#not frightened by it or upset about it. just sort of put off by it

[synesindri]

.

[xoxoavenger]

Poison Hearts

pairing: Luke Castellan x Fem!Apollo!Reader

summary: When Y/N's poisoned, she doesn't recognize Luke, which leads to a physical fight that hurts both of them.

word count: 2116

warnings: fighting (physical and verbal mentioned), angst with a happy ending :)

masterlist

Y/N was pretty sure she was dead.

She felt like it; extreme pain, delirium, exhaustion. It's how she imagined death, anyway. But it had more to do with poison coursing through her veins. She was put on a quest by her father, Apollo, to find some moonlace. She thought that the legend had told her it was only on Calypso's island for lost heroes, but she couldn't get there. The Oracle had told her that she wouldn't have to venture far, but it would be difficult to get back to camp. She wasn't sure what that meant until the monster she somehow attracted on her way back had flung a stinger into her unprotected shoulder. She thought it was fine until about twenty minutes ago, when she started to feel the effects of what had to be poison.

She wanted to throw up just looking at the hill, at how far away Thalia's tree was. She was hauling her bag, full of the moonlace she had found on the High Line in New York for some reason. It felt like a weight in her arm, and all she could think was Luke. She hoped that somehow, he would know she was there.

She trudged up the hill, praying to her father through whispers. She made all sorts of promises, but she knew he didn't care. She had gotten the moonlace for him, and if she died it wouldn't affect the moonlace. He'd still have it at the end of the day.

"Father, please. Apollo," She whispered, cresting the hill. She saw how far away the Big House was, and she knew she couldn't make it. "Thalia," She said as she came up to the tree, hand scraping against the bark.

She dug deep, trying to lift up the last of her strength. But she took one step and fell to the ground, rolling down the hill and into Camp Half-Blood. It hurt, she could feel the pain through her daze. And then she felt something else.

She stood, the poison feeling strong again in her veins. The world changed around her, and suddenly she was in New York City. She was fighting a monster, one she had never seen before. It lunged at her and she reached for her sword, but she didn't have it. It seemed to be missing. She knew she was going to die if she didn't fight, so she lunged.

She didn't even think about the fact that she had just been in Camp Half-Blood.

~

Luke heard a scream and ran, glad that he had been outside the Big House. He had been yelling at Chiron and Dionysis for sending Y/N on her quest without any help.

"It doesn't matter what the Oracle said! You know the ancient rule of three!" He had been saying when he heard it. A loud scream, one he knew. He ran without a second thought.

Y/N was standing at the base of the hill. She had sticks in her hair, dirt smudged on her cheek and her shirt. He remembered when she picked the shirt out, how excited she had been to go to the city. Now, it had mud streaked across it and a hole in the side.

He had begged her not to go when they found out she wouldn't be able to bring allies, when the Oracle had told her she must go on her own. She had gotten upset, told him that not everyone gets hit by a dragon on their quest, some people can watch their own six. It had hurt him, and though she tried to apologize she had to leave for her quest before he told her he forgave her. Watching her now, with the vacant look in her eyes and pale skin. She was starting to sweat, and he knew she was poisoned.

"Come on, we've gotta get you to the med cabin." He moved toward her, but she looked at him with fear. He stopped in his tracks, watching her crouch slightly and reach for her sword. She didn't pull it out, however, instead readying herself to fight. "Y/N," He said quietly, hand out and trying not to frighten her.

She lunged at him, catching him so off guard that she landed a hard punch on his cheek. She hit his scar, which while it was fully healed he still felt the pain across his whole cheek. He was so shocked he allowed her to kick his chest and bring him to the ground, knocking the air out of him. She landed on top of him, hand closing around his throat.

"Y/N!" He gasped, hands on her wrist. She was angry, but she was warm, sweating and shaking. She screamed, pressing harder, and Luke's vision swims. He knows he has to do something before he passes out, and he can hear Chiron approaching finally.

Luke bucks his hips, turning to flip her over. She keeps her grip, so he has to take her hands and put them over her head. She screams and writhes, and he uses all his strength to keep her in place.

"Get off me, you monster!" She screams, gasping for breath. He struggles, and she screams again. Even though he knows she can't even see him, he can't help the hurt from spiking inhis heart at her words.

"It's me! It's Luke!" He yells at her, not sure what to do. He won't fight her, but he doesn't exactly know how to get her away from the poison.

"She's been poisoned." Chiron says from behind Luke, who can't help himself when he says, "Yeah, no shit!" He knows it was wrong but all his energy was being used to keep Y/N from trying to kill him. Pain was still blooming on his left side, and his neck was hurting. He was starting to shake with exertion from Y/N fighting him, and he knew he couldn't keep her down for long. The poison was making her adrenaline surge and she was going to outlast him.

"What do we do?" Luke asked, but Y/N's arms were getting slippery with sweat. She got one arm free and backhanded him, her only piece of jewelry which happened to be a ring catching his right cheek and catching him off guard. He sucked in a sharp breath at the pain that blossomed across his cheekbone, but he didn't have time to think about that because Y/N was clawing at him. She scratched his throat, but he caught her arm in time for her to only make a couple red marks that would be fine before this was even over.

"She needs to be sedated so we can treat her!" Chiron tells her, and Luke watches Y/N as she screams at him once more.

"How?" Luke asks, but he realizes what he has to do. He feels bad, but he has to. "I'm sorry." He whispers as he shifts to restrain Y/N with one hand, making him have to put all his weight on that hand to keep her in place. She wiggles and almost gets free, so he has to tighten his legs around her torso. She lets out a scream of frustration until he puts a hand around her throat. He squeezes her sides, hoping it won't leave bruising. She wiggles even worse, crying out, and a hand gets free. She scratches his left hand around her neck, this time drawing blood. He can tell his cheek is bleeding now, can feel the blood drip down to his chin. His hand hurts, but he can't pull away, can't give into it. He has to look away, because he can't handle the look in her eyes as she gasps for breath. She reaches out to grab his face, but this time it's soft. She's brushing a tear he didn't know had fallen from his eyes. When he looked at her, as her eyes hooded and began to fall, he thought maybe she could actually see him. He let go, but she was already closing her eyes, tired from fighting.

Luke was on his knees above Y/N, making sure not to put any weight on her anymore. He surveyed her, breathing hard. She had a light red mark around her neck, but Luke had made sure to be gentle with that to avoid bruising. Her wrists however had bruises on them, and her skin was a sickly color that scared him. She was shivering, her skin damp with sweat. Her shoulder had blood on it, and there were drops of blood on her nice shirt. When another one fell on her shirt, he realized it was from his own face. He reached up, feeling the cut made from her ring. His throat was sore, and his scar was burning. Another drop of something darkened her shirt, and for a moment Luke was angry, because he thought he had wiped all the blood away. He realized after a moment that it was his tears. He was crying.

"Luke," Chiron started, coming closer.

"I didn't want to." Luke said, staring at Y/N. He was shaking.

"I know." Chiron told him. "Get her on my back and we'll go to the clinic." Luke wanted to scream, but he knew Chiron was right so he grabbed her limp body and together with Chiron she was hauled up.

~

Y/N woke up in the clinic, which was strange. She spent so much time here that she recognized it immediately, but she'd never been laying on the bed.

"Thank the gods," Someone said to the side of her. She turned, probably too quickly, and felt dizziness rush behind her eyes as she sits up. "Luke was ready to go find whatever poisoned you and kill it. He was here until we kicked him out, and even now he's arguing with Chiron and Mr. D." One of her siblings was speaking way too fast for her, and she just shook her head slightly as to not disorient herself worse.

"What happened?" She remembered going the quest and trying to get back, but her head was hurting a little bit and everything was foggy.

"You were poisoned when you went on the quest. You came back, and you didn't know where you were. You thought Luke was a monster, so you started fighting him." Daphne is telling her, and Y/N's brows furrow as she realizes what this means.

"Did I hurt him?" She asks, guilt creeping up. Daphne frowns, grabbing Y/N's hand.

"Yes, but he's fine, don't worry. He refused treatment, but it wasn't that bad. I'm more worried about his mental state, since he had to choke you to get you to stop." Y/N's eyes widen as her free hand goes to her neck. She feels fine, because her siblings are great healers, but that couldn't have been good for Luke's mental health.

"Could you please go get him for me? I think we can put Chiron and Mr. D out of their misery." Y/N forces a smile, and Daphne nods before squeezing her hand and leaving. It's only a couple minutes that Y/N's alone before Luke shows up. She wants to throw up when she sees the bruise on his cheek, right over his scar. There's a mark where she knows her ring must've caught his face, and a faint mark around his neck.

"Y/N," He breathes, and she wants to cry. She hurt him.

"I'm so sorry." She whispers, and Luke shakes his head as he comes to her and wraps her in his arms.

"It's not your fault. You were poisoned. You didn't even know it was me." He tells her, thumb rubbing her back.

"For what I said before, about your quest." Her voice is quiet, but he still hears it. 

"That doesn't matter, okay? I was worried, scared, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I pushed you to that point." She appreciates that he's owning up to his faults, but she just can't let her own mistakes go yet.

"I hit your scar." She pulls back and gently cups his face, and he just sighs.

"I had to choke you to get you to stop." He can't look at her, so she uses the hand on his face to angle his gaze.

"I think we can both forgive ourselves, yeah?" She says, even though she feels guilty. She doesn't remember the fight, but she doesn't want to. She wants to forget all about this horrible experience.

"Only if you do it first." He says, pressing their foreheads against each other as he slides closer, now in between her legs.

"Deal." She lifts her lips for a kiss, and Luke would never turn one down.  

//

tags: @avada-kedavra-bitch-187  @one-sweet-gubler

[shineonyoucrazyyandere]

Imagine GER just finding darling and bringging them to Giorno out of nowhere (as a first meeting, Giorno not knowing darling beforehand)

My stand brought in a stranger and I end up obsessed with them?! That’s a wild thought for Giorno honestly.

Also don’t ask me how this devolved into a weird mix of headcanon/scenario either

I’m seeing somehow, some way, GER anticipated Giorno’s potentially developing feelings for you. He’d be so bewildered his own stand brought him a person, it’s so unexpected that the two of you end being confused not quite sure what to do at first. Since Giorno is the head of the mafia now, he has all sort of potential issues that could arise in it, thus leading you into danger.

There’s really no time in being upset at his stand, there really isn’t a point either. The blond decides to profusely apologize firstly, and he’s not quite sure how you got here. He puts on the gentlest smile he can muster deciding to guide you through this confusing situation. Ironically all of this worrying about you, probably leads to an obsession.

He of course has Mista help him through this, and to no surprise his jaw is wide open when Giorno straight tells him his stand brought you there.

You are eventually taken home, with seeing little of the estate Giorno was staying on. He distracts you as much as possible with casual conversation, he even rides home with you, knowing that’s still a compromising position on both his and your end. He’s certain you’ve accepted what happened and will likely keep it to yourself. The blond could likely leave it be, if he drops it now everything would be fine…

He doesn’t end up dropping it however, it starts off slow, with him keeping an eye out for any increase in crime in your area. Small little excuses that Giorno tells himself needs to be addressed. He ends up figuring out where you work, maybe stages a few people around other local businesses. Unbeknownst to you, you were now under the protection of the mafia.

Any criminal issues, or even abusive behavior is abruptly addressed and taken care of, it’s almost frightening how quick it happens. You’re rather unnerved at how some people look the other way when you walk by. Especially those you might have had a hard time with. There’s a few times you feel like you’re followed, but nothing comes of it. But hey that little garden you had bloomed to life so much, it looked like something out of a fantasy.

You had a feeling who was responsible for all of this, aside from the garden. (You had no clue Giorno was behind helping that flourish). What were you supposed to say? You couldn’t exactly call the police? And you knew people would just tell you to keep your head down. Did you do something wrong?

Ah your heart was starting to palpitate from panicking, one of your coworkers asked if you were alright. You tell them you think you need to go lie down, luckily they were understanding and happy to cover the rest of your shift. Leaving you to walk home shortly after lunch, your eyes casted down on the ground.

Nothing would happen…it would be okay. Yeah, just breathe….

Getting home your hands tremble while putting your key into the keyhole. A click and turn later you rushed inside, until you spot something in your kitchen. It wasn’t there this morning, at least not in the state and type of flowers that were there.

A vase that you usually put cut flowers in, which before you were left for work were in a sad, wilting state, and needed to be composted or thrown out, were replaced by a gorgeous bouquet. There was even a butterfly on one of the petals, slowly opening and closing its wings. You couldn’t really keep your eyes off it either…

It was beautiful, but it sent a sense of dread through you rather than comfort they usually would. Who ended up placing those there? They seemed to know what they had been doing with how they were cut.

Poor butterfly, did it accidentally get trapped in here too? You could at least relate to the feeling of being trapped. Free to roam but enclosed in a strange space at the same time? Was that really freedom?

[lightningant]

Actually, a bit of Voldemort meta I wanted to shake out

So fairly uncontroversial take I think the belief horcruxes changed Voldemort and made him insane is not only explicitly non-canon but really cheapens his pretty straightforward character arc - he was winning and suddenly had experienced existential torture from which none of his """loyal""" followers saved him for 10 straight years, I would not come out of that situation smelling of roses I'll tell you that much.

But the horcruxes must have still affected him.

Canon says they don't touch soul or nature or anything, but it doesn't mention body. Tom was an incredibly sickly child and always had the air of a victorian orphan with tuberculosis about him. He posited as a child if his mother was simply more magic, it could save her. He is set up to believe magic = health, overcoming physical adversity.

So I do think making horcruxes did a number on his mental health, yes. But I think it was because crafting them made him more sick, a self-fulfilling prophesy of perpetual illness and disease [of the soul], and being sick is something that upsets him. He made these things to escape it, so obviously giving himself chronic illness is going to drastically affect his personality.

Depression, rage, lashing out, resentment, unexpected vulnerability, dependency, all of these are reactions that could spin out of his control when put under that kind of stress.

I do also think (so completely i forgot this wasn't explicitly canon) the ceremony of splintering is tortuously painful. If mending the soul with love and remorse is the greatest pain a human is capable of, I always thought it's because that line of fission itself is painful, that moment of understanding what you've done before you justify it to yourself, the moment you allow the anguish as you open yourself to remorse. He was willing to pass the first threshold, and unwilling to return through it; a sign love is not worth the struggle the way power is.

So of course Harrycrux would be a traumatic incident for him; he experienced torturous pain completely out of nowhere against his will, died for the first time, and then spent a decade struggling to maintain himself until he found caretakers, who he allowed to witness his indignity if only he could find some magic that could make him well. I do think it's significant that Quirrell mentioned that Voldemort 'kept a closer eye' on Quirrell after the failed bank robbery, implying he wasn't always in a parasitic relationship with him; that was a punishment! Quirrell was initially his caretaker just like those in GoF! He was sick and lashed out and made a parasite of himself to vent his resentment!

I push it a lot in Venom or Valor, where Tom initially thinks of horcrux creation as exhausting and needing some time to shake off, sort of like magic exhaustion, which makes sense and encourages him to continue without much issue. But it legitimately frightens him that the ring is even worse, and he picks at the concept, trying to make it feel good that he has to suffer to this extent, to force a sort of anxious masochism to carry him through the rest.

And wouldn't all this affect how he perceives the crucio curse later in life?

[yuri-is-online]

Hi! Congratulations again!? I feel like we celebrated 300 followers just a couple of weeks ago…

Can I ask for prompt 6 with Floyd, please?

Thank you in advance<3

6. Crowley has decided to put together a murder mystery for the whole ball and you've been the first one "killed." Whoever is playing detective seems really upset about that.

Annon I felt like that too I was really surprised we cleared 500 this fast (⊙_⊙) The last event ran from the end of July to the start of August so you really are not wrong.

Also as a note, if the other annon who requested this prompt for Floyd (along with Riddle and Idia) you are more than welcome to message me with either a replacement or a separate prompt for Floyd. I also have a request for this prompt with Jamil and Ace, so maybe not either of them, I am very sorry (;ﾞ°´ω°´)

notes: they/them used for Yuu, Floyd is swinging his mood as much as he is his fists. The other event requests can be found here.

There is a nigh demonic cackle hissing in a distant corner of the ballroom, it makes you want to ditch your mask and dancing shoes and sprint for the exit.

"As I was saying," Crowley tries again, looking in confusion down at the tiny card that apparently had sealed your fate as if he has maybe read it wrong "Yuu is our first victim tonight! Please see yourself up to the balco-"

"Who did it?" Floyd has somehow appeared just above your shoulder, mask tilted just off of his face. He had been sleeping, completely disinterested in the stupid game Crowley had thought up. It sounded really boring, and it still sort of does. But someone is moving in on his territory, and no, no, no. That simply will not do. You turn to look up at him, tiny shrimpy eyes wide with fright. (note: this is in fact delusion, Yuu is extremely confused, not terribly frightened by their untimely death.)

It's ok little shrimpy, he nods to himself. I'll squeeze whoever did this real good. (further note: this is not delusion, someone is very much about to get badly hurt.)

"Mr. Leech, unless you have the detective card-" Floyd doesn't even bother to respond, he just rolls his eyes and pulls the card out from somewhere. He bites it, keeping it safe between his teeth as he cracks each of his knuckles looking at each and every mask in the room. "Well I guess that settles it, um Mr Leech I trust you know this is a game and won't take things too seriously." Crowley is more than happy to abandon his students to yet another consequence of his own actions, shuffling off towards the gallery and you roll your eyes. Before you can follow suit Floyd catches your hand, his grip is strong, keeping you from really struggling or moving away much at all.

"Um Floyd? I'm dead, I'm supposed to be upstairs on the balcony." You know reasoning is a dead end with Floyd when he's in a mood but there "is no shame in trying" to quote a different eel who you are certain is not cackling somewhere in a corner at just how farcical this little play is turning out.

"Nah," he shakes his head "you're a ghost shrimpy now. And ghosts always stick around their husband's 'till the murder gets solved, 'kay?" It should be sweet, really. But there's this thing Floyd does with his voice when he really wants to hurt someone, "manic" is the best way you can describe the tone it takes, that makes you think if you really did die he would be quite quick to follow. Probably at the end of a hangman's noose. You sigh, doing your best impression of one of those TV dead wife's you bring Floyd's palm up to your cheek and dejectedly lay your head on it.

"My love," if logic won't snap him out of this maybe playing along can "will you be able to move on once you know who is responsible? I don't want you to-"

"Nah." He is more than happy to hold you though, spinning you around to face the audience as he drapes himself around you, chin resting on top of your head. "I'm gonna sacrifice whoever kill'd ya to bring you back." And with that lovely announcement of your impending revival, he singles in on a particularity terrified looking Heartslabyul random and smiles. "Ain't that right guppy? You wanna start runnin?"

"I'MSOSORRYHADNOIDEAITWASYOUOKTHANKSB-" The student vomits up his excuse and starts sprinting for the door, Floyd hot on his heels cackling with Riddle close behind, screaming at both of them for "breaking the rules of the game" but no one, least of all Crowley really seems to care.

"Considering all the ways this could of gone, I take this as a complete success!" You really hate how you can't say that he's wrong.

[seastarblue]

Writemas Day Ten!

into the double digits! when I saw today’s prompts, I was a little stuck, I admit. But then I decided to take a chance to write something in first person, as a little way to get that writing flow going. And? I got this! Yay.

The prompts I used were:

Rooftop setting (of a sort)

“You’re trembling. Why?”

———

[The following is translated from Wishak]

Tenth Day of the Third Month.

I don’t think I’m much of a scary person. Mama always said I needed to be more aggressive, Papa always said I was too soft for my own good. I suppose I’ve internalized that—I am quiet, I do not shout, nor stand out much. It’s just a fact of life.

Today I was proven wrong. By the person who I’d least expect it from—a coworker a friend.

When I first met Mehri, I pinned them as a good person caught in a bad place at an even worse time. And I was right—out of everyone in our little crew, she is the best of us, I know. How she was imprisoned is beyond me, and I don’t plan on asking them. She is kind, and just, and a very good companion. It seems to me, sometimes, that their smile is permanent; never have I seen it waver, even when faced with powerful adversaries their eyes crinkled in a smile.

So imagine my surprise when I see Mehri— fearless, confident Mehri—visibly scared near me?

~~~

I noticed when we were sitting on a rooftop, watching the movement of the city below. We were waiting for the others to return from a reconnaissance call. We were having a small conversation, about what I do not remember, but that might just go to show how insignificant the topic was. I believe it was about ducks…?

That’s off topic. Out of the corner of my eye I saw their hand shaking.

“You’re trembling,” I said, “why? Are you cold?” It was a chilly morning, one where the whole world seems a little greyer than usual. I myself felt a little chill. But then again, when did I not?

She replied in the negative, saying she simply had tremors on occasion. I noticed then that she put their hands underneath their shawl, obstructing my view.

I didn’t say anything after that, for fear of upsetting Mehri, and silence stretched between us. Soon enough, just as I could not handle it anymore—I like the quiet, but this was too uncomfortable for me—the others arrived, calling us down from our perch.

~~~

I wonder why she was so scared. I don’t try to be frightening, nor do I think I am, as I wrote before, but I wonder if… no.

It’s best not to dwell on these little things. But I do hope that whatever ails Mehri will leave them. That is all.

———

uh.

I’m not too sure if I’m liking this :/

we’ll see how I feel about it tomorrow :>

Anyways. General Writing Taglist! Lemme know if you’d like on via dm!

@bunnymermaidwrites @abiteofhoney @aalinaaaaaa @vesanal @cepheusgalaxy

@fifis-corner @urnumber1star @thebookishkiwi @sunflowerrosy @theink-stainedfolk

@threedaysgross @mundanemoongirl @satohqbanana @bamber344 @imonthemoonitsmadeofcheese

@viridis-icithus @cc-writes-stuff @anothersummerofsleep @sharkblizzardblogs

@verdant-mainframe @kittrrrr @ruvastuon @agirlandherquill (<- the host!) @annothersummerofsleep

@nczaversnick @zerotothex @oliolioxenfreewrites

[chaoswarfare]

~Tim ‘drake’ Drake~

Tim is a drake. Well, not a ‘Drake', Drake, but a drake. Let’s try that again- Tim Drake is a dragon. A scaly shapeshifting menace of a creature that terrorizes humans and burns villages. Not that he knew that from the beginning.

It all started when Janet and Jack Drake found an interesting rock at an archeological site, that seemed to be some sort of massive fossilized egg based on the tough pitted shell. True to their habit of hoarding interesting finds to themselves, they brought it home with them.

And then it hatched.

And the large wingless lizard turned into a baby.

Now, admitting that the baby wasn’t theirs would be a problem in the sense that they would have to admit that they’ve been stealing from dig sites for over a decade. Getting rid of the child wouldn’t be an option either, Janet’s always been squeamish about these sorts of things, and Jack wouldn’t want to upset her like that. So the only option left to them was to keep it and claim the child was theirs.

And thus, Tim the drake became Tim Drake. Irony at it’s finest if you’d ask him.

—————————-

It wasn’t easy growing up in a household where any adults would be out for months at a time, but Tim made do. It was hard for him, always turning around expecting someone to be there, and it always just being him all alone. He dove into his hobbies to take his mind off of it, learning to play the violin and piano at a frightening rate and picking up knowledge as fast as he could get his claws on it.

He particularly loved the ancient folktales of the dragons, whatever part of the world they were from. Feeling the shivers of his scales rattling underneath his skin as the mythical beasts fought to defend what was theirs. Even if it was rather disappointing when they lost.

Starting school was probably the first time Tim had ever been able to compare himself to the humans of his age.

It was horrible. The children attending his classes didn’t see things the same way. On top of that they weren’t as… well developed you could say. They were soft and fragile, and had trouble comprehending the simplest of things, that Tim has been aware of for years.

It didn’t take them long to move him up a few grades to better learn at his current level, but that didn’t help anything. While the children of the higher grades were much more mature than his former classmates, they detested having someone so much younger than them thriving in the class they thought was difficult. Tim didn’t make any friends there either.

The only solace for Tim was going out at night. It felt better being awake under the stars rather than the sun’s harsh light, and hopping between the roofs of Gotham felt so right being that high off the earth. Everything from the wind in his hair to the smell of the sky so high from the general smog of the lower city levels. It felt more like home that the Drake Manor ever did.

He started taking his camera out with him to shoot photos of the skyline and trying to capture the joy of flying across the rooftops. That’s when he first saw the Bats. They were out very nearly every night, doing the exact same things he was doing, and fighting the dangers of their territory while they were at it! Tim knew he would learn a lot following them on their patrols.

So that’s exactly what he did.

He didn’t put the pieces together until he saw Robin do a quadruple somersault, and realized that he was Dick Greyson. It was easy enough to figure out who Batman was after that. All it really meant to Tim though was Bruce Wayne was a much better ‘prince’ of the city than he had thought previously. Every gala he went to where the two were at he watched them interact with the rest of the 1% who attended the galas. His parents even had him shake hands with them once!

It really upset him when the first Robin split from Batman when they started fighting, but then Jason became Robin afterwards. Tim was overjoyed. Dick may have been a wonderful Robin, but he was different than Jason. Jason was kind and witty in ways he wasn’t, and was clearly a born Gothamite. It made him feel that much more relatable.

——————

It hadn’t really set in before now how dangerous following them could be. Sure, before there would be an occasional bullet whizzing past his hiding spots, or a thug would get just a bit too close, but the thing that really cemented it was dangling by the scruff of his neck being held by Batman of all people.

He had raced after Robin too fast to try and get a better action shot of him swinging on his grapple, and just about flew off the edge of the building. It still didn’t feel scary to Tim, the falling that is, he’d fallen from higher up with only some bruising to show for his troubles, but Batman clearly thought differently.

The terror of being caught in someone else’s territory was causing Tim to panic just a little, and Bruce’s deep raspy growl wasn’t helping him at all. He wriggled and kicked at the arm holding him as he was lectured, and eventually got fed up and pulled himself up and sank his teeth into Batman’s gauntleted arm. The shock of his teeth going right through his armor caused him to drop tim(a measly three stories), and he was back on his feet and sprinting away before Batman could get his wits about him.

———————-

The nights after they kept looking for Tim. Tim kept hiding, only coming out for the best pictures. Who knew if Batman would be man at him after all.

Eventually the search died down though, and the usual routine fell into place. Tim chasing them with the camera, The Bats taking down criminals, and Then all of them returning to their homes, with none of them realizing Tim lived just down the street.

They kept going to the galas and Tim even became friends a bit with Jason, albeit in the way people just talk to each other out of a shared hatred for large events. Tim’s parents come home and leave barely a week later, and Tim fights the urge to ask to go with them. They won’t say yes.

Then the unthinkable happened. Robin disappeared.

At first Tim thought it was the same kind of spat that Bruce and Dick used to get into with the increasing level of violence Batman put on criminals. And then the news broke about Jason’s death. They were never truly friends or even met in any memorable capacity(for Jason), but Tim couldn’t imagine the boy not in his life patrolling the gotham skyline and grumpily sulking around the buffet tables at galas.

Batman continued to get worse and worse and Tim didn’t know what to do except try and get the Justice League to realize what was happening in Gotham. He called and called and left so many hundreds of messages and letters and emails, until they told him to stop trying to contact them. With them cut off, Tim turned to Bludhaven to try and convince Dick to take up being nightwing again. He didn’t want anything to do with it either.

That night tim lost control of his form with the extent of his emotions for the first time in years.

With no no other options left, he walked the mile-and-a-half trek to the Wayne Manor to talk to Bruce himself. It took a lot of convincing, but he finally allowed Tim to help him, even just as a temporary Robin. Tim could do that. Just until Bruce got back on his feet and no longer.

He didn’t treat Tim like either of the other Robins, but that was fine. He wasn’t part of the family after all, no matter how often he stayed over, or Alfred made food for the both of them instead of just Bruce. Dick was over a lot to see him, and Tim figured this was his way of missing Jason. Just like being Robin for Batman was Tim’s.

——————————

Tim didn’t know what set it off, and told him something was wrong.

Nothing seemed wrong in the tower, even if it was quiet since none of the rest of his team was in there, there was nothing out of place and no odd smells in the air, but something was setting off his instincts anyway.

His eyes flicked back to track a shadow for a moment before it disappeared back down the hallway. The lights flickered and went off right at that moment, and Tim realized something must be seriously wrong.

His eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly as his daylight filters receded into his eyelids and he tried not to breathe too loudly in case he missed something vital. Tim finally gave up on whatever the threat was coming to him and set off down the pitch black hallway. Every single footstep echoed creepily and he would shudder if he wasn’t able to tell exactly where the sounds were coming from.

He wandered towards the stairs to get down to the zeta tubes, but froze when he heard a single breath that wasn’t his own. Before he had time to process it, Red Hood was already on him and had him in a headlock that was rapidly cutting off his air.

“You really think you’re tough shit, huh replacement?” The modulated voice ground out far too loud next to his ear. Tim struggled and kicked, but couldn’t wriggle his fingers between the Hood’s arm and his neck. He didn’t stop struggling even when he felt a blade rest against his neck, or when Hood kept talking about something or other. He could feel the burning in his core creeping its way up his throat and had to get free.

suddenly a line of pain opened up on his neck, and he hit the ground in a pile. Red Hood didn’t wait to make sure he wasn’t bleeding out before he started beating Tim up where he was lying on the floor. Tim watched in horror as he took off his helmet and revealed the face underneath it. That was Jason, the same Jason who Tim used to follow around obsessively, and idolized before he died. And now he was here, back, to oust Tim from the territory he stole and reclaim his spot.

Tim cried out as Jason stomped on his fingers and the scales under the bruised skin ground together with a sound like bones snapping.

And then Jason.

Kicked him.

Down.

The.

Stairs.

It bruised his outside skin terribly, and the false nerves still sent his brain the same pain signals. Tim groaned from his place on the floor, and shrieked as a gunshot went off and a bullet buried itself under the skin of his thigh as the wound bled sluggishly. The damned thing had ricocheted up underneath his scales and his brain was fuzzy with the agony of it. It was so much worse that any damage to his human skin.

Jason hovers around for just a few minutes, smearing something on the walls, and then takes his leave without another word to Tim. Maybe he thought he had passed out. Figures he would think Tim is that weak.

As soon as the sounds disappear, Tim digs into the bullet wound and allows two of his claws to slice through the skin of his fingers to use as tweezers. His vision keeps flashing with white throughout the whole process, and as soon as the bullet plinks onto the ground, Tim really does pass out.

And then he wakes up in the Batcave, with Leslie Thompkins hovering over him, Waiting to grill him for answers as to how he has smooth midnight blue scales underneath his skin.

—————————-

Tim stayed in Doc. Thompkin’s care for three more days, in which he had to explain his suspicions about his origins. She was a good listener and only noted down the important medical issues in his folder of nothing else. She kept Bruce mostly out of the medical wing past the report of what happened, and put away any of his medical records as soon as any of the family walked in.

Alfred worried as good as the best of them, offering Tim soup and drinks and obviously trying to take his mind off the fact that Jason was back. Tim appreciated the attention anyway, most of the time he just came over to patrol and then went back to the Drake Manor. He sobered quickly at the thought that Jason wanted his spot back.

He knows logically how he would feel if someone came out of nowhere and stole what was his, so he can’t even be truly mad about it since he understands where he’s coming from a bit. For some reason, though, Bruce and Dick don’t see it the same way. Tim just didn’t get why they were so upset about it, as soon as Jason got what he wanted or Bruce put an end to it, it would all be over. That’s how it’s supposed to work.

Maybe Tim was just the one confused. The dynamics of the Wayne family seem so different than what he’s used to after all. The Drakes would never treat him this kindly- especially if he was injured. This kind of coddling would be unheard of, and they would get frustrated and leave for another dig within a few days.

Bruce and Alfred and Dick and now Cass and Stephanie- they weren’t like that. They hovered and wouldn’t let him go on patrol until it was safe and Jason was caught, and they cared! they cared so much about Tim’s safety and health and he wasn’t even a part of their family, he was just placeholding until a new Robin could be chosen.

He can’t help but wonder how they would react if they knew.

—————————-

Red Hood ended up probationally re-joining the Batclan and Tim was suddenly almost murdered a lot less. He knew that would happen when he finally got told by Bruce that he wouldn’t be getting the Joker’s head on a stick or whatever it was he was so set on.

However now Bruce has brought home his blood son from where he’s been living with the League of Assassins.

Damian was loud and obnoxious about how ‘he is the only blood son’ and ‘the rest of you are only placeholders and not worthy of Father’s attention’ which may be true in Tim’s case, but it’s entirely unfair to say that to the others, who are in fact Waynes, whether Damian likes it or not.

And he seems to be leaning heavily towards ‘not’ based on how he’s begun to take it out on Tim. He sets traps and Outright attacks him during training, and if Tim’s senses weren’t as good as they were then he definitely would have succeeded in killing him in his sleep one night. He’s even been thrown off the dinosaur and the railing of the cave.

Damian will just. Not. Quit.

It was fine, everything was still fine until Bruce disappeared. He was gone. Everyone was convinced that he was gone for good. Red Hood disappeared back to Crime Alley, Cass left for Hong Kong, even Dick took up the mantle of Batman and gave Robin away from Tim to give to Damian to appease him.

But Tim could still smell him. Bruce’s scent floated around in odd places, seemingly from nowhere. And whenever Tim brought up Bruce being potentially alive it just upset everyone more and more, until Dick outright threatened to put him in Arkham.

And then Tim struck out on his own. Partially to find Bruce.

Partially because he knows where he’s not wanted.

————————

About two months three days and eleven hours into his journey, Tim starts to get an unbearable itch whenever he’s in his human form. Whenever he even thinks of staying in his false skin, even for a minute his scales itch like they’ve got termites underneath them.

And so he hunkers down in a cave and waits for it to pass.

Soon the itching comes back, on his shoulder blades and down his spine the itch settles into what feels like his bones, and he takes to rubbing on the stone walls of the cave to get rid of the godforsaken itch, even just for a moment.

After what could only have been days of unbearable suffering at the hands of the itching, the skin of his back splits upon, and gives his new wings the chance to open fully for the first time. He cranes his neck back as he fans them, catching the air and drying the skin of the clear slime that they had burst from. Tim’s surprised to be proud of his wings that he didn’t know he would have, the way the blues catch the sunlight from the opening of the cave when the scales are angled just so.

He wished he could show them to Bruce.

The thought surprised him as he crouched in the cold cave on the mountainside, and he couldn’t help but wince at the knowledge that Bruce would probably chase him out of the city.

He doesn’t like metas after all, so why would he want a dragon shifter meta anywhere near his city. Tim shook his head and test flapped his wings a couple times to gauge how they caught the air.

It’s time to find his Bruce.

——————————

Tim found flying to be his new favorite thing.

The night winds carried him farther and faster than any vehicle could before in the direction he caught Bruce’s scent, hiding as plain old Tim at dig sites and grabbing any evidence he could.

Because Bruce was alive, and he was trapped in time.

Tim had already found several clues in different eras and time periods that could only be Bruce letting him know where he was. Even after so long, on some of them he could still catch some of his scent.

Everything was going alright until he caught the attention of Ra’s Al Ghul, Damian’s grandfather. The old bastard has been hiding out in Nanda Parbat for decades, commanding assassinations all over the world. And now he’s noticed Tim, and potentially what he is as well. At least given the assassins he sent to retrieve him, to discuss information about Bruce.

And Tim can’t refuse for that.

———————————-

Ra’s is almost a good host, despite definitely having him drugged on the way there.

Tim woke up in what he presumed would be his room, complete with clothes in the closet and servants waiting on his needs. Ra’s called for him immediately after he woke up, and as he walked behind the assassin sent to fetch him, he couldn’t help but notice the growing unease he felt as he grew closer to Ra’s guest area. There was a strange heavy smell that lingered in his nostrils, and he fought the urge to growl as the warmth in his belly built up to be stiflingly hot.

Tim realized why as soon as he was deposited in what could only be a throne room. The decorations all sparkled and smelled of what Tim immediately recognized as gold, and the tapestries and carpets were of the highest quality he had ever seen. They were nothing to the huge deep forest green dragon lounging on the throne.

Tim hadn’t exactly spent much time looking at his true form in the mirror, but he knew for certain that Ra’s looked very different from him. He had a heavy crest over his eyes for one that Tim lacked, and he had two pairs of horns, one of which swooped out behind his head and the other curled behind his ears, and his head was much boxier of a shape, but had a regal curve to his snout regardless. disregarding all of that, he was almost four times Tim’s size.

He was incredibly dangerous.

Ra’s let his head drift from side to side like a snake getting ready to strike as he watched Tim, before lounging back on his throne as if Tim wasn’t truly worth his time.

“Well? It’s considered rude among our kind to address one another in disguise, little Robin.” Ra’s hissed and flicked his tail at Tim in disdain. “Did your dam never even teach you proper etiquette?”

Tim shuddered as he tried to make sense of what was going on, heaving breaths as he locked eyes with the massive beast across the room from him.

“Ah, she didn’t. I presume that you’ve never met her then. Don’t worry little Robin,” Ra’s rumbled “This will prove to be very educational.”

And then Tim fainted.

————————

The next months he spent learning from Ra’s what it meant to be a dragon, how all the weird impulses and oddities he’d had over the years was his instincts, and he was never truly human in the first place. It took tim a very long time to grow used to being in another dragon’s territory without any immediate risk of being chased out, but ra’s assured him that was normal.

With every month Tim spent out in Nanda Parbat learning about his true form and instincts and what all that means, he grew to miss the Wayne’s more and more. Bruce was still out there and he had to get him back to Gotham where he belongs.

One night tim sneaks out of the temple and is halfway back across the alps before Ras even notices.

Soon, with the evidence that hes collected on his quest he finally reaches gotham to deliver everything they need to get bruce back to the league. He doesn’t stop in gotham, but flies directly to the zeta tubes in the tower and summons his second skin just to zeta up to the watchtower and deliver his information.

But they already knew.

Throughout all the time he had been gone they had also been collecting the information and they were very nearly where tim himself was at when he brought his evidence back. Downcast, Tim returned to Gotham to see how the Wayne's were doing.

It felt odd after all this time to travel the human way. He’s gotten so used to flying everywhere that it seems ridiculously inconvenient now that he has to hide his form again.

He's suddenly drawn back to the fact that Bruce and the others have no idea that he’s a dragon. the imaginings of the looks of horror on their faces as he sheds his skin takes over his mind. He can’t do that to them. can’t let them cast him out like that. Tim makes up his mind about it one last time

He won’t tell them.

it’s for the best.

—————————

Tim makes it back to the manor at the same time that dick and Damian leave for patrol, just missing them. entirely purposely on his part, but he's not ready to face them before alfred. to his shock, Cass is back in the manor, her stuff is right where it used to be in her room, and there’s even evidence of Jason having been around lately.

Tim doesn’t know what to think about the fact that everyone seems to have moved on without him and Bruce there with them. It hurts because they’re his people and they don’t need or want time there.

Turning a corner to go back to the room he used to spend the night in, he realizes downcastedly that it seems to have been repurposed as an art studio of some kind. his scales itch under his skin at the idea that they wanted him gone so much that they would actively erase every trace of him from the house.

Tim decides it’s not worth it before anyone gets back from patrol, he sneaks back out the way he came in and sulks all the way back to drake manor, empty as always where he can brood and be himself.

A place that he could never do at the house he considers home.

A house that has very visibly stated that it wants him gone. Tim wouldn’t be surprised if they changed out all his gear and even changed the zeta in the cave to keep him out at this point either, tears starting to prick at the edges of his vision.

It’s not home.

It’s not home it's not home it's not home anymore.

They replaced him.

No that’s not right, he was the one that replaced someone else, and now that he’s back there’s no more need for Tim to hang around, he’s outlived his usefulness. He’s come to terms with the fact that his parents never wanted him either, so with a heavy heart he starts packing his bags to go back to nanda parbat to be either the manipulator that at least understands how it feels to be tim

It's time to go back to the demon's lair.

————————

Dick catches him on the way out of Drake Manor to tell him they’re getting Bruce back and he was vital to the mission.

He claims to have missed Tim a lot along with the rest of the family, but Tim struggles to believe in his words with Damian scowling like a little demon behind him. Tim tries to explain that he’s just getting out of their hair when Red Hood pulls up on his motorcycle asking if they’ve found Tim and then stops dead when he sees him. it’s like they actually missed him

Tim hesitates for just a moment before pushing his way out of the hug and turning away. He has unfinished business with rad and he can’t let this stop him no matter how much he wants to stay. At the very least he will be returning this time and he tells them that before he goes and boards the bus to take him to the airport for appearances sake.

On the plane he glances out the window and wonders if they’ll still miss him the same once Bruce is back or if they’ll just discard him again once there’s no longer a place missing in the family.

Tim still doesn’t know.

—————————-

After getting back to Nanda Parbat to face down Ra’s he’s greeted with a frantic swarm of servants dragging him down the hall away from where he can hear terrifying roars and snarls and crashes coming from.

It could only be Ra’s, and Tim realized he was right when he walks into the stone room containing the lazarus pits and Ra’s is thrashing and howling in rage. Rage at Tim for thinking he could leave without his permission, or that he would take his hospitality for granted like that.

Ra’s had gone completely mad once he realized Tim was gone and couldn’t be calmed down until they had found him again. Tim had had enough of this

Ra’s had treated him nothing but coldly and contemptuously since he had requested he come to nanda parbat, and tim was boiling with enough rage to raise the temperature around him.

Ra’s seemed to notice this and only got more angry at tim, and he lunged at the smaller dragon without warning to fling him by the neck into a nearby wall, tim staggered to his feet and threw himself at ras, using his small side to his advantage as he scrabbled over the larger dragon leaving deep bites and scratches as he went, and just as ras lunged towards him with open jaws as he was tossed from his back, tim finally opened his jaws and let loose the flame he had been holding back for the last 16 years. It stuck to the sides of Ra’s face and ate away at the scales and flesh like some sort of potent acid as he shrieked and writhed in agony as Tim watched.

Figured he didn’t know that Tim could do that.

Serves him right.

Tim watched until the bleached white bones showed through more than flesh and then left, the lazarus pits couldn’t repair that kind of damage and he knew it. Tim figured it was time to pack up and go home.

It was time to try and be with his family again.

———————

Two days after Bruce was returned they got the news of Ra’s death. Talia had been the one to step up to become Demon’s head instead of Damian, and she filled the role better than Ra’s ever had.

Damian wasn’t handling it nearly as well and Tim kept finding him listless about what to do now that he wouldn’t be the demon head, until he started really pursuing a life with the Waynes.

Nobody else knew what had happened at Nanda Parbat, nobody else was in the base at the point of Ra’s death, except Tim And Ra’s and Ra’s had killed most everyone that had known about tim and who he was.

Bruce was actually glad to have Tim back and thankful about how he had helped get him out of the time stream.

The others never got over being happy that Tim was back either, even Damian grew to actually seem to like his company after a while. alfred told him that it was because they all actually considered him part of the family, which only drew him deeper into the family circle the more often they would repeat it to him.

Everything was good, everyone was together, and Tim was happy.

They still didn’t know about him and Bruce was still adamant about not allowing metas in the city. Sometimes when a meta rogue would slip into the city Bruce would go out to take care of them personally just to reinforce the assumption that metas weren’t safe in Gotham. That meant Tim wasn’t safe in gotham either

But that was fine. He didn’t have to tell them and they didn’t have to know. everything would work out in the end, even if tim has to hide in his skin the remainder of their natural lives. He has forever after all.

And Tim is great at lying.

[deadbydangit]

Getting into an Argument with them.

Mastermind, Legion (Frank), Oni

Mastermind

It was honestly rather ridiculous.

Wesker can be kind of a control freak.

So if something isn't exactly up to his code of conduct, he gets irritated.

Something as small as the forks where the spoons should be can make him annoyed.

"Damn it! Why did you have to touch and move everything!"

And he'll scramble to put everything back where it was.

"God, you're so useless."

He realized what he said too late.

He'll sort of freeze up.

He didn't mean it.

And he realizes how much he just hurt you.

He might try to hug you.

"I'm... I'm so sorry I said that dearheart."

He'll understand if you're upset with him though.

If you don't want a hug at that moment.

He's upset with himself.

If you need space for a little while, he'll respect that.

Once you're ready, he'll offer a sincere apology, complete with a well thought out declaration of his undying love to you.

A promise to never hurt you again.

And all the cuddles you could ever want.

His full attention will be on you the whole day.

Anything you wish will be yours, just ask.

He promises he won't ever do it again.

Losing you is his biggest fear.

Legion (Frank)

When Frank is angry, he's usually good about not taking it out on anyone else.

He had enough anger taken out on him going from foster home to foster home.

He knows better than to snap at other people for things that aren't their fault.

But some trials just piss him off.

Things just didn't go very well that time.

Pallets to the head, flashlights, taunting.

He was furious.

So when you ran up and gave him a hug, he was in no mood.

"Hey, get off of me!"

He might even shove you back.

"God, you're so clingy. Back the fuck off."

And he'll storm off.

The rest of the Legion are right by your side comforting you after what just happened.

Susie is the best at comforting, so she's going to be the one looking after you.

Joey's bringing snacks and comfort items (pillows, things that make you happy, etc).

Julie is upstairs with Frank, chewing him out.

"I don't give a fuck how bad your trial went! You don't take that shit out in s/o. Chill the fuck out, then take your sorry ass down and apologize."

Give it about ten minutes, and Frank will be back downstairs.

In tears.

Blubbering apologizes and begging you not to leave him.

Throwing himself at your feet pleading for your forgiveness.

You can hardly understand him through his sobs.

"I love you! I won't do it again! I swear! I'm sorry!"

The others will leave to give you two space.

"Please, please don't hate me."

He'll do anything to keep you in his life.

Oni

Kazan has always had a difficult time containing his rage.

But he's very good about secluding himself when he feels his temper soaring.

But today was just frustrating.

Everything that could go wrong, did.

Trials ended with no hooks and a nasty punishment from the Entity.

So anything could set him off.

Your interruption when he was meditating was the breaking point.

He will stomp his foot and break through the wood flooring.

He'll look at you and growl.

Standing up, nostrils flaring.

That's enough to make any normal person piss their pants.

Seeing you pale as a ghost, he'll simply freeze.

He promised you he'd never frighten you.

He promised himself that he'd never do this.

Taking a few shaking steps forward, he'll fall to his knees and gently embrace you.

Stroking your face like you're made of glass.

You can tell he feels terrible.

"I'll never do that again. I swear on my family name. Please, forgive me."

He'll understand if you're angry.

He'd understand if you hated him.

But, you're the most important person in the whole world to him.

So much so that he'd renounce being a samurai for you.

"Please, do not let this be the end. I can't bear to be without you."

[dr-demi-bee]

Day 18--------------------Read on AO3--------------------------

Pairing: Rujyr/Astarion Prompt: Begging Fluff/smut, Hurt/comfort, Act 3 durgestarion, bath time, NSFW

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

"I'm alright..." Rujyr murmurs. "Just a nightmare."

His fingers pause their path gently stroking over her hair. Astarion leans back to get a better look at her, ruby eyes sparkling with concern.

"You're drenched in sweat, love. That wasn't 'just a nightmare'. I haven't seen you this worked up in months."

She curls into his embrace, clutching to him. His fingers continue tracing over her back and hair, the touch gentle and relaxing.

"Normally you can wake up and calm down after a moment. But you were really upset this time...Was something different?"

"It took longer to wake up," she answers softly. She tucks her face into the crook of his shoulder. Astarion gently cups the back of her head, holding her to him.

"It was worse than usual, wasn't it?" He lets the silence settle for a few moments before continuing, "You don't have to explain what happened if you don't want to, but I need to know you're okay right now."

"Yes," she confirms, "I'm okay."

The subtle shiver and faraway look in her eyes says all he really needs to know. More haunting nightmares. Almost always some gruesome part of her experience before the nautiloid. But he won’t press her to speak about it. He knows that hurts just as much.

So he merely nods softly, keeping her pressed close to him. Astarion rubs his hands up and down her back in a slow, gentle rhythm. "You're sure?"

"I promise," she reiterates. She pauses briefly, leaning back to peer up at him. Astarion meets her gaze, awash with concern. Rujyr knows he’s fixating on her dream - what he knows of the nightmares that plague her. That lingering fear she carries of the urges in her blood - of that sliver of space between life and death she hovered in under the cruel blade of a knife.

"I feel safe with you," Ru adds, meaning to comfort him.

There’s a catch in his breath, some words hitching in his throat. A surprise that melts into something more like guilt. That heavy shame he carries too often. Rujyr reaches for his hand, and the coil of her tail around his leg tightens.

"I'm glad, love, I just-" Astarion cuts himself off, shaking his head slightly. He reaches out to pull her back into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. A common tactic when he doesn’t want her to see just how he’s feeling. After a long moment, he says, "When I see you like that... I worry I’m not doing enough to help you. That you might just pretend you’re alright... even to me."

Rujyr pulls back to lock her gaze with his. She tugs him down by the neck so their foreheads press together. There’s no avoiding this.

"You do all I ask of you and so much more," she breathes, "I am alright because of you."

Astarion closes his eyes, letting out a sigh. He lifts a hand up to cup her face, his touch gentle as he speaks, "These nightmares are becoming more and more frequent. And every time your reaction is worse. I can't just..."

Astarion's shoulders slump, and he pulls her back into a tight hug, as if he's afraid that he might let go and she’ll vanish. That some darkness will take her and he’ll never get to hold her again. Rujyr returns the hug just as fiercely, wrapping her arms about his waist. She wants to soothe and reassure - but they frighten her just as much. And she doesn't know how to fix it.

"I wish I knew what to do," she murmurs softly. "But I know I need you."

He tightens his hold, burying his face into the crook of her neck. Astarion remains quiet for a long time, trying to put his words into some sort of order. His hands continue to slowly trace up and down her back as he searches for the right thing to say.

"I don't think I could bear to lose you." His voice is quiet, wavering with a hint of desperation. Eventually, he lifts his head up to look at her, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. "I'm afraid I'm going to."

Rujyr meets his gaze, concern and sadness reflecting back at him. She cups his face between her palms, always marveling at the way her pale blue fingers look against his soft white skin and especially the brilliant red of his eyes.

"I will never leave your side by choice," Rujyr answers, "And Ao himself would struggle to take me from you."

The tension in Astarion's shoulders relax slightly, his eyes closing for a moment. He places a hand over hers as she cups his face, leaning into the touch.

"I just... I need to keep you safe. To keep us safe. To keep this—" He gestures between the two of them "—safe. I can't —" Astarion stops as his voice falters. "I can't lose this, love. I can't lose you."

"Nor I you," she replies fervently. They share a tender moment, just holding gaze and breath, and soft touch. The silent reassurances of one another’s presence. The promise to stay.

Astarion leans back slightly, pulling her hands from his face to hold them gently in his own. After a beat his lips tip up with a soft smile. That somewhat reverent adoration he shows her effusing his visage once more. Rujyr’s lips tip up in return, sharing that same bone-deep affection for him.

His eyes trail over Rujyr, taking in the disheveled state of her. Her clothes are damp with sweat and tendrils of her hair stick to her forehead and cheeks. Her braid has segments with strands pulling free of their plaits, and that lovely ice blue of her skin is a shade paler than usual.

"You look a mess, love," he says, the hint of a smirk on his face.

Rujyr sticks out her tongue at him, the forked end protruding from between her sharp teeth. Astarion's smirk broadens.

"Feisty, are we?" He gives an exaggerated sigh, and says, "I suppose the least I can do for my poor, suffering love is bathe you."

"That's awfully charitable of you," she teases softly.

Astarion lets out an overdramatic scoff, pulling her closer to him before beginning the process of extracting himself from the mess of their blankets.

"Of course it is. I am a very charitable man. A testament to my generous character,” he preens dramatically with a flourish. "Come my dearest, a bath awaits."

He stands, pulling her up with him. He wraps an arm around her waist and tugs her close to his side. Rujyr laughs softly, twining her tail around his hips as Astarion guides her to the small washroom adjacent to their room in the Elfsong. He sits her down on a small stool by the tub before moving to fill the tub with warm water. It’s not long before steam rises and curls from within.

He looks over his shoulder at her with a usual cheeky smirk, and says, "Be a doll and undress for me, love."

Rujyr, already starting the process, just looks up at him with a half grin. Steady fingers unravel the layers of her clothing with meditative precision. She plucks the ties of her hakama, unwinds her sash, and tugs open the ties of her wrap top.

Shrugging his own attire, Astarion watches her as she undresses, his eyes taking in every new inch of soft blue skin revealed. He can't help but marvel at her, as he always does. Awed that he somehow has a partner as strong, kind, and beautiful as her.

"Come here, love."

She strides gracefully to his side, wearing nothing more than a soft smile. He can't help but let his eyes roam over her again, before gently grabbing her wrist, wrapping her arm around his neck, and lifting her off the ground. Astarion steps into the tub, slowly lowering the two of them into the warm water with an exaggerated sigh which she mirrors. The elf settles her between his legs and pulls her tight against his chest before sliding his hands down to rest gently on her hips.

"There you are, dearest. This better than laying in a sweaty bed?"

Rujyr leans back against his chest, resting her hands on his thighs. She lets out a long sigh of relief, delighting in the hot water on her skin easing aches and removing sweat.

"Much."

Astarion lets out a satisfied hum, before grabbing a cloth and bar of soap from a nearby ledge. He runs the cloth over her back, gently cleansing her skin. He takes his time, washing her gently, his touch firm but tender. His eyes occasionally wander over her back, her chest, her legs.

Rujyr makes soft contented hums as Astarion cares for her with dedicated attention. She gathers her long dark hair over her shoulder, unwinding the braid with her fingers.

Astarion pauses in his work when he sees her undoing her braid, a sly smile on his face. The way the water matts her hair and leaves her skin slick sends a rush of heat through him. A faint flush spreads on his cheeks, but he pushes onward.

He swaps the soap bar for a more delicate hair treatment and lathers his fingers. Astarion works the cleanser through her hair, pulling the ends up for a scrub before dunking them back under the water to rinse. Rujyr hums appreciatively, and he can see the way her tail sways beneath the surface with a tell-tale satisfaction.

With a tender smile, he begins massaging her scalp and gently tending to the roots of her long tresses. When she breaths a soft moan in reaction, Astarion’s grin widens. He can't resist the chance to truly touch her any longer.

Cool hands shift to run up her back before gently rubbing her shoulders. Astarion kneads into the thick muscles of her shoulders, the touch gentle but firm - a little more than a simple massage. Her head tips back slightly, her neck rolling as he works the muscles there. She lets out another soft, groaning sigh.

"There you are, love,” Astarion murmurs warmly,” Just relax and let me pamper you."

Astarion leans forward, his hands still working her shoulders blissfully. His lips move to the side of her neck, his kisses soft and gentle.

"You know, love, this gives me a rather interesting idea..." he murmurs, his voice decidedly sultry.

"What does?" Rujyr breathes.

"Your hair down. It’s such a rare but delicious sight. Makes me want to see how it looks... tangled in my grip."

One of his hands slides up her shoulder, and Astarion gently grabs a fistful of her hair. He twists the strands gently around his fingers, his grip just strong enough to hold.

Rujyr huffs a soft laugh, tipping her head back as he tugs, dipping most of her dark locks into the water. She grins up at him, her eyes half-lidded in her comfort. Astarion can't help but smile back, the sight of her laying against his chest, suds just barely hiding her from his eyes... there was something almost divine about it.

He pulls her hair gently, making her head tilt back further, baring more of her neck. Astarion's mouth moves to her throat, his teeth tracing a path down her soft skin.

"Mmm..." Ru tips her head to one side, further baring her throat to him.

Astarion continues to work his way down her throat, leaving a trail of kisses and blooming purple love-bites down her skin. His hand releases her hair to gently wrap around her throat. The tip of index and middle finger gently support her chin, holding her face away as he works. He squeezes lightly, feeling as she swallows against his touch.

Rujyr moans a soft sound, her hands squeezing gently against his thighs. Astarion's continues slowly massaging a path down her back with one hand. The other tightens slightly, gently gripping around her throat.

"You look glorious like this, love. Laying back against me, completely at my mercy, moaning at every touch..."

"Mm-" Ru murmurs, "You make me feel so good..."

"You deserve to feel good, love. After all you do for me and everyone else, you deserve to get some pampering in return.” Astarion’s kisses trail back up her neck before moving to the space beneath her ear. He gives her lobe a gentle nip, then whispers huskily in her ear, “I just get to take advantage of it a bit."

She hums a soft laugh through her nose. Peering up at him with a half-grin, she teases, "Not entirely altruistic, Star?"

"Now when have I ever been entirely altruistic, my sweet?” Astarion pulls her back against him, a cheeky smirk stretching across his face. “I never claimed I didn't enjoy having you here - bare and vulnerable and at my mercy.”

Astarion sighs softly, his hand massaging a tight spot on her back, before working it out with a firm press of his fingers. She leans forward slightly as his hands work lower down her spine.

“It would take a significantly better man than I to resist the sight of you. I just happen to know that you enjoy it as well."

"I certainly do," she agrees. in a satisfied croon Her nails tease gently up and down his thighs beneath the water.

"Careful, love,” he teases, ”We still have to get you rinsed and dry before I can take you back to bed.”

"Why- mm-” He coaxes a knot out of her back and Rujyr moans outright with relief. “...why wait?”

Astarion chuckles, taking pleasure at being the cause of those noises. He keeps his hands on her, slowly rinsing the soap from her skin and soothing tense muscles.

"Because, my impatient love, if I take you to bed without finishing up here first... I'll be having you against the wall before we can make it out of the washroom."

"Who says we have to get out of the tub?"

Astarion lets out a surprised laugh, his hands pausing. Then with a mischievous glimmer he purrs, "Well, when you put it like that... I suppose we don't."

He slides his hands down her body more deliberately, his touch trailing across her stomach and thighs. He nuzzles at her neck, planting kisses along her skin as his hands continue to roam.

Rujyr lifts one hand to slide over the back of his neck, tangling into the soft white hair at his nape. One of Astarion's hands smooths up along her thigh, moving closer and closer to her core, before stopping just short, his touch still barely avoiding where she wants it most. She leans further back against him as his fingers coax more soft sounds from her. His mouth is at her neck, his fangs gently grazing her soft skin.

"Look at you, love. Sitting naked in my lap, getting all worked up just from my hands on your skin. You look positively delectable."

"Always such a tease," Rujyr huffs softly. Astarion chuckles, his breath soft against your shoulder.

"You know me. I just want to hear you beg," he whispers lowly in her ear, pressing his face against her temple. "Besides, I want to take my time with you. I want to hear each beautiful sound you make before I let you reach your release."

"So greedy," she breathes. His fingers swipe ever closer, practically taunting her. Rujyr whines petulantly.

"I am quite greedy, love. For your love, for your time, for your body, your attention, your reactions." He nips gently at the soft skin of her ear, before biting down a bit more firmly on the lobe. "But you know I want to give you everything. I want to give you every bit of pleasure you can possibly feel. But you have to beg me for it."

"Star," she pleads softly, squirming slightly against him as his fingers dance around her core, never touching her directly. Her hips shift to chase his touch.

"That's a good start."

Astarion nips gently at the side of her neck, still avoiding where she wants him to touch. He moves his free hand up, gently grabbing a handful of her hair. He gives a soft tug, pulling her head back and making her look up at him once more. Rujyr groans at the pleasure-pain of the tug on her scalp.

"Come now, love, you can do better than that. Show me how much you want it. Beg for more."

"Please, my love," she answers breathlessly.

"That's it," he responds, his words a soft breath in her ear. "Beg for me, love, show me how much you want my touch. I want to hear you say how good it is, how good I make you feel."

His hand continues to tease her, the touch just short of what she needs. His teeth find her neck again, his bite more firm than before, leaving a mark on her soft blue skin. She whines, the water sloshing in the tub as she shifts restlessly against him.

"Please, Star," she repeats, "I want to feel you touch me. Please."

Astarion can't help but grin at the effect he's having on her. Bare and vulnerable, completely at his mercy, begging for his hands and he hasn't even really touched her yet.

"Very good, darling. I knew you had it in you." He pulls her even tighter against him. "That's better, that's what I want to hear."

His fingers slip between her legs, finally sliding over her slick core - her desire evident even amidst the heat of the bath. Her hips buck reflexively and she moans.

"There you go, love," he says, his words just beside her ear. "Give up control to me, and I promise I'll give you even more."

He runs his tongue slowly across the point of her ear. He runs his fingers across her sensitive flesh with more purpose this time, the touch more deliberate as he swirls his fingers just so. Pleasure sparks up her spine, the rhythm of her heart screaming alive, alive, alive!

"Just make those beautiful noises, and let me make you feel good."

"Ahh nngh- Star-"

"Beautiful, my love," he responds. "Let me make you feel good, Ru."

Astarion uses every bit of what he’s learned of her body. He rubs his fingers over her in just the right way, every movement intentional and measured, calculated to get her riled up without taking her over the edge. Astarion takes his time, wanting to wring every delicious reaction out of her. To make her beg.

"Keep saying my name,” he breathes the sultry whisper beside her ear, “I want to hear how much you're enjoying this."

"Mm- Star-" Ru pants, "More, please-"

"That's a good girl," he says, his voice heavy with lust. "Beg for it, love. Let me hear it, beg for more."

His touch grows just a bit firmer, a bit faster. All the while leaving little marks up and down her neck and jaw, claiming her as his.

Begging in return for her to stay.

Always.

Her breath stutters from her in sharp whines.

"Please, Star, please. You make me feel so good- I need it-"

"Look at you, begging to be touched, begging me to make you feel good," Astarion murmurs, "That's it love, show me how much you want it. Show me how much you need it."

Astarion continues to work, the touch becoming a little bit rougher as it goes on, his hand working her at the exact pace he knows she needs.

"You're all mine, love. You're mine, and I always want to make you feel good."

Rujyr moans, rocking against his hand in time with his touch. Her heart thunders his name.

She is his.

Always.

"Ah- Star-"

"There you are, my love. Say my name, show me how much you want me."

Astarion's breathing is also faster now, almost as turned on as she is just from his touch on her. Hearing those soft sounds, watching her writhe against him in the water, begging for more. He keeps up, his hand continuing to work her, his fingers making her whine.

"Are you close, love?"

"Yes, yes, please-"

"Good girl," Astarion says. "Beg to come for me, love."

He keeps his hand moving, swirling against her clit just bit faster, just a little more pressure just where she likes it. Astarion’s fingers bringing her closer and closer, until she's almost on the edge. Her muscles tense, her feet bracing and pushing against the edge of the tub as her tail lashes. Rujyr trembles with sharp breaths as he toys with her.

"I want to see you fall over the edge, I want to hear it when you lose control because of how good I made you feel.

"Please, Astarion," she mewls, "I want to come for you. Please!"

"Then do it, love," he whispers, his voice low and sultry. "Show me how much you love it. Show me who makes you feel like this."

Rujyr's just about to breathe another desperate plea when he adds just a touch more pressure with a smug smirk - and the tension in her snaps. Her back arches with a sharp cry of his name and she's trembling in his grasp.

"Look at you, my sweet Ru, shaking in my arms, trembling out of control thanks to how good I make you feel...” Astarion murmurs in her ear with a satisfied smirk. “You look absolutely glorious. Gods, you're beautiful when I get you like this, love."

As Rujyr grows limp, he gathers her in his arms and turns her to face him, pressing her against his body. She drapes her arms around his shoulders languidly, her chest huffing with rapid pants for the second time that night.

But like this - flushed that lovely soft purple and eyes daze - it is not frightening, but stunning. A sight that makes his heart swell.

"Gods, Star," Rujyr breathes softly. She looks positively stunning in his arms. Relaxed and breathless. And he was the one to get her this way.

"Look at you, so winded just from me touching you. All I did was give you a little pleasure, and now I think you'll have a hard time standing up."

Astarion runs his hand lazily down her back as he gives her a dark, sharp grin.

"Just wait until tomorrow,” he murmurs, “I'll have you begging me to bed you again by nightfall."

@lanafofana @lastlight-inn @waterdeep-weavemoss

@crimson-and-lavender @feedthepheasants @spooky-lil-bee

[serendipitous-imagines]

Could you write headcanons for jjba Bruno, Abbacchio, Fugo, Narancia, and Giorno being protective of their bf? Either around an enemy stand user or just general protectiveness is fine >///< Male reader please

Thank you so much for the request! This is my very first request on this blog and I am so excited for it!! I hope this is perfect for you~ I absolutely adored writing the boys and I had so much fun thinking of all the scenarios of what they would do!!

~ Love, Mod Jay

BRUNO BUCCIARATI

✦ Bruno’s protectiveness over you often shows itself in the form of him holding your hand ever so tighter than usual and a constant biting of his inner cheek or his lip. His body gets subtly tenser, only you would be able to notice it.  ✦ Bruno has trained you before on what to do if there was an enemy stand user attacking you, but even he gets shaken seeing that you could possibly be in danger. He will start commanding members of his team the best he can because he wants to ensure nothing can get you or hurt you, and while he trusts his teammates, he trusts himself more to protect you. ✦ He gets intensely focused on protecting you, even when he has a large pit of worry in his stomach. He will always focus on you and wrap himself around you. If the enemy stand user starts to charge towards you, he will throw his body between the both of you and open a zipper to slide you inside with him. ✦ When you return home, Bruno will insist on relaxing. He will draw a hot bath for the both of you and pour a couple glasses of wine. The rest of the day is devoted to taking care of you and checking to make sure you are okay. It is usually how Bruno copes with the leftover protective feelings.

LEONE ABBACCHIO

✦ Abbacchio is constantly in Protection Mode when it comes to you. He never lets you leave his line of sight on a normal day and will somewhat follow you around to ensure that you are safe and you are not getting wrapped up in some sort of danger.  ✦ When you are being attacked by an enemy stand user, Abbacchio will put his body in front of yours and keep a hand pressed to your lower back to keep you closer to him. He will keep his body facing the enemy stand user and their stand, never giving any opening to your body to get hurt by the stand.  ✦ Abbacchio tends to get a little snappier and blunter than usual with his teammates when he is protective over you. But with you, he speaks quietly and softly to you, often reassuring you that it’s okay and he will be the one to keep you safe, nothing will get you when he is here.  ✦ After the danger is gone and Abbacchio has (kind of) calmed down, he typically gets a little embarrassed because of how intense he was acting. Even though he is a little grumpy, he checks in with you and holds you a little tighter than usual for the next few days (and you may need to reassure him a few times).

PANNACOTTA FUGO

✦ When Fugo is protective he gets eerily quiet and his expression is much darker than it would usually be when he is upset. His grip on you gets very tight and he holds you to his side like you are practically super-glued to him. He basically snarls at anyone who would dare come close to you when he feels so protective of you. ✦ Whenever you are standing face-to-face with an enemy stand user, Fugo does not hesitate to release all of the anger he is feeling from you being frightened. He will rush into a fight and attack whilst keeping you in his line of sight. More times than not, Purple Haze will come out and start growling and attacking the enemy (and Fugo is pulling you as far away as possible so you aren't affected by his stand). ✦ Fugo curses a lot and growls- sometimes he says things he gets a little louder than he intends to because he is so pissed about someone even trying to hurt him. "I know you're desirable and all but can't they just FUCK OFF". ✦ After the enemy stand user is defeated and you both retire back to the base, Fugo usually paces around outside with you in tow. He will typically pull you behind the building to angrily kiss you and get possessive of you without any of the others seeing him.

NARANCIA GHIRGA

✦ Narancia is extremely clingy when he gets protective over you, often grabbing your hand and tugging it to his side. He tries to hide how protective he gets by talking louder and pulling you away from the danger you are close to, usually tugging you along to go walk around with him. He tries to make it as smooth as possible to show he isn’t being protective, but it is very obvious. ✦ Because his stand is a long-distance stand, Narancia is keeping you as far away as possible from the fighting. He will pull you into his lap to sit while he flies Aerosmith around. Narancia will make Aerosmith fly around the both of you to make sure nothing is sneaking up on the both of you. ✦ His legs bounce a lot when you are in immediate danger and he will often let out little yells and fling his arms around. Sometimes he will flash his life and call the enemy to stand user as many insults as he can think of. Once the enemy stand user is defeated and is on the ground, he will typically stomp on their body and jump on it while cursing them. ✦ Narancia goes back to his typical self fairly quickly after the incident, but he does have a huge spike of energy that you usually have to go along with. He will be clingy as he always is but now you are forced to go to the arcade with him (where he might let you win to make you feel better if you are still feeling afraid).

GIORNO GIOVANNA

✦ Giorno's eyes will always narrow whenever he feels protective of you. His breathing will also get heavier and he follows people around with his eyes more. Giorno trusts no one and whenever he feels like you could be in any immediate danger, he is ready to spring into action at even the slightest sign that something could happen. ✦ Giorno would be immediately involved in the fight with a burning passion to him. He would leave you with another one of the members of the team (typically Mista) so you are directly out of dangers way. His head will often turn to look at you and make sure you are okay. Seeing you in danger makes him fight harder and get a tad bit more cruel in his fighting style. ✦ If you get hurt, Giorno will run over to you immediately and take care of you. His arms will wrap around you and he will speak to you in a quiet voice and ask you how you are feeling while he heals your injuries. ✦ When you both return home, Giorno will pull you into an embrace and run his hands all along your body to check for any injuries. He gets pretty clingy to you in private and just wants to keep his hands on you until he can get the thoughts of you being hurt or taken from his mind.

[mcflymemes]

MISCELLANEOUS SENTENCE PROMPTS *  collection #8

ever seen one of these before?

you used your own money?

you must be a bachelor.

even you don't spend that sort of money.

that's what it looks like.

i made a very poor introduction of myself to you.

you're a very hard person to convince.

i wonder how they knew that.

that speaks very well for you.

do you follow me?

you tried to kill me!

look, this whole thing better work.

that's why you wanted me here?

there's no use glaring at me like that.

i've always wanted to be in a horror movie.

i'm sorry about being untidy.

that looks pretty new to me.

i thought everybody in the movies was tall.

she almost hit me with a frying pan.

we don't agree on anything.

you're beginning to look like a londoner.

i just bought this.

turn the damn machine off!

i sorta missed the plane...

i'm always getting you angry.

it must be my accent or something.

you can't get a search warrant.

you never expected to meet a legend.

i've been in love with you all my life!

that's something i can't control.

they're sort of like geniuses. unpredictable and erratic.

up until now, you really had me going.

what have you told the police?

what is there to tell?

i'm tired of resting.

i faint. i mean... i actually pass out.

aren't you gonna pour me one?

even when you're angry, you're controlled.

i'm sure you'll find others to harass.

bear with me for one second.

did you ever think of getting another car?

i didn't know you were in town.

i'll tell you what bothered me.

take my advice. avoid actors.

i thought you wanted to use the phone.

you're remarkable.

you have intelligence, you have perception, you have great tenacity.

uh, i feel uncomfortable.

i've never been rude to you.

i feel kind of queasy.

that's not uncommon.

i have never seen anything like that.

i'm afraid i don't understand.

you grabbed me... you pushed me!

stay out of hospitals as much as possible.

you ask tough questions.

okay. you win. you're finally rid of me.

i think you're a very unfair person.

i just can't believe it.

please put out your cigar.

you know, in a way, i have to congratulate you.

do you have anything for an upset stomach?

i could see you were terribly upset.

i have one at home that looks exactly like that.

i think you hate me. i really feel that.

would you mind coming with me into the bathroom?

i would like to tell you something.

where's the honeymoon gonna be?

you must do a little cooking at home.

you amuse me.

it's a challenging time for me.

oh, don't deny it!

i can't turn around without you staring up at me with that blank, innocent expression on your face!

what size are you?

i thnk there's a misunderstanding.

you just incriminated yourself.

are you trying to frighten me?

don't be a fool!

you'll never get away with it.

i tried to be inconspicuous.

what's the meaning of that?

well, i'll be running along.

that is not a good picture.

you were counting on that.

i thought the case was closed.

why are you wasting your time with this?

i'm just trying to do my job.

you're priceless! you're a gem!

everybody makes mistakes.

did you want something?

must i remind you that you have no sense of humor?

if i'm interrupting anything, you just tell me.

i wouldn't do that.

[lets-try-some-writing]

After seeing the post where OP is arguing with Unicron (whose his real dad in that au) all I can think of is how bizarre this would look to the humans especially because I don’t envision OP arguing in English but rather whatever dialect of Cybertronian comes most naturally so Fowler and the kids are just hearing OP make angry garbage compactor noises at a tree for an hour in the distance. Or how deranged it would look if Unicron picked a lady bug and landed on OP hand and so it just looks like he’s screaming at his own hand unprovoked.

Pfft. That would be really funny. Now I have no choice but to write about it. However this is probably going to be somewhat angsty considering the previous part of this au.

Off-putting Sounds

Optimus's relationship with his creator is... strained to say the least. He appreciates that his father made him and cares for him, but he is not the biggest fan of Unicron's desire to see everything destroyed. Even when returned to his base nature, Optimus has no desire to see earth burn since HIS humans live on its surface and require its resources to survive. As such his "talks" with his creator are anything but civil.

Even before Unicron fully awoke, Optimus could feel his father's presence and the thrum of his spark. He could sense Unicron's desires and wishes, often leading him to be unable to hear his own thoughts with Unicron's overwhelming him on bad days. On such occasions he tended to go out somewhere private and scream into the void, letting out all of his frustrations and demanding his creator shut up and leave him alone. Of course Unicron could not hear him, but it brought Optimus a degree of comfort anyway to be able to yell without fear of retribution. And since the team never followed or bothered him on such excursions, Optimus didn't worry much about his habit.

However after Unicron began to wake and he had to go force his father to return to his slumber, also causing Optimus's identity to be revealed with a great deal of fanfare, things changed a bit. After the initial reveal, tensions were high in base as the team struggled to figure out how they were supposed to feel about their leader. And so to vent his frustrations and deal with his far more volatile emotions due to his father's partial waking, Optimus left to go vent his frustrations more often.

At first his ravings were always loud and angry, cursing Unicron for waking, for revealing his identity, and for ruining the life he had built. Those times Unicron never talked back, merely allowing his creation to cry, leaving the chaos god guilty beyond measure as he saw his son's tears of anguish. The children only saw Optimus's angered raving once when they wandered through the groundbridge behind him with the intent to comfort him. However just that one time was enough for them to see how much the Prime was suffering. While yes, his rather terrifying screams in Cybertronian were frightening at first, they could see just how upset he was as he cried out. Optimus only noticed them long after he had fallen silent, exhausted from everything. He returned them to base without a word and left for his quarters too tired to even explain himself. The children didn't begrudge him that.

After a few months of the prolonged agony that was his ostracization, Optimus's ravings became calmer. He was till angry, lost, and upset, but no longer as vengeful. He began to take comfort in knowing his father could hear him as he left for quiet places on earth to vent. In response to his calmer approach, Unicron began to answer his sparkling's pleas. Controlling the body of an organism, he would communicate with Optimus using the creature as a vessel. When Unicron used plants, they pulsated purple as dark energon flooded them, causing them to grow large enough for the dark god to wrap branches or vines around his son in a hug of sorts. And when animals were used the creatures always died in the end, but while they lived Unicron had them rest on Optimus's frame to serve as a comforting presence. He rarely actually spoke through his highjacked avatars for fear of outright killing them, but when he did, it always comforted Optimus immensely.

Optimus: They hate me father. It does not matter what I have done for them, they look at me in fear and disgust.

Unicron: Precious creation of mine, do not heed their words or take note of their actions. No matter what they say, know you are loved, if by no other being than me.

His conversations with Unicron became special to him, so much so that he began spending more time away from base than within. When he was required at base it felt suffocating with the glares and fearful stares that were thrown his way from his team and the grown humans. To cope Optimus began bringing Unicron's vessels back to base with him. He couldn't leave for too long, not while the Autobots still needed his leadership and wisdom. So depending on the day and the circumstances, sometimes a small insect would remain on his shoulder, too small for most bots to notice as Unicron used it to whisper assurances to his sparkling. Other times a cat or another small creature was brought into base under the guise of being a rescue or something of the like (must to Arcee's disgust as she was now sure Optimus's kindness was all a hoax). The small organic creature was always sat upon Optimus's work station, hissing at the passing bots and resting on Optimus's plating as a kind reminder of the simple fact that he was loved.

House plants also began to appear in the base, usually around the console but with the odd one or two appearing the middle of the base in a large pot. They were always exotic in origin and covered in all sorts of different scents and chemicals to hide the dark energon flowing through them. No others could feel the waves of Unicron's essence that radiated off the plants since the dark energon within was miniscule, but Optimus could. He always took comfort in the feeling of his father's field, no matter how diluted it was as the team drew further and further away from him.

With time, Optimus simply stopped caring about hiding his abilities and origins. It was an open secret, the team knew the truth and they hated him for it. Optimus felt little remorse as he openly began conversing with the creatures he brought in and the plants he kept maintained in pots. His mutterings were quiet at first and only really spoken around the children who tended to watch in interest as the plants wrapped around his digits or the creatures responded to his words with frightening intelligence. But as the months ticked by, Optimus grew more bold, opening chatting with his father's vessels as no one aside from the children dared speak to him for more than a minute at a time. His loneliness overcame any other desire he might have had for subtly.

Optimus: *unicron's cat vessel knocking a pot over* Father! Please keep control of your vessel!

Arcee: *shocked and fearful* What the frag-!

Optimus: *raising his voice* By Primus, are you so old you can't keep your vessels in line?!

The whole team: *stops to watch in growing fear and confusion*

Unicron: *speaking through his spark bond to optimus using the cat as a medium* I will have you know that I am perfectly in control of my vessel. I simply had no desire to stop it from knocking over the pot.

Optimus: *vaguely irritated angry garbage compactor noises* You are the worst.

The team: What just happened?!?!

The children did not understand a word of what was going on, but they began to find it downright hilarious to watch as Optimus began yelling at whatever vessel Unicron was using over the smallest inconvenience. He tripped? The sound of shredding metal echoed through the base as Optimus cussed out his creator. He had to fight with Megatron? Somewhat terrifying gunfire sounding grumbles followed the Prime as he grabbed the nearest plant and shook it like it owed him money. He had a particularly bad day of being ignored and glared at by the team? The sound of something akin to a jet engine combined with a kettle squealing filled the main part of the base as Optimus raged as whatever vessel Unicron was using as he held it in his servo.

It was terrifying for everyone besides the children who rapidly got used to Optimus's methods of letting off steam, even joining in at time and blaming Unicron for everything as they went about their day. While it was a bit over the top, they did it nonetheless as it always got a faint smile out of the Prime, an increasingly rare event with the team avoiding him like the plague. June and Fowler were less than pleased with the children hanging around Optimus more and more, but did not do anything for fear of having Optimus lose his composure. He would never hurt them, but their fear remained despite that.

[felixravinstills]

How I Personally Read/Characterize Festus Creed

Because not everything can be about Felix Ravinstill. (Also yes, I'm using my own gif for visual interest.)

@persephoneprice, since you asked so nicely, I finally finished this post. This will probably feel familiar to you/anyone else who's read my oc fics.

Most people I've seen portray Festus as either a golden retriever type character (with a side of himbo at times?) or someone on the meaner side of Capitol students, and I suppose that I land somewhere in the middle.

Personally, I see him less as a traditional himbo (he's in the top 24 students at the Academy that's got to count for something in terms of booksmarts) and more of just someone who lacks polish in his interactions and social graces. We see him suggest very blunt force/violent approaches as solutions to get people to watch the Games in the book (Ch.6), and he seems to have less control over his emotions (crying about Arachne, obviously Clemensia admits to crying about the death of their friend too, but she and Coriolanus seem to quickly leave Festus at his apartment when he starts maybe implying it's not normally socially acceptable to be so emotional in public?) (Ch. 7).

In my mind, I think this lack of social grace makes some of the other Capitolites occasionally look down on him. Everyone has their slips once in awhile, but Festus has them more frequently.

Also I think the briefly mentioned dare that Festus put Coriolanus up to about making out with (hooking up with?) a girl in an alleyway (Ch. 13) speaks to Festus having a tendency to get himself and other people into some sort of mischief/potentially goofing off. I can't remember any other specific examples, but just his general vibe tells me he likes to goof off.)

Festus definitely has a cruel streak, just based on the casual way that he talks about his animal cruelty side hobby (dogfighting), and the aforementioned very blunt force solutions of getting people to watch the Games (Ch. 6). I don't think he's cruel in a malicious way (which is in a way perhaps more frightening but also more interesting to me). He's just not reflecting on his actions and realizing that he's cruel or mean. He takes things at a surface-level most of the time and won't delve into any moral quandaries without severe prompting.

Connecting to his movie portrayal, I don't actually think that there is much of a gap to bridge between my read of his book personality and his movie personality (This might be an unpopular opinion, idk.). Like ignoring the fact that a lot of the mentor's more sympathetic moments were cut from the movie, the film is consistent with the crueler aspects of Festus' personality that the book kind of hints at to me.

It might be hard for most people to imagine Coriolanus inviting Movie! Festus to Sejanus' memorial dinner at the end of tbosas if Festus interacts with Sejanus like this, but if you follow my headcanon that Festus is constantly putting his foot in his mouth in conversations and taking the occasional verbal spar a bit too far, then, while he still obviously looks down on Sejanus, there is a possibility that he doesn't actually treat Sejanus that differently from how he treats other people (see him teasing Felix). Thus, to Coriolanus, he would actually seem like a viable person to bring to that dinner.

While I'm disappointed that Festus organizing people to carry Coriolanus around on a chair after Lucy Gray wins was cut from the movie (Ch. 20), I do think Movie! Festus' more hostile reaction to Coriolanus' tribute winning isn't that out of character from Book! Festus if we consider that Coral was the runner up, and as the Games end with the release of the snakes in the movie, Festus probably felt that Coral really was about to win before that happened.

I also personally headcanon that Festus was at least a little upset that Coral died, because he had gotten used to the idea of her winning. Obviously, that isn't exactly on par with thinking of her as a equal and fellow human being, but there's a seed here for him to start thinking critically and sympathetically and realize that the tributes are people like him. Unfortunately, like with most of the mentors, I think it would take a lot to force him to reflect in that way, and in most universes probably isn't in the cards for him.

Overall, however, I do think that he is a great friend to those close to him just based on how he acts with Coriolanus throughout the the book, and he does seem to want to do what he considers the right thing, like when Reaper's starving and he tries to convince Clemensia to feed him (Ch. 18, although he does retract this statement in the next chapter). Unfortunately, the right thing for someone raised in the Capitol is very skewed.

Bonus: the reason I think that Felix and Festus might be drawn romantically but also in the platonic sense is actually Festus' constant putting his foot in his mouth/lack of social graces. It would appeal to Felix, because he can always count of Festus to be at least somewhat genuine in a world where so many people might be trying to use Felix's connection to the president for personal gain. On Festus' end, I imagine that having someone so accepting of his social foibles would be very comforting. So, yeah, I think they would get along even if I didn't ship them!

Anyway, I hope this makes sense! Surprisingly, I do have thoughts about characters other than Felix!

[kitty-cuddle-time]

For your Good Omens agere asks:

Can you tell us about the first few times Aziraphale regressed? Was he ashamed, or did he enjoy it from the get-go? Did Crowley maybe help him through it?

Thanks!

(cw shame / embarrassment / distress around regressing)

i think that Aziraphale struggles with his regression for a long, long time.

at first it’s confusing, and a little concerning. he chalks it up to some sort of angelic empathy—he saw some kids playing a fun little game with their parents, and there was so much love, and Aziraphale—an angel, a being made of love—wanted to feel a connection to that. it makes perfect sense.

but it keeps happening, and it seems like he can’t really control it, and it’s upsetting.

he tries to push it off as much as he can, resist or at least delay it as much as he can, but eventually he realizes that it just makes the feelings stronger, more intense, and the only option that won’t lead to a meltdown is just giving in to the feelings.

slowly, very slowly, he builds up a small amount of regression gear. a pacifier, some books, a doll. he keeps them in a small locked box under his bed and only takes them out when he’s desperate for comfort.

telling Crowley about his regression is—to put it simply—incredibly difficult. Aziraphale is an angel, he shouldn’t be feeling such human things, it’s unbecoming and unprofessional. he should be stronger than this. heaven would think his behavior is ridiculous. and Crowley is nice (though he won’t admit it), but he’s so cool, and what if this is the final straw? what if this is the thing that finally makes Crowley leave? he couldn’t bear it.

eventually, though, the truth comes out, and although Aziraphale is incredibly embarrassed, Crowley is wonderfully supportive. as soon as Aziraphale’s big again they’re having a Talk™️, and Crowley’s offering to be Aziraphale’s caregiver. Aziraphale is too embarrassed and prideful to agree to it right away, but he agrees to a “trial run�� the next time he regresses.

(Crowley listens to him describe how lonely and frightening regression has felt to the angel, and his heart shatters. he decides right then and there that the next time the angel regresses, he’s gonna make sure the lil guy has the Best Day Ever)

the next time Aziraphale regresses, it’s not perfect, but it’s more comfortable than it’s ever been, and Crowley gives him a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal he bought in preparation. it’s not perfect, but they’re getting there

[lovevalley45]

#fictober24 - day fourteen

"Let's try this."

original fiction (power payback) (continuation of yesterday's prompt)

word count: 1059

Sprout tapped her fingers against the paper cup of coffee in her hands. She wasn’t thirsty, but she’d grabbed it when she came in to have something to hold. 

That had been a mistake. It put her gloves on full display in the circle of chairs, unable to hide. In this room, however, she doubted they caught the same glances they had the few times she’d had to leave the house before this. 

Not all the teens in the room showed the mark of their burnouts. The ones who did were kinetics like her; the pyro whose face was covered in partially healed burns, the electro whose arms bore Litchenberg scars up to her neck. She seemed particularly upset to be there, more angry than anything. When Sprout met her eyes, she bared her teeth. 

The counselor took the last empty seat, next to the pyro with the face burns. He looked out at the small selection of teens. “Thank you all for coming today. I see a new face, so I’ll introduce myself. My name is Dr. Lynwood, but you can all call me Jerry.” 

Sprout shrunk in her seat as he turned in her direction. He extended a hand. “Would you mind starting us off?” 

“Um. Hi.” She dropped her hands, still holding the cup, to her lap. God, she hadn’t expected to be put on the spot so soon. “Daisy Marotto. Sprout. That’s what everyone calls me. Botanokinetic. Formerly. Ha.” 

“How long ago was your burnout?” Jerry asked her. 

“It was late February. So about three months ago.”

“You don’t have to talk about what happened if you’re not ready. But can I ask how you’re feeling about it?” 

“Lost.” The word, four little letters, felt like she had to force them out of her throat. “Like I no longer have the one thing that made me me.”

He nodded serenely. “Feelings of loss, especially loss of identity, is common for many Talents who’ve experienced a burnout. But being a Talent is not your whole identity. Let’s try this: what are some other qualities about yourself that you like?” 

“Uh…” As she tried to think, she ignored the electro girl’s chuckle. “I’m a good student. Even though I’ve had to miss school since it happened. My friends think I’m pretty funny. And nice.” Sprout decided not to mention that those friends were just Magni and Basil, who wasn’t even talking to her right now.  

“That’s good,” Jerry said. “Dwelling on the things you still have, that’s a good way to handle those feelings of being lost.” 

The electro girl raised her hand. “Jerry?” 

“You don’t have to raise your hand, Kitty.” 

“Sorry. I always forget.” Kitty smacked her gum in a way that made the therapist flinch. “Aren’t you always telling us that shoving those feelings to the side isn’t good in the long run?” 

“This isn’t me asking Sprout to shove her feelings to the side. I am saying that focusing on the positive can help her move on and find something that she can identify with.”

Kitty flopped back into her chair, scratching back against the floor. “Fine. Doesn’t sound like that to me.” 

“Well, how would you advise Sprout on how to handle those emotions?” Jerry asked. 

She turned to look at Sprout. Her hair was a mess of yellow and red dyed sections, the brown peeking through at the roots. “What you’ve got now, that’s kinda boring. You’re just gonna be miserable if you focus on how good of a student you are. Find something new-” She glanced back at Jerry and added, “Not to try and fill the hole with dangerous behavior or something illegal don’t worry, Jerry-” before looking back at her. Her hazel eyes were intense as she said, “Find something new that will make you wanna keep living life.” 

Something new. It was those scary two words that taunted her. Once, she’d had her future sorted out - following her mother’s footsteps. But Kitty made it sound like it wasn’t some frightening concept, but new fuel - something to keep her going. 

“That was some good advice, Kitty. Thank you.” Jerry chuckled. “Though I’m glad you added the part about not doing anything illegal.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what gets you sent to juvie, so-“ She flashed Sprout a grin, tossing her multicolored hair. 

She was suddenly wishing she’d worn something nicer than sweats. 

At least she was out of the hot seat when Jerry turned to the shy-looking girl two seats from her, who looked like she wanted to vanish into her hoodie. Literally. 

Sprout let the rest of the meeting go by in a blur, listening to the variety of her peers. The shy girl, Cresida, was a camoflaguer who’d burnt herself out hiding too long, while the pyro, Bernie (and she thought her name was bad), was slowly urged by Jerry to open up more about the lead-up to her burnout. 

She was just glad she didn’t have to talk about the incident with Kent yet. Hopefully, Primrose, her mother, and Dr. Merlo would be satisfied by her progress before it had to come to that. 

Finally, the meeting was called to a close. Sprout was ready to duck out and call Primrose that she was ready to leave, but Kitty cut her off. 

“Hey there, newbie,” Kitty said. 

“Hey,” Sprout said, shutting her flip phone. 

Smacking her gum, she grinned. “Don’t look so scared. I’m not gonna take your lunch money.” She looked her up and down. Mostly up, since the girl was half a foot shorter than her. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a nerd.” 

Sprout crossed her arms. “I’m not a nerd.”

“‘My best quality is that I’m a good student’,” Kitty said. “That you?” 

“Okay, maybe I am a bit of a nerd.” 

She extended her phone. “Gimme your phone. Don’t worry, I won’t blow it up.” 

Sprout did so, though reluctantly. “Why?” 

“I’m adding my number. In case you need someone to talk to.” Kitty pressed in her number and handed it back to her. “Or need someone to hotwire a car for you. I’m your girl for either.” 

She chuckled. “Alrighty.” 

Kitty took a cookie from the table near the door, before stepping out into the hall. “See you around, Sprout.” 

Okay. Maybe these meetings wouldn’t be so bad after all.  

[torturingpeople]

11 12 13 14 15!! rapid fire :3 for anyone you like (or. hm. whoever would like birthday cake flavored sweets the most)

i would say out of all of my characters edison is always the most afraid. he's currently in hiding basically fearing for what the rest of his life will become if wines ever finds him. i think his life has really been characterised by fear, from his parents instilling religious fear into him, to him being afraid of not being able to make ends meet, to his abandonment fear, to the present situation he's in

fear is an interesting thing to talk about regarding edison because he's like a frightened animal. everything he does is to protect himself through this perceived anxiety, through the idea that there is always something to be afraid of, whether that be the world, other people, or even himself

i want to go with a less obvious answer for this one and talk about marie because the health problems she has are more self inflicted

she actually has issues with memory because she is a "user" of irrigo in the same way she uses drugs or tonics to get high. it's a method of escapism as a result of never properly processing the trauma of her father's death. in lieu of this she struggles to remember things in the same way somebody with dementia might i.e. not exactly realising that she's forgetting so much or just wholly believing the event didn't happen at all

i would say edison is a naturally tearful person also but i think freya is a good contender for someone who cries. it's the first emotional reaction she was able to have when she first lost her soul and it's something that just seems so integral to how she reacts to sadness. it's like her instinct to just cry. plus she does definitely have hardships to cry about like her longing to be a mother not being met and being soulless and having been trapped in an abusive relationship for years

i already kind of answered this for marie in number 12 which is who i wanted to do this for originally and i've talked enough about edison so i think i will choose to talk about harper. because funny enough he is the only oc of mine that won't self destruct by coping /lh

i think the way he copes is reminiscing. he returns to the surface often and tends to his old home and takes affects and trinkets and tchotchkes and all of these little things that remind him of his old life. he likes to kind of live in this nostalgic haze especially when he's actively upset. when he's injured he sort of slips into this state automatically without realising and definitely goes to visit his old life in parabola often

to be honest i feel like i scarcely put my ocs in hurt/comfort scenarios specifically because they barely ever get comforted LOL but i think edison being forced to deal with his identity+abandonment issues is a common one... harper is usually coupled with atlas and tackling his grief and longing for his past... i can't think of many off the top of my head but they definitely do get hurt LEL