#next part is going to be them and the crew of the Lost Light visiting this universes version of the amusement park from the main story

[soundcrusher]

Of ‘assignments’ and new friends

Part 7 of season 2 from my ongoing series set in the sentient SG/LL au from @cuppajj is out..

I hope you all will enjoy this.

Trigger Warning: I wrote some dark stuff. I don't know which warning applies, but it sure isn't sunshine and lollypops. Please, keep that in mind.

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“Do you think sharks could live on land?” Asked Phoenix, who was currently laying in the new bunk-berth Rodimus had installed right above their dinette, while playing with his shark plush. Ever since that kind mech got it for him, Phoenix couldn’t go a day without having it in his arms. It was softer than anything he ever felt, and it was nice to simply hold something in his arms while reading on his data-pads or listening to Rodimus’ radio. 

“I don’t know.” Said Rodimus, as he watched the landscape outside their small ship. Something was moving out there, the prime could feel it in his spark. However, no matter how hard and long he scouted the area, he could never find something. It almost made him paranoid, especially with Thrillchaser on their tail and the DJD close bye. But he couldn’t let that feeling get to him, not when Phoenix was right there. “But I am sure that if they were able to walk on land, I still wouldn’t let you keep a shark. Our ship is too small to house more than us two.” Said Rodimus as he climbed up the ladder to go and lay down next to Phoenix. Settling down underneath the blankets, before raising them a little bit up and watching his brother slowly scoot over and settle down next to him. Clutching the shark tightly to his chest, while Rodimus wrapped his arms around his brother.

“But… it would be nice to have something like a pet…” Muttered Phoenix quietly, even though he knew that Rodimus had a point. Their ship was small, and considering how big sharks can be, a landshark would surely not fit. But maybe something smaller? “I mean… you’re gone sometimes… No, not sometimes… Often. And you don’t take me with you as much as you used to. We used to go anywhere together on the other planet, but now?” Asked Phoenix, as he turned around to look up at Rodimus with those innocent optics of his. “I know that… that I don’t want to go out that often anymore. It’s safe here, but at the same time, I want you to take me with you when you go to the city. I like seeing places with you and… and I… I don’t want to be alone…” 

Rodimus let out a long and heavy sigh. It was true. This might be the second planet they went to, but Rodimus has been even more wary of taking Phoenix into the nearby city ever since the incident with Thrillchaser, let alone the encounter with Tesarus the other week ago. And then there was the ‘issue’ with his newest ‘assignment’ hunting younger and vulnerable mechs. He didn’t want to risk Phoenix’s life, when visiting the city. “How about this,” started Rodimus, after thinking about what his brother said for a while, “I’ll take you to the city tomorrow. There’s this nice little cafe right across an arcade. I’m sure that you would love it there.” Said the prime with a soft smile, which earned him a big bright smile from his brother. “I would love that!” Cheered Phoenix, before quickly closing his eyes. 

It took a while for Phoenix to slip into recharge. Rodimus had to remind the youngling that, if he doesn’t calm down now, he wouldn’t be able to recharge, and then he wouldn’t have enough energy to go to the cafe and arcade tomorrow quite a few times. But as soon as the youngling was sleeping deeply, Rodimus carefully got out of the bunk-berth, used one of the bigger pillows as a body double, got his secret rifle, and made his way out of the ship. Locking it behind him to start the hunt for his newest ‘assignment’.

Which was easier said than done. Especially in a city as big and tense as this one. At least Rodimus had a location where his ‘assignment’ loved to hunt for younger mechs. And so, the prime made his way over to the club known as the “Silent song”, climbed up the fire ladder of the building next to the club and scoped out every opening. Making sure to note down and prepare for everything that might come, before waiting. 

Counting the hours, until he saw his ‘assignment’ walk out the backdoor, dragging a young mech, who didn’t seem to know what was going on, behind him. Only then did Rodimus climb down the fire ladder and follow the pair through the bustling streets and crowds, before halting in front of a shady looking alleyway. 

Of course, his ‘assignment’ wouldn’t want to do his dirty deeds close to his hunting grounds. “You don’t really know how to treat someone decently, or do you?” Rodimus asked with a dangerous lilt in his voice as he walked closer. Rifle in his servos, as he took notice of the passed out mech and the way the older one was looming over him. Looks like Rodimus came just in time. “And they called me a fragged up for liking strange things. I mean, it’s probably weird if you want to kiss a sparkeater just to know how it feels, but what you’re doing? I doubt that neither faction would like what you’re doing. Honestly, I wonder who I should deliver you to. Decepticons or Autobots?” That seemed to rile his ‘assignment’ up, because he dropped the young mech and rushed him. 

As if that fragger had any chance against Rodimus. Not when his ‘assignment’ went down with just one swift kick and a jab in the side with his rifle. “You’re a disappointment. Truly, something like you calls himself a Decepticon? Oh wait, you have been an Autobot first and changed sides right before the war ended to get away from your rightful punishment.” Chuckled the prime as he pressed the end of his rifle against his ‘assignment’s’ throat. Watching the look in his optics go from fiercy to panicked. 

“Ah, you realized who’s pinning you, didn’t you?” Chuckled the prime, as he leaned down and grabbed the mech’s helm. “Sadly, I can’t seem to remember you, and, frankly, I don’t think I will ever care enough to.” Said the prime, as he slowly trailed his hand down to the right side of his ‘assignment’s’ face, before igniting his flames. Slowly melting the mech’s face, while smiling the whole time. Rodimus wanted to make sure that the mech, should he survive, would always remember this day. But considering the crimes he committed, Rodimus doubted he would live long enough to even need a reminder.

It was still satisfying though. 

After Rodimus was done with his ‘assignment’s’ punishment, he used one of his tranquilizers to knock the mech out, before notifying the authorities. And it took them a long time to finally show up, ask their questions and hand over the bounty Rodimus earned fair and square. Although, they did keep half of the promised 2000 Shanix, because the ‘assignments’ face was burned and they wouldn’t write it up as an accident, if Rodimus didn’t leave some of the Shanix with them. And if asking for bribery wasn’t enough, they also left the young mech behind with the prime. Claiming that, it wasn’t their jurisdiction and that Rodimus should have called a hospital to come and pick him up. 

Which caused the prime to let out one long sigh, before he shouldered his rifle and picked up the young mech. Carrying him off to a nearby hospital, because, if everyone is just like the fraggers he had to deal with right now, he was sure that they wouldn’t even care about this poor mech. And what kind of Cybertronian left behind a young one in need?

Living and taking care of Phoenix sure enough made him soft…

While Rodimus was making sure the young mech in his care was safely delivered to the hospital, Phoenix was peacefully sleeping in their shared bunk-berth. Or, at least he was sleeping peacefully for a while, but like before, his dreams slowly twisted and turned until the nice dream was nothing more than a twisted nightmare. A nightmare that caused the youngling to wake up crying and screaming for his brother. But he couldn’t find him. Phoenix couldn’t find Rodimus and, to add to his panic, the ship was as dark as the halls of the Lost Light. Not even the small lamp on their dining table was lit. At least he had the small flashlight underneath his pillow. Which he got out and used to look for Rodimus. First, on the side of the berth where he should be, before climbing down and walking to the bridge. Only seeing an open hatch underneath the captain's chair? He surely will have to ask his brother about that. 

“Maybe he’s outside?” Whispered Phoenix to himself, before getting his poncho, putting it on, unlocking the ship’s door and stepping outside into the cold night air. Taking a few steps away from the ship, while shining his light in every direction. “Roddy?! Are you out here?!” Called Phoenix, before stopping in his tracks. There was something moving in the dark. He couldn’t see it, not even when he shone his flashlight in the direction, but he could feel it. Something was watching him. Something was out there, something, probably, dangerous. Or maybe it was an animal? Either way, after seeing a pair of glowing eyes stare at him, Phoenix started to slowly walk backwards towards the ship. Letting out quiet whimpers as he saw those eyes getting closer and closer. 

Although, the youngling didn’t manage to slip back into the ship, because he dripped over his own feed right before the ship’s door. Causing Phoenix to drop his flashlight and close his optics in fear of what the creature in the dark would do now. 

But the expected attack never came. No, but he felt something softly nudging his arm. Which was strange because a monster wouldn’t do that when attacking someone. At least, that’s not how Lightlost described the monsters who would attack younglings as soon as they saw  them. Maybe the strange attack was the reason why Phoenix opened his optics. Although, the second he saw the turbofox holding his flashlight in its snout while nudging his arm, Phoenix quickly forgot his fear. 

He was filled with excitement instead. 

“How did you get here?” Asked the youngling, as he took the flashlight back from the turbofox, while reaching out with his free servo to see if he was allowed to pet it. And he could! The turbofox even leaned its head into his servo! This was the best evening in his life! And Rodimus said that turbofoxes were dangerous. 

“Where’s your pack? You turbofoxes hunt in packs, right? Were you left behind? I know how that feels…” Muttered the youngling, but before he could get even sad, the turbofox was quick to get his attention again by pumping its head against his servo, causing Phoenix to let out a chuckle while he got up. “Hey, if you want, you can come inside and wait for your pack in there. It's really cold out here.”

And that’s where Phoenix and the turbofox spend their evening. With the youngling making sure his new friend had a bowl of energon treats, a nice blanket and some pillows to lay on, before he got himself some pillows and blankets as well. After that, Phoenix was already telling the turbofox how and why they were here. Leaving nothing out. Not the time he spent with his past crew, nor the time he spent on the Lost Light. Although, Phoenix spent most of the time telling the turbofox about the organic planet he and Rodimus first landed on, before telling it about the amusement park they visited last week. “And then, we visited that really cool amusement park and I got to ride on that… that… I forgot the name of the ride, but it was nice, slow, and went in a circle. OH! And it had those different animals to ride on!” And while Phoenix told his stories he felt like the turbofox understood every word he said. Which only added to the younglings excitement.

Although, even with the excitement keeping Phoenix up for most of the night, the youngspark still managed to fall asleep in the middle of telling his new friend about how he got his plush shark. With his head resting against the turbofox’s side, while his servos clutched the end of his blanket. 

And that’s how Rodimus found the pair in the morning. Phoenix sleeping soundly and the turbofox staring straight at him, with the prime staring back. After rubbing his optics and making sure he wasn’t dreaming

“Where the frag did you come from?”

[the-last-dillpickle]

DS9 trivia from IMDB - Part 1

- Colm Meaney was initially reluctant about signing onto the series. Meaney was comfortable playing O'Brien on an episode by episode basis for Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), and at the time, was unsure if he wanted to play a full time television role.  

- Although we only rarely see it, there is an ATM in Quark's bar. It dispenses the various types of currency used by major races visiting the station: Federation credits, Bajoran litas, Cardassian leks, and Ferengi latinum.  

- Constable Odo was originally envisioned as a young Clint Eastwood type. When Rene Auberjonois was called in for his audition, the casting director told him that none of the previous actors had been "grouchy enough". So Auberjonois improvised his lines using his most gravelly voice, and secured the role. Odo's scoff eventually became such a character trademark that the screenwriters would often script it into his lines (as "harrumph!"), much to Auberjonois' annoyance.  

- Michael Dorn did not want to reprise his role as Worf, since the daily make-up application was exhausting, and he was relieved to be able to move on. Dorn said that the salary he was offered made him reconsider.  

- The Dominion storyline was originally only meant to span two episodes. Ronald D. Moore and Ira Steven Behr lobbied to make the storyline on-going, but met with resistance from Executive Producer Rick Berman, who wanted to maintain an episodic format to the series. After Berman left production to oversee the launch of Star Trek: Voyager (1995), Moore and Behr were given more creative control over this series, making the Dominion War the main plot of the show, and adopting a serialized format.   

- Wolf 359, mentioned as the battle site between the Borg and the Federation where Sisko lost his wife, is a real star that is seven and a half light-years from Earth.  

- In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Trials and Tribble-ations (1996) when Sisko and Dax see Kirk and Spock, Dax has the hots for Spock. In August 2017, Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax) got engaged to Adam Nimoy, son of Leonard Nimoy (Spock).  

- The jars of "pills" in Dr. Bashir's office were filled with M&Ms. In many instances during the early episodes, the level of the pills would change between shots because crew members kept stealing them. The problem was solved by epoxying the lids in place.   

- When Colm Meaney was fitted for his Deep Space Nine uniform, he made two requests of the costume designers. He explained that unlike the officers, the non-commissioned Chief O'Brien was a working man. So he needed to be able to roll up his sleeves, and he needed pockets for his tools. The costume department altered his uniform accordingly.  

- The character of Morn (Mark Allen Shepherd), the Lurian bar patron who is always seen sitting at Quark's bar, was written as a nod to the character of Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt on Cheers (1982). Morn is an anagram of Norm. The mask worn by Shepherd originally had no opening for the mouth, so make-up artist Michael Westmore gave him lips over the course of the series, in case the character needed to speak. Several lines for Morn were scripted over the years, but unfortunately for Shepherd, these were always written out at the last moment. So Morn never said one word during the entire run of the show, leading to a running gag where bar patrons, station crew members and civilian residents often mention that Morn is excessively talkative off-screen, and "never shuts up."  

[blacklegsanjiii]

So I just got back from the theater watching demon slayer and I have thoughts about Tanjiro!Sanji.

There are demons in the OP world and there is a demon slayer corps that Mihawk and Sanji are a part of. Mihawk is a Hashira and claimed the title of world's greatest swordsman from a demon. Sanji goes through all the training and is technically a fully fledged member but there's been a dwindling number of demons for years, Sanji hasn't been called away for a mission since Baratie. Having just got back a week before joining the crew. He retired during the two year time skip due to realizing helping Luffy is his main priority and demons aren't really a problem anymore.

Sanji does have Tanjiro's nose and he is suffering. Then he notices Zoro starts smelling different thanks to his Asura form. Sure he's the Demon of the East Blue but it's just a name. Though he did crawl back from Hell to kill Sanji. Then a crow appears on the Sunny and appears to be following Sanji and then departs a few hours later. Sanji stares after it and smiles brightly at the crew. It's the first time he's been visited by one since retiring.

Robin mentions crows usually are warnings, foreboding messengers with ill intent. Sanji laughs and says he has a few extra things to do at the next island. When they get there he waits for everyone to be asleep before he goes looking. He runs into Mihawk and he thinks it shouldn't be a problem if it's the two of them. It's a small problem, it's an upper rank demon, something not seen in decades.

They're both beaten and bloody and the demon has gotten away because the sun is rising. The crow finds them and lets them know upper rank demons have been making appearances more often and that they are both needed at the head of the corps to discuss this. Sanji says he's retired and can't go back. His crew will freak out if he leaves again, but he'll take care of whatever he finds. He heads back to the Sunny when the crow assures him and Mihawk more members will be there by nightfall.

The crew is shocked to see Sanji come back in the state he's in. He waves it off and says it was just a small fight he accidentally got into. Zoro puffs a breath at him and they leave after breakfast. Chopper checks over Sanji and deems he'll live but needs to go on light duty. A few islands later Sanji and the others are out drinking and soon it's just him, Luffy, and Zoro walking back to the ship. Sanji had a guy feeling that told him to bring his sword and he smells it when they're on the way back he looks and -

It's a fucking kid. The demon is a fucking kid. It's an upper rank too. Sanji is staring at it wide eyed and Zoro tells him to leave the kid alone. The island is small and almost deserted so it's not like it can get lost and that's the problem. The demon smirks as spikes shoot out of a hand it raises that Sanji manages to stop. Luffy and Zoro look fully and Luffy asks what's wrong with the kid as they take fighting stances.

"So these are the two students of Dracule Mihawk? A retiree and a half demon?" The child sneers.

"Don't know what you're talking about kid. You should go home before picking a fight you can't win." Zoro warns but the demon moves in a blink of an eye and Zoro barely blocks the sharp claws of the kid.

They fight and Zoro and Luffy don't understand why this kid is so strong, why it's not going down. Sanji is trying to get them to leave because he doesn't want them to get hurt by a fucking demon. Luffy grabs the kid around the waist and yelps in surprise when the kid splits in half and then regenerates.

"Woah, what kinda devil fruit is that?" Luffy asks.

"I'm a demon, not a devil fruit user like you!" The kid shouts and Sanji starts using his breathing forms so Zoro and Luffy get hit with a one two punch of demons and Sanji's sword skills. It would be great if there were more demon corps members here, active or not, to take this thing. Sanji tells them they have to behead it and Luffy and Zoro are like 'were not killing a kid' and Sanji doesn't have time to explain it's not a kid and hasn't been for years.

Sanji eventually gets a hit to the demon's neck but his sword is stuck even with breathing techniques so he kicks it. He hates himself for it, but it works in actually decapitating the thing and the body starts turning to ash. He picks up his sword and winces it the nicks in the blade. Sanji explains what happened on the Sunny after Luffy gets everyone.

"Wait, how come that kid knew Mihawk? And why the hell did it say he had two students?" Zoro asks.

"Right, see, I was raised by him and I joined the corps but I retired." Sanji explains.

"Corps?" Robin asks.

"Yeah, there's a whole multi island years long training thing to go through to kill demons." Sanji nods.

"And you did it?" Nami asks.

"For a few years."

"The World Government must sanction it then." Usopp says.

"No, it exists outside the government, we think they know demons are real and just act like they're nocturnal devil fruit users." Sanji shrugs.

"Why?" Franky asks.

"Well, demons get stronger with the more humans they eat. Devil fruit users get stronger the more they train and those can look really similar." Sanji answers.

"Can you have a devil fruit user who is a demon?" Robin asks.

"Ya know, that's not something we ever experimented with but I'll write a letter." Sanji grimaces.

"Yeah get to that, swirls." Zoro grunts.

"At least I don't smell like demon." Sanji shoots back and ignores the questions about that. A few days later a crow lands on the railing next to Sanji who blinks at it.

"You and your crew have been requested to come to the masters island at once or you will be brought by force." The crow says.

"I'm retired!" Sanji yells at it.

"Mihawk and the master will be waiting." The crow says before flying away as Sanji screams and sets his legs on fire.

[skepsiss]

Reflection: Steve's POV

This is a 4 part mini-series about the Fruity Four. It's 1989 and Steve, Eddie, and Robin are visiting Hawkins over winter break. Nancy has invited them all over for a little Christmas get-together, and we read from the point of view of each member of the crew across 1 event.

I wrote these pieces to be read in any order, so... enjoy some Steddie, vague Ronance, Vickie x Robin, and just the Fruity Four being... fruity.

Dialogue prompt "You Remember That?" for @thefreakandthehair's Spicy Six Winter Fanworks Challenge. Page break/border by @/alderdoodle.bsky.social on Bluesky.

Rating: T Words: 1,546 CW: Swearing, mention of insomnia/nightmares, sexual language

Steve's Part Nancy's Part Robin's Part Eddie's Part

“Are you sure leaving the car out here will be okay?” Steve asked as he looked over his shoulder at the little Chevrolet parked next to the curb. There was snow on the streets and while the roads were clear for now, there was no guarantee they would stay that way. 

“What, do you think someone is going to jack your car in Hawkins?” Eddie asked, blowing on his hands as they walked up to the Wheeler’s house. 

It was cold out, and the vapour from Eddie’s breath plumed into the air around them. He was shivering—because he didn’t have a proper coat on, even though Steve had reminded him to put it on-–as he hustled up the walkway.

“You’ve done it, in Hawkins. Do you remember that?” Steve retorted, watching as Robin took large steps through the snow drift that was occupying most of the Wheeler’s front yard. He extended his hand to her and Robin took it gratefully. 

“I remember—that was desperate times, man! Shut up–” Eddie hissed, bouncing up and down on each foot in an attempt to stay warm. 

“Yeah, but this is t–oowah!” Robin started to say before she lost her footing and slipped.

Steve caught her by the arm before she was able to hit the ground, having to stick one of his feet into the snow to steady them. 

“Do the Wheelers know what salt is? This path is a goddamn deathtrap,” Steve cursed, pushing Robin back onto her feet.

“Dunno, don’t care–god, hurry up! I’m going to fucking freeze to death!” Eddie chattered, knocking impatiently at the door as Robin carefully stepped up the path with her arms out. 

“I! Am not! An agile woman! If I die, I swear to god, Eddie Mun–” 

“Why would he die?” Nancy asked as she stood framed in the doorway. She was dressed sharply-–as always—and Steve smiled at her as he followed behind Robin in case she went down again. 

Eddie unceremoniously pushed past Nancy into the house, shivering violently as he kicked off his boots.

“Cause it’s colder than the 9 levels of hell out there!”

Steve could hear Eddie complaining from outside, and he rolled his eyes at his behaviour before helping Robin up the steps and into the house.  

“Hell is supposed to be hot,” Steve corrected his boyfriend, watching as he disappeared into the living room, obviously looking to warm up somewhere.

“Oh! On the contrary!” Eddie hollered back, and Steve drowned out the rest of whatever he was saying in favour of greeting Nancy.

“Glad to see you guys made it in one piece,” Nancy half-laughed as she closed the front door snugly behind them.

Robin had already peeled off her outerwear and was carefully shaking her hair out to get rid of her hat hair. Steve wasn’t far behind her as he watched Robin and Nancy embrace. 

“It’s good to see you, Nance,” Steve said quietly, hugging her as well before walking into the living room with the group.

“---and that, pray tell, is the absolute fucking reason why Dante is an asshole.”

Eddie was still jabbering as he pushed a cookie into his mouth. Steve loved him, but Eddie really was a motor-mouth. 

Nancy had arranged sweets and light-fair for them to enjoy during their visit; she had always fallen into the role of the hostess naturally, even if she was destined for bigger things. She would make a great wife for someone someday-–mom too, if she was able to balance a family and a career.

“Wait, are your parents home?” Steve was already reaching for Eddie’s hand as he asked the question; as normal as it was for Steve now to be intimate with Eddie, he still didn’t want to be ‘making a scene’ in front of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. 

“No, they’re at the school with Holly. It’s her ‘Ode to Christmas’ day. She specifically requested that Mike and I wouldn’t be there,” Nancy tittered at the notion, and Steve smiled briefly before he was hissing and pulling away from Eddie.

“Jesus Christ!” Steve swore as he practically leaped out of Eddie’s hold. “Get your cold-ass-icicle fingers off of me!”  

Eddie was still grasping at him and pulling on the hem of Steve’s sweater, whining, while Steve jerked away.

“Oh, come on, boyfriend privileges,” Eddie complained, remaining seated as he made witch-hands at Steve. 

God, he was such a pushover… he was going to relent no matter what, but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it. 

“What about my privileges?” Steve grumbled, sitting down on the couch beside Eddie and stiffening as Eddie tucked up to him and stuck his hands under his sweater. 

“Got enough of those from age 0 to 18,” Robin retorted. She had seated herself on the floor at the end of the coffee table and was happily munching on some kind of pretzel-looking snack. 

“Oh!” Nancy declared suddenly as she stood up. “I made cocoa, I forgot, one second.” 

“Nancy Wheeler, forgetting?” Eddie snickered, wedging himself into Steve’s armpit. “What shitty doppelgänger has replaced you, huh?”

The question was rhetorical, but Steve still got a chuckle out of the indigent look Nancy gave Eddie before she left. Robin followed her after a moment, saying she’d help carry the mugs. 

“You’re being a little brat,” Steve whispered once the girls had left, poking Eddie in the side. “Brat.”

Eddie giggled—giggled—and leaned in for a kiss, which Steve gave back with an air of annoyance. He wasn’t actually all that bothered, but it had been almost a year since they had last seen Nancy, and he didn’t want her thinking the two of them hadn’t matured at all.

“Am I embbbaaarrrassssiiing you?” Eddie teased, staying in close as he poked his tongue out at Steve.

“More like disgusting me,” Steve retorted, which got a dramatic scoff from Eddie in return. 

He settled back down quickly, and Steve adjusted so he could sling Eddie’s legs over his lap. He was still cold, and Steve wasn’t all that surprised, since Eddie had left his coat at the trailer and insisted on wearing jeans today. For a guy who wore three coats in the summer, it was ridiculous that he’d forget everything but his denim jacket at home.

“I didn’t sleep on the plane…” Eddie said quietly, pushing his head into Steve’s neck. He sounded tired, and Steve’s attitude shifted almost instantly as he bundled Eddie closer to him.

“No? It was a red-eye, Eds, you didn’t sleep at all?” Steve trailed his fingers up and down Eddie’s arm as he spoke, kissing into his hair as he tried to warm Eddie up.

“You know I can’t sleep without you there. You’ve rendered me useless,” Eddie teased, before kissing at Steve’s throat.

“You did that all on your own,” Steve taunted, which got him a smack in the chest and a laugh from his boyfriend. 

In all seriousness, he knew Eddie had trouble sleeping without him these days. It had been like that since they got together in the Fall of ‘86. Eddie had already been suffering from bouts of insomnia and waking nightmares about the Upside Down before they started dating, and Steve had witnessed Eddie jolting upright in bed over the recalled memories. Steve wasn’t envious, and while his brain had never plagued him with bad dreams, he had other ticks now because of their paranormal experiences.

He worried far too much about his loved ones, and living Hawkins to live in Chicago with Robin and Eddie had been a tough call. It was for the best, though, and he had at least gotten to keep two of his people nearby. Even with the distance though, he had tried to keep up with all the kids here in Hawkins—it was wrong to call them kids now though. All of them were graduating this year, which was ridiculous, and Steve had no clue how to feel about that. Dustin? Moving away to M.I.T. with dreams of reconnecting with Suzy? God… he hoped university was kind to him.

Regardless, Eddie had been seated in the aisle a few rows in front of Steve on the plane, and Steve had fallen asleep almost instantly. He had always been warned that the older you got, the worse you slept, but he still slept like the dead, even at 22 years old. 

“We won’t stay out too late, and we can head to bed early,” Steve offered, tucking some hair behind Eddie’s ear as he watched him.

Eddie gazed back up at him with those big doe eyes, looking positively smitten.

“Listen to us… we sound like we’re 60 and can’t keep up with those darn kids,” Eddie made himself sound crotchety as he shook his fist at nothing in particular. 

“Or maybe I just want you all to myself,” Steve flirted, amused as he leaned in for a brief kiss.

“Ooooohh?” Eddie asked, chuckling as he kissed back before pulling his lips over his teeth, making it look like he was all gums. “I’ll be sure to remove my dentures for the best blow-job of your life, Sonny.”

“God, gross,” Steve frowned, palming Eddie and pushing him away. “Why do you always have to ruin things? Boyfriend privileges revoked!” 

[altraviolet]

I saw someone ask about the joint door, decided to share my notes on chapter 21 about said door— I find it sort of as a tool (? Not sure if that’s the right word for it) to show Rodimus’ growth specifically but that’s just my interpretation, I could be mistaken ofc:

This was the door to Drift's room.

No, this was the door to Soundwave's room. The one they shared. The one Rodimus had sealed up over and over. He lowered his hand. Wrong door.

I love that as his feelings for SW grow his hesitancy to open the down vanishes. Here he’s still a little hung up on Drift because he has never been able to vent about the gray years yet, later when Soundwave is ignoring him after the Stardrive incident he sneaks in the room— Update: In chapter 46 he just bursts in there and it is implied he comes through there all the time to be with Soundwave. I have the suspicion he barely leaves SWs room at this point.

Would love to hear more about your thought process including the door<3

First, the fact that you took notes and put down your thoughts concerning this detail makes my heart really happy, thank you for sharing 😭❤️

Second, you're spot on! The 'relationship' between Rodimus and the door changes as we move through the fic, and what you've stated above is correct. I'll admit, while writing, it wasn't cemented firmly in my brain in actual words. I just knew that the door would be ready when Rodimus was, and he'd use it.

Though! It might interest you to know that in my mind, for most of the fic, it was about Rodimus getting over his unhappiness with Drift. So, while you phrased it as, "Rodimus becomes more comfortable with Soundwave, so the door opens more," which to be clear IS TRUE, in my mind it started as "Rodimus becomes less uncomfortable that the room used to be Drift's, so the door opens more." There's a definite distinction there, but the two things happen to go hand-in-hand. One can't happen without the other.

I honestly can't remember labeling the door as a symbol in my brain early on while writing (some things are definitely Symbols and other things just Become Symbolic When I Look Back At Them), but if I had sat down and thought about it, or been directly asked, I would've realized that it is xD It's a literal door opening onto a new part of Rodimus's life, where he has let Drift go and welcomed SW in. By degrees, of course. There are a lot of messy feelings still, regarding Drift. And it's not always easy to let people in... we'll see more next chapter about that ;)

I'm trying to think if there was anything else about the door... oh yeah, he definitely used it when Drift lived next to him. For nighttime visits xD That's why he was so bitter about it later and had it sealed up. Those things aren't directly stated in the fic, but I'm hoping they don't have to be. It's all implied and follows the internal logic, so I hope folks picked that up.

And oh yes! One other thing. Folks may remember we got a description of Rodimus's room early on. I'mma copy paste that here as a reference for the next thing I wanted to share. Oh oh but while we're here:

The walls didn't answer. They did erupt into shifting holograms, photos and looping videos. Some were of Rodimus posing for the camera, action shots of him in battle or meteor surfing. Over the years, most of the solo images had been replaced by grinning selfies with friends, arms around shoulders, hoisting up a minibot or two.

The above, actually, isn't door related. I just wanted to say that the bolded sentence was meant to show that Rodimus had matured a little since LL #25. The tolls of their journey had forced him to recognize others above himself, and we see that reflected in the decor he chooses to display in his private space. OKAY back to the door:

Across the room was a collage of special images. Rodimus with the original crew of the Lost Light. Individual pics of him with 0001 Mirage and 0001 Trailbreaker and 0001 Skids. A pic of 0001 Ambulon with the rest of the medic crew. Tripodecta, Shock, and Ore sitting down for a drink together. Rodimus didn't have a picture with 0001 Atomizer. He did have a security footage loop of him and Whirl sneaking down a hallway. As always, Rodimus's gaze shifted from the photographs to the section of wall they adorned. It had once been a door. A door between his and Drift's room.

The door, very very specifically, is where he displays pictures of the mechs who died during the LL's canon adventure. These are the mechs he's always looking for. The ones he's already found, of course, are Trailbreaker, Ambulon, and Mirage.

So the door symbolizes not just his past with Drift, but his failures (in his mind) as a captain to keep those original crew members alive. That detail was deliberately chosen to link all those things together. No one's ever asked about it or mentioned it, as far as I can recall, but now you know :)

Woo, that's a lot of pressure for one little door!

So swinging back to your ask, in Ch 21 Rodimus was so excited to talk to Soundwave, he momentarily forgot how much he hated that door, and went right for it. And yes, when SW was avoiding him, he sneaked in that way (since there's a camera in the hall). And yup, he does spend quite a few nights at SW's now ;D

Hmmmmmmm... ok, I think that's it for the door! If you have any other questions just let me know. Thank you again for the interest in my writing!!

[bakersstreetirregulars]

CROB Headline, March 2023 - Special Season: Lights, Camera, Action!

This month, we’re going to the movies for CROB’s first Special Season and to see the production of Butter Squid Cookie’s newest movie!

Dates: 2/28 - (TBD)

Title Event: Ready, Cookie, Action!

Tragedy strikes again as Popcorn Cookie, the winner of a recent Golden Ticket contest held by the promotional committee of Jellywood, visits the filming site of the newest movie directed by Jellywood’s own Butter Squid Cookie. The movie’s lead actress was said to have declared unable to shoot for unknown reasons, bringing production to a standstill. In response, Butter Squid Cookie is said to have considered Choco Bar Cookie- the lead’s stunt double- as a replacement for the missing actress, but it’s currently unknown if she’ll accept the role.

⚙️ This event is inferred to be a template rerun of the title events held since November 2023. A proposal for a standardized guide has been approved for future publication.

Seasonal Modes

Friendly Run Buddies

Guild Run - Lights, Camera, Action!

Raid Run - Desert Highwaymantis Season 3 (?)

Trophy Survival (Ends ~3/6)

Team Fight (Early March)

Random Breakout Challenge - Lustrous Longan Palace (Coming Late March)

Cookie & Gacha Features

🎬🍫 Choco Bar Cookie (Epic Cookie)

The lead’s stunt double for Butter Squid Cookie’s latest movie. Press Jump -> Slide or double-tap Slide to perform a stunt that destroys obstacles and scores points. Her Magic Candy adds a finishing move to her stunts, creating Nutty Choco Bar Fragment Jellies

Nougat Wound-Aid (Epic Pet)

Choco Bar Cookie’s Pet since her days in stunt school. This Pet creates Bandages that score points and restore Energy.

Munch-Munch Popcorn (Epic Treasure)

A staple of every in-theatre movie! This Treasure periodically creates Popcorn Mix Jellies.

Choco Bar Cookie’s “Gunfight at the O.Cake Corral” (Super Epic Costume)

The stunt double’s outfit for Western-style movie scenes during a film shoot at the O.Cake Corral. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you thought she was the sheriff after seeing her ride across the pastures atop a Choco Horse!

Shine Muscat Cookie’s “Icon of the Age” (Epic Costume)

Director Q’s “A Fan’s Perspective” (Epic Costume)

Shine Muscat Cookie’s movies always seem to outdo her previous works. Paparazzi and magazine interviewers seem to follow these two wherever they go…!

Habanero Cookie’s “Cheese Mine Dwarf” (Rare Gem Costume)

Flamebeak Robin’s “On-set Dynamo” (Rare Gem Costume)

Blue Slushy Cookie’s “Dessert Forest Elf” (Rare Gem Costume)

Icy Birdie’s “Cinematic Songster” (Rare Gem Costume)

Fellowship of the Jelly Lobby Design

Behold, the latest promotional material for the latest rendition of the first episode of the “The Lord of the Jellies” series: “The Fellowship of the Jelly” featuring Habanero Cookie, Blue Slushy Cookie, their pets, and even the stage! Buy them in the Gem Exchange Center!

“Keep Running, Keep Going” Jelly Shape Set (Epic Jelly Shapes)

The cast and crew of Action Bear Jellies striving for the perfect take!

—————————— Part 2 ⬇️

🎞️🧈 Butter Squid Cookie (Epic Cookie)

The director of a new Jellywood movie held back by production delays.

Popcorn Cookie’s “Sprinkle Pop-Pop Land” (Super Epic Costume)

A special outfit Popcorn Cookie arranged for her trip to Jellywood, where dreams come true!

“Gleam of Love” Jelly Set (Legendary? Jelly Set)

Would it pair well with Sugar Swan Cookie’s new Costume?

Major Update Features

New Breakout Mode - Solo play at your leisure

Run through every Breakout Episode released so far in order (Escape From the Oven -> City of the Millennial Tree -> Black Sugar Pirate Ship -> Sands of Yogurca -> City of Wizards -> Lost City of Sugarteara -> Spooky Spider Mansion -> Fragrant Lotus Paradise -> Lustrous Longan Palace -> Sands of Yogurca II: Secrets of Mirage Village -> Deep Sea City Wandercrab)

Use a different level-capped combi in each stage

Reach a score objective to unlock the next stage

Completions will often reward Gold Gems, Cookies, and Pets

Some stages grant keys to open special chests or locked books (see the City of Wizards) for greater rewards

Finishing certain episodes will add a rank to your profile

Does not reset weekly, so play at your pace

Main and Special Episodes will stay where they are after the update

Random Challenges will be moved to a separate heading on the mode selection screen

New Special Episode: Jellywood - Go through the various stages of Jellywood and collect Coins in four different movie genres!

Special Episodes from here onward will be recast as Coin Episodes

Remember Black Sugar Pirate Ship and Spooky Spider Mansion? It’s that kind of Coin Episode.

Special Coin items like the Coin Party (which turns coins into Star Coins worth more points and coins) will appear starting with this Episode

Bonus Events

Special Draw Returns! Open boxes by playing the game and get lots of free stuff!

Now Featuring the Surprise Exchange Shop, where past cosmetics are in stock and ready to sell!

Buddy Event Part III: Buttercream Choco Cookie’s Return

Earn Buddy Points by playing in an event to get Buttercream Choco Cookie, Coffee Cookie, Rainbow Cubes, and much more!

[transingthoseformers]

Sorry to come in here with another AU, but while working on the next part of my "RodiTarn knew each other since Hot Rod was born and dated AU" I realized that I created a split timeline now.

Because Tarn found the Rodimus corpse, the Lost Light 1 never picked it up and because Tarn was in mourning the Lost Light 2 wasn't killed because no Brainstorm call.

So I had to figure out a.) What made Rodimus leave the room? and b.) What happened to the Lost Light 2? And b.) answers a.).

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LOST LIGHT 2?

We're gonna say Elegant Chaos happened there instead of Lost Light 1 only with a different cast and this time Chromedome is the one who died injecting to kill Overlord, so no Overlord duplicate. Brainstorm looked at his friend's widow and made the same decision that saving everyone was new goal. But now he didn't have the Dark Cybertron distraction or friends like Skids, Getaway, Nautica, or Chromedome interrupting. Only occasional visits from Rewind.

Only Drift and Brainstorm know that it wasn't an engine accident that Chromedome died in, because Brainstorm made Drift promise to keep it secret to "preserve their memories".

Brainstorm of Lost Light 1, meanwhile, due to the lack of encountering the Lost Light 2 and Rewind reunion immediately ends up making a deal with someone and as part of the payment he includes Megatron's green Spark.

(Yes, Stormy sells children.)

This Spark ends up in the hands of Brainstorm 2, who is in the same place to buy parts but has roped into paying lying about what the parts are for. No the seller doesn't question it, all robots look the same.

Brainstorm 2 is able to pull the trigger in this timeline, and it is Rewind 2 who protests losing him.

Whirl 2 still acts as midwife with Drift 2 assisting.

Temporal shenanigans do not end as smoothly though because the distruction of the cases interferes with the engines and they end up jumping to another dimension though not in the same way as the split rather they rip a whole through a la Astrotrain from Cyberverse and end up in that dimensional deadzone in Cyberverse meeting a version of the Arc who they help get to there place and them to another dimension.

(Percy breaks the locks.)

They spend hundreds of years trying to get back and lose and regain people. Some find places in other dimensions or die.

The Lost Light 2 goes down but Cyb!Astrotrain is recruited to help the reduced crew which ends up consisting of IDW1!Drift 2, IDW1!Rewind 2, IDW1!Pipes, a version of Earthspark!Cons: Starscream, Nova, Skywarp, Soundwave, Ravage, Shockwave, Cyb!Percy, Cyb!Astrotrain, Cyb!Dead End, Cyb!Soundwave, TFP!Soundwave, TFP!Lazerbeak, etc.

They do get back to their home dimension but then see Lost Light 1.

WHAT MADE RODIMUS LEAVE THE ROOM?

Ultra Magnus telling him Drift was back.

Will this ever come up in the timeline?

The next part is from Megatron's perspective, and things are about to get weird. Because LL shenanigans are great and now with a collection of people who decided to stay instead of leaving with Astrotrain to keep exploring the multiverse.

Who exactly I am still deciding, but Megatron did at one point have to interact with three Soundwaves, all of whom were pissed and considered him different levels of traitor.

Wait

Waiiiiit

Waitttttwaitwaitwait

I'm still trying to get a grasp of what's going on because shit goes from 0 to 100 quickly when you deal with alternative versions of the same character/crew

And I'm failing because my neurons are like silly string today

[retlasute]

॰ In The Rich Man's World ॰

Word count: 3639

☆ Table of contents

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Chapter 6 - The Best Is Yet To Come

The day was sunny; a rare occurrence that week, according to Johnny, and you tried to make the most of it, lifting your face to receive the warmth and the refreshing wind humming in your ear.   

The ride went on without a hitch, but your legs hurt terribly after two hours of riding, and it wasn't long before nightfall. You had become so tired from the horseback ride that you had not done much more than simply follow Johnny when you reached Tuckertown. If you were driving, this trip wouldn't take more than twenty minutes.   

Everything indicated that a moonless night would fall in a few hours, a discouraging fact under the circumstances, but what really disturbed you was this place. When you got off the horse in sync with Johnny, you raised your eyes and almost lost your breath, amazed. The town was simple and horses had replaced all the means of transportation you were used to, and there was no light in that town to veil the sky. At first, you thought that this was not Tuckertown, until you were broken by the sight of a huge wooden sign that said otherwise.  

Then you stopped suddenly, feeling much colder than the coolness of the afternoon warranted. That city had no lights, no vehicles, and no paved streets. The salt and earth breeze brought the overwhelming sensation of being far from home. The inhabitants, unlike your new traveling partner, dressed in accordance with their times and occupations: soberly, sometimes elegantly, sometimes dirtily.   

Noticing your hesitation, Johnny looked over your shoulder, gave you an apathetic smile and made you walk again. In silence, he led you and the horses to a part of town where there were an exorbitant number of fishing boats surrounding a single majestic ship. The first thing that your eyes caught was the bucolic feel of the place; the sooty stones and the ragged men rolling barrels back and forth like worker ants. They banged against each other, like pebbles hit by waves on the beach, hurting each other and sometimes hurting some unlucky person who got in the way. The cloying smell of fish penetrated your nostrils in a way you never had before.   

Despite the agitation, you could see the white lines of the breaking waves moving rhythmically on the small half-moon of the beach. It was far from being a placid tourist beach, with small pockets of sand sprawled disorderly, filling and emptying with the churning foam, among mounds of seaweed, gravel and jagged ledges of jagged rocks. A difficult place for men carrying barrels to traverse, but inconveniently full of them.  

"Is that the ship?'' You asked Johnny, looking at the majestic, megalithic figure.  

He stood there staring at the ship, the wind blowing cold in his face. Your nose and lips soon went numb and you saw Johnny take off his cap to avoid being blown away by the breeze. His hair, blond as straw but silky as satin, fluttered loosely in front of you. You felt a heavy and difficult breath collect in your throat again, losing focus for a few minutes as you saw Johnny's imposing figure calm and still in front of the ship. His pupils retracted by the light and his eyes glued to the sight like a child at the movies.  

You crossed your arms, curious about everything you saw. First, you wondered what kind of port that was, where there was only one ship. All the ports you had visited in your century were bustling with transatlantic ships, carrying artists and various other members of the elite. This one didn't look much different from the ones you were used to seeing in your period movies  –  nothing like the Titanic, obviously – but why would the captain choose to dock in a town like Tuckertown?  

The staff, small, pudgy figures quite distinct from the crowd, were preparing to go down the ramp for the crew. For a second, you tried to guess who the man you were waiting for was.  

"Are they going ashore?'' You asked again, without much hope of receiving an answer.  

"No.'' He answered calmly. ''Until they check all the passports, it will take more than half an hour.''  

You snorted impatiently.   

''Half an hour is long enough for us to look for my friend. Or do you intend to stand there like a statue?''  

''I'm looking for him in the crowd, that's all.''  

''The ship is more crowded than the Carpathia after the big wreck. You at least know that your friend is here, I wish I could be that sure!''  

Slightly annoyed, Johnny took a deep breath and compressed his lips, looking down, and then looking at you. His mind dismissed the first sentence you said the moment he saw that it was just another one of your nonsense lines, and then an irritating wave of understanding came over him.   

"Alright.'' He said, giving in in a strangely easy way. "And how do you intend to find your friend?''  

''I don't know... by asking the locals for information?''  

''Not a bad idea, but far from the best.''  

"And what do you suggest, smartass?''  

"Nothing, the friend is yours. Let's go to the saloon, I have a friend who can help.''  

Johnny shook his head slightly and walked away quietly; he was right about the responsibility you two had to your respective friends. You followed him, seeing his sharp, dark silhouette against the slightly lighter horizon behind him.   

Tense, you took a deep breath, held it for a moment, then released it. You smelled various odors, including rotting seaweed, the thick smell of burning oil, and the penetrating residual odor of the streets. Even farther away from the beaches, a few men crossed your path carrying heavy barrels to the quay. Some bumped into you, and this bothered you as much as the smell of sweat.  

"What are these barrels they're carrying?''  

"Cognac.'' Johnny answered. "Or rum.''  

"The demand is that high?''  

''Surely, the sailors and passengers need a lot of alcohol to last that long on the high seas.''  

You gave a short laugh, with a hint of irony.  

"On the ship I boarded, alcoholic beverages were forbidden to the crew.''  

" Have you been on a ship?''  

''Yes. Well... it was a kind of cruise.''  

''Cruise?''  

''Yes... You know... Ships with little parties.''  

Johnny snorted with a smile, incredulous, and remained silent. He placed his withered hand gently on his hip as he found himself in front of the place he was looking for.   

Tuckertown, though small, was large enough to boast a tavern with two or three tables and several stools. It served rather indigestible lunches of salted meat and turnips and an endless supply of beer and whiskey. Johnny pointed to the door of the tavern, almost empty at that hour. A sleepy barman welcomed you and cleared the counter where a few customers were sitting.   

The owner of the establishment, a guy with a bad face, was sitting at one of the tables with his face hidden by a large newspaper. Two women were sitting on stools that stretched along the walls. Here and there you could see a man in a well-kept fisherman's outfit, but most of the patrons with homes to return were working at this hour; the tavern housed a mix of sailors, wharf rats, laborers, and apprentices, with one or another drunkard lying on the sidewalk.   

A few heads went up when you entered and curious whispers were heard. Ignoring this, you continued to follow Johnny as he walked toward the owner of the establishment. Noticing the commotion next to him, the man put down the newspaper and looked at Johnny. A pair of beady eyes widened under thick eyebrows.  

"Joe Kid?'' He inquired, standing up in surprise. ''What the hell are you doing here, young man?''  

"Same as everyone else on the pier.'' He replied with a high tone of good humor in his voice. ''I'm waiting for a friend.''  

"Oh, yes, of course! Make yourself at home, Joe Kid. And who's the girl?''  

You were ready to greet him, but Johnny thought it appropriate to speak for you.  

"She's just a friend. (Y/N).''  

The man's answer followed a mischievous smile and a wise judgmental look at you.  

"Well, welcome, miss.'' He said, and you smiled. "I'll have Margaret prepare a nice meal for you both!''  

You saw on Johnny's face his willingness to refuse a meal. But you preferred to stay put, slightly intimidated by the unsanitary miasma of the 19th century, the stench of so many men unaccustomed to bathing in a small enclosed space was almost unbearable.  

''Actually, Mister Grey... we won't be here long, but I need a favor.''  

"I see... and what do you need?''  

"We're looking for her friend. The two of them got lost from each other last night, and she likely came through here. What was her name?'' Johnny said, nodding his head in your direction.  

"Louise.'' You answered. ''She's tall, ginger, has green eyes... maybe she's wearing strange clothes and talking nonsense.''  

''Just like you.'' Johnny commented sarcastically, then directed his gaze at Mister Grey. "Have you seen anyone like that around here?''  

The man's gaze rose to the corner of the ceiling, thoughtful, and with a soft murmur that could serve as an anchor for some memory trapped in his subconscious.  

''Well... redhead, tall... No, I didn't see it.'' He replied, and his shoulders relaxed in frustration. "But I heard the trapper say that a crazy woman was yelling nonsense in an alley. If you think that fits the profile of your friend, then it may be her.''  

"Well... maybe.'' You muttered, not very excited by the new information. "But if you see Louise, can you tell we're looking for her?''  

''Of course. Your name is (Y/N), right? I'll remember that.''  

"Yes, exactly.'' You confirmed. "And... ah... if you're not sure it's her, please ask her if she knows a man named Mick Jagger.''  

"Mick Jagger?'' The man questioned, but didn't seem to be as interested in this as Johnny. ''Well, alright, I'll tell that to the merchants around here.''  

''Oh, thank you so much!''  

''Yes. Thank you very much, Mister Grey.'' Johnny said, giving a brief nod and indicating the exit to you. ''I assure you that I will repay you.''  

''It's always a pleasure.'' The man smiled. ''And, uh... one more thing, Joe Kid. Maybe this can help you to repay me.''  

"What?''  

''I heard that Joshua Creed is in town, hiding out.'' Mister Grey said, whispering, but in a voice deep enough for you to hear. ''I know you have a feud with him, so I thought it would be good to warn you. There's a great place to bet on the third floor of the gunsmith building, and the second floor is vacant, a perfect hiding place for rats.''  

Johnny was silent, analyzing the information for a few seconds. His shapely blond eyebrows knitted together in a heavy countenance, his fists slightly clenched.  

"Right.'' He answered, his voice sounding firmer as he guided you back to the door. "Thank you again, Mister Grey.''  

He led you out, his hands firmly behind your back. You waited until the tavern door closed behind you, then turned away from his hand and spun on your heels to question him.  

"Is the gang in the gunsmith? They may have brought Louise, that explains the screams the trapper heard!''  

''Yes. It's possible.''  

''And what are we waiting for? Let's go over there!''  

"No.''  

You took a few seconds to answer, swallowing dryly and confused. Your frown creased and your head tilted, for a moment you forgot how cautious you needed to be.  

"What?''  

"I said no.'' He repeated. "Are you crazy, woman? You won't be able to find your friend if one of the Creeds cuts your throat.''   

"But... she might be here! We can't waste any time!''  

"And we're not wasting any time. The assault is planned for dawn. If they have your friend, then they intend to use her as a hostage, and for that she needs to be alive at least until the first safe explodes.''  

Your face had become completely bloodless, your lips looking pale as a skull in the sunlight. You took a deep breath and looked down, in a feeble attempt to regain your usual self-control. Your lips tightened tightly, then relaxed.  

''The ship's passengers should be disembarking by now. Let's find my friend, and then we'll decide what to do, okay?'' Johnny continued, putting a hand on her shoulder, unconsciously encouraging you to walk beside him. ''And please don't let him know you rode on Valkyrie.''  

The walk wasn't long, and Johnny opted to wait at the pier. Without many options of what to do or places to go, you just sat on a barrel and watched him. Despite the general atmosphere of discomfort and danger, you felt a little calmer for having company, which would soon increase with the arrival of Johnny's friend. Realizing there was little you could do not to get bored, you settled down and abandoned yourself to the momentary pleasure of feeling the sea breeze.  

Despite his nervousness, Johnny moved with the sure grace of a swordsman, a man so conscious of his body that he was able to forget it completely. The men standing by the barrels worked under the sunlight, which flickered in Johnny's blond hair when he turned around, illuminating him like a cat's fur.  

''Mick Jagger... Is a friend of yours?'' He asked, and you took a few seconds to answer. ''You mentioned someone named Mick Jagger in the tavern.''  

"Ah... Yes, I think so. It's a name that only Louise and I will recognize here.'' You replied, smiling. ''Can I ask you a question?''  

''Sure.''  

''Why can't your friend know that I rode on his horse?''  

You noticed the slight twitch of two fingers of his right hand against the fabric of his pants and felt a strange sense of amenity in the gesture.  

''He's a bit superstitious...'' Johnny said, trying hard not to sound unkind. ''But he's a good man. You'll like him.''  

''If you say so... What's his name, by the way?''  

"Gyro.'' He answered. "Gyro Zeppeli.''  

The first time, that name went unnoticed, but the last name stunningly hammered into your mind. Your eyes met Johnny's and your face changed from alarm to recognition. With a raised eyebrow and a slightly ironic shrug, he assessed your silence.  

"What? Have you heard that name before?''  

You took a moment to answer. A slight memory of a joke about a rock band with your boss was enough to pull up an overwhelming amount of information that your brain had kept dormant for security reasons. The Vatican-stamped letter Thom found, with beautiful handwriting, was one of the pieces of evidence that the Ecclesiastes project was about the search for a truly uncorrupted body. In it, the recipient was a Zeppeli. You weren't absolutely sure if his name was Gyro, but you knew it was a Zeppeli. A firstborn son of a doctor, using a false identity on another continent; but in the chronological order of things, this would have happened in 1890. At what point did that man leave America

''(Y/N)?'' Johnny's voice sounded clearer and helped bring you out of your erudite trance.  

"Yeah... maybe I've heard that name before.'' You answered, albeit late. ''How long has it been since you two have seen each other?''  

"A little over a year.''  

"A year? And where has he been for so long?''  

"In his home country, dealing with family matters.'' He nodded his head back to look at the landing ramp. ''He sent me a few letters during that time.''  

A nice romance, you thought, wondering what kind of connection Johnny and Gyro had.  

"How did you two meet?'' You asked, with a sudden thirst for clarification.   

Under rational circumstances, the thought of asking this would never have crossed your mind, for it would only have raised more suspicions about your intentions – and now Johnny made that clear in his suspicious look.  

He was ready to answer with another question, when a voice just behind you sounded uncomfortably loud and frighteningly cheerful.  

''Nyo-ho-ho-ho! Johnny Boy!'' Said the voice, and you jolted with fright. ''I want to be struck by lightning if it isn't you!''  

Johnny turned and smiled. A wide, genuine smile, adorably stunned, as if he had run out of breath. Gyro Zeppeli was nothing like you had imagined; a tall Italian with a straight, defined nose, a checkered shape in his chops. He jumped nimbly onto the pier and wrapped Johnny in a strong embrace, with slaps on the back and exclamations of surprise, all cheerfully returned by Johnny. You stood politely observing this reunion.  

During the commotion, the hat of the man named Gyro fell beside you and you picked it up. It would be a true cowboy hat if it weren't for the patterned slits in the brim, taking away all the usefulness a hat should have. You stood up, avoiding the heated reunion, and could see the thick blond hair of the man without the hat. He kept emitting a curious sound that you believed to be his laughter, a heated "nyo-ho-ho!''.  

The sky was comfortably clear, and a cool breeze blew in off the sea, bringing with it the strong smell of the beach, a mixture of sea lavender, pine trees, and something maritime rotting in the sun. The pier displayed a worrisome absence of masts; although a large ship was anchored there, the lack of structure of the port was evident. There wasn't even a liner, although the water in Tuckertown harbor was taken up by small sailing boats, rafts, canoes, and the small four-paddle boats traversed the water like dragonflies.  

Gyro released Johnny from the crushing embrace and groped around his own head, noticing that his hat was missing and waving his head all around in search of the accessory. That's when the pair of green eyes focused on you.   

"Oh, excuse me, miss.'' He said in a curt manner and a thick Italian accent, and you held his hat out to him. ''You have no idea how treacherous the wind is on the high seas, I had to jump into the water to get this hat twice!''  

You said nothing, but smiled when you saw a flash of golden teeth opening and you felt an electric current go through the soles of your feet, as if the quay were electrified. A magnificent smile, which as it opened, removed your doubts about the man's parentage. "Go! Go! Zeppeli!" was studded on his teeth. He seemed strangely more attractive as you explored his appearance.  

Johnny looked at you, somewhat embarrassed, but intoxicated by the joy of the reunion. His usually pale cheeks were now pink and shiny, showing a few small freckles. Gyro evaluated the exchange of glances between you and his friend, then raised one of his eyebrows.  

"You... know each other?'' The Italian asked, taking the hat from your hand and extending the other to greet you.  

''Johnny's told me a lot about you.'' You said, gradually being affected by the atmosphere of camaraderie and shaking Gyro's hand. "You can call me (Y/N).''  

He smiled wider, shaking his hand amiably and staring at Johnny speculatively, then looked at you again, examining the details of your face, your clothes and your appearance, obviously calculating what kind of relationship you had with Johnny; and coming to a conclusion that didn't surprise you.  

''Damn, Johnny! So it's not just your legs that are working again!'' He exclaimed with sparkling eyes. "It's a pleasure, miss, I'm Gyro Zeppeli.''  

You couldn't help but be curious about that first statement, but just laughed amiably; you were ready to deny whatever inappropriate speculations Gyro was making when Johnny judged it most urgently.  

What did he mean by ''your legs are working again''?  

''It's not what you think, Gyro, she's just a friend.'' Johnny explained, and you were a bit taken aback by his choice of words. ''That's a long and confusing story you need to know.''  

''Oh, is that true?'' Gyro glanced up at you, with another sudden, charming smile. ''So you're single?''  

You laughed, lifting one shoulder as if to dismiss the question, and the mischievous smile slipped from the corner of Gyro's lips. Then he bent slightly towards you and took your hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it formally.   

The thick blond hair had been brushed back into a shiny and soft, though now windblown, appearance. That man was, in some ways, just as handsome as Johnny; but more radiant, by his amiable presentation. A tall, stocky and by no means disgraceful Italian, seen up close he was breathtakingly handsome. And, in a way, the fact that this was someone you would be researching about 83 years from now made it more resplendent.   

You cleared your throat and for a moment forgot all about your agonizing journey; and Johnny seemed to have noticed.

[kittsyspaw]

⌇Hajun (Joker) x F!Reader x Wooin (1)

Push me down, hold me down. Spit in my mouth while you turn me on I wanna take your light inside. Dim me down, snuff me out. Hands on my neck while you push it out and I'm screaming out „Give me tough love” ୨୧

╰┈➤ One of the Girls- The Weeknd

WARNINGS !! : Best friends to possible lovers, love triangle, mature themes, cringey jokes and fights, Wooin possible yandere behavior, angst kinda, Y/n rejection phobia (AGAIN, IM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOU READ) and this isn't edited.

Your ears were deafening the screams and cheers of the people surrounding the chained ring, uninterested, you sat on a couch that was placed a bit far, some feet away from the huge bar that also collected some buyers.

They were betting again.

The screen of your phone reflected in your eyes – you were playing your game peacefully, ignoring whoever was getting punched or who was punching.

The person next to you, your childhood best friend, who was also the one who convinced you to join the 'Sabbath crew' had his legs wide open, scaring any boy who wanted to make a small talk with you with those snake-like eyes of his, sucking on a lemon flavored lollipop.

"I know exactly you're not playing Roblox right now, are you?"

"...no, I'm not."

Wooin raised an eyebrow at you, scooting closer to look at the screen, scoffing when you quickly backed away, hiding your phone from exposure.

"You're playing Royale high!?"

"So what?! You wanna play with me or what? The only reason why I'm here is to wait for Joker."

The boy with piercings crossed rolled his eyes, wrapping an arm around your waist to pull you towards his body.

You tsked when hearing the loud announcers voice boom in your ears, a ringing beating in your ears after a victory tune played off.

„Flawless knockout!! What else did we expect from The JOKER”

"Can he like hurry up??"

"He can't, he's a turtle."

"He's faster than you??"

"No??"

"Yes??"

Putting a leg over the other, you leaned your head back, regretting that decision immediately when the lights of the ceiling blinded you.

"I'm here."

"Thank god! I was losing braincells with this dude."

Wooin flinched at your sudden outburst, oh, Joker was already here, he was grinning, until he realized what you just said.

"Wow! What an amazing friend you are, Y/n."

A vein popped on his forehead as you turned around to look at your best friend, almost cracking your neck up at him.

He had baby blue colored hair, a scar running down from his bottom lip to his jaw and a tattoo under his eye, right, you loved getting lost in them for hours.

"Don't come here again, its too dangerous for you."

Joker took your chin between his thumb and index finger when you looked away, you were used to it, but it still made your heart skip a beat, panicking.

"But I wanted to see you."

"Don't I always visit you after?"

"..."

Wooins existence was completely ignored and he hated that, pinching your waist to make you turn your attention back on him–only to be met with a harsh slap on his shoulder.

It wasn't very effective but it made him laugh.

"Whatever, let's go before I pinch your ass next Y/n."

You were rethinking all of your decisions back then of befriending this motherfucker, seriously, he's so weird. The atmosphere didn't lighten one bit, oh yeah, Joker was still behind you guys, with his expressionless face.

"Are you finished Joker?"

"Maybe not him but I'm about to–"

A death stare made him smirk like crazy, Wooin loved that face of yours, it made him excited.

Why couldn't there be a black hole that just swallows Wooin forever and shuts him up? You are 100% sure that the world would come to its peace if he, for once held his mouth.

You liked Wooin more when he's on mute. Jk

"I'm done. come here Y/n"

"Yessir!"

Wrapping your arm around a more muscular one, Wooins face of jealousy was quickly replaced when you grabbed him by the hand so he tagged along.

୨୧

Joker was munching on his red apple, the juice of the fruit exploding in his oral cavity with each bite he took, his eyes were draped on your figure, gossiping with Wooin in the front seat.

"Damn...she had prove too?"

"I know right?"

He swallowed– startled when you turned your head to look at him, at the fruit in his hand specifically, gasping. "Share some!"

"This was my last."

"Give me a bite."

He held up his tattooed arm, the apple in his hand and you wrapped your smaller hand around his wrist, taking a huge bite out of the red fruit.

Flabbergasted, Jokers lips but no words came out so he finished his snack off.

"Y/n. He allowed a bite. A bite. Half of the apple is gone. Please elaborate."

"Iwm hhgungry."

Wooin sighed, starting the engine of the car so he could go buy something for the three of you. "What do you guys want?"

"I love you so much I could literally smooch you right now. Get me a double Cheese burger and a large milkshake."

"Burgers."

Wow, its the personality switch for Wooin. Whatever, you were allowed to do that. "I expect my kiss." He left the car, getting inside the place.

"Joker."

"Hm?"

The male waited for you to turn around and lock eye contact with him. "You know what im thinking?" he stopped himself from smiling.

"Yeah."

"You drive."

He shook his head and you gave him a big, sad frown. "Let's wait for him to get us the food first, then we can leave without him."

Your face beamed, the boy still held no expression, maybe its the small things that you didnt notice... The way his eyes softened.

His large hand was placed ontop of your head, automatically matching the smirk on your own face. Partners in crime.

"He's back."

You looked in the direction Joker was gesturing to with his a simple glance of his eyes, it was none other than the black haired Wooin, holding plastics bags with one hand and a cup with the other.

"My Milkshake!"

You took it from him as he handed the bags over to the other person in the backseat. You sipped on your drink, moving your legs up and down happily.

"Let me try."

Was this Jokers revenge? You handed him the Milkshake receiving the food you told Wooin to bring you.

"Say aah."

The driver complied and you fed him some fries and Jokers eyes lit up. "Me too, I want fries."

୨୧

You all went to your apartment when tho you had no plan if letting them in, you allowed it just for today. "Touch anything and I'll kill you."

This was meant specifically for Wooin who had a habit of snooping and sniffing around your stuff like a damn dog.

The place wasn't too small or too big, it was perfect. You were met with a corridor that led to your living room where a punch bag sat from the ceiling.

It was for Joker but he set it up in your house because he wanted to teach you how to defend youself.

Joker made his was to the fridge, putting in the rest overs of the food and taking out three red-bulls, giving one to Wooin and the other for you.

"Here."

"Thanks babe"

You blew him a kiss, walking inside your room to change, not noticing the way his eyes lingered on you for too long until you shut the door of your room.

Wooin soon exited the bathroom just as you left your room. "So are you two sleeping over?" One agreed in he speed of light, cutting the other one off.

Guess who was who. "Then go fetch your clothes from my wardrobe, Wooin I'm warning you. Joker, baby, can you help me?"

This wasn't the first time they slept over, they've been doing it since years so you had collected some of their clothes on that journey.

"Oh and, Joker don't forget to text your brothers that you'll be staying here."

He nodded and stood up at your request, entering your room so he could get the mattresses for him and Wooin who was getting their clothes.

"Why didn't you ask me for help?"

"Wooin. You have the build of a 5 year old, you're barely 5'10ft tall."

"Because that length went somewhere else."

You clapped your hands one time. "Alright! Thats enough bullshit for today, see you–" a pillow thrown at your face cut you off.

"Oh now you're getting it you midget."

The pillow was thrown right back at Wooin who caught it while sitting. And it went on like that between you two until you had enough, storming towards him to smash it against his head.

Joker sat on his phone, texting his younger brother–Shutting the device to be met with a scene of Wooin laying on top of you, his head on your chest.

But wooins slender arms wrapped around your torso, tackling you to the ground. "Get off me! You're heavy!!!" You whined, hitting his back with small fists.

"But I thought I was small?"

He was acting so arrogant!! Your legs were kicking up and down beside his body were squashed you to the floor.

A loud scream made the dull Joker purse his lips, you bit Wooin, his hand to be exact and it made him sit up so you took it as a chance to crawl away but fingers wrapped around your ankle.

"No!!! Joker help me!"

A evil giggle left your lips when a strong force almost made your attacker fly, it was just a cushion that hit his face.

You hurried to Jokers embrace from your childhood friend, sitting on top of his lap so his arms naturally wrapped around your body.

Wooins gaze burned blank before he returned his signature feature, his smirk which was awfully forced. "Let's watch a movie!"

The pool of jealousy that he swallowed down started to take action inside him when you didnt move, only turning around, still with Joker, big arms locking locked together beneath your chest.

His fists clenched but he kept his cool, why wouldn't you realize that it bothered him to way you flirted with Joker? Maybe it was taking him time to realize it himself?

Wooin was trying his best with you but you only saw him as a player, it wasn't like this when you two were kids, you loved him back then, attached to him at the hip while peppering him with kisses.

Everything he went through, you stood by side. His fragile heart that was protected by a cage that he build up only beat for you.

"–Wooin?"

No matter how many women tried, he only saw you.

"Wooin!!"

He looked up at you, now realizing that you were standing in front of him. "You wanted to watch a movie, right? Get changed I'll go get some snacks!"

Joker had already changed, when did he even get the chance?

୨୧

School was calling your name, two days had passed since your two friends slept over, the day after that you three hung out at random parks and you just let them doing their own things.

You hated that deal that they were upon, about the race and everything, they were giving out some drops that could increase your ability when racing.

They were just dogs for that white haired weirdo who made them test them on people, you didnt say anything and stood far away when they did.

Sanghoe, he tried to lure threaten you into also giving out these dopes but you didnt listen to single word he said, slamming the door in his face that night.

There was once a time where you spoke to Wooin about it but he wasn't even trying to listen!! So you just cut it out, knowing that his stubborn ass wouldn't take your advice.

Just the thought made you angry, you hated it when someone took a blind eye to something that could be and IS dangerous.

You pat Jays back, he has been stressing ever since Shellys friend from England came to visit her or whatever was going on.

His name was Owen. Most of the girls were swept of their feet when they saw him, you couldn't say he wasn't handsome, because he was.

But he just...wasn't your type.

Shelly stomped in the classroom, running over to your arms. "Y/n please keep me from exploding like a Volcano!!" You smiled weakly, your eyes landing on her friend who entered after her.

Oh. Owen had a big thing for Shelly but she didn't like him, being together with Jay and all but for some reason he never understood that.

You also hated people like him. Was there something fogging their brains or what?

To best honest, you thought they were siblings or twins at first...

୨୧

You had duty to clean up today so you texted Joker that you were gonna go home by yourself but he insisted to pick you up after even though you told him not to.

It was so hot so you untied your tie, opening the first few buttons of your white shirt that was beneath the blazer of the school, the tattoo above your heart peeking out a bit.

You, Wooin and Joker had the same tattoo done at the same day.

Exhausted, you opened the windows so air could refresh the disgusting classroom, cleaning the desks one by one before moving to the board that was whitened up with the chalk.

"Hey"

Your heart almost flew out of its place, you turned to the direction of the sound and there he stood, the Blondie who was head over heels for Shelly.

"What? "

Embarrassed at your accent while speaking English, you continued to wipe the gigantic board, not paying attention to him.

"You're close to Shelly, right? "

"Yeah, why? "

The male looked sorrowful, sitting on one of the desks as he watched your form as you jumped a few times to reach the highest part of the board.

"Just wondering..."

"Wait, can you wipe the top part? "

A figure towered over you, the eraser being taken from your hands as Owen helped you, taking the job because he reached the last part.

"...what does Shelly see in Jay? I'm much more handsome than him! "

He backed away and you seeked for a joking look in his face, but he wasn't. "Your attitude, its good to be confident, but fix it."

Owen looked at you like you just murdered someone. "What's wrong with my attitude?! Its perfect! I'm perfect! "

"Right, then how about you grow some balls and ask her yourself? Can't you see that she's dating him! Obviously she doesn't want you."

You scolded, placed your hands on your hips, glaring up at the male whos gaze was now on your opened shirt, noticing the tattoo.

"Bye."

Was the last thing you said before disappearing, leaving Owen behind. His hand brushed back his air, anger showing on his features.

୨୧

Joker leaned against the wall, waiting for you to get out of the school. The moment you did, he fixed his posture, taking a few steps towards you.

His eyes slid down to your exposed skin, his eyebrows knitting. Joker tugged on the red fabric, pulling you closer so he could work his way to close your shirt, with you wailing.

"No, its too hot..."

A glare was send your way and you put your warm hand over his cold one, showing him that you weren't freezing at all.

"Its cold. Now get on."

Jabbing his thumb in direction of his motorcycle, you took the helmet, wearing it then got on behind Joker, holding onto him.

It was like a needle that landed on your skin, an icy one, followed by many after it and soon it was pouring. The rain didnt stop as the sky got darker, the only source of light being other cars, the motorcycle, some lamps and signs that were discarded for people to reach a shop.

You rested your head on Jokers back, fluttering your lashes shut as you enjoyed the nice breeze, the constant droplets ringing into the music of cars beeping and tires screeching against the road.

You guys came to a stop and you were convincing Joker to come in with you because he could catch the flu by the way both of you were drenched in water.

He gave up eventually, allowing you to drag him inside and listing to your instructions as you told him to take off his clothes at the do step, not wanting to wet the carpet. You took off your uniform, wearing your leggings beneath.

Joker looked away, stealing some glances only to focuses on the floor again as you guided him to your room, leaving the boy at your bed with clothes as you changed in the bathroom, coming back with towels.

"Let me dry your hair."

As the cloth absorbed the rain water from his fluffy hair, the doorbell rang for you to go and open it. "Wooin? get inside, you'll get sick!"

You took the boy in, his hair was sticking against his forehead as hard breathes left his lungs, checking you out under those fogged glasses of his.

Wooins shirt stuck to his body, leaving an imprint of his abs visible for the eye, his gaze was hazy and you shivered at the contact of grasp on your face.

"Get me something to wear, will you?"

You nodded, Joker exiting your room to see a wet Wooin, freeing his body from the now tight shirt as he replaced his friends place in your room.

Wooins muscles flexed as he dried up his own hair, his glasses long discarded on the table next to your bed. "Y/n you're a life saver."

"What did I do?"

"Live close by, that's what. I was about to become a block of ice!!"

Your lips curled up in a smile that had Wooin linger his eyes on, wondering how his heart hasn't just cut through his flesh and seated itself on your palm already.

You were about to walk away but a strong grip kept your place, your childhood friend made you close the gap between your bodies, hugging you as if you would vanish like a ghost the next second.

Fuck...the way you ran your sweet hands through his damp hair made Wooin clench his jaw, why couldn't you be like you were back then?

It hurt him. It was ripping apart the strings that his most important organ was attached on.

Taking your bottom lip between your teeth, you kept stroking his head, two strong arms slithering around your neck made you gasp.

Jokers body heat collided on your back as he hugged you, face buried in your shoulder, blue hairs tickling your face.

You were sandwiched between the two, heart pumping like crazy, there was Wooin who's skin was like snow when touching with yours and Jokers whos was the polar opposite, scorching like a erupted volcano.

Wooin was trapped in a white bubble, a train of thoughts kept him intact of reality. You stopped getting close with him after he started going and 'sleeping' around with girls.

But oh he could swear he never kissed any of them, he was seeing you whenever he went out with someone. They were simply a cheap placement of you to play out his imaginations on, to feel the love that you weren't allowing him to take from you.

He could die, he wanted you to touch him. He was desperate to feel you, but you acted so oblivious to it, it made Wooin angry.

However, Joker kept his feelings to himself, locking them inside his chest, using the concrete wall he built, denying any of the admiration he had for you.

Maybe he was overdoing it, but you saved him, Joker felt free when he was with you. And he prayed that that would last forever.

He tried keeping his cool but you never failed to make butterflies flutter in his chest, your smile made him drown, choking every time you flashed him one.

It was hard for Joker too, trying his best not to just cage you against the wall and decorate you with kisses and marks to prove others that you were his and his only.

You were perfect for him, worrying and reminding him about his brothers, sometimes going over to his to cook for them and help around, even when he didn't ask that from you.

Joker wanted you for himself.

But that wouldn't work. No, he wasn't stupid, he noticed the way Wooin treated you in comparison to all the other girls and boys (even Joker himself got a different treatment) he toyed around with.

The way Wooins cunning personality just withered away, the way he showed his true colors when he was with you.

Joker knew that him and Wooin only felt safe in your arms.

And yours only.

Nobody else could make these two turn into putty in mere seconds other than you.

You want something? The next day it was in front if your door. Someone bothering you? They were dealt with personally. Feeling sad? Two warm hugs + cuddles, snacks and movies on their way.

It wasn't just you who got this treatment, but you returned every action they gave you. Your door was always the only one who was open for them.

Joker and Wooin could always tell you anything without feeling suffocated or regretting it.

You just understood them, and they understood you.

You were like the middle puzzle piece that held them together. The three of you were always matching, no matter what.

Now...It was scary, none of you able to speak about your true intentions.

These two were idiots if they believed that you didnt like them. You didn't what to hurt anyone. There was a decision to be made.

But you didnt want to decide, can't you have them both?

You loved Wooin, not because he's your childhood friend but because of how he treats you like you were worth more than a gem.

He was so gentle with you and you physically and mentally felt it. And Joker of the way he is, caring, always thinking of you.

Joker wasn't the richest and you know that, you didn't even give a fuck about those things but the fact that he tried made you melt.

He looks like he could murder (and would) but he was one of the sweetest people you knew, he didnt show it but his actions did.

There wasn't a time where you were left out when with these two. Joker and Wooin always made sure there was a space between the two for you, whether in a cinema, restaurant or a simple walk.

The familiar taste of metal made you swallow hard, blood seeped out of the rip of flesh while you bit down on your lips, licking it away with your tongue but it kept appearing to the surface.

The hug was broken apart by the boy sitting on the bed, the one behind you following after. You didnt know why you felt so empty, like a shell with no insides. The sad feeling made it hard to breathe.

You plopped down on your bed, hiding your face in the pillow, you were scared, you didn't want to ruin the relationship you had with them.

Scared of rejection.

They probably didn't like you, seeing you as a friend only. You hated this need of dragging yourself down to a standard, keep your delusions to yourself.

You felt a small shatter in your weak heart, did they love you or not? Because you think you're an idiot for liking them both.

But how could you not? Affection from others didn't work either...it was only like this with Wooin and Joker.

Closing your eyes, you felt the bed dip, an arm around your shoulder and a body laying next to yours.

Another person laid next to you on the other side, you could hear their heartbeats from here...it made you relax, stimulating your overworked brain into deep slumber.

"She's asleep."

"Hm."

"Joker?"

The boxer made a humming noise, he never took his eyes off you, your back moved along with the movement of your lungs, exhaling...inhaling sluggishly.

"I think I love her."

Well, he wasn't expecting a confession right here, right now. "She's my childhood friend. I don't care if a billion people also do,"

wooin sat up, looking Joker dead in the eye, the usual, scary glint that swirled in his eyes making the baby-blue haired male zip his lips, "Im gonna make her mine. I hate sharing but... If that's– never mind, forget it."

Now Joker was left perplexed as Wooin reconsidered his words then went to sleep, maybe this was a sign for Joker to allow his body to rest...eyeing you until his brain also shut off.

He was getting intoxicated with the smell of flowery shampoo that come from you, overtaking his senses and Joker was waiting for you to appear in his dreams tonight again.

Grrr should I continue this? I want to make a smut part but like...idk

Anyway, I hope you liked this and sorry for any mistakes!!

[soundcrusher]

Two sad birds singing a song

Part 6 of the Spinoff set in the normal sentient Lost Light au ffrom @cuppajj is finished.

This time, it's just a bonding time between all the Phoenixes and Rodimuses.

Just as a small reminder, I'm calling sg/Rodimus in the spinoff 'Convoy'. (It's one of his aliases whenever he needed a name.)

.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.:():.

Phoenix was happily skipping down the halls, some paint buckets in his arms as he tried to figure out what to do with them. There was, of course, always the option of using them to prank Getaway. That self-absorbed mech who reminded Phoenix too much of Second Fiddle sure enough deserved another one. Especially after he tried to convince Snow to do something stupid.

Yea, maybe he will use some of the paints for a prank on Getaway, but most of it he’ll probably give to Snow. His counterpart seemed to also enjoy a few hobbies he also liked, painting being on top of it all. So, maybe the white and blue youngling would love to have some? But before Phoenix could truly make up his mind, Snow was already coming his way. Wings lowered, as he himself was looking like something was bothering him. Walking past Phoenix as if he didn’t see him, before stopping, muttered something very quietly, as if he was afraid someone could hear him, and continued walking after he looked around.

Now, that was something that caught Phoenix’s attention and he quickly stored his paints in his subspace, before following his counterpart. Being extra quiet as he followed him towards his and the other Rodimus’ ship. “Huh… weird…” Muttered Phoenix as he put both of his servos on his hips, while tilting his head. Snow is really a weird mech at times, but that still didn’t stop Phoenix from investigating, as he followed the other into the ship he himself could only describe as a ‘camper’. And in this ‘camper’, he found Snow sitting in front of a painting. One that reminded him of a painting he had in his own room. One he made himself and that depicted his family.

“You know… it’s weird…” Whispered Snow, as he placed a servo over the painting of someone who looks eerily like Lightlost, only darker, and Phoenix got the feeling that this might be his Lightlost’s evil counterpart. “They’re… nice… I… don’t know how to feel about it. It’s nice to have someone again who cares about you genuinely and who isn’t Roddy or anyone else who’s taking care of you. It’s… It’s like with Old Man again. It’s a warm feeling, a good one, a happy one but…” Snow let out a soft sigh, before looking over at Phoenix with teary optics. “There's still the shadow of ‘Their’ memory over me and I can’t… I can’t keep it from overshadowing everything. Sometimes, when I see Lightlost, I don’t see them. I see mine and… and…”

“And you feel sorry for not seeing them, but someone else whenever you look at them.” Finished Phoenix, as he sat down next to Snow. Wrapping an arm around his whimpering counterpart because he knew how he felt. Sometimes, it was hard for him to look at some of his new crew too. Especially Rodimus. Not because of him looking like a mech who hurt him, but rather because of the things he had to go through because of them sharing a resemblance. Things, he still didn’t feel comfortable talking about to anyone. At least with anyone from his new crew that is. Lightlost and Rodimus might know a few things, but Phoenix found out that it was easier talking with Snow about what happened with their past crew, because their experiences were almost the same. Of course, there were differences like Snow having Old Man as the only one who was kind to him, while Phoenix had Fools Shot, but Runningway and Second Fiddle being afts to them seemed to be a universal thing. And them being forced to change their paint to resemble Rodimus more whenever their crew were hunting Autobots also seems to be something the two had to go through. That and the feeling of abandonment when their crew left them behind in a dark place without even caring about what could happen to them, or the beatings for failing their missions, or the feeling of helplessness as they, yet again, tried to hide from their past crew, only to be dragged out of their hiding place, only to receive a ‘punishment’ for having a face they didn’t even want in the first place.

Primus, thinking about how they understood each other despite coming from different universes, caused Phoenix to let out a choked sob as he hugged Snow closer. Almost as if he wanted to protect his counterpart from all those painful memories, because he knew how painful they were. He knew what they can do to one's spark. Phoenix has felt it himself, after all. How the words and actions of his past crew, together with his own memories slowly broke him. Made him into someone who seeks out trouble, because everyone said that it was the only thing he was good at. Be a bother to everyone, because it kept everyone away as long as they didn’t need a punching bag. Something that carried over to his new life on the Lost Light, but only in the form of pranks.

And yet, despite their somewhat shared pain, Phoenix found himself jealous of Snow. Jealous, because Snow never got his dreams shattered. He still had the child-like innocence in his optics, while Phoenix wasn’t even sure if he still possessed it. His Rodimus said that it was still there, just very deeply hidden, but still. Phoenix was jealous of how Snow was able to still see the good in the world, while he always worried about the darkness lurking behind every corner. But he couldn’t hate Snow.

No, despite his jealousy, he couldn’t hate Snow. They had the same misfortune. The same pain, and it only made Phoenix more protective over his counterpart. Almost like a brother. Maybe that’s why they were here now. Crying in each other's arms, as they talked about their pain in the hopes of making it better, but it only made it worse.

That’s also how both of the primes found them. After having a lengthy discussion about some topics, and sg/Rodimus insisting on visiting Persecptor and Brainstorm in their workshop to see how far they were with returning them back to their universe, they have been stranded in this universe for more than two months already, both of the speedsters have noticed than none of their brothers have been seen anywhere and or bothered them for hours. By now, Phoenix would have usually set off a small prank that would get Rodimus out of his boring meeting while Snow would be seeking out Convoy for a hug and an escape from talking to the ‘undead crew’.

So, both of them decided to search for their little brothers, only to find them crying in Convoy’s and Snow’s little ship while hugging each other. And the sight alone caused both primes to jump into action. With Rodimus and Convoy trying to carefully separate them, only to find it to be an impossible task. Which left them no other choice to make a group hug, while they tried their best to soothe the upset younglings. With Convoy telling Snow that everything was okay, while Rodimus softly petted Phoenix’s head and held him tightly. And it seemed to help, because the two young sparks slowly let go of each other, only to cling to their respective brothers. Both seeking comfort in their own way,, with Snow burying his head in Convoy’s shoulder and crying, while Phoenix grabbed one of Rodimus’ servos and softly tugged at it before hugging it close to his chest, sobbing quietly. And that’s how they stayed for a while, until both younglings fell asleep from exhaustion. Or, at least it seemed like it.

“… I think this was the first time I have seen Phoenix cry like that.” Whispered Rodimus, as he adjusted the sleeping youngling in his arms while softly cradling his servo to his chest. “He doesn't like crying in front of others, not even me… Lightlost is the only one who sees him cry….” Whispered the prime, as he looked over at his doppelgäner. “Sometimes it makes me feel like I am failing him as a brother.”

Convoy could see in his counterpart's optics how much it was pulling at his spark that his brother didn’t want to see him cry. So, he let out a sigh, before shaking his head. “I think you’re forgetting that, apparently, our brothers seem to be more comfortable with mechs who have a certain… aura… even if it is fake in some cases.” Said the black and purple speedster, as he gazed down at his brother. Wiping away some of his tears, before hugging Snow tightly to his chest. “Unicron, I sound like Drift… But I think that’s the reason why your Phoenix isn’t crying in front of you. It’s either that, or he doesn’t want to bother you. You’re a captain and your whole crew is alive. You have a responsibility that I no longer have.” He sighed, before looking at the black and red youngling. Smiling softly. “Your brother probably doesn’t want to bother you, by putting more onto your shoulders. Even mine sometimes does it. You don’t know how long it took me to find out why he’s avoiding the medical exam after getting better…”

“Still… sometimes I think that I’m failing him. Especially after what happened with Overlord. I mean… look at him. He’s hurting, I can see it, but at the same time I can’t reach out to him. Everytime I try to, it’s as if he’s slowly drifting further away from me.” Rodimus sighed, before letting out a dry chuckle. “I’m sure that he hates me. I mean, I’m sure that things the past crew of your brother did, are the same his did to him. So… He must hate me, right?” The prime asked, but Convoy did not have an answer for him.

But the black and red youngling slowly opening his optics and reaching out to softly pat Rodimus’ cheek had one. And he said his answer with a smile as pure and innocent as that of a child’s. “I don’t hate you… Yes, my crew did bad things… and I was scared of you, but…. you wouldn’t be my brother if I hated you…” Muttered the youngling, before settling back down in Rodimus’ arms and snuggling closer to the primes body and the welcoming warmth it gave off.

And Rodimus could only glare over at his doppelgänger, as Convoy gave him a smug smirk that said ‘Told you so’, before sighing. “Yea, yea, I get it.” Was all he muttered, before the prime stood up with Phoenix in his arms. “We should better tug them in. There’s still work to do. And usually I don’t want to do it, but Ultra Magnus and Megatron will kick my aft if I don’t do it.”

“I know what you mean.” Said Convoy, as he stood up as well. Snow securely held in his arms, before both of the primes made their way out of the ship and towards their brothers rooms.

“Say, do you know about that one amusement park on that one planet with the neutrals?” Asked Convoy, after they tugged in their brothers and made their way towards the brig. “You mean the one with the roller coaster ‘Blitzflügel’? Yea, I do. Always wanted to visit that one, but never had the time.” Answered Rodimus, before he gave his doppelgänger a smirk. “Wait, don’t tell me we’re thinking the same thing right now, just because that planet is close and my crew and our brothers could need a small distraction.”

The darker prime only smirked back. Putting one servo on his hip, while doing a finger gun at Rodimus with the other. “Oh, we are totally thinking the same thing right now.”

“Field Trip!” Said the both of them at the same time.

And somewhere on the brig, Ultra Magnus and Megatron had a bad feeling without even knowing why.

[yeonchi]

Sea Princesses Exclusive: Behind the scenes of Lost

Got some real gems for y'all as I present to you the footage taken by Fabio Yabu during the recording of the first episode of Sea Princesses, Lost!

Last month, while I was on-and-off about doing a "where are they now?" post for the English voice actors of the series, I decided to ask Fabio Yabu if he had a group photo of the cast from one of his blog posts. It took him a couple of weeks to get back to me (after a reminder), but I managed to get it along with about 5 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage that he didn't mind me sharing, which was from him visiting the studio as the cast was recording the first episode.

I've said this to Yabu in my email with him and I'll also say it here on my page: if he has any other Sea Princesses-related content that he would like to share with the fandom (whether behind-the-scenes or otherwise), he can send it to me (if he won't share it on Twitter or Instagram, he has my email address) and I'll share it with everyone.

You can view the individual clips in my cloud drive folder here. Commentary for each clip will be provided after the break. Three photos are included at the bottom of the post.

713 (0:00):

This is the first scene of the episode with Polvina being seen off by her parents before the Starfish King arrives to drop off Ester as they head to their first day of school. I recall seeing this uploaded to Fabio Yabu's YouTube channel before he privated it for some reason. Katherine Cohn and Paul Gleeson are also part of the recording, though their portion of the scene is not shown. It's interesting how you can see Keith Buckley acting so animated when he's saying his lines as the Octopus King, yet it's not reflected as much in the finished episode.

714 (0:23):

This scene is where Ester tells Spikey to go home before she lets him come with them. I can't tell who voiced Spikey because of the quality of the video and the lights affecting the camera, but there does appear to be another voice actor in there alongside Isabella Dunwill and Katherine Cohn. Based on where they're standing from the last scene, I'm inclined to believe that it's Paul Gleeson, but I'm not putting it on the wiki lol.

716 (1:03):

This is the scene where Panjo alerts the girls to trouble in the Coral Caves, following on from the scene where Isa, Matilda and Tubarina greet Polvina and Ester. You can see Alex Cook and Jacqui Lofgren, along with Di Adams, who is off to the side because there weren't enough mics for everybody. Given how Leia's not in this scene, I think Jacqui Lofgren was voicing Panjo in that scene. I had thought that Isabella Dunwill was the one who voiced Panjo, but then why would Lofgren be in the scene if she didn't have a role in it?

718 (1:34):

They're doing a retake of Matilda's line from the previous scene.

720 (1:53):

Retake of Polvina's shriek from the same scene.

722 (2:12):

If scene 716 didn't convince you that Jacqui Lofgren voiced Panjo, this is the closest look you'll get to it. Yabu also turns the camera around to get a shot of the crew in the studio.

725 (3:18):

OK, this is the big one, because this destroys my theory on who voiced "Jaune" in the episode. Until I saw this, I thought Di Adams voiced her because she sounded very similar to Isa, but in the studio, she's standing next to Mary-Ann Henshaw, who voiced the Octopus Queen in the first scene, as she voices "Jaune"'s line.

I can't exactly tell who voiced Isa's line because the clip starts in the middle of it - you can see Mary-Ann Henshaw's arms moving just as the camera pans to her which could indicate that she voiced Isa's line, but I think Di Adams was meant to have a line in that scene for Isa, even though animation errors meant that Juli was actually the one speaking, because why would you have someone in the studio if they weren't going to be featured in the scene?

Based on this, I think Mary-Ann Henshaw also voiced Marli, Camarina and Season 2 Elektra, but I can't say for certain because there's no other way I can confirm this other than by listening to their voice clips. However, I will say that "Jaune" and Camarina do seem to have softer voices compared to Isa, while Marli and Season 2 Elektra don't sound as perky. Di Adams, along with Roslyn Oades as Bia, do seem to have a bit of an Australian tint with the characters they voiced, kind of like Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor with his mild Scottish accent.

Additionally, I tried asking Fabio Yabu which character Mary-Ann Henshaw was supposed to be voicing, or even the intended names and kingdoms for "Jaune", "Goldina" and "Flourison", but he said that he didn't remember. Whether he didn't remember the former or latter he never said, so I'll just give him the benefit of the doubt and leave the answer to the fandom and people like myself.

729 (3:38)/730 (4:34):

A RARE VIDEO OF FABIO YABU SPEAKING ENGLISH!!! But yeah, after taking the iconic photo of the voice actresses for his blog, he does a little interview with each of them. When Alex Cook said, "I have neighbours who are from Portugal," I swear I could sense Yabu seething internally, like when a Collingwood supporter finds out that his friend, who he thought was a Collingwood supporter like himself, was actually a Carlton supporter. Of course, the one person Yabu forgot to interview (Mary-Ann Henshaw) was the one person he didn't name on his blog, so we never got to find out who she voiced.

Final note in general:

The photos and videos are timestamped 14 April 2005, which I press X to doubt because the main research I have shows that the production of the series didn't start until July 2006. Also, I presume that Alex Cook would have been busy filming the second series of Love My Way in 2005. Additionally, the times are quite weird as it shows the first scene being recorded just before 5 AM and the wrap-up videos recorded before 8 AM; it can't be Brazilian time because the equivalent timeslot would be 6-9 PM in Sydney. I would have to presume that something went wrong with the timestamps at some point or Yabu only just bought the camera and didn't have much time to test it, which may seem ludicrous but is the only other way I can explain why the timestamps are so off.

[genderqueerpositivity]

Meet the South Carolina native who created the transgender pride flag

Monica Helms dabbled with dressing as a woman in the secrecy of her own room while serving as a crew member on the USS Francis Scott Key submarine in Charleston in the 1970s — and she was almost caught by her superiors. Two decades later, Helms created the renowned Transgender Pride Flag in 1999. The road to boldly expressing her creativity and love for the transgender community was arduous. Born in Sumter in 1951, Helms prayed to God when she was 5 years old to make her a girl.

“As I got older, I started trying on my mother’s clothes when I was 12-13,” Helms said. “Because I felt like I wanted to dress as a woman because it was a part of me that was missing.” While serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed in San Francisco in 1976, she went out in public for the first time dressed as a woman.

“I was very quiet about it, of course, obviously. It felt natural,” Helms said. The United States military counted “homosexual acts” as grounds for discharge in the 1970s. After World War I, sodomy was a crime under a court-martial. Helms left the U.S. Navy in 1978. In 1992, she began taking hormones and officially came out as a woman in 1997. Worried that her transition would upset her father, Helms’ mother told her she wasn’t allowed back in her parents’ house in Phoenix, Arizona. At the time, Helms’ dad had Alzheimer’s and diabetes. “That was very painful,” Helms said. “That made me want to get a job out of Phoenix and go somewhere else. That’s why I came to Atlanta.” Throughout the ‘90s, Helms was encouraged by Mike Page, the creator of the bisexual Pride Flag, to create a transgender pride flag. She first flew it in 2000 in a Pride Parade in Phoenix.

“The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender,” Helms explained. Although legal progress has been made in recent years to benefit the LGBTQ+ community, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, Helms said she believes the United States has a long way to go toward equality. Georgia and South Carolina’s transgender community suffers discrimination under state laws, including South Carolina’s recently passed ban on transgender athletes in high school sports. “We’re going to have to get visited by aliens in order for trans people to not be discriminated against. They’re trying every so often to pass laws to restrict transgender kids from getting medical help,” Helms said. “It’s very upsetting.” She encourages anyone with a desire to transition to make sure they have a supportive community around them. Helms didn’t have that while she transitioned as an adult. “I had friends, and I lost some of them. But now, I have more friends that I can count on — people I know real well — than I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Helms gushed.

Now, her relationship with her family is “perfect.” Helms said that no one in her family has a problem with her transition. “My father passed away in 2004. When that happened, my mother wanted me to come back,” Helms said. Helms founded the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003 and is proud of the organization’s work to encourage the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to publish a directive for trans rights. “We received emails from trans veterans telling us that (the directive) worked. That places that they were not able to get help before are helping them,” Helms said. “I feel that we may have even saved lives, in that respect.” In her free time, Helms builds and launches model rockets. She also loves to produce videos and go camping with her wife, Darlene Darlington Wagner.

June, recognized as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, is one of Helms’ favorite times of the year, and she loves that the month encourages the queer community to be themselves in the face of adversity. “We’re very proud to be who we are,” Helms said. Since the early 2000s, Helms has always been shocked to see her flag in various places globally. “I’m always in wonder of where I see it. I’m always excited to see it in different places. And, you know, (to see it) in conservative states, it’s just, it’s amazing,” Helms said. But there’s one other place Helms wants to see the transgender pride flag fly.

“I need to see it in the International Space Station,” Helms declared.

[inkandpen22]

Chaotic as The Sea (3/?)

Pairing: Jack Sparrow x Female!Reader

Word Count: 3k Warning: swearing, violence Part Summary: The Black Pearl arrives in Bimini and as any adventure with Jack Sparrow, there’s chaos

Masterlist

Two days later... 

Will

We arrive at Bimini as the sun begins to set. Y/N and Barbosa argue that we should wait until sunrise to explore the island. I argue that we can't waste another minute without trying to rescue Elizabeth. Jack, to my surprise, agrees that we shouldn't wait. Though, I think his reasoning is because he wants to see the fountain. 

Barbosa, Jack, Gibbs, Ragetti, Pintel, Y/N, and I all hop off the boat to explore the island. Gibbs, Will, and Pintel all carry long torches for us as the only sources of light. 

"Okay, so I know the general direction, but unless you feel like risking the chance of getting lost, which I don't, I suggest we use the compass," Y/N announces. 

"I thought you were certain of the fountain's location," Barbosa remarks a tad agitated. 

"Every tree and speck of white sand look exactly the same. Next trip, I'll drop your ass in a jungle in the middle of the night and tell you to find your way out!" She snaps. 

"Okay, well then let's use the compass." Ragetti takes the compass of Jack's belt and hands it to Y/N. 

The device begins to spin in her hand and Ragetti peeks over her shoulder. Jack quietly moves to stand beside her, wishing to catch a glimpse of himself. 

Abruptly, Y/N shuts the compass and frantically tries to get rid of it. "Oh uh, no it's okay, Jack can take it." She tosses it to him. 

"Me?" He looks at her wide-eyed and panicky. "No, give it to Will! He wants to find the bloody place." He tosses it to me. 

"What's wrong with you two?" Barbosa yells in frustration. 

"The compass doesn't work for them," I state. 

"Seriously!" Y/N huffs. 

"What the hell are you talking about?" Barbosa questions. 

"When Jack holds it the arrow points to Y/N," I explain pointing between them. 

"Who told you that!" Jack questions. 

Then, Jack and Y/N both glare at Gibbs. "Gibbs!" They bark in unison. 

The older man holds up his hands in surrender. 

"Well, why can't Y/N do it?" Pintel questions timidly, circling his hands together. 

"Why can't Will just bloody do it and we can move on!" The woman challenges. 

Jack nods. "I'm with her on this one." 

I sigh. "When Y/N holds it, it points toward whatever she wants so bad in New France." 

"But isn't New France North of here?" Ragetti questions. 

"Yes!" The rest of us answer in unison. 

His face scrunches together in confusion. "But uh-" 

Y/N elbows Ragetti in the ribs. "Shut it!" She's quick to change the subject. "Let's go! Will! I'll lead the way, you just act as a checker." 

_______________________________________________

30 minutes later... 

Y/N

As the seven of us continue to march through the thick jungle, Jack appears beside me. "After we're finished in New France. I say you and I pay a visit to Tortuga for old time's sake." 

I laugh. "Ha! Wish to relive our break-up?" 

"Think of it as a celebration of our reunion," he tries to sugarcoat it. 

I roll my eyes, laughing as I move ahead to join Will up front. "In your dreams!" 

Ragetti

I pick up my pace to catch up with Pintel. "I know something you don't know!" 

"What?" He eagerly asks. 

"When Y/N was holding the compass, the arrow was pointing toward her," I whisper. 

His face scrunches together. "Y/N desires herself?" 

"No!" I huff. "Jack was standing next to her!" 

He gasps, putting it all together. "So you mean-" 

"Yes!" 

He grins. "That's kinda sweet actually." 

Y/N

"Now be careful!" I announce to the men, watching my step as we get closer to the mountainside. "The natives made pit traps and other boobytraps-" 

Before I can finish my warning. Jack screams from the back of the group. When I whip my head around, Jack is nowhere to be seen. "For idiots like Jack," I sigh. 

"Does anyone see him?" Will questions, moving his torch around. 

"It's kind of dark!" Gibbs remarks. 

"Thank Jack and Will for that! They refused to wait until morning," I grumble, marching back to where I last saw Jack.  

"Jack!" We all call in a scatter as we search. 

"Captain!" Gibbs shouts. 

We all watch our steps, checking the heavily covered jungle floor and sky for any sign of him. He could be hanging from a tree in a net or in a hole somewhere. If it's deep enough and well covered, it'll be hard to hear him.

"This is ridiculous!" Gibbs huffs. 

"I say we leave him and tell the crew some natives got him," Barbosa suggests.  

"I have an idea," I announce as one pops into my head. "Give me the compass," I ask Will, holding out my head. 

"But how will that help?" He questions with a raised brow. 

I hold the compass in my palm and lift the lid. I watch as the arrow spins. Soon, each of the men are gathered around me in a circle, eager to catch a glimpse. Then, the arrow stops, pointing Southeast. The men break apart, allowing me to follow it. 

"Watch your step," I advise. 

I keep a close eye on the arrow, making sure it doesn't change direction. I'm about to take another step when Will suddenly grabs my arm. I glance ahead and realize there's a massive pit in front of me. Its edges were covered in leaves and brush. 

"Oh, thanks," I exhale deeply. 

"Captain! You down there?" Gibbs shouts down below, holding a torch above the massive pit. 

I kneel down beside the pit and await an answer. 

There's a faint, "Am I dead?" 

I giggle and shout back. "No, you're not dead you idiot!" 

"Pintel! Ragetti! Go fetch a rope from the ship!" Barbosa commands, sending the two off. 

I laugh, relieved that Jack is okay. Based on the distant swooshing sound, the pit is filled with water thankfully, not spikes. This could've been a recovery mission. I sit back on my knees and glance up to find the remaining three men staring at me with knowing grins. 

"What!" I sass, crossing my arms over my chest. 

"Nothing," they all say, breaking apart to roam in different directions. 

I roll my eyes, such nosy people, pirates. 

____________________________________________

The men work together, yanking Jack up from the bottom of the pit. I remained to kneel beside the edge, holding up a torch so we can see Jack when he pops up. 

"Ho!" Barbosa calls out as they tug the robe. "Ho!" 

Soon, Jack appears from within the darkness and I grip his belt, guiding him to safety. The men release the rope and relax, releasing panting breaths. 

"You okay? Captain!" Gibbs questions. 

"Yeah," Jack flips onto his back, catching his breath, "yeah, I should be fine. How did you-" His eyes flicker about until his eyes land on the compass on the ground beside me. 

"Ah, now that's interesting." A cheeky smirk begins to form on his face as he lifts his gaze to meet mine. 

I shove him in the shoulder, frustrated. "I told you to watch where you were going!" He has no idea how worried I was. 

"I was a tad distracted by you, Love," he chuckles. 

My eyes fall shut as I release a sigh of relief. Thank God, he's okay. 

Jack places his hand on my thigh, capturing me by surprise. His dark eyes meet might and I place my hand over his. He flips his over and they interlock in my lap. His eyes soften at the sight. 

Suddenly, there's a series of yells from across the jungle. Each of us tosses our heads to the side and sees small glimmers of light in the distance. Jack flies up beside me from his laid position. 

"Are they with us?" He questions. 

There's the ring of a gunshot and the bullet hits the tree right by Barbosa's head. 

"Don't think so!" Will declares, his voice shaky. 

"Who are they?" I shout. 

"Wait! They're Black Beard's men! I remember one of them. He's the one who took Elizabeth!" Will determines. 

“How did they find the fountain?” Barbosa yells. 

“He knew you’d come and find me!” I comprehend and look over at Jack. “He’s been following us here!” 

Pintel and Ragetti immediately make a run for it. 

“I’m with them, time to go!” Will decides and starts to run back to the ship. 

Jack takes my hand and instantly brings me to my feet. We begin to run too, hand in hand. 

“Cowards!” Barbosa shouts and stands his ground. He whips out his gun and begins to shoot at the mob. “Come and get it you slimy gits! Ha!” He laughs. 

Running utterly blind in the dark jungle, there’s hardly any light other than that that can make it through the tree tops from the moon. We make it through the jungle and see the beach a few yards ahead. Will and the two morons make a bee-line for the ship, when they’re suddenly stopped by a cluster of Blackbeard’s men running from down the beach. Jack pulls me into his side and draws his sword.

 Suddenly, I feel a hand wrap around my wrist and I’m yanked away from Jack. He immediately whips around and his eyes grow wide. My back slams into someone’s chest and I struggle to free myself. More of Blackbeard’s men appear from within the jungle and begin to fight Jack. Two men begin to drag me off and I fling around, trying to break free. 

"Jack!" I scream. “Let me go you bastards!” 

Jack searches for me and when he finally spots me, he screams. "No!" He looks at me pleading and full of guilt. 

As more of Blackbeard’s men appear, we both quickly realize there’s nothing either of us can do. These morons are taking me to their ship, more than likely to see their captain and to be held prisoner. This is yet another reunion I did not request. 

______________________________________

After sailing out to the Queen Anne's Revenge a couple hundred yards from the island, the nasty men take me aboard and immediately drag me off to the captain’s quarters. They swing open the double doors below top deck and we enter a familiar red velvet decorated office. 

A tall man stands behind the desk with his back to us. "And who do we have here?" A familiar voice purrs. When he spins around, his grin falls to confusion. "Y/N?" 

"I told you! Idiots!" I huff and yank my arms free from his buffoons."Hi, Eddie," I offer a fake smile.

"Eddie?" The pair beside me repeat in unison. 

The captain pinches the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "How many times must I tell you?" 

"You could hand me the Templar Treasure yourself, I won't call you Blackbeard. It's stupid," I laugh, approaching him. 

"Leave us," he commands his minions. Once we’re allow, he moves to stand the other side of his desk. He props himself against it with a grin. "So, you and Jack are back together again..." 

"No way in hell," I snicker, taking a look about his office. He’s changed it in the last five years. "He promised me he knew where the Templar Treasure was, I'm simply completing my half of the deal." 

"Which is?" He inquires. 

I stop my admiring of his decor to meet his gaze. "Showing him to the fountain." 

"You would honestly betray me like that?" He acts offended my placing his hand against his chest. 

"If it guaranteed me the Holy Grail? Yes,” I stand firm. 

"Your loyalties still lie with that treasure? You truly are a pirate at heart,” he smirks. He rises from his position on the desk to pour us chalices of wine. As he approaches me, his eyes travel up and down my entirety. "Dare I say, you look amazing." 

I accept the wine, but roll my eyes at his compliment. "Oh save it.” 

He pouts dramatically. "What happened to the spirited eighteen-year-old I first met?” He reaches up and tucks strands of my hair behind my ear. “You're bitter now." 

I lift my arm and knock his hand away from me. "It's called maturing." 

"Have you matured enough to conclude that I'm the better man than Jack?" He smirks, stepping closer to me. 

I move away from him and toward the book case against the far wall behind his desk. "I think I prefer neither of you,” I answer over my shoulder. 

"One point, if I recall correctly, there was a point where you couldn't choose between us." He narrows his eyes, taking a sip of his wine as he creeps closer to me again. "Do you remember those few months in Bermuda?" 

I shift of my heels, allowing my eyes to fall to the Persian rug beneath them. "It was always going to be him, Eddie..." 

Abruptly, he rushes toward me and pins me against the bookcase. My wine falls out of my hand and stains the rug. "I could've had you if I wanted!" He growls. 

I look him dead in the eyes with a clenched jaw. "You dare threaten me!” 

He laughs mockingly. "What? Going to curse me?" 

I grin. "That used to terrify you if I recall correctly." 

"You're all bark and no bite. I happen to know for a fact, you don't practice dark magic!" He challenges. 

"Just because I don't practice it, doesn't mean I don't know how to use it.”  

There’s a commotion outside and soon the double doors swing open to reveal Jack marching in, gun drawn. While Eddie is distracted I pick up a vase off one of the shelves near me and I knock him over the head with it. The vase shatters into a hundred pieces over his head and the man falls to the ground with a thud at my feet. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I meet Jack’s gaze. His eyes flicker away from the man knocked out on the floor and up to me. 

"I hate that I'm relieved to see you," I pant. 

He runs over to me and takes my hand. "Consequence of loving me." He guides me over to one of the windows and swings it open. “Can you jump?” 

I look at him as though he as three heads. “Can you jump? What kind of dumb question is that?” I mock. Then, I ask him a similar dumb question. “I don’t know Jack, can you swim?” I roll my eyes and climb up onto the windowpane and jump out. 

“Jesus, Mary, and the bloody camel sorry for asking!” I hear him grumble under his breath as climbs out the window and jumps in after me. 

___________________________________

Jack

We’re not sure how we’ll get Elizabeth back, but we will. Though, I suspect that he was never after the fountain. No, what he truly wanted was Y/N and the fountain was just a cover-up. I brought her right to him. For now, we just need to create some distance between us so we can form a plan. 

Y/N climbs the ladder above me and Gibbs helps her on board. She offers him a thank you and brushes herself down. The crew is well into their tasks, getting us far from this island as soon as possible. 

“Glad to see you’re safe, Miss,” Gibbs greets. 

“Did everyone make it back okay?” She questions as I climb aboard. 

“Yes, even I,” Barbosa announces with a proud grin. “Not with the help of you lot,” he adds. 

“Don’t exactly have a death wish,” she giggles. 

“There’s a change of clothes for you in the Captain’s office,” Gibbs informs her. 

She offers him thanks and begins toward my quarters. Barbosa and Gibbs break apart to return to their positions. 

“You! Hold it!” I call out. 

The two men glance in my direction, wondering who I’m speaking to. They follow my gaze to Y/N. 

She whips her head around, her gorgeous, long, wavy, Y/H/C flowing in the breeze. She crosses her arms over chest. “Excuse me?” She scoffs with a grin forming on her lips. 

I narrow my gaze at her. “I have one question.” 

Barbosa and Gibbs watch the interaction, their heads tilting back and forth between us with each exchange. The crew too watches as they attempt to multitask with their duties. Her eyes remain on the deck panels and anywhere else but me. 

“Did you know the compass would lead you to me?” I ask. 

There’s a pause and I can tell she’s reluctant to answer despite the amused expression she wears. Then, her eyes rise to meet mine with a sigh. “Yes... maybe...” 

I smirk, approaching her slowly. “Oh see now that’s interesting, don’t you think?” 

“What? Just going to gloat about the ship now?” She rolls her eyes, directing her focus in the distance away from me. 

I bring my hands up to her cup her face and make her meet my gaze. To my surprise and pleasure, she doesn’t move from her spot or shove me away. Instead, brings her fingers to hook through the loops of belt. 

“You stay with me from now on. No more hiding out.” I smirk. “That’s an order,” I tease quietly between us. 

“Whatever you say...” Her eyes fall to my lips and then flicker back to my eyes. She grins. “Captain.” 

One my hands slips behind her head to her neck and I bring my lips to meet hers in a needy kiss. Her arms fling over my shoulders, deepening the kiss. 

“Now they’re going to be insufferable!” I hear Barbosa grumble to Gibbs as he stomps off. 

Five years of searching for her, waiting for, wondering if I’ll ever see her again. What happened between us all those years ago is one of my greatest regrets if not the biggest. Our relationship has never been easy, in fact it’s exceedingly complicated and one giant headache. We haven’t stopped arguing since the moment we met and rarely agree on anything. Yet, we love as we do argue with each other, passionately and with everything we have. Now that I have Y/N back and I know she loves me in return, I’m never letting her go. God help me if I let Blackbeard anywhere near her. 

_______________________________

Masterlist

Tags: @subwonwooagenda @starfire56 @doveygirlkay-blog @dansyberry @dansyberry @meany-marcelini @naturallyathief @oliviamae4193 @xxshoutxx @house-chase465636 @the-clint-barton @lxr1582 @m00ny-stars @lonliest-love @meandmymessyminds @jick-n0nas @biracy @kriimu10 @soxpoprocks @peachyplxm @captainluciabianchin @cannibalistic-cicada @a-e-i-owe-you @velvetsnaiil @mindifislytherin666 @bunkyung @livinglifewithoutbeingseen @ghosts-face @mx-pibbles @bigplaidwinnerparty @greentea121598 @that-eco-bitch

[griffintail]

Finding a Forgotten Memory

Summary: A happy ending for this post and this one. 

Pairings: Parental! Ghostbur x F! Child! Reader

Tommy x F! Child! Reader

Warnings: ANGST! But there’s a happy ending.

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

         Tommy swept his gear on the floor as he paced the length of his bedroom in his hotel, warm tears rolling down his face.

         He remembered the day Ghostbur had stormed into his home, balling, his tears creating smoke, that he couldn’t find his little blue. He had assured the ghost, she was fine. Probably hiding or she wandered a little farther than she should have.

         Grabbing his sword in case the search took too long, he followed Ghostbur into his sewer he’d moved back into after Tommy’s freedom from exile. Inside, Tommy had a few doubts as he looked at the bit of wreckage around the place.

         “Did you do this looking for her Ghostbur?” Tommy asked, sitting a barrel upright.

         “N-No. I-I s-s-s-he…” The ghost couldn’t form a coherent sentence.

         “I’ll look outside. Stay here in case she comes back alright?”

         Ghostbur nodded rapidly, clutching onto an already full piece of blue. Tommy nodded before leaving the sewer calmly then booking it to Phil’s.

         “Phil!” Tommy shouted, slamming the door open, startling the man and his crows. “There’s something wrong with Ghostbur.”

         “What? What’s wrong?” Phil immediately stood up.

         Tommy explained the situation and they both gathered everyone they could, a search party formed. (Y/N)’s name was shouted into the wind as everyone separated into many corners of the Dream SMP land and the L’Manberg land. Even people like Sapnap and Punz helped them look in their more familiar areas.

         But they couldn’t find the little girl and mobs had started to come out. Tommy, Phil, Techno, Fundy, and a few of L’Manberg citizens continued their searches. Techno and Phil went into more in-depth searches or rather questionings. Yet…there was no word of her…

         That was the night Phil fabricated the lie.

         “We’ll only use it till we figure out what happened. Ghostbur will have to believe it because Fundy refuses to talk to him but he likes (Y/N).” Phil assured the younger as he fidgeted in worry.

         They’d try to figure out what happened in the next few days!

         …

         Then a few days turned into a few weeks. And a few weeks turned into two months…

         They’d lost hope and even though there was no message on the walkies, they knew the magic had a range and (Y/N) …she had to be gone…They didn’t know what happened, could only speculate.

         Time had to move on and people grieved, Tommy taking it hard as the little girl had helped him through hell without knowing. She was part of his family and she had made him smile when he needed it the most, not even knowing he had needed her little games and laughs. He wished he had those when he had gone through the final battle with Dream, yet even after his victory, he continued to grieve and now seethe as Dream dangled a fruit of revival in front of him.

         Listening to the same horse shit, day after day…

         They had told Ghostbur once or twice in the beginning but Phil told everyone to keep up the lie when the ghost would just break completely, unable to function at all. Tommy couldn’t handle it anymore that Ghostbur didn’t remember the one thing he thought the ghost would never forget. That he wasn’t grieving like him. The little girl only helped Tommy through a rough time but that same little girl was Ghostbur’s entire world! It wasn’t fair to her memory that Ghostbur simply forgot the end of it!

         He knew the ghost couldn’t help it and that the ghost would break if he actually remembered but it frustrated him to no end because Tommy didn’t forget and broke at his own memories and he couldn’t live like this anymore! He…he couldn’t let the little girl be gone any longer…

         He looked at the prison from his window, before clenching his hands. He needed to pay an “old friend” a visit.

         …

         Tommy stood on the other side of the netherite blocks as the lava behind him finished cascaded down and the barrier was gone between him and the smiley masked man.

         “Tommy! What do I owe the pleasure?” Dream asked, spreading his arms as he laughed.

         “Business. I want that revive book Dream.”

         “The revive book? You know I can’t just give that to you Tommy. I won’t revive Wil—”

         “Not…Wilbur,” Tommy muttered.

         Yes, the boy wanted his older brother back but he wanted this little girl back first.

         “Not Wilbur? Who would you want? Not Schlatt.” Dream mocked and Tommy clenched his jaw.

         “Just shut up you bastard and listen!” Tommy shouted and Dream stopped, watching. “You’re going to bring (Y/N) back or I’ll never visit you again and we both know how much you want me to visit.”

         Dream stood there before grinning wickedly behind his mask. “(Y/N)? Huh. You’re going to have to remind me who they are…”

         “YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO SHE IS!” Tommy snapped, doing his best to keep his tears in. “She was the little girl you hated because she made me happy during exile!!”

         “Oooh, right. Ghostbur’s kid.” He chuckled, turning from him. “How’s he doing?”

         Tommy restrained himself with great difficulty.

         “Such a bad memory, his child going missing, I’m sure he’s practically been destroyed…”

         Tommy felt the warm tears in the corner of his eyes as he took deep breaths.

         “Or did he finally forget the little brat?”

         He lost it.

         He pinned Dream to the obsidian wall and barked at his smiley mask.

         “YOU’RE GOING TO BRING HER BACK RIGHT NOW YOU GREEN FUCKING PRICK!”

         Then Tommy saw his wicked grin under his mask.

         “I’d love to Tommy, but I can’t bring back what’s living.”

         “W-What?” Tommy sputtered, confused.

         Dream laughed as Tommy let him go.

         “You never saw the message because there was no message to have! It wasn’t my goal after all to kill her.”

         Tommy’s world stopped before his heart pounded. She…She was still alive?! But Dream had been in prison for three months after they finally decided she was gone. She…She wouldn’t have survived…

         “And now that you know, the clock is ticking Tommy. Will you lose her and have to deal with another ghost? Of course, I can make it simple. Let me out and I’ll give her right back.”

         Tommy shook. He had mourned for her. He had stopped…looking for her…

         Shaking his head, Tommy stepped behind the barrier, it going up, shocking Dream. No, Tommy needed to make this right.

         “I’ll find her. Suck it, green boy.” Tommy snarled, before stepping onto the bridge.

         “YOU WON’T! SHE’LL DIE BEFORE YOU FIND HER TOMMY! ONLY I KNOW WHERE SHE IS AND SHE’LL STARVE SLOWLY!”

         But Dream underestimated Tommy’s determination…

         …

         “PHIL!” Tommy shouted on the walkie as he sprinted back for his hotel for his gear.

         “Don’t talk to me, Tommy! How could—” Phil started to yell at him.

         “(Y/N) IS STILL ALIVE!”

         “W-What?” Phil stopped.

         “I went to Dream to revive her and he admitted to taking her. She’s still alive. We need to find her now!”

         Tommy slid slightly as he got to the entrance of the hotel before dashing in.

         “H-How, what?!”

         “IT’S A LONG STORY NOW WE NEED TO LOOK! We need to every fucking place Dream’s ever been!”

         They had figured she had been kidnapped. They just hadn’t known by who. Dream had been prime suspect, but even then, he had an alibi; and at the time, they couldn’t exactly search the most powerful man’s places.

         “O-Ok. Ok! I’ll get everyone!”

         Tommy grabbed his gear and went to meet with everyone else. The search was back months later but they had new information. Dream was tricky with his hiding and everyone had to be clever as they went into different corners of the world…

         Tommy didn’t sleep for two days as they searched everywhere they could as his thoughts went rampant. What if Dream was just messing with him again? Lying to get him to let him out! What if Tommy had just given everyone false hope…

         Then as the sun just breaking into light purples on a new day, Tubbo cried out on the walkie.

         “WE FOUND SOMETHING! WE FOUND SOMETHING IN DREAM’S BUNKER!”

         Fear didn’t even grip Tommy as he sprinted for the nether portal. Tubbo, Ranboo, and a small crew of others took to the task of taking the bunker physically apart in hopes to find anything.

         Tubbo justified by saying this was where Dream had held his biggest cards. He wouldn’t have kept (Y/N) too far from there.

         Tommy stumbled into the room as he saw Ranboo standing back to be there if someone got stuck as Tubbo, Foolish, and Jack carefully digging around a mechanism they had destroyed. Tommy pulled out his own pick and joined them.

         After some time, they managed to crumble away stone into a hallway.

         “I’ll go,” Tommy muttered.

         He hated the tight space of the hall but he had to know and if it was a trap, he wanted to take it. Carefully going down the hall with his axe instead, he didn’t go too far before he found a door. Opening it slowly, he found a plain room and…a little girl in a dirty blue hoodie spinning around bored in the room.

         “(Y/N)!” Tommy choked on a sob before dashing into the room and hugging her tightly.

         She yelped in surprise before grinning widely. “Uncle Tommy! I told Dream you’d visit!”

         Tommy cried as he squeezed her. She was so naïve as always. She hadn’t changed in the missing months…He missed his niece so much.

         “Your crying! I don’t have any blue.” She said, looking around the empty room.

         “I-I’m ok (Y/N).” He laughed quietly. “They’re happy tears…but there’s a ghost that would love to see you…”

         She gasped. “I missed daddy! Is he here?”

         “No…but I know he’d love to play a game of hide and seek…”

         “Ok, do you have any food? The tall man hasn’t brought me any.” She explained as he stood up.

         He frowned in confusion before his eyes went wide. The person that had been helping Dream while he was in prison.

         “(Y/N), what did she look like?” Tommy asked quickly.

         She shrugged. “He was very tall and he wore funny clothes and he wore a mask.”

         “Like Dream’s?”

         She shook her head. Tommy frowned deeply. Who the hell had been helping him?

         “I don’t have food on me but I’m sure Ghostbur will gladly give you dinner.”

         She grinned as he carried her out. The others cheered seeing the pair, sharing hugs with her as Tommy continued to hold her. Everyone over the radio celebrated as Ranboo made the announcement. Phil nearly collapsed in happiness when they got to L’Manberg, relieved he hadn’t lost another child he had helped care for.

         Reluctantly, before Tommy brought her to the sewer, Tommy told her not to tell Ghostbur about her “trip”. It was a little secret between the two of them. She promised not to tell and Tommy brought her into the sewer, seeing Ghostbur was doing his daily morning to find his little blue. He hid (Y/N) in a barrel he knew Ghostbur checked before rushing out.

         He waited by the door as he heard a cry of laughter, smiling lightly before leaving, his work done.

         “There you are little blue! It’s breakfast time, not time to play hide and seek!” Ghostbur laughed, hugging the little girl tightly, not really understanding why he had before he gasped hearing her stomach rumble. “You’re starving! Let’s have a big breakfast!”

         She giggled, agreeing with him as she snuggled into him.

         “Your hoodie is getting dirty, we’ll wash that before we go visit Phil and Tommy, ok?”

         “Ok, daddy. I love you.”

         “I love you too my little blue. I love you so much.” He muttered without thinking, nuzzling the top of her hoodie.

[puckrph]

INFINITY ON HIGH STARTERS

tw for an allusion to self-harm (in "i'm like a lawyer with the way i'm always getting you off") and drug references

THRILLER

' by fall, we were a cover story. ' ' make us poster boys for your scene. ' ' we're not making an acceptance speech. ' ' i found the safest place to keep all our old mistakes. ' ' long live the car crash hearts. ' ' cry on the couch, and all the poets come to life. ' ' fix me in forty-five. ' ' i can take your problems away with a nod and a wave of my hand. ' ' the only thing i haven't done yet is die. ' ' crowds are won and lost and won again. '

"THE TAKE OVER, THE BREAKS OVER"

' baby, seasons change, but people don't. ' ' i'm boring, but overcompensate with headlines and flash photography. ' ' don't pretend you ever forgot about me. ' ' wouldn't you rather be a widow than a divorcee? ' ' you can style your wake for fashion magazines. ' ' we don't fight fair. ' ' they say your head can be a prison; then these are just conjugal visits. ' ' people will dissect us till this doesn't mean a thing anymore. '

THIS AIN'T A SCENE, IT'S AN ARMS RACE

' i am an arms dealer, fitting you with weapons in the form of words. ' ' i don't really care which side wins. ' ' i'm not a shoulder to cry on. ' ' the lies i weave are intricate. ' ' i wrote the gospel on giving up. ' ' you're looking pretty sinking. ' ' i'm crashing not like hips or cars, no, more like parties. ' ' the bandwagon's full, please catch another. ' ' sing until your lungs give out. '

I'M LIKE A LAWYER WITH THE WAY I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO GET YOU OFF (ME & YOU)

' last year's wishes are this year's apologies. ' ' every last time i come home, i take my last chance to burn a bridge or two. ' ' i only keep myself this sick in the head because i know how the words get you off. ' ' we're the new face of failure: prettier and younger, but not any better off. ' ' me and you, setting: in a honeymoon, if i woke up next to you. ' ' i'll collect the bad habits that you couldn't bear to keep. ' ' the best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact is to realize two out of three ain't bad. '

HUM HALLELUJAH

' it's all a game of "this" or "that," "now" versus "then," "better off" against "worse for wear." ' ' you're someone who knows someone who knows someone i once knew. ' ' i just want to be a part of this. ' ' the road outside my house is paved with good intentions; hire a construction crew, 'cause it's hell on the engine. ' ' you are the dreamer, and we are the dream. ' ' i could write it better than you ever felt it. ' ' hum "hallelujah" just off the key of reason. ' ' i thought i loved you, but it was just how you looked in the light. ' ' a teenage vow in a parking lot: 'til tonight do us part. ' ' i sing the blues and swallow them too. ' ' my words are my faith. ' ' to hell with our good name. ' ' one day, we'll get nostalgic for disaster. ' ' i love you in the same way there's a chapel in a hospital: one foot in your bedroom and one foot out the door. ' ' sometimes we take chances, sometimes we take pills. '

GOLDEN

' how cruel is the golden rule, when the lives we live are only golden-plated? ' ' the lights of the city were too heavy for me. ' ' i saw god cry in the reflection of my enemies, and all the lovers with no time for me. ' ' all of the mothers raise their babies to stay away from me. ' ' pray they don't grow up to be me. '

THNKS FR THE MMRS

' i'm going to make it bend and break. ' ' say a prayer, but let the good times roll in case god doesn't show. ' ' i want these words to make things right, but it's the wrongs that make the words come to life. ' ' if that's the worst you've got, better put your fingers back to the keys. ' ' one night, and one more time. ' ' thanks for the memories, even though they weren't so great. ' ' he tastes like you, only sweeter. ' ' i've been looking forward to the future, but my eyesight is going bad. ' ' they say i only think in the form of crunching numbers. ' ' get me out of my mind, and let's get you out of those clothes. '

DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I THINK I AM?

' penny for your thoughts, but a dollar for your insights. or a fortune for your disaster. ' ' i'm just a painter. and i'm drawing a blank. ' ' we need umbrellas on the inside. ' ' they say quitters never win. ' ' we're walking the plank on a sinking ship. ' ' there's a world outside of my front door that gets off on being down. ' ' i could learn to pity fools, as i'm the worst of all. ' ' i can't stop feeling sorry for myself. ' ' we're broken down on memory lane, alone together. ' ' we're alone. '

THE (AFTER) LIFE OF THE PARTY

' i'm a stitch away from making it, and a scar away from falling apart. ' ' the full moon pills got me out on the street at night. ' ' cut it loose. ' ' i'll watch you work the room. ' ' put love on hold. ' ' death's in a double bed, singing songs that could only catch the ear of the desperate. '

THE CARPAL TUNNEL OF LOVE

' we take sour sips from life's lush lips, and we shake the hips in relationships. ' ' stomp out this disaster town. ' ' you'll put your eyes to the sun and say "i know you're only blinding to keep back what the clouds are hiding." ' ' we might've started singing just a little soon. ' ' we're throwing stones at a glass moon. ' ' we're so miserable and stunning. ' ' it's a love song for the genuinely cunning. ' ' i slept through the weekend, dreaming of sinking. ' ' i got postcards from my former selves saying "how you been?" ' ' we might've said goodbyes just a little soon. ' ' it was ice cream headaches and sweet avalanche. ' ' take two years and call me when you're better. '

BANG THE DOLDRUMS

' i wrote a goodbye note in lipstick on your arm when you passed out. ' ' i couldn't bring myself to call, except to call it quits. ' ' we're better off as lovers, not the other way around. ' ' we were racing through the city, windows down in the back of yellow checkered cars. ' ' this city says "come hell or high water." well, i'm feeling hot and wet. ' ' i can't commit to a thing, be it heart or hospital. ' ' the tombstones were waiting, half-engraved. they knew it was over, they just didn't know the date. ' ' i cast a spell over the west to make you think of me the same way i think of you. ' ' this is a love song, in my own way. ' ' it's happily ever after below the waist. '

FAME < INFAMY

' i'm a preacher sweating in the pew for the salvation i'm bringing you. ' ' when i'm home alone, i just dance by myself. ' ' volume goes with the truth. ' ' i'm alright in bed, but i'm better with a pen. ' ' the kid was alright, but it went to his head. ' ' i'm god's gift, but why would he bless me with such wit without a conscience equipped? ' ' i'm addicted to the way i feel when i think of you. ' ' i just can't stop myself. '

YOU'RE CRASHING, BUT YOU'RE NO WAVE

' i'm guessing that he read the morning paper. ' ' everyone's looking for relief. ' ' hang on a rope or bated breath, whichever you prefer. ' ' the press pays for whichever headline's worse. ' ' i can talk my way out of anything. '

I'VE GOT ALL THIS RINGING IN MY EARS AND NONE ON MY FINGERS

' you're a canary, and i'm a coal mine. ' ' sorrow is just all the rage. ' ' take one for the team. ' ' i pushed up the window to kiss you off. ' ' the truth hurts worse than anything i could bring myself to do to you. ' ' do you remember the way i held your hand under the lamp post and ran home this way, so many times that i could close my eyes? '

G.I.N.A.S.F.S.

' i've loved everything about you that hurt. ' ' let me see your moves. ' ' you're true blue. ' ' everybody wants to drive on through the night if it's a drive back home. ' ' things aren't the same anymore. ' ' some nights, it gets so bad i almost pick up the phone. ' ' i sleep in your old shirts and walk through this house in your shoes. ' ' i know i'm supposed to love you. ' ' i've already given up on myself twice; third time is the charm. ' ' i threw caution to the wind, but i've got a lousy arm. ' ' i traced your shadows on the wall, and now i kiss them whenever i'm down. ' ' i've figured on not figuring myself out. ' ' i was born under a bad sign. ' ' cross my heart and hope to die, splinter from the headboard in my eye. '

IT'S HARD TO SAY "I DO," WHEN I DON'T

' i speak fast, and i'm not gonna repeat myself, so listen carefully to every word i say. ' ' i'm the only one who's gonna get away with making excuses today. ' ' you're appealing to emotions that i simply do not have. ' ' i blackmailed myself, 'cause i ain't got anyone else. ' ' this is a stick up: give me all your inspiration. ' ' i've got the red carpet blues, baby. ' ' put your hands in the air and don't make a sound. ' ' don't get the wrong idea: i'm gonna shoot you, and there's nothing in your head or pocket, throat, or wallet, that could change just how this goes. ' ' when i said that i'd return to you, i meant more like a relapse. ' ' the only rings i want buried with me are the ones around my eyes. '

[midnightstar-90]

Hidden~ Eddie Diaz x Nash! Reader

A/N: Not edited because I'm in school, but I will edit later. I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I plan to go by episode when I get to season 3 plots.

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Flashback to 2003

Narrator's POV

'The fifth game. This was the fifth game he has missed this year. He wasn't even there to comfort me in the ambulance.'  Y/N sat angrily on the hospital bed, with a cast on her foot. She was so mad at her father. For the second year in a row, Her father has missed all her activities.

She knows why he isn't there, but she thought that when her father told her that he was getting married and having another child, he would at least make time for her. Now, she is in the hospital with only her mother by her side.

The doctor walks into the room with a smile. "Well young lady, you are free to go. Your mother can sign you out at the front desk, and then you may go," The doctor said.

As I'm getting ready to go, Bobby runs in. "I'm so sorry. Marcy had a doctor's appointment, and I lost track of time," he says.

Y/N hops away, using her crutch, and rolls her eyes. "Y/N,"  Bobby calls out defeated. "She scored the winning goal before breaking her leg. When she saw your team come to her rescue, she thought that maybe, just maybe, her father would still see all her hard work. It seems like you care about your new family more, but get this through your head, Robert. She... Is... Your family," Y/M/N says with an angry tone.

Bobby stood in the hospital room looking at the bed where his daughter laid, injured. He knew he messed up. He knew he was losing his daughter. She is almost a teenager. He had to make it up to her.

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Bobby's POV

I know the best way to make it up to Y/N. Ever since she was little, she loved riding with me and the crew as we saved people's lives. I told Marcy that even though I had to work I was also going to spend time with my daughter. She was okay with that.

Y/N's Pov

When my dad picked me up, I didn't know what to expect. I was still injured and mad, so what could we possibly be doing. I got into the car when I noticed his work bag.

My face lit up when I figured out what was happening. "Am I going to work with you," I questioned my father? "Yeah, and I have a surprise for you," my dad said while watching the road. He tried to hide his smile but I knew it was there.

When we got to the Firestation, everyone greeted me. I saw some old faces and some new ones. We walked to the changing room. When we entered, my dad opened his bag and handed me some clothes. "You got me one of your uniforms," I said while jumping up and down. He nodded his head and we headed out.

The ride was so cool. Even though I still had my cast on, the fire crew let me put out a small fire with the hose. It was so cool. We then had to help out a gruesome fight. The gory calls were always the best. We ended the day with the team going out for burgers and milkshakes.

I had so much fun with my dad. The next day, I went to school still wearing my dad's fire department shirt he gave me.

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Present Day

Narrator's POV

When Bobby saw the woman he once called his baby girl, he knew he had to see her. He sat in the hospital lobby along with Eddie remembering the conversation he had with Athena.

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2 hours ago

Bobby's POV

"What's wrong? It looks like you've seen a ghost," Athena asks with a chuckle. I keep a very serious look and say, "I did. That was my daughter." Athena looks at me with a serious/confused face and asks, "What?!"

"When I was young, I was also reckless," I said with a sigh. "So is every man in the world, but go on," Athena said jokingly.

I gave Athena the summary of my life before LA, "Y/N was a drunken mistake, but I still loved her. When I got with Marcy, I didn't hang out with her as much. Then I had the kids. When the fire happened, I knew I couldn't be around Y/N, so I did what I thought any father would do to protect their child. I ran. Now she's here in LA, with a son, and teaching Eddie's kid."

"Well, it seems like Y/N being back is a sign. Maybe you could get a second chance with her. You are great with May and Harry, why can't you use what you learned to better your relationship with your daughter?"

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Narrator's POV

Y/N woke as the Nurse was checking her vitals. Y/N groaned and said, "What happened, and where is my son?" The nurse jumped and said, "Oh, Miss Nash you're awake. Well, you were in a car accident. Your son is fine. He is in the children's ward with minor injuries."

Y/N let out a breath, with the knowledge that her son was fine. "You have some visitors. I'm gonna let them in now."

'Visitors? What visitors? I just moved here. Did my mom find out somehow?' Y/n's thoughts took a pause as her door opened. It was two firefighters. One I knew for a fact was Eddie, and the other was someone who looked familiar, but I had no clue who they were.

"Eddie? What are you doing here?" Y/N asked smiling. He tried to give me a hug without hurting me. "Well, Chris has school on Monday, so I had to check on his new favorite teacher," he joked. Y/N laughed and smiled. Bobby watched his daughter with his co-worker. Y/N looked toward the familiar stranger.

"Hi, I'm Bobby Nash. I'm the LAFD's 118 fire captain." When Y/N heard the name, she instantly remembered the name. "Dad?" she said with tears in her eyes. Bobby wiped the tears from his eyes and walked over to his daughter. Eddie moved out of the way so that his fire captain could reunite with his daughter.

"Yeah baby, it's me." Y/N couldn't believe her eyes. Eddie decided to let the family talk and went to have a nurse bring Y/N's son to her room. "You left me," Y/N said now fully crying. "Let me explain. I was having a hard time at work, and it set me off. I did some things that I regret to this very day. I couldn't protect some of my family, but I knew I could protect you from the darkness inside of me. I didn't know what the best thing to do was, so I ran. I am so sorry," Bobby explained wholeheartedly.

Y/N instantly went in for a hug. She still had tears in her eyes, but she was happy. Still sad, but happy she gets another chance with her father. "I saw you today. You may not have been there to save me when I broke my, but you were there to save me today." Bobby smiled when a little boy walked into the room with Eddie.

The boy ran in. "Mommy," the boy yelled to the top of his lungs. Eddie helped him onto the bed. "Hi, baby. Zach, this is Bobby and Eddie. Eddie is Chris' dad an-" Y/N was cut off by her son, "The Eddie you said looked hot." "Shhh," Y/N said with a finger to lips. Eddie and Bobby watched the two and chuckled.

Y/N explained to Zachary that Bobby was his grandfather, and Zach was so happy. The 4-year-old almost ran Bobby down with the hug he gave. Y/N and Bobby were so happy to have their family back.

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Eddie's Pov

After the visit to the hospital, I think it is safe to say that I like Y/N. The hard part was telling Shannon. She is Christopher's mother. I walked into the house to see Shannon and Chris making pizza.

"Daddy!" "Hey buddy," I say picking him up, "How was school?" "School was awesome. Y/N taught me math using M&M's, and then we got to eat them. During recess, Y/N and her son Zach played with me." The way Chris talked about Y/N made me like her even more. "When mommy picked me up we went to the store for ice cream and pizza. She said we're gonna watch a movie," Christopher said with a huge grin. Just when I think I want something, I remember that sometimes what I want isn't all about me.

The food finished cooking, and we sat down as a family and ate. We watched 'A Bug's Life' before Shannon left. I went to put Christopher to bed, but before he went to bed I wanted to have a talk. "Buddy, if I wasn't with mommy, but you could still hang out with her, you would be fine with that right." He looked at me and said, "We just got her back. Do you not love her anymore."

"No, I will forever love your mommy, but she's been gone for so long that I think it is time for me to move on." "Are you talking about with Miss.Nash, because I saw the way you looked at her, and it was the same way I look at my dessert," I laughed at his joke.

"I like Miss. Nash and I love mommy. I don't want to lose them." What he said gave me a lot to think about. "Ok, bud. Go to sleep," I said standing by the door. I turned off the light and headed to my room. I got ready for bed and slept on my thoughts.

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