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jbaileyfansite · 1 year ago

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Interview with Interview Magazine (2024)

Before he was known as the dashing Lord Anthony Bridgerton or Tim Laughlin, the character in Fellow Travelers for which he won a Critics Choice Award earlier this month, Jonathan Bailey caught the attention of Phoebe Waller-Bridge with his confident, self-possessed audition for her show Crashing nearly a decade ago. “You came in like a fireball,” said the Fleabag star on Zoom with Bailey, recounting how, while reading for the role of the sex-obsessed Sam, Bailey asked permission to lay his script out on the floor in front of him like a rainbow. “You had no embarrassment. You didn’t actually refer to it again, but you took those few seconds to just completely set up what you exactly needed for that audition, and then you were so free.” In the years since, with roles in Bridgerton, the Showtime drama Fellow Travelers, and the upcoming Wicked movie adaptation, Bailey has become one of the most sought-after actors in the business, capable of generating sparks with whoever’s on screen with him. Waller-Bridge attributes this to the 35-year-old’s distinct understanding of tension. “You’re like a chemistry machine,” she gushed. “There’s this incredible erotic energy that people are so excited about.” Last week, from a hotel room at Claridge’s in London, Bailey talked to Waller-Bridge about longing, orgasms, frosted tips, nostalgia, Shakespeare, and his very first role: playing a raindrop in a stage production of Noah’s Ark.

PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE: Hi.

JONATHAN BAILEY: Hi.

WALLER-BRIDGE: I’m taking my glasses off. Now I can be real.

BAILEY: I’ve just had a gin and tonic, actually. I had a meeting and he really wanted a glass of Whispering Angel, so I was like, “Well, I’ve got to dive in.”

WALLER-BRIDGE: What’s the time there?

BAILEY: Oh, I’m literally around the corner from you. Literally, I’ve come into Claridge’s Hotel and checked in for an hour just to have a Zoom.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Oh, god. That’s so chic. Jonny, I want all of your secrets.

BAILEY: I feel like you’ve got quite a few of them already.

WALLER-BRIDGE: I do, actually. And we’re not going to talk about any of those. But I did also get to do a little bit of research on you.

BAILEY: Oh, god. What have you got?

WALLER-BRIDGE: Jonathan Stewart Bailey, I’d like to jump straight in with the fact that the first professional job you had was playing a teardrop, or a raindrop?

BAILEY: There were teardrops, but yeah, I was playing a raindrop.

WALLER-BRIDGE: You were a crying raindrop.

BAILEY: A crying raindrop in Noah’s Ark.

WALLER-BRIDGE: And how old were you then?

BAILEY: I think I was about 5 going on 29. I was really upset because it didn’t rain. The bitch that played Noah, she forgot the cue for the rain to come. So my dance didn’t make it, but at the end of the show they allowed me to do it once everyone had applauded.

WALLER-BRIDGE: I asked you that specifically because you’ve also said that your grandmother took you to see a production of Oliver in London and that’s what changed everything.

BAILEY: Yes.

WALLER-BRIDGE: So was the raindrop before or after that? I am getting to something, I promise.

BAILEY: I think it was probably afterwards. I was really young when I went to see Oliver.

WALLER-BRIDGE: I’m interested because I read that seeing it made you decide you wanted to perform. Can you tell me the specific thing that made it click?

BAILEY: I’ll tell you, the most bizarre thing is that I had three seasons at the RSC under my belt by the age of nine. There was a moment where I played Prince Arthur, the kid in Shakespeare who gets his eyes gouged out and has to escape a turret. I remember doing that production and thinking I was aware of the power of words, if that makes sense. You’re so porous at that age, I think. It is such a gift, isn’t it, to be shown what iambic pentameter is.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Do you still feel passionate about Shakespeare now?

BAILEY: I do, actually. It’s my dirty, filthy habit.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Your dirty little habit. I know what you mean, though, how if you come to it quite raw, and it’s not something that you’ve had shoved down your throat at school, there is nothing more epic and spectacular.

BAILEY: And being around people who are just so committed to their vocation, whether they’re writing or creating. The smell backstage at the RSC at the Barbican was like cigarettes, stage makeup, Joe Fiennes, and hope.

WALLER-BRIDGE: That’s a lot of beautiful smells you’ve got going on there.

BAILEY: I know. Talk about top notes and bottom notes. I was like, “These men, these titans of theater!”

WALLER-BRIDGE: That’s extraordinary that you were exposed to that kind of level of professionalism. Because you are consummately professional, and I remember that. You have this incredible ability to be completely live and spontaneous and wild at the same time as being so incredibly professional, and that’s why working with you felt totally safe. I know that I’ve got a professional actor coming today, but I have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen because you still managed to keep that spontaneity and danger.

BAILEY: I suppose it’s sometimes dangerous. Today I had to do an interview. Crashing came up and I described working with you as being on the constant edge of an orgasm and also hysteria.

WALLER-BRIDGE: It did have a kind of wild, beautiful energy.

BAILEY: There’s a chemical alchemy when you get the right group of people led by the right people.

WALLER-BRIDGE: I haven’t had that in quite the same way since, where everyone has equal importance in the story. That’s the thing that feels quite rare, actually, there’s like six of you and they’re all as fucked up as each other. I remember your audition. You came in like a fireball and you already felt like you had a Sam energy. You sat in your chair, took out your script from your bag, and then you were like, “Give me a second,” and you laid out your script around you on the floor. You had no embarrassment about what you needed or in front of you. You didn’t actually refer to it again, but you took those few seconds to just completely set up what you exactly needed for that audition, and then you were so free. And I just wonder if you’ve felt that particular type of confidence your whole life?

BAILEY: That’s a really good question. I’ve got three older sisters and I wonder if they are a structure. I’ve definitely been in environments where I don’t feel free, and then you give the worst performance of your life. What I’ve found in the last few years is that, of course, you have to adapt so quickly to work out what you need in order to be able to be free. I think if I don’t have the equivalent of that on the floor, I panic or get really scared.

WALLER-BRIDGE: There’s something about that, which is being able to play dangerously in a safe environment. I feel like that’s got so much to do with an understanding of tension, which I think you have. You’re like a chemistry machine. Obviously, with Bridgerton and then in Fellow Travelers, there’s this incredible erotic energy that people are so excited about.

BAILEY: I really think it comes from Crashing.

WALLER-BRIDGE: It doesn’t come from Crashing, it comes from you. I think you’re the king of tension. I think you understand what that is.

BAILEY: I think you can give yourself butterflies, can’t you?

WALLER-BRIDGE: Is that what you’re looking for, the butterfly all the time?

BAILEY: Yeah, I’m always looking for my butterfly farm. The misty, slightly smelly greenhouse full of butterflies.

WALLER-BRIDGE: That’s your tummy?

BAILEY: Yeah, that’s my tummy.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Did you always dream of playing leading man roles growing up?

BAILEY: Not at all, no. I never thought I would be able to.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Why?

BAILEY: I’ve realized that I’m completely in awe of other people and performances and creative endeavors. I go to the theater and I love a performance and I’m like, “How do they do that? I can’t see the seams.” So therefore, I feel like I must be driven by that. And when something comes my way, there’s a fear that it won’t work.

WALLER-BRIDGE: What’s really exciting to me is when I see palpable dynamics between characters, which you have done multiple times, like the relationship between Tim and Hawk. There’s so much opportunity for intimacy and that kind of danger. And when you get to play those sorts of roles, when you know that you can stand in front of each other and you don’t really need to do anything because it’s giving you something, it must’ve just been a joy walking into this world because it’s like a banquet of stuff to play with, right?

BAILEY: Totally, and it feels sort of vital and sexy. I do remember this one memory, which I guess I’ll share with you now. I did play and there was a tiled wall,at eye level with a mirrored border around. And there was a guy, we were into each other, and I remember just looking up in the middle of a conversation and he was looking at me in a reflection. And I was like, “This is what life is about.” Anyway, I think that it must have something to do with feeling the most alive in that.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Do you know Esther Perel?

BAILEY: Yeah, I love Esther Perel.

WALLER-BRIDGE: So she’s written about how she believes that your next orgasm begins at the very end of your last one, which is basically our whole life just building up to our next orgasm.

BAILEY: That’s just fantastic. It’s just so positive and hopeful—

WALLER-BRIDGE: And so beautiful, isn’t it?

BAILEY: It is.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Everything that you encounter in your life, every conversation that you have, is in some way building up to the next euphoric physical experience. Every single character has to have that inside them one way or another, because every human does. And I think with Fellow Travelers, because you long for them so much as an audience and you want them to have everything that they want from each other, but they’re also brutal to themselves and to each other, there is something so extraordinary seeing characters in that time portrayed in the way that you guys have portrayed them.

BAILEY: One thing that we’re all born with is the sense of longing. Longing comes before anything else, doesn’t it? Whoever you put on the wall, laminate the poster or whatever, it’s there. And actually, if you long for someone, more often than not you don’t think you are worthy of it. And that, to me, is a way into characters.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Do you remember your laminated poster longing person?

BAILEY: I think I had the Simpsons, which was obviously me trying to disguise myself as much as possible. Lucy Liu was a big one for me, too.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Well, I can see that.

BAILEY: I suppose there’s the laminated wall in my literal bedroom and then there’s the laminated wall in my gay—

WALLER-BRIDGE: Mind.

BAILEY: Who was yours?

WALLER-BRIDGE: You know what? It’s really interesting, because I was the eagle in the Rescuers Down Under. That wasn’t necessarily a sexual longing, but it was a romantic idea, that overwhelming sense of watching the Rescuers Down Under and being able to run out of the back of my house on my own, age 10, and jump onto the back of a giant eagle and he’ll fly me around. But in terms of just a hottie that I really fancied, I think it was probably Leo [DiCaprio].

BAILEY: Oh, yeah.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Are you a nostalgic person?

BAILEY: Yes, I think so. I think a lot about my younger self. I’m always like, “Guys, remember this?” It’s slightly annoying, but I’m always drawing a line between the past and now for sure.

WALLER-BRIDGE: That’s how you measure your life, by remembering the time that’s gone by or what 11-year-old you would think of what you were doing?

BAILEY: I think I’m probably more romantic than nostalgic, if that makes sense.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Go on.

BAILEY: Well, I just think I’ve fully committed to the idea of everything being brilliant and then I work backwards from there.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Well, having starred in two hit period dramas and also being a huge part of the fact that they are a hit, that’s why I wondered about what your relationship is with the past and history, and how much you actually knew about McCarthy America?

BAILEY: Oh, no. Have you got a quiz?

WALLER-BRIDGE: I actually don’t. Do you want one?

BAILEY: No, that would be the worst.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Do you enjoy historical novels? Do you live in the past in any way in your mind? Or you are kind of like, “We’re here and we’re moving forward?”

BAILEY: I do think I’m here and moving forward. I really struggled with history at school, I could not take in information about the past. When it came to exams, I would remember the page where things were written but I couldn’t stitch together epochs and eras and kings.

WALLER-BRIDGE: It crashes my brain, too. I have a friend, and you can say to her, “June 24th, 1999,” and she can tell you pretty much what she was up to.

BAILEY: That’s amazing.

WALLER-BRIDGE: You can see her go into the diary in her mind. She has a very different wiring of her brain. But speaking of longing, are there any fictional or real life couples, gay or straight, that captured your heart over the years?

BAILEY: Oh my god, what a question. What about Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine?

WALLER-BRIDGE: I think Morticia and Gomez Addams were the most romantic couple.

BAILEY: Yeah, I see that.

WALLER-BRIDGE: They understood it. They got it all.

BAILEY: Also maybe Ryan and Marissa in The OC.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Any gay male couples that you ever looked up to or were romanced by?

BAILEY: Well unfortunately, there just weren’t that many were there growing up.

WALLER-BRIDGE: So wild.

BAILEY: But I met Matthew Rhys recently, who I just love. And I was thinking about that relationship in Brothers and Sisters. And then there was Queer as Folk. Russell, T. Davies changed the game. So many people owe so much to him just purely for visibility. There is no Tim and Hawk to a 2023 audience without Queer as Folk.

WALLER-BRIDGE: But did you feel frustrated?

BAILEY: Well, speaking of history, I was doing media studies with an amazing teacher and I decided that I was going to do my dissertation about the representations of Hutus and Tutsis and the Rwanda genocide, looking at Hotel Rwanda and Shooting Dogs. And then Brokeback Mountain came out and I was like, “Hang on, how can I possibly create a world where I can go and have a free pass to go to the cinema to watch it 10 times?” I’m really proud of my 17-year-old self, I wasn’t necessarily out, but I changed the topic to representation of homosexuality in Brokeback Mountain and I watched that film 10 times. And this amazing teacher, Dr. Brunton, who probably had an idea of what was going on, was just like, “This is brilliant, keep going, keep going.” And I think it was the best mark I ever got.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Do you still have it?

BAILEY: It must be on a hard drive upstairs in the attic. And obviously, that completely changed me, something chemical happened there. But it’s funny, I’m not clear on memories. And I do think it’s a common thing for a lot of people, growing up and having to survive and be basically in fight or flight, there’s a murkiness to how I recall.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Of course, because you couldn’t be truly present because you weren’t being completely yourself.

BAILEY: Totally, yeah.

WALLER-BRIDGE: When you look back and start unpacking it, do you feel overwhelmed with sympathy for how hard you were having to work as a 16-year-old, coming up with excuses to see the movie that you wanted to see?

BAILEY: Yeah. But I spent more time trying to be sympathetic towards the people that were around me who didn’t support or couldn’t help. I look back and I go, “Hell.”

WALLER-BRIDGE: Yes. But you are representing that and living that for so many people now. Your speech at the Critics Choice Awards the other day was so sublime and beautiful and straight from the heart. You are so electric as a human being and that is the most important thing. There aren’t many people in the world that can do that, that can stand there in front of people and speak from their heart about what it means to them to be given this opportunity. And I know that your career is just going to be the most extraordinary journey. When I first met you, I remember sitting with Josh [Cole], who was the producer on Crashing, and we were like, “If we get this guy, it’s going to be the game changer for the show.” And I know that every single person now wanting you on their project is feeling the same thing.

BAILEY: I definitely feel overwhelmed by that, but it’s lovely to hear.

WALLER-BRIDGE: Can I just ask you one question which I couldn’t remember about Crashing?

BAILEY: Yeah.

WALLER-BRIDGE: The frosted tips were your idea, wasn’t it?

BAILEY: I had this conversation today. I think it’s in the script. But my reference picture was Justin Timberlake in double denim.

WALLER-BRIDGE: No, I don’t think it was [in the script], because Sam’s a character that I hold closest to my heart because, in so many ways, he represents how I feel about maybe my inner life. I just love him so much, and your ability to play every single little corner of him that I dreamed of.

BAILEY: Maybe that’s the answer I was looking for when you asked if I was drawn to any romantic couples? No, it was just about wanting bleach blonde hair.

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#jonathan bailey #phoebe waller bridge #jonny bailey #interviews #interviews:2024 #interview magazine #interview magazine interview #fellow travelers #crashing #NEW!

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rocksanddeadflowers · 1 year ago

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hyperfixating on Lyfrassir and Marius kissing but slowburn so obviously i was thinking about different scenarios of them reuniting after the Bifrost Incident. And I realized I want more.... Chaotic/crack treated seriously variations.

The dramatic/angry ones and the "found Lyf floating in space half dead" ones are so very delicious indeed BUT it's too late I'm thinking about silly ones now and I have a personal favorite to share:

Marius has been moping (aka in the worst lovesick guilt ridden agony ever) ever since they left Lyf behind, so the crew obviously kept an eye out for any sign of Lyf.

Not too terribly long after the Bifrost, Brian gets a signal while piloting. Whatever it is (Lyf's tiny space shuttle, a random planet, Lyf having stowed away on a large spacecraft the boys get to pirate raid) is based on interpretation ngl BUT Brian finds them. Of course, there are a couple factors to consider:

One, he is on EJM. Two, Jonny and Tim have been complaining relentlessly about Marius's moping (well, most of the crew has, but Jonny and Tim the most). Three, he realizes that The Birthday Day (the day in which the crew of the Aurora celebrate everyone's birthdays at once, since they've all long forgotten their original and time is strange anyway) isn't very far away.

(The fourth secret factor is that while I like polymechs I'm also a big fan of Tim Jonny and Brian being their own thing.)

So instead of reasonably telling Marius, he goes to Tim and Jonny and devices a plan to "make Marius less boring again".

Cut to Marius on The Birthday Day, half-asleep and face tear stained, getting dragged into the common room much too early in the day by these three maniacs.

(Much of the usual stuff has been/is currently being set up by the other crew members- a present pile that doesn't contain all the day's presents nor does it contain solely presents, random decorations salvaged through the years, snacks and a giant pile of blankets and pillows and other soft things in the center of the room so they can pass out there at the end of the day, etc etc)

There's a large box (the kind that look like fancy wrapped presents but have a removable lid like a hat/shoe box) next to the pile the three maniacs are pushing Marius to open ("Guys it's fine I'm really not in the mood for The Birthd- you never let me open presents early is this a trick?"). Marius eventually caves and pulls the lid off the box, the cardboard walls falling to the floor-

There is Lyfrassir Edda, bound and gagged, sat on the floor, glaring the sharpest daggers ever up at everyone. The three maniacs probably shout "surprise!" with shit eating grins.

Marius, both extremely relieved, overjoyed, and terrified nearly has a panic attack removing the bonds and immediately being punched square in the face for his troubles. (It's okay those two will work out their problems- eventually.)

edit: forgot to mention Lyf does 100% in fact have a giant bow stuck on their head and someone in the reblogs beat me to saying that lmao glad you got the same idea

#brian knocking on top of the box before going to get marius: you're still alive in there right #lyf: *extremely muffled but still understandable* fuck you #the mechanisms fanfiction #violinspector #the mechanisms #marius von raum #lyfrassir edda #drumbot brian #gunpowder tim #jonny d'ville

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sugar--brown · 3 months ago

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Being back in the family

I decided to start posting my one-shots from ao3 here to share with the fandom more!

This one is from the first prompt of @drcarmillaappreciationweek

Words: 2,189

Summary: Dr. Carmilla is captured by The Mechanisms, while they bicker like usual, she reflects on her relationships with each one of them. This is mostly self-indulgent because I like to think Carmilla is still a sweet woman despite everything.

Story under the cut.

Almost forgot: @yourlocalmechanism-dr-carmilla

When Carmilla came back to her senses, she wasn’t feeling really well. In fact, she felt more dizzy than anything else. Her head was killing her, she could feel her brain trying to escape her skull. She painfully tried to open her eyes, but it didn’t help her much because her sight was full of big black spots. She blinked, once, twice… She continued until her hearing came back.

“Told you we could capture her if we stick together!” cheered a gravy voice, which Carmilla found it quite familiar.

An icy cold waterfall suddenly fell on her head, drenching her to the bone. That helped her to finally focus on her situation. First: she was aboard a ship. Second: it wasn’t any ship, she was aboard her daughter Aurora. Thirdly: all the kids were here staring at her. And finally: she was tied up to a chair.

Mmh. What was going on here?

“So…” started Ashes. “What now?"

“What now?” parroted Jonny. “What now?! We are doing whatever we want with her!”

Oh. That was what was going on: Jonny dragging everyone into one of his nonsensical plans for revenge and fun. Or fun and revenge? It really depended of his mood. It wasn’t the first time Jonny tricked her or trapped her. But it was the first time he succeeded to enrol everyone to do it. Even the Toy Soldier was here in the back of the little crowd.

“You have no idea of what you are doing, aren’t you.” sighed Nastya.

“Y-yes I do!”

Oh, he sure didn’t.

Everyone raised an eyebrow at that. But as usual, Jonny ignored them. Carmilla started to kick her feet in the air. The chair was high enough for her to not touch the floor, smart. Today was a good day! Her joints were feeling good, she was back with Aurora and all her kids were paying attention to her.

“My question still stands: what is the next step here?” asked Ashes.

“I already answer: whatever we want.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“You just suck at being creative!”

Carmilla knew to recognize a petty argument when she saw one. So, she ignored Jonny and Ashes – who had started throwing hands – and focused on the others. It was nice to see that Raphaella and Marius had settled in the family just fine, she hadn’t been much around – sadly – since she hadn’t mechanized them. But that didn’t matter because they were having fun watching Jonny and Ashes brawling, eating pop-corn.

Talking about kids settling well in the family, Carmilla noticed Tim shaking his head disapprovingly, already taking out one of his guns. His eyes seemed to perfectly work now, which was good. Eyes were difficult to work on and tended to be painful. Was it because of Nastya’s work or Raphaella’s? Whatever, it was good work if Tim was up to deal with Jonny’s shenanigans!

It was a relief, because Carmilla never saw such a brutal and painful mechanization. It had broken her heart that her children hadn’t trusted her enough to ask for her help when Jonny brought back his favourite – dying – mortal from a war. They had tried to handle everything themselves, and it’s only after a lot of failures that Brian had called her.

But it had broken her heart even more when she saw in what state the poor boy was. She had done her best to fix everything. But she had been limited by time, resources and the anxiety of her family, who didn’t want to have anything to do with her at the moment.

Seeing Tim in such a serene state was enough to brighten her day!

“I don’t want to interrupt anything, but we have a more serious problem.” interrupted Brian, grabbing Jonny and Ashes by the collar like kittens. “Do I have to remind you that she’s a vampire?”

Mh. They were really mad if they act like she wasn’t right next to them. But she was very curious about what they will do next. So she didn’t move a muscle and let her kids continue their little plan.

“So what?” grumbled Jonny, trying to escape Brian’s grasp. “What this has to do with anything?”

“It means she will need blood soon.”

Everyone blinked at Brian for a second, and Carmilla nodded solemnly. She drank some not long ago, so she should be fine for a while. But it was true that at some point she would need a bit of blood or thing would get… messy.

“I Have A Cup Of Blood If That Can Help!” chirped the Toy Soldier.

“Why do you have a cup of blood?” frowned Ashes, finally escaping the Drumbot's grasp.

“With a straw too!” added Toy Soldier, finally taking out the blood cup with a straw from… somewhere? Where did it come from? Better not questioning the functionality of the wooden doll.

Carmilla had tried to study Toy Soldier. It had been eager to let her dig in its gears. But she had found nothing out of ordinary. It was a superb automaton, but nothing which could explain its immortality.

In the end, they had spent more time talking about the other mechs and their own issues in her lab than anything else. These calm moments had been closed to heaven for the doctor. And a good start of her introspection.

“How is she supposed to drink it?” asked Nastya, raising an eyebrow.

That was a good question, as always, from Nastya. Her sweet, sweet Nastya. Her little princess. Her little pragmatic engineer, always struggling to connect with people but so good at understanding them. Carmilla couldn’t overstate how lucky she had been to meet her.

Nastya would never believe it, but she was a great fit to their little family.

Once upon a time, Jonny wasn’t coping well with his first millennia of immortality, and neither Carmilla nor Scuzz had been able to help him. And at the exact moment, just the moment when Jonny was deadly jealous of Aurora, Nastya appeared in their lives. Or more precisely, Carmilla saved her life.

They had fought, they had argued, they had caused mischiefs together. And in the end, Jonny had been calmer than either (aka: he stopped biting before talking) and learned to string Jonny’s heart strings as well as her viola’s.

“We need something to keep the straw near her mouth…” wondered Raphaella, a piece of pop-corn flying out of her hand when she waved it excitedly the moment she had a very new and absolutely very good idea.

Carmilla liked Raphaella. She was an upbeat and smart woman. She may have mechanized herself, but she wasn’t less her daughter than any other of her siblings. They had much time to bond, though… Carmilla regretted that, but it wasn’t like she could. She would never again sacrifice her oldest children’s comfort for another kid’s.

Maybe they could talk about science during her… prison time? Did this situation count as been in prison?

“I don’t think another of your very dangerous gadgets is the solution here.” tempered Brian, again the voice of reason.

Brian, the last piece she added alone in their little family. The weight to balance everyone else. To be fair, she didn’t pick him like the others. She didn’t spend years at his side to see if he would fit with the others. It had been a coincidence, a request, and a gut feeling.

But she never regretted it. Brian had been the one stepping up when she failed all of them. He was their anchor in the storm, whatever in which mod he was. Honestly, the moral system she had to build on the whim hadn’t much impact on his free will… And it was another proof that Brian was more than a nice and calm soul.

“Are you in boring mod?” asked Ashes, in a teasing tone, hiding their smile by munching on a cigar.

Carmilla smiled along, looking away in hope no one caught her. But she couldn’t help it. Ashes’ sarcasm and serious face when they were telling a joke always amused her. The first time she had seen Ashes using it as a weapon, it was during their first meet.

Carmilla had been surprised to see a kid at a blackjack’s tournament, so she had sat at their table and played with them. A few jokes later, Carmilla had lost all her money and more. And Ashes had won more cash than they had ever seen in their life, and as bonus, a mother.

Ashes was the perfect quartermaster. The one able to bond with each one of crew’s member. The one stepping up when Jonny was too upset to be a good first mate. The one who everyone turn for comfort and good advice.

The one who stood up against Carmilla.

“I’m not in ‘boring mod’.” groaned Brian. “I just think it’s not a good idea either way.”

“Hold on. I have an idea.” said Jonny, grabbing something in a cupboard.

Ten seconds later, the blood cup was strapped to Carmilla’s chest, letting her having free access to the straw.

There was a moment of shock. Everyone blinked, confused, at Jonny who stand tall and proud like he was some kind of genius.

Her little wild child��

Jonny always had been unpredictable like that. Scuzz had groaned, snapped and complained about it all day long. But Carmilla had found it endearing. No, it was more than that. She had seen herself in him. Her young, rebellious, lost, self.

She hadn’t been able to resist, and she had adopted him after he trapped himself in the worst situation possible. She had taught him how to fight properly, how to travel space and foreign planets, how to play music…

Carmilla hadn’t a favourite child, she loved them infinitely and equally. But if someone wanted to point a favourite, they would probably choose Jonny. Because she let most of his terrible and nonsensical behaviours slide with a chuckle.

But it was just because was the loudest and the one craving attention. All of them had terrible and nonsensical behaviours.

“There is 77% probability that you gave someone the idea to do the same on you in the near future.” provided Ivy with her usual equal tone.

Jonny glared at her, completely missing the joke. Ivy was the one considering doing it to Jonny in the near future. But most people couldn’t tell when Ivy was joking.

Her smart little bookworm! Always a step further than anyone else. She could recall when they all organized a chess tournament aboard Aurora out of pure boredom. It had ended with Jonny eating the pieces, Nastya trying to cheat with the help of Aurora, Ashes hiding multiple queens in their sleeves, Brian digging out some obscure and questionable moves and Ivy throwing the chess plate across the room in frustration.

But who could blame them? Ivy was too good at it for the others to have fun, and the others were too wild for Ivy’s enjoyment. It was a fond memory for Carmilla, but she doubted any of them remembered this particular event.

“Hang on, let me put a movie.” said Marius, bypassing Jonny in a jog.

“What?! Why?!” exclaimed the first mate.

“In case she gets bored.” shrugged Marius like it was common sense.

It was… it was strangely nice of him. Carmilla understood the comfortable chair for her joints and the blood cup for her vampiric hunger. But putting a movie for her in case she got bored… It was a step further. It wasn’t just nice, it was caring.

Marius was the one she knew the least about. Even less than Tim and Raphaella. The majority of her knowledge about him came from The Bifrost Incident shows she sneaked in to check on them. And even their, Jonny and Toy Soldier was the one attracting the most attention.

But he seemed sweet, able to keep his mind pragmatic while without denying a bit of fun either. Someone interesting. Someone able to fit. Someone she could call son.

If he allowed her to. He had been an adult and immortal long enough to not need someone like Carmilla around to help him settle. But if he did, she would be overjoyed to provide!

“She’s our prisoner!” shouted Jonny, indignant.

“Since when are you ordering everyone around?” asked Nastya, rolling her eyes. “Marius can do whatever he wants. We already followed your terrible plan.”

“Because I’m the captain!”

“FIRST MATE!” shouted back everyone with a grin, making Jonny pout like a child.

Carmilla took a sip of the blood. Yes, Jonny was the first mate. Because there was already a captain. It had been her, back in the days. But now…

She gave a knowing look to one of Aurora’s camera which was staring at her since the beginning. Aurora was her own captain, and the captain of The Mechanisms.

Because she was her special little girl. Her oldest child. The only one Carmilla wasn’t deeply uncomfortable around, because Aurora was never scared of her and was knocking sense into her mum when she failed to act like a mother.

Yes, Doctor Carmilla had ten children, and she loved all infinitely and equally.

#the mechanisms #the mechs #dr carmilla #dr carmilla appreciation week #jonny d'ville #nastya rasputina #ashes o'reilly #ivy alexandria #drumbot brian #the toy soldier #gunpowder tim #raphaella la cognizi #marius von raum #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 fanfic #fluff #fluff without plot #self indulgent

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pretty-little-howtown · 5 months ago

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What the casting of Dr Doom has made me realise about 'Deadpool and Wolverine'

Since I first watched 'Deadpool and Wolverine' I have not stopped thinking about the movie. It's hard not to with opinion pieces everywhere; the creators I watch on YouTube making videos about it; and my friends slowly one by one taking to the cinemas to see it. I really enjoyed it. However, over the past couple weeks, I have been doubting its narrative quality. This has in turn led to some pretty disorganised thoughts about the nature of the Marvel movies as well as any comic book or media adaptations. First I will begin by outlining my thoughts on the casting of Dr Doom. Then I will explain how the casting of Dr Doom affected my view of 'Deadpool and Wolverine.' Finally, I'll outline my very disorganised thoughts about the precedent it sets for Marvel movies.

I am one of the people very unhappy about RDJ (Robert Downey Jr.) playing Dr Doom. Originally this is because I believed Marvel would need some way of explaining why Tony Stark and Dr Doom look the same. I thought to do this Marvel would do the same character fuckery they did with Task Master. Then I forgot about the whole ordeal for a while. I mean I don't work at Marvel, it's not like I'm gonna be able to change it.

Having forgotten all about the announcement I was sent a Tumblr post, surprise surprise, by a friend on the topic. The post outlined how RDJ isn't the type of actor to be able to pull off the highs and lows of Dr Doom. Meaning that, in the comics, the character flips between calling himself a God with the utmost gravity and then being a complete and utter fool. Which I do agree with. So much so, that I created a list of actors I think would be better suited to play Dr Doom. But again, I don't work at Marvel. I can't change the casting. So, I forgot about it for a while once again.

Yet the cycle continues. I watched a YouTube video outlining all the easter eggs and references littered throughout the 'Deadpool and Wolverine' movie. One 'easter egg' in particular caught my attention. Chris Evans reprising his old role of Johnny Storm. In the video, the creator speculated this was a deliberate decision on the part of Marvel beyond it being a fun cameo celebrating the Foxverse (20th Century Fox Universe). They speculate Evan's Johnny Storm was deliberately cast to show that different characters can be played by the same actors. In the context of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), different people can look the same. In short, Tony Stark can look like Dr Doom, and Dr Doom can look like Tony Stark.

This should have calmed my original dislike of the casting. It's a simple and easy way to explain why in the Marvel film universe Tony Stark and Dr Doom look the same. Unfortunately, it didn't. This seemed inconceivable to me from an in-universe standpoint. Captain America died in the prime timeline. Johnny Storm was purged and left in the void. To me, this means Johnny Storm was not meant to be in the prime timeline and his existence there was a threat. Meta textually this, to me, would mean the same actor cannot play multiple characters within the MCU. However, I must note, there is no evidence the Johnny Storm we see is from the prime timeline. Despite this, I believe my point still stands, as the cast of the new Fantastic Four movies announced Johnny Storm will be played by Joseph Quinn. At this point in time we have no reason to say this movie won't take place in the prime timeline. As such, a more specific precedent is set by Marvel. One in which, characters can be played by the same actors in the MCU but they cannot be played by the same actors in the same timeline. In short Captain America and Johnny Storm can't look alike in the prime timeline so neither can Tony Stark and Dr Doom. The cycle repeats. I forget about the casting of RDJ as Dr Doom. I forget the possible intentionality with which Chris Evans was asked to reprise his role as Jonny Storm. I go about my daily life.

Until I watch another YouTube video. This one about the concept of Anchor Beings. The creator outlines their worries that anchor beings serve to shrink the multiverse Marvel has created instead of widening it. It goes on to mention disagreement about whether the idea of anchor beings is truly another multiversal concept introduced into the Marvel playbook or a metatextual reflection of the importance of Hugh Jackman and Wolverine to the Fox-men (20th Century Fox's X-Men) franchise. The creator settles on the two ideas being the same as a result of the reveal of RDJ as Dr Doom and the rumours of 'Avengers 5' having an anti-Kang anchor being squad. Those point to the concept of anchor beings sticking around as well as showing how integral RDJ is to the MCU.

Finally, the cycle ends. This time I wasn't able to let my thoughts go. Instead, I came to a conclusion I didn't want to come to. Narratively, 'Deadpool and Wolverine' probably isn't that good of a movie. Don't get me wrong I loved it. I watched the X-Men movies as a kid and loved them. I still love them, and this movie was the perfect Foxverse send-off. But that's the issue. The movie's value comes from the metatextual narrative woven into it. Every character in the Void is from the Foxverse. As far as I can tell, the characters are mostly from movies that have either been forgotten from the 20th Century Fox catalogue. A lot more have been from movies that were considered flops, or characters that were horrifically conceived. Juggernaut comes to mind. Wolverine is burnt out and useless, a mata[hor for the current state of the Fox. Deadpool is alive because since Logan he's been Fox's most bankable property, but he's not content because the Wolverine from the previous movies was the lynchpin of the franchise.

That's where Wolverine being an anchor being comes in. Hugh Jackman's bankablility as Wolverine cannot be denied and the X-Men movies made it clear that their protagonist is Wolverine. Metatextually, this can be seen from the generally bad reception of X-Men movies that did not have him as the protagonist. Of course, with the exception of First Class Last Stand and Origins Wolverine. X-Men follows Logan being introduced to the X-Men as well as taking care of Rouge. X2 focuses much more on Loagn's backstory. I would argue he's still the protagonist in Days of Future Past, not just because he is the one sent back in time but because he is the one who ultimately brings Charles and Erik together. This movie cemented Logan as the emotional anchor of the X-Men movies.

Now where does this leave us in terms of future movies? Well, I have to agree the idea of anchor beings does seem to have been created to allow for more stories with a select few favourites. However, it also sets a dangerous precedent that nostalgia can make for a 'good' movie, you just have to do it right. Many people complained about 'Rise of Skywalker' for leaning too much into nostalgia and dropping it into the movie at random. Scenes seemed to be written around easter eggs and not the other way around. Disney hadn't figured out the formula then, but by 'No Way Home' they had. The easter eggs had become part of the plot. If 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was a send-off to the Foxverse, then 'No Way Home' was the first send-off, this one to the Spider-Man IP. Both came after long and arduous legal battles over the IP. 'No Way Home' began with another uneasy marriage between Sony and Disney where 'No Way Home' could have conceivably been the last MCU Spider-Man movie. 'Deadpool and Wolverine' was the result of Disney taking custody of 20th Century Fox.

'Deadpool and Wolverine' is full of ester eggs and references that are woven into the story. A story that centres the character of Wolverine and makes him a metaphor for the Foxverse. As such the metatextual narrative of the movie cannot be removed from the film. It's hard at times to separate this movie from its context. It was conceived as a celebration of an era that will never come again. Now that Disney has cracked the code, I worry that these sorts of metatextual narratives will be used more liberally, stifling creativity and expansion. I worry this will also set a precedent that you need to do your homework before you go into a Marvel movie. Something that isn't an issue for fans more so casual viewers. A while back a friend said they really enjoyed the movie but didn't understand part because they hadn't watched 'Loki.' I'm sure this isn't an uncommon sentiment and it demonstrates something an admittedly vocal minority have been complaining about. Noel Carroll, in his paper 'Power of Movies,' argues that the reason films are quickly overtaking traditional art and literature as our society's dominant art form is because of their low barrier to entry. by that, he means, it's a lot easier to learn to understand pictures than it is words. It's also a lot quicker. I think an overreliance on nostalgia and overuse of established media (TV shows like 'Loki,' or Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D') will make that barrier of entry higher but instead of encouraging people to dive in and explore they might just steer them away.

Thank you for making it through this whole post. I have linked all the posts and videos in the appropriate places above but I will link them all in an easier-to-view list here as well.

RDJ as Dr Doom Tumblr Post

'I Watched Deadpool & Wolverine in 0.25x Speed and Here's What I Found' -The Cadaidian Lad

'Anchor Being's Suck' - Pillar of Garbage

'Power of Movies' - Noel Caroll

This was a sort of half-essay. I mostly wanted to get some of my thoughts down in some form or another. I would like to stress these are just my opinions, you do not have to agree with them. Furthermore, I enjoyed every movie I mentioned above (except 'Rise of Skywalker'). This post isn't meant to make you hate any of the movies mentioned, nor am I making a concrete judgment as to the quality of any of these movies. You're free to have your own opinions and free to watch and like whatever you want. As I said these are just my opinions and who knows they might change in a couple of years.

#opinions #deadpool and wolverine #deadpool #wolverine #dr doom #rdj as dr doom #mcu #marvel cinematic universe #x men

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thatpodcastkid · 10 months ago

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Magnus Archives Relisten 1, MAG 1

Very excited to begin this project! I will be updating Saturdays and Mondays, so feel free to listen along and let me know what you are thinking. I will be discussing each episode within the larger context of the show, so spoilers ahead!

I am starting with MAG 1, Angler Fish.

Oh, how I missed that cello intro.

Facts: Statement of Nathan Watts, April 22nd, 2012, taking place in Old Fish Market Close, Edinburgh. I want to keep track of statement times and places so that we could get some semblance of a timeline.

Character Notes: I forgot how autobiographical Jon gets in this first episode. He spends the first ten minutes just describing the archive, how he came to work there, and who he is. If he was just attempting to catalogue the stamens, this seems unnecessary. But, as we know, he wasn't exactly qualified to be an archivist.

Jon describes himself as a not believing in the supernatural and the archive as where the "dead end cases" end up. It's suspicious that Elias would hire someone who doesn't believe in the supernatural at all to look into the cases with the least evidence, which foreshadows that Jon wasn't hired because of his research or archival skills.

Another part of this episode that I really love is where Jonny puts the listeners focus in terms of character. At the beginning of the episode, Jon kind of glazes over Tim and Sasha to talk about how much he hates Martin, which in turn makes the listener ignore Tim and Sasha to think about Martin. Jonny really draws your attention to what's important there.

Additionally, at the end of the episode, Jonny brings the focus back to Sasha as he describes all the online research and computer-related work she does. So from the get-go, he was showing us how involved she was with the archive and how committed she was to work.

And of course, it wouldn't be TMA without Jon's complete tonal shift from describing to reading the statement. It's such a stark contrast.

Statement Notes: It's been said before, but the fact that the statement that draws Jon in is called "Angler Fish." Especially after hearing how immediately when he starts reading the statement, his voice changes. He is completely absorbed in it from the moment he starts reading. I know we all make fun of the way Jon acts out the statements, but he just can't stop himself. Once the statements start, he's no longer in control. We hear this in his voice from MAG 1, but don't realize how intense it is until Martin has to shake him out of statements in season 5.

It stuck out to me that Nathan was drunk when he met the thing in the alley. This serves as a reason for Jon to dismiss the statement, but I vaguely remember several statement givers being under the influence, which makes me wonder if entities specifically choose to prey on intoxicated people because they have a lower capacity to reason. Maybe because they're more likely to act based on fear than logic?

Entity Alignment: The entities overlap a lot, especially in this episode, so I'm going to share all the entity vibes I got and hear what others think.

Going on imagery alone, there's definitely something to be said about The Dark in this episode. The fact that actual angler fish live in the darkest section of the ocean and the creature refused to let itself be fully seen really bring that fear into this episode. Also, when Sasha reconstructs the photo one of the missing people took of the creature, Jon says it's on a stairwell. I remember the creature on the stairs episode being pretty Dark-aligned, though I doubt they're related.

But, the fact that Nathan and the listener are afraid of the creature because they can't see it and don't know what it is makes me think of The Stranger, too. Nathan says that, "whatever was asking, it wasn't the thing in the alley well," which really reminds me of "I don't even have a voice box." The creature isn't speaking for itself, an unknown voice is coming from an unknown place and it's asking for a cigarette. Nathan also says that when he told people about what he saw, they didn't believe him, only responding with "pity and concern." This is similar to how people would treat those who remembered the people The Stranger replaced: they were treated like they were acting weird and different, when it was the Not!Person. Also, before Watts realizes the thing in the alley isn't human, he calls it "The Stranger."

Yet, the entity I believe is really aligned with this statement, is The Web. With everything from Jon asking for a cigarette before trying to blow up the world, to his spider lighter, to this being the statement that draws him into the archive and leads to him becoming the Archivist, this episode is so reminiscent of Annabelle Cane and her plot (Can you say reminiscent before something happens? Is it just "miniscent"?). There were two things that really got me thinking this was a Spider ep though.

Number one, when the creature disappears, Nathan describes it, "as if a string had gone taut and pulled it back." This really seems like Annabelle or The Web itself had placed the creature there, let it play its part, and then yanked it off stage when it was done.

The second part being the very last line in the show. Sasha, IT god that she is, reconstructs the image of the creature, and a hand is visible in the darkness. Jon, without an ounce of professional distance or feigned objectivity, says, "I find it oddly hard to shake off the impression that it's beckoning." And just- Oh my god. Jon. It's beckoning him. It's calling to him. It's telling him to keep coming back. Telling him to change. To disappear. To become another mystery. It was all planned from day one. He never had a choice but still made all the wrong ones.

Anyway,

Will be posting about MAG 2 on Monday! Please share your thoughts on this episode, hope you enjoyed reading. Also hope that you have a great day, because you deserve it.

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octopus-defence-squad · 2 years ago

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In my spanish class, we had to write a short paragraph describing a celebrity. I immediately forgot any celebrity I have ever heard of once that was announced, of course, so I ended up writing about Jonny Sims (featuring some creative interpretations of facts bc i couldnt be bothered to check and didnt know off the top of my head).

HOWEVER, while i was initially debating who to do, the people sitting near me suggested writing about a musician I liked. i laughed, bc the only thought i had was the mechs.

blame them for this:

Él es Jonny D’Ville. Es britanico o de Nueva Texas. Es cantante y pirata del espacio con su banda/amigos. Es imposible morirse. Es un criminal y es muy antipático. Él es mi gatito mojado. Me gusta mucho.

#post by oz #el es mi gatito mojado #worst thing ive ever written #btw this is a spanish 101 class. i used a bit of spanishdict to translate words (my vocab sucks) but i did all the grammar and stuff #by myself #which isnt hard bc its basic as hell but i went a little fancier than the class is at #please understand i CAN use past tense i just didnt want to both bc 1. hes still alive to me and 2. im lazy #jonny dville #jonny d'ville #mechs #the mechanisms #im mechsposting again whoops #my mom would be crying if she knew about this honestly

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yourlocalmechanism-dr-carmilla · 4 months ago

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can i shoot my phone :)

amyways the mechs have like, 3 healthy coping mechanisms. singing, drawing, and cuddles.

tim tried to draw bertie once just to try remember what he looks like. didn't work so went to cuddles instead.

YES YES

U forgot killing.

Jonny doesent joke about bertie abymorrhe learnt

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lilpumkin · 1 year ago

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doyoung - nct 🪷

fluff

———

"but baby you have to come" you were giggling because of doyoungs whining. "doyoung, ask taeyong first" "TY can y/n come?... he said yes, so please" "okay okay, be there in a bit, love you" "love you too"

for some reason, your boyfriend was wanting you to come to the photo shoot since they were shooting for their new album release.

as you mildly attempted to get ready, you kept on your sweats and t-shirt, pulled your hair into a low loose bun, and walked out the door.

you made it to the studio in a matter of minutes and walked into the shooting area. "hi guys" "hey y/n" they all said in unison. "doyoung is getting his outfit rn" "thanks TY" as you make your way back to his dressing room you knock on the door.

"come in" "hi baby, whatcha gonna wear?" as soon as he heard your voice he spun around and ran over to hug you "hi" he pecked your lips and then showed a gummy smile. "hi...okay, show me what your gonna wear"

"oooo, I like it, hurry up and get changed I don't want to put you behind schedule." he pecked your lips once more before you left to talk to the other members. once you walked back out to the shooting area, you found a couch to sit on while waiting on the others to finish changing.

jongwoo: hi y/n

y/n: hey, I really like the concept fits for this shoot

jongwoo: me too. did doyoung really drag you out here?"

y/n: haha yeah he did

you and jungwoo decided to catch up a bit since you haven't seen any of the members due to the busy schedule. soon the rest of the members came out.

you are the closest with jungwoo out of the group asides from your boyfriend. but you both start dying when johnny came out. johnny looked at you both with a confused expression.

johnny: are you guys ok?

you and jungwoo already knew that you were thinking the same thing.

jungwoo: hyung... are you ever gonna find a shirt?

with jungwoo toppled over himself, you tried forming a sentence which partially came out

y/n: johnny I swear every comeback- you never have a shirt

a/n: you know, just in case y'all forgot🙈

now both you and jongwoo are rolled up on the floor. jonny rolls his eyes and walks away with a smirk on his face. finally doyoung comes out and finds you still giggling to yourself, you manage to point to johnny and doyoung covers your eyes.

"eyes for me only princess" "obviously but why can nobody give johnny a shirt every comeback" you manage to get a little giggle out of doyoung.

soon the photo shoot started and they started with solo shots which gave you and doyoung a little time to yourself. you and doyoung were cuddling on the couch and listening to music when they had to pull him off of you.

you saw your boyfriend start shooting and he looked so damn good doing it. he caught you staring so he took the opportunity to wink at you which of course made you blush.

the photo shoot ended faster than expected. the boys congregated towards the couch that you never left, and start coming up with dinner ideas. you all decide on this small eatery on the way back toward your apartment.

while you guys were eating doyoung slid subtle flirty hints to you while keeping his hand towards your inner thigh.

while the others were also caught up in conversation, doyoung whispered into your ear gently, "let's go, baby, I wanna spend some time alone with you" "mm, okay"

you and doyoung managed to slip out the eatery in one piece and with no questions asked. it was only a 15 minute drive back.

the short but silent drive back was peace. there wasn't any awkward silence, you were both comfortable with each others company.

when you arrived at your apartment, you both walked inside and plopped down on the couch. you realized that you had to do some work on your laptop, you so went back into your room to find you laptop. "doyoung" "yes princess" "i may or may have not have forgotten i had to finish up so work on my laptop, are you ok if i finish my work while we watch a movie, you can pick" "of course love, come out here" "i'm sorry that i have to finish it, i was working on it before i came to see you earlier"

while doyoung sat on the couch, you sat in between his legs on the floor. you tried to finish as fast as you could, which you were able to finish with in 2 hours.

while you started to put your work things away, you realized that doyoung was asleep. after you finished getting ready for bed, you decided to fill up your water bottle. you felt 2 arms wrap around your waist and a head in the crook of your neck "baby, you know you can get in bed right?" "yeah but i wanted to wait for you princess" you could tell that he was tired. "come on let's go"

as you set your water bottle on you bed side table you catch a glimpse of doyoungs zombie walk and then tosses him self on to the bed dragging you down with him.

"can you pay attention to me now?" you let out a small laugh "always"

as you drift into a deep sleep doyoung snuggles up into your neck again and you both sleep peacefully.

————————————

next morning

you find that your boyfriend is still laying on top of you, but when you try to get up you get dragged back down and with that a husky voice appears "mmm... don't leave me... i think we should here today" "but i have to go to work babe" "mm, no. you don't get to go, we're staying here" "whatever you say doyoung" you giggled a bit and sat you a bit.

"i think we should watch a movie"

"anything for you princess"

#kpop #kpop boys #kpop fanfic #kpop imagines #kpopidol #nct #nct 127 #nct u #nct x reader #nct doyoung #nct scenarios #nct imagines #kim doyoung #doyoung

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lostonehero · 3 months ago

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What remains after eternity

Second chance.

Jonny knew that scream. He knew that scream and hated it because it meant his child was suffering. He heard it once before, and that just never leaves you. He ran to his kid, who was gasping and breathing hard as they sat up from their nap. Brian looked equally concerned he was currently their bed.

"D-Don't just don't touch me." Alex whimpers and pulls away from their father. They looked exhausted like they hadn't slept in weeks. "Just give me a fucking second." They take a deep breath and frowns rubbing their chest.

Jonny nods and takes a seat in the sand in front of them. "Take all the time you need."

Alex's frown deepens. They wipe the new tears from their eyes. "The others know I have night terrors, but not what they are about. I'm fine it's in the past it won't happen now."

Jonny didn't make a comment that they were still rubbing their chest. "Come on, how about I cut us some fruit?"

"I'm not hungry." Alex looks away.

"Alex." Jonny frowns and crossed his arms.

Alex, let's out a breath. "Dad, please."

"No. Alex, what happened? You know damn well I won't tell the others shit." Jonny gets up and sits on Brian. "And this fucker won't say a word."

Alex unbuttoned their shirt. There was a clear bullet hole scar in their chest going through their heart. "Back in the beginning, I was with Izzy and the others before the ship was called the Dread Knot. I was stupid. We found you guys, and I...I." They purposely look away from their father. "You were there. You-"

Jonny shakes his head, tears falling from his eyes as he pulls his child into a tight hug. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't know who I was. You didn't even give me a second look before you shot me." Alex whimpers. "Izzy barely saved me in time. They used Henry's heart to graft into my chest. He... He has the mark of Terminus like the twins, like Tommy." They cling to their father. "You didn't hesitate. I don't want the others to know. I don't want anyone to know. I refused to let Raphaella scan me or cut me open."

"Alex, please." Jonny holds them tight. "Alex, I'm sorry. I don't care where I was in my life. I don't care. I was a horrible creature, and I know I can never make it up to you."

"Dad no." Alex swallows. "You don't even remember it happening. You forgot me as soon as we left. Getting shot wasn't the problem. I mean fuck seeing you wasn't the problem either you made it clear to us that you were a right bastard. I saw my heart being removed. Dad, I saw my heart being removed, and I begged for Izzy to give it back. I was so scared that I would have ended up like you, but be alone. I didn't know the others couldn't die. I didn't know what being an acolyte meant. I didn't even know that Henry and the twins had the mark of Terminus. I was terrified that I would be alone. Henry offered his heart, and Izzy only got scraps of my heart to reattach. I couldn't be alone." They take a breath. "Izzy had a metal heart. She had a heart just like yours to use." They suck in a breath. "I didn't know. I didn't want to be alone."

Jonny felt his own tears drip down his cheeks as he hugged his child tightly. "I'm not mad. I could never be mad at you for any of that. Eternity alone is a fate I would never put on anyone, especially my child. Why the fuck do you think there's so many of you?"

Alex buries their face in their father's shoulder. "Don't tell them. I love them, but I can't... I don't want them to know."

"Can I tell them about the mechanical heart Izzy apparently has?" Jonny rubs his child's back.

Alex chokes out a laugh. "Everyone knows about that. Izzy was Carmillia's original science partner before immortality, and uh, whatever happened to Carmillia." They push away to wipe their eyes and look at their dad. "Honestly, I'm actually looking forward to seeing the confrontation. Izzy didn't give herself the eye, you know."

Jonny gets a smirk on his lips and a gleam in his eyes. "How about we have your crew meet us here? There is no harm in surprising everyone."

Alex nods, relaxing the tension draining from their shoulders. "Can Aurora keep a secret?"

"Oh, she will if she wants to watch." Jonny grins, hopping off Brian and slings Alex over his shoulder.

Alex laughs.

Brian returns to normal. "Your secret is safe." He shakes off the sand in his fur.

"Yeah, yeah, goodie two shoes. Come on, let's go bother your crew." Jonny smiles wide hearing his child laugh.

"Onward!" Alex points as their dad runs to Aurora.

......

Aurora's screen comes to life. A man seemingly made of stone answers. He stretched out his wings and yawns. "Hey Alex, and who I'm assuming is your father. What's up?"

Alex smiles. "How about you guys meet us here? Byron is currently well, Byron. Misery is taking over his treatment with Raphaella. Charlie and the Fledgling God is here, too."

"The fuck are you planning?" The man scowls.

"Aiden, come on now. Wouldn't neutral ground be better for the first meeting? Also, I may need my heart looked at." Alex hums.

Aiden sighs heavily. "We both know your heart is fine. Mr. D'ville, why do you want us to meet you in Thanos?"

"Dont call me that my name is Jonny." He scowls. "We dont know how long Misery and Raphaella will be working together for Byron. We also don't know what this will do to Byron's mind, so since this is an inviting planet, we would rather stay here. Nastya doesn't want more damage to Aurora."

"Byron's blood combined with Tim's innocence is not a good outcome. Nastya just finished proper repairs and upgrades. Despite that, I wish to take off damage and all. Jonny's children and fun with the chaos but not to the level the mechanisms were before DTTM. I've been rebuilt from my black box. I deserve something more wild, and since Jonny won't have another child, you guys seem like a suitable addition." Aurora chirps.

Jonny pinched his brow. "For fucks sake you're worst than my brats."

"You got responsible and boring, Jonny." Aurora scoffs.

"I would not call dad responsible. I can call him a good dad, but that does not make him responsible. He beat my first partner to death." Alex makes a motion with their hands.

"They raped you. My actions were justified." Jonny huffs.

"You sodimized them with their own horns." Alex shakes their head. "You should have seen him against the other parents at school. Now that was a treat."

Jonny huffs. "As I said before, it was justified. Not my fault they were whiny bitch ass fucks."

"I want these stories." Aurora chirps cheerfully.

Aiden nods. "Yeah, I'll tell Izzy and get.... never mind, Hal already left." He sighs. "Well, it will be great to finally meet you guys without trying to kill us."

Alex crossed their arms. "They still might try."

"Tell me if it works." Aiden chuckles softly.

"I dunno we will have to ask the god killer." Alex smirks.

"Wait! The god killer is -" Alex cuts the feed cutting off Aiden.

Jonny smirks. "That's my little chaos maker. Now come on, let's find your grandmother."

Alex nods. "Of course."

.....

"Checkmate." Trevor smiles and leans back.

Valerie chuckles. "I see why you hold back. I'm proud of you. How are you holding up?"

Trevor sighs. "I can still feel that mark. Thomas says you get used to it, but it feels so I don't know differently, and I can't tell if it's good or bad." He looks away. "I don't want to worry dad about this because I don't even really understand it. Thomas tends to avoid the subject, or it's like pulling teeth."

"Understand it from his perspective. It's not a mark he holds with pride." Valerie begins to reset the board.

"I know I just.... I need to know more. I don't like not knowing what is happening to me." Trevor sighs again. "Things happened before, and I just don't want it to repeat." He taps his fingers against the table. "It's complicated."

Valerie smiles softly, reaching out and holding her grandson's hand. "Darling, we've all done bad things. Some of us wear it as a point of pride. Others, not so much. Either way, I will do my best to discuss with the gods to get more information for you. However, at the moment, it seems your father and siblings are here for you."

Trevor looks behind him and smiles. "Hey dad, Alex."

"Sorry mom, you're wrong. We need you. However, you're welcome to join our plans, Trevor." Jonny smirks.

"Oh my little Sand Skipper, what are you planning?" Valerie chuckles.

"Grams, we just need you to be you. Aiden doesn't believe the God Killer is real, and since we've convinced Hal to come here. You'll be perfect for the welcoming party." Alex matches their dad's smirk.

Valerie laughs softly. "Oh, that does sound quite fun. Trevor, would you join us?"

"Is this a roundabout way to get Izzy to beat the shit out of Carmillia?" Trevor grins, seeing the mischief in Alex's eyes. "Why didn't you lead with that? What do you need me to do?"

"We need one of you to keep Carmillia out in the open when they land just long enough for Izzy to see her." Alex pulls Trevor to stand. "I was thinking mad scientist to mad scientist." They fail to notice Trevor stiffens at that comment.

"I'm not...." Trevor frowns. "I don't want to do that unless Janet is nearby."

Alex raised a brow. "Seriously?"

"I could feign interest." Valerie interjects clearly seeing how uncomfortable Trevor is but stops when the three roll their eyes.

"Mom, we aren't going to ask you to be uncomfortable. This is supposed to be fun." Jonny crossed his arms and huffs. "Ok, it makes me uncomfortable. I dont need her oogling you."

"Yeah, Grams, that would be more useful for other things." Alex matches their dad crossing their arms.

"Also, we could use you flirting back for other schemes." Trevor sighs. "I'll do it if Janet is involved."

Valerie chuckles. "How about something more simple?"

"Simple?" Jonny raised his brow.

"What has Carmillia been hunting?" Valerie smiles softly as Jonny huffs embarrassed.

"My baking is not that bad!" Jonny growls.

Trevor and Alex exchange a look.

"You're giving my brats ideas." Jonny sighs.

"I want a cake." Trevor grins.

"I want some cookies." Alex grins as well.

"Come now, my Sand Skipper, you don't want to disappoint my grandchildren." Valerie gently headbutts her own son.

Jonny blushing. "F-Fine!"

.......

"Amazing." Carmillia gasps.

"The fuck are you talking about." Jonny looks to his mom and kids who are pointing at his mixing bowl that has suddenly caught fire. "Mother fucker! I don't even have anything fucking flammable!"

Trevor sniffs the air. "Ah, smells like home."

"It smells like burning flour."

"Did your home catch fire?"

Trevor shrieks startled at the identical twins now at either side of him. "What the fuck!"

"Is this your brother?"

"One of your brothers?"

Alex chuckles softly. "Hello Freya and Selene."

"You know them?!" Trevor huffs his tail, shaking in anger.

Jonny looks over. "You must be the twins."

"Yes we are."

"Hello to you too."

Carmillia perks up even more, approaching the twins. "Now identical twins are rare. What species are you?"

"It doesn't matter."

"We were told to tell you to run."

"Run?" Carmillia raised a brow.

The twins nod and point at Izzy, running full force, electricity coming off of them like a storm.

Carmillia takes a single moment before running.

"Clever plan."

"Glad we decided to stay with them."

Jonny whistles. "This is way more sastifying than I thought it would be."

A tall mountain of a man jogs up to the scene. He had two pairs of ears, one pointed on the side of his head and the other fox ears on the top of his head. He was shirtless wearing a very worn trench coat. His eyes glowed purple, his mouth full of sharp teeth. He was covered in copper colored fur save for his hands and face. His hair seemed to be buzzed, and he had a long fox tail that looked wet and dry at the same time incredibly fluffy looking, but it sparkled. He wasn't wearing shoes. "I must admit you two are correct. Izzy deserves this reprieve."

"It's revenge, Henry." The twins say at the same time.

Valerie hums. "Whatever it is, it's hot."

Jonny pauses. "Honestly, I'm just glad it's not Carmillia."

"My little Sand Skipper, that woman is dead to me." Valerie hums, licking her lips. "How can I bed her?"

"Did not expect that." Alex gives a soft, huh? "Talk to her?"

"Honestly, I have no idea of whether she's ace or not she doesn't do that like ever but says nothing." Trevor shrugs. "She's like the crew's mom."

The twins look at each other and shrug.

Henry crossed his arms. "She's a lesbian."

Valerie smirks and nods. "Thanks, little darling."

Henry furrows his brows. "Who is she?"

"The God Killer." Alex and Trevor say at the same time.

"That's quite a funny joke."

"Who is she really?"

Valerie winks at the three newcomers.

"No, wait, who are you three?" Trevor frowns, looking them over. The twins were identical down to the mismatched eyes, a long white braid and outfit. They had blue skin like a human corpse. One silver eye and one glowing purple. Freckles splattered across their face like stars. They each had a long tail covered in long whisps of hair and a hard, sharp end. Both of their nails were black and sharp. Their ears were pointed and pierced. They were in heels, but it seemed like the actual heel didn't match the shoe.

The twins look at each other and smile.

"Didn't Alex tell you about us?"

"We originally traveled with your crew."

Henry pinched his brow. "The twins are Byron's and Lyfrassir's children, I'm Brian's son."

"No fair!"

"You ruined it!"

"It's nice to see you're still a cynical ass." Alex chuckles. "When did you guys find the Dread Knot?"

"We were already heading to Xeonia. We just crossed paths. Our ship is parked right next to the Dread Knot. Unlike you, we haven't been bounced to the correct time to reunite with our parents properly." Henry sighs.

"What's with the glowing mark it's like Thomas's?" Trevor raised a brow.

The twin grimace.

"Mark of Terminus."

"You have one too."

Henry looks away. "I don't want to talk about that, but those who have it can see whoever else has it."

Trevor nods and pulls out a notebook, and writes that down. "I see. So you guys are still getting knocked around space and time?"

"It's not that bad."

"We stick together."

Henry huffs. "I can't get rid of the two."

"You love them." Alex chuckles as their dad walks over.

"So this means Byron heals enough to have brats of his own, and uh, good for Brian." Jonny looks them up and down. "Fuck I don't think I could of handled Thomas and Mae looking identical. Mae would have made it everyone's problem."

"You're much nicer now."

"You didn't even shoot at us."

"That sounds about right." Jonny hums. "Why the fuck are you two so tall?"

"Dad was incredibly stunted due to malnutrition."

"We didn't have that problem, and so we are tall."

"You are tall for a New Texan."

"That doesn't mean much."

Jonny snickers. "Oh, I like them."

"I taught them that." Alex smirks.

Trevor sighs. "Of course you did."

Jonny makes a face. "Mom, please don't unbutton your shirt."

"I'm just going to join on the fun. Don't wait up." Valerie winks again, pulling out a knife.

Jonny thins his lips. "Fuck this im going back on Aurora."

Alex wolf whistles. "Go get some Gram!"

"I really don't want to watch this." Trevor follows his dad to Aurora, the twins and Henry follow.

.......

Jonny stirs his tea and hums softly. "So you three obviously weren't born on Aurora."

"Too dangerous."

"Xeonia, we were born on Xeonia."

Henry huffs. "It's complicated. We didn't exactly have the luxury of being 25 when we were taken." He takes a sip of his own tea and cringes. "Why do you insist on having pure sweetness in any warm beverage?"

"Because it annoys you." Alex frowns. "Time travel is complicated, and they are somehow older than we are even if they were born after us. I dont know where on the timeline they were born, but they are who they claim. Freya and Selene are the reason Thomas and Mae ended up together when they left."

"We don't like to be separated."

"We don't wish to talk about it."

"How old were you guys?"

"10" The twins say together.

"13." Henry takes another sip.

"Dad always knows it is us."

"Even if he doesn't know, he will have us."

"It's a Xeon trait. They will always know who their children are even if they meet before they even exist." Alex huffs rubbing their chest.

Trevor frowns. "I'm sorry. That isn't fair. Do you know when you were born?"

"We don't remember."

"It's been too long."

Henry stares at his mug. "I was born before my father Brian ever became a mechanism." His fox ears pin against his head. "Is he... is he still metal?"

"No, he isn't." Jonny watches the man relax only slightly. "I don't think he will remember you."

Henry nods, holding his mug close to his chest. "I don't need to see him."

The twins exchange a look between them.

"We won't leave."

"We won't let you leave."

Henry stares at his mug.

"You are Brian's child." Aurora chirps.

"Doesn't mean he remembers me. It also doesn't mean I'll be staying." Henry sighs.

"Where's our dads?"

"Are they ok?"

"On Misery's ship." Alex looks over to Henry, who purposely looks away. "Lyf's fine, Byron is uncomfortable at the moment."

Jonny takes a breath and pulls out a deck of cards he pickpocket from Alex. "Kid, let's make a deal."

Henry looks up with a raised brow. "A deal?"

"More like a wager." Jonny begins to shuffle the cards. "Beat me in three games, and you can leave, and I won't force you to remain to see Brian. If I win, all three of you are new members of my crew."

"Dad, I don't think they will..." Trevor frowns.

"You don't play. Jonny, this is a shit idea." Aurora beeps out a huff. "Don't tease me with this stupid wager!"

Henry scowls. "And if I refuse?"

"Then you three leave the planet, or I will hunt and kill you for sport." Jonny smiles still shuffling.

"We accept." The twins smile.

Henry growls. "Unfortunately, I do not wish to have the twin chaos be left unsupervised. Very well, three games, and if you lose a single one, this is null and void. Your children are not allowed to play."

Alex rolls their eyes. "Oh fuck off."

"This isn't going to end how you think it will." Trevor sighs.

Aurora beeps as Henry covers his face, and the twins just look stunned.

Jonny collects the discarded cards. "I would have expected some challenge. This was disappointing."

"5 minutes." Trevor raised a brow. "You were just toying with them."

Alex shakes their head. "That was brutal dad."

"How the fuck did you do that?" Aurora beeps loudly. "Ashes can't even do it that fast!"

"No wonder you're so good."

"Your father taught you well Alex."

"Eh, Mae's better than I am." Alex shrugs.

Henry hugs his chest. "I... I don't...." he freezes as Jonny gets up and pats his back.

"Relax. He isn't going to shoot you." Jonny stretches. "Also, you suck at cards. Aurora prepare to take their ship on."

"Y-yes Captain." Aurora stutters.

"I'll show you what their ship looks like." Alex gets up and cracks their back.

Trevor frowns. "Are you ok?"

"No." Henry takes a breath. "He won't know who I am."

"He will love you regardless." Jonny scowls. "If he has any sense left, you'll be adored. Now stop asking me to have another kid. I mean for fucks sake let Tim get some sort of self."

Henry looked confused.

Trevor shakes his head. "Don't question it."

.......

"Jonny, you can't just keep taking in strays! I can't believe I'm saying this to you of all people!" Nastya huffs.

"I like them." Aurora chirps. "They are in me, so I have the final decision!"

"Aurora, I'm happy that you are enjoying this, but we were prepared for his kid's crew, not an extra three." Nastya scowls. "I've already informed Ashes you fucking prick. I can't leave you alone for a second."

Jonny rolls his his eyes. "Are you quite done? You haven't even met them." He crossed his arms.

"What makes that so important?" Nastya scoffs.

Aurora chirps. "The twins are Byron's and Lyf's future children, and Henry is Brian's child before he was mechanized."

"They're... oh." Nastya swallows annoyance drained from her voice. "Are you certain?"

"I've used Raphaella equipment to do a DNA test, and it is true." Aurora hums. "I can not tell the twins apart."

"Are they ok?" Nastya frowns.

"The twins have insisted they room next to each other, Henry is across from them. Henry has reverted to a creature form like Brian and is chewing on some bones Trevor found. The twins.... I uh they have the same distortion Byron creates on my cameras. They are currently in the kitchen using the rotten ingredients. I would advise on letting them be."

"So where's the crew of the Dread Knot?" Nastya sighs.

"Izzy is ripping Carmillia apart with my mother. Aiden came by earlier with Tink, and they joined Alex to bother my other brats. Trevor is with Henry." Jonny sighs. "Although I think Trevor fell asleep."

"He did, Henry is being used as a bed. I don't believe he minds." Aurora hums. "Speaking of your children, I want more stories about you raising them."

"No." Jonny rolls his eyes. "I'm joining my brat for a nap."

......

Brian immediately shifted, following an odd scent as soon as he returned to Aurora. It was familiar and foreign all at once. It got stronger as he arrived at the barracks. He was told that Jonny basically forced three newcomers to Aurora. Was this scent from one of them?

Brian stopped suddenly as he found the source of the scent. He tilted his head, seeing a creature similar to himself, but he was different. The pup... no, that wasn't right. He was getting closer as the pup scrambled to his feet growling. He tilted his head and could feel his tail begin to wag. No, he knew this scent. He definitely knew this scent he just couldn't place it. He lunged forward and draped his body over the pup, who collapsed to the floor now purring softly, trying to hide it with a growl. He just needed a moment he is sure this pup wouldn't mind if he made him stay.

The pup stretched out and seemed to huffs silently. He relaxes and is soon deep asleep.

.......

Henry was attempting to sneak out when he heard a huff. "Look, I'm not doing this." He turns around to scowl at Brian. "You don't know who I am, let alone why we even napped together."

Brian paused for a moment. He seemed conflicted before he finally spoke up. "You're.... I think you're wearing my coat."

Henry hesitated. "I'm what?"

"That's mine. I think it is. My memory isn't the greatest, and I'm trying to work on that, but it never caused me issues, but you're wearing my coat." Brian took off his own trench coat and handed it to Henry. "You should have this one. That one looks like it's about to fall apart."

Henry cautiously removes the worn restitched to hell long coat over taking the newer heavier coat that stunk of Brian and copper. He was shaking, and he could feel tears threaten to leak from his eyes. "But why?" He watched Brian put on the worn paper thin coat.

"You are familair and I don't know why. I think I was supposed to get that coat back from you, but again, I'm not certain." Brian sighs and smiles softly. "Besides, you look better in a newer coat. It suits you better than myself."

Henry gripped his new coat. "I... I suppose we can have a chat. I can't tell you who I am."

"That's fine. I need to practice with my drums, Jonny said we might be performing soon." Brian held out his hand that Henry takes.

"I would like that." Henry swallows and follows behind.

.........

"Why the fuck do you look guilty?" Jonny raised his brow. "If it's about Tim, I already know he infected his siblings."

Raphealla furrows her brows. "Wait, what?"

"That isn't why she's guilty." Misery interjects. "We have lost Byron and Lyf. Apparently, the gods thought it great after we gave the next round of shots to have them vanish. What did you mean by Tim infecting his siblings?"

Jonny thins his lips. "Huh, that explains some things. Tim has this plant thing. Where did they go?"

"We aren't certain, but hopefully, it isn't far, or at a different time period." Misery crossed her arms. "I've already reached out for information."

"However, we also have no clue if the shots we gave Byron even worked." Raphaella looked worried. "I really don't want them to be alone. The bond is new, as Misery said, and Byron is basically family. I don't want us to be separated again." She let's out a breath. "Ivy's the same way. Just don't let the others know, just until I can track them."

Jonny nods. "Well, I can assume what they're doing."

Misery raised a brow. "Now you have to explain that."

"How about I show you?" Jonny chuckles, heading deeper into Aurora.

The two women give each other a look and follow. They end up in one of the many common rooms, this one had a few instruments strewn about. Brian was wearing a worn coat, and his own jacket seemed to be on a stranger. The two seemed to be in a deep discussion about the drums Brian was sitting at. On the opposite side were identical twins who both had violins that they were tuning. Alex was between them messing with a small percussion instrument.

Misery gasps. "Henry?"

"Mom?" Henry, looks over.

Brian swallows and looks away.

Misery smiles, lifting up Brian with ease from the drums and sits him next to Henry. She proceeds to sit between them. "It's been too long since I've had my boys in one place. I'm assuming you're still having memory problems, as Henry told me."

Brian had a clear blush on his cheeks. "I apologize you smell familair but I do not know you."

"Mom, he..." Henry stops as his mother tisks.

"He knew well enough to give you a proper coat. I know well enough what had happened to him." Misery smiles softly. "We have a lot to catch up on, but I do not know how this is supposed to ease our concerns."

Jonny points to the twins. "First, I didn't even know you had a kid, and your mate was Brian."

"Second mate, my first was killed, well my second too, but our bond never broke, and I know why now. However, I do know these twins, miss Freya, and miss Selene. They travel with my boy all over the universe and time, sweet things." Misery raised a brow. "So again, why are they important?"

"Mate?" Brian mumbles under his breath, confused.

Raphealla moves closer to the twins, studying them closely. "They do remind me of Lyf before the bifrost."

The twins smirk staring at Raphaella.

"We are good at staying quiet."

"We also are quite good at lying."

Alex huffs. "They're Lyf's and Byron's kids. Why the fuck do you think they play the violin?"

"Rude." The twins say together.

Jonny snickers.

Misery gasps. "Aha, that's why you two smell like Byron!"

"Kids? Amazing." Raphaella smiles. "It's nice to meet you two, and when did you have a child, Brian?"

"Before he was mechanized." Henry answers.

Raphaella's smile drops. "Oh."

Brian pales. "Before?" He stiffens when Henry places a hand on his back. "I don't recall. I didn't... I don't...."

Henry reaches out over Misery to hold Brian's hand tight and says nothing.

Misery frowns. "We have eternity to pick up the pieces."

"Where are your wings?" Raphaella interrupts.

Brian furrows his brows. "What do you mean? I'm not a Xeon. Why would I have wings?"

Henry gripped Brian's hand tightly, only making him look more confused.

Misery sighs. "Brian was a doctor, one of the best among his species, so he was picked a one of the people for a peace treaty against the Skitoid. The Skitoid did not trust xeon, nor would accept any kind of treaty lead by anyone infected by them." She takes a breath. "You decided to remove your wings yourself. You treated it as a normal amputation, not realizing how ingrained they were and...."

"I found you." Henry looks away but doesn't let go. "I was 7. I didn't know what happened. You weren't even completely healed when you left." He takes a breath. "You gave me your coat, and I would give it back when you returned."

"I never did make it home." Brian frowns.

"No." Misery sighs. "Not that it mattered. I took care of them after war was declared. None of them would tell me the truth about what happened. The entire peace group was killed, and their parts launched into space even though nobody on your planet had that technology."

"That doctor found your heart and decided to play god." Henry scowls.

"If it makes you feel any better. I still think Izzy is ripping Carmillia apart with her teeth." Alex shrugs. "None of us like her."

"To be fair, the only reason we're letting her stay in myself is to make sure she doesn't make any more mechanisms." Aurora chirps.

"That's a part of it." Jonny huffs. "Anyway, relax on the history. Brian looks like he's about to cry."

Henry and Misery look at Brian, who is shaking softly and trying hard not to cry.

Brian wipes his face and gets up, pulling away from the two. "It's fine, I'm fine. I don't remember it."

The twins get up, each grabbing Brian from either side.

"Don't!" Henry gets up as the twins pick up Brian and run off. "Fuck."

The group ruched out to see the twins have tied up Brian in blankets and he is unable to move.

"Therapy blankets!" The twins smile and points at Henry.

"I hate both of you." Henry sighs and moves next to Brian. "You ok? They are always too much."

"Well, I can't move, but I am more concerned with the fact that I have no idea where they were hiding the blankets." Brian sighs. "It's actually very comfortable."

"See therapy blankets always work."

"You're just a cynical weirdo."

"Did the blankets just appear?" Raphaella looks excited.

"No we pulled them from our pockets."

"Just like dad does."

Misery crouched down by Brian. "You sure you're ok? They wrapped you pretty tight."

"I think so." Brian hums. "It is actually kind of relaxing. I don't have the biological trigger New Texans have, but it is comfortable."

"Your pockets are not big enough to have that kind of blanket." Raphaella crossed her arms.

"You don't know what pockets are."

"You sound like Papa when our dad takes out his violin."

"Fascinating." Raphaella smiles.

.......

"Are you sure? You promised you wouldn't tell them." Trevor's tail was shaking nervously as he headed back on Aurora following Janet.

"For the last time nobody knows besides us." Janet takes a breath, looking back at Trevor. "They probably got that from the incident with Tim. I still have it around my neck, and I'm sure they were just teasing you."

Trevor rubs his face. "I just... Janet, I... I'm sorry."

Janet slaps the back of Trevor's head. "Fuck off with that shit. Seriously, next time, I'm ripping your tooth out and summoning Nexus to just fuck with you."

"Fine, fine." Trevor relaxes slightly.

"Now Aurora! Where are those newbies?" Janet grins.

"Freya and Selene are in the lab with Raphaella. Henry is with Misery and Brian. So, what were you two discussing?" Aurora chirps.

Trevor scowls. "Nothing that you need to know."

"Sibling secret between us only! Anyway." Janet grabs Trevor's hand. "Off to the lab!"

Trevor groans running with Janet.

"Hmmm, I don't think I will drop this." Aurora's voice follows the pair. "What secrets are you hiding? I will find out."

"Aurora stop fucking with my children." Jonny sighs watching the two stumble ans fall in front of him. "They are allowed secrets as am I. Just because you want the chaos as before doesn't mean you'll get it by revealing secrets."

"Hi, dad!" Janet jumps back up to stand. "Are you unbanned from baking?"

"No, it was just a way to get Carmillia out in the open so your crewmate Izzy could have her revenge." Jonny smiles softly.

Janet huffs. "So unfair, I mean good for Izzy, but I really don't care about that. I wanted something sweet and unhealthy." She smiles again as Trevor gets up, and she locks her arm with his. "We're gonna say hi to the twins."

Jonny smiles and ruffles both of their hair. "Try not to pull off Trevor's arm, and Trevor, keep Janet in line. I don't need a repeat of the fire incident."

Trevor chuckles. "Oh, I remember that."

"It was one time!" Janet scoffs. "And it wasn't even a good bar!"

"That may be true, but you still caused the fire." Jonny chuckles. "Have fun, you two, Alex is making some lunch if you would like to join them first."

"Thanks, dad." Janet smiles, running off with Trevor.

Jonny's smiles drop fast. "Aurora, if you pressure any of my kids for information, they are uncomfortable with sharing. I will leave with them."

"Jonny wait it's-" Aurora tried to argue.

"Aurora, I'm serious. They are my kids. I have no fucking tolerance for anyone harming them. So what if they have fucked up secrets? As long as they are healthy and happy, I don't give a shit what they've done. Eternity is forever, and none of us can say we've been innocent. So fucking drop it and if they tell you fine but don't you dare pressure them."

"Y-Yes, Jonny." Aurora nervously chirps.

........

"Hello Janet, and oh Trevor, I never see you in my lab." Raphaella smiles and waves.

Trevor nods with a nervous smile. "Not really a reason to spend time in your lab." He huffs as Janet pushes him aside.

Janet speaks rapid xeon, and the twins light up, and the three start talking rapidly.

Trevor chuckles softly. "Now I see why you dragged me over."

"It's amazing how fast she can talk." Raphaella cleans off her hands. "So how are you doing? You always seem to avoid me."

Trevor looked somewhat guilty rubbing his arm. "It's complicated, and it's not your fault. I don't enjoy discussing the time I was sent away and was alone figuring things out." He takes a breath. "So what were you doing with the twins?"

"They appear to have the same ability as Byron. They have access to their own separate pocket dimension, like how Byron can just summon his violin." Raphaella chuckles. "It's quite fascinating, and I would love to go inside to see what's in there, but they both refused to let me inside."

"It's hammerspace living creatures don't do well in that space. You'll suffocate before you die of thirst." Trevor hums softly. "It's a trait unique to xeon. They can have creatures in them as extensions to them, but they will die if removed. They're offensive used as last resorts in combat. The death of their creature in the hammerspace could easily kill them and make the hell mary attempt useless. Although with enough training, the creature could go back and forth." He stops and blushes. "I uh... Janet talked to me about it. Xeon are incredible species."

"Can you tell me more?" Raphaella puffed out her wings clearly interested.

"Really, Janet knows more than I do. She's the one who spent lifetimes with them." Trevor messes with his gloves he never seemed to remove. "Honestly, you're better off asking her."

Raphealla quirks her brow. "You're lying."

Trevor frowns. "I don't know what you're talking about. I am merely telling the truth."

"Janet already told us everything, and she never spoke about that aspect because it's considered a sacred ability to the Xeon." Raphaella smirks.

Trevor looks over to Janet.

Janet smiles and blinks innocently. "What's wrong?"

"I fucking hate you." Trevor growls.

Janet winks.

"So why do you know that?" Raphealla chuckles.

"You set me up!" Trevor huffs.

"So what if I did?" Janet smiles, and it sends shivers down the twins and Raphaella back. "We both know why I did it, and I, for one, am not going to keep fixing your gloves to be longer Trevor."

Raphealla steps back. Janet was the most innocent out of Jonny's children. She was always kind and a bit clumsy but harmless compared to the others. That was an act. Trevor was shy and kind, a bit dangerous when it came to planning, but he was fine. Thomas was a born leader and had a wicked temper, but he could be put down with force. Mae was just like Jonny, and she knew how to deal with Jonny. Alex had their secrets but seemed content with pulling the strings behind the scenes and rigging bets. Janet wasn't conniving or even malicious. She just seemed curious and chipper.

Trevor scowls. "And I told you I just need more time to fix it! The cracks can be mended."

"That's just it." Janet's voice becomes cold and emotionless. "I've seen you go through this way too many times, and I know for a fucking fact it's not healthy. Just accept what you are. You can't just sanitize your history and pretend it never happened. I know for a damn fact you've already rebuilt your lab in your room. Just because I'm your fucking keeper doesn't mean I will stand for this to continue."

"It's.... Janet, you promised me." Trevor swallows.

"I promised to be your keeper to stop you from crossing that line again. I didn't promise to let you do this. You're destroying yourself. For fucks sake Trevor dad asked me about you. I'm not going to fucking lie to dad to cover your ass. The only reason he hasn't pressed you on anything is because I asked him not to. He saw your hands and he saw your shaking when you got the mark. For fucks sake use your head!" Janet gets closer grabbing Trevor's shirt and violently headbutts him. "Get it through that brilliant mind you've fucking ruined with that damn thing I never agreed to!"

Trevor's nose begins to bleed, and he looks away. "If you're so against what I've done, why haven't you ended it? You have the sole key to end it!"

"Because you trust me! Because I'm your sister! Because I fucking care about you! I don't want you hating me for the rest of fucking time!" Janet shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Trevor, I don't want this breaking without you nearby. We both know what would happen when that happens. You can't keep delaying this. We both know that what you've done to yourself is constantly changing and growing in strength. You just have to embrace it. None of us will hate you."

Trevor's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm scared, Jan. I won't be me."

"You aren't you now." Janet smiles, pulling a hankerchief from her pocket, wiping the blood off Trevor's face. "Even dad knows that. Thomas thinks something happened when you separated. Mae thinks you git really hurt. Alex blames it on a head injury. You ain't fooling any of them. They already know."

Trevor grabs his sister tight.

Janet's eyes widened, feeling something warm and wet spread across her chest where Trevor was holding them close. "You..."

Trevor sucks in a breath as he begins to be deadweight against Janet. "I think I missed my heart."

Janet pulls away in a flash her necklace is removed, and it was semi buried in Trevor's chest, and in an instant, it is slammed straight back into Trevor's chest his ribs shaped by the force. She gently brings her brother to the ground, and the mark of Terminus didn't activate. She sighs, pulling off her bloody shirt. Her expression returns to her normal smile.

Raphealla just stares. "You... you just killed your brother."

Janet chuckles, and it turns into a loud manic laugh. "The mark didn't even trigger he ain't dead. We can't die. We aren't allowed to. So next time don't be a fucking idiot." She slings Trevor over her back. "Besides, don't worry, you'll be spending time with him soon enough with your shared interests." She stops at the doorway. "Oh, that's right! Freya and Selene, you would know Trevor by a different name." She says something in xeon roughly translating to the doctor of madness, causing both twins to pale. "Alright, that's all. I'll see you guys later. I'm going to take Mr. Semi conscious to his room. Also, Aurora, you'll get your wish soon enough." She whistles a happy tune as she makes her way down the hallway.

"What did she tell you two?" Raphaella and Aurora ask at the same time.

"We didn't think he was real."

"Dangerous mad man."

The twin stare at each other.

"At least he's on our side."

"Janet must be the keeper to the madness."

The twins take a breath and say at the same time. "The doctor of madness."

Raphealla furrows her brows and gasps. "That's Trevor! Fucking shit Ivy has books on what we both assumed was legend."

"I will be accessing Ivy's archives for this information." Aurora seemed cautious.

......

Trevor gasps and sits up. His eyes are now a glowing neon blue. There is a white streak in his hair, his horns seem sharper with thorns all over. His hands look like they've been dipped in ink up to his elbows. The same is with his feet up to his knees. His claws were sharper as he ran his hand through his hair. He now had three tails rather than the one. "You stabbed me a second time."

"Because you missed your heart." Janet crossed her arms. "You outed us both. I didn't want to scare the twins they seemed interesting and could be good friends." She sighs. "Dad already came in, and I already explained everything. He left you some food and said and I quote 'I fucking knew it. Fucking I already told Sallie Mae that I don't give a shit. You're my brats and if your fucked up well surprise I'm fucked up too.' So I told you so."

Trevor gives a small smile as he grabs the plate of food. "I suppose you told me so many times. I'm sorry about before."

"Eh, it's fine." Janet takes a seat next to Trevor. "I can salvage this. We have all the time in the universe. Also, dad is annoyed with you because you could have helped Byron."

"I deserve that." Trevor sighs. "Where is Byron? I'm sure I can use Raphaella notes and such to continue from there."

Janet shrugs. "I dunno, but I think we should work on Tim first. He infected his own siblings so they would live longer. He doesn't even know them."

"That is concerning, but you know I'm not good with the mental stuff." Trevor sighs. "Besides, he's been through enough he doesnt need me to make things worse. Also, Scratch is already rooting around his head as per Thomas's request. I think there was a deal between them, but I only got that from our aunts talking before they noticed me."

"Wonder what Thomas offered in exchange. Unfortunately for Scratch, Thomas always has a plan a few steps ahead." Janet shakes her head. "Mae's also planning something, but she's even worse than Thomas. I can't read her."

"Dad's wose, but Mae is nearly at his level, which is to say we won't know until it unfolds. I don't want to interfere. Whenever Mae plans something, it's for a good reason. Things have been good and peaceful, so it actually kind of worries me." Trevor puts his clean plate down. "Alex seems to be the only one acting normal and not hiding or planning anything."

"That's what I'm concerned about. Mae doesn't do solo planning unless something is really wrong. The last time involved that Titan organization, and they were going to put all the mechanisms machines into machines and just keep them like that so they could never reform. She collapsed them from the inside out. Like now offense, you're terrifying in your own right to outsiders, but Mae actually scares me. I love her, but still." Janet sighs, leaning on her brother. "I know I'm being paranoid, but I just have a bad feeling."

Trevor nods. "I get it, and I agree. Aurora, I know you're listening, but it's Mae. You won't know anything until after whatever she plans goes through. It's the same with dad. They both keep their cards to their chest. It's not always bad like Titan, but I would be cautious."

"That is concerning, but I am aware that your father does the same and hides it with violence and drinking. He is quite good at acting." Aurora seems to sigh. "Shall I warn anyone?"

"It doesn't matter if you do." Janet hops off the bed. "Besides, that could be a part of Mae's plan. Who really knows? Just because Thomas and Mae ended up together doesn't mean they don't have their own shared secrets. We all have them. It comes with separation and time."

Trevor gets out of bed as well. "Where is our dad?"

"Jonny is in the armory sharpening a few blades. If you could do me a favor and ask why he no longer carries a gun." Aurora pauses. "I am concerned about future fights when we get raided."

Trevor sighs. "He stopped carrying a gun after Thomas and Mae vanished. He stuck to close combat weapons. Alex, Janet, and I were never as enthusiastic as they were. We did try to help him get back into it, but it wasn't the same. You're better asking Thomas or Mae to help."

"Yeah, it was worse after Alex was taken. His paranoia and temper were even worse. I can only imagine how much he suffered. I know he's happy now, and none of us are planning on leaving, but trauma like that doesn't leave." Janet sighs. "I should know I buried every kid I had."

"Are you ok?" Aurora chirps softly.

"Yeah, I'm glad it happened, but it still hurts. I'll probably have more kids in the future if I find the right guy or gal." Janet shrugs. "I ain't picky."

Trevor snorts. "Jan, that isn't what she meant."

"Oh, shut up. You still haven't even figured out your sexuality or romantic attraction." Janet elbows her brother.

"Fuck you!" Trevor elbows his sister back laughing.

The two chuckles as they head out.

......

Jonny takes a breath, staring at his sharpened dagger. He smiles softly, turning around. "Took you two long enough." He pulls down his goggles and sheaths his blade.

Trevor smiles, scratching his chin. "Hey, dad, sorry. I uh... well here I am."

"And? Want a fucking medal?" Jonny rolled his eyes. "You're still my baby boy, and I expect you to keep Janet in check."

"We keep each other in check." Trevor smiles softly. "Thanks for the food."

"Yeah, yeah." Jonny waves his son off. "If you were expecting a bigger reaction, you clearly don't know who I am."

Janet chuckles. "Nah, you know how nervous Trevor gets."

Trevor huffs. "I am not that bad."

"Yes, you are!" Janet smiles. "Dad tell him he's wrong."

Jonny chuckles softly. "You're both awful. Now." He gets up dusting himself off. "Trevor if you do something that fucking stupid again I will kill you myself. Janet, if you enable him again, I will do the same. Do you understand."

"Yes dad." The two say at once.

"Good." Jonny walks up to his two kids and violently knocks their heads together. "That's for being fucking stupid. I raised you both better than that."

Trevor breaks into a smile, shaking his head. "I love you too, dad."

"Love ya." Janet grins.

"Come on, you two brats. I ain't letting either of you out of my sight." Jonny grabs both of them.

The two giggle and follow.

......

The haunting sound of a somber violin drew the attention of the twins. It was oddly dark down this hallway of Aurora. Yet the music remained.

A familair voice in old Norse spoke out. "No! I don't give a fuck that I'm your fucking acolyte you rainbow cunt! We need... we have to find them. Even if it's just their bodies, I... I have to know."

The violin continues as there is now a soft sound of crying.

"Please.... Please, I don't even have my mate anymore. Please, just...." The voice is cut off by more crying.

"Papa?"

"Dad?"

The violin still doesn't stop, and the twin's voices seem so quiet in comparison.

The twins knew that these were their fathers.

Lyf was thin. He looked starved. His long traditional hair was buzzed down. His eyes were puffy from crying. He was in traditional xeon clothing, and he was holding onto Byron's tail like he was terrified. If he let go, he would lose him too. He seemed to have cut off his wings.

Byron was deathly thin as well. His hand was bleeding. He was finished with his transformation as the twins remembered. He was also in traditional xeon clothing. His wings seem to droop with bald spots from the removal of matted hair. His own hair was long and lifeless. His eyes unfocused and distant.

The twins moved closer and froze when Lyf looked up.

Lyf's eyes glowed brightly in the dark hallway. His breath caught in his throat. "Freya? Selene?"

"Papa?" The twins stare at the two. They held each other's hand.

Lyf stumbled forward, barely able to walk. His feet were bloody his shoes were long gone. He hugs both of his twins sobbing. "You... you..." He collapses in his children's arms.

#the mechanisms #the mechs

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