down across from you.

“Thank you, babe.” He smiled at you gratefully.

“Anything for you.” You winked and tucked some strands of hair behind your ear. “Eat up.”

Jongho picked up his fork and started eating. When he was halfway through his meal, you decided to ask him a question that had been weighing heavily on your mind. “Jongho?”

“Hmm?”

“Would you believe me if I told you that I’m not of this world?”

“Y/N, I know that you’re not of this world.” He reached across the table to grab your hand in his. “I’ve always known that. Ever since we met.”

“You have?” You asked, surprised.

“Yeah.” He nodded his head. “I knew there was something special about you when I first walked into that cafe for the very first time. There was something…magical about you. Something that drew me in. That made me forget about everything else and fall hopelessly in love with you.”

A warm feeling settled in your stomach as you felt Jongho squeeze your hand.

“Before I met you, every night I would have these dreams of you and I. Wearing clothes from ancient civilizations.” He brushed the back of your hand with his thumb. “Dreams of you and I walking through lush green fields of flowers, at the marketplace eating honey roasted nuts and candied fruits. The scent of jasmine drifting through the air as we walk along the shore of a crystal clear lake. Dreams of holding you in my arms while we danced together under the moonlight. It was magical and felt so real.”

“Oh Jongho…” You squeezed his hand harder.

“Then you showed up.” He swallowed hard. “When I walked into that café, my heart stopped beating for a moment. A whole eternity passed inside of that instant. I knew that you were real and not just some dream. You were real and so beautiful.”

His words melted your heart. How did you get so lucky? How did you ever deserve this? 

“I thought I was going crazy.” He took a deep breath. “Falling for someone whom I just met. But it felt like I’ve known you forever. Like I’ve always known you. All those strange dreams that I’ve been having finally made sense. Every dream of us together was a memory. Memories of us being together long ago. Before this modern age. Back in a time when the world was full of magic and mystery. Memories of our past lives, where we were lovers and soulmates.”

“Really?” You let out a small sob. “You remember all of that? Our memories? Our lives?”

“Yes, baby.” He breathed deeply. “I remember every second of it. Everything about you. I can’t imagine how lonely you must have felt without me. For centuries to pass without knowing if my reincarnated soul would find its way back to you. To see your soulmate being taken away from you because of that damned curse…”

He looked down at the plate in front of him.

“I promised myself that no matter what happened, I would find a way to save you.” He raised his head to stare into your eyes. “No matter what it takes, no matter how impossible it may seem, I will save you. No matter how much pain it brings upon myself. I will fight against the gods until the end of time if I have to. And I will never let anything or anyone separate us. Not even death itself.”

“Even if it means becoming an immortal yourself? Getting rid of your earthly existence?”

“There’s nothing I won’t sacrifice to be with you.” His voice shook. “To be able to wake up next to you every morning, and to lay my head down next to yours every night. To hold you in my arms and feel your heartbeat beneath my fingers. I will risk it all to have a life with you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” You spoke softly. “And neither are you.”

“I’m sorry.” Jongho sniffed, wiping the tears away from your eyes. “For everything you had to go through. For breaking the rules of heaven because of me. For falling in love with a mortal like me. For not being able to grow old with me.”

You pulled him closer and buried your face into his chest. “It’s okay.” You said with a smile. “I don’t regret loving you. You were the only man I ever loved, and you were the only one I ever needed. My heart belonged to you from the beginning. From the moment I laid eyes on you. I always knew that you would come back to me someday. It’s just that you got lost in the midst of our journey. But now that you found your way back, it feels like everything is coming full circle.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Jongho mumbled, his chin resting on the top of your head as he held you close. “But no matter what happens between us, even if this cycle continues, my soul belongs to you. You alone. Nothing will ever be able to take that away. You are my everything. I will always belong to you, my goddess. My heavenly princess. My eternal love.”

Your heart soared as he uttered those precious words to you. Words that you had always longed to hear from him. Words that your heart craved to hear over and over again. Now that you could finally hear them, you vowed to treasure them forever.

“Jongho…I…” You hesitated, trying to find the right words to say.

“Don’t worry, my love.” He cupped your face in his hands. “I know exactly what you want to say. You want me to marry you. Right?”

“Right.” You smiled and nodded.

Jongho reached into his pocket and pulled out a diamond ring. You gasped as you stared at it in awe.

“Oh Jongho, this is-”

“Shh.” He silenced you with a finger to your lips. “You’re supposed to be speechless.”

“Oops.” You cleared your throat, letting out a light laugh.

“Y/N, I will do anything and everything to be with you. Even if I have to become an immortal myself. As long as I have a chance to spend an eternity with you, then I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. You are the reason for my existence. The reason why I continue to exist after my death. So I promise to never leave you alone. Not even for a single day. Not even for a single moment. Forever and always, my love. You will always be the center of my universe.”

You stared at the ring in his palm. So elegant and exquisite. A shining reminder of your undying love for each other. A perfect symbol of your unbreakable bond.

“Marry me.” He whispered softly. “Become my wife. Be my everything. My eternal love.”

You couldn’t speak. Your throat had gone dry. You had never wanted anything more than to spend the rest of your life with Jongho by your side.

“Say yes.” He urged gently. “Please, baby. Please, say yes.”

Slowly, you nodded your head. “Yes, Jongho. I will be your wife. Your eternal love.”

Jongho smiled as he slipped the ring onto your finger.

“Now that we’ve gotten that settled, let’s celebrate.” He chuckled, pulling you into his arms. “Let me love you in ways that I have never done before.”

You moaned as you felt him lean forward and kiss you tenderly. You wrapped your arms around his neck and ran your hands through his hair, bringing him closer to you. Jongho kissed your lips passionately, devouring you with every kiss.

After several minutes, you broke the kiss. “Is this how you want to celebrate?” You asked with a smirk.

“Of course.” Jongho chuckled. “This is the best way to celebrate. Celebrating with you, celebrating our everlasting love.”

Jongho held his breath as you led him up the stairs of the Jade Palace and towards the Great Hall. Never in his entire life had he been so nervous.

“Are you nervous?” You asked him as you took his hand in yours.

“Nervous? What am I supposed to be nervous about?” He laughed nervously. “Baby, of course I’m nervous. I’m meeting your parents. You know, the ones that are the Heavenly Emperor and Empress?”

“I guess that makes sense.” You laughed. “Jongho, I’m right here with you. We’ll be fine.”

He sighed as he glanced down at your hand. Saw the way the diamond ring glistened against your skin.

“I just want you to know that I’m really happy that you’re here with me.” He said softly. “Because Y/N, without you, I wouldn’t be able to deal with meeting your parents. At least not alone.”

You smiled softly as you leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You’re welcome.”

Jongho watched as you walked ahead of him. Taking in every step that you took, every movement that you made. Feeling as though he was entranced by you. Every time you took a step forward, he felt like his legs grew weaker. And every time you turned to look at him, he lost control of himself. Seeing you in your robes of white and gold silk, looking so ethereal and majestic as you walked ahead of him, left him speechless.

“You are the most beautiful woman in the world.” He whispered to himself as he followed you. “I love you so much, Y/N. More than anything else in this world.”

You smiled as you glanced over your shoulder and saw him watching you. Walking behind you slowly, unable to stop staring at your figure. The way your hair flowed gracefully behind you. The gentle sway of your hips as you walked. Each step sent waves of lust coursing through his veins. Making him ache for you. Make him crave you with every ounce of his being.

You couldn’t help but turn around to see if he was still following you. If he was thinking about you too.

“Come on, husband-to-be. Hurry up.” You called out, laughing quietly as he tried to adjust the white robes he originally hesitated to wear but wore them anyway to please you.

Jongho chuckled as he continued walking after you. Focusing his attention on you instead of the path in front of him. Just like how you used to walk ahead of him, stealing glances at him whenever he was near you. Always catching him off guard whenever he turned to look at you. Leaving him speechless and weak. You were so wonderful, so breathtaking, so intoxicating. And you made him want to surrender his very soul to you. Completely. Without hesitation.

A gentle breeze blew past your ears as you stood in the middle of the Jade Palace. The soft chirping of birds echoed throughout the palace. Flowers bloomed along the path, surrounding you with their sweet fragrance. Jongho smiled as he gazed at you, standing there so serenely. A vision of beauty that stole his heart away. You could easily pass for an angel if he didn’t know any better. But he did know better. He knew the truth. That you were far more than an angel. Far more than he could ever dream of.

You were his goddess, his heavenly princess. His eternal love.

You turned to look at him and giggled softly as he looked like he was having a hard time walking. The Jongho of centuries past would have had no problem in these clothes. He’d simply stride forward confidently. But this Jongho was slightly awkward in his white and gold robes. So clumsy and shy. So cute. You couldn’t help but giggle. This version of Jongho was quite endearing. A completely different person than the version you had fallen in love with years ago. And yet, you knew deep inside that this Jongho was the same man that you had fallen in love with from the start.

“Ready?” You asked, gently nudging him with your elbow.

Jongho gave you a sheepish grin. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

You laughed as you led him into the Great Hall, entwining your fingers with his. You were glad that there was no else present apart from your parents. Just you and him. And you hoped that they liked him. Because you loved him with all of your heart. And he was the first man that you ever truly cared about.

“My lovely daughter, my soon to be son-in-law.” Empress Jihyun smiled warmly as she stood in front of you. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at you with love.

“Mother. Father.” You greeted respectfully before turning to look at Jongho. You squeezed his hand in reassurance, silently telling him that you were here with him. “This is the man that I love, Jongho. I lost him once, and now I’ve found him again. And I don’t intend to lose him again. He’s my life.”

The Heavenly Emperor, your father, nodded. Taking yours and Jongho’s hands in his own, he patted them reassuringly. “It has been far too long since I have seen my daughter smile like this. Welcome to our family, my son-in-law.”

You turned to gaze at Jongho, eyes filled with happiness from the words that your father had spoken. To hear that your father was accepting of him. With tears of joy streaming down your cheeks, you wrapped your arms around him tightly. Hugging him tightly as you let go of all the pain and anguish that had consumed you over the years. All those times that you cried yourself to sleep because of the mistakes that you had made in the past. All the times that you wondered if you would ever find true love again. But now, with the return of your Jongho, you knew that you were finally home.

In just a few days, Jongho will become an immortal and live forever. You won’t need to worry about losing him anymore. Because you’ll be together forever. Together with your soul mate, and the one that you both had waited for your whole lives.

Your beloved Jongho.

[thefluffyrailway-official]

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

During the year 1915. One night, in the city of Norwich (East Anglia/England), Lawrence Billinton, an elderly man, dark complexion, graying hair and olive green eyes, was reading a novel (Around the World in 80 Days) to a tiny baby animal similar to a steam engine.

The little one listened attentively as his adoptive father read each paragraph of the book. He was leaning on the living room carpet with his 6 small fuchsia wheels, motionless, staring at the older boy with a certain sparkle in his big blue eyes.

-An hour after leaving Bombay, the train, avoiding the viaducts, had crossed Salcette Island and was running on the mainland, - recited Lawrence with a theatrical air.

-Have you ever been there, dad? - the little train asked curiously as he slowly moved towards the older boy.

Lawrence stopped reading for a moment and smiled.

-I'm afraid not, son.- he said, shaking his head. To which the blue-eyed man responded by lowering his gaze, disappointed.

-Although, when I worked on the railway with my old tram engine, Ram, we were sometimes sent to work temporarily in Germany, France and even Uruguay, - the older was quick to say.

-Really?? Ram never told me about that!-

Lawrence put the book on the table next to the chair and placed the little engine-like pup on his lap.

-Yes, it's true. And maybe when you grow up and work on a real railway, you will travel and see other countries too- He laughed.

The pup's eyes lit up.

-Yes! YES!! I will! I will travel the world!! And I will make new friends! And I will take you and Nico with me!!- The little blue-eyed steam engine squeaked while shaking in excitement.

-Hehe. I'm sure it will be.- The man got up from his chair, with his son in his arms, and walked to the living room window. A window that looked out onto the beautiful port of Norwich.

The pup leaned on his father's chest as he looked out at the crystal-clear waters of the port in the distance, which seemed endless the further he looked.

-Someday, we'll get on one of those boats, Dad. And we'll travel around the world.- He smiled.

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

Now, a century later, that little train had grown and matured. His fur was now a shiny sky blue with red stripes and the number 1 on the sides.

Just as his father told him, he now worked on a railway on the island of Sodor; a small island south of the Isle of Man.

Thomas was glancing out the small window of his shed door in the town of Tidmouth. He'd woken up just before everyone else. And because of that memory with his foster father, he'd become quite emotional looking at the row of photos of him and his father in the door in front of him.

-You were right, dad. I managed to travel the world and meet new people. But without you and Nico accompanying me on the trip, it's not the same...- He whispered in a sigh.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a deep cough two places to his right.

-Do you mind? Some engines need to rest. If you knew what it was like to get up early, you wouldn't chatter that much. - Protested a very prideful big blue engine.

-I'm sorry Gordon. I was just thinking... - Thomas apologized.

-Well, it seems that now we all read minds because you can be heared even in Vicarstown!- Gordon growled, causing the others to wake up as well.

-Huh? What's going on?- Nia yawned, still sleepy.

-Come on guys. It's still early to start fighting.- Emily complained from a corner.

-Emily is right. You are ruining my beauty dream!- added James, who unfortunately found himself between the two.

-Which isn't work so well i can see...- Percy chuckled in answer.

-In that case Thomas should shut his mouth a bit so we can all go back to sleep!- Gordon snorted.

Suddenly, the sound of keys opening the door of one of the sheds made everyone pretend to be asleep.

-Good morning, sleepyhead- a tall, dark-skinned man with light eyes greeted as he opened the door for Gordon.

-No good morning or anything! We heard you arguing. Come on! get moving Gordon! Someone here fell asleep and we're already late for the express! - Liam, another man with amber eyes, dark hair, a bit of grey and a prominent beard, growled, while pointing angrily at his colleague.

-Thanks for ruining my last 5 minutes of sleep!- the big blue-eyed engine claimed.

-Now, come on and bring me my coaches, so that "waking up early" game of yours will be useful for something...- He ordered.

-Fiiiine... - Thomas huffed as he walked out of his shed.

And so, another tiring morning of work began on the bustling island of Sodor.

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

(𝐀𝐔 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬: @steam-beasts <𝟑)

[edutainer2022]

It's Scott Tracy's birthday, but all my WIP stories are kinda angsty atm. So I decided to revisit this little thing on the day - it always makes me smile. It's mind-numbing fluff. A morning talk-show with Jeff Tracy upon return to Earth provides grounds for some much needed revelations. And hugs.

ONE WORD ANSWERS

As interviews were going these months, this was a smaller one. Done privately from the desk in the lounge via a holo-com. Ever since the dramatic return from Oort Cloud, already christened the "Rescue of the Century", every media outlet worldwide wanted a piece of him. Jeff didn't feel much like putting up with most of it - eight years in outer space on meager rations and slim hope was a brutal awakening once they were safely back on Earth. Besides, he'd rather not waste any more time than necessary on media coverage, away from his family. He'd done his fair share of that in his active duty days, and Lord knew he had A LOT to catch up with in his sons' lives. A lot! Some things he gleaned and pieced together in observations and a backlog of reports were more... thought provoking than others. But some visibility was needed and even expected. He understood that.

The interview for a morning show in a different timezone was to be short, capped up with a ten-questions blitz to lighten the mood. The outline of questions, as per usual, was screened by John and Tracy Legal, and pre-approved by Jeff himself. His only recommendation this time around was the order of points in a blitz.

If the boys were surprised he asked them to sit in through the interview, obscured by the sunken lounge, they didn't show it. Jeff made sure everyone was on the island, Scott back from NYC and the Tracy Industries Board full of questions and incessant worries as to the perspective changes in status quo, Alan back from campus orientation, even John planetside for the weekend (something that had become a frequent and welcome habit). They knew Dad sometimes struggled with social situations these days and needed some cheering along and support - which was provided with unreserved abandon.

The interview was running its course smoothly, as they neared the 10 questions section. The show anchor was all smiles - the mock-blitz questions were submitted by the viewers and the most frequent or special ones were selected.

- So, Mr. Tracy, you were the First Man on Mars, the Founder of International Rescue, you set multiple supersonic speed records. How would you describe yourself in one word?

Oh, that was an easy one. He would have used so many words years ago as applied to himself - some more on point, some vain. A pilot. An astronaut. An entrepreneur. A husband. A son. A Thunderbird. A man of the world. A friend. A savior. A failure. An idealist. A leader. A survivor. Jeff Tracy still was all those things, in different measures. But eight years of the endless night, with nothing but his thoughts, memories and dreams for company, have distilled his self-awareness to one point of absolute clarity:

- A father.

He could hear the collective breath escape his sons' lips and a soft glow washed over their features.

The blitz went on.

- What are you most proud of?

That too was a no-brainer, but he might need more than one word to answer exhaustively. Never hurts to elaborate on global television:

- My sons. There are no words to express how proud I am of their accomplishments and of the incredible people they grew up to be: my youngest son Alan is a prodigy, the youngest rocket pilot in history, Gordon is an Olympic champion, an environmental activist AND an Aquanot for International Rescue, Dr. John Tracy, the Voice that Answers, holds multiple PhD degrees in Astrophysics and Computer Science, my son Virgil is an accomplished pianist, like his mother, and a recognized artist on top of being busy full time with International Rescue engineering.

Smiles were blooming on his boys' faces up to a point it became apparent he stopped his answer at four. Jeff could swear there was a sheen of tears in Alan’s eyes, whereas light brown and turquoise turned momentarily hard. Virgil's whole face was a shimmer of disbelief and betrayal. Scott's eyes, soft and understanding, and infinitely sad, would be enough to stop the interview right there and backtrack. But he needed to see this through just right. The news anchor was beaming, as they were down to the last question:

- That is certainly a LOT to be proud of, Mr. Tracy. I'm sure the whole world, anyone who has ever needed help from International Rescue, would agree. But our viewers want to know one last thing from the Hero of the Century. Do you know you're called that? That's a tough mark to measure up to! Well, who is YOUR Hero, Mr. Tracy?

The anchor probably would have never guessed how simple and ready that answer was in his mind. He didn't need a moment to think:

- My eldest son. Scott Tracy. Everything International Rescue is today, everything our family is today - we owe him. I owe him my life. I know nobody stronger in the face of so much pain and pressure. I could survive in outer space, but I am not sure I could ever do what he did in my absence. I could never admire or respect anyone more. I am a better man for being his father. So it's simple as that, Scott Tracy is my hero.

The holo projector barely flickered out when he was barreled into midriff by a flurry of warm and blond, and fierce. Alan hugged him tight and mumbled "Thank you!", no doubt aimed at his words not only on all other brothers, but on Scott. He meant every one of those. Soon he was in a circle of strong arms and within reach of the most beloved young faces, incandescent with emotions and hope. All but one. Scott lingered behind, as he was disturbingly wont to since their first hug in the Oort Cloud - hence Jeff's little staged performance today, as a desperate measure. He held his eldest son's gaze unwaveringly across the lounge, aware of the tears streaming from still astonished blue eyes. It was an instant loss to step out of his boys' embrace even for a brief moment, but there was something he needed to do. He crossed to the couches in three big strides and held Scott as tightly to himself as the still recuperating muscles would allow. It hurt to know the boy would be this surprised to be acknowledged and appreciated. But Jeff was gifted a second chance to let all his sons know how cherished they were. How precious. He'd waste no minute of that. A tight circle of strong arms was soon  embracing him and Scott again, more confirmations of affection all around washing over. There was nothing he'd rather do for the rest of his life.

[mafuluzx]

Beautiful Liar (part 1/2)

If you have no idea what this is, it's the first part of my scrapped Wattpad story. I made a post with also the prologue in it, please go check it out from right here.

But this will in total have three posts: the prologue, part 1 and part 2. Part one and two are basically just the chapters I wrote before giving up split in two.

So, let's go.

Part 1

"Ah, this to the Walker's again?" You gave the envelope to the mailman and nodded. The mailman stuffed the envelope into his bag and left. You looked around before walking back to your house, your home. You always sent the Walkers money for Jay's allowance. You saw Jay on tv a lot these days. He was your precious little brother whom only you knew about. And to him you were a... nobody. You doubted if he'd seen you anywhere other than tv either.

You walked inside, the collection of Fritz Donnegan posters giving you a cold and wordless welcome, as always. In the past, you asked how Jay was doing from his 'parents', the Walkers. Edna was a sweet lady and Ed was a funny and kind old man, whom you met for the first time when you were two. You don't remember why Your father chose to leave Jay with them of all people, but you didn't mind. But You couldn't ask them anymore, for when Jay became a ninja, he visited his parents less and less. Instead you relied on the newspapers and tv to know how Jay's been doing.

You and your group were active as always, and your dad was at work all day long, as always. You didn't like him leaving you to take care house all year round, but you didn't want him to come back home either. He had love only for three in this world. Your mother, himself, and his job. His two children lived their own lives separated from him. You didn't even know if he cared for you and Jay, if he cared for one but not the other, or neither one.

But that was a long time ago. For a long time you had no one to call mother, but after that long time had lasted for ten years, it finally took it's toll. You didn't need to see your father anymore, you didn't need for him to take care of you anymore. But you didn't wish him to leave you. You only wished he would invite Jay back... back home.

You were two years older than Jay, and now he was sixteen, now you were eighteen. The letter which you sent to Ed and Edna contained one message, but you've though of it for so long that you could remember it from memory...

Mr. and Mrs. Walker, I have now turned eighteen, and have the right to take custody of Jay. If there's ever trouble, you may contact me, and I'll take full responsibility. But please, take care of Jay as long as you can, I don't want him to have to part with his parents anytime soon.

Signed, (y/n) Gordon.

You sighed and walked into the kitchen. You swiped a remote controller from the kitchen table and turned a small tv in the corner of the room on and took a glass of water for yourself. You sat down and pulled out a notebook before starting scribble down x marks on your to-do list. You weren't paying much attention to the tv, you kept it on as just some background noise, but something in the broadcast seemed different.

"Where are the ninja? This reporter has the answer." Nope, just the usual. You thought to yourself as you took a sip of water.

"They're calling it the Crime Wave of the Century." Oh, a bigger crime this time. Well, more fame for the ninja.

"Earlier today, Green Ninja Lloyd Garmadon was caught on tape robbing the city bank." Like lightning, you shot up from your seat, knocking over your glass of water in the process as your gaze shot up to the tv screen. Even if you could hardly believe your eyes, the screen definetely showed Lloyd right in the act.

"And that's not all. At Mega Monster amusement park, Zane was on a rampage of vandalism and mayhem." After a pause to listen to the absurd accusations of the tv, your rushed to grab a towek and quickly wiped the water off the table and floor to which the water had fallen, before sprinting away to fins your phone

"I am ashamed I ever wore their underwear. Oh, uh, I mean, T-shirts." You could hear the broadcast all the way to the living room, where you noticed your phone on the sofa, before quickly grabbing it and running back to the kitchen. Scrolling through your contacts at a rapid pace, you stopped at the name of your father and quickly pressed 'call'.

The phone rang a few times, before the line opened and the hassle of what could have been a movie set, or a party for famous people, or anything else in fact, sounded in the background.

"Cliff Gordon." A voice said from the other line.

"Dad! Look at the tv, quick!"

"Dad? Last time I remember, I was just Cliff Gordon to you. And there are no televisions here, so I can't."

"Ugh, yeah yeah let's talk about that later, but Jay's a fugitive!"

"Okay, slow down. What?"

"The ninja apparently started suddenly committing crimes all around Ninjago, and are now wanted criminals!"

"...Let's talk about this when I get home, okay?"

"Come on! Jay is falsely being accused-"

"We'll talk. At. Home." Beep, beep, beep... The line got cut. Your blood boiled, and you just stuffed your phone into your pocket before sitting back on the kitchen table, and intently listening to the rest of the broadcast.

The next day, the day was full of warning the city that the ninja were on the loose.  Even as the night had passed, your father got no word from the Walkers about Jay, they hadn't even seen the broadcast, appareantly..

"I'll go get him a lawyer." Cliff Gordon sighed before pulling on a jacket. You were basically biting your fingers off as you anxiously watched the news. Cliff Gordon slipped out the door, but not before calling to you.

"It's not worth stressing over, go train or something. Just try to clear your mind of it." Then he left. You knew he was right, and in the end, you walked up to your practicing room and put on some music to practice to, but kept it quiet enough to hear the radio you had turned on. An hour, two hours, you didn't really care how much time had passed, when suddenly:

"The ninja have successfully been caught! They have been sent to Kryptarium prison, the best prison in Ninjago, and are there to stay." You almost let out a sigh as you turned the music off along with the radio, and dragged yourself out to your room, and plopped yourself onto your bed. And next morning was hell, again. Your father was nowhere to be seen, so you sent him a text,

Got Jay a lawyer yet?

Nope. I'll come back home once I do.

It's good you finally decided to take responsibility.

...

Do you hate me that much?

No. I just really like my brother.

Unlike someone I know.

I'll be back by Sunday.

You didn't send him an answer, and instead went on about your day as normal. Now that the ninja had been caught, the tv went back to normal, and all word of the ninja disappeared into thin air like nothing had ever happened.

Until they broke out. Suddenly all the channels on tv were exploding with people looking for the Ninja again. And not even much to your surprise, your father gave up on getting a lawyer, and hurried back to work. There was nothing worth discussing about with him anymore. The two of you were never on the best terms, but now even the one moment you finally agreed on something together was gone.

 "I wish I wasn't born in a junkyard. I wish I wasn't poor anymore and could give Nya everything she wants."

"Your wish is yours to keep."

Suddenly your phone rang. You were expecting it to be your manager, for you had been slacking off group practice for personal reasons you knew damn well of. He could have been angry, for Starstruck's schedule could have gotten messed up, or perhaps you had just missed a deadline on something small, and he would only scold you a little. 

"(y/n) Gordon." You said, when a voice you weren't quite sure you recognised spoke from the other end of the call.

"This is Max from the police, we're sorry to inform you, but..." His tone was careful, as if he was afraid to tell whatever he had to tell.

"Your father was involved in an accident, he passed away in the ambulance." Your phone fell onto the floor. There was no way. You dropped down onto the floor, and buried your face in your hands.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 15 (Finally Exploring Brindleton Bay and It's Raining)

For Father's Day, Heather's dad, Neal, visited with Holly and the family dog, Bernadette. Even though the weather in Brindleton was overcast and rainy, he wanted to help Heather make time to explore her new surroundings while also getting a much-needed visit with her.

They took the small ferry from the docks at Cavalier Cove to Deadgrass Isle, where they explored the local history museum and school just off the dock.

"Oh wow!" remarked Holly, reading a plaque under a statue of an anchor. "It's not just fishing that brings so many strays to the bay. Did you know there was a huge shipwreck almost a century and a half ago? The Brindleton lightkeeper died and the fire went out in the lighthouse. It caused a shipwreck, and all the passengers were dogs and cats whose litters have populated Brindleton ever since!"

"I read about it, but I wasn't sure I believed it," admitted Heather. "They never found a captain and they don't even know the name of the boat. It was probably a fishing boat that crashed on the rocks when the Brindleton Light went out. I figured that brought more strays and created a local legend."

"You always overthink the fun stuff! You're not in school anymore, Butts," laughed Holly, truncating Heather's nickname to tease her the way her siblings always had. "You can believe the impossible sometimes - no one's going to grade you down if you do."

Heather glanced out over the bay as the tale of the Landgraab Curse pecked at her subconscious. If the impossible was possible, then the curse could be real. But she didn't want to believe it. "And you could get your head out of the clouds every now and again, Daffy!"

Holly crinkled her nose. "Why did Dad's nicknames have to have nicknames? Daffodils are beautiful, Daffy is a duck!"

"Your brother's first word was 'butt,' so he was bound to discover Butts and Daffy sooner than later." Neal chuckled at the memory, tossing a ball Bernadette could chase onto one of the isle's many beaches.

Neal had gone grey recently but had taken to dyeing his hair, and he raced after Bernadette and her ball without concern for his aging frame. Having been warned by their mother that their father was still coming to terms with getting older, his daughters refrained from mentioning the spot of hair dye staining his earlobe.

They were there to explore and spend a nice day together. Holly fished from the beaches while Heather explored the old pet cemetery, and Neal travelled south toward Lighthouse Point.

A bronze plaque on the white stone warned 'Beware of Dog.' Neal brushed his hand across a dusty window but the lights inside the former living quarters were out. Thick cobwebs lined the inner walls. No one was around.

The lighthouse was supposed to offer gorgeous views of the bay on sunny days, but he climbed the winding flight of stairs to the top and his view was clouded over from the rain. The township installed an electric bulb with a back-up generator after the wreck. It could be seen for miles every single night, and he winced as it passed him on the platform. A dog barked, and he glanced back toward the ground.

"Bernadette! I better not find you chasing squirrels!"

He headed back down the stairs and rounded up his energetic dog before he found his daughters chatting with excitement.

"Are you kidding? Of course I'll be your maid of honour! But your wedding's next month! Why didn't you ask sooner?"

"Kris and I aren't really into traditional wedding stuff. We just want a fun party and even though I want you to support me on the day, I don't want you to think it'll be some big job."

"Even if it was, I'd do it, but I appreciate you, Daffy, and nothing would make me prouder than being maid of honour when you marry the man of your dreams. And the first thing I'll do as your maid of honour is promise not to call you Daffy on your wedding day!"

After a great day on Deadgrass Isle, they caught the ferry back to the mainland, where they docked at Fisherman's Wharf to check out the Salty Paw. The tavern had an open-door policy for family pets, and they ordered drinks to take to the outdoor patio.

The skies had finally cleared, leaving the night air thick with the scent of fish and petrichor.

"So how's Mom?" Heather asked with drink in hand. Neal and Holly rolled their eyes in unison.

"She's on another one of her quests again," said Neal with an exasperated but loving sigh. "She's searching for magic beans to grow a forbidden fruit, but Holly made her promise she wouldn't do anything crazy - like turn herself into a PlantSim - before her wedding day."

"Aren't rare seeds like that really expensive?"

"They are, but your mother works hard and can afford it. It's not the money I think about, it's the obsession with completing these goals for plaques and recognition, and now she wants to reward herself by turning into a plant! What's a man supposed to do with a plant for a wife?"

Holly leaned toward her sister and spoke under her breath. "Water her garden, I guess." They both laughed, and Neal blushed.

"That's enough," he chastised. "I miss when you girls were so young you didn't know what a euphemism was."

They laughed together under the lights over the wooden pier until they all masked yawns with tired smiles and returned to Heather's neighbourhood, Sable Square.

"Care to join us for a walk to the footbridge and back?" asked Neal. "If I don't tire out Bernadette she'll try to open the car doors on the way home."

Heather joined easily, breathing in the cool night air and satisfied by how much of her new home she'd finally been able to explore. "You both know how much I overthink love and relationships, but am I nuts for thinking Malcolm's been distant since his mother's dinner party?"

"Is he ignoring you?" asked Holly.

"No, but we never really talked on the phone and his texts are...I don't know, they feel different. Like maybe he realized I'm not what he wants, after all. We're both really busy with work, and we won't even be able to see each other before your wedding."

Neal put a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Long distance relationships are just hard. If he was having doubts, I'm sure he'd say so."

"You love your independence, and you're a business owner!" Holly reminded her, hyping up her sister with a pep talk. "You are literally The Boss. If Malcolm doesn't realize he should disown his mother and live happily ever after with you, Watcher help him."

With a renewed sense of confidence, she waved off her family as they piled into the car for the drive back to Henford-on-Bagley.

As usual, Heather tried not to dwell on her insecurities, throwing herself into work for a welcome distraction. ->

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