#now i gotta figure out rox ...

[nyaskitten]

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf...

[mako-ink]

I want to draw so terribly, but my body always feels like it’s breaking down….. guhhh….. cruel world……..

[cipheramnesia]

a story by @rox-and-prose and @cipheramnesia

Part 8: Vigil

"I am not prone to long speeches," Vanya Steyr had said, welcoming the incoming new hires to the G1 Major Treaty Enforcement Central orientation day. Maryam had thought they seemed very impressive, perhaps evem dangerous.

"You will learn all the information you need to start your jobs here. You will not learn one right way to do your jobs until you are in the middle of them." They had stood at the front of a sizable auditorium, and had not used any amplification. Maryam remembered even after the subsequent weeks of stultifying bureaucratic form memorization and procedural filing specific to Major Treaties, the departments, grades, fire safety, system safety, and so on.

Years of experience, climbing the ranks, passing pilot exams and system plotting. All of it each time seemed like the most information she could hope to retain, Vanya stuck with her. "When you are doing this work, at all levels," they said, "remember why we have major treaties. They are to protect us, earth and her civilization, wherever we may find ourselves. We protect ourselves from destroying ourselves, because it is our nature."

That was the most of Vany Steyr she had ever seen outside of the odd sysnet photo or short interview up until they took a personal interest in the Charybdis WMD case. Following Steyr's system jumps in the Marzanna, a ship that by what few specs she'd had the chance to glimpse was perhaps hundreds or thousands of times more dangerous than any WMD case she'd worked or reviewed, she worried over "it is our nature."

Maryam had always operated with the consideration that it was in the nature of everyone from earth civilization to protect themselves. This idea had given her comfort and guidance in her cases and the vast organized network of central bureaucracy. The scope of civilization, she sometimes pretended, was possible to see as one vastly extended process to keep its many inhabitants or societies safe. It drove fear and love and hate and hope and all those things.

She knew it was an oversimplification, but it gave her a place to start when she wasn't sure. The one possibility she'd never entertained until now was that Steyr had never meant it was in the nature of civilization to protect itself.

Trevor remained intensely focused in pulling the Lev Nitoburg off the map for the Marzanna's deep spacers. Maryam had no idea what was ever going on with the woman. Serah looked worried, maybe a little bit pale. It had been one thing to figure out Kan was spying for the boss, quite another to decide the boss was violating the most basic rule in civilation, while it happened right in front of their eyes.

Minutes ticked away between the system resolutions. Serah caught Maryam looking and gave a sick smile. She got up and went back to Serah, crouching by her chair. "Serah," she said.

"Hey," Serah said.

"There is no need worry so dearly," Maryam said. "This is the type of case we have all the time. It is nothing, a piece of cake."

"You're awful at lying."

"I am. But you have seen more of the Marzanna specifications than myself. Would you consider it falling within regulations? Would the Lev Nitoburg?"

"No... and... it's pushing it, toeing the letter of the treaty..."

"So it goes," Maryam said. "I only know I am of the belief that we owe it to our civilization to safeguard the treaty against WMD's, even if they are of our own invention."

"You're probably right." Serah looked at her screen. "Did you know that thing can project an artificial stellar gravity well?"

"I had some sense but I did not realize the extent of it."

"It could probably pull some planets apart. Maybe even destroy a sun, if you used it right." Serah's face was grim.

Maryam took one of Serah's hands in two of hers. Serah squeezed. "We are making the right choice." She squeezed back.

"We gotta be. Nothing but the right choice could ever feel this dumb."

[myloveforhergoeson]

are there any differences to roxy's characterization from when you first thought up of her vs now over one year on? excluding plot directed character growth (like her being more comfortable in her standing within the group vs earlier). is there anything particular that you wrote/made notes on in the earlier days where youre like that's not what she would say

what about other ocs like declan somerset and mag and dani? or even canon characters youve fleshed out more like camille, jo, dak zevon

hi!! yes yes yes there are so many things that have changed about her over the course of this story from when i conceptualized the idea, wrote it out, and began publishing it!

like you mentioned, rox becoming comfortable with the guys and her new friends has been the main thing, but aside from that she's now learning about good relationships, realizing that being with dak messed her up a bit and working through that

but enough about plot directed character growth! there were plenty of instances and scenes i had written in her early days (and even now lol) where i just had to completely chop conversations out and reword them because she used to be a lot more combative than she is now. less go with the btr flow and more... hey are we going to get fired?? but that's not fun at all - so she's mostly transformed to be an accomplice.

i'm not sure if this also counts, but outside of her writing she's not very good at processing her own feelings so there were a few instances in which other characters made her upset (camillle; james; dak) where i wrote out some scenes where she essentially exploded at them and reading it back it felt so so so wrong. she can hardly put to words her own feelings in conversation, so i changed those to scenes that i think fit her better

instead of blowing up at dak over his cheating she chose to distance herself from what was happening and end their "business relationship" before their real relationship (originally she threw a stapler at him. it was awesome. but she'd never really do that so i cut it out)

instead of screaming at camille for kissing the boy she likes, roxy stepped back and asked her why she had chosen to hurt logan, not why she'd kissed james (i stopped writing this one fully before it got ugly because it hurt me, but roxy had some choice words about breaking girl code)

instead of actually talking to james and working out their problems on tour, she's trying to figure out why he doesn't like her - if it was something she had done, not if there was anything she could say

so yeah. dubs for the emotionally stunted girls. damn maybe she should work on that idk

i haven't written dec or dani enough to have their original personalities shift from what i had originally imagined - declan is just a goofy teen dad trying to raise his daughter the best he can. while he's just trying to be there for her, sometimes he's gotta put the father foot down too! dani is just kind of catty and they typically follow mag's lead on things.

as for mag, i originally wrote a scene where rox bumped into him at the grocery store when they got kicked off rocque records. he was a lot meaner than i wanted him to be, so i just kicked the scene entirely. but you can read it here if you want! in my head he's a lot more of a nicer on the outside kinda guy, like in the Morning Glory chapter. what he says is sweet, but his words have bad undertones and he's very good at getting what he wants. more of this in the future~

i think i do pretty well at writing the canon characters in line with how they act in the show... except for james.... god. literally every time i write him i think im doing it wrong and it bothers me so much lmao. like yes he's silly he's goofy he always wants to make out with his girlfriend (not that she's complaining) but he simply would not be like. the perfect boyfriend. but this is my story and i want him to be so he is!!!!!!!!!!!! so yeah sometimes i'll write him and rox talking and just have to completely delete what he says because he's not that brilliant and make him say something stupid instead lol

so tl;dr! yes all the freaking time. all. the. time. but that's what makes writing fun! it's like a puzzle, placing everyone's distinct personalities together and putting them in situations to see how they'd react. i think all of them get along really well, even when they butt heads :) but sometimes whats in the drafts has gotta stay in the drafts

[kaittalkstoomuch]

🚨CHAPTER THIRTEEN IS LIVE! 🚨

Tw: mentions of longing for someone without realizing it. I try to write from experience what it’s like to not know you had a crush on your best friend until you come to realize who you are. Jason is also a little bitch.

‘86 // Chapter Thirteen: The Save

The afternoon of March 22nd, 1986

I pull up to Gareth’s place and my nerves are all over the place. “C’mon Rox. Obviously they know Eddie isn’t a murderer, snap out of it!” I tell myself as I grab my bag containing my essentials, including the walkie talkie. I get out of the van and make my way to Gareth’s garage. The guys are seemingly surprised to see me. “Hey guys.” I say nervously as I put my messy auburn waves behind my left ear. Gareth notices my anxiety while Jeff and Grant are just super happy to see me. “Hey, I’ll be right back. Roxie, do you want to grab a water or something?”

I start shaking a bit at the question. “I would, thank you.” I say as Gareth leads me to the inside of his home. We’re both in the kitchen and he just flat out asks, “beer or water?” “Beer.” I quickly reply. He hands me a bottle and I start drinking it. Gareth is deeply concerned, being the one I’m closest to out of the group. He can tell something is off. There’s a reason why we call him “Gareth the Great.” “Roxie, you know you can tell me anything right?” “Right.” “So, what’s going on? Is Eddie okay?” I stop drinking my beer at the question.

“Eddie’s okay… he’s innocent. He didn’t kill her.” Gareth’s eyebrows furrow and he nods with his two hands intertwined and his elbows on the table. “Is he really okay?” I blink a couple of times thinking about everything. “Yeah… he’s just very shaken up.” “How bad?” I hesitate telling him. I made an oath not to say anything, especially for Eddie’s sake. “Gareth, I can’t say.” “I swear to god I won’t say anything. Not even to Jeff and Grant. I’m extremely worried about Eddie. And you know I’m like your comrade.” “I know Gareth….” I consider it and sigh, taking another swig of my beer. “Fine. You have to be quiet about it. Nobody can know.” “Promise.”

“We gotta sit for this. It’s a lot.” I say as I grab my beer and we sit at the table like we’re talking over coffee. I take a deep breath before I start and settle my nerves. “Okay, you know how this shit town is ‘cursed’? That’s not entirely wrong. Do you remember the boy who went missing a couple years ago? Will Byers?” “Yeah.” He whisper as if he doesn’t want anyone to hear. “Well, a supernatural entity took him…. To another dimension… we call it the Upside Down. By ‘we’, I mean my brother, Mike, Lucas, Robin, and Nancy Wheeler. I should also mention Steve Harrington… and now, Eddie.”

Gareth takes this in like a champ. I knew he was more level headed than Jeff and Grant, but he’s taking me by surprise. “We found him… then a similar event happened a year later, which led to the murder of Bob Newby. That’s also when I found out about it. Keep in mind, you know I believe in shit like this. Starcourt Mall? Ran by Russians underground who opened a sealed gate to the Upside Down. It ultimately killed Billy Hargrove, and supposedly Chief Hopper.”

Gareth nods a bit more. “What’s going on this year? Since it seems to be a yearly thing.” He asks. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. What killed Chrissy… it definitely wasn’t Eddie… Chrissy was possessed by something. We call it ‘Vecna’. So, Steve, Max and Dustin are at the school trying to get answers about Chrissy. While Nancy and Robin are at the library to get dirt on Victor Creel.” “How was the reunion with Wheeler?” “So….. weird…. I can’t explain it dude, but it felt right with her being there. It reminded me of old times. I miss those times… I miss her.” “I still think you had a crush on her.” “Buckley says the same thing!” We both laugh. “Did you have a crush on her?”

I think about it. I mean, I did get extremely jealous anytime I’d see Harrington with her. But, that could be because she was my best friend and all she did was shut me out. She’d hardly ever talk to me unless it was advice for Stevie boy. I’d brush her off too. “I’m not sure what that was…. I mean, it could’ve been…. Truly. I mean, I’m so happy with Eddie. She seems content with Jonathan. We’re both extremely happy.” “Did you ever think about her sleeping? That sounds so creepy.” “That is creepy what the fuck Emerson?” “Sorry, I mean. Did you think of her constantly? Being in Steve’s place. There’s so much resentment towards her that I can see that.”

“I mean, she is cute, yes. I would protect her at all costs. Maybe even better than bozo Harrington and creep Byers….. oh hell.” “Bingo!” I bite my bottom lip for thinking of everything. “How’s Wayne?” It gets quiet for a moment as I take a huge swig of beer after just coming out. “We haven’t talked to Wayne, except for Nancy, who says he’s worried. Eddie’s terrified. Soon, the whole town could be after him. That’s why I offered to be the red herring trying to throw off everyone.”

As I say that, we hear commotion outside. “What the hell?” I ask as we look out the window and see Jason, his goons, and their pitchforks. “Fuck.” I say nervously looking at Gareth. I grab my bottle and finish the beer when I see Sinclair. “I have an idea, you may not like it.” I say. “What?” “Distract them while I get Lucas.” “Yes Dungeon Mistress.” He says as I laugh over the nickname. “It stuck.” “Of course, we’ve been calling you that for over a year.” We go outside where I remain semi hidden from the idiots. The moment Gareth and Jason face off, it’s my cue. I quickly jet to the van and Lucas and I make eye contact. Target acquired. “Come here.” I mouth and motion to him.

The scared little boy looks at his “friends” then back at me and jets to the van. I open the back inside and he jumps in quickly. We shut the door and I look out the window with binoculars. Nobody bats an eye. He climbs in the passenger seat and I climb in the driver seat. “Hey buddy. Having fun with your ‘buds’?” I start the van. “Roxie, what is going on?” “Eddie’s in trouble. Upside down trouble. He’s at the cabin. I’d like to ask you the same thing, Sinclair.” He sighs. “You don’t like them at all and you are far from being like them.” What’s going on?” I start my big sister speech.

“Rox, it’s a popularity thing. I’m so insecure. When I’m with them, I feel powerful, like I’m the coolest person in the world. With DND… I don’t know.” “You think it’s uncool?” I blink a couple times catching his stench of being hungover and I start to ask. “Can I be honest?” “Yes. You always are.” I chuckle at the boy. “DND is really freaking cool. It’s awesome. It shows creativity. Everytime I watch you guys play, it brings so much joy! You love basketball? Awesome. Congrats on your big win last night. Robin wouldn’t stop raving about it.” Also, you’re insecure of what? Jason Carver and the Idiots? Fuck them. They don’t matter. You’re only just a freshman. High school is fucking terrifying. Don’t get into the wrong crowd. I mean, getting wasted one night and extremely hungover the next morning with those jerks sound fun to you? Or spending time with your best friends playing a silly little fantasy game better? Let’s not forget Max.”

His smile beams once I mention Max. “Look at that smile.” I compliment him. “Thank you Roxie.” “Of course, that’s what I’m here for.” We hug and hear more commotion. I break away from the hug and look out the rearview mirror. Carver just punched Gareth in the face and the guys try to help. “Hang on to something.” I tell Lucas angrily as I put the van into gear, revving up the engine. I make damn sure Jason stops and stares for a second, maybe to catch a glimpse of me.

I look in the rearview mirror and I make eye contact with him. I give him the finger before driving off. Lucas is highly impressed. “Wow Rox. Thank you for taking me away from them.” “Of course. It’s what big sisters do…. I was so tempted to run him over. He’s such an asshole… do you want to meet Steve, Max, and Dustin at the school or go back to the cabin?” “School, I need to see Max. Make sure she’s okay.” I smile at the thought as I jet off.

[theodorevg923]

Whoa whoa, a couple days to a week?! Growing inches taller and sprouting fur and feathers and scales?! That sounds actually very dangerous… Has anyone died before they fully transformed? Is it a possibility? Poor Monty mentioned a hospital stay, but is that normal for those who are bitten?

Monty: Nah, nawt really. Ah was in the hospital 'cause I was a kid, 'n bit by a feral. Ah still don't remember much 'bout mine, trauma or somethin', but ah do remember mah arm was broken when the feral bit mah arm. After it was healed, so ah don't know.

Bonnie: It can vary, it does for every bite so getting a precise answer is hard to compile. But the basis is that it can sometimes take up to an hour for the full transformation. As for anyone dying, yes it has happened. If an injury made by a feral, a were that has lost all humanity and is nothing but an animal, the transformation can't heal it fast enough and they die from the injury, not the bite.

Theo: My situation was similar to what Bon said, I nearly died from an injury, would have if he hadn't bitten me. Well more like chewed my arm off, but it was the only way I could survive from the amount of blood I lost. I don't remember much about my transformation from the pain, just being on the main stage hearing someone screaming to waking up in the hospital, short an arm an' gained a fluffy tail.

Freddy: I apologize again, cub. I-

Theo: Fred, quit it, or I'll tell John ya were apologizing again. The accident wasn't ya fault. Ya one bear up against this massive place, ya do a wonderful job keeping us safe as best ya can.

Monty: Besides, ya gotta keep Rox on a short leash which can't be easy.

Theo: Monty too.

Monty: Ah ain't a kit nomore!

Bonnie: You always will be to me, seeing as you can't beat me in a sparring match.

Spike: Be nice Bonnie, you too husky.

Theo: Can't help it, been around a jerk too long.

Freddy: I'm going to take my leave-

Bonnie: Now Fred's outnumbered and running away.

Spike: Yep, as we will be. Come along Monty.

Bonnie: Such a submissive alligator.

Theo: Definitely can't blame him, that panther gets scarier than ya when mad.

Bonnie: Even after all these years, I still can't figure out what she is, she's not a black jaguar.

Theo: I... either way, want to raid Chica's cafe for food?

Bonnie: Always, little clover.

[heavenunderthemoon]

Okay I ADORE your writing oh my gosh!!!!

I was wondering if you’d ever write something about Luke Alvez having a crush on the reader and her being shocked because she’s quite dorky and bookish and didn’t think she was his type and he’s just smitten? Maybe they talk about dogs at some point too? Have a lovely day!!!

Ahhh!!! Omg thank you🥺 and yay!! I love requests!! Honestly I’ll take requests for anyone:) anyways, hope you enjoy love💛

“Roxy! Roxy, no!”

You barely had time to let your eyes lift from the page you were reading before you found yourself being tackled, your body hitting the soft grass beside the old, rickety bench. Your book clattered to the ground, the page being lost, though it hardly mattered as you remembered where you had left off. Besides, you had already read the book before, re-reading purely because you needed comfort from the last one you had read (the ending had you in tears and you had grabbed another book at random just to stop the pangs in your heart).

“Oh my god, are you okay?” The sun was blocked out by a figure looming over you, and you barely looked up, still too focused on the large dog lying on your chest. Her mouth was open, tongue lolling out to the side making her look a bit cartoonish and your giggles made her tail wag furiously. Your hands went to scratch behind her ears, pushing yourself up as best you could with her weight.

“Here, let me help. C’mon, Rox, let her breathe.” The figure spoke again and this time you actually did look up and almost immediately you felt your cheeks reddening, ears following suit soon after. The guy was hot. Like, tigh t-shirt drenched in sweat, earbuds hanging out of his ears, freckled nose dripping with perspiration kind of hot. You looked away, trying to contain the squeak that threatened to escape your lips.

“Are you okay?” He was speaking again, having contained the dog who now sat dutifully beside the man, her head tilting at you with that wolfish grin. His eyes were tainted with concern, but you didn’t quite miss the way they also seemed to trail up your body. It was a hot, summer day and you had opted for an outfit that wouldn’t leave you absolutely soaked while you read and due to this a good majority of your body was exposed. It had seemed like a good idea at the time but now you flushed, pushing yourself off the ground, dusting yourself off.

“Wha-oh, yeah, I’m-I’m fine.” Your eyes shyly met his and he smiled widely.

“She gets a little too excited sometimes.” His head tilted toward the German shepherd and you let out a tiny breath. You loved dogs, growing up with them had made you quite comfortable around them and though you had just been tackled you didn’t feel afraid or uneasy. She hadn’t meant any harm.

You shrugged, an easy smile gracing your lips when you looked at her. “Oh no, she’s fine- someone’s gotta give her a heisman, she’s good.” Your mouth moved faster than your brain (it always did) and you screwed them shut in embarrassment. But, to your surprise, the man barked out a laugh. You smiled at the sound, and any tension around the two of you was gone. His lips settled into a smile, eyes flickering back to the groun before he was moving, bending down to grab the book that laid forgotten on the floor.

The bookworm in you scolded yourself for forgetting it so easily but when you looked back at the man you realized you couldn’t really blame yourself. “Oliver Twist?” He scanned the title, handing it over to you.

You took the book with a nod, quirking a brow. “Yeah, re-reading it. Have you read it before?” You asked curiously.

Luke wished he could say yes. He wanted to say yes because the look on your face, hopeful and enthused, meant that you wanted him to say yes but he had never been the book-ish type. But he could be. He could be if it meant he got to talk to you.

“No, I haven’t.” He said a bit bashfully and to his surprise you didn’t recoil at the response, nodding thoughtfully.

“That’s alright, it’s not everybody’s style for sure. Personally, I think the story gets a bad rep. A lot of people think the story’s a sad one, I mean, he had such a hard life and he was just a kid but, I like that, in the end, he ended up finding a little piece of happiness, no matter how long it took.” You rambled, before closing your mouth once more, raising your hand to your lips. “Sorry, totally spoiled it for you.”

He chuckled, and it made you giggle as well.

“I’m Luke, by the way.” He extended a hand and you grabbed onto it, your tiny palm fitting into his with ease.

“Y/N.” You settled with a nod, and his lips quirked up at the corners.

Y/N. It fit you, he decided silently.

“Well, Y/N, I hope I’m not being too forward, but I’d really love to see you again sometime. Preferably when I’m not really sweaty and when my dog didn’t just run you over.”

You chirped out a laugh, your stomach twisting. You never went on dates, the last time you had was a bit of a disaster but the prospect of seeing Luke again made you feel lightheaded and you were speaking before you could overthink your answer.

“Yes, I’d love that too- I mean, the date, I don’t really care that your sweaty, actually I think you look great sweaty-“ You blushed, trying to stop the word vomit but it kept coming. “Wait, that sounded weird. I mean that you don’t look really gross or bad sweaty, not that I have some weird, like, fetish for sweaty people.” You tried to clarify and somehow you thought it sounded worse. You scrunched your nose.

“I should really get one of those debate bells to tell me when to stop talking.” You shook your head, clutching the book a bit tighter.

Luke’s eyes scrunched at the corners because damn could he listen to you talk all day. “No, no, it’s nice.” He reassured and then immediately wanted to slap himself because nice? What weirdo says ‘nice’!?

You brightened. “Well, alright. It’s a date, here, let me give you my number.” You turned, going to rummage in your bag- when was the last time you cleaned it out!?- finding your journal and ripping out a blank page, scribbling the numbers across.

He took it enthusiastically, pocketing the paper before glancing back to Roxy. “Well, I should get going, she’s starting to get a bit antsy. But I’ll call you and we’ll hash out a day.” He clipped the leash onto her collar, looking to you for confirmation that made you nod.

“Sounds good.”

You watched him walk away, head turning to glance back a few times before they emabarked on their run once more, leaving you with your bag in hand, book shoved into it haphazardly.

You stayed standing for a moment before bringing a palm to your forehead.

“Sweat fetish!?” You chided yourself.

[crazyk-imagine]

Chapter I: Where Do You Go?

Pairing(s): Liam Dunbar/ Hayden Romero

Characters: Roxanne Fredrickson (OC), Stiles Stilinski, Scott McCall, Lydia Martin, Malia Tate (Hale), Liam Dunbar, Hayden Romero, Mason Hewitt, Jason James (OC - “Uncle”), Isaac Lahey, Derek Hale, Janice (ticket agent), Noah Stilinski

Warnings: Memory wipe, being forgotten, ghost riders, cursing (nothing too harsh)

Word Count: 3,467

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

S6 EP01

Stiles runs down one of the various school hallways on the ground floor, still searching for someone anyone from the pack. 

He’s out of breath. ‘She was right.’ 

He turns the corner to find Mason, Liam, and Hayden talking amongst themselves. "Mason, Mason, hey, where's Liam? Liam? Okay, there you go. Liam, Hayden, perfect. You two, you two have to listen to me right now. Alex is gone, just like his parents, okay? The ghost riders took him, so you guys, you can't be alone. You got to stick with Scott, Rox, or with me because I can see them.” He sees the way they weird look they’re giving him. “Why the hell are you lookin' at me like that?" 

Hayden leans closer to her boyfriend, “do we even know him?” 

“I don’t even know if he goes here,” Liam replies. 

"Do you go to this school? What's your name?" Mason asks the older teen. 

The three stand there, staring at the older boy before them, concerned about him. 

It should bring Stiles a sense of comfort at the fact that they still seem to care about him but instead, it fills him with a sense of dread. 

His mind is running at a million miles an hour. 

-

He zones out, thinking about the photo situation. 

"You haven't signed up for your own photo yet?" Malia asks. 

"Yes, I did." 

"It's blank." 

Roxanne walks up to him, looking at the now blank paper. “I thought you already filled it out.” 

“I did,” he mumbles. 

-

Then jersey situation comes to mind. 

"Excuse me, that's my Jersey, where'd you get that?" 

"Coach gave it to me at practice." 

-

Roxanne runs down, yet another hallway. “Come on,” she groans. “What school needs this many hallways?” 

She freezes, talking a step back to see a non-human person on a horse. “Cowboy hat, check. Lasso, check. Horse, check. Old Western clothes, check. Looking up at me, yep. Dammit!” 

She runs down the hallway, searching for her one human friend. “Stiles! Stiles!” She jumps down the small staircase, squatting before standing up. 

“Where’s your scrawny, sarcastic ass when I need you?” She mutters to herself. 

-

Stiles begins to slowly piece it together; he understands what the Wild Hunt does. 

He has to see his dad before things get worse. 

He pushes past the young teens, jogging towards his dad. 

Noah stops Stiles from running into him.  "Son, you, okay?" 

"Oh, thank god. Thank god. Okay. Everyone's forgetting. Everyone is forgetting everything..." 

"Okay, okay, slow down, slow down. We'll figure this out together. Okay. Now, why don't you tell me your name?" 

Stiles is heartbroken. He moves away from his dad. 

It’s like he’s looking at the completed puzzle now, it all makes sense; you see a ghost rider, you’re erased, it’s as simple as that. It explains why the deputies forgot who Alex was when Stiles asked. 

He’s gotta call someone and pray he can stop things from getting worse. 

Stiles pulls out his phone to call his best friend, partner in crime, brother who’s a part of the supernatural world… "Scott?” 

“Hey.” 

“Scott, where are you? Where are you right now?" The human stutters. 

"Who's this?" 

His withdraws his phone from his ear, hanging up. His heart breaks again. 

-

He thinks back to the incident at the sheriff’s station. 

"Alex. The kid from the car wreck? The kid whose parents went missing last night?” Stiles says. 

“Who's Alex?” The female deputy asks. 

-

“Horses. He saw them. He saw the wild hunt," Lydia tells Malia. 

"Who's stiles?" The werecoyote asks. 

-

"It's me. I'm next," Stiles whispers to himself. 

-

"Stiles! Stiles!" A female voice echoes throughout the hallway. Her heavy footsteps giving away how close she is. "Stiles! Dammit! There is no way you could have left without me knowing. Stiles, I swear to god, I’m gonna hang you by your scrawny ass.”

Roxanne’s back faces him, he runs towards her, turning her around. “Rox. It’s me. I’m next.”

“What does that mean? What do these ugly things do?”

He furrows his brows, “what are you- you saw them didn’t you.” He groans, “you were supposed to find the pack.”

“Are we seriously arguing over this?”

“No, we gotta get out of here.” He tugs on her hand.

She pulls her hand out of his grip, “no, I can fight. You can’t. Try to run and get out of here.”

He shakes his head, “no, I’m leaving you here.”

“Stiles, I’m loving the protective friend slash older brother persona, but we can’t do this. You need to go. I’ll be fine, I’ve survived this long, right?” She chuckles.

Stiles lunges at her, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

She loses her breath, letting out an ‘oof’. She pats his back, pushing him away from her. “There is a time and place for hugging. This,” she gestures to the two of them, “is not it.” She shakes her head.

“I don’t like this.”

“Neither do I.”

A horse neighing in the distance diverts her attention away from him.

“They’re here, aren’t they?”

“Do you want me to lie?”

“Would it comfort me?”

“No.” Roxanne places her hands on his lower back and shoulder, pushing him forward. “Time to move.”

He bends backwards, taking slow steps. "Why should I? I mean you said yourself they’re coming. So, it probably doesn’t matter where we go, they’ll find us. What’s the point in trying? We’re screwed."

“I’m going to throw you in your jeep, drive to the town line, and kick you out leaving you to fend for yourself.”

“There’s that Hale attitude.”

“Stiles.” She shoves him.

He throws his arms out to try and catch himself; he fails, falling onto the ground. He rolls over to look up at her. He groans out, “what was that for?”

“We’re both going to be forgotten.”

“Pretty sure I made that clear but you shoving me onto the ground isn’t,” he whines.

“You’re ‘we’re helpless’ attitude isn’t helping. Now, you’re gonna get off your scrawny little ass and run out those doors, start your baby Roscoe and get the hell out of dodge. Got it?”

-

“She brought this on herself. She didn’t answer my- hey, Roxy! You’re not answering your phone so, I’m buying a ticket. I’m coming back and we’re talking.” Isaac hangs up the phone, shoving it into his jacket pocket.

“Hello, Sir. One ticket to California?” The ticket agent, Janice asks.

“Yes, thank you.”

“It’s no problem, sir. Here you are. You have a good flight.”

He smiles, “thank you.”

-

Roxanne turns her head, listening to the footsteps of the strawberry blonde and her voice as she calls out for the human on the ground. “Hey!”

Stiles tiredly glances up at her, leaning on his elbows.

“Get up. Lydia is out there calling for you.”

“So?” He pushes himself up.

“She’ll be the last person to remember you.”

“How does that help us?”

“She can help you. You find her, she’ll do everything she can to remember you. You two have a strong connection so that’s gotta mean something and I have a gut feeling that it does.” She grabs his shoulders, making him face her. “You can do this. You,” she pokes his chest. “Are Mieczyslaw Stilinski, if anyone is going to make it out of the Wild Hunt with no wounds, it’s you.”

“I can’t leave you here.”

“You can and you will.”

“I can’t do this without you.”

“You are the smartest person I know, and that’s saying a lot. You always know how to get us out of trouble, you’ll be able to get yourself out of this mess, alright?”

“What am I gonna do without my backup?” He sniffs.

“This isn’t a permanent thing. We’ll find each other again soon besides, who am I to back down from a fight?” She smirks, to hide her fear and prevent her lip from quivering any further. “She’s looking for you. Go.”

He turns around, looking over his shoulder as he turns the corner, “I promise, I’m not gonna forget you!”

“Focus on protecting yourself!”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbles to himself.

“Don’t be.”

-

Stiles hands land on the door handle when he hears another familiar voice. He slams the door open, running out to find the strawberry blonde.

"Stiles!"

"Lydia? You know me. Oh, thank god. You do know me."

"I know you. But I think everybody else is forgetting."

The faint sound of a lightning cracking outside continues to get closer.

He grabs Lydia's wrist, pulling her out the door with him. He turns to find a ghost rider waiting for him. "Hey, do you see him?" Stiles releases Lydia's wrist, pointing at the ghost rider.

"See what?"

"The guy on the horse."

"Stiles, if you can see them, they're gonna..."

"No, I know, I know. Okay. They're comin' for me. So, you should get away from me right now, okay?"

No one knows where those who are taken go, he wasn’t about to let them see her and get taken alongside him and Roxanne.

"I'm not leaving you!"

"All right, come on, come on! This way, this way, come on. Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Okay, this way. Keep going."

More ghost riders join the few he saw before.

"Where are they?"

"They're everywhere."

"Come on, come on, come on! Lydia, don't look at them, okay? Don't try to scream. They'll take you, too. Just do not look at them. I won't. I won't."

The two run, taking cover in Stiles’ baby, Roscoe.

He hesitates to start his jeep, he’s thinking about Lydia and everyone else’s safety, thinking back to what Roxanne told him, “If anyone is going to make it out of the Wild Hunt with no wounds, it’s you.”

He removes his hand from the steering wheel, taking his key out of the ignition.

"What are you doing? We need to go!"

He knows his time’s up, it’s too late for anyone to try and do anything. It’s too late to help him.

"There's no time. Lydia, I'm going to be erased, okay? Just like Alex. You're gonna forget me and you're gonna forget Rox."

"I won't. No, I won't. I won't. I won't forget either of you." Lydia doesn’t want to believe it; she refuses to believe that she’s going to forget him... she doesn’t want to forget the boy she loves.

"Lydia, you will. Just try to find some way to remember me, okay? Remember how you were the first girl I ever danced with? Or how I had a crush on you freshman year. Sophomore year? Junior year? Remember how you saved my life? You saved my life too. Just remember... Remember I love you."

The ghost rider rips the door open, taking Stiles away from Lydia, removing him from everyone’s memory except for Roxanne who was moments away from enduring the same fate as her friend.

There is hardly a shred of evidence to show that he’s a real person and not a figment of anyone’s imagination.

The only piece of evidence that’s left behind to remind the pack of Stiles and who he is... is Rosco, his jeep.

-

She punches one of the locker doors, "dammit!” She pants, her chest rising with every breath.

“Stiles… Scott. Scott. I need to call Scott," she checks her jacket pockets before checking his pants pockets.

She pulls out her phone, “ah ha!” She opens the call log, clicking on Scott’s name. "Scott. Scott. We know, what’s happening- I know, what's happening? The Wild Hint erases people from reality and our memories. Stiles was just erased."

"What're you talking about? What's a Stiles?"

“Listen, these things take people, okay?”

“Who?”

“The new trouble that’s in Beacon Hills. This group of supernatural cowboys takes whoever sees them- maybe eventually everyone.”

“How do you know this?”

“I can’t say.”

“Have you seen them?”

“A part of me wants to lie but, I won’t. I have and soon, I’ll be gone too.”

“Where are you?” Scott runs down the stairs in his house.

“I’m at Beacon Hills High but there’s no use in trying to protect me. I’m screwed.”

He swings his front door open. “No, listen I’m on my way. If you see one, any of these things, run. I’m coming as fast as I can, alright.”

Lightning cracking outside the school doors sends a shiver down both of their spines.

“They’re here.”

“Run.” Scott drives through the neighborhood passing a familiar car. He passes by Jason in a flash.

The human can’t even comprehend what or who went by.

-

“Run out the doors to the front of the school. I’m almost there.”

“It’s too late. I can hear them getting closer.”

“Rox,” Scott bursts through the school doors.

She runs toward the end of the hallway, “I told you to stay away.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I figured you understood that was implied.”

He rolls his eyes, grabbing her wrist. “Come on.”

“No, Scott. Stop.” She stands in front of him, stopping him from moving any further. “I got this. You need to go and find the others, make sure they’re safe.”

“I can’t leave you here to fend off the-”

“Wild Hunt. Yes, you can. I got this. I’m not going down so easily.”

“I know you won’t but I’m not going to risk you being taken. I don’t want to lose anyone else.”

Roxanne sighs thinking about Allison, Aiden, and everyone else who’s left or died. “I get that. I do but, you have your pack to think about. You have people relying on you to protect them and those people need you more than me. I can do this on my own.”

“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to. I’m getting you out of here and taking you somewhere safe.”

“It doesn’t matter where I go or where I try to hide those things will find me. Stiles tried to leave but he got caught and taken. I heard it, Scott! I’m going away and there’s nothing any of us can do!” She shouts, her vision blurry as tears pool in her waterline.

Scott purses his lips, “where are they?”

“Surrounding us.”

“Do you think-”

“Running won’t do anything for me. If you walk out those doors, you won’t see it, okay?” She sadly chuckles.

“I’m staying.”

“Don’t be stupid.”

“How can I? I’m with you.”

“You’re not helping.”

The wind blows leaves into the hallway, lightning cracks in the sky and in the hallway.

She gulps when she sees it. Her shoulders tense up.  She steps in front of the true alpha, holding her arm out in front of him, “It’s my turn to tell you to run. Don’t look back and run.”

“How many are there?”

“I’m not telling you. Turn around and walk away.”

“I’m staying.”

She grits her teeth, “you stubborn son of a-” leaning forward, she kicks her leg back, successfully pushing him back. He lands on his back, gasping for air.

A whip cracking against the floor makes her roll her head, cracking his neck along the way. “You aren’t taking me down without a fight.”

-

Isaac puts the phone to his ear for the last time before boarding the plane. “I’m going to be on the plane in less than ten minutes, I’ll be in Beacon Hills before you know it. We’re talking when I get back-”

He’s lost his train of thought.

He furrows his brows, hanging up, he puts his phone back in his pocket. “Are you boarding the plane, sir?”

The werewolf looks up, smiling at the ticket agent from before. “Yeah, sorry. I forgot what I was doing.”

Janet chuckles, “that’s quite alright, I go through the same thing all the time.”

He weakly chuckles at her comment before walking past her. He sits in his assigned seat, adjusting himself so he’s comfortable.

He removes the scarf from his neck, setting it on his lap.

He knows someone gave it to him as a gift a few years ago but he draws a blank. He can’t remember who.

He turns out the window trying to remember why he’s returning to Beacon Hills but, doesn’t have an answer.

-

Another rider walks a few feet ahead of her with a gun in its hand.

She roars, her eyes shift into a ruby red. She turns back to see her friend, ally, and brother begin to push himself off the ground. “Make sure Beacon Hills is still standing when we come back.”

He struggles to get off the floor, wrapping an arm around his torso. He can feel the pain subside a little, but a bruise will for sure be there tomorrow. “Stop,” he whispers.

“Don’t forget us.” Roxanne stands there, letting the riders come to her.

She raises her arms, readying herself. Once they're close enough, she lets out a scream mixed with an alpha roar.

-

“Hey, I got the-” Jason sets the groceries on the counter. He furrows his brows, “who was I-”

The fire alarm goes off and he looks to see smoke coming from the oven. “Shit!”

He pulls the oven door down, wafting the smoke away as he coughs. He grabs the oven mitt off the counter and pulls out the two cookie sheets, setting them on the counter on top of two towels.

He runs around the house, opening a few windows, and the back door. “When did I put cookies in the oven? Why did I leave with cookies in the oven is a better question?”

He pulls out his phone, checking his most recent calls to see ‘Roxy’; he clicks on the number, only to get a recorded message, “this number is no longer in service”.

Jason furrows his brows, “who the hell is this Roxy chick?”

He pulls the phone away from his ear, hanging up. He looks at the familiar number, but no one comes to mind.

It was like something was clawing at the back of his mind trying to break free but was essentially blocked.

Jason begins putting the groceries away. He pulls out the chocolate chips, furrowing his brows. “Someone asked me to get them but who?”

He tosses them off to the side before making dinner and sometime later, going upstairs to get ready for bed.

He stops in front of the now bordered up room, placing a hand on the wall. He stares at the pictures on the “wall”.

Something isn’t right, there’s something wrong with the wall, but… he can’t put his finger on it.

-

She’s gone.

Nothing left behind for anyone to find.

Like her friend, no one will know she was real.

Something the others from the McCall pack and allies have yet to find out is that there’s one person who remembers both people but, it’s someone they’d rather not talk to or… bring back.

The one thing left behind for them to find isn’t anywhere for them to find, is on the hand of an “evil, power seeking” chimera… who’s stuck in the ground with his dead sister.

A ring, a simple, plain band but it means too much to Roxanne and she doesn’t care if it’s a ring you could find at any store. It has far more value to her than anyone else realizes.

-

“Scott?” Liam asks. He and Mason lift the older teen off the ground. “What were you doing on the ground?”

“I- uh- I don’t know.”

“Are you okay?” Hayden and Mason ask.

“Whose footprint is that?”

“What?” Scott looks down to see what Liam noticed.

“I don’t know.”

Hayden observes the way the alpha is holding his torso. “Why does it look like you’re not healing?”

Before Scott could say anything, Liam chimes in, “do you have any idea what happened to you?”

“It was obviously another supernatural being but what and who,” Mason says.

-

'Remember... Remember... remember...'

"You, okay?" Malia asks Lydia, concerned about the strawberry blonde, sensing something off with her since she’s zoning out.

"I have this feeling that I was supposed to do something." Lydia replies with a dazed expression.

"Do what?"

"I can't remember." She knows there’s something she was meant to do, maybe meet someone, she can’t remember.

“Maybe it was picking me up.”

The banshee furrows her brows, looking at Malia. “What are you talking about? I don’t pick you up in the morning that’s,” she stops, her brows knit together as she tries to figure out who was supposed to pick her up.

“If you weren’t supposed to pick me up then who was?”

“I don’t know.”

-

No one from the McCall pack nor do the residents of Beacon Hills remember what happened the night before. And none of them were prepared for what goes down throughout the next few months.

-

Previously:  Prologue // Continue to: Chapter II

-

Taglist: @xcharlottemikaelsonx​ 

[drake-the-incubus]

This is a gift for @striderhell from the Homestuck Secret Santa 2020 (@homestuckss). I was aiming for 3000 words but uh, Dirk as a muse didn’t want to continue exploring the concept of gender given his rigid but philosophical nature.

I hope this was good, and if not just gimme a shout and I’ll try and come up with something better. 

Word Count: 1521 Fandom: Homestuck Characters: Dirk Strider, Roxy Lalonde Relationships: Dirk Strider & Roxy Lalonde (Platonic/Friends)

Additional Notes: Roxy uses He/Him and They/Them, I’ve never finished the epilogues but I love NB Rox. Dirk uses no pronouns in this, as I wanted to try that out. 

Please enjoy Dirk exploring his gender. 

Sometimes in an effort to define ourselves, we feel trapped to conform to some rigid aspect or label in hopes to reach an understanding of who we are. At times this process can be frustrating and dissatisfying. Other people take weeks or days, and some of them take years or never figure it out. 

Perhaps gender, as a construct, can’t be fully understood, but we can understand ourselves as people without it. The tale before you, is only a short of someone who wishes to take a journey many end up doing, and most have never encountered.

Dirk was sitting in a cafe on Earth-C, sipping on a coffee in between tinkering with another pair of shades. The goal was updating and adding a better set of graphics, hoping to add some additional features to make things easier.

It had been a while since the Prince of Heart had seen the rest of the gods. Jake would visit once in a while, and they would have a friendly spar or talk. Roxy would message once in a while, letting Dirk know any spicy news about the rest.

Dave would randomly show up, they would stare each other down before both Striders would give a thumbs up and go their separate ways.

Rose would often come by, trading witty banter and wisdom. Both of them struggled with the massive impact of their god tiers and would often talk about it to one another.

Today though, Dirk decided a change of area would suit this project best, specifically needing to leave the workshop and enjoy some caffeine. Recently a problem developed that would continue to nag at the Prince even through the night. Lack of sleep was the reason why Dirk had picked a coffee shop. It made the most sense.

Gender did not.

Dirk had been going through a lot lately, and when Roxy had come out as trans, it had been taken pretty well by most of them. Not that it would be different if Dirk came out either, but rather that would take knowing what was going on.

This was a laughable moment, since they all had beaten the game, made it out and enjoyed their own little home in the midst of nothing. Creating entire worlds and civilizations with the help of their space and time players, but Dirk was sitting there, in a cafe, trying to figure out what gender even was and how it related to the god’s own identity.

Pronouns were hard, but so was even figuring this shit out. Making a copy of your brain at thirteen was much easier than figuring out if you’re cis or not, and Dirk didn’t know.

The more it was thought about, the more the thought cropped up, what if it turned out the being Cis wasn’t the result. Dirk was absolutely sure about not being a chick, nothing really appealed about that, but then again there was a very similar feeling over the current gender.

Man, agender or woman. Those were the categories that presented themselves currently. Working harder to connect the shades to the newly built chip, Dirk jolted when suddenly Roxy sat down across the table.

“I called out to you, but you didn’t answer.” He said leaning over and looking over the project. “I was wondering what made you change location, you’re pretty adamant to work in your workshop Dirkie.”

“I needed to think, which I was doing when you were calling out to me. Thinking so hard about creating a new line of orange pop with more caffeine than this cup of coffee that the world died out and I was left to only the one set of thoughts for once.”

He raised an eyebrow at that, and crossed his arms. “Really now? You think that I can’t tell something bigger is going on in that Strider head of yours? You’ve come up with projects while having a philosophical discussion with Rose and texting Dave a rap battle. You’re the king of multi-tasking, which also means your attention is usually divided more, and you’re attempting to put a wire on the wrong side of that.”

Dirk frowned and sighed, putting the project down. “Well, I can’t get nothing past you I suppose. I guess one thing that’s on my mind is how much I miss AR, since he was a good source of introspection, then again I have no idea if that would have helped in the first place.” Tapping fingers filled the space between them as the Prince looked outside at the billions of humans and trolls walking over the streets.

“I’ve been contemplating what gender is and how I relate to it since you came out as nonbinary. It’s been making me think about what is my gender, and I’ve come to the conclusion none of them really fit, but that’s also something to worry about since that means I don’t relate to any of the options-“

“Before you go on a long tangent, I want to ask, what are the options?” He interrupted Dirk while cocking his head.

“Agender, man and woman.” Dirk said bluntly, staring at Roxy. The laughter that resulted made the god tip the iconic shades down to stare at Roxy with deadpan orange eyes.

“I get greeted by your eye colour, score! But no, you got it all wrong, gender isn’t rigid categories, it’s a spectrum. You can’t define it by strict labels and there’s too many to count. So you don’t fit in three, there’s millions of genders. Some might not have a word for it right now. I’m nonbinary, but that’s because I’m not a man or a woman completely, I’m somewhere in the middle, closer to a man if I were to describe it as like, a sliding scale. So don’t be in a hurry, and don’t worry if you don’t figure it out.”

“I need to. Not knowing makes things difficult. I know it might be unhealthy to obsess over, but ever since I made Auto Responder, I had the need to understand myself fully and everything about myself.” With an elbow on the table, Dirk took a hand and raked it through the mess of hair. Having done so more than a hundred times earlier, the Prince was sure it was a complete and utter mess at this point, and would need to be taken care of at home.

“Well, I have a list of some of the other more known ones, maybe one of them check out for you?” He offered a tablet.

Dirk took it, and looked over the list of options and each description of it, mumbling under breath before placing the tablet back down with a definite, “I’m going to use Genderless for now and see what happens.” It looked interesting, the excerpt specifically outlined not having a gender at all due to neurodivergence, rather than lacking a gender or having no gender, different from agender. It didn’t feel much different from everything else, but nothing did. Having several of the entries be defined by one’s neurodivergence was weird, but the more thought placed into the concept, the more it felt real to Dirk. Rather it meant that the Prince would have to take Rose up on her offer to get a fully evaluation soon, even if both of them came to the conclusion Dirk was probably neurodivergent and that it wasn’t impactful with how the god had lived life before the game. 

“Are there any pronouns I should use for you?”

Pursing lips, Dirk gave a shake of the head. “None preferably. I think I need more time to actually think everything over. I have no positive or negative feelings for anything on there, and so I’m debating on if I’m everything or not. I can figure out how to make an exact replica of my own brain as a teenager, create robots, plot out the exact way I can kiss Jake and even save everyone's lives getting into the game. I’ve designed complex interactions to lead to the outcome I desire, and I can’t even pick a gender. This is quite frankly, ridiculous.”

“You don’t gotta. Dirk, it’s not about just picking a gender, it’s about figuring out a big part of yourself, and something most people don’t do for yours. You figured out you’re gay, now you’re figuring out what else you could be.” He placed a hand on Dirk’s and gave him a smile. “Whatever your result, I’m here for you. Even if you later think you’re a Cis man I’ll still be here for you. We might be siblings but we were friends first and that matters the most to me.”

Dirk gave a snort. “This is so fucking corny, but thanks Rox. I appreciate the love and support. Maybe I can treat you to another coffee since I feel like if I don’t buy one soon I’m going to be kicked out for making a mess of a window table.” Motioning towards the table, and standing up, the god stretched out. “What are you in the mood for?”

“Caramel Macchiato please.”

“Gotcha.”

[mystery-salad]

Reposting this since legit somehow Zero of the tags or bolding carried through holy shit

30 questions: GW2 edition I was tagged by @where-is-caithe and @just-eyris-things

This can be done in many different ways: get asks by your followers, pick some questions for yourself, answer the whole damn thing at once, etc! You can draw, write (to explain in details or not) or just post screenshots! If you miss one it’s totally okay, whether it’s by lack of answer or time. Have fun!

1. Favorite living world season?

As much as some of the fights feel really badly balanced, I enjoy LS2 for the close knit new family feel. The whole little group is still figuring their dynamics out and finding their independence, and it’s a real good found family sorta feel as you Go Through A Lot.

2. Favorite expansion?

Heart of Thorns holds a special place in my heart (lol) just for being the first new story since I’d started playing. It’s got many flaws looking back, but nothing has actually hit me harder since. Maybe because anet overuses the punch of tragedy and death an I’m numb to their attempt to low blow us after several years *shrugs*

3. Favorite soundtrack?

The music in Caledon forest was my first step into gw2, and it will forever hold the top spot for me, alongside the original character select screen music.

4. First profession you played?

Ranger! Still one of my absolute favorites.

5. First race you played?

Sylvari, go figure

6. Favorite Destiny’s Edge character?

It’s a tough choice for me! Eir and Caithe rank highest though due to their unconventional character arcs for women. They’ve both got a lot of nuance and challenges and I respect that.

7. Favorite Dragon’s Watch character?

Again gotta pick two, Braham and Rox have a unique feel too and are amazing foils to each other’s characters. I’d like to see more of them together again.

8. Favorite Elder Dragon?

I love the potential held in Bubbles. Deep sea dragon, whose awakening scared even the krait off? Give me those deep sea horrors.

9. Best boss fight (story)?

I honestly really love the final fight against Zhaitan. It really managed to encapsulate the feeling of fighting a larger than life powerful enemy with an army at your back. No big fight since for me has had the same grandeur to it. We did a lot of fighting dragons in “smaller” ways or with “smaller” teams that just feel more...compact, ya know? I want that grandeur back.

10. Best boss fight (fractal)?

Jade maw is fucking wild! And it’s not the boss of its fractal but the giant living statue.

11. Best boss fight (raid)?

Never been in one, would love to one day when I’m in a guild who does them when I’m awake...

12. PvE or PvP or RP?

PvE by far, and RP is fun when you can find the right people.

13. Favorite canon couple?

In one map, there’s a seraph soldier and a bandit having a secret date. They’re so fucking extra and sappy and unnecessary and I love fining them and reading their cheesy star-crossed dialogue.

14. Favorite fanon/self made couple?

With another player, my favorite currently is Matthias with @ascalonianpicnic‘s Aildyn. The two have a very good dynamic.

Solo, I really love my new commander, Kai, with Caithe. I’ve built up a back-an forth for the two that I’m a lot more compelled by than I thought I’d be! I’m excited to share more on these two.

15. Favorite quote?

“sneaky mode engaged”

16. Most emotional cinematic?

The end of Heart of Thorns. A victory, a tragedy, and a clear sign that it’s set off another disaster just by you winning. There’s so many layers to that *boom*

17. Favorite VA?

I’m so bad at naming VAs but whoever voiced the asura female MC knows what she’s about

18. Post a fun screenshot!

Still love this one~

19. Post a landscape screenshot!

20. Most used mount(s)?

I spend most time on raptor still, followed by griffon!

21. Favorite mount skin (for every mount you have)?

Raptor: crested plainsrunner

Springer: kourna jackrabbit

Skimmer: river mothwing

Jackal: lucent sands

Griffon: clouded corvus

Roller Beetle: deep desert scarab

Warclaw: vigilant saberclaw

Skyscale: axejaw skyscale

22. Favorite weapon?

Longbow is my favorite kind of weapon, I like it on every single class that uses it. Favorite overall weapon? Idk man too many to pick from at this point.

23. Favorite gear set?

I’m always a sucker for the sunspear armors

24. Favorite title?

Killer Queen

25. Something you worked really hard to get?

Astralarias is my only legendary so far and it’s pretty rad. Really like Mawdrey too.

26. Favorite GW2 Youtuber / GW2 related video?

Daelin Dwin

27. Most used miniature?

Mini Quail!!! The feather bouncing on the head is an adorable little feature.

28. Most used novelty?

Embiggening tonic!

29. Number of achievments points?

Little over 18,000 now

30. Something you’d love to see in GW2?

Norns getting the same revamp humans got on african american faces and hairs since they’re also based on humans :) Where is it anet? Where’s the fairness? And asura and charr both have some afro-inspired hairs that need better textures now. When anet.

I tag anyone who hasn’t done this yet! Idk who has or hasn’t been tagged in these couple of weeks, but if you haven’t done this yet I’d love to see it via tag 💕

[reformedkingsmanagent]

hello!!! i was wondering if i could request a TSS!Charlie x reader fic?? like maybe Eggsy fancies the reader but she fancies Charlie and Eggsy doesn't understand WHYY?! but it's because he's not a dick to her like he can be to the others because he also fancies her, maybe? I'd just really like seeing Charlie getting some appraisal and not Eggsy as usual lol Only if you have time or feel like writing it tho!! Thank you so much! BTW I loved your Charlie discourse post and I 100% agree with you!!!

Oh anon you’ve seen deep into my soul, haven’t you? No offense to Eggsy but man, with a few minutes of extra screen time from Charlie, I’m sure he’d prove to be less of a dick and more dedicated than we saw. They could’ve explained his turncoat behavior by explaining even a sliver of his home life, but that wasn’t the goal and oh my GOD I’m going to shut up now. I just hope you enjoy.

“Total prick, am I right?”

You could hear the smile in Eggsy’s voice as he approached your side, arms crossed over his chest. You looked away from Charlie’s retreating figure for only a moment.

You disagreed with Eggsy.

“Hey, so Rox and I were maybe gonna slip out later to grab some dinner, want to join us?”

Charlie rounded the corner and was finally out of sight.

“You honestly think Merlin’s gonna be okay with that?”

Eggsy adopted a self-satisfied look now that he had your full attention. “Not to worry,” he started, stepping directly into your view, “this is a Merlin-sanctioned excursion.”

“Oh yeah?”

“‘Course! Besides, you think I’d ever get Rox to sneak out? You though, I think you and me’d tear up the town.”

“Thanks, Eggsy, I appreciate that, but I’m not feeling so great. Think I’m gonna go lie down.”

He seemed a bit surprised but he covered it well enough. “Oh, alright, yeah, you just let me know if you change your mind. Or maybe we can bring something back for you…?”

“I’ll let you know.”

You took Charlie’s path down the hall, doing your best to hide your eagerness, while Eggsy was left standing there wondering what on earth Charlie had done to earn your attention.

***

“Saved you a seat,” Charlie muttered, lifting the book up off the stone bench beside him. The sun was bright overhead, not a cloud in the sky. The evenly-trimmed grass lawn spreading out in front of the small paved courtyard looked just as inviting as the seat Charlie was offering.

The corner of his mouth ticked up in amusement as you walked right past him, out onto the lawn. He watched you finally pick a place and lay down, arms placed behind your head, legs crossed at the ankle.

“That’s not quite the right attire for suntanning,” Charlie shouted, only for the sake of reaching your ear. His tone was teasing, but not quite harassing. He watched you smile.

Ever since a breakthrough during one of Merlin’s many tests, you’d had the benefit of being on the receiving end of much less antagonistic words from Charlie. The two of you were locked in a room, stuck trying to crack a code, though you’d managed to crack through his rock-solid exterior instead. You couldn’t explain it, but it happened. One minute he was lamenting being stuck in there with you forever, and the next he was planning out the next ten years down there, with your name in his plans like he wasn’t positively annoyed with you.

Charlie was only bothered by the blemish on his otherwise-sterling record for a day, as that’s how long it took for him to see that the benefit outweighed the negative. As determined as he was to earn the Kingsman slot, he couldn’t ignore his rapidly-shifting priorities.

His father would have called him a fool.

The book he was reading was closed and placed on top of the other at his side before he stood, walking slowly across the lawn, squinting in the bright sun as he stopped beside you.

A few seconds of indecision passed before he finally sat down, arms around his knees, reluctant to lay down until you pulled at his sleeve.

“There aren’t any clouds,” he commented.

“Very observant,” you teased.

You caught a glimpse of his smile before he turned his head away, his soft brown hair blown out of his face by the breeze.

“If I’d have known this was your idea of getting some fresh air, I’d have planned a picnic.” He looked over and locked eyes with you, his smile faltering.

“A picnic sounds nice,” you admitted.

“Mmm, yeah, some fruit, cheese...some nice wine...” he trailed off, relaxing beside you. “This is a nice spot you’ve found. I’m starting to get that whole ‘English countryside romance,’” he laughed. You joined in.

He turned over on his side, his free hand reaching over to pull at the collar of your jumpsuit.

“Eggy sure has eyes for you,” Charlie sighed. His eyebrows rose as he waited for your response.

“I mean…” your nerves kicked in as he watched you. “What?”

“If I’m gonna make a fool out of myself, I’d like to know beforehand.”

The fingers tugging at the grey striped material fell away, choosing to pull at the grass instead for the moment. For the first time, you could tell that he was almost nervous.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

You thought you knew exactly what he meant but didn’t want to make the leap on your own.

“I think you like me well enough to not go running into those trees,” he mumbled, reaching up to wrap a strand of your hair around his finger as he looked back at the tree line behind the two of you. You watched him until his eyes fell back down to yours. “And I think I like you well enough to do this…”

Charlie leaned down, his face blocking out the sun as his lips gently pressed against yours.

***

“I mean Rox, what’s a guy gotta do?”

Roxanne Morton rolled her eyes for the fifth time that hour.

“Eggsy, you know, sometimes people just like other people.”

“That I understand, but him? Honestly? He’s a menace.”

“He’s a man. As dreadful as you may find him, he’s possibly…” Eggsy shot her a look, “maybe, capable of emotion.”

“I doubt it.”

Roxy rolled her eyes, turning to glance out the tall window as they walked through the halls up to the rooms to get changed.

She didn’t tell Eggsy what she saw, and did her best to hide her smile.

[waitineedaname]

Lightning Round, Take Two

kudos to @notedchampagne for inspiring this!!

also on ao3

-

“This is a terrible idea.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“She’s going to hate me.”

“She’ll love you.”

“Love me? Love me?!” Karkat all but shrieked. “I don’t know if you’ve realized this, Dave, but I don’t exactly make the best impressions! In fact, one might even say I make the worst impressions! We’ll be lucky if she doesn’t end this visit early because she can’t stand being around me because I have the personality of a deep seated pimple!”

“Damn. The kind it hurts to pop?”

“Yes! The kind of pimple that never forms a head and settles on your upper lip so it hurts every time you move your mouth! That’s what my personality is like: persistent, painful, and pus-filled!”

“The three P’s.” Dave mused, and Karkat shot him a scowl. “C’mon man, don’t sell yourself short. You’re like a blackhead at the worst.”

“Don’t pander to me, Strider.” Karkat grumbled and crossed his arms, but he didn’t complain when Dave slung his arm over his shoulders. “I still think this would go much better without me.”

“Nah, dude, trust me, this is the best option. I mean, best case scenario, if I did this by myself, she’d be like ‘omg do u have a bf’ and I’d be like ‘yeah’ because that’s part of what I’m tryna do here, tell folks about us, but then she’d want pictures even though she’s definitely met you, and then I’d have to show her all those cute pictures I took of you when you weren’t looking, and I know you don’t want that.”

“You what?”

“You didn’t hear that.”

Karkat rolled his eyes and leaned a little closer into Dave’s side, eyes tracing the little carapacian homes they were walking by. Dusk was falling, much to his relief; they both had to make compromises when they realized their species operated at different times of day, but he still avoided leaving the hive when the sun was glaring and ready to burn him to a crisp. Dave probably could’ve flown them all the way to Roxy and Calliope’s house, but Karkat hated making him carry him that far (Dave always insisted he wasn’t that heavy, but the strain in his voice never escaped Karkat’s notice), so they were walking the last few blocks. Karkat had a sneaking suspicion Dave was fine with walking because he was trying to delay the inevitable. He was nervous, if the way his fingers were tapping on Karkat’s upper arm or the way he kept clenching and unclenching his jaw said anything. Karkat sighed and unfolded his arms to wrap one around Dave’s waist.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, you know.” He said, surprising Dave into looking down at him.

“What? Who said I’m worried? You’re the one who’s been bitching the whole evening.”

“Because I want to make a good impression on your weird paradox ancestor, shit for brains. I’m saying you don’t need to be worried about coming out to her.” He met Dave’s eyes through his shades, something he’d gotten good at over the sweeps. “Of all fucking people, she’ll be the most fine with it. That’s why you’re telling her first, right?”

“Yeah, I know, it’s just-” Dave sighed and looked away. He was better than he used to be, but holding eye contact was still hard for him, “It’s a big deal, you know? I mean, Rose probably figured it out from living in a confined space with us, and Dirk kinda got it out of context clues, but this is a first using the big B-word.”

“She’ll be fine. And if she isn’t, I’ll tear her apart and at least give her a reason to hate your boyfriend besides my shit-awful personality.”

“Aw, babe, I dunno whether to be flattered you’d attack my mom like a feral raccoon or bummed that you’re trashin’ yourself.”

“How about we compromise, and I’ll stop shit-talking myself if you stop stressing yourself out about this.”

“...Deal.”

“Good. Because I think that’s her house.”

“Oh shit.”

The two of them stopped just outside the elaborate building the carapacians had offered Roxy and Calliope back when they’d first arrived in the middle of Earth C society, both of them brimming with anxiety despite their reassurances. Karkat almost thought Dave was going to say this was too much for him and turn around and fly home, but he unwrapped himself from Karkat’s arm and instead held his hand to walk up to the front door and knock.

“Just a sec!” Roxy’s voice rang out from somewhere inside, and a few seconds later, the door opened to reveal her smiling face. “Davey!” She squealed and launched herself at him, hugging him tightly. Dave, to his credit, adapted quickly and let go of Karkat’s hand to hug her back.

“Sup, Rox.”

Roxy pulled away from Dave to turn towards Karkat, who instinctively took a half step back. She noticed and laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hug you if you don’t wanna. Is a fistbump cool?”

“I don’t know if I would call anything a certain red asshole harangued me with in the early years of our friendship ‘cool’, but it is acceptable.” That made Roxy laugh, and he gave her a light fistbump.

“Karkat, bro, I can’t believe you’re just calling me uncool in front of my mom. What the fuck. What is this betrayal.” Dave shook his head, but he already seemed more relaxed.

“Dave, I dunno how to break this to you, but you’re related to me ‘n Dirk.” Roxy tried to adopt a sympathetic expression despite her grin. “You’ve got dork running through your veins.”

“Goddamn. You’re tellin’ me I’ve got a genetic predisposition for this shit?”

“Yup. It’s chronic. Doctors everywhere’re rushing to write studies on our family to try and isolate the ‘cool-but-really-not-cool’ gene.”

“Let’s hope it’s not replicable in a lab or anything. I’m pretty sure Earth C can only handle four of us.”

“Ohmigod, can you imagine them trying to test it out. Little lab rats wearing shades and writing wizard fic. Holy shit.” Roxy gasped at her own idea, an unbelievably pleased look on her face.

“Oh my dick. Fuck ectobiology, this is the science I want to invest in.”

“Absolutely not.” Karkat interjected. “There’s already enough of you jackasses, I think I’d have an aneurysm if any more blond lunatics were running around.”

“Lol,” Karkat couldn’t believe Roxy just said that out loud, “You’re probably right. Are we gonna keep fucking around about cool mice on the doorstep, or do you guys wanna come in?”

She stepped aside to lead them inside and showed them to the living room. “Callie’s out picking up dinner. I would’ve made something since I invited you guys over for dinner, but living in the water apocalypse did not leave me with many cooking skills.”

“Hey, no shade here.” Dave shrugged, plopping down on the couch with Karkat at his side. “I don’t think I’d be able to work an oven if I tried. We’re a strictly take-out household. Hivehold? I dunno, but we’ve barely touched the kitchen in the week we’ve been here.”

“Excuse you, I made those Hot Pockets yesterday.” Karkat countered sharply.

“Yeah, and they were like 30% cooked, dude. You put them in the microwave for thirty seconds and then panicked.”

“Fuck you, I don’t see you doing much better! In fact, I distinctly remember you eating those frozen pizza pockets like a ravenous barkbeast! It was like you’d been locked in a cave with nothing to eat for half a sweep and my delicious plate of folded sauce treats were the only thing saving you from a miserable, malnourished death!”

“I mean, a Hot Pocket’s a Hot Pocket. I’m not gonna turn one of those fuckers down, who do you think I am.”

“I think you’re a wiggler with no sense of taste.”

“You eat bugs.”

“And you put ranch on your pizza! Bricks and glass houses, Dave!”

“Dude, do trolls even have that expression? Aren’t y’all light sensitive? Why would you have glass houses?”

“Newsflash, dipshit, I’ve lived in close proximity for the majority of the past two sweeps with an overflowing fountain of pop culture references and idioms and an uppity seer that likes to make things as convoluted and difficult to understand as possible. I picked up a few human phrases! Uh, no offense, Roxy.” Karkat added at the mention of Rose.

“None taken! I’m pretty sure she gets that from Dirk anyway.” Roxy waved him off. “Take it back to the ranch on pizza thing tho, do you really do that? Is this some earth delicacy I missed out on?”

“Oh fuck yeah, it rules. You gotta try it some time.” Dave nodded, excited to get someone else to try his food crimes.

“Imma have to take a pass on that.” Roxy said, crinkling her nose.

“Finally, someone with taste!” Karkat exclaimed, and Dave gently hit his shoulder.

“I am slowly workin’ through traditional earth food tho! Or at least as traditional as you can get here. That’s where we’re getting dinner from! There’s this human/troll fusion place that Callie and I like. I dunno how authentic it is, but it tastes good at least!”

“I mean, nothing on Earth C is super authentic, it’s all like human diet slightly to the left, but it’s edible.”

“Better than the garbage we alchemized on the meteor, at least.” Karkat agreed.

“God, the fucking buffalo wings debacle.” Dave and Karkat shuddered in unison. Roxy looked amused.

“You guys spent a lot of time together on the meteor, right? And now you’re living together?” Roxy asked, and they both nodded. She had a look in her eyes that was far too reminiscent of the look Rose got when she was gearing up to psychoanalyze someone, and Karkat was hit with a stroke of panic. “Sooo, I should prob’ly do a lightning round with you too, right? Since you’re important to Dave?”

The pair shared a look and Dave shrugged, appearing nonchalant despite the way he was anxiously picking at a loose string on his jeans. “Uh, I guess?” Karkat said, bracing himself.

“I’ll start easy, I promise!” Roxy drummed her fingers on her lips as if thinking. “Hm… you’ve got ‘cat’ in your name, do you like cats?”

Karkat made a face, thrown off by the question. “I guess? I never had one, but Nepeta was pretty fucking into them, and they seemed… fine. I can respect a meowbeast that just lazes around if it’ll leave me the fuck alone, but Nepeta’s lusus could’ve probably torn me to shreds, so…” He shrugged.

“Was Nepeta a friend from the game?” Roxy backpedaled the moment she saw Karkat’s face fall. “Oh shit, tender subject, sorry.” She worried her lip, looking for another question, then perked up. “Oh! What’s your sign? I know it’s Cancer from earth astrology and stuff, but what’s that mean for trolls?”

Karkat looked down at his chest and grimaced. “Fuck if I know, I don’t actually have a sign. I spent most of my life thinking this stupid thing meant precisely fuck all. I guess it’s a symbol of my ancestor? But I never really learned much about him since the empress always tried to erase his rebellion, and I thought that ancestor shit was highblood bullshit anyway. I guess now I know it’s not, but ugh, I could’ve happily gone my whole wretched life without meeting that douchebag.”

“We met his ancestor in the dream bubbles.” Dave explained. “Or I guess descendent? Since y’all are technically the post-scratch group? I never really understood that part.”

“Doesn’t fucking matter, he was a pretentious asswipe with his head so far up his nook it’s a wonder he was even audible, but oh god, was he audible alright.”

“Lmao, I kinda wanna meet this guy.” Roxy grinned.

“No you don’t.” Dave and Karkat said in unison, which made her laugh.

“I’ll take your word for it.” The mischievous look was back in her eyes. “Next question! Have you ever had your quadrants filled?”

Karkat almost choked. “What the fuck kind of question is that? That’s none of your fucking business!” He blustered. “My quadrants are private, and it’s my decision if I want to bring them up! Are all humans this fucking nosy or is it just the Lalondes?!”

“It’s just the Lalondes.” Dave said flatly.

“I just thought it’d be fair since I asked Dave that in our lightning round!” Roxy put her hands up in apology, but didn’t look particularly apologetic. “I was curious!”

Karkat was about to continue his rant about people feeling entitled to knowledge about virtual strangers’ quadrants, but the way Dave sat up and cleared his throat gave him pause.

“Actually, Rox,” Dave started, fidgeting a bit, “I never answered that question back on the lilypad.”

“Yeah, but that’s okay!” Roxy brushed him off. “I’m not gonna push you to answer something you’re not comfy with.”

“That’s the thing. I wanna answer you now, if that’s cool.”

“Oh!” Roxy’s eyes widened. “Of course that’s cool! That’s cooler than cool.”

Dave lifted an eyebrow, a smile pulling at his lips despite himself. “What’s cooler than being cool?”

“Ice cold!” Roxy shouted at the top of her lungs, and the two of them chanted “alright” about a dozen times while Karkat watched them in bewilderment. Humans, he thought. He’d never understand them.

“Okay, but for real tho,” Roxy said once they’d both gotten a handle on their giggles, “You wanted to say something?”

“Yeah.” Dave almost immediately looked anxious again, running his hands over his jeans. “So. You asked if I’d ever kissed anyone or-” He cleared his throat and the rest came out in a mumbled cough, “-been in love.”

Karkat held his breath, eyes flicking between Dave and a very focused Roxy.

“The, um. The answer to both of those questions is… yes? And I know you’re wonderin’ who, that’s like the next logical question, like if you ask someone if they’re hungry and they say yes, your next question is probably gonna be ‘what do you wanna eat’, unless you’re a total dick and just wanted to, I dunno, be aware of someone else’s hunger for your own sick pleasures and leave ‘em waiting like you’re some kinda sick torturer tryin’ to extract information out of a prisoner, like ‘hey are you hungry?’ ‘Yeah, I am, actually. I’ve been hanging from my ankles for a week now and I’d kill for some motherfucking KFC right now.’ ‘Interesting. Go fuck yourself.’ That’s not a very good interrogator, actually, he didn’t even try to get any information out of the guy except for the knowledge that he’s really craving some chicken, which is virtually useless, unless the interrogator is working for KFC’s competitor, like Popeyes out here tryna get the deets on their rival brands. Hey, do you think they’ve got a Popeyes anywhere on Earth C? Maybe we should start one, make a shit ton of money. Really boost the economy.”

“Dave.” Karkat cut him off before he could get too far from the topic, giving him a pointed look. “Were you actually going to say something important or were you going to just talk out of your deflated ass forever?”

“Hey man, you know you love my ass.”

“The point, Dave-!”

“Right right right.” Dave shook his head and took a deep breath before looking at Roxy again, who looked like she was might be putting things together already. “It’s Karkat. The answer to ‘who’, I mean. We’ve, uh. We’ve been dating since the meteor.”

Roxy’s whole face lit up. “Aw, congrats you guys! That’s really sweet!”

“Yeah.” Dave looked over at Karkat and gave him a tiny smile before looking a little apprehensive again. “I’d, uh, appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone though? I mean, the rest of the meteor crew probably knows because we spent… a lot of time together.”

“Most of that was platonic, though. A good two-thirds of it, at least.” Karkat countered.

“True, but they don’t know that. Far as they know, one day we were just two bros hanging out and watching movies and shit, then the next day, Vriska walks in to catch one of those bros taking a snooze on his other bro’s lap and falling off the couch the moment she announces her presence.”

“I’ll give you three fucking guesses which dumbass that was.” Karkat directed that at Roxy, and she snorted.

“Rude.” Dave nudged him. “But yeah, they’ve probably figured it out, but we haven’t officially told anyone. I haven’t even told anyone I’m, you know. Bisexual.”

“Wait, so I’m the first person you’ve told?” Roxy looked a little stunned.

“I- Yeah? I just thought you’d probably be a safe person to go to, especially since we don’t have any weird baggage like I might have with John and Jade, you’re just my alt-mom, which I guess does make things a little weird-”

“It’s a little weird, but it does mean you get a certified mom hug!” She interrupted, standing up.

“A mom hug? Dunno if I know what those are like.” Dave said, smiling a little.

“They’re like this, you big goober.” Roxy pulled him into a tight hug, pulling him down a little so he could put his head on her shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Davey. That’s a big deal, comin’ out and shit. I’m glad you felt like you could tell me.”

“...Thanks mom.” Dave’s voice was a watery mumble against her shoulder, but he seemed to have collected himself by the time they pulled away. Roxy immediately turned her sights on Karkat.

“Your turn! You’re family now, you can’t escape hugs anymore.”

“Ugh, you humans are so fucking tactile.” Karkat grumbled but resigned himself to Roxy’s affectionate squeeze.

“Hey man, don’t act like you’re not cuddly as hell. I have to pry you off of me with a crowbar to go take a piss sometimes. You should see this dude when he gets sleepy, Rox, it’s so fucking cute. Did you know trolls purr? It’s some kinda flushed noise or something and it’s the fucking best.” Dave seemed to already be relaxing now that the thing he’d been dreading was over with.

“That’s private!” Karkat hissed, embarrassed. Dave just grinned at him and sat a little closer when they took a seat again. “Do you want me airing out how you melt like a touch starved candybar left in the sunlight when I suggest you should be the little spoon? Or how you turn into a warbling puddle of Dave when I do this?” He reached over and out his hand on Dave’s knee, rubbing his thumb in soothing circles. Casual affection, Dave’s weakness.

“Aw,” Roxy cooed. Dave looked thoroughly embarrassed and made a strangled noise in his throat. Karkat gave him a smug look.

“Shut up.” He grumbled weakly and scooted a little closer so he could press against Karkat’s side and hold his hand.

“So you guys are matesprits?” Roxy asked, and Karkat’s anxiety immediately returned. Dave wasn’t the only one who had coming out to do. Dave squeezed his hand and let Karkat start since this was his thing to discuss.

“Mostly?” He offered weakly, then tried to sound more certain. “We’re kind of pale too.”

“Plus I piss you off in a pitch way sometimes.” Dave added helpfully.

“And the way you kept me from tearing Vriska apart on the meteor was sort of ashen.” Karkat admitted.

“I mean, there wasn’t really much of a chance of you tearing her apart to begin with. Spidertroll could’ve probably kicked any of our asses in her sleep, she’s fuckin’ crazy.”

“My point still stands!”

“So…” Roxy interrupted, guiding them back on topic, “You’re in all quadrants? I didn’t know trolls did that!”

Karkat winced. “They don’t. Usually. It’s extremely frowned upon.”

“Karkat’s had trouble keeping shit in one quadrant.” Dave explained for him. “He’s got a big ol’ heart full of love.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re the only person in Paradox Space to come to that conclusion about what my useless fucking pump biscuit is full of, but thanks for the thought.” Karkat rolled his eyes, defaulting to annoyance to avoid the insecurities that always gnawed at him when he thought about his relationship with quadrants. “‘Full of love’ is usually not the first thing people describe me as. More like ‘full of a burning anger’ or ‘a perpetual stream of irritable piss’ or, hell, ‘just undiluted dumbass juice!’ As far as most people are concerned, I’m Karkat ‘useless shitfit’ Vantas, and they’re not fucking wrong!”

“Okay, sure, you might be the grumpiest person in all - what, is this five universes now? I can’t keep track, but that doesn’t mean you’re not secretly a big softy.” Dave rubbed his thumb over Karkat’s knuckles. “I know that best out of probably anyone.”

“If it helps, I don’t think of you as those things!” Roxy added. Karkat gave her a disbelieving look.

“Full offense, we’ve never really ‘hung out.’”

“I mean, no, but I’ve seen you interacting with Dave and John and Kanaya and stuff, and you’ve always seemed to be a caring friend underneath all the yelling.” Roxy shrugged. “It’s nice knowing Dave’s in good hands since I’ve only been part of his family for a couple weeks. Means I don’t have to give you a shovel talk prob’ly!”

“The shovel talk? What the fuck? What does that even mean?” Karkat looked at Dave for an explanation, but he only winced.

“You know, when parents meet their kid’s partner and are like ‘you better not hurt my baby, or I’ll kill you.’ That kind of thing. I’m guessing trolls didn’t do that on Alternia?” Roxy tilted her head, seeming genuinely curious. Karkat’s face contorted as he wrapped his head around that concept.

“Okay, first of all, no we didn’t because we didn’t even have parents and our lusii wouldn’t give two shits about our quadrantmates. Second of all, you better not even think about giving me your ridiculous human ‘shovel talk’! I’ve known Dave far longer than you have, so it really should be me going ‘don’t fucking hurt him,’ but I know I don’t need to because Dave can fucking handle himself! He doesn’t need your bullshit defenses! If I ever hurt him, I trust him to be able to tell me to fuck off out of his life - not that he’d ever need to because I’d rather establish a culling system in the Troll Kingdom and offer myself up as their first sacrifice than hurt Dave!” He took a deep inhale to continue his tirade, but Dave cut him off with a pat to the cheek.

“Yo, dude, shoosh, it’s okay. It’s really not that big of a deal.” It was only after Dave cut off his train of thought that Karkat realized how worked up he was getting, and he shrank back down against Dave’s shoulder, embarrassed. “I’m pretty sure Roxy was kidding, anyway.”

“Yeah, for sure!” Roxy nodded quickly. “I didn’t mean to imply you were gonna hurt Dave or that he couldn’t take care of himself or anything. That’s hella not my place, and you guys seem very good for each other.”

“Oh. Well. Good.” He sent her a warning glare just to make sure he’d gotten the point across, then forced himself to let some tension out of his shoulders.

“It is really nice knowin’ my family’s in good hands though.” Roxy smiled. “Hell, it’s nice knowin’ I have a family! Oh my god, Dave, do you realize none of us Strilondes are straight? I mean, Rose ‘n Dirk are both gay as hell, and then you and I are bi!”

“Yeah- Wait, what?” Dave jolted a little in surprise. “Rox, you’re bi too? Since when?”

“Uh, since always?” Roxy laughed a bit. “I thought that’s why you came to me, because you knew!”

“No! Holy shit, I gotta process this for a second.”

“LMAO.” Roxy said, pronouncing every letter. “Yeah, dude! I mean, can you blame me? Like, dudes are hot as fuck, that’s like self explanatory. I mean, have you seen the Englberts? Eglishes? Whatever their family name is, John and Jake are both total babes, but then there are girls too! I mean, Janey, what a gal, right? And Callie too!”

“Right?” Dave enthused, clearly excited someone understood where he was coming from. “Girls are so fucking good, hot damn, but then? Dudes? Holy shit?”

“Yeah!” Roxy was just about throwing herself out of her chair with her excitement. “I can barely leave the house, it’s just smoochable babes everywhere I turn.”

“I’d say it’s a goddamn plight, but I got the most smoochable right here.” Dave emphasized his point with a kiss to one of Karkat’s horns, making him squawk. Dave laughed a little and turned back to Roxy. “Yo, but rewind back to Callie. Soooo, are y’all two, y’know…”

Roxy looked remarkably like Dave when embarrassed. “Uh…” The sound of the front door opening and Calliope’s greeting voice cut her off. “I’ll get back to you on that!” Dave waggled his eyebrows at her but didn’t push it.

Dinner was an enjoyable affair, despite Karkat’s near constant crippling fear of being miserable in every social engagement. The food was good and pretty close to tasting like home, and the conversation was fluid - mostly because Roxy and Dave chattered the entire time like hyperactive squirrels. Karkat tried to be annoyed with their ridiculous stream of consciousness discussions, but he couldn’t help but feel warm watching Dave talk so comfortably with his ecto-mom. And he certainly wasn’t the only person happy with the situation; every time he and Dave started bantering back and forth, he could see Roxy’s delight out of the corner of his eye, and the absolutely lovestruck look on her face whenever Calliope spoke didn’t escape him either.

Eventually, though, they had to head home - though Dave and Karkat had both shifted their sleep schedules to be active in the afternoon and most of the night, the majority of their human friends were still diurnal and needed to go to bed eventually - so after a few more hugs from Roxy, they were sent on their way.

Dave landed them down the street from their hive, and Karkat didn’t complain about having to walk that last distance. The Troll Kingdom was just now starting to wake up, stores and restaurants lighting up, trolls in suits rushing to their early jobs, and young trolls getting ushered off to school. It was so different from Alternia, but Karkat thought he could probably get used to the differences if it meant he didn’t have to worry about getting culled at a single glance at his blood color. Maybe it was too early to tell, but if he let himself feel just the slightest bit optimistic for his future, he had a feeling he could be really happy here. He could live a peaceful, successful life on Earth C, and if the cheerful way Dave was swinging their clasped hands meant anything, he wasn’t the only one feeling hopeful.

“So,” He prompted, leaning into Dave’s shoulder, “I guess that could have been more horrible.”

“Yep.” Dave said, popping the ‘p’. “We’ll have to scrap those emergency plans. Cancel our name changes and facial reconstructions and flights to the other side of Earth C, no need to run away immediately.”

“I don’t know, we might have to keep that shit pencilled in. We still need to tell John.” Karkat reminded him, and Dave groaned.

“Oh fuck. Yeah, never mind, you sure we can’t just fuck off into another universe? Universe D here we come. The D stands for Davekat ‘cause it’ll just be us, babe. It also stands for Dick because, come on, it’s us, of course it does. Also Dinosaurs just ‘cause. Do you think dinosaurs are a universal constant? Like, did dinosaurs exist for you guys? Or- oh shit, do you think they evolved differently? Are trolls just super evolved dinosaurs?”

“Dave,” Karkat gave him a look, “I think I would know if I was a dinosaur.”

“I dunno, dude, maybe we’re all dinosaurs-”

“Okay, I know when to cut that shit off.” Karkat rolled his eyes and let go of his hand to unlock their door. “Seriously, I think… that went okay. Less than horrid.”

“Less than horrid, huh? That’s a big compliment coming from you, are you feeling okay? Are you gettin’ some kinda fluffy feelings from hanging out with Roxy too long, ‘cause like, I get it.”

“Shut up. All I’m saying is this might not have been as much of an ordeal as we thought, this ‘coming out to everyone we know’ thing.”

“Maybe. You might be right.” Dave admitted, following him inside. “But that involved way too many emotions, and I think all my brain’s been used up for the rest of the day for anything that involves more thought than playing Xbox for seven hours straight. You down?”

“Fuck yes.”

[neshabeingchildish]

Slightly different format, because I just needed y’all who didn’t know this song to hear it, okay? Okay, so I’m about as old as the characters parents could be, maybe slightly younger, because they probably had them a little later in adulthood than I’m far off from them, but I figured, close enough to use MY childhood/youth music for Charlotte’s mom’s taste. At least the general timeline. I named songs and artists, if y’all wanna ever listen to any of it. I haven’t/don’t know if I’m making a Determined Soundtrack/Playlist.

Pretty Brown Eyes

Alright. It was one thing to lean into his kiss, reciprocate his embrace and shift herself into his lap. But, she didn't have to go off the way she did for their first kiss. Because, not only did Charlotte do these things, but she also rocked against him a little, which in turn, he took as an invitation to explore her with his big, strong hands. 

She wasn't quite sure how awkward it must've been for Henry and Amelie to see them there when they left through the front door trying not to make any noise for the pair making out on the floor of the main hallway. But, she had to guess it was as bad as her realizing that they had to have seen them whenever they left, because the front door was right down that, very, hallway.

Eventually, she was the one who caught herself and ended the fun. Her head was spinning, nerves tingling and legs wobbling, but she found her senses and pulled herself together. Jasper was a pile of mush, except for the one thing, what, with her doing all that rocking against him. Ugh. Girl, a first kiss is supposed to be soft and sweet. You're not supposed to half grind the dude into the floor of your parents' house. She shivered thinking about his hands on her body, but it was time for that kiss to be put behind them.

"We can't be doing stuff like this," Charlotte said and helped him up. "I had a point before you did that and I don't even remember my middle name right now."

"The magic of love has rendered you temporarily futile…"

"No. The coursing of hormones has thrown off my equilibrium and it does not feel good."

He panicked. "But, it did though? The not good feeling is an afterthought, right?"

"You have to go and I need to lie down." He nodded and tried to give her a hug, but she placed her hands up to halt him and took a step back. “I’m serious.” He nodded and left her, scratching his head and hoping that his stunt hadn’t done the very thing that she was afraid of - ruined things between them.

.

Morning meetups were awkward. Jasper brought her breakfast, she brought his and Henry’s, but they didn’t really say much to each other. Instead, she spoke to Henry about everything but Jasper and whenever Jasper did speak, she was weird about her reponses. 

Work was atypical. While they generally spent most shifts around each other, she now felt like the store needed to be watched at all times, but if he came up, she took that time to go make scans in the Man Cave to be sure they hadn’t missed any calls for help.

In addition to avoiding him big time, she told him that she looked into Amelie pretty deeply and couldn’t find any reason that he couldn’t “get back on track” with her.

“You’d find that reason in the mirror,” Jasper said and she just rolled her eyes and walked away from him. Whenever he told her that things were weird at home and asked if he could crash, she politely asked Henry if it was okay if Jasper crashed at his, instead. Jasper was exasperated, or as Henry said, in an attempt to be funny, exJasperated. Jasper commented that would be the name of his next podcast, and she left them to that conversation to return to the store.

“So… She’s really just moving on like it didn’t happen?” Henry wondered. He’d waited outside for Jasper that night, because he figured that Charlotte would catch herself and kick him to the curb. But, he thought that by now, she would have talked to Jasper about it, fixed their friendship and outlined how it could never happen again.

“No. It’s worst. She’s moving on like it did happen and it was horrifying for her. She refuses to be alone with me and she hardly talks to me, now. I feel like I did something bad to her, but I thought she liked it. I thought she liked me.”

“She liked it and she likes you. You know what this is really about? Self control. She doesn’t trust herself to be alone with you, because she might wind up on your lap, in your arms again and she thinks she shouldn’t be there. You gotta show her that she should be there.”

“How would I do that without being the very creepo that both you and her have told me numerous times to not be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe her family knows something that we don’t? Something that could help us get her for you.”

“Her parents never say much beyond salutations and asking about my day. But… Uncle Rox might help. He loves me and we’re friends on social media. He lived with them for a while. He had to notice something useful.”

Henry nodded, “There you go!”

.

Jasper made an appointment with Uncle Roscoe at his new house, aka his wife’s house, to set some wheels in motion for wooing Charlotte. The man was all too happy to help. “I LOVE love, Lil’ Nephew,” he told Jasper. “My niece sure can use some wooing. Does she still have an attitude about everything?”

“A huge tude… but I still love her. I find it endearing. She’s polite with people she doesn’t care about, so it’s like… a compliment of sorts when you get that sass from her.”

Uncle Roscoe nodded his head as he made some freshly squeezed juice. “Well, I had a secret weapon to soften her up when she was younger and I found out when I lived at their house that it still kinda worked, depending on the material.”

“I must know!” Jasper said, making prayer hands. Roscoe slid a glass across the island to him and he luckily caught it in his palm. Uncle Rox is super kewl. 

“You subscribe to her Spotify?” Roscoe asked.

“No. I don’t believe that we share music tastes.”

“Well, you better get used to it, because that’s gon’ be your bread and butter, Lil’ Nephew. You see, Charlotte has a love for classic R&B, particularly the late 80's/early 90's. She loves all the boy groups that were popular when me and her moms grew up, because that’s the type of stuff that her moms listened to when she was young. Now, most people stop experiencing new music as they get older. They have some nostalgia about their parents’ music, which they pretend like they don’t, like Charlotte be pretending. They have the stuff that was popular when they were growing up, that was their childhood music. And, mostly, by a certain point, they allow very little new music into their worlds. That’s how my sister was. So, a lot of her music was stuff from the 80s and 90s, and Charlotte loves a lot of it, despite her pretenses.”

“You… Think that me listening to 80’s and 90’s R&B boy groups will win over Charlotte?” Jasper asked confused, finally drinking his juice. “This juice is AMAZING!”

“That’s that Roscoe’s Tropical Trash right there. But, no. The listening is just the first step. You gotta know that music, Boi. You gotta learn it. You gotta know what to play and when. You can control Charlotte’s little ass with the right song selection.”

“That has to be made up,” Jasper said, defeated.

Roscoe told him, “Try it out. If she gets mad, pull up “You Don’t Have to Cry by Rene and Angela,” and see if by the end of that song, she won’t be a different woman. Matter of fact, before anything even happens in your day, just put on Rhythm of the Night by DeBarge and see if she don’t have the cheeriest, happiest day.”

Jasper cupped his cup in his fingers and stared at him. “I seriously can’t tell if you’re making up these songs and artists.”

“Boi, here…” He opened his phone and said, “I’m gonna send you a link to Charlotte’s Spotify. Check out them lists. She’s got some of the music by the year and some by the decade, but it’s all kinda R&B on it. She does like a few older than that, but her most frequent ones, I assure you are those 80s-90s ones, with the groups like Troop, New Edition, Boys II Men…”

“I know them!” Jasper cheered.

“Just… The songs I told you about. Use them, then get back to me when you ready to learn musical conditioning for Charlotte.”

Uncle Roscoe used to be a vocal coach for a production studio that went ass end up in the 90s. He was also a musician, DJ, and club promoter. He was a bouncer at a jazz club, at a strip club, and at a popular night club. He still tried to make music sometimes. He played many instruments and he loved to sing. None of his efforts ever worked out fully. But, he still loved the music industry and he always had a good time with his  niece, whenever a good song put her in a good mood. He knew what he was talking about, but Jasper might have to see for himself.

.

Charlotte was about to go upstairs when she heard the opening notes of Rhythm of the Night and bounced towards it curiously. Jasper and Henry were sitting around, and Jasper’s device was connected to the computer. “How do you know this song?” She wondered.

“Uncle Rox shared a DOPE playlist with me whenever I went over for juice. I can’t stop listening to it.”

“It’s a good song. A good feel good song!” She cheered, excited. “I never would have thought you’d like this, though.”

“I love a good feel good song,” he said. She just nodded, smiling and chilled for a little longer, singing along with the song and dancing by herself. It was a little weird for Henry and Jasper to see, but Jasper immediately realized that Uncle Roscoe was right! The music made Charlotte different! 

Now, she was heading to the store, but she was pulling up her own playlist, because she felt like dancing around as she cleaned up the store. Henry smiled at her on the camera and said, “This is an adorable version of Char,”

“She’s always adorable,” Jasper said, watching her, enthralled. 

Charlotte was glad for the dance party of one. She had been so stressed about letting Jasper down, trying to be his friend, trying to avoid him, trying to forget his lips and hands - she had forgotten to just enjoy herself. How lucky was it that Uncle Roscoe put Jasper onto such great music? And Jasper LIKED it? That just made him more likeable! Ugh. She was gonna groan about it, but Never Knew Love Like This Before by Stephanie Mills came on and she was right back in the feel good zone.

.

Charlotte had taken to starting her days with some feel good music, because everyday around Jasper was a struggle. She found that even when he said something frustratingly stupid, she still thought he was cute. Somehow, his ignorance was tolerable to her and even somewhat charming? She looked at him do something ridiculous and think - look at this cinnamon roll. Ugh! She hoped that whatever was going on was reversible. Until then, music therapy should do the daily trick. Today, she began her day with Square Biz by Teena Marie, which brought her mother in to jam with her for a little while and volunteer to do her hair while they hung out, singing and stuff. They didn’t often, so that was a super plus of the day. She came out of the house in the highest spirits that she had been in, in weeks.

She had two braids with puffs at the end, with some charms braided in. She had worn some makeup. Her outfit was clutch. Honestly, she was slaying, and she felt amazing heading to the bakery. The guy at the bakery saw her and almost burned himself on the oven. She pretended not to see as she fought a smile. He quickly caught himself and got her order prepared. She said, “I’m in a really good mood, so I’ll also take an assorted box of kolaches and donuts for my work. Surprise me with the flavors…” 

They were both distracted by this music outside. Everybody in the bakery looked to see where it was coming from. “Is that Pretty Brown Eyes by Mint Condition?” Charlotte asked herself out loud, right before the doors opened and Jasper came in, singing the song. 

“Pretty brown eyes, You know I see you. It's a disguise the way you treat me. You keep holding on to your thoughts of rejection. If you're with me you're secured…”

“What?” She asked herself, frozen in place at… whatever…  this was. She loved that song. There was a whole ass band outside. “Uncle Roscoe…” She said, when she saw him and his friends playing Jasper’s music. Henry was there, recording with his phone. She smiled at the clerk and pretended that they weren’t there for her. She grabbed her order, forced a smile at her friends and tried to pass by. Henry took her order and Jasper continued to sing to her. 

“You keep telling me that your time is always taken, But I keep seeing you out alone. Listen to love; Your heart is pounding with desire waiting to be unleashed…”

As he did, she tried not to blush and laugh. She walked out, and it was louder out there, with the band playing music, but Jasper’s determined self was following her and singing, much like some kind of 90’s music video. She couldn’t help but be impressed and he was a pretty good singer too.

They’d really missed out, not letting him finish his songs during the musical curse. He danced around her, singing the lyrics and she couldn’t help but bop to the music. 

“Quit breakin' my heart 

Breakin' my heart, yeah (pretty brown eyes, Uncle Roscoe was singing backup and playing his instrument)

Breakin' my heart, yeah

Breakin' my heart, sugar, yeah, yeah”

She LOVED this song! Whenever Jasper neared the end of his song, she was pretty much weak and he was so fine, and this took so much work and wasn’t she WORTH this kind of trouble? Jasper sure thought so. Maybe he was worth a little trouble too. Maybe he was worth the risks she worried about. That high pitched, “Quit breaking my heart!” Was her sign. She grabbed him, pulled him to her and started kissing him. Henry cheered him on, and Uncle Roscoe returned a favor of calling out, “Get it, Lil’ Nephew!”

Henry sniffled, “I’m so proud, right now.”

Charlotte pulled back, laughed, shook her head and told Jasper, “You’re crazy. Remember, when it sucks, you insisted on this. Now… You’ve got me.”

He looked towards the band and yelled, “We did it, Uncle Rox! She’s mine!” 

She rolled her eyes, grabbed his hand and pulled him down the street. Henry stopped recording and looked at the band, “Ummm… Well… You gentlemen, and ladies have a good day.” He caught up with his friends, holding the breakfast while they held hands and smiled at each other the whole time. “Feeling left out,” Henry said.

“You’ll pull through,” Charlotte told him. 

Jasper just laughed and gave her a kiss on the temple. “You are so pretty,” he told her. Then, with a big smile, “I can’t believe that I’m this lucky!” 

[solarianradiance]

Jellyatinous Rose

Calliope: Welcome lovelies, to oUr little get together for an adventure throUgh the Use of a Role-Playing Game system called DUngeons & Dragons! Tonight we have a new player joining in oUr dUngeon delving, oUr lovely friend, Roxy.

Roxy: hey erebody, its ur gurl roxy!

Dave: hey rox

Rose: Welcome to the game Roxy, nice to see you came tonight~

Kanaya: Pleasure To Have You Dear Roxy!

Jade: nice to see you again!

John: glad you could make it tonight!

Roxy: tnx 4 the warm welcum gaiz, makes me feel good bout this venture here

Roxy: so, when do we start playin?

Calliope: Shortlym bUtt first, we shall introdUce oUr varioUs party members for the road ahead, so that we may give oUr newest addition a chance to Understand her new chUms? Jade, why dont we start with yoU?

Jade: ok!

Jade: im a level 5 chaotic good gnoll ranger called groche’a, and i was ousted from my tribe for not wanting to plunder tombs for bones because i was scared of waking the dead and having them get revenge on us... which they did! im the only survivor!

Roxy: wats a goll? Roxy: *gnoll

Jade: a gnoll is a dog person

Jade: like this!

Roxy: oh so ur a hyna furry basically then?

Jade: well no, im more like a malamute husky, i actually based my character off of bec and what jake told me about my scratched other self

Roxy: yeah, ur gilf self was pretty smokin for an old lady, so i can c y u chose her

Jade: ...what?

Calliope: Lets keep this train of introdUctions going, Dave YoU’re Up love!

Dave: im dave, and im a barbarian. im a level 4 chaotic good guy i guess, gettin my rage on with my magic shit talking sword and doin all kinds of awesome shit!

Roxy: u men like connan the barbarian?

Dave: no, not liek conan Dave: *like Dave: fuck

Roxy: wats ur backstory?

Dave: im a kickass barbarian, i showed up one day and started kicking ass, what more backstory do you need?

Roxy: that sunds lame

Dave: youre lame

Calliope: Moving on, John, how aboUt we introdUce yoUr character?

John: im Salamon of the Hearthlands, a level 4 neutral good halfling jester!

Roxy: wats a halflin?

John: they’re pretty much just hobbits but a bit more... “earthly” i think would be a good word to describe them? they’re sort more vice than virtue and do things like eat a lot of food, take whats not theirs and breed like rabbits.

Roxy: le gasp, ur a bunny boy! that sounds adorable!

John: heh, no, im not a bunny, but i guess i am bunny-like in that sense

Jade: you know, that would actually be a good fursona for you

John: eh, nah, its not really my thing, besides im more like a tiger

Jade: hahahaha! no you’re not!

John: in fact i think would be more like tigra from thundercats

Jade: i said no. you’re fucking. not.

John: uuuuh!!!

Roxy: calli!

Calliope: Yes Roxy, what is it?

Roxy: can u make jon into a bunny boy?

Calliope: I... can, bUt I need a good reason like a magical invocation or something like that, I cannot simply do as I wish with the players whenever I wish.

Calliope: Besides, the game has not started. Rose, why dont yoU go next?

Rose: 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝒶 𝒩𝑒𝓊𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓁 𝐸𝓋𝒾𝓁 𝒟𝓇𝑜𝓌 𝒩𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒𝓇, 𝒞𝓎𝒶𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝒢𝓊𝓁’𝒢𝒶𝓃. 𝑀𝓎 𝑀𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇, 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓇𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝒶 𝒫𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝐿𝑜𝓁𝓉𝒽, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈, 𝐼 𝓈𝓁𝒶𝓎𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝓎 𝒩𝑒𝒸𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓈 𝓂𝓎 𝓅𝓊𝓅𝓅𝑒𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝒶𝓈, 𝓂𝓎 𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝐼 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝒶 𝓂𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝒸𝒶𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝓎 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓇𝑜𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜𝑜 𝓆𝓊𝒾𝒸𝓀𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝓃𝓈𝑒 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝒾𝓃 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓂 𝓂𝓎 𝒽𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝐸𝓁𝒻 𝒞𝒾𝓉𝓎, 𝑀𝑒𝓃𝓏𝑜𝒷𝑒𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓏𝒶𝓃, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓉 𝓂𝓎 𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓋𝒾𝓉𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝒸𝓁𝒶𝒾𝓂 𝓂𝓎 𝒷𝒾𝓇𝓉𝒽𝓇𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓊𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓂𝑒 𝓇𝓊𝓁𝑒𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝓎 𝐻𝑜𝓊𝓈𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝓇𝑜𝓌𝒹𝑜𝓂~ 

Roxy: ur kinda given me the willies theres rosie

Rose: Hah! Thank you! I try to accentuate the nature of the Dark Elves as much as possible~ I am a Level 5 Necromancer by the way, just so we are clear.

Calliope: That was a nice sUrprise, always good to see dear ole Rose to give Us a performance and bring a little life throUgh characterization. Now, for oUr last member, Kanaya!

Kanaya: Salutations, I Am Mildred Of Baldurs Gate! A Neutral Good Human Cleric Of Lathander. I Am Level Three And I Am Looking Forward To Keeping You Out Of Trouble, As I Am The Primary Healer Of The Group. Though I Can Take A Swing With My Shredder Axe If I Wish, I Can Be More Than Helpful In Most Situations! 

Roxy: i dunno boit that but i think ill be hpy 2 have u round when the magical shit hits the fan! Roxy: *about

Calliope: Well, now that we have oUr standing party’s introdUctions oUt of the way, how aboUt we have Roxy introdUce Us to oUr newest member?!

Roxy: what bout u calli, whats ur character?

Calliope: I am the DUngeon Master, I recant the tale to the party based on the actions and decisions they make. Technically, I am all of the characters that are not part of the party! BUt I do have a rather sUltry lass that i have been meaning to play for a while. When my tenUre as DUngeon Master is Up, I shall pass the responsibility of rUnning the game onto others and break her oUt!

Roxy: rly? what is she? tell me!

Calliope: She isn’t finalized, but shes a YUan-Ti Magician, specifically an assistant. Haven’t qUite figUred oUt if shes a fUll-blood or a half-blood.

Roxy: a yankee?

Calliope: A YUan-Ti is more or less a snake person, mUch like myself I sUppose. I’ll admit shes a bit of a self-insert, bUt I made her for immersion for flarping. John helped me in crafting her!

Roxy: oh... he did now, did he?

John: yeah! it was actually pretty fun! learning about the lore of the snake people was kinda neat!

Calliope: Indeed! And in retUrn, helped John create another character to pair alongside with her! He is also a Magician, and she acts as his assistant!

Roxy: assistant huh? does that mean you can make his magic wand

Roxy: disappear?!~♥

John: whoa! roxy!

Calliope: Making a Magicians Magic Wand disappear is childs play.

John: uh calli, thats not what she mea-

Calliope: BUt making his wand spit magical glowing seed, now thats the magic~

Calliope: Mwah!~♥

Dave: whoa-ho, damn!

Rose: Ooo, how racey~

Kanaya: I Must Admit, That Got Quite Raunchy Awfully Quickly!

Jade: you can do that?!

John: ok! moving on! time for your introduction rox, before this turns into a smut campaign.

Roxy: how do u know that it wont turn into 1 when i do get my intro on? ;)

John: rox!

Roxy: relax! im jus teasin y Roxy: *u

Roxy: ok, my character is xerox gundalf the pink! shes a level 1 chotic good gun wizard!

John: gun wizard?! that actually sounds cool!

Jade: that actually sound cool, maybe ill roll one next campaign!

Dave: gotta admit, that does sound pretty bitchin rp as

Rose: Um, Roxy, as creative as that is, “Gun Wizard” isnt a valid class within the ruleset of DnD.

Roxy: wat? naaah, its fine! got xeroxs character shit filled out and everything! even drew her!

Roxy: c? kickass sex witch! put a spell on u make u her enchanted slav! put a magic bullet in ur butt and set her enemies on fire! abraka-sexbang!!

Rose: But we already have a Wizardess! Why don’t you be another class, a legal one such as a Rogue or a Thief?

Roxy: those dont sound legal 2 me sister, sides im a rogue in real life! i dont wanna play a rogue i wanna b a badass gun wizard! calli help me out here

Calliope: Mmmmm, well, while technically “GUn Wizards” are not what they are called, “GUn Mages” are in fact an actUal class! So I sUppose thats no significant issUe

Roxy: gasp YAYS!

Rose: Wait, “Gun Mage” is an actual class?

Calliope: Why yes, it is! QUite the interesting one too, might even roll a character to play as one myself at some point!

Rose: Well, anyways, as I said, we already have a Wizardess, which is myself. So how about you roll Up a Rogue? John can moonlight as one, but he isnt able to specialize as one. Here, lemme just get you started and roll you a character right now!

Roxy: uh, no, imma play a wizard!

Rose: We’ll make her Neutral Good, for maximum opportunity while still being approachable. Some good Dexterity for all of that lockpicking you’ll be doing.

Roxy: rose, water u doin?

Rose: Dump all the skill points into stealth, traps, and lockpicking!

Roxy: ross! Roxy:*rose

John: you know i could just spec into those skills myself, i was planning on doing it anyways!

Rose: We can make her pink, with some blue trimmings~

Roxy: stahp!

*Roxy latches onto Rose’s pen hand, preventing her from drawing further. The two devolve into a bit of a struggle*

Rose: Stop... getting... in the... way, Roxy!

Jade: you do know you can multi-class in this game, right? as in you both can have both.

Roxy: well i don.. wann play... fuckin rogue, i wan be... a wizard of bullets!

Rose: We need a Rogue to-*is bitten*-FUCK! ROXY!

Kanaya: What Is Happening?

*Roxy and Rose devolve to a mother/daughter/sister squabble between petty bitches who both want the same thing, but are unwilling to share, complete with hair pulling, bites, scratches, clothes ripping and an assortment of name calling.*

*Its a good ole fashioned cat fight yy’all!*

Jade: shouldnt someone stop this? like kanaya, isnt this your thing?

Kanaya: ...I... Want To, But I Think I Am Enjoying The Sight Of This Conflict? Should I Do So Anyways?

Dave: with them? nah man itll sort itself out eventually. just let em get tuckered out.

John: ... roll for initiative?

Calliope: Haa! Hahahaha!

[kfawkes]

Misdirection - [Eggsy Unwin x Reader]

[HI GUYS!!!! This isn’t a prompt, this is just something I had on my mind??? And I figured it was a good warmup/getting back into the grove of things thing…. Its gonna end up being a more than 1 parter obviously ;.; but I hope you enjoy it <3 Very angsty though!!! And this one is is PoV of Eggsy! <3 anyway LOVE YOU!!!

Pairing: Eggsy x Reader – Roxy is a main in this fic too :)

Words: 1.8k

Warnings: Angst! Swearing. Sexy bits sorta?

–Read on Ao3!]

“Everythin’ alright in there, Rox?” Eggsy called curiously as he stepped into the hallway. His tired eyes scanning each surface and frame he passed carefully as if the place was just one giant trap.

For all he knew it could be— but even in his sleep deprived paranoia he knew the chances of that were slim to none. Eggsy strolled leisurely down the hall eyeing plaque awards and framed magazine covers; all involving a man named Derek Kennedy. A very influential businessman— but more specifically he was your unit’s target.

Derek was a bloody genius, far too handsome— yet somehow not overly cocky, with ties to the royal family. Kingsman had been assigned to handle him and keep him safe. Essentially Mr. Kennedy was an asset the agency couldn’t afford to lose, but they also couldn’t exactly tell him he was in danger. Mainly because they didn’t know who the danger was… or when it was coming… or why. Or at least that’s what Arthur told you three just about six months ago.

The bottom line was you basically knew nothing aside from the mission being one of those ‘save the world’ kinds. Eggsy couldn’t think too long on that bit though because suddenly Roxy stepped forward blocking his entrance to the office sporting a deep frown.

“Uh, everything’s good— fine… just peachy.” she pushed a smile across her face, but Eggsy had spent enough time alongside her to know better and even though her voice was soft and quiet it rung loudly with hesitation on every syllable.

“‘Peachy’?” Eggsy brows lifted suspiciously and his lips pushed tightly together.

“What? I can’t say peachy now?” she crossed her arm trying for casual, her smile only slightly more convincing.

“You think I don know by now that you only say that shit when you’re lyin’?” Eggsy danced in place; trying to push past Roxy’s impenetrable wall of a body.

“I do not!” Roxy scoffed looking to the side briefly wondering if in fact she did… but even in her momentary distraction she didn’t budge.

“Uh…” he paused letting an awkward laugh slip, finally feeling the true weight pressing down on him. “’s’cuse me, Rox, but I gotta get in there, yeah?”

“You really don’t.” Roxy narrowed her eyes almost apologetically as she stare him down, selecting her next words more carefully than the last. “Will you just trust me on this?”

Eggsy could feel his pulse rising and his cheeks growing warmer with each second, and he knew that if Roxy was keeping him from something— it would be something he needed keeping from… But even knowing that he felt an itch begin scratching; begging for him to just run his fingers over it; to satisfy the sting that ran beneath his skin…

“Cut the shit— we ain’t got time for your games right now, do we?” and when Eggsy spoke it was clear he was nervous. His tone came off far ruder than intended and immediately he wished he hadn’t been so stern with her. It wasn’t Roxy’s fault after all, but after the day he’d had it was hard for him not to lash out.

Roxy pulled her gaze from her feet locking her eyes tightly to his; having not missed his bark and no longer fearing his bite… this time the look she held was near indifference. As if whatever was coming next he deserved. “Fine… but don’t say I didn’t try warning you.”

Eggsy didn’t move at first, he merely widened his eyes as shock replaced his drained expression. He tossed Roxy a look that said he was sorry, and for a moment he thought she understood. For a moment he almost turned around and left like her eyes pleaded him to do… But ultimately his curiosity got the best of him, like it always did.

What’s that old expression… curiosity killed the cat? He never could remember the last part…

He sighed shaking his head lightly with jaw clenched and hands pulled into tight fists as he stepped past Roxy into the office. When he reached the desk he didn’t look at the monitor but to Roxy again… to her eyes which shifted once more from indifference to something closer to sorrow.

She was standing with her arms still tightly crossed and leaned deeply into the frame of the doorway. She was fiddling anxiously with the fabric at her elbow and Eggsy was having a hard time pulling his gaze from her… but once again curiosity began its creeping itch and before he could think too hard on what that look meant he began shifting his gaze downward.

Eggsy drew in a deep breath as his eyes ended on the monitor— ready for anything… only once he saw what he so desperately needed shielding from, he realized nothing could have prepared him for this; and just like any bite once you touched it, the persistent burning became relentless, begging for more and more— the thirst never being quenched… leaving your skin reddened and raw and your mind unrested.

There you were in the center of the screen… The long silky gown you wore earlier was tossed to the side effortlessly. Your hair was spread across a pillow like a wave, with arms and legs wrapped fervidly around your target… Pressing into him, sliding your fingers through his hair and up his back amorously.

Eggsy couldn’t hear any sounds from the room, but he could see them decorating your face as you pulled the mans hair tighter between your fist…

“I tr— I told you not to, Eggsy. Sh— Tristan is just doing her job.” Roxy looked almost just as hurt as he clearly felt and she stepped closer pulling her lip between her teeth sharply, wanting nothing more than to have stopped him.

Maybe she could have had she tried a little harder. Had she just told him no— not given in to his harmless lashing out. But that didn’t matter anymore because the damage had been done, and now she had to see this through.

If anyone knew just how much you two meant to each other, or how strong your bond was both on and off the field, it was Roxy. And believe that if it could have been her in there instead of you— she’d have done it in a heartbeat. But Derek Kennedy didn’t fall for her— he fell for you… so here you were in the middle of his bed while the man you loved watched…

And really Eggsy knew he shouldn’t be… He knew he should look away, that he should get back to work— but he couldn’t stop himself. His eyes were transfixed on you and that son of a bitch, and no matter how hard he wanted to he couldn’t fucking look away.

It bothered him, filled him with a sharp bubbling envy… but mostly it pained him more than anything else before; both physical and mental. Eggsy clenched his hands so tightly the skin broke beneath his nails, but he could hardly feel the pain that accompanied the small crescent shaped cuts. He could however feel the warm blood trickling between the cracks of his fingers, drip, drip, dripping; promising to stain the fibers of the carpet like the screen stained his mind.

In that moment it didn’t matter that this was the plan all along… It didn’t matter that sometimes sex was a part of your missions as Kingsmen agents. None of it seemed to matter, and suddenly he felt nothing.

Eggsy reminded himself that this was one of those missions. That one of you were to seduce the target and gain access to his private life. More accurately become a part of that private life; and here you were having done your job perfectly— but the pang of your success only poisoned his mind like oil in water.

He felt those thick, inky veins taking root as they spread between the cracks, and with each sharp thump of his heart that darkness grew; pulling him deeper into madness…

Eggsy couldn’t focus on how much time had passed or on how hard he was breathing. He couldn’t feel the way his chest rose and dropped, but once he felt Roxy shaking his arm he came back to the room— back to reality and you were no longer pinned beneath another man.

While his mind rushed a thousand miles a minute he hadn’t even noticed if you’d actually… If you really had been… With the way you were laying next to Derek now, he knew you must have. The lightness of your face, and the way your fingertips stroked his hair affectionately screamed one thing and one thing only; and as Eggsy continued staring at that screen he realized something else.

That Derek was completely in love with you. If Eggsy didn’t know any better he’d of thought you really loved him back— hell, maybe you did… half a year undercover could do that to someone, couldn’t it? Plus, this was you he was talking about… Unstoppable force of fuckin’ nature and Eggsy knew first hand just how incredible you were, and even though you were wrapped in the arms of someone else, you were so damn beautiful to him.

You looked so happy that he couldn’t be upset with you even if his feelings were justified.

You weren’t his— not really. Not in the actual sense of being someone else’s… You weren’t his and you never would be, all thanks to one big lie hidden between several tiny truths.

He’d told you it would never work because of the nature of your jobs. That he’d tried relationships and that they didn’t mix with Kingsman. That you were his best friend and that mattered more than anything else.

And all of that was true, because your positions didn’t really allow for relationships and when he tried one with Tilde it backfired in his face… But the biggest lie he’d ever told was that he didn’t love you when you asked him.

In truth there wasn’t much Eggsy loved besides you, but in his mind telling you he didn’t was the best way to protect you though— the only real way to protect you…

Nothing could have prepared him for when you believed him though. For the way it felt when your eyes changed before him. No, nothing could have prepared him for when he saw the exact second your heart broke into a thousand pieces, and in that moment he hated himself.

He hated himself, but he knew it was all to keep you safe. That it would be worth it in the end…

Only now as he watch Derek wrap his arms around you; pulling you into a tight embrace, all he could feel was regret.

“A-are you alright, Eggsy?” Roxy asked softly from his side as she raised her hand to his elbow; squeezing it lightly offering any form of support she could.

Eggsy cleared his throat pulling his mouth into a weak, unconvincing smile with azure eyes painted painfully. After a nod he shoved his bloodied hand into his pocket, and pressed towards the door, throwing his reply over his shoulder like it was nothing at all.

“Jus peachy, Rox… Jus fuckin’ peachy.”

[fireinmoonshot]

Moments.

Requested by Anon: A fic where reader works for Kingsman as the new agent and Merlin is always being really sweet and kind to her and one day she’s talking to Eggsy and Roxy and they’re complaining about how tough Merlin is on them and Readers like what? He’s always nice to me and they’re like laughing “Yeah, because he’s got a crush on you. Pairing: Merlin x Reader Fandom: Kingsman  Warnings: None. Word Count: 1433

As a child, you always joked about how you wanted to become a spy. When you grew up, you changed your mind and set your sights firmly on becoming a police officer, because, in your opinion, that was the closest you’d get to being a spy. 

And then Kingsman had come along and everything had changed.

One night, you’d been a normal girl, training to become a police officer, and the next you were sleeping in quarters with a bunch of other potential future Kingsman agents. You had no idea that you’d end up being the one who beat all the others to become the next agent.

You’d been Agent Percival now for just over a month, and you’d loved every single second of it. 

You loved the thrill of the missions, you loved the feeling that you got whenever you saved someone, you loved the people you worked with. Your childhood dream had come true and you couldn’t have asked for anything better.

The previous years candidates - Roxy and Eggsy aka Lancelot and Galahad - had taken to you rather quickly. You’d expected the environment of Kingsman to be rather harsh and not friendly at all, but you’d very soon realised that you were wrong. Everybody here was lovely.

Merlin, in particular, was very kind to you. He always checked on you when you came back from missions, always asked you how you were when you arrived of a morning, always said goodnight when you left of a night. You didn’t know why he was so kind, but you supposed that was just his attitude and personality, and you appreciated it.

You sat with Eggsy and Roxy in the dining room, all three of you holding a bowl of cereal. You’d stayed at Kingsman HQ the night before, having been up too late researching for the next mission to go home. All three of you had a room in HQ for nights like those.

You ate another spoonful of cereal, before pointing your spoon at Eggsy as you spoke. “Wait a second, are you saying that he didn’t even try to stop you leaving? That’s crazy.”

Eggsy nodded at you. You’d been talking about Eggsy’s last mission yesterday ever since the three of you sat down with your breakfast. “I know, it’s insane. He just let me walk right outta there, I thought he was gonna jump me from behind or somethin’.” 

Roxy ate a spoonful of her own. “So, you just walked right out of there?”

“That’s what I said, Rox,” he confirmed. “Merlin was shocked when I told him. Got real angry at me and said that I shoulda been more careful n’ shit. Dunno why he flipped like that.”

You frowned. “Merlin got angry at you? I’ve never seen him angry.”

Roxy raised her eyebrows. “Are you serious? If something goes badly wrong on a mission, or if one of us does something wrong he loses it. I think it’s pretty obvious why he got angry at Eggsy. He could have had something happen while his back was turned.”

“That’s weird,” you mused, eating another spoonful. “He’s never been angry at me like that. I’ve messed up a few times on missions before, too, and he’s always been really apologetic and kind about it. I can’t imagine him that angry.”

Eggsy snorted with laughter. “Yeah, because he’s got a crush on you. That’s clearly the only reason why he doesn’t get angry with you. He doesn’t wanna scare you off, luv.”

You rolled your eyes and finished off your breakfast. “As if, Eggsy,” you sighed. “He’s probably  just being easy on me because I’m new, right?” You hoped that was the reason, at least. Though, something deep down stirred at the idea of Merlin not treating you the same as he treated the other agents.

“You keep tellin’ yourself that, luv,” Eggsy smirked.

You hadn’t intended to bring it up with Merlin. But your mind was on overdrive and you needed an answer urgently. So, you decided to try something you’d never done before - you were going to try and make him angry at you.

You’d been thinking and brainstorming about ideas for the whole morning and finally, in the afternoon, had come up with an idea you thought would work. So, you stormed into Merlin’s office a few minutes later, your face full of fake anger.

“Why did you tell Roxy that you don’t think I’m a good agent?” You yelled. 

Merlin turned to look at you, his eyes wide in his shock. “I-what?”

You fumed, crossing your arms as you looked at him, glaring. “You told Roxy that you didn’t think I was a good agent. She told me just now that that’s what you said to her after my last mission. Because I didn’t get all the information we needed. Why did you say that?”

He was speechless as he looked at you, his mouth open in his shock. “I didn’t say anything of that sort, Agent Percival. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re lying,” you said through clenched teeth. “You’re lying and you know it.”

This wasn’t working. Merlin wasn’t cracking at all. He just looked somewhat shocked, but there was no sense of anger on his face at all. You’d thought it’d be easy to make him angry, but in all honesty, he looked more upset at what had apparently been said than anything else.

You paused, biting your lip and looking at him with furrowed eyebrows, trying to figure out what you were going to do next. If Eggsy had been right and Merlin really was crushing on you, then how would you get it out of him? Clearly you couldn’t make him angry. What could you do?”

“Merlin,” you said, your resolve cracking a little bit as you decided to play the hurt card. “How could you say that to her? I thought- I thought you liked me. I thought that you believed in me and that you believed I was a good Agent. Don’t you?”

He was instantly in front of you as he saw the sadness on your face, his hands on your shoulders. “Listen t’ me, Agent Percival, I didn’t say a thing like that. You’ve gotta believe me. You’re one of the best agents we’ve had in years. I don’t know why Roxy would say otherwise.”

You sighed, turning away from him and frowning. “I want you to treat me like you’d treat any other agent, Merlin. I want you to treat me like you treat Eggsy and Roxy. I want you to get angry at me when I do something wrong, not apologise on your behalf.”

Merlin frowned, stepping back and looking at you, clearly confused.

You had intended to keep the act up for a little longer, but you couldn’t help yourself. The look on Merlin’s face combined with the way you were feeling... you had to say what you were thinking. Even if it blew your cover completely.

“What are you talking about, Agent?” He asked, eyebrows furrowed.

You took a deep breath, your eyes looking down at your feet. “Do you like me?”

He shrugged and nodded. “Yeah, of course I like you. You’re a wonderful ag–”

“No,” you shook your head. “Do you like me? As more than a friend.”

Merlin hesitated, though you could see the look in his eyes that told you exactly what you’d been here to find out. You hadn’t, however, expected for Eggsy’s words to be confirmed.

You sighed. “How long?”

���Since the water experiment back in training. When you helped that boy who was panicking over t’ the toilets t’ get him t’ breathe again,” he muttered. “Y’ should know I’m not expecting anything in return from you, Y/N. I don’t want you t’ say anything out of pity.”

That had been months ago. It had been only a few days into your training, and you remembered it clearly. Edward, one of the boys who was training with you, hated water. And you had been the one to stand up and help him to get to the toilet and form a snorkel to breathe. It was just instinct. You hadn’t expected Merlin to begin crushing on you because of it.

You stepped closer towards him, placing your hands on his shoulders as you stood on your tip toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Give me some time,” you whispered. “Give me some time and start treating me like a normal agent and maybe we can try this again.”